bettyboop16

Thanks Bettyboop I am looking forward to a great tour .

 

Lisa

You're very welcome :)

Did you ask to be put on a wait list? We did & manage to get an afternoon tour. By the way, it was Great! :)

I am hesitant to try Carnival based on poor food reviews and outdated rooms/balconies. I am used to food on RC and Disney but the Glory has the itinerary we want for Western Caribbean. I want good activities for my daughter too. Any thoughts?

We have sailed Glory 3 times, 5 nights, 6 nights, & recently 11 nights. We felt she is a good ship with good entertainment. Food was just ok on our last cruise(IMO). I can't answer about children activities.

We have sailed with RCI, last cruise Feb.2015. didn't care for the food at all!! again IMO.

A lot of times we choose a cruise specifically for the itinerary.

You might want to ask specific questions to what activities Carnival offers to children your daughters age. :)

Bettyboop, thank you for your informative information.

you are very welcome :)

Is there a formal night on a 5 night cruise? :)

We stayed 1 night before our cruise Feb. 2015. I thought the hotel was fine. Our room was clean & comfortable. At that time the hotel offered a shuttle to several places in Tampa.

It rained the whole time we were there, so we had drinks & food in the restaurant at the hotel "Hogan's Beach" & breakfast the next morning.:)

I am not the poster, but we toured with Stan 1 week ago. Tour was about 3 hrs. & then beach time if you wanted. Tour cost $50pp included refreshments, a/c van & he is a safe driver.

We had a short city tour, Annadale Falls, spice market, highest point on the island, Etang National Forest, & Fort Fredrick then to Grand Anse beach.

We were on Carnival, the beach isn't far away, you will need a taxi or the ferry.

Grand Anse beach has amenities such as food, drinks, umbrellas, & loungers.

Bettyboop, thanks for getting back with us.

 

In regard to the JnJ Tours, how long were you gone, and how much was it pp? Was it the same cost whether you stayed at the beach for a while, or had someone take you back to the ship?

 

If you went to the beach, how long did you stay, and I know you said it was chilly, so perhaps you didn't get into the water? I wonder if the water will be any warmer, or the beach itself the first part of April?

 

You may, or may not know. I was just wondering if the JnJ Tours would be about the same price as just getting a native/Taxi to take us around for an hour or two?

Our tour lasted about 3 hrs. plus 1 1/2 hrs. beach time. Stan did ask everyone how long they wanted to stay at the beach. He had 2 vans running that day. When we got to the beach there were people who didn't want to stay, the other tour guide took them back to the ship. Stan took us back to the ship at 1:30pm. He went back to the beach for the other folks who wanted to return at 3pm.

Cost was $50pp included water, soda, beer, rum punch I think. Stan didn't charge extra for beach time. It's a very short drive back to the ship.

It was cold on the mountain & hot at the beach. I didn't get into the water so I don't know about the water temperature. There were plenty of people swimming though. Also saw a couple of nice resorts.

I don't have any idea about the cost of a taxi versus a tour. Things you might want to consider. We had a very knowledgeable tour guide who drove safely. Provided us with cold refreshments & paid for entrance fees to sites we visited.

Hope this is a help to you & just let me know if I can answer anymore questions for you.

Rjrice1, when you mention the chocolate in Grenada, is it just the regular chocolate, or do they have "white" chocolate too? The reason I ask, I LOVE white chocolate. :)

 

Bettyboop, so you will be in Grenada the first part of February? Yes, please I would like to read your findings, etc. there.

Well, I'm back from our cruise.

We booked a tour with JnJ Tours. Stan is the owner & our tour guide for the day. We started with a short city tour...went to Annadale Falls for about 15 mins. then a spice market not far from the falls & a spice demonstration & tasting. We went to the highest point in Grenada...very windy & cold that day. Headed to Grand Etang Lake & then off to the Fort for a short visit....after the Fort we went to Grand Anse Beach. Some folks wanted to return to the ship, so Stan had another driver to take them back. We stayed for 1 1/2 hr. & others stayed till 3pm before they returned to the ship. Stan was always close by.

This was a somewhat fast paced tour, but there is traffic & winding roads...some 1 lane. Stan was great with information on the island, plants, trees, & fruits grown there. He brought some fruit from his yard for us to taste. I don't remember the name, it was a little bitter.

Spice necklaces can be bought for 3/$10.00 & you can buy spices everywhere. I didn't see chocolate, but I wasn't really looking for it. Just ask someone...I found people of Grenada friendly. You will see people of Grenada doing almost anything to make a few bucks, from making music, spices of course, jumping from the falls, & having your picture taken with a local balancing fruit bowls?? on their head...I was impressed, at least they aren't just standing there with their hand out wanting money.

Just got an email about my excursion that I booked with Calabaza won't work since they have a 9am sailing and our ship doesn't get into port until 10 am . Can anyone else recommend a good catamaran for a small group of people ??

 

TIA

Last time we were in Barbados 2013 we sailed with Silver Moon. Enjoyed our sail very much & had a great crew. :)

I believe $90 or 95 per person - well worth it since you get to see the engine control room which is a real rarity. BTW where is Moyock, NC?

 

 

Mary in NC <---currently at sea on Glory

Thanks for the info Mary!

We border Chesapeake, Va & 1 hr. North of the Outer Banks. We have tons of tourists in the summer months traveling thru our town headed to the OBX.

