Mom.to.2

I am loving your review & pics, keep them coming! My family leaves on 2/17 (this coming Friday!) on the Explorer with the same itinerary and we also have a private tour with Bernard's booked. I plan to ask our guide to take us to Le Gallion instead of Orient too. You're review hits the spot!!!

Glad to hear you didn't notice "the smell". The thread going about "the smell" really has me concerned.

May I ask why you didn't take the free trolley to El Morro but walked instead? Was it too busy? Or just preference? Once we get off the ship, where do we go to catch the free trolley? Where can I find Don Q?

Can't wait to read more!

We sailed over New Year's and it was a tall, blonde woman (if that helps at all). Unfortunately, I do not remember her name.

Does Renee ring a bell? If you booked with her, her name will be on the booking.

For recent cruisers: I think I read the movie theatre was not working last week...is it back up and running? What are the movies currently playing on the TV and movie theatre? I like to download some movies for the trip and do not want to rent anything that I can view on the TV. Thanks

What do you watch the movies on...your laptop? Yes, I'm technologically challenged!

A bit off topic...if our sea pass cards have rfid chips in them, why do I always hear announcements for a few guests (who I presume haven't 'pinged' in upon returning to the ship) to call the front desk prior to the ship leaving a port? Why doesn't security locate them via their rfid embedded sea pass?

Back on topic...as a parent to 5 & 9 year old girls, it's hard for me to imagine letting them have free range of the ship without adult supervision. Only time will tell if my comfort level changes once they're teens. For now, they're young enough that 'helicoptering' is to be expected.

For this excursion, the folks taking the shopping and the town walking tour are on the same boat. The folks for the other two excursions are dropped off at Cruz Bay, then the boat continues up the St. John coast to around the northern tip of St. John. It then returns back the same way to Cruz Bay to drop you off. All three excursions return on the same boat a few hours later. We took a cab to Trunk Bay for a couple of hours, then returned to Cruz Bay for some quick shopping and lunch. The cab ride to Trunk Bay and back is fairly short.

Thank you for spelling that out so clearly for us slow folks;)

When I'm in St. Thomas this February, we'll be joined by 5 other ships including the Allure & Epic :eek: so I'm thinking we're better off skipping the coastal cruise and getting ourselves to Trunk Bay 45 minutes earlier while there is still a scrap of sand to be found.

Thanks again for the help!

Catscruiser, thank you for all that information!

Forgive my ignorance, I'm still trying to figure out the difference between this excursion and the shopping one. Are you dropped off at the exact same place as the shopping/walking tour, just 45 minutes later (after you've taken a water tour of St. John)? Is transportation back to the ship combined with the shopping/walking tour?

I actually know of an 11 year old has nearly achieved pinnacle status on his own. Scary thought.

Well...I don't know if I'd say he achieved it ON HIS OWN. An adult must have paid for all those cruises this lucky child has taken to achieve such a lofty status. ;)

Hi:

 

My daughter and I will be doing the same thing in two weeks on the Summit. I don't know if we dock in Havensight(I hope so), and I am thinking about whether it would be cheaper to do the 6.5 hour shopping St. John excursion so that we could have the ease of transportation as well. Two concerns is that one it leaves late I think 9:30 am and returns I guess around 4 PM. I would rather leave as early as possible to make the 9:00 am ferry. I was also trying to figure out the relative cost. Have done so? I think RT ferry is $12 pp/cab to Trunk bay $6pp each way ($24 RT) Beach admission $4 pp and cab to ferry dock is $20 each way. Is this how you have figured it? On the other hand, the security of doing the excursion may make it worth it.

Honestly, I haven't done the math out myself. I've seen other posters say it comes out to about the same (slightly cheaper on your own.) To me, a few extra bucks is worth the security of doing the excursion and ease of catching a ferry from where we dock as opposed to cabbing it to Red Hook. I'll still have to pay for cab to Trunk Bay ($12 RT pp) and Admission to Trunk Bay ($4 pp) on top of the excursion price ($40 per adult, $30 per child.)

