thehams

There is so much to see and do in Alaska, I can't imagine him missing the pool at all! You will be off the ship much of the time!

Our 7 day cruise, only has 3 port days, so we will have 3 days at sea.

From what I read, using the pools on Jewel going to Alaska in July isn't really an option, unless you want to freeze.

My husband, myself and our 5yr old are thinking of a July cruise to Alaska and I'm worried my son may get bored if he can't really use the pools do to the colder weather.

Can anyone tell me their experience with the Jewel pools in Alaska? If it is in fact too cold to use the pools, what else is there for our son to do, besides Splash Academy?

I tried looking on the web if some Uber cars provided car seats. I read a couple of articles that said UberX does, but those were 2014 articles. I don't see the option in the app and there is no number Uber customer service number.

We are flying into Miami and staying for 1 night and planned on getting an Uber to take us to the cruise terminal, but I have no idea how we will do that in an Uber or Taxi without a car seat and I really don't want to haul around and pay to bring a car seat to use for 15 mins.

Any ideas?

Check with Coco Brown on the list. I think he charges $45 per person with minimum 4 but he may go with just 3. Food would be extra but most local food meals are enough for 2 adults.

Yes, I spoke to him just now. He said it would be $75.00 an hour, so that's a lot better, price wise.

I'm just worried starting a tour at 1pm will be harder to get a driver.

We will be in St. Thomas in August from 8am - 6pm.

We want a private tour, but I'm afraid it wont be in our budget. I received a quote of $500 for up to a 6 hour tour. For those that have been on one, does that price sound about right? The quote was from David's Fun Tours.

What we want to do, is spend a few hours on the beach and then get picked up to do some sightseeing/tour of the island, either Mountain Top or Drake's Seat, eat some local food and end with a little shopping (basic souvenir shopping, not jewelry)

I am wondering to save on cost, would it be better cost wise to taxi to beach, then taxi to Mountain Top or Sightseeing, then taxi for food somewhere and so on.

Let me hear your thoughts.

Getting very confusing following all of your posts! Yes per the other threads you've posted to Sapphire is alive and well.

Me and you both. I started seeing posts about it being closed and all the posts just blended together. Now I'm all good and on the up and up :)

Of these three choices Sapphire, hands down. No umbrella rentals but there is natural shade, and water toys are limited to life vests, floats, kayaks, and snorkel gear, I believe. You can sit in a quieter area but still be close to the amenities and restrooms and get beach service.

I cannot decide. It's almost too many post and reviews, it's overwhelming and then they start to blend in.

I have crossed out Magen's...seems like the most crowded, BUT I've added another option...Trunk Bay.

When I throw Trunk Bay in the mix, do you still prefer Sapphire? Some reviews I've read on Sapphire, is that the sand is very rocky. Do you know this to be true?

You mentioned Sapphire has a lot of trees for shade. I like the sun, while I will want my son under the trees while we are just hanging out in the sand, SO, can he sit in the shade, while I sit in the sun, next to him?

Sorry for all the questions, I just want to pick a really great place!

When we go to St. Thomas, the must do for us is the beach. St. Thomas has some very pretty beaches, especially those on the east side of the island. What do you and your parents like to do? Are you wanting to stay close to the port or are you willing to venture out? Our first time in St. Thomas we took a tour that consisted of a little shopping, a tour of the island, and a beach stop.

Hi 2PinaColadas: We are looking to do just that: beach, tour and some shopping/eating. Did you just pick up a taxi at each spot or did you hire a driver? I would like to hire a driver to take us around, but I'm afraid that would be too pricey for us? What did you spend about?

I saw some old posts about the Dive Shop at Sapphire beach being closed.

Does anyone know the current status?

Both beaches are beautiful -

 

Coki Beach is in a much smaller bay and so tends to be more crowded. The vibe there is more lively as a result, and the many vendors there add to that.

 

Sapphire is home to 3 condo properties and you have access to the beach area around the Sapphire Beach Resort & Marina property. Beautiful Bill is one of the owners there and can give you much more information than I. But the vibe is generally much more tranquil as there are no vendors and there is room to spread out either in a sunny spot by the dive center or under the trees in front of the condos. There are a couple restaurant options there and runners do take orders on the beach too. Nice island views and water colors.

http://www.sapphireinthesun.com

 

Our favorite was Coki until we stayed at the SBRM and "discovered" Sapphire, now that's our go-to beach on STT along with Hull Bay when we want something different.

Hi Blue Water.

We are thinking of sapphire. I love the sun, but I rather have my son under the shade when we are just sitting around. Is it set up to where, he can be under the trees and I can be next to him in the sun?

We are a family of 3, our son is 5.

We will be in port from 8am -6pm.

We want a restroom, food, chair/umbrella rentals and some water toy rentals (maybe) and not crazy crowded!

Which beach would be best for us?

Magen's, Sapphire or Honeymoon (St. John)

In August, nothing is crowded. Yes, you can take a taxi. They charge per person, so yes, it can get expensive if you just go from point to point. The drivers do tours for a set price that will basically do what you want- shopping, beach, sightseeing.

Any particular beach you recommend with said things and that's more family friendly and not the whole party beach scene?

Thank you, I just printed that out!

