sromano516

One more thing, Sheryl. My husband has significant mobility issues. If you take a bus to and from Horseshoe Bay, it is a significant walk down than uphill for the bus. I nearly cried when we discovered that fact when we were dropped off the first time. However, if you take a minivan there and back they drop you off and pick you up pretty close to the beach on a fairly flat path. Maybe 100 yards? Last year I think it was $7 each way. There are bathrooms, a snack bar, little convenience store and an ATM at the beach, as well as beach chair and umbrella rentals. And lots and lots of pretty pink sand.

You have no idea how much I appreciate that info. We looked into renting the Whaler Boat after realizing that the beaches all appear to involve a somewhat far walk. I cannot walk too far. Good to know that’s doable if we take a taxi; we might take a taxi to Horseshoe Bay after the boat rental, if we want to experience more pink sand :-). Thanks again!

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Hi, Sheryl! We rented a Boston Whaler from Somerset Watersports. They tell you exactly how far you are allowed to go, and although it is not super far, there is plenty to explore and keep you occupied for four hours. We visited several little beaches that had pretty pink sand, got to see sea turtles and feed fish at a shipwreck (so nice we went back and did it twice). We snorkeled at both beaches, then went for a wild dash around the bay. We pulled up to the dock at Woody’s for an awesome lunch, went under the world’s smallest drawbridge and still had time to check out an abandoned resort from the water before it was time to bring the boat back. You’ll have an unforgettable adventure. We went with another couple, brought a bottle of wine and some cups purchased in Dockyard, and we each brought our own snorkel gear from home. SWS gave us bread to feed the fish. I’m no svelt little thing nor young and I had no trouble climbing up the little boat ladder in and out of the boat, but with four husky adults it was a tight fit onboard.

Thank you so much for the information!! You really eased my mind. I was worried about not getting to see the pink sand since I was told the pink sand is only on the south shore, not anyplace we would go with the boat. I also have health issues and was nervous about getting in and out of the water. It sounds like the experience was pretty easy, navigating the waters and going where you wanted without stress or issues. I appreciate your review. Someone else recommended eating Woody’s, I didn’t know it was something you can dock at; I imagined that they walked there from the rental place.

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Hi, Sheryl, We did the Somerset Bridge Watersports rental of a Boston Whaler a few years ago. Everywhere in Bermuda has lovely pink sands, and the Whaler is very safe - I promise you will not get stranded! They show you just how to use the boat, load you up with some bread to seed the fish, and tell you where you can sail to. Plan on grabbing lunch at Woody's, and have a wonderful time!

Thanks for your reply. I was told(on another forum) that only the south shore beaches of Bermuda have pink sand and that the beaches we would go to with the boat wouldn’t be pink. We really want to rent the boat but at the same time, I really would hate to go to Bermuda and miss out on stepping in the pink sand.

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To see a pink sand beach, you will have to exit the protected bay and then motor to a South Shore Beach. You will be motoring in open water and then have to beach the Boston Whaler through any surf, As I wrote in my first post, to see pink sand, take a public bus, mini-bus, or a taxi to Horseshoe Bay Beach. I'm not even sure the boat rental company would rent to you if they knew your plans.

 

 

 

SBtS

 

Thanks for the info but I think you are misunderstanding me. I don’t have “a plan” lol. We were originally going to go to the beaches via taxi but found that Horseshoe Bay Beach doesn’t really have water activities. I also have health issues; it’s hard for me to walk very long distances and we notice that long walks are involved with going to any of the beaches. My husband discovered the places that rent jet skis and boats, we found the idea of the boat rental a great way to experience Bermuda’s waters and be able to stop at different secluded beaches. As I said, my personal main goal of going to Bermuda was to be on the pink sands so my question was just asking if any of those beaches that we would be allowed to stop at with the boat actually has pink sand. Based on your answer, the only pink sand is on the south shore and you are saying that the rental boats aren’t allowed to be taken to the south shore. Thanks for the info. We will have to figure out what we can do during our one day in Bermuda that would make us all happy and achieve all that we are looking for.

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You will find pink sand beaches on the South Shore not on the bay side. To see the pink sand, take a public bus, mini-bus, or a taxi to Horseshoe Bay Beach.

 

 

 

SBtS

Thanks but I was specifically asking with regards to Boston Whaler boat rental... if the beaches you can pull the boat into are pink.

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We rented a Boston Whaler Boat from Somerset Bridge Watersports for four hours on the Sunday we arrived in Bermuda. It was a great time and wonderful to just drive around and poke in and out of small beaches and coves.

