seashinesunshine

Each time we have been to Maho the waves have been huge and breaking. That's always been in Jan/Feb if that makes a difference. Dawn beach had big waves, and we noticed that at Orient also.

We are doing our first b2b also, so I am looking for any tips. We are switching rooms, nice to know the room steward will help us with a cart.

I second the comfort inn, great location, great staff, great breakfast. We were very happy there. Book early if it's San Sebastian weekend. We have been there festival weekend and it's fun! Seems like hotels outside of OSJ don't spike too much in price. We also paid around 100$ and booked thru the comfort inn web site.

I am not an expert on this, but I believe there is a fine for leaving the cruise half way. Not from the cruiseline, but from someone. Who knows. It does happen though, people who honestly miss the boat or have medical emergencies do it, I would call Carnival and see what they say.

We are looking for an underwater camera for snorkeling for our trip in late May. We would like to stay under $100 and we're not pro photographers so it doesn't have to be perfect, by I do want clear pictures. I'm open to an eBay deal on a used one, but am skeptical. We wont be scuba diving, so we don't need one rated for very deep, may 10-20 ft or so.

 

Thanks for your all's help!

I have a Fuji XP10, I believe it cost 119$, it is a few years old so there may be better models out there. I have been really happy with how easy it is to use. It does ok for above water pics too.

Here are a few links to some videos I took with it.

There are a bunch of different cameras out there to pick from, you don't have to spend a ton of $ to get some fun video.

We'll be taking our first cruise to the South Pacific next year.

 

I've noticed that snorkeling is frequently mentioned as shore excursions or 'not to be missed thing to do'.

 

I've never snorkeled and although I can tread water...I really can't swim. So here's the stupid question, would you snorkel if you couldn't really swim?

 

Do people use floatation devices to stay near the surface but still enjoy the underwater view?

I would strongly encourage you to give it a try. I am not a swimmer and while I can swim to save my life, I am more of a floater. Even people who cant swim will float easier in the ocean due to the salt water. You can use a floatation device to help float, actually on a lot of excursions, they require a life jacket type of device. I have gotten to the point where I can float and move around in the water by myself, quite an accomplishment for me. Water has always terrified me and I have recurring nightmares from childhood about deep dark water. The ocean is light and I can see, it took a awhile, but I overcame. Still won't go near a lake though.

I used to have a thing that was like a blow up noodle, would be perfect for a cruise, since noodles are hard to take on the plane, but you should be able to find something blowup to help you if you need it. The first cruise we went on, it took me three days of snorkeling before I could do it. My very patient husband held me and helped me to get it done. I found what I was doing, was, putting my mask on, then dipping my face in to look and then freaking out, hyperventilating, that would break the seal of my mask, and then everything went bad. :D Even now, I have to talk myself thru those first few minutes.

Snorkeling is one of my favorite things to do, ever! When you are laying there, floating watching the fish and coral below you, its just so peaceful, and wonderful! Not only do I love it, but it is a huge accomplishment, and something I worked very hard to do. Don't skip it because you think you might not be able to. If you can tread water, you are off to a great start.

I would also suggest if you can, try it at home first. In a pool or a lake, or bathtub if you are agile enough.

I had heard about a fish market on Antigua that was fun to look at. We walked there, go straight off the ship about 4 blocks and turn right on (I think) Market street. Walk about 8 minutes and you will see the fish market behind the bus stop. It was really cool to see the kinds of fish they catch and eat there. Then near the market we found a grocery store. When you are at the market, its kind of behind the trees. We have gone there twice. The spices they sell at the store are so good and cheap. Just make sure the spices are in a sealed bag or bottle so you can take them back.

There is also a big local market, for locals not tourists, in a big building with a green roof. It is such a fun way to experience a part of the island, close to the port that was real island life.

thanks it looks rough and cold, hmmm what to do? i need adventure but am recouping from ruptured achilles so walking is out. any suggestions?

Tough when walking is out. We have spent a lot of time in OSJ, but also spend a lot of that walking around. It's not a hard walk, but lots of it. I think I might (for the first time ever :D ) suggest a resort hotel, like what I hear about at Isla Verde. I hear good things from people who go there.

