Mum2Mercury

I'll second this. We rented a car once in Grand Cayman, and it was an underwhelming experience. If memory serves: - We reserved ahead of time and walked to the "pick up spot". The car rental people picked us up in a van, which was overcrowded. As I was the smallest, I ended up sitting on the floor between the middle seat and the sliding door. (We were with a big-name car rental, but this is how things go on the islands.) - Once we got to the rental place, which was only a few miles away, we had to wait to get our car. Lots of other people were doing the same thing. - We visited just after a hurricane, and many street signs were knocked down. We drove around and around ... admittedly, neither of us was born with a sense of direction. We ended up returning the car early and going back to the ship. After this, we sometimes walk around port just seeing what we can see, but we're not really fans of renting cars in port. We rode the city bus in Aruba and found it a good experience ... and inexpensive! As a bonus, I handed over American dollars, and my coin-collecting husband was thrilled to get back foreign coins. Anyway, great way to get to Eagle Beach. We'd do that again in a heartbeat.

Thanks for the info, All. Yes, we're going with the cruise ship tour. In general, I dislike cruise ship tours, but I have enough self-preservation in me to avoid "going it on my own" when the trip involves a ferry, a bus and a trip to the mainland -- and I don't speak Spanish. We're sailing on Wonder, so I assume we're docking at the International pier. We were in Cozumel at the International pier just last month, so I'm familiar with it -- yes, it's certainly large enough that a ferry could easily pull up to the pier along with the cruise ships. In fact, last month we saw an ambulance drive down the pier and take someone away from a Carnival ship -- but that's off topic. I'm hoping the ferry will come right to the port as C-legs5 says, and since I know this is a popular tour, that makes sense; but -- just in case, I'm going to have taxi fare in my pocket (and I know you can't swing a dead cat in Cozumel without hitting a taxi). I'm proactive that way. Now I'm going to watch that video that GTJ shared. Again, thanks, All!

Not necessary, but if you are nervous about this, you can go to the DMV and get an identification card.

Daniel Johnson's offer transportation for $30/person -- and that means you already have a van waiting for you. Yes, taxis are readily available (you'll have to run the gauntlet of tour operators, and they are aggressive). You don't have to pay until you arrive, so no down side to going ahead and reserving -- just call them if you can't make it. Yes, I experienced this in Cozumel about a month ago. I tried to pay with a bill that wouldn't have attracted a bit of attention in the US -- looked like someone'd used it for a coaster, and it had a coffee stain. The cashier politely asked me if I had another bill.

Thanks for the information, All! We've chosen the Ruins + Beach Break, and -- though I am usually in favor of private tours -- we never considered anything except the ship's tour for this lengthy /multi-transportation excursion. What I'm still not clear on: How do we get from the ship to the ferry? Yeah, yeah, typically the ship shuttles you over ... but does anyone know for certain just how this works?

I think a good number of new cruisers come in thinking the ticket price is the TOTAL PRICE. That is, they aren't aware that drinks, excursions, etc. will add to their bill. Hopefully they realize this before they cruise. We've been trying to get my father-in-law to try cruising, but he won't because he's convinced "there's nothing to do", and I'll be stuck on the ship all week. Some people who aren't new just don't read /don't inform themselves about details. Example: I saw a travel blogger on You Tube who was complaining that "no one told him" the Dog House and Mexican place on Wonder were no-charge ... likewise, he didn't know that Johnny Rockets serves free breakfast on Oasis class ships. This information is in the Compass. I could understand a newbie not knowing, but someone who claims to be a travel blogger?

Do you maybe have a family member (who has no dogs) who might take the pup while you're cruising? I just did a search, and Google says this new dog illness cannot spread to humans.

Boo-hoo! I wanted to stay in that suite one day!

It's made me reexamine my thoughts on tipping: - We just had an increase ... last year? And now this second increase so soon. - Coupled with a reduction in cabin service. - It's not $14/week. It's $14/week for every member of your party. Yes, straw that broke the camel's back is the right phrase. I'll never stiff the crew -- I'm not one of the people pretending it's okay not to tip at all -- but I'm wondering how to proceed fairly without being a chump, and I never thought I'd think this way.

