10th Anniversary

We will be visiting in September.  We want to visit the Turtle Farm, stop by Hell, and some beach time - maybe at Cemetery.  We are hoping to take the City Bus.  Is this doable?  Any suggestions for a lunch stop along the way?  We are in port 8a - 6p.  TIA

If you use your diamond freebie for 24 hours... Do you just then buy internet for the remainder of the cruise?  Is it prorated?  Or are you still paying for 7 days, but only need 6? 

On 8/21/2022 at 1:36 PM, njhorseman said:

In any event few if any stores in either St. George or Hamilton will be open on Labour Day, so it would not have been a very productive plan for the day regardless.

 

Thanks for sharing the information about some stores being closed for Labor Day.  I didn't even think about that.  Our ship will arrive at 3:00 pm on Labor Day and our full day will be Tuesday with a half day on Wednesday.  We've never been to Bermuda before and are excited to visit.  

Any updates from recent cruisers on beaches and what services are available?  Sounds like Public beach has facilities but no food and Coral Beach has food but no beach.

I have always booked directly with Royal... but this time for upcoming cruise in December I booked from a highly recommended TA whose rates were cheaper than Royal when we booked.  So we went with the TA.  The first and last time I will ever use a TA!  It has been an absolute nightmare.  She doesn't do anything on her own... I have to ask.  She doesn't check rates and say "hey, I saved you some money today" or "hey, let me check prices today and see what we can come up with".  Nope... nothing like that.  When the cruise had a price drop... I emailed and asked her to do a price adjustment so we could save $400 per cabin.  The response was... "I'll see what I can do, but don't think it will work".  Geez.  Such a positive attitude and experience.  She agreed to try the price adjustment was only able to save us $300 per cabin.  The response was "this is the best I can do" and "all this is a headache".  I'm told she can't see or get me the price I see when doing a mock booking.  There is currently another price drop of $100 per cabin... but I feel like I can't ask her for another price adjustment.  I want to pull my hair out.  I will never use a TA again.  Those who have fantastic experiences with TA's... kudos to you and your agent that works hard for you.  Not all agents are the same.  Lesson learned.

@niksmom630... Sorry... Didn't mean to hijack your thread with my questions... but when I saw your Izumi pics... I had to ask.  Loving your review.  Hope you are having a fantastic trip.

20 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

They are listed separately.  If Hibachi is not showing it is probably sold out. Check on board. 

Thank you!!  It's currently not listed in our cruise planner.  I'll keep a watch on the cruise planner and see if it pops up.  Otherwise, we'll check on board.  Thanks again!

14 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

What ship are you on.  Not all ships have Izumi or Hibachi.  It should be in your cruise planner. 

Looking at your signature it appears Harmony.  Perhaps it’s sold out.  They do hold back space to book on-board. 

We can book the Izumi through our cruise planner... but it appears to only option is the sushi dinner.  We don't eat sushi but are interested in booking the "hibachi" style dinner.  I don't see where we have an option to choose between sushi or hibachi.  🤷‍♀️

3 hours ago, niksmom630 said:

3 hours ago, niksmom630 said:

Dinner last night at Izumi. An great choice.    @A&L_Ont convinced us (after rave reviews) to try the hibachi...

 

How do you make reservations for Dinner - hibachi - at Izumi?  Do you have to wait and do it on board?  I don't see the hibachi as an option in my cruise planner.  TIA

33 minutes ago, c-leg5 said:

From Sulumar (south end) to Blue Kay (north) is about 1 mile along the malecon (pedestrian walkway between the sand/sea and buildings). You can safely walk the whole way. 

 

We enjoyed walking from Hotel Luna de Plata south of the malecon to Blue Kay.  The day we walked the length we bar hopped and just dropped in without reservations!

 

If you want to walk ask to be dropped at Sulumar or Blue Kay (or the lighthouse). If you want somewhere central ask for Tropicante (you will be dropped off on the road behind the malecon and have to head one block over towards the ocean). 
 

