cloudydrms
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Posts posted by cloudydrms
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We are cruising on Carnival Sunrise Monday, June 20th out of Manhattan. We've already made a firm decision to drive and park at the terminal. The plan is to get there sometime between 10 and 11 a.m. Do you think we should just suffer through the traffic at the Lincoln Tunnel or go further North to the GWB?
Thanks for any advice!
Cindy
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On 3/15/2019 at 7:17 PM, PORT ROYAL said:
However, there is a lot of skullduggery by Cruise tourists all over the Caribbean Islands, who ask to pay the out and return are on the return leg. Then deliberately miss the time of the booked return taxi, take an earlier taxi back to the ship, only paying the single fare. Total AH!
Port Royal,
I totally agree that anyone that would do this is a total jerk. That said, on nearly every island when you take these shared taxis the driver has always made the whole taxi as a group decide on the return trip time and the TAXI DRIVER insists on your paying on the return trip. This always bugs me as my husband and I aren't marathon beach people. Some people want to stay 5 hours at the beach and others want to stay 3 or 3.5. Still others only want to stay 1 to 1.5 hours. It's awkward trying to pick a return time and sometimes there are great variations in how long people want to stay. I've only been on one of these trips where the taxi driver offered to come back at two different times (for a big bus with about 20 people on it). This was on our last cruise in March. Every other time you had to come to a group decision on one single return time. Personally I'd rather just pay one way and get my own taxi back and pay for the return then. We've suggested this and the drivers don't want to do it. My guess is while there are jerks out there there are also those people who get tired at the beach and want to return early and leaving with another taxi driver is their only option. While we've never done this we have considered it before because we were tired and wanting to leave.
Cindy
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On 01/25/2019 at 6:26 AM, cruzeluver said:
We have been purchasing the 5 night package but not for the reasons indicated by the OP. Food in the main dining room is perfectly fine, but the crowds and noise levels (particularly in the anytime dining sections of the larger ships) have gotten to the point that its most unpleasant. We like having a variety of dining experiences which the package affords, the more attentive service and quieter atmosphere.
I agree with cruzelover. We're embark on a 12 night cruise tomorrow and I purchased a five night package as well as Chef's Table. For us it's also more about the quiet atmosphere and the intimacy than anything else. I'll admit that I did consider canceling and going to just a 3 night package, but in the end I've kept the 5 nights. We just really love the ambiance and especially love eating specialty the first night.
Cindy
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Watch your compasses. Occasionally they will offer a wine "drink package". They offer a discount if you buy 3 or 5 bottles of wine at a time. I've seen it in Anthem compasses before. I'm not sure if they always offer it or only sometimes, but it's worth asking your bartender in the dining room or in Vintages about if you don't see it anywhere. That's what I plan to do.
Cindy
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Beautiful and it honestly looks prettier than South Friars Bay. Is that Reggae Beach Bar?
Cindy
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We have been to Carambola on South Friars numerous times, and we really do love it. I would say that the water isn't as great as it could be, but it's still nice. The comfy chairs and vibe of Carambola we both like. I am getting antsy to try somewhere else though, so I'm thinking about going to Cockleshell perhaps to Spice Mill. To those of you that have been to both: how does the food compare (Carambola is just so-so and expensive), the seating on the beach (and will it be hard to get at Spice Mill - I can reserve at Carambola which is important when the ship doesn't get in until 10:00), and the water i.e. steep grade getting in, clearness of water, view.
Thanks in advance for any and all opinions and advice!
Cindy
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I'm curious about the Viator tour to Pigeon Island. It seems that it's cheaper to go with them than it is to just pick up a taxi at the port, but in one place on Viator's website it says the tour length is 3 hours and in another it says 3 - 5 hours. Five hours would be plenty, but three would probably not be enough for us. To those of you that used Viator what was the length of your tour?
Thanks!
Cindy
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We're booked on the Anthem 3/3/2019 cruise in a Balcony cabin that is larger than most. We got one of those where you don't pay for a larger balcony but get a deeper one gratis. There's a few of those on Anthem. I got the Royal Up offer on February 1st so about a month out. I could have bid on Sky Loft, OS, GS, and JS. We like our cabin and location so I didn't go for the JS. Ended up bidding on GS. Minimum bid was $400 or $450 pp. I bid $550 pp. Also bid on OS. Minimum was $500 or $550 and I bid $580. No word yet. I'm guessing I'll get a decline letter based on what I saw today.
