jenn117

On 4/3/2023 at 6:33 PM, blokartsailing said:

 

 

And ... you don't have to book through Viator. There is direct booking on the website: https://landsailingadventures.com/booking-activities/.

Thanks for all the information! We will definitely book direct, as that is our preference.
I have a few smaller trips before our cruise in November so I haven't really started looking into what we are going to do yet. This has been on my bucket list since I saw them at Mystic Seaport so we will see you mid-November for sure!

On 3/21/2023 at 2:40 PM, Daycare Provider said:

We will be doing the land sailing in April.  I write a review when we return.

Thank you so much - I will keep an eye out for that.  Have a great cruise.

Hello!  It will be our first time to the ABC islands in November (on Celebrity Beyond).  I saw this company on Viator, which I have never booked with but usually book my own excursions (not with the cruise line).  I saw blo-karts on display at the Mystic Seaport and said I was going to try it one day. Bonaire is the first port I have seen them available at.

Any other tips/unique must sees for these three islands would be appreciated.  TIA!

On 11/16/2022 at 10:05 PM, jamie717 said:

Thank you, I would appreciate it.  I hope you all have a great cruise.

Sorry for the delay but I at least made it back before your cruise.

Customer Service onboard seemed a little confused at our request.  I went up with my oldest - even though they are 27 because they don't rock the boat and both of my children told me I was "bold" on this cruise.  Apparently assertive is "bold" to anxious 20 somethings.
They gave us the "card name must match passport" line.  I had to reiterate that we were told pre-cruise to come to the Customer Service Desk once aboard to see what could be done - at least a note on the file so they weren't called Miss Chelsea all the time.  It took persistence but they said they put a note on the file that should have come up whenever their card was scanned.

We had hoped for a new card with the non-birth/passport name, but they make them all in advance now so embarkation goes more smoothly/quicker.  We were on their rumored first completely full sailing since COVID and Customer Service was getting slammed so...

People do lose their cards and have to pay to get new ones printed on the ship so it must be possible.  I would have paid for them to print a new card - live and learn I guess.  My oldest was so seasick on this cruise to Bermuda out of NYC in November (my bad but the only time all of us could go) that I doubt they will be cruising again anytime soon and will probably have the name change taken care of by then if they do.

We did meet other trans people on the cruise and didn't run into any problems with anyone else on board.  Teens might be a little harder - I know their generation is usually more open minded about these things but...

My youngest had some "Mean Girls" when they tried the teen club years ago. Our cruise was overrun with teenagers and the usual mix I guess - some were little, inconsiderate snots and some were polite but it was easy to get caught up in the crowd mentality (as they traveled in packs on our cruise).

Hope you have a great cruise!

On 11/15/2022 at 2:49 PM, jamie717 said:

We are cruising Carnival in February with our teenage trans son.  This will be our first cruise since transitioning and if you have any info to share I would appreciate it.  My biggest concern is the sign and sail card that will be printed with a very feminine birth name, did NCL print a second card with preferred name?  I know Carnival is LGBTQ+ friendly and I hope I'm worrying for no reason.  Thank you, from one mama bear to another.                         

We leave Saturday but I will let you know how it goes.  I was told to check in with customer service once boarded and they can put a note on the account.

51 minutes ago, Nclgetawaymenhoney said:

The answer is yes to the restaurant but no the mini bid or even a higher bid won’t get you any havens on this cruise.  Did you check inventory, I did your cruise is sold out of all haven categories you can sure bid but your chances of winning the power ball are probably better.  Happy sailing.

I had checked inventory at the time; I probably waited too long.  NCL was really pushing the upgrade bids for this cruise (more than any previous ones I had been on) and even dropped the minimum bids on many types of rooms in the Haven.
Probably best I don't get my oldest used to the Haven on their first cruise anyway. 🙂

Thanks - can't wait!

I have a question on upgrade bids into the Haven that doesn't seem to be covered in the fine print.  Before someone mentions it, I did ask the agent I booked the cruise with but haven't heard back yet. I also like hearing from people's actual experiences.

Do you get ALL the Haven amenities - specifically the Haven restaurant?  The bid FAQs/fine print say you keep all the perks you had originally for your current room.  It also says you get access to the Haven courtyard.  While that is nice and all - and the extra space in the room would be wonderful for 3 adults in the same room - I would love to be able to have surf & turf in the Haven and the indisputable higher quality food overall .  I miss when NCL had lobster night...I digress.

