RenaeG

You'll be fine - just wheel your own baggage off with you on departure morning as that will save you time. Was on allure 2 years ago with an international flight leaving at 10.30 and we made it, just a very early morning off the ship.

I do like a wine and a good cocktail but the thought of spending $1,100 Aussie for a 12 day cruise on a drinks .... Well I find that criminal!!!! I did a 7 day cruise a few years ago and spent $300 so I'll take my chance and not get the package and we'll see how I go.

No mention of Ken Rush?! What's he up to?

I was 19 when I was shipped off for Desert Storm. I'm glad I wasn't around to ruin your 'adult only' excursion. Please don't be offended, I'm just poking fun at you.

 

 

 

Someone mentioned that the adults only excursion was 21 and older. I do have a problem with that.

 

 

 

I also don't have a problem with the OP asking the question since RC (and other lines) don't consistently enforce policies as stated. A recently example is the solarium. Is it adults only or 16+? It depends on who you ask, but I think they're trying to make it 18+.

Wow I'm not offended much at all! I'm from Australia so for me if you are of drinking age or voting age then fine and in Australia that is 18. I'm very proud and thankful of all those in the Australian Defence forces - we certainly wouldn't send anyone off to war if they weren't of drinking or voting age but hey I'm an Australian so I don't want to get involved in American politics. My only concern with commenting in this thread was to not have to hang out with teenage kids on an adult only island!

I'm in St Martin from 9am to 6pm and I'm actually thinking of booking flights to go to St Barths for the day. The shore excursion only gives you 2.5 hrs on St Barths which isn't enough. I'm coming from Australia and St Barths is very high my bucket list and I'm think what the hell just do it!!!$ I was in St Martin 2 years ago so I want to make the most out of another day there. Flights across to St Barths are 15mins and are €140 return - I can book 10.45am departure and returning from St Barths on a 4.10pm flight. There a 10am flight and the they've said that if I get there for that they will put me on. Taxi takes 15mins from port and coming back it'll be 10 mins getting through as it's not the main airport. Am I completely mad to be doing this???? The worst that can happen is that I catch a plane to the next port the following day to catch up with the ship. I'm generally a risk taker but do people think this is too risky? I know it's going to be an expensive day bug who cares when you've flown 28 hrs just to get to the ship initially anyway!

If I booked this excursion and there was a teen on it I would be demanding a refund!!!! People always think their kid is ok to be an exception to the rule but what about those who just want to be in an adult only environment ! A teen is not an adult!

We did the cruise out of Cape Liberty January 11

Here are the temperatures for the days at Sea to and from the Caribbean islands. Day 2 and 12 a bit chilly, while Day 3 was fine. Day 12 was cold!

The actual temperatures are:

Day 1- Bayonne: 23 F;

At Sea:

Day 2: 68 F; Day 3: 80 F

Day 10: 73 F; Day 11: 75 F and Day 12: 60 F.

Day 13 - Bayonne: 20 F

So all in all only Day 2 and Day 12 at sea were cold. Not that bad:cool:

 

Read my blog for the 12 nights Southern Caribbean Cruise for more details

 

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I've only taken the time to go through your blog now but I wanted to drop you a not to say after going through your blog I'm even more excited about my cruise now. Tx

I'm glad I found this post...I had started another thread about the drinks package (and I think clarea provided help on that one, too -- thanks!!!). I was worried about "breaking even" and my husband brought up a very good point... I want the drinks package so I can have a good glass of wine (or two!) with meals, and I can try lots of those 'froofy' drinks that I never would at home, and spoil myself with some good coffee and juice for room service breakfast....and then not have to worry about how much was this or that. If I am 'under', so be it! Or if I have a night with too many pina coladas to count, then I can enjoy, go dancing wit my hubby and be happy that I am not the designated driver for the night.

 

 

 

I am going into this not worrying about 'breaking even" -- I just want to enjoy vacation, not punish my body! -- and just enjoying this as another "perk."

That's the best attitude! I think I getting the drinks package after reading your post. Need to kick the 'break even' obsession!

Hi,

 

in august we are sailing with RCC to Jamaica, port Fallmouth,

 

Is it possible to book an excursion to the Dunn's fall in the port after leaving the ship?

 

Is this much cheaper (3 adults and 1 son 16 year)?

 

 

 

Thanx for your help.

Just turn up via taxi - it will be so much cheaper! So easy to do!

