CruiseNTheWorld91

Hey cruisers! We did a full episode of our video podcast on Cozumel! Check it out here for our favorite places to eat and favorite activities: 

 

7 minutes ago, MechE31 said:

In Aruba, we booked a private tour through shore excursioneer. It was run by Cocolishi tours, email is cocolishitour@gmail.com. We were very happy with the tour and the price was fantastic.

 

How has your experience been with Shore Excursioneer? Have you used them much?

Good responses everyone! Just got Woodwind booked!

Thanks Ron Don! Who did you guys book through for the Woodwind?

Clarea,

Where did you guys book through?

We're wanting to venture out on our own here. Anyone have any suggestions for private transportation?

We've got a long call here and want to venture out on our own. Anyone have any good suggestions on private transportation and best places to see?

We've got a long call here. Anyone have suggestions on the best way to get around on our own? Also, best places to visit out of Oranjestad?

We are cruising to the Southern Caribbean (Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao & St. Maarten) in a couple of weeks. I've been to St. Maarten but not any of the other three. We are huge beach lovers and would like to do one snorkeling stop. I'm not a fan of organized excursions do to their brevity and being the constant sea of lines. We have really long stops in Aruba and Curacao and are wanting to go out on our own. Anyone have any info on taxi's or private rides that could take us to some of the best places. Would also love to have suggestions for the best things to do at these stops. Thank you!

Wife and I are looking at taking a Middle East Cruise in February 2020. There are two different itineraries we are looking to choose from and need a little help deciding which might suit us better.

 

Both leave from Dubai:

 

Option #1

Doha, Qatar

Bahrain, Bahrain

Sir Bani Yas

Abu Dhabi

 

Option #2

Khasab, Oman

Abu Dhabi

Sir Bani Yas

Muscat, Oman

 

What's the major differences between these two itineraries and any info would be helpful! Thank you!

I actually do think food and service vary from ship to ship. I've had some where it left something to be desired, others it was terrific. Explorer of the Seas in August was some of the best food we've ever had on a ship in the past ten years. Of course, we had the award winning chef of the fleet as our Executive Chef. I also think people complain too much about the food in general.

Was the Skyride to Paradise Point open yet? What did you think of the shows? I've heard nothing good, but I'm still hopeful. Thoughts on the food?

 

The skyride was not open. I was a fan of both production shows. The food was pretty good. We didn't eat in the dining room. Either did WJ or specialty restaurants because of the port intensive itinerary. Windjammer was okay but not a ton of selections. Really like Chops, Giovanni's and Izumi.

We just returned from a 7-Night Southern Caribbean on Jewel stopping in St. Thomas, St. Kitts, Antigua, St. Lucia and Barbados./quote]

 

 

Great to hear. I am on her for the 3rd time in a few weeks. I'll read the rest of your posts, but will be curious about how thinks look in St Thomas. My cruise won't be visiting there this time, but I will be going to St Martin for the first time post Hurricane damage.

 

 

I loved the ABC islands and love Freedom, will watch for your report next year!

 

You could definitely tell it had been hit but wasn't totally wrecked. We went back to Magen's Bay and that was were I could really tell it had been hit. Overall though, it had recovered better than I expected.

We're going this Sunday, do you happen to know how the Muster drill will work if you missed the 530pm one?

Yes. Our drill was 5:45. Talked to some people who missed it and they simply had a flyer in their room asking them to come to an optional muster drill on day two. They didn't go to it as far as I know.

I'm on that cruise in April. Which nights were the formal ones? And did they do any theme nights? Thanks in advance!

Night two and Night six. I believe Day 5 was white night and 70's party.

We just returned from a 7-Night Southern Caribbean on Jewel stopping in St. Thomas, St. Kitts, Antigua, St. Lucia and Barbados. Had a terrific trip! Ships staff was amazing, itinerary was the best and the ship is always one of my favorites. If anyone has any questions about Jewel or the itinerary, please don't hesitate to ask. I booked return trip for the same week next year, this time visiting ABC's and St. Maarten on Freedom from San Juan. Let me know if anyone has tips or great excursions at any of those places as well!

I know the board police will want this question in the ports of call section but it's hard to get questions like this answered the way that forum is laid out. That being said, we are looking at doing a Western Medi in September 2018. The two options are Jewel or Symphony. I know the difference in ship but my bigger question is ports of call. Which itinerary is better?

 

Jewel

Departing Rome to Cannes, Ajaccio, Barcelona, Palma, & Cagliari

 

Symphony

Departing Barcelona to Palma, Marseilles, La Spezia, Rome, & Naples

Hey folks! Sailing to St. Kitts in February and was wondering if there is a ferry to Nevis without doing a tour? If so, is there a place to book in advance online or can you do at the pier?

Leaving on Jewel, February 11 to Southern Caribbean. Since departure time is 8:30, when is the assembly drill usually? Trying to figure out dinner plans.

 

Thank you!

Thanks for all the information, friends! I just booked it! Indy to Bergen, Gerainger, Alesund, Skjolden, & Stavenger. Let me know what are the things not to miss!

I have never done the Alaska itinerary so can't compare but Norway does have glaciers. You can pick up a tour via the ship or there are private offerings at the port.

 

The best tour I did was one covering tour of mountains. Really good tour, got to really experience a drive around mountain route with snow etc. Great memories.

 

At the ports, it is easy to walk around and enjoy the small town feel. For the adventurous you can do an individual hike to a waterfall etc. so plenty to do without committing yourself to a tour at each stop.

 

I have been to Norway three times and still not tired of it. One warning, it is expensive.

 

Great information! Thank you!

This is probably going to get me a scolding from the message board police but I couldn't find this itinerary in the ports of call section. Looking at a Norwegian Fjords cruise on Indy next year? Can anyone tell me what this cruise is like and if it will be as awesome as I think it will be? We did Alaska this summer and absolutely loved Tracy Arm and all the mountains. I assume this would be similar minus the glacier? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Yes.

 

This is great information! Thank you!

I was on the Mediterranea earlier this year. If you'd like to see a review from another American, please have a look at what I wrote.

 

https://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=570238

 

Good review! Thank you for the information!

Where would you be cruising in the Middle East, and what do you like/look for on a cruise?

 

Without that information, our answers are somewhat meaningless. The Middle East is not a monolithic whole. Turkey is very different from Israel, and both are different from Saudi Arabia.

 

Thanks for the lecture. We are looking at leaving from Dubai. Heading towards Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Qatar, etc.