cruisepro19

Hi all,

This is a really great thread! It is nice to see what others have planned while on their Hawaiian cruise as well as pre and/or post cruise. Here is what we have planned so far:

Day 1 - fly to HNL and arrive in mid-afternoon. Hotel check in, walk to Waikiki Beach and head to Dukes for dinner and have a early night to recover from jet lag.

Day 2 - Embarkation Day. Sleep in (see jet lag) and relax. Check in to POA and go shopping a Ross' within walking distance to the port.

Day 3 - Maui - Car rental in Kahului witha a drive to Paia and do some of the road to Hana. Then head on the NCL excursion to the Haleakala crater for the sunset tour.

Day 4 - Maui - Molokini Express Snorkeling tour with NCL.

Day 5 - Hilo - Lavaland Hawaii Tour to go to Volcanoes National Park, and the Jagger Museum, as well as either Akaka Falls or Rainbow Falls (full day).

Day 6 - Kona - On our own. Walk around in town, go to the market, and may head to Turtle Beach via Kona Trolley.

Day 7 - Nawiliwi, Kauai - still TBD. We may do the Na Pali Explorer tour or one of the Helicopter tours.

Day 8 - Nawilwili, Kauai - still TBD. May just go to Kalapaki Bay just by the ship for the day.

Day 9 - Disembark and check in to our hotel in Waikiki.

Day 10 - Tbd - may go to Hanauma Bay depending on the bus schedule for Sunday's or maybe Circle Island Tour or hike Diamond Head.

Day 11 - Ala Moana Beach in the evening as there is an event with floating lanterns. Thought it old be pretty.

Day 12 - Tbd - may do an activity from Day 10 that we didn't get a chance to do.

Day 13 - Tbd - may do Polynesian Cultural centre or Chiefs Luau

Day 14 - Head home :(

We are the type to plan some activites and wing it for other. I've been lucky enough to have been to Hawaii a few times before, but it is my husband's first time in Hawaii. The new only thing I know we needed to plan ahead of time were excursions or car rentals in Kahului and Hilo. The rest I wasn't worried about and could figure out along the way. Some of the above may change a bit, but we will see.

We are so excited!

Alexa

Hi Everyone,

We did the ATV Tour in Antigua which was an excursion offered with the Royal Caribbean Adventure of the Seas. We had a really fun time! It was my first time driving an ATV and caught on pretty quickly. With me on the excursion was my fiancée and his daughter who is 19 years old. This was what attracted us to the tour because my fiancée's daughter could drive (she does have her drivers license) but some of the ATV tours offered in other ports indicated that the driver must be 21 years of age. Anyways, she's the only one in our party who had experience.

The staff of the tour turned on our machines, outfitted us with helmets, (and sunglasses if you didn't bring your own). They do check your drivers license and you have to fill out a waiver form and give you brief instructions on how to operate the ATV. The group was very small (It was either 10 or 12 of us in total).

The tour operator had a staff member leading the group and another staff member at the back of the pack to make sure everyone was good. We were lead down trails that were once sugar cane fields and we all rode in single file. We did have a bit of tropical rain so we ended up covered in mud, which was part of the fun of it!!! I would recommend wearing shoes and clothes you don't mind getting dirty and don't plan on wearing for the rest of the trip (that is if the conditions are muddy).

We did cross some roadways in which we were safely led by the tour staff, but keep in mind, drivers on the roads in Antigua drive on the left hand side of the road!

We did about 10 miles in total on the ATVs, (5 miles out then a short break, then 5 miles back) and rode at what seemed a relatively normal and safe speed and all in single file. At the mid-way point (after the first 5 miles) the staff offered us bottled water, but I don't think anybody had any because the weather was moderate and had been a bit rainy.

If I remember correctly, the tour left at 8:30am from the pier and by the time we got back to the pier it was about 11:30am or so.

It was a ton of fun and seems like a good activity for people who haven't used ATV's before or have minimal experience. It also seems like it is also for people who aren't inclined to go fast and whip around in an ATV.

It was definitely a hoot and would do it again!

We ended up pre-booking this excursion not long after we booked the cruise because they don't take very many people (as previously mentioned 10-12).

Hopefully this information helps! If you have any questions, let me know!

Alexa (cruisepro19)

PS: there are bathroom facilities at the starting point once you get to the ATV site.

We are heading on a cruise in the near future for a 7 day cruise with only 1 day at sea. We are a family of 3 in one cabin. Here's how we've budgeted give or take, but no surprises:

1. Gratuities - $252.00 USD (total for 3 people)

2. ATV Shore Excursion we've already booked at a port = $354.00 (total for 3 people)

3. 2 Beach planned days in port - which based on research in these ports includes taxi ride at about $7.00 pp & $15.00 for 2 chairs (rental fee, one of us can manage without a chair) = $72.00 (total for 3 people)

4. Drinks onboard -we bring water and pop onboard so our drink expenses are very little and we don't drink much alcohol so we are typically about $80.00 in total for an entire cruise for the 3 of us.

