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If Twinrix is covered on your drug plan I would go ahead and get it, it isn't going to hurt, but you probably are not high risk for hepatitis on a cruise, but it can be useful even in the US and Canada - lots of case of hepatitis here too. There is an accelerated dose schedule if needed, but again, that would be up to your doctor to decide whether you would need it or not, even 1 or 2 doses will offer some protection. Dukoral is not covered on many drug plans and is rather expensive (in Canada anyway). We travel quite a bit to land resorts as well as cruises and have not taken Dukoral and luckily have never came down with travellers' diarrhea.

Dukoral in Canada is marketed for diarrhea caused by E. coli and is an oral vaccine, not sure about the Cholera aspect as mentioned by another poster?

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there's a brand new Homewood suites across the street ....

The Homewood Suites looks nice but for a one night stay and independent transportation with the same shuttle company it will cost $70 US more - being Canadian that works out to $100 CND more, not worth it for one night unfortunately :(

I absolutely love the Radisson at the Port! We stay there every time we sail out of PC. I have been tempted to stay at other hotels, but haven't. PROS: THE STAFF! I honestly don't think I have stayed at ANY hotel (and we travel a lot) that has a nicer staff. Every time we stay there, they are so accommodating and pleasant. I also have to say that their shuttle system is good. You are assigned a time upon check in, on a first come basis for requests. It seems quite crowded at first, but they load you up quickly and the trip is comfortable in an air conditioned bus/van. We love the Tiki Bar. The drinks are quite good, and we also always have a bite to eat there. I have eaten dinner in the restaurant and it was good, but not great. I prefer the appetizers and burgers at the pool area. If you want to bring your own drinks, I suggest making them in your room, and bringing to the pool area. The POOL is awesome! It's beautiful with the waterfall and very relaxing. The rooms are comfortable and clean. Nothing too fancy, but what you are expecting. We always participate in the park/cruise package. Sorry, don't fly into PC, so can't comment on that. But our car has always been safe and it's awesome to hop in after the cruise and be on the road in minutes.

CONS: Can't really think of any at this moment. We always try and request a room closest to the lobby. We have also stayed at the further most building. We haven't found noise levels to be noticeable. If you can't think of any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Thanks! My next question was going to be about room location, so glad you mentioned requesting a room close to the lobby, I think we will do that if we decide to go with the Radisson, which I think is high possibility :D I am going to call them with some questions regarding the fly, snooze, cruise package and go from there.

Thanks for the info. Any experience with their Fly, Snooze and Cruise package? Just wondering if the transportation aspect runs smoothly - pick up at MCO, shuttle to port and return to MCO.

We try to get an early flight into Orlando and head to Cocoa Beach. Coming from cold and snow, the sooner we get to the beach the better:D

Are there restaurants within walking distance? What about a store that sells beer/liquor? Can you take your own beer and sit at the pool? I notice there is a Manatee Sanctuary that looks to be within walking distance. Has anyone been there?

Has anyone used their Fly, Snooze and Cruise package? Can you give me a ballpark figure of what you paid? I have been trying to get a rate for this package for three days now via email, voicemail and facebook to no avail! Just wondering if it is worth the bother or should I just book elsewhere lol.

Just call the Best Western Cocoa Beach. They have a great pre-cruise stay and transportation special.

Can you provide a round-about cost, I do realize time of year plays a large part in the rate but was it under $250, under $300 when you used it? I tried calling the number on their website yesterday but it was not direct to their hotel and the person I was speaking with could only find a rate for one night with shuttle to the port! Just wondering if I should bother trying to find a way to reach the hotel directly.

Heard from my PCC today - can't be done he says :( Not really fair that some can do it and others not. First time and probably last time I use a PCC I think, at least booking it with a CSA on the 1-800#, you can call back a few times and speak with other CSAs to see if you get a different answer. Oh well, we will survive with the room we have and still enjoy our cruise.

I know you can switch cabins in same category (BA to BA) but can you switch from different balconies (for example from a BA to a BD) if they are the same price? I do plan to call my PCC but he isn't working at this time and I figure someone out there will know the answer :)

Schools in our area end in May. June is prime vacation for our section of the world (Midwest US).

Classes end in May in many parts of the US. We went the first week in June and there were many families onboard

 

 

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Oh ok, that will be good then! Schools in my part of the world do not get out until late June.

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Thanks everyone! I think we will double check the itineraries but if I still think HAL offers the best for us, we will go for it. We are planning June so unfortunately the kids will still be in school and maybe not as many families will be on board but sounds like the pretentious group are the minority so there will be others to socialize with.