I went in to look where you can modify your bid. Minimum bid for a GS is now $1500 pp. Minimum bid on the JS went from $250 originally to $500 pp now. They also added an offer of Spacious Ocean View Balcony with a minimum bid of $50 pp. Never know what might happen as it gets closer to sail date, but I'm not holding my breath. It would be nice to end up in a GS or OS, but we'll be happy either way.
Cindy
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I'm also interested in this same kind of thing. Would love if someone could give us the answer.
Cindy
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We've been to Antigua a couple of times now. What we'd like to do this time is just go to Nelson's Dockyard and hang out for a while and then go to a beach...maybe Turner's? The one thing I don't like about Antigua is the aggressiveness of the taxi/bus drivers at the port when you get off the ship. It's a real free for all. Not fun at all. I know we could get a bus to Nelson's, but I'm thinking I'd just as soon get a taxi...a private one. If you walk through all of those aggressive people right when you get off the ship, will you find others who might be willing to do a private tour for just two to just Nelson's and the beach?
Cindy
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On 01/10/2019 at 6:46 PM, Fred&Lily said:
Just walk from the cruise ship to the West End Bus Station which is close to the fish market. Take Bus 17 to English Harbour / Nelsons Dock. Some of the beaches can be easily reached by bus. Use this guide http://caribya.com/antigua/buses/
and don't be afraid to ask the ladies who hang around the depot which bus is number 17 - those women around the market love to know everybody's business but are a little hard to understand. Last time there I simply took a random bus that went along the south coast road and back.
It seems like I remember the market is a bit of a walk, but I could be thinking of another island. What's the walk to the market like. Is it just straight out of the port? Do you remember how long it took to get to English Harbour on the bus?
Thanks!!
Cindy
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Thanks reedprincess. In the end, I haven't completely decided, but I'm leaning heavily towards just heading over to Vigie beach for the day. It looks absolutely gorgeous and is much cheaper!
Cindy
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36 minutes ago, reedprincess said:
It is - obviously. And as you actually had the info, I'm a bit baffled by the question then. There's not anything extra incuded that isn't listed. You've seen photos of the beach. It's a top beach for snorkeling and diving. It's a Cove, so small and fairly narrow. It's quite picturesque. It's a lovely day. Any additional food and drink is expensive. Be prepared for a bumpy ride in, takes around 40 or so minutes from port.
Without knowing what you're actually looking for, tough to suggest possible other spots.
Reedprincess,
You are a wealth of knowledge on this forum and I've truly enjoyed reading many of your posts (and will continue to) on the St. Lucia forum. That said, you come across as a bit rude sometimes. I know that you spend a lot of time of here and, as I've already said, it is appreciated by many people, but just because you know all of the answers doesn't mean you need to be mean when answering other people. In the end I was just looking for some personal experiences like "Yeah, it was great. We loved the food!" or "Nah! Great place but I'd much rather go to XYZ." Instead what I've received from you is pretty negative. You're analyzing my actual question with a fine tooth comb and criticizing the way I've worded it. Oh, and then you go on to answer it. I guess I should be happy about that? Frankly, it's a little upsetting which is the only reason I'm responding this way. (I never call people out on boards like this.)
I guess I should have specifically said, "Anyone have any personal experiences they can relate about Ti Kaye" instead of whatever it is I wrote. Sorry to have offended you. Frankly, if you don't understand the question (which you clearly didn't) or think that it's an idiotic question (which you clearly did) then don't respond. That's generally what I do.
Once again, thanks for your wealth of knowledge, but use it wisely.
Cindy
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7 hours ago, reedprincess said:
Surely details are at their website?
You can also book directly with Ti Kaye - and the details of what's included, cost, etc is most definitely on their website..
It's a nice beach, but be prepared for a steep walk down the stairs to the actual beach.
Yes, the details about the day pass are listed right on their website, but I was looking to see if someone had actually done it or maybe even recommended a different place instead. I saw the steep steps. Also the beach itself doesn't look too wide.
Interesting, but I kind of thought this whole forum was about asking questions and getting opinions. Hmmmm.
Cindy
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I'm curious if anyone has ever done a Ti Kaye Resort Day Pass through Serenity. Just wondering if it's on a nice beach and what kind of amenities are included. Thanks!
Cindy
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Is the transit a bus? Sorry if that’s a dumb question lol but this option seems so cheap!
No it's a train.
Cindy
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Oh Lordy Audrilee! So sorry to hear about the Noro. One of the dangers of cruising. Yech!
Cindy
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You can drive up to Hamilton, NJ and park there for the trip. It costs $7/day. Then you can take NJ Transit to Penn Station which is $16.25 pp each way. Then you'd have to Uber or take a taxi to the port. My husband and I have done that a few times. It's a little more complicated with that many people, but it's definitely doable.