Currently in Stateroom: 12226 (Club Balcony Suite: MB) on the Joy leaving on Nov 19 to Bermuda and will be perfectly happy to stay in that room.  However, if I can get The Haven Forward-Facing Penthouse with Balcony (HG) for an extra $500 (total - that would be a bit over the min bid per person for the first two in the room) it seems crazy not to.

Thanks in advance!

22 hours ago, dandelpino said:

They can make basically any meal or snack GF with advanced notice. They make GF bread and have GF pasta available as well.

 

If your wife is celiac or has a severe intolerance you definitely don't want to be ordering off the menu since cross contamination can't be avoided that way. Most dished in the main dining rooms are drowning is sauce that often has flour.

 

What you need to do is visit the maitre d' and/or concierge upon boarding to start planning your meals for the week. She will need to order her meals about a day ahead and they will be prepared GF just for her. In the buffet you will want to also ask for a mait d or manager to show you the GF options. They usually have a small GF snacks/dessert section though I'm not sure about Getaway specifically. 

 

She will also need to submit this form well before departure so the ship can be supplied appropriately for the week of your cruise: https://ncl.secure.force.com/AccessDeskForm/

Thank you so much for the link, as I wasn't exactly sure where to find it.  My daughter has Celiac and my oldest is diabetic (which I didn't even think about until seeing it on the form).  We will all be on the Joy to Bermuda in November.

Thanks TheOldBear.  I'll look into this "special needs" contact for NCL before boarding.  I need to confirm what the line needs for advance notice for dining for my Celiac youngest daughter anyway.

 

On 6/30/2022 at 3:20 PM, TheOldBear said:

I have a few answers from the trans [crossdresser] perspective and a dinner conversation with Cunard's QM2 Security Chief.

 

Cunard is a bit old fashioned, and lists the LGBT meetup as 'Friends of Dorothy" on the daily schedule.

 

You will not be the first trans person the crew [stewards, waiters, bartenders, technical & navigation, officers ...] will have encountered on the ship.

 

The name on your passport needs to match the ship's manifest - but does not need to be the name that comes up on the ship's terminal when the card is scanned. On QM2 at least there was the option of having two cards, one for 'M' and one for 'F' that would bring up the appropriate name & photo. This is useful for part timers and transitioning folks.

 

Note that at some ports you will need an official ID to get to the location where the ship's ID is scanned - and that ID needs to match [or be close enough] to your presentation.

 

At Customs/Immigration or other passport control - you need to use your passport and the name in the passport - no substitutions there. For long range planning see about documented name & gender marker changes so your passport matches you.

 

Onboard ship [seven days in a row for transatlantic crossings] for me daytime is mostly in 'guy mode' - and its 100% guy mode for pools and spa. [Maybe not 100% if you count gel nails. I would expect folks who are pre-op to avoid non private changing facilities]. Cunard still has a dress code, so I bring formal gowns for the 'gala' nights, and less formal dresses or separates for the other evenings [and sometimes during the day as well].  Formal nights have included a portrait photo with the Captain at a pre-dinner reception.

 

Our cruises have taken us to New England, Canada and Europe [Southampton, Hamburg, Normandy - and soon Norway].  I would not expect difficulties in any of these ports. [I have little interest in 'closed loop' cruises visiting hot places like the Caribbean - no matter how I am dressed].

 

So far, all excursions / port visits have been in 'guy mode'  - I will make a port by port decision on how to dress for our upcoming cool weather [November above the arctic circle] sailing. An advantage of being local to the port is being able to pack for multiple contingencies.

I am cruising to Bermuda in November on NCL Joy with both of my adult children, including my oldest, a 27 yr old transman.  As their passport still says their birth name, I didn't realize they could get a ship's ID with their chosen name on it.  Is this something we'd just arrange at check-in when boarding?

They are pretty quiet and introverted and won't want to rock the boat, but as the mama bear to two amazing human beings in the "alphabet soup" community I will do whatever I need to  - ahead of time or at embarkation - to have them be more comfortable and not cringe every time they hear their birth name. Less important, but it may be helpful to staff as well since they look like a "Jay" and not a "Chelsea" for sure.

1) No.

2) I suspect you don't have priority boarding at all.  What (other than luggage tags) makes you think you do?  It is usually for high rewards (MANY cruises taken with NCL) members, Haven cabins, or the disabled.

