Sayra

How does EZ check work with Southwest's boarding groups? Do you end up a decent letter or do you just assume that you will be sitting separately. By the bathroom. :p

Thanks for the review.

We had a similar spa problem a few years ago (Ruby, maybe?). We booked the Thermal Suites on the embarkation day spa tour. When I checked my statement, I noticed that it was $50 more than the price on the flyer. Checked at Passenger Services, who had me talk to the Spa Manager. After a 10 minute discussion/argument, where I was told that the flyer was old, she finally agreed to refund the difference.

The last two times, we stayed at the Holiday Inn Express on SR 84. It was clean, staff was great, it's accross from the grocery, breakfast and shuttle from the airport was included.

The price is quite a bit more than usual for our cruise next March. Any feedback on the Holiday Inn on Sheridan St? It's about half as much so I would be good with losing breakfast. Any other feedback and why this hotel is so much less?

I debated on one of these for next March...however, I decided to go for one of the aft facing deluxe balconies. Even though the balcany on the mini was larger, I figured most of it would be unusable for most of the cruise.

Although I usually sit on the balcony and wind-dry my hair, and the corner mini's seem like they would work really well for that...

The only place I've had trouble getting soy milk is from room service. No problems in the MDR or the Horizon Court.

Be careful depending too much on the V in the menu. Twice, I have seen dishes with meat in the description marked with a V. Also, sometimes they have both a meat and vegetarian version of an item. I've learned to order my meal by saying "the vegetarian" as opposed to what is actually on the menu.

That being said, as a vegetarian, I'm never hungry on a cruise. :-)

My dad bought the required number of shares last Monday 3/18, by Wednesday 3/20, he had his onboard credit for our cruise that leaves Wednesday 3/27.

Fax, then call.

We were on the Island in November, and we did the Mombacho Volcano hike. My husband and I both enjoyed this excursion...although I will say in advance that it is not for someone not in good physical condition. I orginally booked this because I wanted my husband to see some of Central America's volcano's, but it didn't turn out to be the volcano-"watching" tour. However, it was a blast!

Short summary: We took a big air conditioned bus from the port to the base of the volcano. There we get out of the bus, and climb up into the back of a 4 wheel drive ex-miltary truck...the bed was retrofitted with plastic seats. There were also jeeps for those who didn't want to ride outside (or in the bed of the giant truck). We drove part-way up the volcano, and then we stopped at a coffee plantation for about 10 minutes. We weren't sure why until later, but it was because the road the rest of the way up the mountain is only one way, and we had to wait on another jeep to come down. The rest of the trip up is very steep with up to 45 degree inclines. At the top of the volcano is a research station from which we started our hike thru the cloud forest. The guide said is was about a mile, but it seemed much longer and took us a little over an hour to complete. My husband and I lagged behind the rest of the group and had a great time taking in the beautiful scenery. At one point, you come to the edge of the forest and can see the lake as well as some steam vents. After the hike is over, you take the 4 wheel drive vehicles back down the moutain, and stop for lunch. I'm a vegetarian, so I wasn't sure there was going to be anything for me, but the restaurant made me a special dish that was wonderful.

This cruise is actually my third time in Nicaragua. I personally feel safer there then in most major US cities. The people are poor - really, really poor, but there are also wonderfully kind.