Yes, we prefer to park at the port because it makes us SO FAST on disembarkation day, but that's just insane. I absolutely despise paying to park my car ... anywhere.

Ebay -- I try to buy used when possible -- partially for savings, partially for ecological reasons Lands End -- all my swimsuits (and cover ups) are Lands End, though some came from Ebay Amazon

It was cold when I first entered the water, but I acclimated quickly.

I was at Coco Cay exactly a year ago, so the first week of December. It wasn't overly warm, but I was comfortable enough in a swimsuit and sleeveless cover up. Next time I go at this time of year, I'm going to wear a long sleeved rash guard.

I was going to say this same thing. Cabin steward: I really don't feel obligated to tip over the expected amount now that they've just raised (twice!) the tip amount AND have cut the service to once a day. We're just two people -- no kids -- and don't leave a big mess or ask for anything special. Well, yeah, we ask for a paper Compass each evening, but nothing else. Wait staff: We appreciate their service but feel that the standard amount is fair. Ditto for bar staff.

Nah, 17 years ago the food was GOOD ... with the occasional +1 or -1 here and there. Today the food is still GOOD ... with the occasional +1 or -1 here and there.

You'll almost certainly end up with a Junior Suite. People who get the larger suites (without outright reserving them) will pay for them through Royal Up. From Royal's point of view, why give away the larger suites when people are willing to pay ... and are super pleased when they "win" a nicer room? We almost always go with a Guarantee (now that we're retired, and it's just the two of us) and have always been happy. - Usually we pay for an Inside Guarantee and get an Inside Cabin ... most commonly mid-ship, Deck 6. As a result, Deck 6 is now our favorite, even though it's not the general cruising population's choice. - Once we paid for an Inside Guarantee, got an obstructed Ocean View. - Once we paid for an Inside Guarantee, got a Promenade View. - Last cruise we were in a handicapped cabin on Deck 3 ... didn't prefer the deck but loved the extra space and storage. Hasn't happened to us yet. This is bad, but it's not a pattern; if it were, this board would be full of such stories. Don't let this stop you from choosing a Guarantee. I've always known my room number weeks in advance -- and, if I didn't, I'd call and be demanding before I'd travel. Oh, no! Aft facing cabins are the absolute best!

"Artisan" is a strong word for the items available in this area, but I don't tend to buy things when I travel anyway -- don't need more clutter in my house. I do feel for these people, as they have little opportunity in their countries. What wouldn't you do to make money to put food on your table, if you were in their place? Their competition is sharp, and their time to sell is short.

Drugs or alcohol. Both make people bulletproof, but drugs are smaller and easier to conceal. Not picking on your kids at all, but it's easy to say, "I wouldn't do ___ -- and really 100% to mean it! -- when Mom's asking you in the safety of your own kitchen." It's harder when you're a teen and part of a group, and you don't want any social repercussions. I was a good kid, but I have specific memories of "going along with the crowd" when I knew it was wrong AND didn't really want to do what was going on. And I have memories of being an uncomfortable observer when I should've left. It's good to talk about these things ahead of time though. Talking, setting your expectations gives them a bit of armor against participating in bad choices. About vaping: Oh, yes, it's a real problem in school. I used to know which of my students were smoking in the bathroom -- the products are larger, harder to conceal, and the smell was a dead-giveaway. Vaping is much harder to police (you can even buy a hoodie with a vape built into the hood strings -- a kid could literally use that in class). Our school nurse and my RN daughter are both soooo solidly against vaping. They say it may even be worse (health-wise) than smoking. I saw quite a few people vaping on our last cruise. Weird habit.

Always more to the story. Yes, every time I'm on a ship I see an open window, I think about that situation and think, "That man was crazy. No way anyone didn't know the difference between an open window and glass."