If you can do light walking, you could take a taxi, (or attempt to take the free trolley), to the forts and walk around them. It has ramps as well as steps, and it's a nice level walk between them. Living History, a history nut like me loves it!

Or you could take a tour to the Bacardi Factory. I thought it was somewhat overrated, but it is fun and interesting, for some of it we rode a trolley thing and then walked thru the museum part, very short walk. I believe years ago you used to be able to tour the actual factory, now you tour a museum where they tell you about the history and give you free samples. Beautiful grounds. Instead of taking an official tour, we took the ferry across the bay, then a short taxi ride to the factory. The ferry ride was really fun. Not too much $ either. I think the ferry was a buck or two and the taxi was a few bucks each pp each way. I think the tour itself is free.

As we will be arriving late the day before embarkation, I was wondering how difficult it would be to "check in", drop our luggage and then go and spend a few hours in Old San Juan. We will be on the Jewel of the Seas.

 

How difficult would it be to go from Pan Am Pier to Old San Juan? And what would be the best way - there is some other form transportation than taxi?

 

Thanks,

Stan

It looks walkable on a map, but taxi is the way to go. I have a short video clip that gives perspective as to how far it is. You will see the Victory docked in OSJ, and its a long walk all the way to the right.

We have stayed at Da House, Comfort Inn, and La Quinta, no resort fees and free breakfast except Da House. Not fancy, but it's just a place to sleep.

we will be in OSJ in january and would like to find a beach close to the cruise terminal. I have been there twice and don't know the beaches and I don't want to travel too far. Would love suggestions, :)

I have not been to Isla Verde but from what I hear, that is probably your best bet. Here is a video of Condado in Jan 2013, pretty rough, but if you want to body surf, this would be good.

I'm researching for our cruise next year and was looking at the Glory Tours website and saw that for $25 a person we can get a shuttle to Carlisle Bay and back to port, beach chair and umbrella and a free drink. Is this something I can do cheaper on my own? Do they hold chairs for us? Thanks for your help!!

All I can tell you for sure is that we paid 5$ for a taxi back to the port. It sounds like the price would be comparable to what it would cost you to do it on your own. One concideration would be the time frame. With Glory tours are you stuck with a certain time to go and leave? On your own you can go and go back as you wish.

Guavaberry Rum

So my wife and I r looking to go on a southern Cruise next may and 1 of the ports is ST LITTS, what does everyone think about this port??

Love it, been there 4 times. If you don't want a beach day, take an island taxi tour, every easy to arrange with people who want the same when you get off the ship. The taxis are quite organized.

Hi we are looking for hotel rooms somewhat close to San Juan for the Saturday night during San Sebastian festival and was wondering if anyone (especially locals) had any insight for places to try...:eek::cool::D

We have tried twice to get hotels in OSJ for San Sebastian Weekends. What I would recommend is the stay in the Condado area. It didn't seem to have the elevated prices, we stayed at the Comfort Inn Condado, La Quinta, and one hotel that stole my credit card, I can't prove it, but don't stay at a small yellow hotel near the beach. Comfort Inn and La Quinta were both decent hotels. It is very easy to catch the bus to OSJ to partake of the festivities, I think 75 cents a ride. Just ask at your hotel where the stop is and which bus number you need. Have change, the busses don't have change and they don't like it if you don't have any. One tip about catching a bus back to Condado, the busses stop running at 9pm, so if you want to go back on the bus, be at the bus terminal by 830, or you can take a taxi back for about 17$, per ride, not per person.

Our last 2 cruises we stayed at Sheraton Old San Juan and Casino and have loved it. The price has doubled for this November so I'm looking for something else but still in that area.

 

My hubby seems to think that there is another hotel on that main street either to the immediate left or right of the Sheraton BUT I can't find such a thing. Is there a hotel there and if so what I the name?

 

Thanks!

We have really enjoyed Da House.

Anyone checked Carnival Fareviewer recently? I am getting different rates than when I do a mock booking...states that it is cabin rate only but very odd amounts...

