mdchachi

2 hours ago, OCruisers said:

Havng 6 or 8  ships is normal .... 

If where you wish to go is booked, consider the excursion with the ship to Passion Island.  

8 ships is not unusual but port load of 29000 people is about as high as it gets.  I'll check out your tip, thank you.

I will also be there in February but on a very high load day with 8 ships and port load of 29,200. Definitely above average.

Mr Sanchos and Nachi Cocom are already booked to capacity. 

So now I'm weighing whether to bother getting off the ship or not.  We are a family of four with kids 10 & 12.  

Specific questions:

- Is it feasible to go to Paradise Beach w/o pre-booking?  I don't see a way to book directly on their web site.  Do they get full enough to turn people away?   Even if it's possible to get in, I'm worried about the experience there on such a crowded day. 

- I see references to a small beach area w/ free lounges at Playa Maya terminal itself but I can't find much information or pictures.  Is that a place one could hang out for a bit and get into the water?  Or is it more like just a sandy area for people to wait around while others in their party go shopping?

- Also considering Catamaran where you can snorkel near Paradise Beach / Chankanab. But I'm guessing you end up in the same churned up water where all the hordes are.  Plus you are locked in ahead of time regardless of weather.

- Playa Mia seems like it could be an option up until last minute. Tomorrow there is a similar port load and their web site lets me try to book it at least until I get to the enter-credit-card step.  But still worried how enjoyable it would be on such a crowded day.

Thoughts or other suggestions for things to do?

Thank you.

you will never see 3rd and 4th free guests for that week. Presidents week is one of the most crowded and highest priced week of the year.

I'm sure it was there. But then it was gone. There's a non-zero chance I was looking at the wrong week I suppose.

Anyway I decided to hold off on this NCL or at least this ship for now. I don't think my younger son will be tall enough to ride the go carts. I'll consider it again for 2020. Thanks.

Wasn't going to try to bring back on board......... I was just hoping there would be some in the fenced "port" area/

Just thought I could hop off, guzzle a few, and get right back on!

Your question is about Falmouth then? I haven't been there but just about every Caribbean port I've been to have shops and bars right outside the customs/entry checkpoint. But it would be outside the fenced in secure area. So given how long it takes just to walk from a ship to that point, I'd give yourself at least an hour to make such a "dash." But certainly worth it for a some good ol' Coca Cola. :)

Any info about weight / height / age restrictions for kids?

NCL.... is really nickeling and dimeing.... Now I know why I refuse to cruise this line. Atleast on Carnival you can open the bottle of wine you take on for consumption in room without a fee....NCL nails you $15 per bottle regardless.... Plus no soda allowed.

At least you finally figured out why you refuse to cruise on NCL. Should put your mind at ease. ;)

Last year, I mistakingly left some mini bottles in my luggage that I gave to the porters before embarking on the Getaway. I thought about them as the bags went around the corner....bag and mini bottles (6) made it to the room. With me having the UBP the mini bottles flew home with me... :)

mini bottles of what?

no, you can no longer bring cans of soda on the ship

I assume the answer is yes but do they enforce the rule? I'm only asking because RCCL has this same rule but they don't enforce it.

Also, does anybody know why the balcony rooms are marginally higher priced on decks 11,12,13l 14 as compared to 9 & 10? Just because it's a higher level and presumably a better view? Or do the lower decks get spray or something? Thanks.

Thank you. It's the Feb 16 sailing I need. Sounds like I should reserve anyway and keep an eye on the fares until October.

Today was the first time I ever considered sailing NCL or even looked at their web site and was looking at a Feb 2019 sailing on the Bliss. The 3/4 guest free option was there and I selected it as I was comparing prices and looking at options and what not. I came back an hour later to look again and now that option is no longer there no matter what class of room I try. It was around midnight on a Friday night. It's still within the same three-day "sale" period. Does NCL play games like the airlines do, changing options and pricing based on day of the week, etc.?

Also, how long does the $1 deposit last? ie how long do I have until I need to put out real money? Would it still make sense to reserve or do these kinds of sales come and go all the time?

Thanks.

Just be glad that none of the lines contracted with RC Cola. ;p

I would take RC Cola over Pepsi.

Thought I was the only one. I hate the taste of Pepsi so whenever we are in a port, I always make sure I can drink a coke before going back on board.

Was just looking into sailing NCL for the first time and this is very disappointing to hear this. We never get Pepsi in lieu of Coke. But the "free" beverage package is tempting. I suppose we can substitute copious amounts of beer for Coke if we have to.