3) Most people can only book onboard.  Again,  a perk for club "suites" and high reward members to book ahead of time.

5) Personally, I think the inside A/C areas get a bit cold.  A light second layer is always recommended.

6) While I have never been overnight in the same port (on the Bermuda Joy itinerary for November), everything I can find says you may come and go as you please - as long as you are back on the ship before they leave the port of course.

10) I'd be interested in your opinion on this excursion if you do it, as that is the one my daughter is most interested in.

Hello all!  I realize that is a very subjective question so let me specify...

I did one cruise with RC ions ago on Explorer of the Seas - so long ago that I can't even remember why it was just ok but not impressive to me.  Maybe it was the company, as it was with my ex-husband. 😜

I did one cruise with Carnival ions ago - also don't remember much detail other than that particular cruise was not my crowd or scene or impressive in any way, came away saying stick with RC.  Also could have been afore mentioned company at least a little bit.

I've done maybe five cruises with NCL and I was finally like - this is what I'm talking about!  A couple on Epic, one on Jade (which I thought was too small, not enough to do), one on the Getaway, and another on Bliss.  It seemed like the best of both worlds with a bit of family stuff yet still places you could hide from children.  A bit of partying but not people puking on you. Always something to do but could also find a quiet place to relax.  Food seemed better than I remembered from RC or Carnival.

Then I went on Celebrity Equinox with a friend (Feb 2020) and Celebrity Apex with my partner (Jan 2022).  Very impressed with the food and, at this point in my life as an empty nester, the lack of children running around. I knew it was the perfect cruise line for my current partner but I'd want something a little more active if I was doing a girl's trip (thought NCL would fit the ticket there).

So, I'm looking for opinions of fellow cruisers who have cruised on multiple of the same lines I have...and Holland of course, as I have no experience with that line. I will share that I haven't heard good things from fellow travelers when on cruises...and also from previous staff of Holland I met on a cruise, which says a lot for me.

For context, this cruise would be on the Zaandam out of Boston for a New England/Canada itinerary in August.  I've only done Caribbean thus far - with the exception of quite small, almost ferry type cruises to Nova Scotia and the Greek Isles from Athens.  A friend booked a Mom and daughter cruise and invited me and my daughter (same ages - 22) along. My friend only cruises Carnival (so far if I have anything to say about it), so I will be blunt and say I think her standards are pretty low for cruising. My daughter has also cruised NCL (only) and loved it.  She was underage then so is looking forward to "being able to drink and dance" on future cruises (but I will say based on the Carnival cruise I was on, that Carnival would even be a bit too much for her).  That doesn't sound like Holland based on reviews I've read but I'm trying to keep an open mind. This "music walk" feature sounds great if it is on Zaandam now. 

I am a pretty chill traveler that is not demanding because I'm on vacation after all - new places to see and things to do, free entertainment, four course meals (or any edible meals really) being cooked for me, being waited on instead of having to do stuff myself - what is there to be cranky about?  I've tried to instill the same travel philosophy in my children.

Sorry this turned into a novel...

Hello! I'm looking to take both my children on a cruise as master's and bachelor's graduation presents.

I haven't traveled with my oldest since they've transitioned and they (justifiably) have some concerns. I've traveled mostly on NCL and Celebrity and would like to continue with those lines (have NCL credits to use) but would totally look at another line if heavily recommended by the LGBTQIA+ community. 
Any countries - primarily in the Caribbean area -  that you would recommend we avoid?
I'm looking at an NCL Joy cruise from NYC to Bermuda in May currently.

Thanks in advance for helping this Free Mom Hug-ger out!

On 4/7/2020 at 2:00 PM, ejnsb said:

Thanks for your responses.   I should have mentioned our ports are Key West, Grand Cayman and Cozumel.  

My friend and I did the same cruise on the Equinox in February, right before all this madness started.  I have done five cruises on NCL (Epic twice, Getaway, Jade and Bliss), and one each on Carnival and Royal Caribbean ages ago. Here's my take: Celebrity is a more upscale cruise in most every way I can think of.  I usually get a balcony but sailed in Feb with a friend in an inside cabin to keep the cost down and we did not have upgraded dining for the same reason.  I'll start with dining.  I usually get upgraded dining but I felt like I didn't need it with Celebrity.  I could have escargot with dinner every night if I wanted - in the main dining room. They still had lobster tails one evening and I haven't had that on any of my cruises in regular dining within the past five years or so.  Just small examples but I felt like I was in upgraded dining every single night in the main dining room.

