RW_MI

We just got back. Ended up going out on our own and had an absolutely awesome time.  I did see one or two guys taking people out with lifebuoy rings but not sure if they were associated with a specific resort.  West Bay Beach is amazing!!!!

Thanks, medcruzer, for your update too.

Yet another vote for Tabyana - awesome snorkeling from the beach at West Bay.  I've done Tabyana and have booked through Bananarama.  Same beach and it's easy to walk. I'm booked with Bananarama for my upcoming cruise but was happy with Tabyana too. Have fun wherever you go!

Thanks - so you went out on a boat, right? Do you remember the cost?  Need to be sure I bring enough cash. Thanks again.

19 minutes ago, jean87510 said:

I haven't seen this since the restart.  But another option is to look for a snorkeling vendor who will take you out past that area to a better reef.  I think there was one near Bananarama (sp?).

That's disappointing, but thanks for the additional info. We'll be at Bananarama so will check that out.

When I was last in Roatan (2019) we went to West Bay Beach. There were guides who would offer to swim out with you - they walked up and down the beach, but congregated toward the south end.  After snorkeling on my own for a while, I decided to do it, and was really glad I did.  He gave me a tube to hold on to, and he swam along side.  We went places I wouldn't have gone by myself.  I'd say we were out for about 45 minutes or so (?).

I remember that I'd asked him how much, and he just said whatever I wanted to pay.  I don't remember what I ended up paying him. Any thoughts on what they might consider good payment?  And maybe the bigger question - has anyone been there recently and do they still do this?  Thanks

2 hours ago, CRU52 said:

 

Yes thank you got that. But where in the ship is it? 

If you look in the app under My Calendar, it will show the safety briefing under its start time.  If you click on that, it will show the Station number (which I realize you already have) and the station location.

14 hours ago, budmeister said:

A few dollars more a day than internet. We enjoyed getting on the ship asap, dropping carryons at dining room and both key meals. We were on the Wonder,  with no tenders. I thought it would be a great benefit for reserved show seating,  but was disappointed. Their were about 6900 people on our cruise, and plenty must have been key purchaser's or suites because these seats were full at 20-25 min b4 a lot.

This is helpful to me.  I cruise solo and bought the Key before - really enjoyed it for the show seating and FlowRider.  I'll be on Wonder next month and right now I've purchased both the Key and Internet - deciding which to cancel and this is pushing me towards cancelling the Key.

On 1/7/2024 at 2:33 PM, mitsugirly said:

 

We went in 2019 on this particular tour. They are still doing the exact same tour located HERE

thank you!

On 9/21/2023 at 10:44 AM, mitsugirly said:

We used Cozumel Excursions . net when we went and had a GREAT day and loved this tour. I have my review HERE with TONS of pictures if you are interested. 

I looked at the link and tried to find a date. Were you there recently?  thanks

7 hours ago, Starry Eyes said:

You seemed to have escaped a deck 14 assignment with your CP cabin (presumably you’d have told us if you were already in deck 14😀).  You’ll have to weigh to cost of the upgrade and the risk of a poor location vs your wish for an oceanview.  
 

 

Yes, on deck 10 right now.  CP and I just realized today that it's a connecting room, and the room it connects to shows occupancy up to four, so I assume there could be kids there (so maybe noisier).   Whether I end up there or end up with a RoyalUp change, I'm determined I'll have a great time!

14 hours ago, Engineroom Snipe said:

The best laid plans are thwarted by the little playful rascals that pound on your door at 1:25 am in the middle of a great night's sleep. Their terror knows no bounds as they careen throughout the ship on multiple deck levels in disregard to your elite cabin status. They steal your "Do not disturb sign" and replace it with "Room service required."

This reminds me that yes, it seems there are always kids or inconsiderate adults to wake you up from a sound sleep.  Packing those earplugs and noise machine...

And CanobieFan, that's good to know, thanks.

5 hours ago, Saab4444 said:

There is no relation between currently available cabins and what you could get via Royal Up program, every location is possible.

Thanks for this reminder and thanks to the others who commented as well. Still thinking about it...

I'm a solo traveler, and sailing on Wonder next month.  Booked a balcony guarantee and my set sail pass shows a Central Park balcony. 

I had Royal Up offers submitted for Ocean View and Large Ocean view balconies, but cancelled them once I started looking at what's showing as available for the cruise right now.  There are quite a few on deck 14 under the Windjammer or pool.  