Would you be so very kind as to report back after you go? This is my plan for early April & would love feedback. TIA

This turned out to be the worst day of the trip but it's not the beach's fault. Last Wednesday the weather was mostly overcast and rainy and chilly. In the morning there was sun and it seemed like any rain might pass. We headed out after lunch on the ship.

Transportation was more expensive than I expected. $10 each way -- that's $80 for a family of four for 12 miles -- in a shared ride on an open-air trolley-style bus. I didn't see a way to avoid the "tour." I paid for just one way expecting to take another operator back.

I had prepaid admission to Coral World so we went there. It was interesting/enjoyable but very small. Not worth going out of your way to see in my opinion. But if you're going to Coki Beach anyway, why not? Probably would be more interesting with the guided tour option. We hung out there in the indoor coral reef exhibit hoping the rain would let up. After a break in the rain, we went to Coki Beach which was immediately next door. Very short walk. Snorkel rentals available. I could imagine the beach being very nice on a nice day but alas, it was overcast with just a dozen or so people in the water. I assume most people there were hanging out in the bars. I didn't have time to check any of them out.

\We were determined to make the best of it. Rented one lounge and umbrella for $10. Waves were strong enough for the kids to have fun. Too strong for young kids. Since we had lugged our snorkel gear all this way we went into the water and saw some tropical fish. Kids enjoyed it.

At four however while I was still in the water with the kids, the driver came and said we should go as everybody was leaving and there would be no other transportation out here back to the cruise port. Indeed, the beach looked mostly abandoned so we rushed to grab our stuff and join the ride back. They took a different route back, stopping at an overlook for a bathroom/picture break where I think there would normally be vendors trying to sell stuff but even they had left due to the weather. All in all we were only on the island for about 4 hours.

On that particular day Coki Beach was not the best option but on a nice day, I can imagine a Coki Beach trip to make for a fantastic day.

The Coral World web site tells you what activities are available. Also their Facebook page. Make sure you also check the calendar on their web site to confirm they will be open.

Recent Coki reviews (on other sites) are favorable with no mention of hurricane damage.

My current plan is to visit Coral World & Coki Beach next week. It will be my first time to St. Thomas.

Easy. They will support you. Gave a great day.

Unfortunately this shop still hasn’t responded to me. I tried both the web form and a direct email.

My guess on adult themes is a mother not knowing which of three men her daughter’s father is.

Ah, ok, thanks.

Was just reading one of the Cruise Compasses online. It says Mamma Mia contains "explicit language and adult themes" and "may not be appropriate for young people under 13."

What kind of adult themes and language are they talking about?

Thanks for updating this thread. Exactly what I was looking for. Is there any rule regarding chair rental? For example is it mandatory to rent a chair? Or is it ok to rent two chairs for four people, for example?

Contact

 

https://www.divenevis.com/

 

They are able to put a bespoke package together to suit your whole family.

Thanks, I sent them a query. Is it realistic to try to go there on a cruise stop?

I'm having trouble finding any options for a scuba diver plus non-diver family. Either a boat excursion where they could join me or a good place to park them while I go and come back.

For example, in Cozumel there is Chankanab where there is shore diving available while the family hangs at the beach.

In Kauai, Blue Dolphin charters has a catamaran that accommodates both divers and snorkelers.

In Grand Cayman, they made their way to the Turtle Park where I met up with them after my dives.

And various other beaches/resorts where I was able to meet up later while they enjoyed themselves.

Marriott would have been a good option but they are fully booked. Is there a good beach with nice facilities (ie chairs, umbrella and bathroom)? Other ideas?

Thanks.

Our itinerary calls for arrival to St. Thomas at 10 am on Feb 22. However the RC event app says gangway opens at 1:30pm. Does this mean they are planning for a delayed arrival?

The next day at St Kitts says 8am arrival in itinerary and app says gangway open at 8:30am. So nothing unexpected there.

Thanks.

This is great, thank you. I will likely use this, adding a stop by John Watling's distillery which appears to be along the route more or less.

Hi.

Does anybody know what movies are playing on the Allure this month?

Thanks.

It was something that I think people should be more aware of - I didn't feel like there was much of a warning about it (it was our first Disney Cruise so our first Castaway Cay experience).

I agree and it's partly why I started this thread. I'm sure many people were imagining a nice day at Castaway Cay when the odds are poor they'll get one in the winter season. I'd much rather spend two days at Grand Cayman than a chilly day in the Bahamas.