Hi. My family is going to Bermuda next month and was looking into renting a Boston Whaler for 4 hours like you did. My main goal of going to Bermuda was to experience the pink sand. Did the secluded beaches that you have access to have the pink sand? Did you have any problems with getting in and a it of the boat in the water?

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Your going to love the Boston Whaler. We packed a lunch and stopped at a secluded beach. You also get a cooler with the boat and bread to feed the fish at the Vixen.

I know this is an old post but I was looking for info on Somerset Bridge Boston Whaler excursions. My main goal in Bermuda was to experience the “pink sand”. I know you have the opportunity to stop at a secluded beach, does that area have pink sand?

And did you feel safe when getting into the waters to snorkel or when you drove the boat into the beach area? My fear would be getting the boat stuck on coral reef or sand.

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There are 2 private resorts that have day passes. Resorts for a Day offers day passes for Coco Reef Resort and Elbow Beach Resort.

 

 

 

 

 

• 
   
  
• EB - $69 p/p
   
  
• CCR - $104 p/p
   
  

 

 

 

SBtS

Thanks! We will look into those.

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Hello. My family is porting at King’s Wharf at the end of May (2018) and want to go to a beach for the day that has some options for water activities. We know Horseshoe Bay Beach is most popular and obviously very crowded and has little to no activities. We are looking for recommendations or experiences at other beaches with pink sands, restrooms and water activity options. Preferably less than an hour from Kong’s Wharf. Also, somewhat importantly, hopping fully something that has easy access. I have motility issues and cannot walk toooo far; I am not taking my wheelchair off the cruise ship so I’m hoping to not have tooooo long of a walk to the beach once out of the taxi. My list of desires might be hard to find but I’m hoping someone has some input. Do any of the resorts offer public access?

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Does anyone know the earliest arrival time for the 8-day Horizon cruises out of NYC? I was able to choose 11:30 am for the 7/31 sailing and I was wondering if earlier times were offered. Thanks!

Hi. We are on the May 24, 2018 sailing and the earliest we could pick was 11:30-12pm. We are in a Family suite which is supposed to have priority Check in.

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Thanks for the info. I was wondering if the package also let you keep the printed pics as well.

 

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I didn't think to post about it earlier but we didn't find any printed pictures on this ship. I'm guessing they are utilizing technology and wasting less paper. The Photo gallery is filled with tablets to review your pictures. I didn't look into their options but I assume you can order printed pics while on the ship or choose one of their digital packages.

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Can I get your opinion on the photo package? Did the pics come out good? Do you also get the printed pics?

 

 

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The pictures do come out nice. There might be some you don't like but a lot do come out very nice. I will have a hard time choosing which to print and frame. We didn't receive or purchase any actual prints. We purchased the photo package for $249 prior to the cruise and we were given a flash drive (USB) to go home with.

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I don't know what I did with mine, wouldn't be able to find it now. There was no real difference, we just used it to open the door to our room. You could probably use a pen or marker to make a mark on the band. I guess it would matter if one of you had a drink package and the other doesn't, then you want to make sure you use the right band at the bar. Or if you have a different credit card tied to each of your sea pass cards. We both had the same drink package and same credit card so it really didn't matter if we mixed up our bands by accident.

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The WOW bands came complimentary with our suite. I really thought they would be silly but they really did come in handy. I appreciated not having to pull out my sea pass card to enter the room, just put my wrist to the door and it unlocked. I did consider paying for two additional ones for the kids but we never did. My husband is right, it's nice for the pool and that it can be worn in the water, don't have to take your sea pass card with you to the pool and worry about losing it.

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I've been following you and your husbands review and it's great. We're going on the Anthem in July. P.S. - we're practically neighbors. We live in Farmingdale and my husband grew up in Levittown.

Thanks! There is someone else from Farmingdale too, that's not far from us. I grew up in Levittown, graduated from MacArthur. That's where my kids go now.

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Hi Sheryl & Family -

 

 

 

Thanks so much for the live review, I truly enjoyed it (and belated Happy Anniversary!). Happy to hear you're feeling better (sorry about the ER on your return home - ugh). Glad your DH got his certification (and sorry your DS had issues). I was following closely since it's my dream to SCUBA (but, the doctor just smashed my hopes last week). Just wanted you to know that I really enjoyed your take on Anthem!

 

 

 

FYI - I'm from Farmingdale, but my Mom lives in Wantagh. Small world. :cool:

Yes, definitely a small world. I'm sorry about the scuba thing for you. I would like to try Snuba sometime. Or those underwater scooters.

