SarahJeanneSays

Last month my daughter and her boyfriends S&S accounts were under my credit card.  I set a limit of $100 for each of them at Guest Services.  Just to be safe...they are both over 21.

We usually take the bus out front of the cruise ship terminal to downtown ($4 per person round trip) and then book our excursion from there.  We did Zip lines and an hour stop at La Bufadora last month for $56 per person.  Carnival wasn't offering the zip lines.  My parents paid $27 through the ship to go to La Bufadora (45 minute drive) but they offered it for $17 down town.

We did Los Veranos a few years ago.  We had a blast.  But watch out for the mosquitos.

On 12/19/2019 at 9:05 PM, sprinkles said:

Lighthouse on Stone Island?

 

hum, just to follow up to my above post.  After the cruise in October we decided to go back again and do a back to back.  Did the exact same thing both times.  The first week we had 18 cruisers we met follow DH and I .  It was a riot, we had to split up, to “lead” the groups.  We all made it in one piece.  DH led a group that included several handicapped.  One with a walker.  They rented a taxi for $4 , that took them to the ferry shack.  They made it to Carmelitas where we had several able bodied people who helped him get out to the beach and even into the water later.   A couple of ship workers even met up with us (then came back the next week again).
 

Everyone had a blast.  The second week we had 4 couples go with us.

 

a side recommendation to anyone going mid November thru ?  The last week we went, the water seemed different and there was a definite need for water shoes as there were nasty spiky shells on the beach.  Happy sailing everyone!

 

No, light house past where you get on the boat to Stone Island. 

On 12/23/2019 at 7:07 AM, DivotMaker said:

Hello, we will be in Mazatlan for one of our ports next week.  We've heard a little chatter about the safety of Mazatlan, and when we looked at the excursion offerings from our ship (NCL), it didn't seem to offer a lot of activities we'd like.  I did some research and came across a tour company called Veraneando Adventure on Trip Advisor that offered an ATV/Zip Line tour that caught our interest.  We'll have three children with us (11, 14, 21) so safety is extremely important to us.  There were some recent reviews on it, but not a whole lot. What are your thoughts on taking this tour?  Thanks.

We did these zip lines.  We didn't pre-book but just found someone with a sign when we got off the ship.  We were put in a taxi and it took almost an hour to get there.  Lunch was included and it was so good!  I'll never forget the tequila cheese!  We didn't pay until we were back in town.  We were taken to a restaurant in the Old Town area and paid $80 each (USD).  We had negotiated to be taken to the light house as well for an extra $20.00 and the taxi driver waited for us while we hiked up and back down and then he took us back to the ship.   

On 10/20/2019 at 9:11 AM, sprinkles said:

Just got off our cruise last Sunday.  I always do Stone Island on our own.  We had a lot of new cruisers on our sailing and only two people were brave enough to join us (and had the time of their life).  First of all, honestly if you know your left from your right and can walk briskly for 10 minutes on a flat surface, you can find the ferry easily.  

 

Get off ship and take the shuttle through container area to the shops where many people are drinking and shopping.  Just keep walking through, ignore everyone offering you tours, taxis.  Anyone telling you, that it is too far to walk.

 

Get outside of the gate, you will see a block curving wall to your LEFT, just follow it (there will still be taxis asking you where you are going, just ignore them).  Honestly 10 minute walk by the wall.  It dead ends at a street, look up and you will see a sign (not new and neon, old paint that says stone island ferry).

 

Cross the street and walk down the uneven dirt road (you will start to see water. ). Pass the free roaming chickens .  You will see a small salmon colored shack (probably with some people just hanging around drinking). Go up to window, wait patiently for woman to end her phone call.  Pay $2 us pp for your round trip ticket (friend has pesos and I believe she paid 90 pesos).  Get your tiny tickets, walk to the right of shack and down the gangway to small dock at bottom.  When a boat pulls up, get in it. Expect to do it on your own (no one will be standing there trying to help you like on the ship tenders).

 

Short ride across water.  When you get out walk up short hill.  You can walk the beach which is long.  About halfway down you will see busier restaurants (tours go there)

 

OR you can jump in the back of a waiting truck (bed converted with benches and covered ) ask how much to Letys (should be $1 apiece).  There were other people in our truck who got out at the first stop (bear in mind that they are driving on a dirt road behind the restaurants you can,t see the beach during the ride).  We started to get out and our driver thankfully said no (as this was the stop in the middle of the beach).  When he stopped next time it was for us.  Directly between Lety,s and Carmelitas (which is actually where I always go. 

 

Ruben at Carmelitas is awesome and can set up massages (1 hour $30 us, hubby did this). (Atv 30 min for $20 friend and I did it).  Basically whatever you want ask them (I’m sure letys does the same.   Buckets of beer $1 apiece, awesome food.  Shad, sun loungers whatever.  I think we spent $200 (with generous tips) for all the above plus a bannaba boat ride steak nachos , shrimp tacos etc.

 

of note here, when the truck driver dropped us off , we told him to pick us back up at 5:30 pm (all aboard was 6:30 pm).  He was there early and Ruben knew what time we had to leave.  We walked onto the ship at 6:03 pm.

 

If you didn’t get or appreciate my humor, then you probably need to take an excursion.  If you “get it” then go on your own,  either way you will have a great time.  Question is how adventurous are you and how much do you want for your money.  Two ship friends who didn’t want to wait for us (as we waited for all who were invited ). Left on their own and then paid $30 apiece for a tour at the dock).

 

Hope this is helpful.  I found my way the first time years ago with detailed instructions from  CC.  We had such a great time and enjoying retirement we are doing it again in two weeks ,  Happy sailing everybody.

We kept on walking and hiked to the lighthouse.

