Denali2003

For the coffee excursion:  Even with what was said, still sounds better than the coffee excursion we did in Colombia.  We were on a boat.  The group was split into 2 separate groups.  One group was on the covered deck.  All they did was show us these giant cards with different kinds of beans on it.  Pour 2 different kinds of coffee then try to sell us that coffee.  The one everyone liked they didn't have any bags.  The 2nd group was up top, no cover, having some kind of cooking demonstration.  After each demonstration, the groups switched places.  I stayed in the covered section.  My husband went to the cooking demonstration.  He did not like it.  After, there was a walking tour.  We stayed on the boat.  It was blazing hot!!!!  When the rest of the tour group returned, they all looked like they were about to have a heat stroke, some had heat exhaustion and they couldn't walk 5 feet without a local trying to sell them something.  Some were trying to sell them water bottles that had already been opened.  We were so glad we did not go on the walking tour.

On 4/8/2024 at 5:44 PM, wandb said:

Just returned from Amber Cove. Did not do either of those excursions, but have you considered the Dolphin Experience. Our entire family said it was the highlight of the whole cruise. 

We did a dolphin encounter in 2007.  However, I no longer support those kinds of encounters.  The dolphins are "stolen" from their pods and the encounters are very stressful on them.

Hello.  I have a few questions about a couple of excursions.  Have you done these excursions? Your opinion?  Pros & Cons?

Thank you!

#1 - Cozumel -- A Traditional Mexican Christmas (we will be cruising in Dec 2024)

#2 - Amber Cove -- Dominican Coffee:  A Local Experience

What if you are allergic to cashmere and/or are a Vegan and do not want to sleep on goat fur/skin?  Or do not want goose feather pillows (again - Vegan)?  Can these be replaced with non-animal sheets, mattress, comforter, pillows?

I actually found a Pink Sapphire ring in St. Thomas at Grands Jewelers.  I first went into 3 jewelry stores, before someone recommended Grands.  🙂

On 1/20/2024 at 8:14 PM, BklynBoy8 said:

Mr Tablecloth is always on my wifes shopping list and to do list at St Thomas.

Hello.  We went to Mr. Tablecoth.  We got a tablecloth for our kitchen table and a table runner for our dining room table.  Both are very beautiful!

Hello.  YEARS ago, there was a linen / lace store in St. Thomas on a main street, I believe near the water.  Does anyone know if it's still there and what the name of it is?  Thank you 🙂

Hello.  We will be sailing on Holland America out of Ft. Lauderdale and are considering spending 2 nights pre-cruise in Miami.  We've never been to Miami.  Is there a shuttle service that can take us from our hotel to Port Everglades cruise port?  We do not like to use Uber/Lyft, etc.  Also, does HAL have a shuttle service from Port Everglades to the Miami airport?  Thank you.

Hello.  We are looking for a hotel in Ft. Lauderdale for 2 nights before a cruise.  Our budget is no more than $300-$325 per night.  Since we will be there for 2 days/nights, somewhere within walking distance to restaurants (no more than a 5-10 min walk).  Has airport and cruise port shuttle services.   Thank you!

How long is the ferry ride from St. Thomas to St. John's?

I'm not too picky about the rings I wear.  I don't care if the stone is fake or not.  If I like the stone/color and I can afford it, I will buy it.  I'm also on the thrifty side, so I do have a budget when it comes to jewelry.  When we were in St. Thomas in Dec 2019, I did find a store that was real close to the ship docked in Havensight.  I can't remember the name, but I did find a Tanzanite ring for a great price.  Is it real?  I don't know.  But I like the setting and it has an interesting band.  It's not a "straight" circle, it's kind of off set on each side.  I also like simple settings and on the small side (not tiny).  *my person opinion for myself* the rings that are out now are too big and gaudy for me.  Now, do I want a "Cracker Jack box / Gumball" ring?  No.

Each time we go on a cruise, I seem to be on the "hunt" for a specific piece of jewelry.  One time we were in Alaska (2010) and I wanted a Whale Tail necklace.  We went into several jewelry stores and none of them appealed to me.  My husband found one that was a few hundred dollars.  Nope, I didn't like it.  We were in a souvenir shop in Ketchikan and I found this whale tail necklace & earring set for only $25.  I LOVE it!!  I still have them and they are still in great condition.

16 hours ago, Ms411 said:

I don't buy fine jewelry because it requires knowledge and research. I prefer fun costume jewelry like my beer and wine earrings.😊

I actually make beaded bracelets, earrings and some necklaces 🙂

The Eccleston has food:  

Eccleston Square Hotel offers an extensive bar menu and a selection of breakfast dishes.

Breakfast Opening Hours:

Monday-Friday: 7.00am – 10.30am

Saturday-Sunday: 7.00am – 11.ooam

Bar Food & Room-service Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday: 11am to 2pm and 6pm to 10.30pm/ Friday, Saturday & Sunday: 11am-10.30pm

Only available to hotel guests

Has anyone ever stayed at Eccleston Square Hotel?  We are considering this hotel.

On 8/27/2023 at 10:19 AM, Ms411 said:

I know how you feel. Glitters is popular with locals so they get plenty of repeat customers.

 

I saw an ad for pink stone jewelry recently because of the Barbie movie. It may have come to my email.

I am not wanting a pink ring because of Barbie.  I have not seen the movie, nor will I see it.  I have been wanting a pink sapphire (ish) ring for the last 10 years.  Haven't been able to find one I like or can afford.  I don't like the big flashy rings.  I like simple stones/settings.  Can't seem to find simple anymore.