Dancing Shoes, love that no suit is needed for Gala nights [emoji106]

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It's not really the activity level I am concerned about. Not wanting to sound rude - but the jist I got from reading some of the posts on the HAL board is that many regulars HAL cruisers seem a little, shall I say, pretentious. I would never consider sailing HAL on any other itinerary but as I said, they have the best Alaska itinerary for us but I don't want to feel like an outcast because my husband has long hair and tattoos on his arms!! [emoji15]

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HAL has the best itineraries for us. After browsing on the HAL board and reading through some of the threads I am a little concerned about the impression I got. We are 50-somethings who like to have fun. We would not be able to sit around listening to classical music or string quartets. We are not late night people so nightlife ending relatively early does not bother us but we do like to have a few drinks and socialize. I am hoping with Alaskan itineraries the demographics are much more diverse than the norm on HAL?

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Please explain what "hardware" you are referring to (just curious).

 

 

 

p.s. your use of the "@" symbol confuses me. Sometimes it seems you use it in place of the word "on" but not always. (Just curious- excuse me if this comment is persnickety.)

@ typically stands for "at"

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A couple of weeks ago on the Escape, I paid $35 for the social plan for the whole cruise. I had wapp 24/7 during the cruise or while I was on the ship. Was excellent value. Don't know about other ships. I'm going next week on the Breakaway and hopefully they have it too.

Last I heard only Escape and Getaway have this plan. Hopefully it goes fleet wide very soon!

We stayed at Comfort Inn and Suites pre-cruise two years ago and have it booked for our next cruise. We had a partial ocean view suite and it was great. The room was clean, well kept, beds comfortable, no issues at all. Certainly not a 5* but it was perfectly fine. The pool was small but it was clean with lounge chairs and tables. We didn't use it since we were only there for the afternoon and night. The grounds (courtyard) was nice. The breakfast was very good - crowded because this is a very large property. It is within walking distance to the Cocoa Beach pier and lots of restaurants and stores. We didn't booked through flysnoozecruise so can't comment on that.

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If you are docking in Ochos Rios there are excursions that include both places. If you are docking in Falmouth it is about a 45-60 min drive so would only have time for one. Last year we used Marks Tours from Falmouth to go river tubing and have booked with them again when we dock in Ochos Rios next year for blue hole and river tubing. They have other options and I'm sure blue hole and dunn's falls is one of them.

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Great, it is good to know (hopefully with the uncertainty of Eastern Caribbean cruises) that we will dock at Punta Langosta. First time on NCL. Was at International Pier last year on RCL but when I searched on google I got pages saying NCL docked at International as well. Senor Frogs is by Punta Langosta isn't it? I have also read a lot about Pancho's Backyard (maybe something like that?) is that in the Punta Langosta area as well? Any good local Mexican bars/restaurants that are recommended?

We stayed across the harbour at Lonsdale Quay. The ferry terminal is beside it, basically on the same property and the ferry terminal on the other side is very close to the cruise ship pier. Very reasonably priced. Especially nice if you are staying a couple of nights pre or post cruise. May not be reasonable if you have a bunch of suitcases to lug around though but otherwise no issues.

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I have searched but it seems NCL uses both the International and Punta Langosta piers. Which one does Epic typically dock at or does that change as well? The Cozumel port website has Epic on the schedule but it doesn't state which pier.

We will be on Norwegian Epic which I believe docks at the International Pier? We have been to beach clubs on previous visits and would like to hang out within walking distance and maybe go to local bars/restaurant/shops. Any recommendations what to do within walking distance?

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We loved this excursion https://grandcaymancruiseexcursions.com/excursion/stingray-city-rum-point-beach-snorkeling-excursion-grand-cayman-waverunners/

 

 

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Thanks! Checked out their website and found another tour we like even better so booked that :)

I have always purchased airfare within days of flights being released because I always book our cruises shortly after they are published as well. This year they were a bit high so I waited. Booked in May for our February cruise. Got nonstop Detroit to Orlando return for $280 each including a prepaid suitcase per person and seat selection.

Did you look at at any of the dozens of threads about GSC, or do a search?

After reading your post and wondering why you would even bother to post, I searched "cost of clamshell at Great Stirrup Cay" and the only response that came up was from 2010, Not very helpful considering the cost has probably changed in 7 years. Maybe if someone wanted to spend all day going through every post about GSC they may yield a better response but I see no problem with a person asking a question rather than wading through years of posts to find an answer.