We are also on Summit Dec 10. I'm interested in seeing what the "seasoned cruisers" have to say about your question? After reading all of the reviews on Trunk Bay, Hawksnest & Little HN, and Francis Bay. It seems Trunk Bay might be crowded.. but maybe easier and safer than the others to get to? Still, I would love a quiet secluded beach to enjoy!

STILL waiting for a reply from a season cruiser. Anyone? Anyone? Will you please come back and report once you've done it 12/10? You must be excited, 12/10 is around the corner!

I'll be in St. Thomas this February and unfortunately, 5 other ships will be docked with us including the Allure and Epic. I'm very concerned about crowding.

We planned to take the ship's 'shopping' excursion to St. John for the transportation, not to shop (as recommended on these boards) then taxiing to Trunk Bay. Will Trunk Bay be enjoyable with this many ships in port?

I'm thinking with the ships excursion, at least we won't have to fight public transportation crowding. And perhaps St. John's will be less busy than St. Thomas beaches?

Any input appreciated. We're a family of 4 with 2 kids (5 & 9 years.)

What time should I arrive at Cape Liberty for a 2:00 embarkation? I usually try to arrive 11-11:30 but I've never seen a 2:00 embarkation before.

According to the compasses I've found at least one will be open. It's on my list of questions for RADIO when he returns today on EOS. I love hot tubs in the winter! I'll race you there ;)

I'll meet you in the hot tub at 12:30 on 2/17. Hope you don't mind my kids joining us too ;).

When Radio answers your questions, would you please copy and paste or link it to our roll call? Your questions tend to be the same as mine.

I admit it. I'm one of "those people" who pack their swimsuits in the carryon and make beeline for the hot tubs as soon as we board. So far, we've only cruised in April.

This February will be our 1st winter departure from NJ. You may think I'm crazy, but I'll ask anyway: Are the hot tubs open while docked in NJ during the winter months? If they're not, I won't bother packing our swimsuits in our carryon's

TIA

No, didn't do that when we were in Nassau. We took a local bus to the Sheraton. I think it was $25 each but not sure. The Sheraton is on Cable Beach and the beach was great! We were able to use all their facilities......got lounge chairs, could use their pools too and they also provided nice big towels. I believe non motarized equipment was included to although we didn't use any. There was another hotel next door which had a casino in it but can't remember the name of that one. We walked over there and they also had a very nice pool. There were a few different pools on the Shreraton property. it was not crowded at all and a very relaxing day.

We've done the Sheraton both times we've been to Nassau and loved it too! (We took a cab tho)

Mom.to.2 - you have changed your name. I saw this name posted and wondered if it was you but did not see the Princesses. Then I thought perhaps someone was poaching your name and thought it might get confusing but glad to see it is you. Thanks for the information. I could not remember from April 2010. We are going in March 2012. I have not worn a helmet playing hockey or skating since I played minor hockey nearly 30 years ago but recently bought a helmet. I make more from my limited brain than my hockey skills:) I appreciate not having to pack helmets for the kids and I.

 

XLRATION, thanks for the info - the kids may want to try that one too.

 

Bob

It's me, not an imposter:) I changed my name because it seemed like the "princesses" part gave people the wrong impression that I or my children are entitled. It's hard since no one really knows you here.

I make my 4 year old wear a helmet whenever she skates (weekly lessons.) My 9 year old is recreationally competitive and doesn't wear a helmet but you can't really wear a helmet while you skate a program in front of an audience :rolleyes

Packing helmets would be a pain especially since you fly.

Enjoy your cruise! We're going 2/17/11.

I can not remember from our last cruise on Explorer but can someone tell me, do they supply helmets at the ice rink? I do not want my kids on the ice without helmets but would hate to have to bring them if RCI has them. Given all the talk on concussions I would assume they would have them. Having seen first hand in my mother's friend what a concussion from hockey can do I am not keen to risk my kids' safety at this point. As I get older I am becoming more cautious it seems....

