freddybeachpete

Thanks for these great posts !! Thinking seriously about doing the March 2025 version. One question - my wife and I enjoy social dance (ballroom and Latin). Many opportunities for this ? 

Thanks all for the information!

Is it permitted to (permanently) leave the ship at a port prior to the scheduled final port? For example, I saw an itinerary that sails from England to New York with second to last stop in Halifax. It would be +++ convenient for us to drive to Halifax, leave our vehicle at the airport, fly to England and then disembark in Halifax instead of NYC

We did a day tour with Beyond The Beach and were very pleased with it.

So many things - the Military OBC, Crowne Grill, MUTS, ballroom dancing with DW, the Intl Cafe, wonderful staff, consistently good food, etc., etc.

If snorkeling is of interest, contact Woodwind and confirm but I believe that they would be a great choice for you and your daughter. They are 100% safety oriented and very careful supervision.

I can highly recommend Woodwind, for several reasons. First and foremost, they are client safety oriented. So, if anyone in your party is even the least bit nervous, they will ensure that they are comfortable with flotation assistance and with close supervision by the guides. Second, they take you to the most beautiful reef locations. Not super deep so you have amazing views but not so shallow as to be worried about making contact with the reef itself.

How much was the North Tour with Beyond the Beach?

It was 65 euros per person, Paid at time of booking via credit card so be aware that there will be an exchange rate charge. A modest cash tip to the guide at the end of the tour was also given.

My $0.02 worth - security of contents of suitcases is compromised from the time you leave home until the time you arrive back. From airline staff to hotel staff to dockside porters to onboard staff, there are SO many people that have access that you must assume that nothing is safe. Our most recent trip, we found notes from the US TSA and from Princess notifying that our bags had been opened and inspected. So, assume that nothing is secure and keep all valuables in your carry-on.

As for leaving bag out night before, I was +++ impressed with Princess' organization during our departure from Royal Princess two weeks ago. We had a very early departure time (Cream 3) and were off the ship at the time promised, bags were neatly lined up in the terminal by colour/number group (YIKES - there are a LOT of black suitcases!) so quite easy to locate, we were through US customs in a jiffy, short taxi to FLL and we were checked in for our 11:30 flight shortly after 0800.

Our excursion with Beyond The Beach for a North Island tour was wonderful. Great guide (Gladys), lovely new mini bus, and good value for money (IMHO)

Hi Pooh

 

I have tried to search for this but have had no luck, so I'm hoping you can help.

 

Do you remember what the "every day" items are in the MDR? I know the steak was replaced by a hamburger, but I'd like to know what the other options are. I don't need a long description, just simple notes, like 'chicken, salmon, caesar salad, etc'

 

Thanks for any help

ML

Those that I can remember include shrimp cocktail, caesar salad, salmon, fried chicken, creme brule, cheesecake with strawberry, "love boat" chocolate dessert

Contact Woodwind and see if they can take your group. Highly recommend their operation based on two previous excursions with them

Perhaps the #1 excursion operator that I have ever dealt with. We just got back from a trip with them, our second in the past few years. They depart and return exactly on schedule. First rate equipment - including Rx masks, wetsuits, UV clothing, flotation devices, etc., experienced and capable guides to divide guests into smaller groups of 8-10, amazing on-board food and bevvies, onboard pro underwater photographer. Fantastic reef, diverse sea life. Highly recommend.

Through our cruise Roll Call we saw a recommendation for Beyond The Beach and so we booked their North Island Tour. Very much enjoyed it and would recommend to others. Tour lasted approx 5 hours and took us through the mountains to the church at Balata, on to the waterfall at Sault Gendarme, a rum distillery in St Pierre, church ruins from the Mount Pelee volcano eruption of 1902, a gorgeous black sand beach at Le Barbel and then back to the ship. Great tour guide - Gladys. Highly recommend

A guy's perspective - both are lovely but the blue with sparkles looks more formal IMHO

Our 3 x Princess cruises have all been +++ enjoyable. Always chose Anytime Dining and no complaints. Most nights we were seated right away. A couple of times had a short wait but they gave us a pager, we went for a pre-dinner drink and it was no bother at all. Enjoyed being seated with new and diverse dinner companions each night. Food and service was just fine. Bon voyage !!

