cementhands

On 3/16/2023 at 11:47 AM, JimP1903 said:

If you are on the free at sea package, and already prepaying beverage tips, does anyone still tip the wait staff and/or bar staff?  Asking because we have never done the beverage packages.

$2.00 bills 💸!

Order em at your bank 🏦 and let them magically make you a rockstar onboard!

Guaranteed to get your drink 🍹 on!

On 1/15/2023 at 8:20 AM, vacationlover_mn said:

This is our first time departing from port Canaveral.  I’ve done a bit of searching here, but couldn’t find what I was looking for…

 

We will be flying in, probably around noon, the day before, in Feb 2025.  Any recommendations on a port Canaveral hotel with a pool or beach,  that has restaurants, and things to do/see nearby?  For example, in Fort Lauderdale, we used to like staying at the embassy suites (before it went downhill), because there was lots of food options nearby, and we loved the walk to the lift bridge, and watching the ships depart 🙂. Preferred cost is under $500.

Best western was decent. A great thing to do is rent a bicycle and helmet near surf shop and ride up to pier for lunch. If beach is right you can ride on beach. Sand has to be firm so not always available. Bike was like $10.00 each with padlock too! Wear a helmet.

On 2/20/2023 at 9:35 PM, GWAE said:

We will have 1 full day/overnight in Bermuda. We haven't been able to settle on any excursions as it seems most of them are water related and it will be a little colder in April. So in lieu of doing an excursion we are thinking about getting an all day bus pass and just taking the bus to St George, see the sights up there and then on the way back hit a few random stops along the way. So a few questions.

 

1. from the dock yard is the easiest way to get to St George to take the ferry to Hamilton and then get a bus from there? 

 

2. I have been all over the internet but does anyone know of a site that would essentially put together a bus itinerary like this?

 

3. Has anyone done this and did you think it was worth it?

 

thank you

Pre covid19 the ferry service ran daily to and from cruise port to St. George. Recently we went for 1 day on RCL and ferry service not running. So we took a van to horsehoe beach. NCL I remember had a ferry right there. 
We have been there multiple times for a 2 and 1/2 days we would just walk to snorkel park beach day 1. Second day up early to ferry service to st George and walking over hill to tobacco bay beach 🏖 for excellent snorkeling 🤿 from shore. Easy place to snorkel. Very shallow and calm.

Last day van right off ship to horse shoe beach.  
Buy snorkeling gear and use it. Ours is 30 years old and still using it. 
Bermuda perfume factory is on the way over hill from st George to tobacco bay beach.

Snorkel park is a short walk from cruise ship and decent if you don’t have much time on land. Even evening parties on weekends nights.

Trinity reservations for park sleep cruise! Package we booked included dedicated driver in Cadillac suv. Dropped us off right near entrance. Picked up right outside same entrance exit. No mobility issues here but this was super easy.

So if you need parking hotel and transportation highly recommended them. Used em several times in Baltimore Bayonne and New York City too!

Last time January 2023 was $423.00 total for 12 nights cruise 

New normal! Once a day cleaning and turn down service in the evening is something we can live with. The pandemic has changed everything. The folks working onboard are dealing with far worse things in their homelands. Cruise companies are trying to figure out how to stay afloat!  Daily meetings at corporate are discussing cost cutting ways for survival. From only 2 choices of tea bags to running out of bananas on the 3 rd day and so forth a cruise now is far different from pre covid19! Not to mention coming home with covid19 on both recent cruise! Double vaccinated and double boosted and even the 5 th vaccinations tooooo! 

Love reading your reviews onboard your Getaway cruise! Now home in NewEngland with snow coming soon. Reminiscing of our cruise January 2023, just weeks ago. Try out the Matador drink best made at O Sheehan pub excellent. Blast off drink in mojitos bar and ginger mojitos. Pain killer drink with Meyers rum floater from Devon by pool bar too! Love dancing in mojitos bar with Latin duo. Spice H20 party nightly with Alvin CD are a blast. Atrium dancing to Zenhitt with Marsha outstanding, by the pool too. Try Shanghai noodles bar, free and decent. Ropes course. Not trying to hijack but to add to information if onboard.

Wishing I did ropes course a few times but too busy dancing !