I am asking this question myself as I would normally automatically buy a a soda package and a water package. So a very light normal day would include a specialty Coffee, loads of soda, at least 2 or 3 cocktails and definitely 2 more expensive wines with dinner along with sparkling water. I'm thinking I need to get a package? Last time I cruised I was still in front as to get to the package you had to drink double this. Do I need a package?

...

Thanks for the review. Can I ask if there was any difference in times with ship time v shore time? I am doing this cruise in Anthem in January 2016 and looking to book excursions but I don't know what time to book. Thanks in advance

Can I ask if there was any difference between ship time and shore time? Thanks

When you come back from your cruise, could you stop by and let us know how it worked out ... I'm always interested in ideas for the future - thanks, Jan

I will do but not cruising until early January 2016 - will be on Anthem of the Seas. Very excited about this little day trip now that I know it's possible.

I've decided I'm going to fly over so I can stay the whole day - 2.5 hours just isn't enough time. Flights are only Aussie $100 more than the RC excursion and I figure I'll spend almost that back in St Martin for the afternoon. I'm coming from Australia and St Barths is the #1 Caribbean island I've always want to go to. I've dreamt about it for years and it's very high on my bucket list. So a flying I shall go! And before anyone says anything, I was in St Maarten 2 years ago so I've ticked that box already.

PR is on Eastern Time, so, in January, it should be pitch black at 6:30pm. Is it advertised as a night time tour? Is your ship spending the night there?

Will be on there on anthem of the seas - in port from 3pm to 10 or 11pm. One of the shore excursions offered is this. I thought it would be too dark at this time. Hmmm

The price has gone up to show the drop in Aussie $ compared to USD$. This only happened last week. Usd$ is the currency that RC uses and they adjusted the the rates last week. People on € and £ said the same thing happened to them last week. This new hike Odense name the drinks package at all attractive for Aussies at all!

I would highly recommend getting a RCCL Visa card. You can accumulate points and then cash them in for OBC. If you are buying them in advance and paying with a credit card you would be better off using that same card for your on board purchases via your Sea Pass account. If you use the RCCL card you get double points for any RCCL expenditure.

RCCL Visa card is only an option for Americans.

Has anyone done the Royal Caribbean 'St Barts on your own' - I am keen to understand the ferry timings. What time roughly are you back at St Martin and is it 4 hours on St Barts or including ferry rides it's 4 hours all up. Thanks in advance.

I got an amazing deal on RCCL for anthem of the seas out of NJ in jan 16 - GTY solo balcony room but got a delux cabin not a studio - paid $1100 less because of GTY

I know that this has probably bee asked and answered 100 times already but I couldn't be bothered ready 17 pages so apologies if my question frustrates anyone. Does the package have to be book within the time frame or is it that the page is only available to those cruising during the stated time frame? Tx

I am looking at doing a Segway tour in January via RCC shore excursions. I was wondering if it will be too dark at this time of year. Has anyone done this late segway tour - I would love to hear your experience and thoughts. I am going to do a food tour at 3pm so I can't do an earlier segway. Tx in advance.

I always believe that when the cruise ship is not sailing from USA you will get bad service and probably get a less than expected vacations. But this is just me and I might be wrong but the concept is always in my mind

I really find this such a bizarre comment! Heads up... There is a world that exists outside of the USA and those countries still provide customer service!

I'm not sure if this has been covered or not so apologies if it has. If you aren't on US$ do you get a better exchange rate buying the drinks package prior or leaving it until you get on the cruise ? Thanks

Is it wrong that I'm reading your review with my version of an Aussie accent (hint of NY'er) in my head - my favorite is "Melbourne", which in my real voice sounds like Mel'Bawrn, but in my "Aussie" voice it's Mel'bin ;)

 

I'm always amazed.. and more importantly, impressed, when I read reviews of people traveling to faraway lands just to get to their vacation (holiday) destination. I couldn't imagine having to organize planes, trains.. hotels.. cruise, and then more than likely do it all again in reverse. :eek:

 

Enjoying your review, and you're not even on the cruise part yet. :)

I took a 28 hour flight from Melbourne to Miami to join Allure of the Seas last year for a 7 day cruise. Don't worry I stayed for another 2 weeks to potter about the carrribean but it was the cruise I was really there for! I'm fly to NYC in January just to take a cruise on Anthem.