haslipe

Well now I don't know what to think.  I wonder why I was finding it unusable in Cabo.  We had plans that were to get an Uber to a certain beach, but I couldn't get anything to load on my phone.  I tried all the normal tricks of turning airplane mode on and off, restarting my phone etc.  I'm thinking in the future I'll just get an esim for the areas I'm going to just to be safe.  I know my AT&T prepaid phone plan probably doesn't have the best priority data like most prepaid plans, so maybe that is a factor too.  It's not like I'm wanting to watch video or anything.  I mainly just needed Uber to work, and I'm sure that isn't asking very much.

I have AT&T Prepaid, which is supposed to cover me in Mexico.  I was barely able to use it in Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta, and had almost zero luck in Cabo.  I'm guessing that when a ship pulls into port that the local cell network takes a bit hit like how you can't use your cell data at a football game.  I'm just curious if others have had the same issue or are there plans where you still get good speeds when in port?  I've heard that Google Fi is good for international travel.  I don't need much in the way of data.  Just to be able to use Uber and look up some info online.  Just curious what experiences others have had and with which carriers / plans.

I just found out that the exemption letters don't go out until 14 days prior to the sailing!  That seems like it is cutting it a little close.

What about Uber or Lyft? From what I was reading, they are allowed back in Texas now and can take people from HOU and IAH to Galveston for less than most other options.

That seems like a good price if going through the cruise line. It will take the worry out of it as well. Sometimes you may not make port for one reason or another and when you are booked independently, you could be in trouble. We have gone here twice for the dolphin swim. Both times we booked through the dolphin discovery site. The would have 50% off sales all the time, so if you were patient and kept checking you could get the royal swim for a great deal. The main thing I would recommend to you is that there is great snorkeling there. I'm not sure what kind of time the cruise lines give you to hang out. Grab some boxes of Fruit Loops off the ship and you will have more fish in your face than you can imagine.

If you do try to book independently, be prepared to lie about being a cruise passenger. If it is still the same they won't let you book if they know you are on a cruise ship because of the deals they have with the cruise lines. After you secure the booking I don't know if they care when you show up. I've read multiple people say they had no problems at all having their ship cards hanging on their necks and carrying cruise ship towels.

We just happened on the Turtle Farm our first time in Grand Cayman. We took a taxi that cost a lot more than the public bus because we didn't know any better, but the taxi driver went in and talked to the Turtle Farm people and got us a better rate. It saved us quite a bit, but I can't remember exactly. I think it saved us more than the cab ride. Anyway, I just thought I would see what others have found for a way to cut the cost on the Turtle Farm. If it was up to me, the one time was plenty, but this time we are taking our boys, 7 and 10, and my wife is dead set on going to the Turtle Farm. 2 adults and 2 children.

Also, I would like to go to a good beach afterwards. Any recommendations on that would also be greatly appreciated. Is Seven Mile Beach anywhere close to the Turtle Farm???

We will be docked in Ocho Rios from 7:30am to 2:30pm. Last time we were very nervous about Ocho Rios and just had a taxi take us to see a few places. This time I want to go to Blue Hole after reading about it here. It seems like most everyone posting about it is getting there via a tour operator. Does anyone have experience in just taking a taxi to Blue Hole? I'm guessing that you would have to have the driver wait for you since there is an entrance fee for the access road. Just thought I would see what info others here might have. I'm guessing if we did try to get a taxi, we would probably just have to negotiate a rate for the day.

We will probably just end up booking through Liberty Tours because the Jerk Chicken at Scotches sounds great too.

Anyone check out the Fathers Day deal they are doing for the month of June? Just noticed it today on their website. Wondering if they will give me the deal if I book now for when we will be there in October. We got this same deal last time by saying that we were with NCL. Sure would like to get this pricing again.

Been reading this thread over the past couple of nights. So if we swim out via the kidney in front of Infinity, and then head south (left), where is it that you can get back to the beach. From what I read, there are many spots where the reef system is too close to the surface, but you don't have to swim back up to the kidney channel system in order to get back to the beach do you?

Do either of the places serve any frozen fruity drinks - pina collada, strawberry daiquiri. I am thinking about the Maya Chan, but since I don't drink alcohol, I would want to make sure I could get some yummy virgin drinks if I'm paying for the all inclusive. I couldn't see a blender in the picture of the bar someone posted.

We are booked with Carnival excursions for April. Does anyone know if you are allowed to take your own camera and take your own photo's. Also are you allowed to walk around Chan(can't spell name of park) the park and hangout after swim?

 

Thanks,

Marcy

Others have said that they do not let you have your camera with you. It makes sense because they try to sell you their pics for $100+ for a cd. I think someone mentioned that if you have a good zoom lens, you might be able to get some pics from an area outside the pool.

And yes, you can stay and play in the park after your dolphin time.