cpayne

I'm helping a group of new cruisers plan their 1st cruise.  There is a group of 9 of us traveling.  Hubby and I are the only people who have cruised before. 

2 in our group would like to do an island tour of G Cayman.  Here are some of the sites they would like to see:

Seven Mile Beach, the Cayman Turtle Farm, Blow Holes, the Hell rock formation, etc

Since there are only 2 of them and they are new to cruising I first thought of the ship excursions to make the "logistics" easy on them.  Typically prefer private excursions, but until you are comfortable AND with it being a tender port (RCL excursions receive priority tenders) thought the ship tours might be best. 

The ship offers 2 tours:  Turtles and Hell OR Island Highlights

There is no tour offered by the ship that offers everything they are interested in.  Does anyone have any suggestions for a private tour operator OR know the approx. cost of a taxi per hour if they chose to grab a cab and create their own day?

Thanks. 

20 cruises and we have never once gambled.  Planning an 8 nt Cuba cruise and 7 new cruisers are joining us.  No idea how gambling in the casino works in terms of $$$.  Do you "charge" gambling money to your room OR do you exchange US currency in the casino? 

Sorry for such a silly question, but want to be able to answer this for our "guests" in advance that are relying on me to help them acclimate to cruising! 

TIA!

He has approximately 75+ dives  so he has done a few shore dives.   He prefers the ease of walking on the boat, equipment is all there waiting for you, load up, and roll out of the boat.   I think it’s just easier. He also doesn’t like getting the sand in his equipment and traipsing to the beach dragging everything. He has dove in GC several times. If he hadn’t he might be more open to a shore dive if that was easiest option from a time perspective,   I think a dive through RCL will work.  Just curious as to the details of the dive.

Husband does not like shore dives.  Checked with Lobster Pot earlier this wk.  They are right there in Georgetown which is why I contacted them.  They go at 9 am so also too tight of a time frame for comfort.   Seems to just make more sense given the variables to book thru the ship. Just wish we knew more about their experience in advance.  This advance planner prefers details.  😉

Husband is looking to possibly book a 2 tank dive in GC through RCL.  Typically we do NOT book through the ship due to higher costs and crowds for their excursions.  However, in this instance it's looking like it's a good idea. 

The price is not much different thru RCL vs an independent operator which was surprising.   Scuba diving attracts a limited audience since you need to be certified so crowds on the ship provided dive excursions are usually not a problem.  Also, given our Cuban itinerary the average age on our ship is much higher than typical.  The older the crowd typically the less divers you have.  

The reason we are thinking the ship excursion, though, is due to this port requiring we take a tender boat to shore.  RCL gives priority tenders to those who book excursions with them. Fair enough.  Every one else gets off after that.  No guarantee when you will be on shore.  We dock at 8 and most dives leave between 8 or 9.  Was going to be really tight.  For roughly the same price we eliminate the stress of trying to get to shore in time.  Also, some times with dives in a tender port the dive boat will pick everyone up directly from the ship and off you go.  They don't make you go to shore in the tender, load another boat and then go from there. 

Questions: 

Has anyone ever done the RCL 2 tank dive in Cayman?

If so, does the dive boat pick you up at the ship or at the tender dock on shore?

Approx what time do you return?

Where do they dive? 

Any input greatly appreciated.  Thanks.

Thank you for all the detailed suggestions.  My initial research of a few dive shops showed issues with the time the dives departed vs when the ship arrives + tender.   I've reached out to Lobster Pot Dive Shop per another recommendation.  They are located in Georgetown and supposedly offer dives that accommodate cruise ship passengers for this exact reason.  Waiting to hear back from them. 

We've been to GC many times and fortunately only once has the port stop cancelled due to high winds.  I know it's common, though, so hope I didn't just jinx ourselves! 

Itinerary change and now headed to G Cayman instead of KW in 5 wks.  Had our cruise all planned so this throws a wrench in the plans.   Normally would be enough time to find an alternative in the new port, but I’m in the midst of busy season at work and between now and when we leave we have 2 full (26.2) marathons + out of town company + 2 half marathons.  Too much going on!  Need a recommendation for a dive operator: 

hubby has advanced certification

prefer boat dive instead of shore dive

prefer slightly bigger dive boat as opposed to small fishing like/panga boats

prefer someone close to ship pier or shuttle to dive shop included 

Suggestions? 

No idea.   Just posting what I saw posted recently.....

After lunch we are headed to José Marti Park to wander and sight see.   

How many adults do the pedicabs hold?  I assume 2?  

Thanks 

I used your thread Laurence to put together our waking tour.  You May notice the resemblance.  😉. 

Im also interested in more info about the train/tram tour if anyone knows anything about it. Price?  Route?  Can you hop on/off, etc? 

Thanks

Would like more info on the train/tram tour offered near where the ship tenders.  Anyone have any insight?  Is this a hop on/hop off concept?  Route?  Cost?  Etc....

In Cienfuegos how do we obtain access to wifi? 

TIA. 

I am putting together our own self guided walking tour in Cienfuegos.  Here is what I've come up with thus far:

https://goo.gl/maps/c8SkBQmbErK2

Any other suggestions I should add to our tour? 

Looking for authentic and inexpensive place to eat in the Punta Gorda area.  Any suggestions?

After lunch/drinks we plan to take a bicycle taxi back to Jose Martin park.  Will the bici-taxis be easy to grab mid day at this location?  Approx cost back to Jose Martin park? 

TIA for your input!

If we were looking for a property for an entire vacation I MIGHT be more hesitant, but for just an overnight stay pre cruise I'm more flexible.  Also, if you know how these sites work you can often guesstimate fairly accurately what property you will receive.  For example, they state the hotel you will be awarded will be one of the following 4 properties.  I reviewed each of the 4 and ALL were great options.  It stated the amenities offered and 1 listed was airport shuttle.  I called the 4 properties and 2 did not offer a shuttle.  I've now narrowed it down to 2 properties so a 50/50 chance.  It also said the last person to "win" this property received the Intercontinental.  Further supporting my "odds" of knowing which property I would receive.  Never a guarantee, though! 

1 minute ago, slidergirl said:

• Now, go and join the IHG loyalty program.  You may not get anything right away, but you will gain status when you stay at any IHG, from those Holiday Inn Express properties to Intercontinentals and Kimpton.  They have specials once in awhile that are good for "members only."  And, this summer, they gave a "free gold" status for entry members if you enrolled - Nothing like free upgrades, free "raid the minibar" (at Kimpton).  

We already have gold status with IHG due to my husband's frequent travel for work.  The best rate IHG had to offer by booking direct for this property was $150.  Thus making me even happier about the hotwire "score"!   

We are sailing out of Miami on March 3 and need a pre sail hotel.  Given it's Miami and Spring Break season even 2.5* properties were running $150 and up.  Scored a 4* property on hotwire today for $117 + tax!!!!  Thrilled!!! 

Intercontinental Doral

Free airport shuttle

Shuttle to cruise pier $$

Cyber Monday code = CYBERSALE

Hope this helps someone!  

22 minutes ago, tweetylori said:

 

Excited for you!  And yes, there is.  Just like everything else on the ship, it's small.  🙂

If there is an internet café do you know if they were selling internet usage by the minutes?  All I've heard of them offering now is $10-12/day for one device.  We are needing internet access for 5-10 min for our sea days only.  Hate to spend $80+ to have internet access for the entire 8 day cruise for this little bit of usage.  Thanks.

I called Verizon and supposedly we can text ship to shore without having any kind of RCL package.  50 cents to send and 5 cents to receive.  Sounds too good to be true?  

Has anyone tried this?   

Is the surf pkg like the drink Pkg in that you don’t have to buy it on the first day?  Can you choose to buy it on day 3?  We have a port as our first full day so wouldn’t need until Day 3.  

4 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

If you are only doing minimal texting to someone at home then check with your service provider.  Bob knows  the numbers but I think it’s like 50 cents outgoing and 5 cents incoming depending on your cell phone provider.  Much cheaper than buying a package.

Excellent idea!  Didn't realize this was even an option for ship to shore!  I will definitely call Verizon!  If that is available it 110% solves our problems/concerns with keeping in touch with the ol' guy/dog!  Thanks! 

7 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

 

Not sure about the speed but you can text using an app.  You would need 2 packages to text.  

So the texting capability is only between phones on the ship and not ship to shore?  Sorry for my ignorance!  We've just never used technology on the ship and if it weren't for our aging dogs we'd prefer to keep it that way!  Cruising is the one time I totally unplug! 

12 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Watching videos or not.

Is there any difference in the connection speed using the 2 different packages? 

Someone said you can also text with these pkgs if it is an iPhone to iPhone? 

What's the difference between the surf pkg vs surf and stream? 

Interesting bc a wk or so ago it was sold out.  Final payment is due Dec 2. I wonder if some people have let their cabins go now that this date is fast approaching.