philv

13 minutes ago, chamima said:

 

Thanks.

Just to be clear. We are NOT going on a cruise. Just looking for an easy last minute, relaxing WARM vacation. Hoping to spend the days at the pool or the beach. When I look at average temps for January it says low 70s, hence my apprehension.

Hollywood beach is great place whether you are getting on a cruise or not. You can get on the water taxi and explore all over Ft. Lauderdale without driving. Take a look at the Hollywood beach webcam. To just catch a few days at the pool and beach, Margaritaville is the place, 3 pools (one on the 11th floor of hotel overlooking beach and broadwalk), beach chairs and umbrellas complimentary, great restaurant, and of course the best Margaritas on the planet! I’m in snowy cold Denver and I would find the temps to be fine.

1 hour ago, chamima said:

 

Have you ever stayed at either the Marriott or Margaritaville resort in January? We're thinking of going there as a quick winter getaway vacation and I'm concerned it will be cold.

I have stayed at the Marriott on Hollywood beach and Margaritaville also on Hollywood beach. Both fantastic locations. Easy taxi from airport. We did Uber to cruise port, worked great. Hollywood beach has wonderful vibe, great beach, lots of restaurants, and great people watching on the broadwalk. Weather should be fine, 70s to 80s and dry. Margaritaville has great amenities and costs a little more than Marriott but worth the experience. We are staying at Marriott in March pre-cruise. Going down two days early to have full day on Hollywood beach. Great way to start a cruise. 😎

IndyKid, One thing I love on this class of ship is the steam room off the men's locker room in the spa. It's free and a great way to bake off the pounds (or a hangover). They have dry sauna too if you prefer. I usually use the shower in the men's locker and leave the bathroom free for my wife. 😉

Sailed on POA in September 2022. First trip to Hawaii and was attracted by chance to see 4 islands in 7 days with no change of hotel. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Doing it again in 2024. The ship is definitely not the attraction. The chance to see so much of Hawaii so easily is. We were satisfied with the quality of the ship and food but did little else than sleep there and eat meals. Didn’t use the pool once, used fitness center a few times (basic), walked the promenade after dinner each night, that’s about it. Not much interaction with our cabin steward but cabin was okay and serviced adequately. Different kind of cruise from what we are used to but great way to see islands.

We did February cruise on Princess out of Ft. Lauderdale this year. Had 10:30 am flight out of FLL. Walked off a little before 7:00, took taxi to airport, and were at gate by 7:45. We were amazed at how easy it was. Breezed through security at airport. Had nice breakfast in Piazza before we left. Very good breakfast burritos. 

We are cruising on Princess in March. Going down two days early and staying at Marriott on Hollywood Beach. Very cool vibe on Hollywood Beach and great way to start cruise. Check out Hollywood Beach webcam. Will taxi to hotel from airport and Uber to port from hotel. Not a long or expensive trip and easy peasy. There is also a Margaritaville resort hotel on Hollywood Beach we stayed at that has a very cool vibe and great amenities. Hollywood Beach has a long broadwalk and beach that’s great for people watching, dining, bars, and access to water taxi that makes great tour of stops along inland waterway and Ft Lauderdale. The boats and homes are something to see. Highly recommend location. We have stayed at lots of places near port and haven’t enjoyed anything as much as Hollywood Beach before a cruise.

Thank you Fun4sure. We will be there August next year and want to go to the beaches. Where there taxis around the abc store?

Kona was one port we didn’t plan properly on our POA cruise in 2022. We thought from what we read we’d just walk around. Walked around a lot but didn’t see much. Nice little town but next time we will plan an adventure a little further afield.

We sailed POA in September 2022. Loved it so much we are booked for our 40th wedding anniversary in August 2024. Enjoying your post, keep it coming. 😎

👍

We are in port 9:00 am to 10:00 pm so the pier 4 location would give us the opportunity to jump on and off the ship and still be in the heart of things. We’ve been to San Juan before but were docked at the Pan American pier. Longer journey to get to OSJ and El Morro.

The pier is important because from pier 4 you walk off right into Old San Juan and El Morro. From Pan American pier it’s 3 miles so taxi or bus is required. 

I’ve tried San Juan port info queries and can’t find one that identifies pier. I tried a Princess chat and after a long wait and long back and forth with agent I was told that Caribbean Princess will dock at pier 4 but agent qualified that saying CB could dock at Pan American pier if port is busy. Somewhat helpful but I’m starting to think we will just have to see.

Thank you ijscheer. I’m just frustrated I can’t see this on internet sites.

Hi Folks, I can’t seem to find a definitive answer on the internet to my question of what pier does the Caribbean Princess dock at in San Juan Puerto Rico on March 20, 2024. Can anyone help?

There is a Margaritaville hotel/resort on Hollywood Beach that is great fun. Not far by taxi from FLL. The whole Hollywood Beach scene along the Broadwalk has a great vibe for an afternoon/evening visit. Lot’s of restaurants, bars, people watching, etc. Also there is a nice Marriott on Hollywood Beach that’s a little cheaper but is also a great location and has the same vibe. We have stayed at both pre-cruise and will be staying at Marriott in March. 

We did the Napali coast thing in September 2022 on POA. It really was a highlight of the cruise and we hope they bring it back. NCL are you listening?

We stayed in S217 in February this year. Terrific location. There was a little noise from chair setup in morning but no big deal. We really liked location. Went back and forth from pool to cabin balcony when loungers filled up. Would definitely book again.

👍That’s what I’m talking about trivia addict!

You are right scottca075. I read the Wikipedia article. I seem to remember something at the hotel that said it was invented there but maybe they meant the inventor Bergeron brought it there in 1953. In any case it was the best Mai Tai I’ve ever had! 🍹

We stayed at Holiday Inn Express in Waikiki in September 2022 pre-cruise NCL. Arrived 2 days early and did some great stuff. Very adequate hotel and good price given Waikiki location. Excellent free breakfast. Easy walk to beach and everything else around Waikiki. But we ate lunch at Royal Hawaiian and after seeing hotel and location decided next time we are staying there. Booked for August 2024. Twice the price of Holiday Inn but wow it’s got an incredible vibe. Best Mai Tai on the planet! It was invented there. We ate lunch on patio and I had tremendous poke while watching surfers on Waikiki beach. Doesn’t get any better than that! 😎

22 hours ago, Steelers36 said:

 

Not only that, but you could fit loungers on a Caribe balcony (if you could get one of those).  Perhaps a 1:00am sneak to the top deck and smuggle it back?  LOL.

Funny. My wife suggested that but I reminded her there are cameras everywhere and I would expect a security guy showing up at my door asking “what the **** are you doing?” I’d explain but maybe he wouldn’t go for that.

Thank you PacknGoNow. The caribe balconies on the Grand class ships are extra large. I’m sure I’m not the only one to want to relax out there with a third or fourth person. I figured somebody had done this before. I’ll just ask the steward when we meet on sail away day.

Hi Folks, I’m sailing on Caribbean Princess in March. I have Carib deck balcony. There will be three of us traveling together and we would like to have extra chair for us to enjoy the balcony. Can I request that?

OK, I see promo code now. Thank you Fouremco.