The room was fine and cleaned constantly but I've not had a room problem on any ship that I can remember.  Celebrity is definitely an older crowd.  They have a different show every night which was a nice change.  Every singer could belt it out with the pros.  The aerial artist/gymnast was phenomenal. They had incredibly comfy lounges and hammock type things on the main pool deck too - not just for the people that paid eight times what we did for our trip.  The observation lounge is great - NCL Bliss is the only other ship I had been on to have one.  MANY less children on our Celebrity cruise at least - we made our way around the ship very well with different dining, pool time, activities, etc. and I know I only saw less than a dozen different children the entire time.  I will definitely cruise Celebrity again with my boyfriend (who doesn't have children and will love the quiet, relaxing vibe of Celebrity) but if I was going to do a girl's trip, I'd go for NCL or maybe give RC a try again.  Not sure if you could get me on Carnival again but I have a friend who is trying.  Please feel free to ask any questions you have - about the ship, ports, etc.  Hope your cruise doesn't get cancelled and it is safe to go by then.  I miss travel. 😞 Who am I kidding, I miss leaving my house for anything other than a drive through or curbside pickup.

Just off the Bliss Dec 20th - this is all correct.  Make a reservation early or you won't get one at all, but be prepared for it to be cancelled on you due to weather/wind.  They will credit you the $9.95 if/when that happens. 

On 12/25/2019 at 5:00 AM, KateQ22003 said:

Thanks so much, Jenn! You bring up an important point that I hadn't considered - lunch on embarkation day! I would rather stick forks in my eyes than go to the buffet the first day. Always a ridiculous situation and guaranteed to start the cruise off on a stressful note. What else is open that day? Is Margaritaville? I am not picky; anything but the buffet.

Margaritaville was definitely open on the Dec 13 - 20 cruise but not on the embarkation day for lunch.  Their drinks are delicious although we didn't pay the upcharge to eat a meal there.  As others have mentioned, the Local was open for lunch too it seems.  We went straight to Savor after reserving everything we could on the screen once we boarded.  We did not reserve dinner at any of the free main dining rooms but it is a good option to have.  We never waited more than twenty minutes and that was the day we went right around 6, most times we got right in immediately.  Not sure how full your sailing is - ours was sold out.

We loved the bigger bathroom and "spa" shower in our mini-suite, as well as the large balcony (I guess not all mini-suites have a large balcony though).  Granted, we paid for a balcony room and then I asked for an upgrade once the price dropped considerably. I would NOT recommend the room we had at the front of the ship on the 8th floor (8120) traveling out of NYC in the winter.  We hit some rough weather and I am not a rookie cruiser but was sick our first full day.  It did get a bit better once I got more mid ship.

16 hours ago, KateQ22003 said:

Wonderful tips!!! I have reserved what I can on line, which was pretty minimal. I'm hoping to get on the ship early enough to be able to book the rest. I especially like your comment about Port Canaveral. I have been trying to figure out what to do there; I'm thinking now it will be best to stay on the ship. I am not paying $60 for a cab to go anywhere! I also agree with you about the specialty dining. Did you have a favorite? Mine has always been Cagney's, but I have read differing opinions on the Bliss.

 

Another question. I just realized the day we sail out is Superbowl Sunday! Kind of poor planning on my part. I am going to assume they will show the game somewhere on a big screen, but what other options are there? Would the District Brewhouse be the place to go?

 

Kathy

Well, you got lots of answers on the Super Bowl question already.  I found the seating much more comfortable - especially for the long term like any football game really - in the District Brewhouse.  The Atrium would have a much bigger screen though than the projector screen the D.B. pulls down.

We ate at Cagney's, Ocean Blue, Le Bistro, and La Cucina and I'd say we liked them best in that order.  Even La Cucina was really, really good though.  Our one to two experiences in Savor and Taste were both fine; we did not have a good experience in the Manhattan Room.  Tables were way too close together to cram as many people in as possible and the food (overcooked and cold when we got it) and service (just too many people for staff to keep up with so slow and not attentive) suffered for it.  The Local is very convenient since it is open 24/7 but that food was often cold and is really just typical pub food - most staff we encountered there was great though.  I did not have any bad experiences with staff at all - just a couple instances like I mentioned where you could tell they were frazzled a bit and trying to keep up.

