Spike2000

MITSUGIRLY, I tried to send you a message to ask this but the site won't let me send a message (weird). 

What model camera are you using for your underwater pics? Just curious. I have had great luck with multiple GoPros over the years but it would be nice to have another option if it's small enough.  Great review BTW...We will be on that same itinerary/ship in a few weeks. Thanks! 

I am still torn on what specifically we want to do while in port...probably dockyard, and hit a few beaches.  It sounds like snorkeling is fairly weak in Antigua compared to other islands.  I  have read that people are getting taxis for the day for 160-180 per day. 

My question is, do you believe I will have an issue finding a taxi that will accommodate all five of us for the day? I would prefer not to be pushed to a bus with others in case they don't want to do what we do.   My 3 kids are all pretty tall so we'll call them adult size.  I suppose case, we  can just jump on a random tour once we get off our ship that day?  Any recommendations are appreciated.  

Thx

23 hours ago, erikaem86 said:

We went to Carlisle Bay with the intention of doing the Boatyard.  By the time we got there, they said no more boat tours were available because they were full.  I also found the staff/security to be a little unfriendly.  No incident, just not welcoming.  Instead, we just rented some beach chairs and an umbrella and found a guy who would take $60 for 5 of us to do a boat tour.  

That's a bummer...what time did you arrive there?

14 hours ago, reedprincess said:

Spencer Ambrose Beach break  tour is to Jalousie Beach smack between the Pitons. So, two birds, one stone. 

Mystic Man's snorkeling tour includes Jalousie Beach as one of the snorkel stops also, along with Anse Chastenet's black sand beach - another excellent reef system, and Anse Cochon. .

Both great options to see the Pitons and snorkel away. 

I would love to book Spencer's at the point but they're full on my day unfortunately.:(  I looked into it the other day. But thank you...

Thank you...I am really torn now....My wife really wants the kids to see the Pitons but I am sure that we all would like more time on the reef if it's that good...hummm.

We have booked the land sea tour with Cosol. How much time do you typically get to stay at the beach there?

My wife and I have been to St.Lucia before (and have seen the Pitons etc) but this is the 1st time with our 3 teenagers.  Recently, I have found out that the snorkeling is supposed to really good there.  My kids have experienced snorkeling in Roatan and Belize and I worry they are spoiled in regards to seeing the reef quality there.  (Roatan has AMAZING reefs on it's West end)  Now I am intrigued by the reefs on Sugar beach after seeing pictures... I just want to make sure that we have enough time to enjoy it.

Thank you!

On 5/4/2019 at 10:31 AM, MTLCRUISER72 said:

Awesome Pic!

awesome...thank you.

Just wondering how the freestyle machines are set up to operate on the Freedom. Do you scan your card first? Does it require a beverage package and the assigned cup? Can non beverage package holders use the machines and pay per drink?

I am just curious how these are set up on the ship.

Thanks again!

23 hours ago, George C said:

Your on vacation 8 is not late

It is when you have 3 kids and plan on an active vacation.

Good morning,

Leaving soon on the Freedom.  My wife read that the MDR opens at 8am for breakfast...is this correct? We typically have always enjoyed an early breakfast in the MDR instead of dealing with the buffet. Maybe I have a failing memory...but did the MDR's used to open earlier?

8 am seems like a late start to the day and we may unfortunately have to deal with the craziness of buffet breakfast.

I guess a follow up question is...Are there any nice reefs in Antigua that can be snorkeled on? ...or is most of the shallow area a sand bottom?

3 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

Current ships can't make the trek to Eastern Caribbean in less than two days, so that limits what can be done in terms of itinerary. If one was to resurrect the SS United States (which had more than double the speed of current ships), that could be cut down to 1 day and more options would be available.

 

I am just going off past experience...I have been to quite a few Eastern Caribbean islands via 7 night cruises in the past.(based out of Miami)  I personally think that a Nassau stop sucks on a 7 night cruise.  I can't remember exact itinerary's but I know that I have been on 7 night cruises that have included multiple good ports over there. Not simply Nassau & cruise line private islands. It feels like a money grab keeping you on their ships and their private islands.   Just my opinion and past experience. 

2 minutes ago, kjkrmk said:

Spike2000,

 

I have cruised on quite a few ships and have been on the freedom a BUNCH of times.  Freedom seems to have a Happy Feeling about it.  Like the Mariner.  Some ships do while some don't and I can't explain it.  I have experienced different captains and crew on the freedom and still, the trip was always a pleasure.  I would go on the freedom anytime.  I bet you and your family will have a great cruise.

Thanks & I am sure we will.  I am just " over-researchy" (ha) on these things at the planning stages. I am sure it will be a blast. Now I am reading posts on drink packages...to buy or not to buy...that is the question. haha.

On 8/4/2018 at 8:40 PM, Biker19 said:

Physics and cost kinda get in the way of that, unless you want to resurrect the SS United States.

Not true. The itinerary port selections could be better if the cruise lines wanted them to be better from Miami on 7 and 8 night sailings. Cost may be a factor but physics would not be a factor. 

Also at the time I booked this, there were some recently posted poor reviews on the Freedom.  I wish that people would not insinuate that I "made up" the fact that I read poor reviews (again at the time I booked).