My hubby did it in Cabo.

We've always booked excursions on our own...

In Cabo we've rented ATV's and last time we walked around to Billygan's and drank margaritas and lounged on the beach, my hubby rented a jet ski for 30 minutes.

Mazatlan we've done Stone Island all inclusive and last time we did ziplines. 

PV we've done zip lines and swam with dolphins at the waterpark

3 hours ago, heffy2 said:

I think there were maybe a total of 10 loungers, in the same room as the pool and the entrance to the saunas.

Looking back at my photos I think there was only 10 on the Splendor as well.

On 12/14/2019 at 3:07 PM, heffy2 said:

I heard a lot of people complaining about the spa, but all I used was the thermal suite. The spa seemed VERY crowded the whole three days, but maybe that's just how three day cruises are? The only drawback of the thermal suite was that there were only enough heated, ceramic beds for a fraction of the people who had the thermal pass.

Interesting, usually on the Splendor I would be one of only 3-4 people on the heated loungers.  How many are there?  I know they are around the hot tub, unlike the separate room on the Splendor.

Where can I check my casino points?

Hello!  I'm back!

So I went to the Casino cage on the first night and they had no record of my offer!  I was asked to come back after 10:00pm.  I did and still nothing.  We checked back the next day and they found my info.  I was handed $50 in cash and a Drinks On Us card  with my name and our sail dates on it was attached to my Sail & Sign Card.  We sat at a slot machine and flagged down a server when he walked by.  I asked if the hubby and I could each order a drink and he said it was 1 every 5 minutes so I could just order another when he came back with my first drink.  He came back in 7 minutes (yes, I timed it).  Tipped him $2 and ordered hubby's drink.  He came back in about 7 minutes again so we again tipped $2 and ordered another and told him we were moving to the Craps table.  The hubby gambled at Craps for about 90 minutes, we ended up with 7 drinks and started tipping $5 chips.  We walked out with 2 full drinks and still had $15 of the original $50.  We never did make it back to the casino after that afternoon. 

1 hour ago, Nic6318 said:

Hi

 

One thing about money in a casino, is that it is the same no matter where...your $50 will last longest if you either win or don't play much. 

 

have a great cruise

I just want to take advantage of the Drinks on Us.  We were thinking of getting Cheers this time but I don't think we'd spend that much just buying a drink here and there . 

3 hours ago, MT_Sea_Cruisers said:

Helpful hint for those that don't want to spend a lot each slot pull and take advantage of the "free drinks on us". . . . If there is a Dancing Drums slot machine you can play all lines for as little as 8 cents per spin (Select "1 Gold Symbol" and the "Play 1X" option).  We've been lucky and won up to $50 on a single spin.

I'll keep an eye out for this one. 

My thoughts were by the time someone came around to take my drink order and then brought it to me I'd be out of money.  lol.

13 minutes ago, glrounds said:

Sarah, did you notice any of the clocks, located all over the ship, CHANGED ? Of course not. 

 

 

I for sure noticed a digital clock by the elevators had changed.  Why would we change our own clocks but the ship wouldn't?  Makes no sense.  No one would be on time for anything.

On the Splendor last month we had a Spa Room and we heard people asking about a day pass and they were told to check back each day because they weren't offering them on that particular day. 

I'll be on the Inspiration in December.  I will report back.

It was offered when I was on the Splendor last month.  I wanted to check it out but never got the chance.

On 9/30/2019 at 4:23 PM, glrounds said:

Unless the ship is transitioning to a new homeport, the SHIPS time never changes. It is always the same time as its homeport. If the Captain mentions any times in port it is purely for the convenience of his passengers. As others have said the people running the different venues and excursions know the ship schedules very well and will direct you from the port.

100% not true.  We were on the Splendor the week of Labor Day and the night before Mazatlan we got a print out to change our clocks ahead one hour.  The CD joked about taking an hour from of trip but promised to give it back to us.   

1 minute ago, my kids mama said:

There are penny slots but they can take your money just as fast depending upon if you get lucky or not.  You are supposed to be actively playing in order to get a drink.  I could totally see a bar tender getting you a drink if you were watching someone else play though since he/she will see your DOU card connected to your sign and sail card.  Just make sure to tip them and they will keep the drinks flowing while you are in the casino.  The DOU benefits do not work at the casino bar though, only in the actual casino.  Have fun. on the Inspiration.  I have been on her twice and I am going on her sister the Sensation next week.  She is an older, smaller ship but I like her.  

I've sailed on the Imagination but not the Inspiration.  We were on the Splendor last month. 🙂

Thanks for the reply. 

I booked a 3 day in December on the Inspiration on a casino promotion.  I've never gambled on a cruise so not sure why it showed up in my offers but whatever.

It includes $50 to play in the casino with and Drinks on Us while playing.  Is there penny slots in the casino or should I except my $50 to be gone quick?  How does the Drinks on Us work?

2 hours ago, RobinCruiser said:

Thank you for the info! I am sure we will try the Aqua Bus. I am a little worried about our Queen Mary stay.... It's booked for the 28th, which is the first night of Dark Harbor. They are not offering the Paranormal Walks, which we wanted to do and now, I'm worried we won't get any sleep due to the screams and noise of people enjoying Dark Harbor until the wee hours of the morning. At least I'll make sure we have warm jammies for the night so we aren't too cold like you were. 

I'll be at Dark Harbor on the 28th.  I'll try to keep the screams down!  LOL

84 days until the Inspiration.  I've never been on his ship but I have cruised the Imagination several times.

On 9/7/2019 at 7:17 PM, yogibear said:

I put our soda allowance in my rolling carryon bag. After the cruise, I have space for all the things I bought.

 

Karen

Exactly what I do.

4 MORE SLEEPS!