mapltc

I'm a bit disappointed that the IV's cannot have the option to open to the adjoining balcony. We frequently travel with 2 other couples and it's very enjoyable to all hang out on the balcony together. We're sailing on the Edge in Dec. and our friends will be in an IV cabin and we'll be in an aft (SV) cabin. So at least there will be enough room on our balcony to hang out together (as long as my friend can handle being on the back of the ship : ))

We have had issues with noise from an adjacent balcony on our last cruise. Our neighbors had 3 connecting balconies and they liked to have breakfast out there around 7:00 each morning. I think either one guy had a hearing problem or he just wanted to make sure everyone could hear what he had to say. Too bad they didn't eat on the middle balcony so as to minimize the impact on their two neighbors.

I've booked an aft cabin for the 12/9/18 cruise though we'll be on deck 8. I was worried about the noise level from below since the deck plan for deck 6 hasn't been revealed. We've stayed in aft cabins twice before and I really enjoyed them along with the much larger balcony. Our friends will be staying in one of the infinite balcony cabins on deck 8 as well. So, I'm hoping we'll get to share in each other's experience! Good luck and enjoy.

We are thinking of doing the Princess ship excursion to Coconut Cove Beach but are hoping to find the location of the beach on a map. Can't find any reference for it on google searches. I'm concerned since the description says that it's a 25 minute ride to the location and in another spot it says it's a 45 minute ride. That's a pretty significant difference considering that it is only a 4.75 hour long excursion.

Has anyone been there? Thoughts? Is it worth it to do the all-inclusive version that includes lunch and a drink or drinks?

Thanks!

Megan

We are thinking of doing the Princess ship excursion to Coconut Cove Beach but are hoping to find the location of the beach on a map. Can't find any reference for it on google searches. I'm concerned since the description says that it's a 25 minute ride to the location and in another spot it says it's a 45 minute ride. That's a pretty significant difference considering that it is only a 4.75 hour long excursion.

Has anyone been there? Thoughts? Is it worth it to do the all-inclusive version that includes lunch and a drink or drinks?

Thanks!

Megan

Just got off Freedom of the seas. They confiscated my, and many other, travel iron. But they didn't comment about the 2 bottles of wine or the liquor I had in a soft sided travel container.

Our group of 6 had a total of 9 bottles of wine which we brought into the dining room every night. We were not charged a corking fee the entire time. No complaints there. It was interesting that one of the head waiters stopped by our table to see if we wanted to buy a wine aerator!

Hi everyone, thanks for your suggestions but fortunately, we did not need them! I had hired a driver to meet us at the airport - Orlando Chaufered Services - and they were very helpful. Four of us were coming in to one terminal and the other two, who were due to arrive last, came into a different terminal. They told us how to get from our terminal to the other one. They called when they had arrived and the driver waited until we were all together with our luggage. We left the airport at 1:30 and arrived at the cruise ship at 2:30. We were probably one of the last ones to board, but we made it. Never again.

I would definitely recommend their service and will use them if we ever go out of Port Canaveral again.

Just to update everyone... I just got an email response from RCCL and indeed, you can't board the ship at CocoCay because they do not have any customs people there to check us in. But, they did say that we could catch up with the ship at their next stop in St. Thomas. Definitely not ideal, and hoping that we don't have to go that route, but knowing it is a possibility always helps!

Keeping all of our fingers crossed!!

We cruise out of PC all the time, and people are getting on during muster all the time. I say go for it. Think of all the stories you will have to tell either way:thumbup:

 

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Thanks John and LaLA! Now maybe I will be able to get a bit more sleep the night before we leave!

Looks like your really like Freedom of the Seas or is it just their itineraries that appeal to you. Any tips suggestions you have about this ship? We'll be traveling with four 25+ year olds (we're in our mid 50's).

mapltc

Thanks for the information - especially the helpful ones! I know it is not a great situation - just hope the anxiety doesn't kill me:confused: We wanted to take our kids on a cruise before my son enters the Marines and this is the only time that worked for all of us. I hope the travel gods will be smiling on all of us that day!

given the situation - I just wanted to have contingency plans if things go poorly and I appreciate your insight and will check with RCCL to see what options, if any, are available.

Keep your fingers crossed, please. Thanks,

mapltc

Coco Cay is RCI's private island. I very much doubt you could fly there on your own.

How tight is your arrival?