5. Casino Money - $40.00 for 2 people for the entire cruise = $80.00

6. Less expensive shore excursion booked with the ship at around $55.00 per person - $165.00 (total for 3 people)

All of this in total would cost $963.00 in total. A lot of people spend more than us in the beverage department and sometimes we do get a wine package for dinner (set number of bottles for the week). If you take out the really expensive excursion (ATV) we'd still be at $600.00. This is also without any "paid restaurants", bingo, pictures for the ship staff. Hopefully this helps somewhat.

Cheers!

Alexa (aka cruisepro19)

A smart phone can eliminate a couple of these. Alarm clock and down load a flashlight app. Why bring tp? Just grab some from your cabin and take it with you.

True enough I suppose, but I avoid bringing a cellphone all together. I bring my own TP or Kleenex travel back as loose toiletpaper in a purse or in a Ziploc just annoying and if you need to take enough for more than one person it isn't great to "stuff it" in your purse or backpack. Just my 2 cents.

Hi there,

It really isn't too bad/hard to not spend anything on the ship. If you are thirsty, because the cruise ship buffet is open for a good number of hours you can head to the buffet for whatever drinks are in the dispenser (often iced tea) and the buffet is usually just off of the pool deck. I would also recommend taking your own bottled water and case of pop onboard (I will warn you, some people have had issues with doing this in the past, but I've never experienced a problem). If there is a grocery store or convenience store pick this up close to your departure port.

As you said, avoid the "paid" restaurants, casino, bingos, and bars.

As "cb at sea" mentioned, the private island day is great because you can literally enjoy a great beach day and not spend a dime! Lunch is typically included on the private islands and supplied by the ship, there are loungers galore and typically lots of shade with palm trees and/or umbrellas. Bring your towel from the cruise ship. If you don't want to "rent" a snorkel, you can bring your own (we get ours from the Dollarstore). You will have a fab time!

Grand Cayman is a lovely port and you can walk around on your own and it is expensive. You can get back to the ship for lunch, but if you are tendering it may take a bit to get back onboard, have lunch and to get back off again. If you aren't in a rush to get off the ship when you arrive, I would recommend avoiding the rush to get off the ship by having a later breakfast so it can tie you over until dinner time. We do this quite often if we don't want to spend money on lunch or if we don't want to go all the way back just for lunch.

As discussed in another post, the Key West port is definitely an easy DIY day. There is lots to walk around and see. Lots of cute little shops, we walked to the "southern most point" which was quite a long walk but worth it. We also walked to the butterfly conservatory in Key West and it was awesome, I can't remember the price but it was really inexpensive. There are some great places to get some Key Lime pie and it is worth seeing Margaritaville. It is a very pretty port stop.

Cozumel is also a nice stop, but we've only done Chaukanab Park which has a beach. We took a cab ride there and there was an entrance fee. I would look on the cruise critic boards in the port section and find more information on the Dolphin excursion you are wanting to do. You may have to do some research to see if there are tours that offer transportation, if you can walk, or how much a taxi would cost to get to the tour operator.

In terms of luggage, I would pack a bag and drop it off at the luggage drop for the cruise line at port and also take a small carry-on bag. There are pros and cons to both as you said. If you take your necessary documentation, wallet, any necessary medications, a bathing suit, sunglasses, underwear, and 1 change of clothes that you can use for dinner you should be set. It does often take a few hours for your luggage to arrive. This is why we take our bathing suits in our carry-on bag so we can enjoy the pool when we get onboard. There have also been a few times when we haven't had our luggage by our dinner time so we've made sure we have clothes to dress appropriately for the dining room (but you don't have to... you can also go to the buffet). The only time we had bags missing was when the luggage got lost with the airline and my mom didn't have her luggage for 3 days.

Hopefully this information helps. Happy cruising!

Alexa (aka cruisepro)

Like others have posted:

-an alarm clock so you can be woken up if need be and also to be able to tell time in your room (the interior cabins are always so dark and it is easy to wake up in the morning or from a nap and have NO IDEA what time it is)

-small first aid kit: aloe gel, benedryl, gravol, tweezers (just in case you get a sliver or something)

-extra ziplocs or plastic bags for wet and/or sandy clothing or bathing suits for the return trip

-TIDE wash sheets designed to wash clothes in the sink (just in case you want to wash your bathing suit and hang dry)

-An "over the door" toiletry kit as there is NOWHERE to leave a standard toiletry kit by the sink

-small flashlight or nightlight if your alarm clock doesn't give off enough light especially if you have someone in one of the pullman bed up above.

-small travel hand sanitizer that can be used on-board or when you are off the ship

-small travel roll of toilet paper or small travel pack of kleenex that you can get at the dollarstore just in case you are in port and there is no toilet paper in a public bathroom.

