Honeybees

Is there still plenty of shade there since the hurricanes? Am I correct that there are loungers if you take the Secret Sands ship excursion, but none for rent if you are doing this on your own? And is there still a $5 fee for entering Smith Bay park?

I can't comment on the hurricane damage but do know that you can rent chairs on your own. Yes there is a $5 entry fee per person because it's a national park.

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If the quality of the food and service are consistent (which is still unknown at this point) then how have they "slipped another notch"? All they have done is clarify their pricing policy, adopting the common standard of allowing multiple starters and sides but only one main. And I am curious about the "another" part; I wasn't aware of any previous notches slipped.

 

I hope the OP reports back with an overall conclusion rather than a knee-jerk reaction to change.

But I hope more that the OP turns off his device and finds a way to enjoy the remainder of the meal.

Well actually, the quality of the food has diminished over the years, but we still go multiple times each cruise because overall we enjoy their menu over the MDR most nights. The quality of the steaks has gone down over the years, but it's still good just not great. The soups are both not as good as they used to be. I love the goat cheese and heirloom salad, but have never had an heirloom tomato in it. The mussels in the mussel pot have been very dry and bland the last few years, so if I'm craving them I just order as an appetizer. I couldn't see spending extra money for them now.

This was no "knee-jerk reaction" just a heads up that the price has changed AGAIN. That's what cruise critic is for and why I love it.

Unfortunately service was excruciatingly slow tonight and we waited over an hour for our appetizer and 2 hours before getting our main course. Our waiter didn't say more than 2 words to us which was a first for us in there.

Overall I would go back even if to just get my chocolate pot that is to die for!! I just won't pay additional money for the extra items because in my opinion they're not worth it.

They now charge extra if you want a small lobster tail on the side and forget about having a mussel pot as an appetizer now too.

Just on the Emerald and having dinner at the crown here is the new menu. Notice the bold print at the top ....no more surf and turf!! What a disappointment!!!

How long did it take you to walk to the harbor shops? It does look a nice walk.... also Spielbergs yacht? Is this easy to identify lol DH would love to see that.

The walk is approx 20 minutes.

Here's a pic of the boat right by Pelicans Landing

I booked our room through Priceline...can I call the hotel to ask for a specific room location like that?

I would definitely call and request the upper tower. I booked directly through Hyatt so was able to choose and the price difference for the tower to the rooms around the marina or pool was under $20.

Btw, I was excited to see a Dunkin Donuts across the street so I went there and it's just a gas station/mini mart with a single case of donuts and limited variety.

Thanks, this is what I wanted feed back on. Have you been to Pelican Landing to eat? We weren't sure about walking to Total Wine from the hotel/pier 66, the road in looks busy, but would love to walk around the area over behind Embassy, as well. We enjoy having a drink in the evening and listen to music, any suggestions on a place?

We've been to Pelican Landing a few times for dinner and drinks and always enjoyed it. It's a nice walk to get there through the marina past Spielberg's yacht. We loved bring on the water watching host traffic.

I also wasn't sure about walking the first time to Harbor Shops & Total Wine, but tried it and have walked it dozens of times now. The roads are busy, but there's crosswalks with timers at every intersection and I never felt unsafe. You'll see lots of people walking, jogging and a few bikers. I've taken Uber back to the hotel after shopping or getting nails done and it's $5 and super easy.

We've been to Shooter's on the waterway and had great food and service!! I believe they have music on certain days too.

did that, thanks. They both look great and both next to places to walk around and eat and drink at.

 

If anyone has stayed at either of these, would like your input?

We've stayed at both and would only choose the Hyatt 66 between the two. In fact, I would never stay at that Embassy again. It's very busy, loud and chaotic with all the cruisers and the free breakfast is not worth it.

We were at the Hyatt Pier 66 just a couple weeks ago and had a wonderful stay again. The grounds are beautiful and the restaurant by the pool is a great place for breakfast or lunch. Book an upper floor in the tower and you'll have great views of the waterways and cruise ships.

Also, we walked to the shops and Total Wine and it's an easy walk in about 20 minutes. We took an Uber there a few times and also to the ship and the fare was always in the $5 range and never a problem and pickup was always under 5 minutes.

We loved Carlisle Bay in Barbados! This is one of our favorite ports and we always head straight to Lobster Alive which is next door to The Boatyard, but a lot quieter and less rowdy. I believe we pay $15 for 2 chairs, umbrella, and 2 drink coupons. We snorkel with the turtles about 100 yds off the beach every time we're there. The boat vendors will approach you for snorkeling and will start off with a higher rate, but we pay $20 pp and this was recently. We've walked both ways many times and it's no more than a 30 min leisurely walk. The walk is very nice along the waterfront and through the marina and over the bridge. We like to walk there in the morning and cab it back in the afternoon heat. You'll love it!!

Woooohoooo.....way to go!!!

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Congrats on the big weight loss! It's tough to do and yes it's a full time commitment! Last year was the first and LAST time I'll not watch what I eat and stop going to the gym because it did a number on me. I was very committed to the gym before and was surprised at how easy it was to gain weight when I stopped working out. I didn't realize how much I missed going to the gym, its something I'm starting to look forward to everyday again. I'm promising myself that I'll go to the gym everyday on the cruise to keep me on track. I noticed that when I workout I'm more aware of what I eat.

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Hi, I'm also booked on a cruise for April 3rd and thought this would be a great motivator to help keep me accountable. I'm embarrassed to say that I gained 17 pounds since last April. I blame it on the 4 cruises I took! I started eating healthy and exercising in January and lost 7 lbs so far so only 10 more to go! I haven't lost any in 2 weeks though :(

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