cabosal1

I've been on more than a dozen SD cruises and NEVER heard of, saw or experienced a Murphy Bed ( And have stayed on floors 2, 3 &4). 

Have taken many SD cruises, but never a TA.  44 ppl? Sounds a little quiet to me.  Where's the "drama"?  

Re SXM: We have stayed at Divi, Allegra,and Ocean Pte.pre-cruise.  I liked Divi, husband didn't (don't know why but they did try to sell us a timeshare.). Had a nice bar area with live music (loved that! ), nice beach and pool. Ocean pointe (the all-inclusive you may be referencing) was relaxing, convenient to Maho bars/restaurants, and we had no food-related problems.  Holland House is well-located, has ocean-front beach and relaxing bar/restaurant, great people-watching place, center of shopping area, but no pool.

Sorry, but I don't think SD's Caribbean cruises are the place for "go go go"ers. (Especially the BVI's!).  Maybe plan on doing alot of SD led biking, walking, and snorkling tours. Your itinerary might help with others suggestions.

Personally, we do ONLY SD and ONLY the Caribbean (14 so far.).  We go for the beaches, the bars and the beauty. A sunset in Anguilla can take your breath away.        

We have had cabins on decks 2, 3,&4.  Portholes seemed only difference.  And, yes, kinda rocky around PR.  

Husband has not taken a sportscoat in all our 13 cruises.

Regarding excursions:  We purchase some onboard, but also like to go off on our own, hire a cab or just walk around. (Those we purchase are usually the more specialized ones, ie: Monserrat, Saba,Tortola, snorkling, the Baths, etc.). Never had a bad experience on doing either. 

Saba is one of my favorite SD stops.  Very quirky and different from any other Caribbean stop.That being said, it has no beaches and often SD cannot get in there (sea problems?).  Anguilla,in my opinion, has the most beautiful beaches, best sunsets, fanciest hotels and superb restaurants/bars. Missing Anguilla would be a mistake (My #1).      

Thanks for the info.  Good to know how that would be distributed.  We'll continue with our individual appreciation. 

I know everybody is different regarding the tipping protocol, so I think it will be up to what you feel comfortable doing.  No right or wrong. That said, as veterans of 14 SD cruises, we usually tip prior to disembarkation so as to not miss any of our favorites.  There is a fund you can donate to but we prefer the individual recognition. Again, your preference.

We were on SDI in December and no renovations done on bathrooms. Otherwise, renos were okay.

I don't know if you've been cruising before or been to the Caribbean before.  SD is small, friendly, and intimate. The staff will all know your name and what you like.  We've done 13 SD's, all on SDI and all in the Caribbean and plan on continuing to do so.  You'll have a great time. 

You'll meet and love Christoph, Anna (she's a Brit, too) Leo, Mikkee, et al. Be sure to hit the TOY Bar and say "hi" to Josh.    

Probably March 23, in Mayreau.  That is the usual spot for the Bridgetown cruises.  

We've been to all these Caribbean islands on SD and you should probably  count on being tendered to  most of them (definitely St. Barts, Nevis, St. Kitts, Ils de Sts).  Some may even be Zodiacs    

Unfortunately, SeaDream no longer docks across from the Sheraton in Old SanJuan.  We discovered this only the morning of embarkation, when we watched from our balcony as SDI sailed on bye.  I had to call SD in Miami to be told it was now docking in Pan Am dock, a short cab ride away, but definitely not walking distance.  SD was good about telling me where the dock was, sending a map of the location, however prior knowledge would have been helpful.  I was told this was a new docking for this year.  

We have taken 12 SD cruises, all in the Caribbean.  SD's excursions are very well organized and safe.  That being said, we have often just gotten off the boat and there are plenty of taxi's and/or tour companies that will be there to offer their services.  We've done this often and never had a problem (Kinda felt like your own private tour.).   

If you like Italian food go to Cucina di Ivo in Old San Juan. (You may have to ask for help in finding it ,but if you do, it is well worth it.  Nice, romantic ambiance and great food).    

As you are now well aware, it is a "yes" for al fresco dining. 

I too am bored and dreaming of our December cruise (last was 2/2020) and just reserved our pre-cruise Puerto Rico hotel.  Am hoping and praying this one is a go (as our last one wasn't). AA has changed flights twice so far. 