See my post#5 above for more info.

@c-leg5  Thank you!  This is exactly what we want to do.  Just walk and enjoy bar hopping and taking in the sights and sounds and visit with any street vendors that might be out.  We'll plan to start on the south end and stroll up to the north end.  Then grab taxi and head back to the port area for some more exploring before heading back to the ship.   We will be in port from 11 am to 7 pm.    Thanks again for the information.  It's GREATLY appreciated!!    

@c-leg5  If a group of 8 wanted to take a taxi to Malecon and just walked around... Are there street vendors set up along the strip?  Are there other things of interest to see or do?  I'm assuming we could stop any in beach club/restaurants to have a drink or snack as long as they had open seats.  Is there a particular spot we should tell the taxi driver we want to be let off at?  How long would you say the strip is ... 1/2 mile, 1 mile?  This will be our first trip to Costa Maya.  TIA!

Following along... we will be sailing Harmony in April for Spring Break.  My husband and I have sailed Allure before, but the other 6 in our group have not been on an Oasis sized ship before.  We can't wait.  Enjoy your vacation!

My family still dresses up for formal nights.  We actually enjoy it.  Our daily lives don't involve formal parties or events, so the chance to dress up and be fancy for the evening while on a cruise is something we enjoy doing.  Suits and ties for the guys and cocktail or evening gowns for the girls.  We realize the trend of dressing up is changing and now overrated, but it's something we still enjoy doing.  You will not be the only one dressed up on formal night.  As a previous poster stated, I tend to notice those not dressed up more than those dressed up.  Do what makes you and your family happy... it's your vacation!

HOS - Central Park - Deck 12 - Cabins 12235, 12237, 12239, 12241.

I'm thinking 235 is balcony, 237 is bath, 239 is balcony, and 241 is bath.  Or do I have it backwards?  I was a bit confused since there wasn't a set of connecting room within our block.

Thanks!!

Thanks Bob....

How does one become a member of the Players Club?

Hi everyone... I searched some on the boards for info on the casino and I believe I'm more confused now than before I searched.

We are traveling with some friends who are first time Royal cruisers and they like to spend time in the casino.

#1 -- Cash is best ... but can you charge casino spending to your on board account? If so, how?

#2 -- I see something about a fee? Is there always a fee for charging to your on board account? Is the fee per transaction?

#3 -- What if someone wanted to spend ALOT of money... they can't carry that much money in cash on board...

#4 -- Earning / Tracking Points? There is a new program starting on our sail date...

#5 -- Free drinks... for everyone in casino playing or only after spending a certain amount of money?

#6 -- So if I load $100 cash in a machine and decide to not spend it all... is it saved to my card? Or do I get a cashout ticket? What do I do with that ticket -- insert it into a new machine or take it the cash window and exchange for cash that I now have to re-feed into a machine?

Sorry to sound so silly... but we aren't gamblers and we don't really know how the cash, on board, sea pass card, ticket, drinks, credits, etc. works in the casino.

TIA

Anyone stayed in a connecting cabin on Deck 2 - Oceanview? Was it only a single chair because of the door instead of a loveseat? Can you hear the people next door? We have never stayed in a connecting cabin before. We do not know the people next door and will not be openly the connecting door. I am a bit concerned about being able to hear our neighbors conversations/tv and vice versa.

Thank you so much for posting and sharing. Boy the menus sure have changed since our last trip on Freedom in 2015 and even on Allure in 2016. Dinner selections are not as plentiful now --- variety of starter soups seem to be missing, main course choices are very limited, desserts doesn't look exciting ... oh well, I'm on vacation ... I'll take it.

I received an email that both the distillery and restaurant were open. But would still like to know if you can buy the Rhum at the cruise port? Anyone know?

TYA

Yes! It's great to see it up and running. We will be visiting in April... can't wait.

I hope this gives you what you need Have a great trip. I would for sure adventure out to Mullet Bay - solo or with the group.

