tweety33

Has anyone experienced Dialysis treatments 3x a week on board the ship with dialysis at sea program?

Just off Serenade on Saturday, had inside room, beds were ok, my only problem was my side of bed, remember there are 2 beds pushed together, my side you could hear the springs. But other than that bed was ok. Didn't like the pillows though. Linens where nice quality and soft. Inside rooms were spacious, larger than on Explorer of the Seas and more closet space. Flat screen tv's. Just keep sink drain closed and lid to toilet closed and you shouldn't have any smell issues. They don't have correct sink drain configuration to keep smells from coming back. Keeping drain closed works. Also no shower curtains have the plastic tub shower doors. The ship is beautiful. Go to the Park Cafe in Solarium upon arrival to eat. They do not have free style coke machines on board, so I wouldn't suggest getting soda package. Had I known this, I wouldn't have pre-booked the package. You have to go to bars for refills and selection is limited.

Thanks for the info. would love to hear a full review in a new thread if you have time, photos, copy of the daily papers. Western Caribbean out of New Orleans?

anyone used this tour company in New Orleans?

Especially if you did the "city of new Orleans & Katrina recovery tour".

Was it good, was the visibility good looking out the van windows?

Did they pick you up & drop you off at your hotel?

If not did you use a tour company you were extremely pleased with?

Thanks.

Thanks, I didn't know if it still exist coz the only review I've seen was from 2011. Thats exactly what we're looking for, low key since we've done Jamica excursions before to dunns river etc.

I would like to hear all I can from anyone who stayed here in New Orleans on Rampart Street. Thanks

Was it a safe walking area, is the park nice across the street, How far is the walk in minutes to the french market, cafe mondue, canal street. Bourbon st. is 3 blocks but how long is the walk are they huge blocks?

Did you do the street cars, trolly to get around, was there a stop near the hotel? How was breakfast? Did you like the hotel itself? What did you pay for cab to the cruise ship?

Any thing you wanna share I wanna hear it all. Love to be prepared & well informed:)

Anyone rode the trolly?

thank you both, was very helpful:)

just returned Sunday we were there last Friday and we bought online, took a taxi and had a good time. Photos were a bit expensive, but they will come down on prices.:)

where the pictures printed or on a cd? did you have to hang around waiting long to view your pictures to decide if you wanted to buy? I am the only one doing dolphin encounter not sure what all pictures will cost.

How long do you have to wait around for the pictures to be ready after you do the dolphin encounter at chankanaab? I want to head back to the ship in plenty of time to spare. Also do they give you actuall picutures to purchase or just a CD, with you on it.

Going to chankanaab park to do the dolphin encounter in March. Has any one purchased there tickets on line at the 25% off before going from dolphin discovery site? And have you purchased in advance the photo coupon at a reduced rate? Just looking for some reassurance that its a safe site and legit, guess its a good savings over buying when you arrive. I hope its not a bad weather day. Thanks for any reply's who have booked this way,.

Anyone taken the Falmouth Trolly from the pier into town? How much was it? How was it? Was it well narrated? Did it make any stops? Did it drop you off back at the pier or could you get off intown to browse on you own then walk back? Any info from anyone doing this would be appreciated.

I look forward to reading the compasses and any info you write on the Serenade, and pictures of the ship.

Thanks.

Bar hop bus for sure. Love it, was more fun then we anticipated. Great tour it won't disappoint.

I just did the manatee encounter two days ago- I was the ONLY person signed up. Anyone who did the dolphins got to go in the water and stand on the platform and pet the manatees for about 5 minutes and feed them a piece of lettuce, but if you sign up for the manatee program ($60 including the $20 admission fee) you get to swim with them for an entire half an hour. You only had to stand on the platform for the kiss picture. I got to free swim around the tank, feed the three of them about 6 heads of lettuce and lots of papya and pineapple. They let me wear a mask (but not a snorkel), so I was able to stick my head under water and watch them a bit better (but not too well due to the life jacket...) Glad I was wearing the life jacket though because they grab onto your legs and pull you when they want more food.

