Cuckoo7

19 hours ago, c-leg5 said:

I think I remember you asking for suggestions before your sailings but I thought you had a 14-year old with you and had discounted Del Mar? Glad you got to try both and were able to give a recent comparison.

 

It has been several years since we went to El Cid but agree it is definitely bigger and attracts a lot of crew, once they are able to leave their ships. It has a sandy “cove” as well as man-made sandy “areas” for loungers. I know they used to offer different passes . Their AI always seemed overpriced compared to what you could get at Park Royal but I don’t know what current prices are at both places. We have only done PAYG at El Cid (where you can’t use any facilities) and the “cheaper” cover charge that was mostly credited back towards food and drink and allowed pool and wi-fi. They tried to make us take the buffet when we had that pass, which didn’t look very good, but we managed to order off the menu instead. We were disappointed in standards at Park Royal last June so wouldn’t return there at the moment. 

 

I think it goes without saying that drinks at most AI are not strong although we tend to stick to beer and water, some rum based drinks but never tequila! We also were at DelMar in March. AsI said it is definitely getting busier but of course that was Spring Break period. Not sure what you thought wasn’t maintained? The pool and restrooms have always been fine when we have been there although we were surprised, and not too happy, about the number of people with beer and glasses round the pool this last time. The food at Del Mar was better and more choices when we first started going but they have had to reduce , presumably due to reduced entrance fee and present economic times. The food is still good and we have always had plenty to eat and drink, and good service. Hopefully the original menu will return if the price increases.

 

We also tried Sunset Beach another day in March for a change,  but were not impressed with that. Each time we have passed El Cid recently they have tried to coax us in so we may give it another try this month.

Yep, we had the 14 year old in January, so we went to El Cid.  It was just the wife and I in March, so we did Del Mar - also during the spring break period, so maybe we crossed paths.  I didn't mean to imply that Del Mar wasn't maintained.  It was just little things, like the sand seemed cleaner/softer at El Cid.  As you note, pool and restrooms were good. 

We didn't eat until the very end; it was good but very small portions, so we promptly ordered another - like the weak drinks, probably not a surprise at AI.  Great service all around.  Overall, we thought it was a heck of a bargain.

Based on c-leg5s' recommendations, we have done both El Cid and Del Mar Latino.  El Cid was offering the day passes back in January and we did the AI at Del Mar Latino in March.  Overall, we liked El Cid a little better - there was more room, more sand, and seemed better kept.  Part of that might have been that Del Mar Latino was much busier the day we went.  I will say that we liked that it's adults only and the AI is a great deal; drinks weren't strong, but we just kept ordering more.  🙂

10 minutes ago, chasinraynbowz said:

I used it in New Orleans.  I didn't have to show anything other than the Verifly app on my phone.  I had all the paperwork if I needed it, but it was nice just showing her the app.

 

Those of you saying it takes too long to set up.... it doesn't.  It was quick and painless.

Agreed.  Sailed out of Galveston in December and the lines took forever.  We had four people, so it did take some time to go through all of the paperwork.  In March in New Orleans, it was the exact opposite.  No lines, flashed the Verifly checkmark and went right on through.

Check out Saint Greg's review from a couple of weeks ago.  He has the menus in there.

It's right outside the cruise terminal.  You can walk there pretty easily, and all of the tours I've been on ask if you want to stop and take pictures before they leave.

Fulton garage is nearby and offers shuttles.  It's cheaper and you can reserve in advance.  We drove through the port and dropped our luggage with a porter and then went to the garage.

Spring break cruise on the Glory, the CD said there were 3300 passengers.  Carnival website lists Glory capacity at 2980 passengers.  There were a ton of kids, of course.

On 3/17/2022 at 10:38 AM, Nog Vlog said:

Just used VeriFLY in New Orleans at about 9:55am. The worker saw me approach with my phone and printed boarding pass, asked if I was all set up with VeriFLY, looked at the app/pass for about 2 seconds, and then stamped me and I was on my way.  Very convieneint!

 Exact same experience last week.

I don't know the prices either, but there is nothing in the way of shade on the beach at all.  So if you burn easily, I would certainly consider a clamshell.

Went in February.  I had never been to the Bahamas or Half Moon Cay, and I had a great time.  Nassau was much better than I anticipated after reading so many negatives, and Half Moon Cay is just gorgeous.  We booked after Key West was removed, so that wasn't a surprise.

We brought a marriage certificate on our cruise out of Galveston in December, but it was never requested.

1 hour ago, hapytobehr said:

The crew is not allowed off the ship at all.  We spoke with many crew members on our NYE cruise and they all said they are not allowed off at any port.

 On our NYE cruise, we saw a couple of crew members at a hotel day resort in Cozumel.

2 hours ago, Cuckoo7 said:

This was not the case two weeks ago.  Anyone who wanted to disembarked.

Yes, I should've specified Carnival.  I overlooked the info about Celebrity.

This was not the case two weeks ago.  Anyone who wanted to disembarked.

We did Belize Exotic Adventures through Shore Excursioneer.  Outside of waiting for another party for a long time before we started, it was great.  Came with a delicious lunch at a local restaurant.

https://shoreexcursioneer.com/belize/altun-ha-mayan-ruins-city-sightseeing-cave-tubing.html

We called and can confirm what was posted above about El Cid on the PAYG option; however, we were quoted a price of $25, and she said it included an hour rental of snorkeling gear, along with the food/drink voucher.  She said sometimes the people "down there" (I'm assuming she meant the gate/entrance) will tell you there's only all-inclusive, but just to tell them you already spoke with someone in hospitality.    

1 hour ago, c-leg5 said:

Correct, although I have seen children stay on on a Sunday after brunch.

Not really much for a 14 year old to do.

 

have you considered PAYG at Paradise Beach?

Yep, that's what we did last time we were there and had a really good time.  We were just looking for something different, but wouldn't be upset at all going back to Paradise.  

7 hours ago, prish said:

 

Cuckoo7, please check the other active thread Del Mar Beach Club. The place looks much better and has a $29 promotion on the day pass. You can book online paying a small deposit, balance on arrival.

 

Food, drink and facilities are said to be good, definitely sounds interesting...

 

jean87510, thanks for getting back, hope you enjoyed your cruise 🙂

Thanks prish!  My understanding is Del Mar is adults only, though.  We have a 14 year old in the group.

Thanks jeans87510!

Do you by chance know whether they still have a PAYG option?  

5 hours ago, prish said:

Thanks for the update jean87510! What kind of a pass did you get, how much was it and for how long? Or was it PAYG? would appreciate your comments as we'll be in Cozumel in December, thanks 🙂

+1

We emailed quite a while ago but haven't received a response.  Would love to know this info.