You're right. I could write a similar list of stupid things we did when my siblings and I were teens, and we also escaped our bad choices (mostly) repercussion-free. We got hurt now and then; when we were caught, we were punished. However, I KNEW -- even as I was in the middle of stupid things -- I KNEW that I could pay a very high price for my foolish choices. Knew it and continued. That kid knew too, but he got caught by his foolishness. Totally agree. The person responsible is the kid. Taking responsibility isn't popular or common these days, but it's right. It's completely possible the parents were in the room and the kid was out on the balcony. I know my kids have been out on the balcony reading or drawing while we've been in the cabin. Who hasn't done that? That sounds like a sad job. Thinking logically ... the parents will have to transport his body back home ... then an unexpected funeral. Will an autopsy be required? If they had travel insurance -- and none of us know -- would it take care of his transportation? Do we have any evidence of a Stupid Challenge? Doesn't seem likely, as few kids would be in the right place to participate in a balcony climbing challenge. Yes, we've had connecting cabins with our kids, and (years ago) I wrote up what I thought was an iron-clad set of rules for them -- I think it was a pretty good set of rules, especially since I saw it repeated on this board multiple times! But, no, I never thought to say, "Don't climb on the balcony". Seems like common sense.

I love Coco Cay. Not interested in Atlantis. Will never get off the ship in Nasasu again. Abraham Lincoln said, "Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be." People on this board whine a lot, yet continue cruising -- what does that tell you?

Yikes! I missed that price! 2K for 4 nights? No, that's not a great deal ... is it for Presidents' Day or something? I can't understand why February would be so expensive. Yeah, booking well in advance OR last minute (which has its own set of problems) are both time-honored ways to get the best price. Keep an eye on your booking; it's possible -- but not probable -- you'll see a last-minute price drop. We're in an odd "expensive bubble" right now. Personally, I think things'll go down, but it won't be by February.

Yeah, I went to ONE midnight buffet years ago. Wasn't into it.

I'm not sure you're remembering correctly -- rose colored glasses, maybe? - 17 years ago I don't remember any internet on personal devices. Yeah, they had slooooow email in an internet cafe -- for a high price. And streaming services, as we know them today, didn't exist. - Lobster is served on 7+ night cruises, not on shorter cruises -- I mean, without extra cost. In my experience lobster's always been a once-a-week thing, but now you have the option to order it in the MDR every night (for a cost). - Yes, no-cost steaks were better in the past. - Thinking back to my very first cruise -- 2003 -- they already had "extra cost" restaurants. More options exist now -- some for cost /some no cost. The bigger ships especially offer multiple small food venues, which spreads the crowds out. - Drinks have always been expensive onboard. While you're deciding about the Refreshment package, note that you can bring 12 non-alcoholic beverages + 1 bottle of wine onboard with you. If you want the special beach, that's not a bad price -- but it's easy to have a great day at CocoCay without spending a penny. Well, maybe a couple drinks (if you go with the Refreshment package, it'll work on the island), and drinks cost about $1 more on the island -- something about VAT? Plenty of no-cost loungers, good food at lunchtime. We like Chill Island, South Beach and Breezy Bay; we don't anticipate ever paying for seats on CocoCay. About $10, including mandatory 18% tax. Similar topic: You can also choose Protein Shakes or Smoothies for slightly less. And soft serve ice cream is available every afternoon (they have a crew member making the cones now, which is cleaner). No and no. Admittedly, we only sail in the fall, which is low season. Since you haven't cruised in a while, here are a couple things of which you might not be aware: - You'll need to download the Royal Caribbean app on your phone. Once you've done that, you'll be able to go ahead and make dinner reservations NOW, and you'll be able to see your menus NOW. - Once you're onboard, you'll use that app to make show reservations. - The muster drill -- obviously still mandatory -- is now a video to watch online. As soon as you're on board, you'll go to your muster station at your leisure, speak to a crew member and be checked off. - When you're 45 days out, you'll check in online (again, through the app) and claim a 30-minute boarding time. - The app takes the place of the paper newspaper that used to be left on your bed every evening. If you want a paper copy, ask your stateroom attendant, and you'll get one.

That might be worse than alcohol.