seashinesunshine

The Breakfast burritos at the cantina are great... Alot better then standing in the omelet line... Never a line there and the burritos are tasty.. You get your choice of what you want in the burrito...

Do you know if they deep fry? Like chimichangas? I can't eat flour shells, and corn shells just aren't that good unless they are deep fried, or smothered in a cheesy sauce. :D Healthy I know.....

We will be in St. Lucia for the 2nd time and have done the Piton Tour. We are on a port intensive itinerary and are thinking of staying on the ship , is there anything worth getting off the ship for in the vicinity of the pier? Such as shopping etc.. if we did decide to leave for an hour or so.

Thanks

Carol

The shopping area is a very nice 10 to 15 min walk along the shore, very easy walk. And a very nice fun shopping area. Some parts closer to the ship are built up more, but the part that is the 10 min walk away is more of a local experience. We have spent time there a few different cruises. In 2011 my In-laws spent the day walking thru the town and had a very nice time. They walked to a church and did some shopping.

I would say it is definitely worth getting off the ship for.

Keep them coming, I have almost 300 days to plan for this!

Anyone know if the buffets and places like Guys are open all day? On RCCL last year they closed the buffet around 330 every day. Of course that is right when we would get back on the ship hungry and ready to eat. We always have late dining so a sandwich ( or a Guys Burger) would be so good about then.

Thinking about going to Cockleshell Beach on our day in St. Kitts. We've got two active boys - ages 7 and 10. Are there water sports there for use or rent? In particular, can you rent jet skis, and could our kids go if each rides with a parent, or is there a minimum age? Thanks!!

I don't remember seeing any. There was a raft off shore a very easy swim to it that your boys may enjoy jumping or diving off. Plus snorkeling. Not the best snorkeling, but fun. We rode horses there it was a 25$ ride. No safety rules at all with that horse outfit, so no age limit or anything. we rode barefooted, bare headed (no helmet) and on old English saddles. Much different than the rules we have for our daughter with her horse, however, riding a horse in the ocean.... priceless.

has anyone ever planned one and that would be willing to give me some pointers?

 

i know we need 8 cabins, but do they need to be booked at the same time?

what happens if someone has to cancel?

what benefits do you get doing a group vs booking on your own?

You can all book separate and then tie the bookings together. As soon as you board, double check the table arrangements to make sure you are together. Our were not even though our bookings were tied.

Also, don't forget to take a group photo. We forgot. We did happen to take couples pictures with the same background, so we made a collage. I think it would be fun to do a group photo every day, but that might be too much work.

I'm so glad they found it and returned it to you. Lots of great suggestions here, but I would caution against putting your address on a photo. It would make it easy for someone to return it to you, however, you are also telling anyone who finds it that you are on vacation and are not at home. For sure a photo on the card with your name and phone number is an excellent idea. We have a name and phone number on our cards too.

thanks all! this is helpful.

 

is the best thing to do just head over and get something to eat at the bar/grill and watch?

The only shade is at the bar, and to get a seat in the shade you would need to be there by midmorning. I can't remember if they rent unmbrellas, It's really fun. The beach is not much for swimming, way to rough, but it's fun if you are a strong enough swimmer, at least it looks fun, I did more falling and flailing than swimming.

The food at the grill is not cheap, not outrageous either, but a few shared plates looked like they had enough food to feed a small group.

Sounds fun! I'm sure my kids will have fun picking a few good pieces to take home.

Looking at the Carnival Web Site, it looks to me like there is a cute little candy store on the Carnival Glory (and some other ships). Anyone been there? How expensive is it? Do they just have normal candy store candy, or is there anything fun a new?

Hello everyone...

 

Thank you for such an informative forum... I'm sitting and reading for hours already :D

 

I did it !

 

I booked our first cruise !!! Allure of the Seas... almost last minute... (yes, paid a LOT) for the March spring break... but it looks amazing...

 

We are travelling with our 11 & 15 year olds...

 

I really... REALLY... want to give them their independence during the cruise... but at the same time be able to get in touch with them ...

 

They are very responsible and good... but still...

 

How do you manage it ?

 

Also... I understand they are allowed to see the shows.. but If we want to go to the latin club (my daughter user to be a really good ballroom dancer) - will she be allowed at 15 ? with us of course accompanying ? (no one in our family drinks anyway...)

 

Sorry if I'm asking stupid questions... but I feel slightly overwhelmed...