We arrive into Orlando at 12:45 and the ship leaves Port Canaveral at 4:30. I know, it is not what we would normally do, but this is just the way it worked this time.

Have made arrangements for a car to meet us but I just wanted to cover all contingencies, if possible.

I've email RCCL but wanted to know if anyone else knew if it could be done.

In case the worst happens and we miss our departure out of Port Canaveral, can anyone tell me if we can feasibly catch up with our ship (Freedom of the Seas) in Coco Cay?

I know there are flights from Orlando to the Bahamas but both airports are quite a distance (by water) to Coco Cay.

thanks,

MAPLTC

I read through about 20 or so pages (before I realized that there were soooo many) and didn't see this tip mentioned. All the walls in the cabin are metal and therefore magnetic. I bring a couple of small magnets including the kind that are a clip. I put my ship pass in the clip that I have right next to the door when I enter, that way I don't have to dig around looking for it. I have one for my DH but he "likes" to look for his ships pass......

As for bathroom freshners, I bring one that you would use in your car and hang it on the hinges of the door or somewhere else inconspicuous. Helps to cover the musty smell that you sometimes find in a ships bathroom.

If there aren't any laundry services on board, bring a small bottle of woolite or other detergent and wash those personal items in the sink or tub and hang them out to dry (may take a day or so). Mostly we do this with our workout clothes that are thin and light and dry fairly quickly.

I love the comments about the attitude adjustment before boarding. I will have to remember that so that I can let some of those stressers go before I board!

Leaving in two weeks on Oasis with three other couples. We met the first couple on a cruise 8 years ago, they introduced us to their best friends and now daughter and son-in-law. We have been on a cruise with them every year since as well as a couple of vacations and I know it will be a blast!

One final suggestion/tip. RCCL offers wine packages where the more bottles you buy the cheaper the price per bottle. Since we will be a large group, if one person buys the 12 bottle package the price is only $32/bottle. Then, everyone can chip in their share and they each get their share of bottles. Much cheaper than everyone buying their own package of 6 bottles at $36/bottle! Add that to the couple of bottles you bring on board and a gift bottle from your travel agent, if you are so lucky, and you should be pretty well set.

Happy sailing everyone!

Hi,

 

I was wondering if there are 2 Sunset Grands.

 

I ask only because when we were once docked in Ocho Rios the Sunset Grand was right next door to the pier.

So is there a Sunset Grand closer to Falmouth port?

 

I can't seem to find a website that distinguishes between the two.

 

Thanx for your help

Yes, there are two sunset grande resorts. the one right near Ocho Rios, we walked there from our cruise ship in December. Enjoyed our day there.

The is a second one near Montego Bay that is a sister resort to the one in Ocho Rios. I have sent two inquiries to them asking about spending the day there but haven't gotten a response. Hope to hear from them soon - guess I better call. But, it does look like a bit of a drive from Falmouth to the resort. someone said it wasn't that far but according to Google Maps it looks like it's about 30 minutes.

I didn't see Maya Luna Hotel and Resort. It is a bit further away but a wonderful alternative to someone looking for a quiet, peaceful resort. We have been there three times and enjoyed ourselves immensely. Great food and drinks. She doesn't charge to visit the resort but asks you to pay $20 up front. Your food and drinks are deducted for the $20. If you have any left, they do keep it. If spend more, you pay the difference (though they do only accept cash). They have very comfy chairs, hammocks, bathroom facilities, great food and a full bar. Hope you add it to your list.

Thanks, very helpful. Have read many posts from folks renting the carts and enjoying not having to be at any particular place but your excursion sounds good too - that was to the south of the port, correct?

 

Thanks again! :)

Yes, it was south.

Happy Holidays!

Mapltc do you remember what the golf cart rental cost was? And was it gas-powered or battery? Did you drive along the shore all the way or along a road away from the shore? I've read there is a road away from the beach, and on some dune buggy excursions they return along the shore and hit beach bars they missed on the drive south.

 

I'm considering renting a cart or buggy and just heading south and stopping where we feel like as I know others have and really enjoyed that. But I need to find out more about what's to the south of Mahahual.

 

Tjhanks for your help, your idea got us thinking about this again rather than just plopping on a beach in the busier area.

Blue Water, I think the price of the golf cart, which was gas powered, was somewhat negotiable. We rented it for the whole day (we were in port from 8:00 am until 8:00 pm) for $60. Divided among two couples, that wasn't too bad. I would say that we pretty much followed the ocean front but couldn't see the water the whole time until we got past the light house.