 

It was an INCREDIBLE experience. I still can't believe I was the only one. Guess everyone else just wants the dolphins.

 

 

As for your own pictures- if you are lucky enough to be in the first dolphin tank, I saw a number of people standing relatively close on the board walk taking pictures and video on their iphones (or the sting ray tank). But if you are in the second or third area, even a decent telephoto lens wouldn't be strong enough- you'd need a really really strong one. My husband does have pictures of me walking back from the swim though- the smile on my face is just huge!

 

(Oh, and I bought the photo CD and it was 900 pesos, or $72, for 139 photos. I wanted 4 of them- and individually they were $35 each.)

Were you in more then 4 photo's? Are the other photos of the people you don't know?

When we have literature attached to our door, we call out "we have tree mail" from tv show, Survivor. Dumb, but we do it anyway!!

And I thought we were the only foolish ones, :p. We as well get excited for mail and always shout out "we have tree mail" . That is so funny 2 of you said the same thing.

I would also like the same info. Anyone stayed here?

I am assuming you are talking about New Orleans Best Western French Quarter Landmark Hotel on 920 N. Rampart St.? It did have good reviews.

I did read there are lockers to leave all your stuff in while on the dolphin encounter.

I also read no pictures can be taken by you or anyone else just watching. But............... I saw reviews where participants were taking pictures:confused:. I would love to use my underwater camera.

Chakanaab: I have seen pictures where people took there cameras in the water with them, and yet have heard people say you must leave all cameras in the locker. What are the odds of using your own camera at the Dolphin Encounter? Which is correct?

If another family member is only observing, can they use a camera for pictures?

Can they get close enough to get a good picture? I hate to do the dolphin encounter and get no picture to document it.

I can not justify paying the $100 and up for there picture packages.

i have been going to aruba for the past 22years. I have a timeshare at la cabana which is right next to amsterdam. You can really just take a taxi over and just find an available lounger for really nothing. When were at la cabana we just walk down and get a chair and nobody is there checking us. There is also a bar right there and bathrooms at the pool area across the street. They also have a very good lunch grill next to the pool.

Yes that sounds like where we were at, the bus is $2.30pp each way to get there, vs $20 for a taxi. If you stay at the hotel chairs are free, those were the people with I believe red/burgundy towels.

Was dropped off by local but at Amsterdam Mannor, chairs were $15pp. We walked to the very next place (toward ship, before MVC), Chairs were only $2pp. I think the facility was something like Las Rambles. We ordered lunch from our chair, got out of our chair to get a cocktail at the beach hut.

Used the hotel for bathrooms & changing. We also rented jet ski right there. don't know why anyone would want to pay $15 when you can pay $2. I will say we saw people come in after us and they were told $8.

I had never heard mention of this place on the boards, check it out if you go there.

Thank you for the suggestions. It ended up being most economical & sense for us to do the park stay & fly where we have stayed before, for only a few dollars more and the same price as parking at the airport.

I got a quick response back from:

Marisa Peña

Reservations Assistant

Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort

She once again did not answer my question about the palapas or umbrellas. She just said all the information needed was in the attachment. There is no mention of it in the attachment she sent.

Does this include shade palapas? If so, this is a terrific bargain :) and one I highly recommend taking advantage of. :)

 

I am sure the resort guests are not pleased about the policy, but I know that cruisers are. :)

There email didn't have any mention of palapas, so I doubt it, or its also on a first come basis. I'll see if I can get an answer from them on that.

I got an email response from Amsterdam Manor this morning. They DO rent chairs to anyone for $15, which gives you use of bathrooms, beach shower, changing rooms, You can also buy drinks & food there at Passions. It is not possible to reserve chairs, & is subject to availability.

Where is a reasonable place to park for a week, we are flying out of Logan in Boston in April, do not need a hotel. The airport prices are high, didn't know if there was other parking lots around that shuttle you in. Looking for the lowest rate. Thanks.