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Hope you are feeling better! Where on Long Island due you live? I am from Jericho. :)

Thanks! We live in Wantagh/Levittown area

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Sheryl, I'm sorry you were sick :-( I definitely hope you are feeling better. Thanks for sharing your cruise with us!

Thank you! And it has a been a pleasure sharing our experience.

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final elevator question: overall for the week how was it and would you move or stay on 10 again

Hi. I would stay on 10 again. I liked that floor level and the location of our room. The elevators can be annoying sometimes but it's a crowded ship so you just deal with it. After day 2, it was much better. We found that no matter what floor you are on or part of the ship (forward or aft) that it was the same situation. Sometimes you get an elevator quickly and sometimes you have a wait. Sometimes you get an empty elevator and sometimes you have to squeeze in a crowded one.

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Hi everyone. Sorry that I've been MIA. I didn't get sick from the food on the ship or any virus, I have medical issues and ended up going to the emergency room after we disembarked. I'm doing okay and just wanted to express that my husband and kids are fine, not sick at all. Anyway... I didn't get to update everyone yesterday. We left our room at 6:45am and went to our meeting place of Chops Grille, which is the meeting place for suite guests. The Concierge walked a group of us down, through the gangway and all the way to the luggage. We were at our car by 7:02am and pulling out of the garage by 7:05am. I'm thankful it was a very quick process since I was in a lot of pain. Luckily traffic wasn't bad and we were at our home on Long Island slightly after 8am. We will have to redo our anniversary since I was not well. But overall, it was a memorable vacation with lots of great experiences. Most importantly, the kids enjoyed it. Would I go on this ship again? Yes, I believe I would do another cruise on Anthem.

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According to RCCL blog "Continental breakfast options will remain complimentary, so guests can still take advantage of room service without additional fees in the morning. The $7.95 fee will be charged for each room service order. Guests in a Grand Suite stateroom or above will retain complimentary room service." Just like "luvmykidsluv2cruise" said, I would question Guest Services.

Breakfast has a complimentary section but eggs and pancakes and stuff like that are part of the $7.95 fee, which they call "AMERICAN Breakfast". Just continental breakfast is free. We've been charged for all room service deliveries, 3 breakfasts and tonight's dinner. My husband will look into it and contact guest services.

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More room service items:

Cobb salad

Chocolate chip cookies (he ordered too much, didn't realize they give you 4 cookies per 'cookie' order; he only wanted 4 cookies but now has 16 lol)

Chocolate cake

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In case anyone is interested to see some of the food from Room service, my husband ordered a variety of items. As much as you want for the $7.95 fee.

Chicken Quesadillas - comes with salsa, sour cream and guacamole

Cheese fries

Philly cheese steak

Nachos - also has salsa, sour cream and guacamole on the side

Grilled cheese (tastes much better than it looks!)

Royal Burger

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Happy Anniversary

Excellent review from you and your husband.

 

Do you know if iFly instructions are provided before the experience or is the instructor talking and giving pointers while inside?

 

Thank you

Thank you. You show up a few minutes before your reservation time. Once the entire group arrives, they take you into a room to watch a very short video about safety and hand gestures. Everything is about hand gestures because you can't hear or talk inside the wind tunnel. The instructor goes over all of that over and over again. Then he provides everyone with suits, helmets and goggles. Takes the group to the wind tunnel and everyone takes a turn. The instructor was very nice and seemed to love his job and worked well with everyone. The only thing you can do ahead of time is sign waivers. You need to sign waivers for most things such as iFly, flowrider, rock wall, etc. It can actually be done all on your tv once you get to your room. Pretty easy.

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Thank you to ALL of you that has wished us a happy anniversary. To all of those sharing a special day, we wish you all happy anniversaries and a happy birthday too!

We have been ordering room service for breakfast the past few days which has been surprisingly decent, good. My husband loves their hash browns lol. The pancakes have been good too. Yes, there is a $7.95 charge per room service order. We thought that was waived for suite guests but I guess not, since we have been getting charged.

We had a tour of the bridge today which was cool. Was short but nice, to see something that most people don't see.

I haven't been not feeling well after a week of eating nonstop, food that I normally don't eat. So I rested today in our room and we have decided just to order room service for dinner. My husband played adult dodgeball and my 14 yr old got a gold medal in a teen scavenger hunt. I'm not sure where the 17 year old is. Well, that's pretty much it folks. We have our luggage tags for departure, gave out extra tips that we wanted to give, packed up most of our belongings and are getting ready to disembark tomorrow morning. It's been a pleasure posting. Will give an update tomorrow on departure and anything else that we encounter.

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