I have been checking it daily and as well comparing to a mock cruise and it comes the same for me. But we might not have the same booking dates.

On every RCI cruise we've taken, when you enter your cabin for the first time the TV is on the channel that explains the muster drill. Do you not remember this? Seriously asking, not being facetious.

 

And yes OP, very frustrating. :(

Yes we do know all about muster drills and I do take them seriously. We were told to go when we heard the announcement and we did not hear it. We have never had one start at the time is says, but we knew generally when it would be, and we have always heard the announcements before.

I also get upset when people try get out of it and try hide from staff. Its just a few minutes of a great week, and we did feel bad, but we were also not the last ones there. :) Maybe if they didn't serve the drinks with the umbrellas until after muster drill, it would go faster. Our first one, on the Holiday was over an HOUR!! and our muster station was the theatre. Like I would go to the inside of a ship if it was sinking. :D

Happy Cruising!

Sorry but we were almost one, we did not hear the announcement, we were in our room not sleeping or anything, just watching tv, happened to have the door open when the second call was made. Scared me to think we wouldn't have heard a real one. We turned up the volume on the room speaker after that.

What are the church services like for Christmas Eve? We are on first ever Christmas week cruise!!!!!! But church is important to me....thanks your help....

On the Vision....

What I have been told (not saying this is 100 % correct) if you are interested in hosting a church service they will help you by setting aside a room and putting it in the daily newsletter. I don't know if these arrangements need to be made ahead of time or on the ship or what. Or if they even still do this, but for Christmas Eve it sure would be nice to have a service and I'm sure others on the ship would feel the same. :)

Our ship docks at 4pm, so realistically I figure we might get off by 5:00. Have always wanted to visit the forts, but they close at 5:00. Can you still walk around the old city walls to the gate in the evenings? Is there any lighting? Are there any parts of the forts you can access at night, or go to gain a view of each fort at night? We're talking September, so not sure when it gets dark there.

You will easily be off the ship by 401 and at the fort by 415. It is an easy walk. You may not be able to do both though. I would suggest walking to San Cristobel which is closer and touring that one, then walk over to El Morrow for the sunset. It is so pretty at the end of the fort when the sun is sinking in the sky. You can walk all around the outside and last time they even let me in the door after closing so I could use the bathroom, it was still kind of open while they were trying to get people out.

Just back off the Paradise for a 5 day to Grand Cayman and Cozumel. Trying to upload all of my photos so I can do a really good review. 1,209 photos is what I have to go through. Is that excessive?

 

Just makes me curious how many photos have you come back with?

 

Uploading all the pictures to Photobucket now so we will see how long this takes!

 

Keep your eyes open when the review comes out! :D

about 8000 pics, and that is just one camera, last time we took 7 cameras.

http://ifoundyourcamera.blogspot.com/search/label/About

https://www.facebook.com/pages/I-Found-Your-Camera/506709979359249

Here's a few more, hope you find it!

There are lots of good ideas for cameras and one is to take a photo of a piece of paper with your name and phone number on it so if anyone finds it and is honest, they can return it. Don't put your address on it, that just tells people you aren't at home. We always put a piece of paper in our luggage with our name and phone number on it also.

We will be in St. Thomas on Oasis of the Seas in December. Trying to figure out what we can do with a 13 year old and a 5 year old. We do like the beach but are considering other things to do as well. We are going to Orient Beach and Maho Beach in St. Maarten so it's not necessary to go to the beach again. However we do not want to go over to Trunk Bay on St. John. We have done it 2X with just wife and I. We loved it but very hectic day getting to and back with just adults so don't want to do with kids. Look forward to hearing your opinions.

Coral World on Coki beach might be a good option for you. Coral world is wonderful and my son snubaed there when he was 13, it was the highlight of the trip! Coki has great snorkeling and is in a sort of bay so is a gentler beach for your younger one.

Is there anything walking distance to do from the pan am pier?

 

How much is a cab to Old San Juan?

There is nothing to do within walking distance, a cab should cost about 18$ each way, total, not pp.