C. Anne

My daughter will be turning 21 on our upcoming cruise and I would love to get a spa package for us, but we will be with others that may not want to do the same, so I was wondering if anyone knows of a spa really close to Horseshoe Bay that we could do while they are at the beach. I was thinking Elbow Beach Resort, but it doesn't seem as easy to get to Elbow Beach from the Dockyard. Any suggestions?

I Just returned from Norwegian Escape Bermuda Cruise. 8/19-8/26

It really all depends on your energy level.

Really a lot to do. So many gorgeous beaches.

Definetly get an early start and Horseshoe Bay beach would be my first stop.

7 dollar bus pp from the pier takes you directly to the beach in 20 minutes.

Small lagoon to the right is great for snorkeling. Then explore the small beaches to the left away from the crowds. Couple of hours tops. Then catch a taxi to Hamilton. Shop, walk, buy then I believe u can catch the ferry back to the ship for dinner. 2nd day I would take free NCL ferry to St George (40 mins) and visit Tobacco Beach which is very close. Then take taxi or bus to Swizzle Inn which is near the Crystal Caves. Then stagger out and cab back to ferry. Back to ship. 3rd day Either early bus back to Horseshoe or stay close to ship and go to a place called Calico Jacks. You can swim, walk the plank, drink. Snorkel Park is just ok, near the ship, jet skis, kayak but imo not that great. Ok. Ask away if any questions about the ship or Bermuda.

Thank you! I'm following this, too as we go to Bermuda end of September. We have early 20s, too. We were thinking of a spa day (not all day) at one of the resorts. Do you recommend any? Want to have time for the beach, too.

Thanks!

Aww, you're such a good mama :):):)

We are cruising the following week. I guess she'll be done with her internship. What a fun internship!

C. Anne

My 10 and 14 year old had a blast at Paradise Beach. We have been there twice, last time was in February. I have never seen the water look murky like the pictures posted here. They had fun snorkeling out at the end of the pier. We walked out and sat on the pier while they did it, they loved the inflatables, and the pool was really nice. We thought it was well worth it and not too crowded.

Carey

We are going on a cruise the 1st week of December and wondered if Christmas decor will be up, and if the menu is any different. We have never been on a cruise this close to Christmas.

Thanks,

C. Anne

Here is the start of my review of the most wonderful cruise we have been on. We love to cruise and have been happy with Carnival and Royal, but we didn't know what we were missing and part of the reason the cruise was so wonderful was the way the crew interacted with the guests all week. The decor was more tasteful than Carnival and overall there were more activities going on throughout the day and night than on other cruises we have been on. Also, the shows were better than any others we have seen on other boats.

Today I will share about each day at sea, the food, kids' program, activities, etc.. Later on I will post more about the ports, which were all great.

Day 1 - left from Port of Houston. The trip included my husband and I and our two younger kids - 9 and 13. It was very easy to get on, terminal wasn't crowded, and the port workers were friendly. Once on at about noon, we went to our cabin, which was ready, but luggage wasn't delivered until about 4 PM, so I would suggest you pack swim suits in a carry on if you think you might utilize the pool or hot tub that afternoon. We headed to Grand Pacific, one of the main dining rooms for lunch and had sliders, shrimp burgers, watermelon with feta and mint, and I can't remember what else. It was all delicious, except the shrimp burger was a little plain. We then walked around the ship, registered the kids for the club, went to the pool, dinner, and the first night welcome show.

Day 2 - 1st day at sea was a beautiful sunny day. It could not have been more beautiful. Besides enjoying the top deck above the pool, swimming, and hot tub, the 4 of us played a pretty long and intense game of shuffleboard on the side deck outside of the atrium. This was one of the highlights of the week. The day was wonderful.

Day3, 4, and 5 were in ports. I will talk more later about Day 6 & 7.

Shows - The duo acrobat performers (a married couple) performed an amazing show something similar to Cirque du Soleil using silks, rings, etc. It was the best show to me. On other nights, there was a magician and his wife - Cripton and Renata. They were also very entertaining. Wednesday night we got to hear a great comedian and it was so refreshing that he was family friendly, but still hilarious. Thursday night was an act combining the dancers, acrobats, and magician in an incredible show called Elements. Friday was Tenor of Rock, a group of 4 men that were on America's Got Talent and have performed in Las Vegas. All the shows were impressive - the best we have seen on any cruise.

The food was just as good and sometimes better than Carnival and Royal.

I will write more later on the food, activities, kids' program, and ports.

If anyone has questions about UBP promo, please ask. We never waited long for a drink. They were very friendly everywhere. Some bars made better drinks than others.