Oh, you may know this already but do not let all the announcements convince you that the Garden Cafe Buffet is the only place to go for lunch once you board on day one.  We had a great meal and service in Savor for our first meal on the ship (I believe Taste was open as well - they are right across from one another with a bar in the middle).

Have fun!

Tips you say...

- book anything & everything you can't book in advance (and book everything you can in advance before you even get on the ship) on the screens by the elevators the very moment you get on the ship.  Some things may open up later in the cruise but you can't count on that.

- Observation lounge is amazing and quite large.  We could always find a seat/couch even when it was very busy because it is that expansive and filled with seating.  We found the loungers up against the wall (not as close to the windows but you can still see plenty) with the high backs to be the most comfortable.  Others must have agreed because those filled up fast.

- Take the stairs as much as you are able. Not enough/quick enough elevators for the number of people on the ship.

- If one of your ports is Port Canaveral, there is NOTHING nearby and nothing whatsoever in walking distance.  Kennedy Space Center is one of the closest things - taxi stand will charge you $60, Uber is even 40 and that is just for one way.

- The crepes at Coco's are small but delicious.

- Maltings Whiskey Bar was quiet and fantastic.  Honey Lemonade - have one or three; goes down way too smooth.

- Upgraded dining is totally worth it (granted, we always choose it as a "free" perk) and so much better in every possible way than the main dining rooms, which are much better than the buffet.  Put bluntly but tactfully I hope, my digestive system definitely knows which days are upgraded dining days and which aren't. We can't afford to eat every meal in one (and they aren't available at lunch anyway) but would if we could.  Savor & Taste tried their best.  The Manhattan crammed as many tables as they possibly could into the area and the service and food suffered for it.

- You MUST check in with the hostess at The Local before snagging a table even over in the bar area on the other side.  They will "catch you" to tell you this and make you wait in line with everyone else (as it should be really).

- The District Brewhouse was also very quiet  - unless there was a NFL game on at the time, as this is the only place to watch it with sound.  Very comfy couches and some great cushy chairs.

- Laser tag and go karts will be closed quite often due to windy conditions.

- Love that there were a few sinks at the entrances to Garden Cafe for you to actually wash your hands properly if you chose instead of the "washy, washy" and being sprayed by staff or using the hand sanitizer dispenser.

If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask.

On 12/19/2019 at 8:21 AM, Project-College said:

For those that have sailed/departed in the cold temperatures to start their cruise... does NCL have the Race Cars available?

 

We are sailing on 12/28 and I am trying to determine if buying the 'unlimited' pass is worth it ($200).  If the racecars are not available if cold outside, which on our 8 days would probably be half the time, than an unlimited pass would be crazy!

 

A few other questions to the Knowledgeable:

=====================================

1.  Also, any other advantages of the 'unlimited'?  (I think someone said something about not having to do reservations?)

2.  It seems like you can't buy the 'unlimited UNTIL you are on board... is that correct?

      2a:  Assuming you do have to wait until you board to buy it... where do you go on the ship to buy it?

3.  Is it good immediately?

4.  Any other 'caveats' that one should be aware of?

 

Again, spending $400 is worth it if they have access all the time and no other 'caveats' but I have been 'burned' before with unlimited buys so again I wanted to go to those those that might know... Thanks in advance!!!!

 Also just off the Bliss from 12/13 - 12/20.  We did not buy the pass and decided to just make a reservation on the kiosks the moment we got on board - highly recommend this as opposed to going to whatever lounge they say to go to right before you board.  This was good cause reservations filled up on the first day on the ship, probably before we even left the port.  Cold is not really the problem, it is the wind, at least it was for our cruise.  Although cold did make my S.O. car just stop working in the middle of our ride; they were very good about crediting him the $14.95.  Our cruise had such crappy weather they closed the outdoor decks so many days.  Track is at the top of the ship and you can't get there without going on the outdoor decks for at least a bit.

Anyone I spoke to who had the unlimited pass said they would never do it again and it was not worth it for a winter cruise. I thought someone said they called NCL to buy the pass before they boarded (as I think it wasn't available online at least at that time).  The no reservations needed thing is great, but doesn't do you any good if the track is closed so much.  It is good immediately though.  We had to cancel our reservation on Wed cause it was raining.  We walked up there on Thursday - when it was really cold and most riders and all staff had parkas, hats, & mittens on - at 4:30 before our dinner reservation at 7 and got right in since we said we could go immediately, there was no line, and I think some people said the hell with it cause it was so cold (so there were cars available). We were crazy enough to jump in the hot tubs after we were done racing; then again, we are VTers. 😛

You pay with credit card or cash.  I know they took USD but I am unsure about other currencies.

