ffrencher

Do you have some specific items you are looking for? Watches would be one set of recommendations, pearls another, diamonds even another...

I was thinking about diamond rings.

I'd go to Ballerina's - downtown. They are good people and have a great selection at pretty descent prices. I'd avoid Diamonds International AT ALL COSTS - no matter how hard some people try to sell you. Just google the complaints there. Of course, here at home, do you best to research your interests, so you can make an informed decision and rather than in emotional one when you are there being bedazzled by all their offerings!

Now if it were St Maarten, I would have another preference.

Thank you

Any recommendations for jewelry stores in St. Thomas? Any ones with which you have had a positive experience? Any to avoid?

I see a few highly rated ones on TA, but I was looking for any personal experiences on this forum.

TYIA

Appreciate your updates. We haven't been here before and I am trying to decide between Secret Harbor and Sapphire on our trip there in a couple of months.

Can you possibly give me an update on the restrooms as I will be travelling with a 4YO? Do we use the facilities in the hotel or is there some other setup? What are the conditions?

TIA

Thanks for the responses. No, this wasn't all going to be beach time. Beach time would be DePalm Island in the morning. I was more looking for a hotel or nice area by Palm Beach for early dinner and entertainment in the evening.

We will be in Aruba from 7am-11pm in late May with our 4yo. Our current plan is to spend the morning at DePalm Island (ship excursion), shower and then head over to the Palm Beach area for the late afternoon/evening.

We are pretty go-with-the-flow kind of folks, but was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on a specific area/hotel to target especially with the little one.

Thanks.

I personally didn't feel it was that close to the water park to even hear what was going at the water park.

In reference to other noise, it can depend on the folks that are next to the cabanas section and the folks who are in the cabana section. When we went, although all the cabanas were reserved, there were on a couple of people in each and they all wanted to relax, so we felt that section was very quiet.

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We were on Harmony last month with our 3yo and our steward was able to locate a plastic handle/rail that he tucked under the bed that we were able to use as a rail. It didn't seem like it was something that was standard and was used for some other purpose, but worked for us. Trying to attach a picture.

Yeah you have to take the reviews with a grain of salt. Plenty of people are having great positive experiences on Harmony. My family had a great time in May. I agree with some of OP's complaints, like the drink prices and the noise in Schooner bar.

 

But while the crew wasn't the friendliest I've ever seen, I'd say they were average for the cruises we've been on. Obviously that can vary between sailings.

 

Our disembarkation was very smooth, but again it varies. I highly recommend you taking advantage of the mobile passport option if you're a US citizen. The lines for mobile passport were MUCH shorter then the regular lines, we breezed through in under 5 minutes. :cool:

Totally agree. We had a great time last month, but I am sure some didn't enjoy themselves as much.

We had great interactions with the crew. Many stopped to talk to us (including officers) and there were many who even remembered my 3yo's name when they saw us again.

Definitely endorse using the mobile app. We were outside in less than five minutes after getting our luggage while others were in very long lines throughout the terminal. I asked our porter do many many use it and he said unfortunately they don't. I imagine that has to do with the fact that he said he has to wait in line with the people.

+1 Wonderland. Loved the entrees but the desserts were excellent. Our waiter brought us 3 types and they were fabulous.

ffrencher, Thank you for taking the time to post a reply. Great to have first hand account. How many people did you have? :confused: The site says suitable for eight so do they just give up to eight people the wrist bands? Thanks again....We are 30 days out and trying to get all our ducks in a row.

There were only three of us. I would assume that only 8 people get the bands as that is supposedly the capacity for each bungalow.

Just clarifing...All these beach chairs, are they for anyone? We have a group of 24 people and my family was the only one lucky enough to secure a bungalow (eight people). All the others sold out by the time we saw them on the site. We are hoping there are chairs for the others close by. Are there any type of wrist bands, etc to show who has rented them? Thanks for the clarifications. :confused:

Was just at Labadee today in the bungalows. All of the beach chairs in the section are only for the folks who are in the bungalows. When you check in, they put on a black band on your wrist. Anyone who doesn't have the band is not allowed in the area and they police it very strictly.

There are plenty of chairs that folks can set up next to the section if they get there early enough. That way you all can be in Columbus Cove together.

any news if star might have any further dry docks...

