Boracay_Soul

10 hours ago, JillK said:

My husband, four kids and my parents (68 & 73) were due to sail on the Anthem this coming Sunday and after a lot of consideration, we decided late last night to cancel. 

 

We did not make this decision lightly as we booked mid-2018 and the kids especially have been very much looking forward to it. Although my parents were in a balcony cabin, given their ages, they are in the more at-risk group. My family of 6 was in two connecting inside cabins. I cannot even fathom being quarantined on board with no access to daylight or fresh air. 

 

Although I do believe that this situation globally is very serious, and that we in North America are going to see more cases before things turn a corner, I also believe the media is creating a lot of fear. What turned the tide in our thinking was Canada's Chief Medical saying yesterday that although on the weekend they had urged Canadians to think twice about a cruise vacation, they were now say to avoid all cruise travel. That in and of itself is a remarkable statement.

 

Some people on our cruise's FB page report that their employers have said they would have to self-quarantine for two weeks once back if they elected to go. Similarly, I can see the border agents when trying to enter the country re-directing us to quarantine at CFB Trenton if there is any concern about an outbreak on the ship. All it would take is for one passenger on board to display any flu-like symptoms to have the spectre of a scare.

 

I realize that is very doomsday but as we weighed the pros/cons, for a 7 day cruise to Port Canaveral and the Bahamas compared to the worst-case scenario it wasn't worth pursuing.

 

I don't feel this situation is in any way a reflection on the cruise industry and once this outbreak is contained and the numbers start dropping, I have no problem resuming cruising. 

 

The best news of all - I am now able to start planning a new cruise with the FCC and at this point the few replacements I've priced are much higher than my credit so RCI will be getting more money out of me.

 

For all of you who are continuing on with your plans, enjoy! 

That's a tough call, I feel for you. My family did the Anthem on the February 15th sailing for reading week university and that was a nerve wracking experience as the Anthem was delayed the week before with a Coronavirus scare. If we could have cancelled without penalty we probably would have but the situation was different then with no Coronavirus cases documented yet in the USA. I would have lost money on the flights from Toronto with Porter and the cruise itself but thankfully the cruise went off without a hitch, had a great time and came back home safe and virus free. But with the situation being this fluid I would not go right now, if I could have had a chance to cancel without penalty I would. I would have lost on the airfare but that's a small price to pay for peace of mind. Looking forward to cruising again when this blows over!

There were no shore excursions for Fakarava. DIY in Fakarava last year consisted of my wife and I renting  bikes and cycling to PK9 for a remote beach experience. It felt like Gilligan's island. That was a lot of fun! If I could do it again though I'd rent an ebike. Riding 25 km that day was hot and windy.   They have no scooters for rental.  

On 11/14/2019 at 4:14 PM, Hoopster95 said:

 

Comparing more apples to apples, I just checked my invoice from actual paradise (the Hilton Moorea, French Polynesia) in an overwater cabana...

3 nights last year cost me $1827

 

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 Canadian dollars!!!!

 

 

Hoopster loved your Marina Review.  Went the year after you did.  Yes the Hilton Moorea is real paradise. Not sure Coco Cay is worth that much!

Hello,

Here is some visual proof that you are "allowed" to bring some spirits aboard. My wife and I were on the Marina last February  on the French Polynesia itinerary.  I had purchased a couple of duty free bottles for our 3 day pre-cruise stay at the Hilton Moorea so I decided to bring them with me when we embarked on the ship. No problems actually. And on the 10 day cruise I think we must have had only 6 drinks total. It was more fun to have cocktails in the Martini lounge than in the room. I left the bottles for the cleaning staff when we disembarked  so I hope they did enjoy the rest. 

On 2/25/2019 at 3:43 PM, pinotlover said:

 

Hi pinotlover

Glad you enjoyed your cruise. I was on the Jan 31- Feb 10 Papeete to Papeete which was equally fabulous. Was envious of those who were able to do a back to back with on your cruise. Just curious, on my disembarkation waiting for a tour of Tahiti, before my plane ride home later that evening, at the entrance of the ship luggage area, I saw a younger couple with a baby in a stroller. I was pretty shocked for some reason. Just wondering if that provoked the same response to other passengers as it did to me.  I wondered if they had a good experience considering the demographics........