No, you cannot charge anything to your room card while on Harvest Caye.  My advice would be to take the ferry over to Placencia and experience the real Belize and not NCL Disney Belize.

I love this idea!  I've done a pub crawl before on cruises but never with the poker piece.  I would love to do this for our next cruise in December on the Bliss. 

Sorry, no new advice for you.  I just got off the Jade last month.  There are some bars that you will pack the place at 70 people - if there is even enough room for you all.  Good luck and please post back to let us know how it goes.

23 minutes ago, ninamb1973 said:

Did he tell you that a private tour was the only way to guarantee getting you back on time?

 

Also what snorkeling site are you looking at doing?

 

FYI, we did Silke Caye. We got to swim with sea turtles and nurse sharks, also stopped at the reef and had an island lunch. We had arranged for the private tour, but the day we went out the water was choppy, so they put us on a bigger boat with 9 other cruisers. Dropped them off at Laughing Bird Caye then took us to Silke Caye.

Yes he did.  I would rather have the piece of mind anyway. Well, more for my partner than me as he is a first timer and a little nervous about missing the boat.  I have scared other travel partners by getting back to the ship exactly at the time we needed to be back by.  I am all about fitting in as much as possible.  :)   I've never been the person they announce over the loudspeaker though so all is well (in my mind at least).

I want to do Silk Cayes as that looks much better to me than the Laughing Bird Caye.  I loved interacting with the turtles and rays in Grand Cayman.   I am hoping to get enough people to go out on our own bigger boat - our own personal Norwegian Jade Valentine's Day snorkeling excursion. 

Again, thanks for the great review and all the details.  Your Tripadvisor review even pops up on their tour website.

On 1/28/2019 at 11:10 AM, ninamb1973 said:

There is not a time limit for the ferry. First of all, the ferry employees understand the time restraints and absolutely don't want you to miss your ship out. Second, the snorkel company feel the same way. They do not want you to miss your ship. Cruisers are their biggest source of income, they don't want to screw it up. With that said try to purchase your ferry tickets from your cruise ship as soon as you board. They might give you a hard time, might even tell you it's sold out. My rep on NCL told me people miss their cruise ships all the time because of this ferry. Not true. It would be all over the internet if that was the case. They even told someone on my snorkel trip it was sold out. Not true. They want you to stay on their very expensive island and drain some more of your money... If they don't want to sell you ferry tickets you can buy them at the marina. Get off your ship asap and head straight to the marina (about a 15 minute walk). Keep in mind the local Belize time is most likely an hr behind ship time. So when you get off at 10:00 ship time it'll be 9:00 local. By the way, cruisers are the only people on this ferry. Our ferry left as soon as it filled up. They know people have places to be. Last ferry out of Placencia for us was 2:30 local time. (Not sure if they work their timing according to whatever ship is in port. Our port time was 8-5, so they might have a later ferry available if yours is leaving at 6.) The ferry got us back to Harvest Caye by 3:00 (4:00 ship time). Our all aboard time was 4:30 ship time. Time change doesn't help and makes it a little confusing, but like I said ferry crew knows when they need to get you back. Talk with them and explain your concerns, they get it and will tell you when you need to be at the marina in Placencia. Your snorkel guys will also know when you need to be back. Ferry captain and our snorkel guys knew each other. They work together. Email the snorkel company, let them know your timing they will make it work. I used Placencia Wildside Adventures, Conrad was very helpful. I probably sent him 20 emails before leaving, he answered them all. Very reassuring. I was a big ball of stress until we got there and saw how understanding everone is. Was the best day of our entire cruise!

Thanks - this was incredibly helpful!  I contacted Conrad and hope to get enough people to do essentially a "private charter" for our time in Harvest Caye/Placencia on the 14th.  My wallet can't accommodate a true private charter for just the two of us. :)

How did this work out for you? In the same boat (no pun intended ;) ) for ten days from now. :(

I'm trying to get someone else to take their place but it seems like they make that nearly impossible - which is silly because it is a simple name switch on the reservation. We haven't done online check in yet or any of that. You would think they would want to keep that third person on our reservation on the ship so they could make more money. Uggghhh.