Cindy
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I went on my first cruise since doing keto in February. At that point I had been keto for 2 months. Honestly staying keto food wise was totally easy. That said while I don't drink when doing serious keto at home, I do and did drink on cruises and my favorite is also wine. For me I was fine with eating keto and drinking my wine every night of the 12 night cruise. I did gain a few pounds. I forget now how much but less than 5. It came off easily after the cruise. We're cruising again in 3 weeks and I plan to do the same thing again. The key is that when you get home you need to go right back to strict keto and cut out the alcohol again.
Cindy
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Anyone know current pricing?
Thanks!
Cindy
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Is the Mercado in the Amber Cove port area really closed on Sunday?
Cindy
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So glad to hear that several people have had a good experience with them. We had a tour scheduled with them on a cruise visiting St. Kitts earlier this month. Unfortunately, our ship had to cancel the port due to a big storm in the Atlantic. (We had to leave for home a day early.) BUT we are doing the same itinerary on the same ship next year in March so I really do appreciate this information. My plan is to book the tour again. Oh, and I had no issue getting a refund from them when the ship skipped the port. They refunded our deposit in a couple of days.
Thanks again for the good info!!
Cindy
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I just want to share a little NSV with you all. I got back from a 12 night cruise about 9 days ago. I was somewhat worried about my eating on the cruise since it was the first cruise I'd gone on since starting this WOE. I was pretty good. I did eat one pork dumpling at the sushi place and on one of the more rough sea days I ate a slice of pizza. I just needed that bread to settle my stomach. And (confession time) on the last night I had a hot fudge brownie with ice cream which was actually a planned cheat. I'd said to my husband that I was gonna have one dessert so that's what I did. Also had SF ice cream one night and who knows in actuality how many carbs are in that. The other "cheat" was drinking quite a bit of wine which was also planned. I mean, you are on vacation. So to some it may seem like I didn't do so well, but I actually did just exactly what I planned so I'm proud of myself. I gained 1.5 lbs. Not too shabby and it's come right off along with 2.5 more lbs.
Anyway, just wanted to share that it was totally doable to stay on the plan. I only ate breakfast one morning. I will admit that I did miss those omelets that I used to have every morning but my goal was to eat later in the day which I managed to do. Lunches consisted of huge salads that were super yummy and one day I think I had a burger with lots of stuff piled on it (minus the bread of course). Dinners were really easy with meat and asparagus and broccoli. I ate a lot of asparagus and it was the bomb. Cooked to perfection! Oh, and RCCL serves up lots of cheese on their buffet so I took a bunch of it and put it in my room fridge. That was my go-to snack. Mmmmm.
Super easy. Super happy. Super fun cruise!
Cindy
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Those of you who do LCHF do you count your calories or just carbs, fat and protein? I struggle with this.
Second related question.. I've actually been averaging under a 1000 calories a day for the last 10 weeks and I exercise 5 days a week. Obviously one is going to lose weight that way. Now that I've reached my desired weight I am struggling to eat enough calories/fat to stabilize my weight. I don't want to lose any more weight but I'm afraid if I eat more I will gain. Not sure how to approach that? How many calories can you eat and not gain weight if you keep your carbs below 20 gr/day?
I plan on staying LC from now on.
I wouldn't say that I "count" calories, but I do watch them. I try to stay under 1670 calories a day and most of the time I do. That said sometimes I go over a bit. I definitely watch my macros and generally I'm somewhere between 66 - 75% fats, under 10% total carbs, and the remainder protein. I track my macros on My Fitness Pal so my carb percentage is actually not net carbs. It's total carbs so in actuality my fats and protein percentages are higher.
1000 calories a day sounds very low. Then again if you're only eating one meal a day then I imagine it's hard to fit more than that in there. I do two meals a day and don't really intermittent fast although I do try to keep my eating to 8 - 10 hours a day. One day I hope to get to a strict 8 hours a day, but it hasn't happened yet.
My advice would be to slowly up your carbs (a la Atkins) and see what happens. If you start gaining, you can always back off. Otherwise stay around the same amount of carbs but up your calories by adding more fat. I guess what I'm saying is that it's probably not healthy to stay under 1000 calories for the rest of your life. I'm not a doctor though so really what do I know? Ha! That's just my feeling about it. But as they say "whatever works for you"!
Cindy
Manhatten cruise terminal ?
in East Coast Departures
Posted
We're cruising on Carnival Sunrise on June 20th. How do I figure out which pier it will be docked at? Say it's at 90. You still enter at 55th and 12th but then what?
Thanks!
Cindy