15 hours ago, michelle028 said:

Hi everyone, 

 

Quick question...do they have white hot night party on Anthem of the seas? I remember NCL has them. Not sure if Royal does it too. 

A few years ago in the seaplex a sort of ‘70’s party!
RCL is turning us off because of karaoke and silent disco! Cheap! Boring! May 2022 Adventure 9 nights of it!  Great if you love that. But for us we live for live bands and dancing opportunities! January 2023 NCL getaway and 20,000steps a day dancing. From Zumba classes in morning to dancing till 1 am and then bed with the party still going.

White hot party! ‘

80’s party.

ABBA party.

Each and every night out back outside by Spice H20 plus inside of atrium and Latin band in mojitos bar. Diamond on RCL and elite on celebrity but Platinum on NCL and they are keeping us happy!

19 hours ago, kapeaccruiser said:

Looking for a nice beach not too far from where ship docks.  With available chairs, and toilets.  Also beach bars for drinks. Thank you for any information.
 

 

We went to the closest beach Viggie beach and not very nice! Dark water and sand. Very run down. If you’re in port for a long day my suggestion is to get a cab to Pigeon island. Tripadvisor for specific information but we’ve enjoyed it quite a few times. The Atlantic Ocean is across the street old pirate bar with extremely low ceilings on beautiful grounds. Resteraunt and bar on bay side. Right next to sandals resort keep in mind at least 2 on st Lucia. Small entrance fee to the beach. Toilets. A marvelous hill with hiking trails. But best part for us is excellent snorkeling from shore. Through the ship you pay a ton of money to get here. We’ve got our own snorkeling gear and love coming here.
St. Lucia is not our favorite island but a doable place!
Get others to join you and save onn cab ride! Go early for best spot. Banana boat guy pulls up to sell fruit. Bar is reasonable for beer and drinks food too!

On 2/17/2023 at 4:49 PM, potatopotato said:

Considering a Mexico trip for my husband's 30th birthday on RCI. Torn between the West or East coast itineraries. I've only been to Cozumel for a college spring break trip, otherwise totally unfamiliar of the ports. Cost is very similar for itinerary and flights, so that is not a factor. The trip would be in October, so I'm concerned about hurricane season (not sure if this is a concern for just the East or both). The itineraries are below. Appreciate any advice on the itineraries or the ships!

 

 

Royal Caribbean Allure

Galveston, TX

Sea

Sea

Roatan, Honduras

Costa Maya, Mexico

Cozumel, Mexico

Sea

Galveston, TX   Royal Caribbean Navigator Los Angeles, CA Sea Cabo San Lucas, Mexico Mazatlan, Mexico Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Sea Sea Los Angeles, CA

Everyone I’ve met onboard an east coast Mexico cruise states how much better it is! Clearer ocean water better beaches. Warmer water. Only once did we fly to LA and do the western coast Mexico and cold water and dirty beaches. Definitely love East coast Mexico better.

21 hours ago, meadowlander said:

There is no Spring Hill hotel in Bayonne. The only hotel in Bayonne is an hourly rate hotel promoted by someone on this board who presents it as a viable lodging option. Never seen him promote any hourly rate motel in NYC as a low cost option.😗

Spring Hill suites Newark NJ! Very nice.

Recently onboard getaway a few covid19 quarantine. Also came back home with covid19. Double vaccinated and double boosted and even the 5 th vaccinations! 3 rd time for covid19 and 2 nd following cruise.

New normal. New risk. But surviving.

On 2/7/2023 at 10:52 PM, CRLess said:

Just got back a week or so ago from a wonderful cruise on the Enchanted.  My wife and I were discussing how we would each fill out our surveys, and we both came to the same conclusion....if you purchase the Princess Plus, what benefit do you receive by being a loyal customer that achieved Elite status?  With Princess Plus, internet is included, drinks are included, so the mini bar set up is meaningless.  The Platinum/Elite/Suite lounge doesn't really provide any true benefit...you can get appetizers at the buffet.  Princess has eliminated the "spa" related toiletries in your stateroom (not that we ever cared about that), the bonus loyalty OBC was eliminated with the pandemic, so the only true benefits Elite members get right now is the 10% off in the shop, and priority boarding/tenders.  Did I miss anything?