We have developed a fondness for the laid-back atmosphere in St. Lawrence Gap, so we have stayed at both  South Gap and Rostrevor hotels prior to starting our SD cruises.  It gets kind of wild at night, but you do get a taste of island life.  The Hilton was ok also.  

Finally got a reply from Starr regarding our insurance claim...DENIED!!  Apparently a flight being cancelled is NOT an "unforeseen occurrence".  Also, "cancel for any reason" (which is the coverage we had) must be done 2 days or more prior to embarkation (We canceled ONE day prior, as that was the day AA canceled our flight.), therefore, cancel for ANY REASON was considered null and void.   

We had never insured a cruise before, but due to recent events (Covid related) thought it prudent to do so.  Not only did we not have anything covered, we lost over $800 in useless insurance. Never again!

(I will let SD know what I think of their recommended insurer.)

Yes, I filed as a CFAR. as I thought that would be the best and easiest way to recoup.  Having supplied additional documentation, per request, I have not heard anything since.  It's been 2 months now. 

We are regular SeaDreamers (12 trips, so far).  Having such a hard time the past 2 years arranging a (Caribbean) cruise , what with Covid restrictions, cruise

cancellations, flight problems, we decfided, for the first time, to opt for cruise insurance.  We got the SD offered, Starr Insurance and got it as "cancel for any reason" coverage.  By the way, at a cost to us of over $800.00.  Fine, we're covered, right?

Come cruise day, American Airlines cancels our flight and puts us on a day later flight, arriving in St. Martin, post embarkation.  We canceled our trip.  Thank God, we've got "cancel for any reason, cruise insurnce!

Sent in all the claim paper work to Starr, heard nothing from them.  I called, told they'd get back to us in 10 days.  Called repeatedly after, the 10 days, told me they were "working on our claim".  Yesterday, 1 month after our cancelled cruise, I got a letter requiring more documentation ( stuff I had sent originally).

I am beginning to think I am not out only the cost of the cruise, but also the $800.00 for insurance.

Just wanted to forewarn anyone contemplating getting the Starr insurance SD offers. I will never get cruise insurance, again! (Yes, this would have been our 13th SD cruise!)     

Yes,  pre-boarding Covid test no longer required by SD.  (Of course, your country of embarkation may require.) 

We too had to cancel our SDI trip, though luckily not for medical reasons (flight cancellation), but I agree, 2 long years without SD is way too much. All this snow (12" and frigid) is getting to us so looks like we will be heading to SXM in March (again, if all goes well, fingers double-crossed). We're looking forward to toasting the planes coming in to Maho Beach with a rum punch at Sunset, but still missing our beloved SD.

Til we see you on SD again, you and Mitch have a super, welcome, fabulous time in the Turks next week!   

On 1/5/2022 at 9:42 AM, martini cruiser said:

The cruise leaves from St Maarten. SeaDream1.

Thank-you,

 

Barbara

If this SD cruise is leaving SXM on Jan. 23rd we are also going to be onboard.  EHAS needs to be done within 3 days prior to flight arrival.  Also, SD now requiring Covid pcr test to board (not a SXM requirement if vaxxed/boosted. This is new SD requirement ).  Another headache added.

Looks like Covid is heating up on SDI per FB .  10 positives remaining onbord in BGI?  Barbados not letting them off. Those passengers scheduled to embark today (Sunday) being told to "deal with it"?  Yikes!  Any current info would be appreciated.     

We are wondering the same thing as DRWhit. 

We were so happy when we learned that St. Martin was not requiring ANY testing to enter the country, (if vaxxed and boosted.)  Now, SD is requiring it? Even though testing you again before boarding? Having been to SXM in June (when testing to enter was required) we know it can be quite a hassle, what with getting proper test and timely results and submitting them and the EHAS form and awaiting the ok from SXM, etc. Quite stressful. We were all set for a smooth SD sailing this time, but now....   

I think we are going to get a test done Saturday (01/22), in St. Martin, at the hotel, and hope to board on Sunday. Easey peasy just became a boondoggle.  Not exactly unanticipated but I expected better from SD.

Oh, and our itinerary seems to have changed to boot! (TOY bar, here we come!!).