Cheers,

Alexa (aka cruisepro19)

In my first aid kit, I typically take the following:

- All perscription medication

- Gravol (just in case for motion sickness)

- Immodium

- Benadryl (just in case someone gets an allergic reaction on the skin or for allergies)

- Tums (for heartburn)

- Tylenol

- Visine (eye drops)

- Anti-Itch cream for mosiquto bites or rash

- Neosporin

- Bandaids

- Gauze

- Tape

- Scissors

- Tweezers (splinters)

- Alcohol wipes

It sounds like a ton of stuff, but believe it or not, the only full size "bottles or packets" I take are the Tylenol, Immodium, Gravol, and Benadryl. The rest all fits into a neat small pouch that I purchased at MEC (Mountain Equipment Co-op) http://www.mec.ca/product/5028-686/mec-first-aid-bag/?q=first%2Baid

Cheers!

Alexa (aka Cruisepro)

Ooh what a fun question! In my carry on for cruising, I'm sure to take the following:

- The 3 "P's" (plastic, pills, paperwork) therefore credit cards, all necessary perscription medication, and all travel documentation and passports

- Bathing Suit (when you get to the ship, you don't have luggage right away and you may want to enjoy the sunshine up on the pool deck when you get onboard)

- Underwear

- a extra top and/or pants (so if your luggage doesn't come to the stateroom in a timely fashion, you can make it to dinner in the dining room without dress code issues)

-Sunglasses

-Money (in necessary currency)

-Something to read (book, magazine, etc.)

-iPod

-Camera

-Pen

-Snacks (chocolate bar, chips, raisins, trail mix, something of that nature)

Cheers!

Alexa (aka cruisepro19)

Hi everyone,

We booked the ATV Adventure tour for Antigua for our upcoming cruise on the Royal Caribbean Adventure of the Seas on February 23rd, 2014. I will try and remember to post a review when we get back.

Thank you,

Alexa

Hi Everyone,

I've called Royal Caribbean 5 times in the last 9 days to try and get things straightened out with regards to payment. Our cruise account on-line states that our final payment is due on December 10, 2013. The amount showing through my on-line reservation does not match what we owe (we owe less than what the on-line account is showing). We have .pdf documentation that shows we owe less, but I don't want to end up showing that we still owe money when we don't.

Since the problems were "rectified" over the phone and via emails, the on-line account hasn't changed in 5 days. I called again this morning and the woman I spoke with put me on hold to fix the situation. She said the problem was fixed and to log back into my RCL account and everything should be fine. Guess what..... no change...

Has anybody had this happen before? Should I be worried? Should I try calling a different phone number? Is there a certain department that really can fix the issue?

Thank you all in advance for your help!

Alexa

Hi everyone,

We are really looking for recommendations and feedback on Ziplining tours at St. Croix, St. Maarten, St. Lucia, Antigua, and Barbados. Any feedback on any of the ziplining tours at these islands would be greatly appreciated!!!

Thank you in advance!

Alexa

Hi Kaybeeeeeee, VillaHappy, cleob, and DonnaK,

Thank you all so much for your advice. We are looking forward to our cruise. We have researched and emailed a few of your suggested tours and we will see if there is space available and what we would like to see on each of the islands we are sailing to.

Happy cruising!

Hi everyone,

We are heading out on the RCL Adventure of the Seas at the end of February 2014. We are hoping to do some excursions in some of the cruise ports and try to walk around/cab it on our own in a few other ports and are seeking recommendations. Below are the ports we will be visiting:

- St.Croix

- St.Maarten

- Antigua

- St. Lucia

- Barbados

We are docked in most of the ports from approx. 8am - 5pm. None of us in our family have been to any of the ports listed. We are a family with 2 adults in their 30's and 1 teen who is 19. We drawn more towards water activities, hiking, walking, etc. and not as much into the bus tours. We want to be able to see as much as we can and have a lot of wonderful experiences without breaking the bank. We are certainly open to "a day at the beach" where we can walk or take a cab. Any suggestions and experiences of other cruiser would be very much appreciated.

Thank you all in advance!

Hi Everyone,

Has anybody done the ATV shore excursion in Antigua? We are going on RCL Adventure of the Seas in February and want to know about your experience with this excursion and if you enjoyed it.

Thank you in advance!

Hi Everyone,

We are cruising the Southern Caribbean (St. Croix, St. Maarten, St. Lucia, Antigua, and Barbados) on the Adventure of the Seas in February. We have noticed that many of the ports through the RCL shore excursions offer Ziplining tours. We want to know from people's experiences which one is the best in terms of quality of excursion, quality and length of the zipline course, most challenging, and the most "scary". Any feedback on your experiences with any of the zipline tours offered at any of these ports would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

Alexa