 

I guess what I am questioning is that a first time cruiser can essentially have almost the same cruise benefits by purchasing the Princess Plus package that loyal Princess passengers have.  Has Princess abandoned those of us that are loyal to the brand?  With the advent of the Princess Plus and Premium, there needs to be some sort of trade-off to the cost of the "all in" packages for loyal passengers.  I think Princess needs to take a hard look at their loyalty programs and evaluate what true benefits their most loyal passengers should have as a benefit.

We used to cruise Princess quite a bit! Elite members too!
But have been on celebrity to elite loyalty now and free alcoholic drinks 5 pm to 7 pm specialty breakfast and Bloody Mary drinks, high tea, 2 bags of free laundry, 1 dry cleaning, 2 pressing.
Separate Diamond on RCL and now post covid19 4 drinks each per day, wife doesn’t drink so I often don’t use 8 drinks a day but it’s a great perk, plus espresso coffee in Diamond lounge too! And celebrity and RCL interchangeably.

. Ncl has 2 free specialty’s dinners and wine and 1 bag laundry. So I guess spreading are our loyalty is paying off. I would advise any young folks to spread their cruises around to find what they love! Didn’t start cruising until we’re 40 and now at age 68 over 45 cruises spread around.

Publick bus to Arrachi beach and walking to lighthouse! Bring water it’s a ways.

On 11/15/2022 at 11:53 AM, jbiker said:

We will be visiting in February and looking for a beach with calm water, food and umbrella and chair rentals but not super crowded.  Any recommendations would be great since this is our first time visiting. ty

Arrachi beach is secluded but excellent snorkeling from shore! Tons of fish in reef area to left of shore facing ocean. We enjoy the public bus and then returning to hotels area. Use their bathroom and beach out front chairs $$$ and food $$$available there.

On 2/14/2023 at 10:55 AM, Scotico said:

We really do not want to go to Eagle Beach or Palm beach.  What are some nice close beaches near the cruise port?

We usually take the public bus 🚌 right across from cruise port to Arrachi beach for excellent snorkeling from shore. Then bus again to hotels and beach again. Baby beach is on other side of island. Arrachi beach is beautiful and secluded just before the desert 🏜 area and lighthouse too!

On 1/22/2023 at 4:31 PM, Yinster said:

Looking to book two nights in either Hampton Inn  (formerly Comfort Inn) or Embassy suites in Elizabeth, Newark. Both have complimentary airport shuttle but not sure of port shuttle to Cape Liberty. Though not too fuss as we can use an Uber. Looking to go to 9/11 on our full day stay as well.

 

Any opinions on these hotels or others before we book one?

Embassy suites pool was closed in May 2022 stay and hotel 🏨 wasn’t great! But that was right after covid19. Might have been improved. Usually enjoy Embassy suites. Recently stayed at Spring Hill suites Bayonne January 2023 for New York City Manhattan cruise Ncl getaway and very nice! Nice hot tub but pool freezing. Very clean and new. Trinity reservations for park sleep cruise reservations!

5 hours ago, meadowlander said:

You are welcome. I have used Trinity as well and will in the future. Last March I used Trinity in Baltimore. The 1 drawback was the hotel shuttle only had 1 drop and 1 pick up time, it was a long wait after disembarking. If I sail out of Baltimore I will select a different hotel Trinity contracts with. If you go with Trinity, inquire what the shuttle service times are.

Recently used Trinity reservations for park sleep cruise in Bayonne May 2022 and had private car service to and from! No shuttle! No crowd and waiting for more late people!

January 2023 Manhattan cruise terminal Ncl getaway and same deal! Dedicated driver in Cadillac SUV same guy as May 2022. Used Trinity reservations several times in Baltimore Bayonne and New York City. Sometimes a shuttle is involved but recently it’s been a private SUV like a rockstar! Benefit is driving in day early and not flying!

On 2/13/2023 at 1:00 PM, kaymoz said:

Even tho we are retired and prefer smaller ships, we're contemplating a cruise on on NCL Getaway due to the departure port, timing and itinerary. 

