NYOB

On 10/17/2019 at 3:31 PM, auie2 said:

Has anyone stayed here? What's your option?

 

Thanks,

David

We are looking at that one too for a March 2020 cruise.  Hoping someone answers.

Hi Drake, just want to say thanks for this thread! Last week we stopped at St Croix and went to Sandcastle Beach. The staff were great, the island beautiful and most of all the beach was fantastic and gorgeous. Hope to plan a trip to stay on your island to really explore.

 

Thanks, Kathy

Did you take a cab to to Sandcastle? How much was the fare?

Thank you

Hi everyone,

 

I am trying to figure out how much cash to bring on our trip. We are taking a taxi from the hotel to the port so, with that in mind (and an average of $20 taxi fare), how much cash and in what denominations should we bring? Also, if we run out, is there anywhere on the ship that we can add money to our account then withdraw without penalty? I think We did that at the casino, but I wasn't sure if this would fall under the 5% fee.

 

TIA!

I make an envelop for each port and put cash in for the amount of any private excursions we have booked plus a tip or necessary cash for cabs if taking one instead of an excursion (I research each port online to determine approximate amount needed for cabs) and then add an "allowance" for shopping and food if applicable. I buy very little food on shore.

Just got off our first ever cruise. We were on Enchantment and loved the ship. Had some wonderful meals, great entertainment. Mostly wonderful staff.

 

Only a few minor gripes. Did anyone else have any problems with the approx 300 Argentinian teenage girls who were on board? They seemed to have only about 4 chaperones. They commandered the hot tubs all the time in huge numbers (way over capacity) and every public washroom was crowded out with them to the point of it was easier to go down to our cabin to use the facilities there. They actually had to close one on the first night as they were all in there throwing up although the sea was like a glass lake so not sure what the problem was there.

 

Also I was upset that our daughter who is 19 (but admittedly looks a lot younger) was actually refused a spot to sing at the adult karaok night by the entertainment guy. She even showed him her driver's license with picture and date of birth but he didn't believe it was real :rolleyes: o

 

Other than those 2 minor issues and the fact that it was too windy to dock and tender to Coco Cay (disappointing but no one can control the weather) we had a wonderful time and can't wait to cruise again.

Just wondered if you or anyone else reported any of this to the appropriate staff members and if so did they address the issues? I would think both the overcrowding in hot tubs, unruly teenagers, especially 300 and failure to recognize legitimate ID would be worth reporting and staff intervening. Neither issue, especially the first, seems minor to me.

If it was that many people, maybe it was an entire excursion that got delayed. If you are booked on an excursion through the cruiseline, they have to wait for you.

Many private excursions guarantee you will get back to the ship on time. However, not all. I ask one fairly popular company in Barbados (good reviews on Cruise Critic) if they guaranteed getting back to the ship on time and they basically said no. They couldn't control people getting back to their van on time and that could delay everybody, etc. etc., but they had never had that problem. Needless to say, I did not book with them.

Do you wear a lanyard on board for your sea pass card? Or an ID holder? Or one of those plastic stretchy bracelets? So many options- which do you use?

Always. I make my own nice beaded ones.

There is only one Romney Manor. It is North of Basseterre just a 5 minute drive north of Old Road Town. Romney Manor is the home of Caribelle Batik.

Thank you.

If mobility is not an issue I recommend the fort also.

 

Usually there will be tours that have the fort and Romney Manor (gardens) together. Next time I go to St. Kitts I want to take the tour by train around the island.

I looked up Romney Manor on Google maps and 2 locations came up - one near the city and one north. We want to go to the one with the batik shop. Does anyone know which one that is and do we just tell the taxi driver and they will know where to take us? Thanks.

Thank you all for your responses. I will call when they open tomorrow morning.

They are available 24 hours a day.

First time cruiser - have become addicted to this website, can't get enough information to satisfy my OCD tendencies!

 

I read on the website that there is a luggage tag program for certain guests. If I am not in a suite or anything, will I be able to print my luggage tags beforehand?

Yes. There is a luggage tag template that comes with your cruise docs that are emailed about 7 or so weeks before you sail. Just print as many as you need.

I have been in countries where tipping is actually an insult or just not allowed. Wondering about islands in the Southern Caribbean and guidelines regarding tipping tour guides, etc. Is tipping encouraged on all the islands or taboo on any of the islands?:rolleyes:

Having been on twenty-six cruises, I have never been able to understand why some folks concern themselves with what others choose to wear. What others wear has no impact on the enjoyment of my cruise whatsoever. I am too busy relaxing, and enjoying my meal and me darling wife's company. And for those who concern themselves with such things, I have never worn a hat or wife beater shirt to the MDR nor have I worn shorts or t-shirts to dinner. On the so called formal nights, I choose to wear a shirt with tie, dark slacks, a jacket and shined shoes, but it is my choice.

Agree! VERY well said.

On Enchantment there was a tent card on our dining table and it was also printed in the Compass. It was $20 and included a Q&A session, a lengthy tour of the two deck galley and a brunch where you got a plate a walked back through the galley choosing the food that you wanted from bread, fruit, salad, sushi, desserts etc. When you got to the hot station, plates were prepared and set on a serving line where you chose whichever you wanted. You were invited to make more than one pass through if you did not get enough on the first trip. Mimosas were served during the Q&A and also during the meal.

We did a galley tour on our last Carnival tour and it was FREE and very good and informative, but didn't have food. Of course, Carnival also has a bathrobe in all the cabins at all levels for every person and a beach towel in the cabin for each person - didn't have to beg for a bathrobe in the less expensive cabins or go check out a beach towel - just saying.