 

Thank you in advance !!!

 

You guys rock !

We cruised with our kids when they were 9 and 11 they had no freedom then, we cruised again when they were 13 and 15, they had a little more freedom. It's not that I was worried about them doing anything, but I guess I just am a tad overprotective. Our rule was that we had to know where they were and they had to stay together. We are cruising again next year and they will be 17 and 19. The stay together rule will be the same. Our kids never really did the kids club except my son when he was 9. They are just more shy and had no real interest in meeting other kids, but did become friends with the kids at our table. When they are 13 and 15, we just had fun together.

Now the real secret to keeping tabs on your kids...... wear them out! We were busy from sunup to sundown, had late dining and by time supper was over they were begging to go to bed, even when they were 13 and 15. :D I have a feeling this next one when they will be 17 and 19, they will stay up later and will want to do more, but as long as they stay together I will TRY not worry too much. Cousins are coming too, so there will be a group of 4.

Try not to worry about crime on the ship or what COULD happen, that stuff can happen in your own house in your own town. Your kids will be fine and you will have fun.

We've always only participated in ship sponsored excursions (other than an on our own taxi ride to beach in cozumel several years ago). Thinking of taking the family (18 and 14 year olds) to Maho Beach using Bernard's Maho BEach only tour. Has anyone done this one (i.e, Maho only without the other stops? thoughts? reviews?). Any issues with getting back to ship on time (we're on allure and sail away is 5 pm)

 

Any comments and thoughts would be appreciated.

If you are only going to Maho, no need to take any kind of tour, just take a taxi. Very easy to do. On the way home, give yourselves a lot of time to get back, I would suggest 2 hours minimum. Traffic can be bad. Also make sure the taxi drops you off at the ships, not downtown. A lot of people get dropped off downtown near the beach to do some shopping etc, but it is a 15 to 20 min walk to the ship. Unless you want to do that and have lots of time. There is shopping right at the ship too.

I like ship tours when I am going far away or am on a new island for comfort in know I will get back, but Maho on St Maarten is a very comfortable place for me to taxi to.

It's great fun too! The Sunset bar has food that looks AMAZING! I didn't taste it, but we plan to eat there next time. The ribs just looked and smelled so good! Here are some links to my youtube videos, not the best, but fun to see.

Does anyone know if there are lockers in the San Juan cruise terminal? We are getting to the cruise port semi early and wanted to explore old San Juan as toe she doesn't leave till 10pm. We can check our big bags but wanted to do something with our carry ons. Thanks in advance

I have not seen lockers, but you will easily be able to get there about 11, and check in. We have been in our room by 130 most times we have cruised out of SJ. Then you get off the ship and roam around. It's a bonus port day. Of course, there is always the chance of customs or something else causing delays but we have had good luck.

As far as after the cruise there is a place that will hold your luggage, but I haven't used them, and don't know where to go. But maybe someone else can comment to let you know.

Can anyone recommend a glass bottom boat tour? We are really not interested in snorkeling, but would like to see fish, coral and turtles.

It was very easy to catch one off the beach at Carlisle Bay. We were on one with a group and not everyone in that group snorkeled, some stayed on the boat to look thru the glass. I can't remember what they were called though. One note, price is negotiable. We paid 15$ pp, and were told not to tell the others since they paid 22$ pp. They did try to ask us what we paid, I think, but they did not speak English, and we didn't speak what they spoke, (German?) so we couldn't communicate.

What was your first Carnival ship? Inspiration was my first ship.

Holiday Jan 2002 :D We've come a long way.

Now I know that these are two completely different cruises, but given the choice, which would you choose? Alaska looks amazing, but is it worth giving up the warm weather of the caribbean?

For me it's the Caribbean every time!. I go to escape the cold in ND in January. My cousins however love Alaska, they go to escape the heat in OK in the summer.

I was planning on snorkeling in the morning at St. Thomas and meeting my wife back at the NCL Getaway at around 12noon. I am reading that taxis are pretty easy to get at the port. Are they readily available for the return trip from Coki to the ship? What is the one-way cab fare? Have seen different prices from $10-$14. I have my own snorkeling gear; but do they rent chairs, umbrellas, etc.?

Very easy to get a taxi back. Should be around 8$.

Are there any difference in the Conquest and Glory? If so which would you suggest? Why? trying to decide....