Are you flying Air Tahiti Nui or Air France?

 

 

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Hi Heartfelttraveler,

It is booked with Air Tahiti Nui. We tried every configuration to get the dates we wanted by booking the flights ourselves. The main reason we couldn't book it solo was that the return flight on Feb 10 was chartered by Oceania and we didn't want to stay an extra day in Papeete. By paying the air deviation fee we got to go a couple of days earlier on a decent flight from Toronto- LAX and guaranteeing a flight back right after the cruise ended on the same day.

My wife and I are booked for the January 31, 2019 10 day Papeete to Papeete cruise and we wanted to come in a couple of days earlier to stay in Moorea and not take any chances on arriving the day of the cruise as well as getting a chance to rest up. We gladly paid the deviation fee and it seemed to work out as the particular flights we were finally able to get cost not much more than the deviation fee had we been able to book it on our own. Takes a bit of the stress off that's for sure!

Hi Boracay Soul,

I think that Gambee is correct and I did post the entree's from the lunch menu. I remember the Veal Meatballs on the lunch menu. The desserts, appetizers, and salads are the same. Cost for dinner $20/person and lunch is $15/pp. As I said in the review try and go with at least 6 people so that you will enjoy many different tastes.

Hi Caneguy,

I apologize. I didn't fully read the description underneath your pictures. Your suggestion definitely sounds like a plan! Looking forward to the rest of your review.

Cheers!

DAY TWO CONTINUED:

We made it back to the Allure and went to Park Cafe for the roast beef sandwich (can not get enough of those). This time I asked the carver for double meat and the sandwich was sooooo good! After my sandwich and made to order salad I went up to the Solarium to find a lounge chair to sleep off my Senior Frogs effect:)

 

Dinner tonight was at Giovanni's. Formal night on the ship and we did not feel like dressing to the max for dinner. Our family really enjoyed Giovanni's. Again, we are a party of 8 and I think with the style of dinning (family style suggested) that size of a dinner party is what you want to do at Giovanni's. With a large party and family style dinning, we were able to sample so may different appitizers, pasta, and entree's. So if you are traveling with two or four people go out and meet some new friends than all of you go together to Giovanni's. You will have a much better experience dinning there.

 

Giovanni's Appetizers and Salads

 

Giovanni's Pasta Selection

 

Giovanni's Entree's (this may be the lunch menu but almost the same for dinner

 

Desserts at Giovanni's

Like I said, the Tiramisu was the best dessert I had on the ship and was almost as good as any I have had in the North End of Boston

Hi Caneguy,

Loving your review! Am going to be on Allure in two weeks. Also booked Giovannis and I compared your menu post to Gambee's post of the menu (see link below) back in November and they definitely changed it. No beef filet tenderloin:mad: (just an 8oz Strip) and no Osso Bucco.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1737751&page=9

I am definitely going with your recommendation for the 10oz filet in Chops but this menu chage has thrown out my original plan based on Gambee's post. Any review of how the steak was or any of the other entree's?

Thanks,

Cheers!

Last I heard late Juanuary 2013 was the date to be finished. But I have a sneaking suspicion that may not happen!:D

All Items are available at current bar pricing. Gambee loving your work. My wife raerom has turned me on to your posts and we are truly enjoying them. We are sailing on the Allure on January 27th 2013 and are looking forward to it as we are leaving our kids at home. The only consolation for them is that we did an amazing family trip on the Oasis 2 years ago but this is our first cruise as adults only. I also like my vodka and bourbon straight up on the rocks but I noticed on your pictures there is a selection of vodkas and other premium spirits but no prices. Only with a disclaimer that all items are available at current bar pricing. Would you happen to have a picture of what the various vodkas such as Belvedere vs Absolut would cost or other premium spirits ( such as my my favourite Blantons Single Barrel). If not could you recall what the prices roughly were? Looking forward to your review on Cozumel. Cheers!

P.S. I am suddenly craving a long island ice tea!