There appears to be about 2 weeks in May of next year that doesn't have any itineraries scheduled

We used our large mugs to go the area where they had hot water for tea/coffee to help with the rinsing/sterilization of the bottles.

We did the puzzlebreak on Harmony and I would say I wouldn't do Grease right after its too close. They started check-in on the hour, waited like five minutes for a party to show (as honestly its not really clear where it is-its by the kids clubs). They then need to explain the process, introduce yourselves to the "team" and explain what is going to happen. Then you are admitted into room and start the experience. If your team is awesome and you solve everything (our staff member said they only have about a 20% success rate when we went in October) then you go on your way, otherwise they then walk you through the rest so you can see it all finished. It was a lot of fun but for us took the whole time allotted.

Mike - Thanks for the info. That's exactly what I wanted to know. Their turnaround time of the room must be pretty quick as when I have done this in the past, the room was completely trashed. ;p

Great! Thanks! I was just able to book entertainment and the puzzle room. Any idea when we can schedule MTD times?

I think it differs from cruise to cruise but I think ours was at about 100 days out from cruise.

Can anyone who has participated in this give me an estimation of actual running time? So for example, if the time booked is from 1:00 to 2:30, do they usually start at 1:00 and it lasts an hour to 2:00 and then the remaining time is spent as a reset of the room. Or do they give you instructions and such at 1:00 but you don't usually start until 1:15ish and finish at 2:15ish?

Trying to see if I can do escape room at 1:00 and Grease at 2:30. Having an issue as cruise planner has the time for Grease at 2:15 (which I am assuming is giving you time to get to your seat) thus creating a conflict of time. Based on the responses, I was going to go to RC to see if it's possible they can override.

Thanks.

Looking at the Star's itineraries on NCL's website for 2018, it appears there is gap between when the transatlantic ends on May 6th in Barcelona to the beginning of the Med cruise on May 24th also out of Barcelona.

I'm booked on the star on May 24th 2018 and have also been told by by a travel agent that it is going to dry dock in May 2018 and the May 24th cruise will be first after dry dock.

I am also on the May 24th '18 cruise as well. I find this interesting as I, as well as all of you, have been following the status of the ship for the past few weeks now. Hopefully if this is true, it comes out of dry dock on schedule fully operational.

Mcboaty - FYI, there is roll call out there for our booking.

Thank you for the info. I appreciate your help.

Hello all.

Looking for some advice on these two ports. We will be doing a 10-day out of Barcelona to Venice with a 4 year old and will do a couple of private tours in Italy, especially Rome due to the distance from port. I am wondering if there are things to be seen close to these two ports in Greece in order to not have the kiddo endure too many long days in vehicles during the trip.

Based on what I have read so far, it appears we can do the HOHO in Athens as that appears to be close to port and we can either stop or take in a "quick" city tour. Any other suggestions? I haven't fully gotten a good grasp on Santorini as yet in regards to ease. Thinking this might be a quick taxi ride or day on ship. :D

Thanks for your time.

I am intently watching as well....and I am not going until next May. :eek::eek: Wanted to go back to the Med for our 10th anniversary and they have a great 10 day itinerary. Doubly nervous as it will be many ports and will disembark in a different city.

My apologies if this has been discussed before, but I couldn't find anything specifically around this question.

Based on the experiences of those of you who have had interactions with the elusive upgrade fairy, do you think it makes a difference if you book directly with RC vs. with a TA?

I am not holding my breath as I have read these interactions are very rare and I know my upcoming Harmony cruise is pretty much sold out, but I was just curious as I usually book through a TA for OBC/Gift Cards.

DD in bed with mommy with pillows for the edge and daddy on the pull out couch. Have done this since she was two (2 cruises down) and I am sure will be the case on the next cruise in a couple of months. :)

When I was doing my research on multiple CC posts, looked like people were split down the middle. Some people did the buffet and they were happy with that, some people did a la carte and they were happy with that choice as well. I think you are going to get mixed opinions. I think the choice is going to come down to you. We ended up getting just to have the option. My wife, who is not a big buffet fan, felt it was fine and she found stuff to eat along with the friend we were with. Not sure if you can do this but maybe you get the transportation, go there and look at the buffet and then you can decide if you want to pay the cost at that time.

Not sure about the slide as we didn't make it over there.

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