On Enchantment there was a tent card on our dining table and it was also printed in the Compass. It was $20 and included a Q&A session, a lengthy tour of the two deck galley and a brunch where you got a plate a walked back through the galley choosing the food that you wanted from bread, fruit, salad, sushi, desserts etc. When you got to the hot station, plates were prepared and set on a serving line where you chose whichever you wanted. You were invited to make more than one pass through if you did not get enough on the first trip. Mimosas were served during the Q&A and also during the meal.

We did a galley tour on our last Carnival tour and it was FREE and very good and informative. Of course, Carnival also has a bathrobe in all the cabins at all levels for every person and a beach towel in the cabin for each person - didn't have to beg for a bathrobe in the less expensive cabins or go check out a beach towel - just saying.

I've read tons of reviews about the AOS, including the beds. Some say they're great and some say they're like rocks. Also seen mention of "bed toppers". I like firm support but a soft top. Should I (or can I) request a topper be put in our cabin? Can this be requested before we get there or do I have to wait until we're onboard? FYI, we have a promenade cabin.

 

Also, I've seen mention where the muster drill is at 5:45pm on Day 1. We have My Time dinner reservations for 6:30. How long does the drill take?

 

Thanks for your thoughts!

I apparently read the same reviews you did about the new hard beds, so I called RCC and requested a bed topper and they included it on my cruise information. I am assuming it will be on the bed when we arrive. I had also read they sometimes run out, so reserving ahead of time might be the way to go - you can always have them taken off if too soft.

so so sad to see the cruise end, it went by so fast, i wish we could have stayed on!

 

1st groups were called at 7 am. We had a 9:20 time. Windjammer was open for breakfast until 9 or 9:30. We grabbed breakfast then finished getting out of our rooms, then we went to hang out in one of the lounges that had coloring book pages and crayons for kids. Played some cards and walked around a bit one last time.

 

Got off the ship, customs line was pretty long took about 40 minutes. Lots of taxis waiting and maybe just a 5-10 minute wait to load up. Taxi to airport was 15 minutes or less and cost $25 plus tip which included $1 per bag fee.

 

Not sure if I mentioned it but Kids Club was great, 9 yr old enjoyed it a lot, ate dinner one night with them. Met friends that he hung with at the pool also.

 

I will try to get the rest of the compasses posted soon.

 

LOVED the cruise!!!

Thanks for your very informative review! We will be on same cruise in March and would like to do self disembark because we have read on cc that the airport process in San Juan is a nightmare and can take 2-3 hours. Our plane doesn't leave until right after noon sometime, but want to have plenty of time to get to gate. Do you know how efficient the self disembark process was? Did you have any issues at the airport?

Good Afternoon,

 

I just joined and thought I would introduce myself. My name is Darrin and I live on St. Croix, not too far from the cruise ship pier. I thought that an unbiased local's opinion might be useful to everyone here since I don't work in the tourism industry. Feel free to ask questions.

 

Thanks,

Darrin

One more question: We will be there on Easter Sunday (AOS) and was wondering if the cabs will be running as usual that day and what about the shops being open? I am expecting beaches to be very crowded and probably lines for the cabs if they are operating.

Where does the ship dock in St. Croix, Fredriksted or Christiansted? Thanks. Your review is great!

Good Afternoon,

 

I just joined and thought I would introduce myself. My name is Darrin and I live on St. Croix, not too far from the cruise ship pier. I thought that an unbiased local's opinion might be useful to everyone here since I don't work in the tourism industry. Feel free to ask questions.

 

Thanks,

Darrin

Sorry if you have already answered this and I missed it, but I am reading reviews, mostly a few years old, saying they saw very few fish snorkeling at Buck Island and the coral is almost dead. Do you know if that situation has improved in the past few years? Thanks.

Is there something better to feed fish than Frosted Flakes?

Cheerios:D

Does the cover charge for Johnny Rockets include food or is the food an additional charge?

I posted this under the New Cruisers forum but thought I might get more responses here.

 

I am planning a trip to Alaska for my family of four (next July). My head is spinning from the choices and I really need some guidance . This will be out first cruise and I want to make the right decision.

 

From what I have read, it looks like Holland America and Princess are known for the best cruises to Alaska. I am hoping to book a stateroom with a balcony and it looks like the Princess may be out of our price range ($5736.00 for 7 nights :eek:).

 

The two I am looking at right now are, the Carnival Spirit and Holland America ms Oosterdam. Holland America is about $500 more than Carnival. Holland America comes in right at $5000 and I would like to not go over that if necessary. Like I said, Princess and also Celebrity are closer to $6000.

 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I have read and read and am still not any closer to a decision. I'm sure we will be happy which ever route we take. Not looking for a lot of entertainment, etc. We are really just interested in seeing what Alaska has to offer. Thanks so much! :D

We were on the Spirit in to Alaska in July and it was great. Alaska was amazing, beautiful scenery and we were lucky enough not to have rain the entire week. Had a great time on the Spirit. A great Naturalist on board that gave us lots of good information. I would do the Spirit again in a heart beat.:)

Treat the rude passengers with kindness, a soft reply, friendly greeting, holding a door, etc., it drives them crazy! Also rudeness is not age or gender specific. I was on a cruise over spring break with hundreds of college students, many were polite, kind and considerate of their fellow passengers and fun to cruise with while a few were rude, drunk most of the time and jerks; the same thing was true with the older adults on the cruise. It is the individual that choses their behavior and has nothing to do with their age and everything to do with their character.