Kate-AHF

Do suites get a sailaway bottle of sparkling wine? I didn't see that listed on the list of amenities, and was going to order a bottle to have when we embark.

I find it amusing (kinda) that some cruise ships have had millions spent on the construction of free activities such as rock walls, flume rides, and water parks, all of which require personnel and in some cases equipment for the user (rock wall)....but if I want to take a pilates class on HAL, in an already existing area, no equipment, and one employee, I must cough up $12.

You are really going to enjoy Cartagena with Marelvy. We were very pleased with our tour with her. She does a very good job.

Thank you so much! It's the shoreex that we are most excited about this trip.

Just me and one other gentleman on my roll call (11 sunfarer Jan 25th)

For Aruba (where we've been before) we are just taking the trolley around town, and going to one of the museums on the trolley route.

Curacao (1st time in port for us) not sure yet. Maybe a ship's tour of the Curacao distillery.

Cartagena (the reason for choosing this cruise) we are in the process of booking booking an architectural tour with MareIvy. Not everyone's idea of a good time, but definitely ours.

Puerto Limon (third time there) putting together a tour for the Jaguar Rescue Center and a private tour of the chocolate factory "Caribeans" http://www.caribeanscr.com/chocolate-tour.html

We have a killer balcony, so the partial canal transit will be aboard ship. Previous trips, we've taken the wildlife small boat tour in Gantun lake, and it was outstanding. Also taken a ship ShoreEx through a couple of locks on a small boat. This was also a very good and informative excursion.

Thank you so much for that!

Great article about the trolley

 

http://nightspublications.com/aruba/blog-entry/right-track-arubas-trolleys

Thank you for that! I had no idea Aruba has an Archaeological Museum. We were just going to wander around town (3rd trip coming up to aruba, but never have done the downtown before). Now I have a plan.

In case anyone is interested in learning more...

http://www.caribeanscr.com/chocolate-tour.html

How does one make a reservation for a Le Cirque night?

(Nope, not misspelled. :-) That's the name of the place.)

I'm putting together a private tour and am interested in including a stop with tour with this business. Has anyone visited or taken the tour?

We had the BEST time on our partial Panama Transit on the Zuiderdam. Here is a short video to get you pumped !!

 

 

Book it and have an amazing time!

Thank you for sharing that. Great video. Seeing you so happy made me smile.

I can't thank you all enough - you've been enormously helpful! Now I have my homework assignment. ;-)

spyro, thank you very, very much. The ships that are in the Caribbean during the time we want to go are teh Regal, Royal, and the Caribbean. I'll take a hard look at what is available on the Caribbean.

We've cruised 11 times, but have never sailed on a large ship before.

I'm thinking about taking a cruise this winter as a weather getaway, and for the first time, having the ship be the destination. I've been looking hard at Princess because of the number of specialty restaurants, the gym, onboard activities and the Adults-only pool. I am also drawn to the line because they seem to have a "no-gimmick" mentality.... no zip-lines, water slides, ice rinks, etc.

Here is my concern... we like spending time on our balcony on a cruise. For breakfast, for cocktails, for just sitting and talking and reading. After looking online and on youtube, the only balconies on Princess that look like they would suit are suites. That's fine, but do ANY of the suite balconies have shade?