If anyone has specific questions, please let me know.

Sorry Roll Call that we didn't show up for the meet and greet. Hope you all had an amazing cruise.

C. Anne

We used Cavetubing.bz a few years ago and were extremely happy with them. We are going with them again this coming week. They take a small group in a van, are very friendly and informative of their country, do all the "work" so you can enjoy, and take you to a lunch at the owner's place, possibly house - I can't remember. Delicious lunch, and wonderful rum punch on the way back. The price is reasonable too.

C. Anne

Hi,

Thanks so much for your review! We have kids similar in age to yours and are looking forward to cruising this coming Saturday. Your reviews have been very helpful. Can't wait to read more.

Thanks,

C. Anne

We went to Bananarama in December. We did not make reservations, nor was it really that busy. There were security guards watching our chairs. Most vendors were fine but two were rather pushy. Beautiful water and tons of watersports right from the beach. WEAR BUGSPRAY. My child got like 30 bites on one spot on his back. The rest of us had them on our legs. Very itchy and not fun. We loved it though. I hear the pizza there is excellent although we didn't try it. It was $10 for a beach chair and a coke (or beer). Also, we used Rony's tours and were able to do this and many more activities.

Hi Ladytiger96,

You said you got there with Rony's Tour? How much was the tour and did it include entrance to Bananarama? You mentioned $10 - was that all you paid to get in plus the tour cost?

Thanks,

C. Anne

Twice we have gone to a beach that is north of the pier by tour company that shuttled us there. It is at a run down hotel (or was back then because of a hurricane), but the resort on the beach was wonderful. They had a beach area, pool, bar and food, and snorkeling equipment and a place to jump in to snorkel. Does this sound familiar to anyone? The only way we have ever found it is by going with a driver once we are there.

Thanks for any help!!

The stretch of beaches south of the cruise terminal are all nice. the sand is coarser, but the beaches are beautiful, relaxing, and calm. The beaches from San Francisco to Palancar are nice. We have been to few of these. We plan to go to Paradise on our next cruise since they have a new big pool and entrance is reasonably priced. Closer to the terminal, they are rocker and good for snorkeling, but are not beaches. Here is a link to a map.

http://cozumelmexico.net/Cozumel-Beaches.html

I noticed a note on the NCL site of my summary page that says due to security reasons, must be on boat 2 hours before departure (for Roatan that would be 2 PM back on board??), and it also said disembarkation usually begins 2 hours after docking (for Roatan that would be getting off the boat at 10 AM) - this doesn't leave time to do any private excursions. I was looking at one that is 6 hours long, but not through NCL. Is there not enough time for this? Has anyone else booked an excursion through Island Marketing to a beach and had time?

Thanks,

C. Anne

I think you all are right. I think the agent was confused.

We booked two cabins. The men's cabin got the ultimate beverage package promo and because the other adult in the women's cabin is under 21, we got the specialty dining package. We were wondering if we would be able to use the dining promos with others, meaning if my husband and I wanted to go to specialty dining one night, could he use her promo? Norwegian told me we could do this, but I want to make sure and was wondering if anyone else has done this with the promo.

Thanks!

We got the free promo for Ultimate Dining Package last night for a cruise in February. I know that it is good for 2 guests in the cabin. We got two cabins, and were wondering if it is interchangeable among people. For example, my husband will be in the other cabin and won't have that deal. Can he use it in place of the other friend that will have it in our cabin so we can go together?

Thanks!

We booked last night, because they said the promotion was ending. One thing we found out is that even though the promotion of Ultimate Dining and Ultimate Beverage ends in December, if you book an oceanview cabin in January, February, etc.. the Ultimate Dining and Ultimate Beverage packages are available. So, we booked, but this morning I checked and saw that the UD and UB were put back on the inside cabin, but the price was raised $150. If the promotion ends again, always ask about the upgraded cabins that may still be offering it. The oceanview was only a little more expensive and we got the UD and UB (one for each cabin), so it was a good deal.

I appreciate the honesty from all. I would actually be the one using it for the most part anyway. The cocktails are important to me and my husband is satisfied mostly with the bottles of wine we are able to bring on board, but thought he would enjoy a few cocktails as well. I would really only be using it at the bars around the pool and then wine and cordials just for me at dinner.;)

Thanks!

Is it worth purchasing the Cheers! package in your opinion? I will be the only person over 21 in my cabin and husband will be in another cabin with the guys. So we thought we would be able to share it without having to purchase two. Thoughts? Were you happy your purchased it?

 

Taken in Cozumel, September 2007, Ecstasy

 

It was like we were the only people on the island...

What beach in Cozumel is this?

C. Anne