I have not been on either, but we picked the Glory due to the Sat-Sat dates. Easier for our kids to get back to school that Monday.

We've planned all along to spend our day at Orient but my sister in law wants to go to Maho too. She found a tour that has you at Orient for 2 hours and Maho for 2 hours. I don't think it's enough time at Orient and perhaps too much time at Maho.

 

How hard would it be to get a taxi to Orient, spend about 4 hours there and then get a taxi to Maho for a short visit and then back to the ship? We'll be there on March 12 when I think there are 6 ships in port so I am a bit worried about traffic. We sail at 6:00 so I thought if we left Maho around 2:30/3:00 we should be fine.

 

Any advice?

I think your plan is doable. Traffic is bad, but leaving Maho around 3 would be fine if you leave at 6. Have your taxi bring you to the ship, not to the downtown shopping area, which is a 15 to 20 min walk to the ship. It takes about a half hour to go from Orient to Maho. It will be easy to find a taxi, headed that way. Personally, I don't think it's possible to have too much time at Maho. :D

could you tell me if you mean, leaving the ship the beach is to the right, or walking back to the ship the beach is on the right? Is it near the bus terminal and ferry terminal?

 

I would love to get some sea glass, so I am hoping that you can clarify this for me! thanks so much!

I don't know where the bus or ferry terminals are located, but if you go off the ship to the first road. Go to your left when you are facing the island, or right when you are facing the water. It is right along the main road that all the taxis and tour busses drive on. Bring a bag, there is a lot of sea glass, :D

We plan to go for the day after arriving on the Norwegian Gem, presumably at Havensight.

 

A few questions:

 

1) If we want to rent snorkel equipment, should we make reservations?

 

2) How about renting chairs and/or umbrellas?

 

3) There are 5 of us. We are thinking of renting a car at the port and driving to Coki. It seems cheaper than a taxi. Is that a reasonable choice or would we be better to rent a taxi? If we have the car, we could make a stop or two on our way back to the port, too.

 

Thanks!

I would definetly recommend a taxi over driving, but if you do, don't forget to bring your drivers license and check to see if you car insurance would cover a rental there. And bring your insurance card, just as extra insurance.

Coki is fun, you will have a great time.

Can you use a carnival gift card for your deposit or hold on your sail and sign account instead of a credit card or cash?

We forgot to use ours as part of the payment so we brought it on board and used it at the pursers desk for our on board acct.

We would like to get a hire a taxi to take us to Brimstone, mainly just for the view and some photos, we are not really interested in touring the fort. After this we would like to see Timothy Hill then be dropped at Shipwreck Beach Bar for the rest of the day. Will we be able to easily find a taxi at the port for this? About how much should we expect to pay? We do not want a full island tour, want to see a couple of sites, then spend majority of the day on the beach.

You will easily be able t find a taxi willing to do this for you at the pier. They are pretty organized there. They may want to set up a pick up time at the beach for you, if you want to, you can do that, but catching a taxi home will be no problem if you don't want to be held to a pick up time.

Are there any beaches within walking distance of the port? Like 20-30 minutes walking distance max. We will have 2 car seat age kids with us and I don't really want to schlep seats with us off the boat so buses/taxis aren't an option.

 

Alternatively any excursions that only rely on boats that anyone knows of/recommends?

 

Thanks!!

I don't believe you will be able to walk to any beach. The closest that I know is Fort James, but that would be a very long walk thru questionable neighborhoods.

Just wondering how you book a b2b and what're the advantages of it and can you do it if you get two weeks off a year?

 

 

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We are doing our first B2B next year. If you only have 2 weeks off a year, another option might be to book a 7 day then a 4 or 5 day, you would have to switch ships, but in a port like Miami, I'm sure you can find 2 ships that load and unload on the same day to make that work.

My wife and I were planning to do San Juan on our own and tour the forts which I understand are not far from the cruise port. Apparently the Forts close at 5:00 pm which leaves very little time. What are some other suggestions for San Juan with a 3:00 pm scheduled arrival? We are scheduled to be in port from 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM.

 

 

 

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There is time to see the forts if you go there right away, and for the rest of the evening, I would just spend it in OSJ. It is so easy to walk the whole thing. Tons of fun shops and you can find a new place to eat. We really enjoyed Vaca Brava, but there are a lot of really good suggestions on this site for other places. I just really enjoy the old city so much I can't spend enough time there.