THANK YOU!!!!! I have officially changed my mind and will be traveling to Mullet Bay for a few hours of beach, water, and sun. Riding the bus in Grand Cayman is very easy and picture the same process and easy for St. Marteen based on your description. I appreciate your reply and feedback. I can't wait...

Anyone been to Toppers Rhum Distillery for a tour? It appears that the Distillery is open however the restaurant was destroyed in the hurricane. I sent an email... but have not gotten a reply. Can you buy Toppers Rhum at the cruise port? Or do you have to go to the Distillery? Silly question... The Rhum is locally made in St. Marteen... correct?

To catch the bus to Maho/Mullet Bay, you go to Backstreet - directly behind Front-street. It is a one-way street in the opposite direction of Front-street. There are bus stops at some of the corners, but any time you see a bus (a big van with a placard that say "Maho" or "Mullet Bay" in the window. I think they have a distinctive license plate number, but I forgot to notice) you can flag it down and it will stop. There are also buses that go to Marigot, so be sure to get on the right one.

 

To catch the bus back to Philipsburg, you can flag them down at the roundabout that leads off the main road from the airport and goes to Mullet Bay and the road in front of the runway. If you are at Mullet Bay, the buses go all the way to the parking lot, so you can catch one there. We had a bus driver offer to drive us from the Mullet Bay parking lot to the Maho round about for $1 a person, but when he noticed our swim suits were wet the offer was rescinded!

RMH... A few questions...

Buses:

1 --- How many people do the "buses" hold... maybe 10 to 12? There are 14 in our group... just wondering how many buses we would have to split up between.

2 --- The cost is $2 per person per way correct? So round trip - $4 per person.

3 --- How many stops did the bus make on the way out to Mullet Bay? How many did it make on the way back?

4 --- About how long was the ride?

5 --- Were the buses crowded? Did you have to wait for several buses before you could get on board?

6 --- About how often do the buses run? Are they continuous?

7 --- Do you tip the bus driver?

8 --- When you wave/flag the bus to stop... do they blow their horn (like in Grand Cayman) and you wave for them to stop?

Mullet Bay:

1 --- No changing/shower facilities.. but food and drink? Basic cost of food and drink? And what were the options?

2 --- No bathroom ... but a port-a-potty?

3 --- Chairs and Umbrellas for rent? If so, the cost?

4 --- Do we need to change into dry clothes in order to be able to ride the bus back to backstreet from Mullet Bay?

I appreciate the feedback. We were considering going to Mullet Bay and walking over to Maho but then we changed our mind and decided just to go over to Great Bay for some beach time and then to Front Street for some shopping. However, I am reading that the water at Great Bay is not good and I keep reading about how wonderful Mullet Bay is. I had my heart set on Mullet Bay, but others in our group thought it would be best just to stay close to town. After reading about how you rode the bus and enjoyed Mullet Bay... I think I'm going to change my mind again... (hey, I'm a woman, isn't that what we do...lol) and go to Mullet Bay for a few hours via the bus. The others in my group can stay in town and I'll meet up with them later on Front Street for shopping.

Thanks Gary!!! We really enjoyed Guy's last time we were there. We have friends traveling with us this time who have never cruised... so we want to make sure they see the planes. And I didn't want to have to walk over to Sunset for a taxi... glad to know we can get one at Guys or at the taxi stand by the hotel. We've never visited Mullet Bay... but I hear so many great things about so I want to give it try this time too and since they are within walking distance of each other... we're going to try and spend a little time at each. I appreciate the information!

We are planning to take a taxi to Mullet Bay and then walk over to Maho and hang out by Guy's Driftwood. When we are ready to head back to the port... do we have to walk through the rocks and people to Sunset Bar and to catch a taxi or can we catch one near Guy's Driftwood? Are there other taxi stands near by that we could catch a taxi back instead? Should we go back to Mullet Bay and get one? TIA