We will be staying 1 night at the Hilton Miami airport before our cruise and wanted to know if anyone is familiar with the area and could recommend a good restaurant for dinner. One that is also kid friendly.

TIA

I tried googling it, but I can't seem to find the site. I saw someone post it a couple of years ago, when we went on our last cruise.

My husband, our 5yr old son and I will be in St. Thomas for our first time in August. We will be in port from 8am-6pm.

We would like to spend some time on the beach, do some sightseeing, grab a bite to eat and end with a little shopping. Would we have time for all of that?

Beach: we would want one that has chair rentals, umbrellas/or shade area and some snorkel or other water toy rentals and isn't crazy crowded and that's family friendly.

Sightseeing: What places are a must see?

Shopping: Best places for souvenir type stuff, nothing fancy.

Could we hire a taxi to take us to the beach? Then arrange for a pick up at xx time and then take us sightseeing, maybe a good place to eat and then shopping? Are hiring drivers/taxi's for something like this pricey?

TIA :)

We will be on the Escape in July 2017 and I've read that most shows have to be reserved ahead of time, is this correct? It's our first NCL cruise, so I'm not familiar with having to reserve shows.

As for the Specialty dining, I know we need reservations and I believe I read we can do 90 days before sailing? Is this the same for the shows too?

TIA :)

We will be on the NCL's Escape in July 2017 and will be stopping in Tortola from 7am - 3pm. We want to go to the baths on our own and want to take Speedy's Ferry at 7:45am.

This is only my 4th cruise, but I remmber in the past having to wait a long time to get off the ship and that people with ship booked excursions, get to get off first.

Also it looks like we don't prepay the ferry, we just go and pay when we get there?

We are thinking about going to the zoo and gardens in Nassau, but would like to go on our own. I can't bring myself to pay the cruise ship's excursion fee's. Is it walking distance? We will have a 5yr old with us. If not walking or if we want a taxi, are they readily available? Any idea on cost?

It would be nice to take a taxi, that could also show us a little sight seeing too.

As for tickets to the Zoo, will we be able to pay when we get there or is it better to do in advance, if that's even an option?

TIA :)

We just booked a cruise on the Escape in July. We booked through AAA and I was told the Hotel is about 20 mins away from the cruise port, AFTER I booked the reservation. It didn't even cross my mind to ask, I guess I just figured the travel agent knew what to book.

Has any one stayed at the Hilton Airport? I called the hotel and they have a shuttle to the port for x amount of dollars, but they only leave at noon time.

I'm thinking of just getting an Uber or taxi to take use, so we can get there early. Has any one done this? What was your experience?

The service charge is how they get paid? They don't get any other sort of pay from NCL?

Ok, I understand better now about how it all works!!!! Thank you all for the help. I'm a little "slow" and it takes me longer to understand things

OK here is a list.

 

Drinks hard and soft - 18% added to each tab at the time of purchase

Ala Carte/Specialty restaurants: 18% added to the tab at the end of each meal

 

UBP: unlimited drinks - hard and soft - $79.00/person/day +18% gratuity on the whole package - if purchased onboard it must be purchased for all of the cabin mates and for the entire cruise. It can also be purchased ahead of time.

If selected as a "free" booking perk, you are still obligated to pay the 18% gratuity - this is usually added to the cruise fare and paid for a final payment. However there will be no gratuities added to the individual drinks.

 

UDP/SDP (old and new names) for the specialty dining package that allows either unlimited or a given number of meals in the specialty restaurants. Price depends upon the number of meals. Again you pay the 18% of the package price and nothing at the restaurants. Like the UBP, if offered as a booking perk you must pay the 18% gratuity on the price of the package.

 

DSC - Daily/Discretionary Service Charge - at the last check it was $13.50 /person/day this covers the tips for the room stewards, wait staff, and all of the people behind the scenes who make your trip a true holiday. It used to be adjustable on board ship - ie you could raise or lower it based on your level of service. Last fall when I cruised you had to fill out a form after the cruise and send it to NCL Miami where they would decide if any refund was due. Other have reported recently that you can do this onboard. You can also pre-pay this or let them charge it on a daily basis. It cannot be paid for with non-refundable Onboard Credit (OBC)

Thank you, that was helpful. I've only been on 3 cruises. The last one was 2yrs ago with RCCL and it was all pre-paid, so I didn't worry about the service fees for the cabin and MDR, but I think we did tip extra at the end, my memory is horrible. The other 2 cruises were some time ago and I was young and just don't remember what we did.

I guess my concern was do people usually tip the cabin stewards on top of the service fee and it sounds like it really depends on the people and or the service they received.

As for the MDR, I'm used to having the same server every time, so how does tipping work in that case? Does one tip in cash after each meal?

I haven't seen many posts on what excursions are good for younger kids.

We really want to do the Baths, but I'm wondering if it will be too difficult for our son. Thoughts? Has anyone gone with their younger children?

Jost Van Dyke seems like a runner up, but seems like a big party beach, which normally would be fine, but maybe not with our son.

Any thoughts/suggestions?

Thanks, I did find out a lot more info, BUT I haven't seen any posts about taking younger children to the Baths. He is 5, so he walks well, but I'm not sure if the terrain is something a 5yr old can do. I've read a lot of mixed reviews, from it's really not bad to pretty difficult.