We did pass quite a few bars along the way, but we haven't ever stopped at any of them so can't give you much more than that.

Good luck!

Another spot to consider is Maya Luna - they have free wi-fi too. It's a small resort a bit further out of town but if you are looking for a quiet relaxing spot, this is it. Great food, great drinks without all of the crowds.

We were just in Costa Maya last week and spent a wonderful relaxing day at a little resort called Maya Luna. It's a little ways out of the port area but definitely worth the effort. Not a ton of amenities, but what they have is great. Nice beach chairs, hammocks and shady spots. But, they best thing is the little restaurant and bar that are part of the complex. The owner, Carolien, is very accommodating and will bring whatever you like. You just need to contact them ahead of time so that they can be prepared for your arrival.

 

check out their website: http://hotelmayaluna.com/

 

They don't charge to visit but they do ask that you put a little bit of money down which is then deducted from your food/beverage charges. I sent in $25 via paypal for a group of 4. this was our third visit and as usual, had a wonderful day!

I forgot to mention that they also have free Wi-First!

How did you get there? (We're going to be in Costa Maya the end of January)

We rented a golf cart just outside of the port area - near where you get the taxis. It takes about 20 minutes to get there but the attendant can tell you the exact route. Basically, you travel south following the ocean front. You'll pass a few other places - they might try to get you to stop - but Maya Luna is worth the effort if you are looking for a nice quiet beach with good food and a beautiful, tranquil beach. You can also take a taxi but I don't know how much that will run as we have always rented the golf cart.

We stopped in Costa Maya just last week. Based on previous Cruise Critic comments from a few years ago - we always go to a wonderful little beach resort called Maya Luna.

This little gem is owned by a couple from Holland and is a tropical paradise. They have a small beach and a great little restaurant and bar. They have beach chairs and shade covers to use.

Here's a link to their website: http://hotelmayaluna.com/our-hotel-beach-resort/

You only pay $25 and that money goes toward your food/drinks. The food is awesome and drinks are fresh and tasty. One incredible dish - we've had it 3 times - is a dish served in a half of pineapple made with chicken or shrimp, rice, cashews, eggs, pineapple, peppers and other tasty spices. It is so different and tasty.

To get there you can either take a taxi or rent a golf cart. By golf cart, t is about a 20 minute ride - you pass through Mahahual and travel south along the ocean. The golf cart attendants will tell you exactly how to get there. I haven't ever taken a taxi as the golf cart ride is fun and a bit adventurous.

It is beautiful - you feel like you are in your own private resort. Our friends have gone there too and loved it as well. Would love to be there right now!

I am sure you will have fun, where ever you end up.

We were just in Costa Maya last week and spent a wonderful relaxing day at a little resort called Maya Luna. It's a little ways out of the port area but definitely worth the effort. Not a ton of amenities, but what they have is great. Nice beach chairs, hammocks and shady spots. But, they best thing is the little restaurant and bar that are part of the complex. The owner, Carolien, is very accommodating and will bring whatever you like. You just need to contact them ahead of time so that they can be prepared for your arrival.

check out their website: http://hotelmayaluna.com/

They don't charge to visit but they do ask that you put a little bit of money down which is then deducted from your food/beverage charges. I sent in $25 via paypal for a group of 4. this was our third visit and as usual, had a wonderful day!

We will be stopping in Santo Tomas, Guatamala, on our upcoming December cruise. I have contacted both Go With Gus and Happy Fish tour groups at several different email addresses. Has any body used their services lately and if so, can you give me the contact information you used.

I understand we may be able to walk up to their booths in port, but we'd much rather have this reserved ahead of time.

General Maxx - do you work for Go With Gus tours? It seems that you responded the exact same way on multiple threads.

I don't have a problem with that, but if you have a better idea about how to get in touch with them, please let us know.

I have sent four emails over the last month to the various addresses provided on CC but have not received a response.

Thanks.

Your photos were really great - a wonderful tour of the ship. But one area that seems to be missing is the gym. Did you happen to stop in there or don't they have a gym? I have found very few photos of the work out facilities on board.

Thanks!

Princess will send out an e-mail shortly before your cruise that will give the list of the movies. We leave this Saturday and I know they will be showing Secretariat but I can't remember the what the other movies were going to be.