We just did this tour on the Glory yesterday. When we boarded Guest Services would not take a reservation and made us go to the shore excursion desk to sign up. According to the gentleman there, the number of tours is dependent on the number of people interested and number of sea days they can offer it.

 

It is well worth the price, IMHO, and very informative. We had a group picture on the bow and one on the bridge with the Captain. No individual pictures. Also some other goodies including a backpack tote, hat, wristband and some treats delivered to the cabin. Was over three hours for ours and a LOT of steps!

 

Mary in NC

Looks like we are on the same cruise, 2/2/2016. Would you mind letting me know the cost?

Rjrice1, when you mention the chocolate in Grenada, is it just the regular chocolate, or do they have "white" chocolate too? The reason I ask, I LOVE white chocolate. :)

 

Bettyboop, so you will be in Grenada the first part of February? Yes, please I would like to read your findings, etc. there.

beshears, when do you cruise?

Bettyboop16, when you toured and did the beach, did the tour guide go on, or come back and pick you up or what?

 

I'm making notes as I read these.:)

Hi,

We will be in Grenada Feb.6th. I will report back. :)

[Please read my post about bonaire.

We did http://www.roadrunner-bonaire. It was electric cars we drove around the island

Omg....best excursion ever

I can email you with more info

Twizzy tours...

 

 

PQUOTE=bettyboop16;48818461]Hi Cathy,

Our ports are St. Croix, St. Maarten, Dominica, Grenada, Bonaire, Aruba & Curacao. Only 2 new ports for us....Grenada & Bonaire.

 

We are trying to stay warm. Last few days hasn't been above freezing. We are having a late winter didn't really get cold till after the new yr.

I bet that was a lot of fun!!! We have booked a tour with Woodwind for Bonaire.

Hi Cathy,

Our ports are St. Croix, St. Maarten, Dominica, Grenada, Bonaire, Aruba & Curacao. Only 2 new ports for us....Grenada & Bonaire.

We are trying to stay warm. Last few days hasn't been above freezing. We are having a late winter didn't really get cold till after the new yr.

Now remembering, we walked out of the port area... and met local license taxi drivers (local police told me they were safe too) Much cheaper than by the pier too and felt very safe at all times.

He took us for $20.00 p/p for tour of the local areas... even a beach.

We stopped at this little local area where they explained on how to use them and all..

Was cute too. Then to a local distill too.

Send me your email and I will email you pictures of them...

Cathy

bedsole2011@gmail dot com

Love to see your pics:)

Thanks

We were in La Romana in 2008....I know, 8yrs ago, but still may be helpful.

We took a shuttle into the city & there were cigars shops there. I don't remember the names of the stores or cost, we were with another couple who wanted to buy cigars. There were also people on almost every corner selling them by the box.

How good are the Aloe Vera products sold in Aruba & where can you buy them?

Many Thanks,:)

We just returned from there Friday... did an 11 day cruise (not my favorite island) but best for spices...

Took a tour guide from an open air bus... stopped at a few places and one was the spice store itself.

Got the best spices... omg.. everything from whole nutmeg (great in banana bread) cinnamon which when I making sweet potatoes I boil one stick in the water with it and makes my house smell so nice.

Picked up real vanilla but make sure there is no coumandin it... a blood thinner

along with banana, lemon, almond and so many other extracts. And of course chocolate....

Got fresh spices in baskets that were 6 mini baskets loaded with spices and all for $20.00 get gifts for people at home...

Also went to a rum spot... loads of yummy rums too.

The island reminds me of San Fran. with the hills and all...

We were there during Saturday Farmer's Market but still found the prices cheaper inland

Where did you shop for spices in Grenada? Mini baskets....great gift idea!

We went to Palm Beach on Thursday. The taxi driver gave us a hard time and tried to drop us off at the usual spot at Orient even though we told him upfront we wanted to go to Palm Beach. It was initially 7 dollars per person but when we reminded him we wanted to go to Palm Beach he charged us 10pp.

Taxi back to the ship took about 30 min to arrive and was also 10pp. The bar staff called for the taxi for us.

We weren't wowed by the beach. The waves were rough so that contributed to it. But after seeing the beaches in St Thomas the day before, this one didn't quite compare to the beauty. It was quiet which was nice.

Lunch (burger, chicken supreme and two alcoholic drinks) came to $56 US. Came with bread and rum shots at the end.

 

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Thank you Tyler :)

Good info.....I am left wondering what is the big deal with cabbies not wanting to go there. Is it really that far away from Orient?

Bettyboob16 I have being trying to get in contact with JnJ tours I have emailed him a number of times . I am interested in doing the tour too . We will be there the 21st of April .

Please let me know how your trip was . Thanks Lisa

I will let you know how it goes :). I have heard from others on CC about having a hard time contacting JNJ tours. I didn't, he replied to all of my emails.

I contact him on his website.

In the past I had problems with other tour operators on other islands not responding to emails.

We will be in Grenada in a few weeks (our first visit). We have booked a tour with JnJ Tours. It's an island tour & some beach time. Some folks from our roll call talked about taking a ferry to the beach Grand Anse.

Spices , spice necklaces, chocolate are made there.

When are you cruising to Grenada?

For Aruba: Check out the port of call here on CC & look for arubalisa, she gives a lot of advise & knows the island well.

Grenada: Radisson has a day pass $40.00 pp.

Barbados: Silver Moon Catamaran, we had a good time with them.

Antigua: I thought Valley Church Beach was beautiful.

Check out http://www.resortforaday.com