I've read some posts saying most rooms aren't noisy, but would love to hear more comments.  Have you had a cabin that kept you awake early or late?  

I'd love to have an ocean view balcony and I'm OK with being far from elevators or whatever, but would like to sleep on my cruise. And yes, I could "book the room I want" but it's a lot (to me) when you're solo.

17 hours ago, wingatesl said:

The vaccination status of others will not affect my choice to cruise. The only reason the coronavirus affected it is because they were shut down. 

this x 100!

I've never been on a cruise where excursions were so limited!  Not happy!!

16 minutes ago, LadyBerard said:

Where did you read this??

  https://www.caymancompass.com/2020/03/13/breaking-schools-close-cruise-ships-banned-to-prevent-coronavirus-spread/

I went solo to Cemetery Beach and was very comfortable.  Like you, I hadn't planned on it.  But I went snorkeling at Eden Rock when I first got off the ship, and a woman who worked there recommended Cemetery Beach.  When I told her my concerns, she assured me I'd be safe. 

I felt fine being there by myself. The number of other people there varied from 10 - 20 during my stay.  It was beautiful and I hope to go back!  YMMV, but worst case, you could always walk back out to the main road and catch a bus back to town.

I went to Smith Cove with my son and his gf in April. We were all disappointed, and I definitely wouldn't go back. Also, I would have been less comfortable there as a solo.

In Cozumel, I went to El Cid, which is super close to the dock Royal uses, and still walking distance from the Carnival dock.  (I went twice, so walked it from both docks.) The snorkeling there is pretty good, especially if you take something to feed the fish.  Sometimes a waiter or restaurant patron will toss something in the water.  El Cid itself is OK - you'll always see cruise line employees there.  I like it since it's walking distance.  When I went from Royal, I went back to the ship for lunch because I felt like a really good salad.  I probably wouldn't walk back for lunch if on Carnival though.

Enjoy your cruise!!

I'm happy that they've at least offered to refund any amounts paid since I'm going to cancel or possibly rebook on something else (on hold with RCI at the moment).  

Just got an email with our itinerary change.  Nassau being substituted for Roatan and Costa Maya time shortened by a few hours.

I hardly saw it used on Navigator either.  It has a glass front and is in the middle of the Royal Promenade which seemed like a terrible location to me.  I sure wouldn't want to sit there getting my hair done!

10 hours ago, death_star said:

We are on the Dec 1 Perfect day and western itinerary. Looking at it today the only way it works schedule wise will be to switch to the same order Harmony is using. Cozumel, Roatan,  then Costa Maya and back to Lauderdale. Roatan to home is just too far of a run to make capped at 18ish kts.

I'm on the same itinerary in November.  We have a sea day after Roatan.  Is it still too far to make it "home" at the reduced speeds?

Keep in mind that they haven't announced Allure itinerary changes for sailings after October.  It's possible (likely?) that the itinerary and/or port times advertised will change.  

2 hours ago, smplybcause said:

It varies based on state. Not sure about OPs state, but I know Florida is one of the states where you can't get that coverage. Which is a bummer. 

Last time I cruised, the port change insurance was offered.  So if I book, I'd choose that, but would probably still rather reschedule/cancel.

8 hours ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

I suspect your itinerary will be altered to match the current times. What is the Allure current schedule for cruises that started off with your itinerary? 

As far as I know, they weren't offering this itinerary before November.  If anyone knows differently, I'd appreciate details!

Royal hasn't announced any Allure itinerary changes (due to the azipod issue) for sailings after the end of October.  I'm scheduled for a Western Caribbean itinerary on Nov. 17th.  I've tried calling them twice, most recently a few minutes ago, but haven't been able to get any answers.

If Allure isn't going to be fixed until the 2020 dry dock, doesn't it seem logical that they'd know by now what the real November itineraries would be, or would it be in flux this late?  It bothers me that they're selling cruises based on an itinerary and times that seem unlikely to happen.  Right now we're scheduled for Cococay, Sea Day, Cozumel, Costa Maya, Roatan, Sea Day.  Are these doable with the current azipod issue?

Yes, I know they can change the itinerary according to the cruise contract.  I'm guessing they could stop at San Juan five times and call it a cruise.  But the cruise contract also says I can cancel, and I might choose to reschedule for a time when I can at least hope to get to the current ports for a full day.   While I'm excited about going on the Allure again, I'm really a port person!