11 minutes ago, Ms411 said:

Is it a specific designer ring? Some designer brands are sold exclusively to specific stores so you have no choice but to go to those stores.

I'm actually looking for a Pink Sapphire (or a pink stone).  I don't want Effy, Diamonds International, etc.  The last time I was at St. Thomas, 99% of the stores we walked past, there were SO many pushy sales people, that it made our visit there, less than happy.  We did not go into those stores, because of their pushiness. 

Hello.  I will be visiting St. Thomas on a cruise in a few months.  I am looking for a specific ring.  However, I want to AVOID the major chain jewelry stores, especially the ones that practically pull you off the street and hound you to go into their stores.  Are there any small, non-pushy jewelry stores near Havensight and Crown Bay?  Maybe not right at the port, but a short ride / walk from there.  Thank you 🙂

@We_like_to_cruise  We went to a B&B last September.  They have an electric kettle.  I thought it was the coolest thing.  Yes, it heats the water up FAST.  So, when we got home, I ordered one from Amazon.  I LOVE IT!!!  Love that it shuts off immediately once the water is boiled.  It takes longer for the tea to steep than it does for the water to heat up 😉

Hello.  For those who are currently on the Island Princess -- does it have full crew or are they still at 50-60%?  We will be boarding the Island in 2 weeks 🙂

On our 2018 cruise on the Star Princess I asked to talk to the head chef in the buffet.  He came out and I asked about the Vegetarian / Vegan options.  More to the point, telling him there were none (except for the salad).  He agreed.  He does not have control over it.  However, he did go to the back of the kitchen, came back with the buffet menu for the rest of the cruise.  He too is a Vegetarian and is disappointed in the lack of choices.  Then every time I went to the buffet, he saw me and came out from the kitchen and walked me around the buffet showing me what I could eat.  I thought that was very kind of him.  There was one dish on the buffet -- spaghetti wrapped in eggplant slices.  OMG, that was good.  He said he made that dish.  I made sure I got his name and gave him a great review.  I felt bad for him one day.  He was at the meat carving station.  He's a Vegetarian and has to stand there and cut up a animal (couldn't remember if it was a turkey or pig).

On our 2021 cruise on the Regal Princess (the ship was only half full but full crew) the Head Waiter (Erno) from the dining room went above & well beyond with my food choices.  On that cruise, the Vegan dinner menu was much more extensive than it is now.  Each night he would bring me the next night's Vegan menu and I picked what I wanted.  One night we had dinner at Sabatini's.  He contacted the main guy there - Franco and told him to "take good care" of me.  He did.  Then, just after we ordered our dinner at Sabatini's, Erno came in and showed me the next night's Vegan menu and I picked what I wanted.  Another night we decided to have dinner in the buffet.  Erno had my dinner delivered to the buffet for me to eat!  Like I said, WELL above & beyond.  A few times Erno saw me in the buffet and walked me around to show me what I could eat.  He was disappointed to see that salad was my only option.

On our 2022 cruise it was full passengers and only 50% crew.  Our experience was less than desirable.  Guess we were spoiled on our 2021 cruise.

I will see how our May 2023 cruise goes. We will be on the Island Princess.

Here is one of the Vegan menus I had on the Regal.  Big difference

On 3/20/2023 at 6:31 AM, chamima said:

 

 

Thanks so much for taking the time to get and then post this.

Can you ask the Maitre D' what the "V" stands for.

I'm wondering if it somehow separates the vegan from the vegetarian.

The "V" is for Vegetarian - meaning it has dairy (milk, cheese, etc).  This menu is MUCH smaller than the one I had on the Regal in 2021.  I wonder why they made this menu so much less.  Very disappointed.

On 3/14/2023 at 7:25 AM, elgingirl said:

Was recently on a HAL cruise where I was thrilled to discover they had a nightly vegetarian menu.  Have an upcoming Island Princess cruise. Can any one say if this apparently hit or miss Princess vegetarian menu is available on the Island? 

There is a thread from someone who is currently doing a World Cruise on the Island Princess.  I asked about the Vegan menu in the MDR.  She said she asked and they said they did have one.  Attached is the current Vegan/Vegetarian menu.  It is SO MUCH smaller than the one I had on the Regal in 2021.  I am very disappointed.  Based on this particular menu, there's nothing on here I would eat.  Maybe the Eggplant.

On 3/12/2023 at 1:27 PM, nini said:

This is a great thread, as well as encouraging. Due to some genetic issues, I eat a WFPB Vegan diet which is really limiting. I am happy to see the improvements on the ship which really helps. As many of you may know, the "WFBP" means no oil, no sugar, refined flour (white), so it is really challenging. At least I know I can have oatmeal and fruit at breakfast and then lots of salads.

 

We will be on the Sky in June.

I am sort of in the same situation.  I have Neuropathy (not from Diabetes) and sugar, refined flour (white breads, white pasta) also white rice, cauliflower, potatoes (fries, mashed, baked, etc), sweet potatoes and very high sodium foods -- all of these aggravate my nerve pain.  While these foods are not damaging to my health - it makes my feet hurt! A couple of these make my feet burn so bad that I want to chop them off!  On top of all of that, I am a Vegetarian and Lactose Intolerant.  Very hard for me to find food to eat on cruises.  Princess really needs to step up their game with Vegetarian / Vegan options.  Holland America, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, Disney & Virgin all have amazing V&V options!  

2 hours ago, startedwithamouse said:

Hmmm..what type of yogurt?

I had that menu on our Dec 2021 cruise on the Sky Princess.  The yogurt is dairy milk.  Princess does not have non-dairy (coconut, almond, soy) yogurt 😔