kad56

Are threre any shuttles in port at cozumel? I'd like to go to either a quiet beach on the east side, or punta sur. I'm solo so the taxi prices for both are bit steep. What's on offer at the port itself?

I just sailed Vancouver-> Whittier, and we had a brief scenic cruising moment sailing north out of Ketchican where we looked for whales from the aft deck. I think I remember the cruise naturalist said we were sailing through an natural channel called Star Point. I can't find this location on any map, and I'm wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience and knows the name of this geographic location that has more whales than usual. FWIW, we left Ketchican around 2pm, hit this channel around 6 pm, and we were sailing towards Juneau....

Awesome, thank you.

oh, ok, so 90 days before departure?

I usually reserve dining times close to sailing, and inevitably I can't get all the time slots I want. How early can I make reservations? I've a cruise booked for next year, and I'd just like to reserve my time when it opens.

48 minutes ago, Illbcruzn4life said:

we told somebody in the terminal that we were B2B and showed them the pass and they escorted us around the controlled chaos. 

Nice. I might be able to get in a full port day after all 🙂

19 minutes ago, Essiesmom said:

Did you book the cruise as two legs, or one long cruise?  If you booked as one and your cruise card is good for the whole cruise, you can just walk off with the first self debark group, and when you return just go through security and use your transit pass/continuing cruiser card to bypass checkin.  EM

I booked it as one cruise and I assumed it work the way you're describing it. But I read somewhere that if the ship leaves the US (which this one will), I'll have to clear customs in Miami on turnaround day. It's the customs line that worries me.

How about Miami? My itinerary says that I'll be in Miami from 7-5 on the changeover day, but I assume debarcation with take much longer, and that'll really cut into my time in port. And I'm all about the ports so the extra lines on the B2B day are disappointing.

... sailing on princess to Alaska from Vancouncer so I posted here.

I pack light and I've always walked on board with all my luggage. I need to drop it off this time since it'll be way too heavy. How that does work? Who do I give it to at the port? In Fort Lauderdale, it's always seemed like there are so many random people in the port, I've never felt comfortable handing my luggage over....

@reedprincess Thank you! You're the cruiser I've been looking for!!! How are the crowds on the ship? Are there delays with embarcation and debarcation at ports like I heard? Are any of the ports particularly challenging? I've docked in Antigua, Fort-De-France, and St. Lucia on other cruises, and I think Fort-De-France is the easiest to navigate, and Antigua and St. Lucia aren't bad, though I prefer walkable place like FDF.

I would use points to get there, so the flights are less of a concern. I'd really love to hear about the onboard experience and the ports.

4 minutes ago, Anastas617 said:

It was, but due to unrest following 10/07 La Goulette was cancelled and replaced with Palma de Mallorca. Marseille port was isolated, though not really far from the city just not somewhere you walk from. Genoa, Palermo and Naples were right at the cities (I took a ship excursion to Pompeii from Naples, so not sure if you can walk right off into the city like at Genoa and Palermo).

It sounds like a really nice itinerary. I have my eye on it. Did you enjoy the ports?

I assume this is the itinerary on the Grandiosa that includes La Goulette, Tunisia. How were the ports? Looking at the itinerary, it seems like the ships docks pretty close to town in alll of the ports. Were any of the a long distance from the port?

42 minutes ago, Fissues said:

I’m doing this cruise. Flights are tough from the states. Something to consider. 

True. I'm looking at tickets simultaneously, and I'll only book it if I can find decent tickets. At this point the options are acceptable for the dates I'm considering. I guess my biggest worry is long delays in getting off the ship at port (I heard on another cruise that it took ~2hrs to disembark at a port stop for other cruisers). I really am interested in the trip for the itinerary, so slow really slow disembarkaction would really affect the trip.

1 hour ago, 8420PR said:

- There will be crowds by the pool and at parties and events, but it in my experience it is always possible to find a quiet area (often with live music - e.g. the sky lounge).

 

Meh... this doesn't seem like a huge issue to me personally. I'll be out exploring the ports.

Thanks for your feeback. I'm booked on my first MSC cruise going out of the US in a month, and this one is really tempting if I my first one goes well.

I'm thinking of booking one the cruises that go all over the southern Caribbean. The Virtuosa is sailing it this year. I'm curious if anyone has had any experience with this trip. The itineraries look absolutely amazing, but I've hear the food sucks (on you tube) and that the crowds are terrible (word of mouth). I also think MSC has a made a lot of changes in recent years, so the negative feedback I've heard may not be relevant anymore. FWIW, I'm American, I sail more for the itinerary than the ship, I don't drink (so I don't care about long lines at the bar), and I like quiet sea days and reading.

If you want a beach day, I'd recommend taking the ferry to klein bonaine. You can walk to the ferry from the ship, no amenities so you'll need your own blanket and (maybe?) source of shade. Best beach in Bonaire by a a factor of 1000. 

Thank you! I found them via your profile. I noticed you've answered a bunch of my questions. Thank you!!!

When was the buffet open at ocean cay?

4 hours ago, rakesh said:

d)
So what are the options for them sightseeing Anchorage late Tues evening (does Anchorage have the midnight sun, yet?) or Wed morning?- no options  from Princess per the app or per the toll free number?

At that time I would walk along the Tony Knowles coastal trail. It should still be light, there are some good views and and you're likely to see moose. I biked it once and it's the largest concentration of moose I've ever seen.

Has anyone noticed if theres any sort of schedule or timeframe for the Papantla flyers in the port area? I'll need to leave quickly after embarkation for a tour, and I'm wondering if I'll have a chance to see them when I get back. I've noticed in other port that the musicians that greet ships tend to be gone by the end of the day (not the same thing.... but also entertainment).

Which production shows were the best? I don't always go, and I like know what the highlights are so I can pick and choose.

I'm reading different things. Some people report that Bimini is open to everyone, others that staff block entrance to the entire smaller island at the bridge. What's been your experience? My ship (the Magnifica) doesn't have a YC, so I'm wondering if that makes a difference.

That's what I needed. Thank you.

I've read there's a shuttle that sometimes runs and sometimes doesn't. I'm going to the main strip in Mahahual, and prefer not to take a taxi since I'll be solo. I'll be there early July.