Genuine thanks to all the constructive replies that I did receive.  My family is all looking forward to the trip. 

I am looking into chartering a private sailboat for my family of 5 in June. We will be there via RCCL Freedom for the day.  Does anyone have any experience doing this for the day? What areas/beaches/reefs might you recommend we visit?  We are there for the day...Since Antigua is one on the islands that my wife and I have never been to, we want to make the most of the day with our kids. Any recommendations are appreciated!  Debating keeping the boat all day (preferred) vs. half day so we can see the island.  Are there any really nice reefs that we can reach during a day sail? (snorkeling...Not Scuba this time)

Thank you

Thanks Kevin!

Looking into taking the kids to the S.Carrib. The reviews on the Freedom look pretty bad. Dated ship, smelly etc. This trip will be quite expensive next summer for my family of 5. Has anyone recently been on the Freedom that could give me some insight on the current shape of the Freedom. I don't want to throw away 6-8k for a smelly dated ship.

Thanks for any help that you may offer.

***If you work for a cruise line and happen to read this, please start offering a decent Eastern Caribbean itinerary from Miami. Short stops on islands an 3 ports for 7 night cruises don't cut it in my opinion!! ***

Hello all,

Taking my 3 kids on their first cruise later this month. Wondering about late lunch options (2pm-33opm time frame).

How late is the Blue Iguana open during the day? How about the Burger restaurant? (I have heard that is pretty good)

Thank you

No unfortunately not (but thank you). Since I didn't have luck with pretty much all of the tours that I wanted to get, I switched our cruise over to the Western side (on a different ship). But thank you regardless. :)

Looking into booking at dolphindiscovery direct for a Cozumel Dolphin Swim. Has anyone had any experience with having a swim cancelled due to weather or any other reason? Have you had a good experience with this method? (vs booking through the ship)

It appears that you will basically be out of luck if it gets cancelled. Would you know if the voucher they would give you is transferable? I was just wondering if for some reason the tour was cancelled the plan B would be to sell it to someone else. Just a thought.

Thank you :)

I'm not going to jump down your throat, so to speak. I just came across this one thread and can't believe I missed it before. My only issue with San Juan is that there is so much to do and so little time. But I guess it would be boring for kids. We did cruise out of San Juan in 2013 and flew in a day early and stayed at a hotel on Isla Verde Beach (near the airport). I had never been to the beach in San Juan and that's what we did that whole afternoon. Went to the fort and through Old San Juan the next day. We did the zip line tour when on an Eastern Caribbean cruise on Glory in 2010 and really enjoyed that. I'm looking forward to going back and seeing what others have said...might get some more ideas. We're actually hoping for an opportunity to vacation there for a week sometime.

You said it and I agree, "there is so much to do and so little time." ...Hard to do much with young kids from 4-10pm in OSJ if you cannot do the Bio-Luminescence Bay Tour. We had a great time on both occasions when we stayed in San Juan at the Marriott.

Wow...I can't believe this thread is still going. :confused: My kids wanted to do water activities, snorkeling etc. I have always liked (and perhaps preferred) the Eastern/Southern routes but I never enjoyed the typical time period in San Juan. I should have more clearly said that....I am sorry for any harm that thread may have caused. :D

Yes, I was aware of the itinerary before I booked. I planned on taking the kids kayaking while we were in San Juan because my wife thought it would be a big deal to the kids.(age 12,9,8) That excursion was unfortunately full when I tried to book it. I posted this dumb question only because I was wondering why the San Juan stops have such stupid...sorry, my bad, scratch that....I was wondering why the time block in San Juan appears to somewhat odd comparatively to other stops that I have had experience with.

I have since cancelled this cruise in favor of the Western route (Carnival Glory) that better fit my wants for my kids' first cruise. (purely for itinerary reasons) Like the Eastern/Southern ports, I am also very familiar with these stops as well.

I will certainly better phrase my questions in the future due to the aggression of a few individuals here. :eek:

Hello all,

Just back from the RCCL Jewel out of PR and had a great time. Very low key and food/service etc was excellent.

** Let me say that I have always had a great time on all of our cruises. **

We decided to change our ship purely because of itinerary. Weak Eastern route (only 3 stops including San Juan 4-10 pm stop) vs. 4 solid stops Western Route (lots a good water related ports etc) It is the 1st time taking our kids (age 12,8,9) and we want them to have a fun time.

My question is...Since our last 2011 Carnival cruise, it sounds like they have made a few changes. For instance I just read that there are no tablecloths in DR now? The beverage plans on RCCL most certainly offer more options but that isn't that big of deal I suppose. I would certainly value general opinions of anyone that has bounced back and forth from Carnival to RCCL lately. Were you generally happy with service, quality of food etc? I know Carnival typically attracts a livelier crowd so hopefully that will make it more fun for the kids.

I am sure we will have a great time as always. I wanted to ask because I convinced other family members in the group to make the change and wish for everyone to have a great time. Thanks in advance :)

Which Glory cruise are you considering? I'm on the May 9th one.

I am looking at the week of the 23rd (or 24th)...basically that week (ha). It's immediately following when my kids get out of school.