 

Bob

Hi Bob!!!!

When we cruised together in 4/09, they did not require helmets but did have a supply of them. When I cruised in 4/10, they both required all guests to wear helmets and supplied them. They also have wrist guards, knee pads, elbow pads too but they are not required. At least they weren't in 4/10.

When are you cruising this time? January if I recall...

Can any of you Explorer experts tell me if the pools on board are salt or fresh water?

TIA!

Speaking of overspray...is there any particular car cover that is widely accepted as the best (for function and price) on this board? Trying to save myself some research;)

It'd be nice if RCI would sail out of Manhattan. I'm certainly not complaining about NJ (we are going on her over New Year's), but Manhattan is a much nicer port and more easily accessible for a larger amount of people.

Seriously? I have to disagree. I would much rather sail out of NJ than Manhattan (and I have to drive right by the Manhattan port to get to Cape Liberty.)

The only thing I'll give you is that the physical structure of the port buildings in Manhattan is nicer. But as far as personnel, ease of check-in, all the things that really matter to me..I'll take NJ any day.

Come to think of it, my perception may be colored by the cruise lines I was sailing on. My 3 times out of NY was with Carnival and Norwegian. My 2 times out of NJ was with RCL.

Hey all just wondering if anyone can go on the slide? Or is there some kind of restriction?

I don't think the slide would appeal to the over 10 years old crowd. It's really small. That being said, I was allowed on the slide with DD (4 yrs) on my lap. She was too short to go on by herself. This was in 4/11.

We are sailing on EOS from Canada on March 9, 2012 and I have a question about return flights. I am looking at direct flights to Halifax and there is one from EWR at 12:30 that I would love to make. I don't want to cut it close but seem to recall our last time on EOS we were off and back to our hotel before the Mall across the street even opened. The next flight is not until much later in the day but again, I don't want to be silly. So, can I make a flight out of EWR at 12:30 - an International Flight? I appreciate thoughts. Thanks.

 

Bob

Hey Bob! I don't have an answer for you but trying posting your question here: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1160277 I think you'll get a better response.

We are sailing on Explorer 7/21/11. Last October when we sailed on Oasis you could buy the port and shopping guide and you could get a sticker on your sea pass card and with that sticker you could get the drink of the day, buy one get one free, no limit. Does anyone know if Explorer offers this?

They didn't in April....

Oh MANNN! I loved the cabanas (for free) when I was on Coco Cay in April. Half of them were even empty! It was like no one knew about them. I'm sorry to see that I'll never get a chance to use one again, being a lowly gold member who stays in connecting balcony cabins instead of suites. :mad:

I thought it was $25/person. Are kids half price?

Yes. I think 5-12 is $12.50, under 5 is free. If you want to be sure, call the front desk.

Was the Sheraton worth it? Would you go back again if given the opportunity? We booked the day pass with a room for Sept 2010 thanks

YES! We had a fabulous day at the Sheraton. There are several pools, one with a waterfall. A swim-up bar. Gorgeous beach. Outdoor grill/restaurant. We would go back in a heartbeat. We also had fun at the Wyndham pool next door. They have a waterslide and their pool is warmer than the pools at Sheraton.

We didn't get a day room, just the day pass bracelet. It was $62.50 for the 4 of us (I wasn't charged for my 3 yr old.)

Does the Sheraton also have an outdoor place to eat at? That type of food and prices? I'm not a fan of buffets either and we wouldn't want to eat indoors when at a beach.

 

patty

I was there last week. Wraps, burgers & salads were in the $13-$15 range. Hot dog was $10. Kid's meals were $9. They automatically add gratuity.

How far from the port is the Sheraton? How much by taxi??

 

Patty

It is $21 each way. About 15 minutes without traffic. With traffic can take 45 minutes or so (according to our cab driver.)