We've only sailed with NCL once (Pride of America, around Hawaii, fantastic itinerary) and the breakfast buffet was the worst in terms of crowd impact.  Turns out the passenger capacity of the Getaway is almost twice that of the Pride of America!  Yikes!!!
 

Are there ways to arrange our experience so we are somewhat buffered from the crowd situations?  For example, are there upgrades that provide access to areas that are limited so maybe a little more peaceful?  [I checked and found that on the sailing we want, the Haven and Spa Suites are already sold out.] 

Any other strategies that have worked for you?

O Sheehan pub for breakfast is excellent and un crowded!
Stay away from the buffet overflowing with overflowing folks! Upper decks above pool un crowded. Avoid the shows in smaller venues. In theaters sit upstairs near exit. Loved the Getaway in January 2023 amazing cruise., But came home with covid19! 

On 1/21/2023 at 6:15 PM, like2cruise said:

We have a fairly long list of cocktails that we enjoy...but I always like to get ideas for new ones to try that other cruisers enjoy to add to my drink list especially any ones that are more specific to NCL if anyone has any suggestions :)!

 

We are not in Haven...but I did read someone really liked the Rum Cake...does anyone know if that is a drink that we can get at another bar onboard?  We are sailing on the Breakaway in February.  

 

Thanks & Cheers!!

Matador at O Sheehan pub is excellent!
Blast off in sugarcane mojitos bar !

Pain killer by pool side with a Meyers dark rum floater!
Ginger mojito and wife loved the pineapple mojitos!
 Not Ncl but if on RCL try a Boston Ice Tea better than a Long Island Ice Tea!
If in Barbados 🇧🇧 try the Banks Beer best in Caribbean!

On 2/14/2023 at 5:31 PM, colesc15 said:

So I know I'm not the only one lol. I'm generally a fairly healthy male, but when we travel on cruises to the Caribbean, the humidity, sugar in drinks, Sodium, it all hits my ankles and balloons them by day 2 or 3 & goes back to normal a day or two after being home. What do you guys do to help alleviate this? Other than raising them at night. 

So listen up! I’m age 68 male with a daily workout at ymca several times a week power pump yoga barre, walking and line dancing with my wife. Practice yoga daily amazing for my spinal fusion L4-5. Used to play basketball and many other sports. Never ever had the swollen ankles! Then low and behold got em on RCL Anthem. Asked the chef in the solarium bistro about it and said it’s from the oils they use! He suggested I eat there and he’d take care of me, and somewhat of an improvement but still bad.

Then I remember legs up the wall pose!

In my cabin on the bed I layer every morning and night with my legs up the wall immediately improved!

I’ve always prided myself in skinny ankles as the key to good health and long life!

Once onshore off the ship got better with exercise and we do 20,000 plus steps onboard dancing and walking?
Practice yoga learning your body! 

On 2/14/2023 at 3:20 PM, kannna said:

If you are Elite+ you can also get free espresso drinks and tea anytime at the Cafe. 

Thanks for the info! Only Elite so far but on our way.

I believe that if you are willing and able to get up out of your chair and dance and leave drinks and personal property on your chairs it’s reasonable to expect to find your seat unoccupied when finished dancing.   Chair hogging is not a trait of active people.
Smiles are met with smiles onboard a cruise!
Dance like nobody is watching!

Dance like everyone is watching!

But dance!

14 hours ago, cruzfiend said:

How was the beach, please?

 

Decent and cab driver waited parked nearby and was back as determined time! If we had more time would have enjoyed it. Puerto plata beach.

4 hours ago, freakatck said:

Curious to know which beach did you go to? Was it called Playa Dorada? If so, is it a public beach or you needed a resort day pass?

 

Puerto  Plata beach.

On 1/28/2023 at 10:52 PM, SUESEABE said:

We will be bringing or snorkeling gear. I saw a great video a few posts down of snorkeling at Sapphire beach but we are among 6 ships in port that day and it may too crowded at Sapphire. Anyone know of other beach for snorkeling?

Sapphire beach is usually not crowded but getting early is key! Snorkeling reef is to the right facing ocean and sea grass area straight out front. Sea turtles in morning and sting rays too over sea grass. Later on reef area but be careful not to touch reef. Coki beach is good for snorkeling and buy dog biscuits from vendors to attract fish.