A few thoughts :confused:

 

 

1. At the moment the water taxi may not be the optimal choice as there are still concerns about the dock at the beach by the water taxi operators so they will be pulling up to the beach which is fun if you dont mind getting your feet wet but may not be best for some not as able-bodied guests. I strongly request feedback from you guys to the Grenada Tourist Authority of good/bad experiences as unless they hear from our valued tourist guests it is only us locals raising the issue.
   
2. The last month or so has been unusual with a ridiculously long period of very large sea swells making normal loading location at the cruiseship unsafe hence the need to walk through the tunnel and load on our Carenage. Note this is not the norm and all has returned to normal with next to cruise ship loading.
   
3. Land taxis have their downsides too as you can sometimes be stuck forever just trying to get out of the carpark as you have to go through town and it isn't hard to get to complete gridlock. Once in the taxi you get some view but nothing like the gorgeous views of our coastline if on the water taxis.
   
4. Local bus is an experience so make sure you are prepared to wait until bus is full, have ear plugs as we play our music LOUD and be prepared for a trip of fast acceleration and emergency braking as the guys vie for as many customers as possible while being 1st to/from the bus stops. Oh and they dont always adhere to the rules for bus stops so they will stop for anyone all along the road :')
   
5. I recall once standing by guests getting a water taxi and thinking the three guys were going to kill each other only to find it was simply a heated but friendly discussion about the cricket :p While we may sound angry and harsh at times we're a lovely peace-loving nation (poor team cricket scores excepted ;p
   

However you travel in Grenada we wish you a wonderful visit and hope you love our island as much as we do. :hearteyes:

Thanks for a great post! Loved the comments about cricket :)

The menu didn’t specify it was Alaskan, still said it was Atlantic salmon

"Atlantic salmon" being a species, I suppose that it could be both - Alaskan-raised, Atlantic salmon :)

Some quick comments based on my experience visiting the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo last year. I was not on a cruise but rather with my pipe band for two weeks of competitions in Scotland. Amazing spectacle that should not be missed. Be prepared for all kinds of weather - often within the same 2 hour period - and in particular, it gets COLD at night. With respect to seating, there really is not a bad location so don't be afraid to choose a less expensive seat higher in the stands.

Someday I will get to try good East Coast lobster. I certainly hope it is as good as I expect.

Visited Dunn's River Falls on an excursion from an AI resort we were staying at. We enjoyed climbing up the falls and we felt that the guide who helped us on the climb was well deserving of a cash gratuity in the order of $5 or $10. I did not find the guide to be aggressive. As you exit the park though you will have to weave through a "souvenirs" market and the vendors are VERY "persistent". That said, they were never rude or hostile. We chatted with a few yet bought nothing. For me, part of the beauty of travel is experiencing different cultures and ways of life. Would I wander alone the streets of Kingston Jamaica? Never. Would I recommend a visit (once) to Dunn's River Falls? No hesitation.

We did not drop bags off first, simply went to the rental car office and brought them on the shuttle with us.

We did Trikes Aruba a number of years ago and loved it. As I recall, there were a couple of stops along the way and yes, there was time to park, get off the machines and walk about. In fact, I believe one of the stops was at a seaside cantina where we were able to sit and have a beverage. All that said, for me, the fun was the driving. I'm not a motorcyclist here at home so this is about as close as I'll come to being a "biker" :) . Once the trike experience was finished, we still had some beach time before we re-boarded the ship.

Thanks - that is the exactly the one I was looking for!

Looking for info about duty free (selection and prices) single malt whisky at the shop on board Royal. I know I saw an image posted of a shop price list but for the life of me can't find it now. :mad: