Sailin Gal

TTOL is a great resource for land vacationers, and is somewhat helpful to day visitors. But feedback from recent day visitors (cruisers) on their experiences would be more helpful since folks here are considering similar day activities. I’m surprised there hasn’t been more feedback!

Very true, but until the cruise lines return to Tortola, TTOL has about the best current info available. The info on the destinations Is good, but the ‘how to get there’ part is usually lacking since the reports are from locals, or from charterers sailing in themselves.

One good bit of news, though, is that the Willy T should be in its new location in Great Harbour, Peter Island, by the time the ships return. That will make a great day trip for cruisers stopping at Tortola!:beer-toast:

Thank you for taking the time to share your review and photos. All the pics were great. My fave is the seal in the rain!

We sail on Legend in 16 days, and you provided some very helpful info!

BVItraveller and Traveltalkonline are excellent sources for up to date info on the BVI.

I am now 8 days away from my cruise, leaving from Cardiff on 16th May on a grand old lady who appears to be like Marmite. The Marco Polo is loved and derided in equal measure. Fortunately I have always reserved judgement until I can have the experience myself, although naturally I prefer to read the more positive comments. I have learned a lot studying these boards, having had plenty of time to do so after being medically retired. Putting people into categories and expecting them to behave according to expectation must be a bit like herding cats, impossible. What makes life so rich and fascinating is individuality, this is one of the things I am looking forward to most, meeting new people with different experiences and outlook. The ship is my destination as Iceland is not ideal for those of us less mobile. Nevertheless I will manage a couple of excursions and see something of this stunningly different country. I have long since stopped worrying about demographics. Our ship is modest and elderly by comparison, but I am going to spend ten days sailing and that in itself is the reason behind my cruise ambition, not so much the arrival as the journey. I haven't any pre-conceived expectations the whole thing is one huge adventure and for several weeks now I've been counting the days, like a child waiting for Christmas! My dream is just as quoted, to go on the Cruise and enjoy it, just have the experience, join in where I am able and let the joy of being at sea shape the dream.

Elles5,

With such a positive, and open attitude, you are bound to have a magnificent trip! You are a talented writer, and I would love to read a trip report from you after your adventure!

Have a beautiful cruise!

Years ago while visiting French St Martin's Orient Beach, I saw a nude Santa walking with his embarrassed wife down the beach!

Hmmmm...so how do you tell if a nude dude is Santa? :confused:

We also use insuremytrip for any vacation we want coverage on, especially when leaving the country. The site lets you pick the insurance company and policy that best suits your needs.

As others have stated, you need to purchase within a very short window of the initial deposit if you need pre existing condition coverage or cancel for any reason option.

Enjoy the planning phase and have a great trip!

Check with Carolyn at Barrett Adventures. She has several popular tours on her website, but they also do custom tours. We have used them twice - once a custom, and once the secret falls and blue hole, and both were excellent.

Squidy 25,

Thank you so much for updating us! It was truly heart warming to read such a positive thread here. I hope you have many more special adventures like this.

Our credits went back on the original cc they had been charged to. My credit was two separate trans, one per pax, but that may have been because they were in different order numbers on the original purchase. I received the credit within a week of their email.

Check the state department's website for advisories in the ports you plan to visit. Stay aware of your surroundings the same as you would when traveling anywhere. Do your research on what you would like to see and do, and then research tour operators if you don't want to do ship's excursions. And always follow your gut instincts. If something doesn't feel right, there is probably a reason.

I do have to say that Jamaica has been my favorite port day. We used a private tour company and had the most amazing day ever. It was a small group of women, and we did a lot of research before booking. We gave our guide a list of our 'must see & do' things, and then told him "show us your Jamaica!" and it was an incredible day. I loved it so much that I used that same company when DH and I had a port day there a few years later. Are there areas of Jamaica I wouldn't go alone? Yes. Are there areas I wouldn't go to at all? Yes. But ditto here in my home metropolitan area and many other places, too.

Did you get the money back on your credit card, or did Carnival pull a Carnival and will put it on your sail and sign? Check your credit card statement.

Sorry I didn't respond sooner, I waited until I could confirm the refund.

So yes, I did get a credit, and it was back to the credit card I had made the purchase with. I emailed the excursion desk the evening I discovered the problem, and they promptly responded. The original excursion we booked was not going to be offered, so they had moved the guests booked on that excursion to the new version. We should have received an email notifying us of the change, and a credit back to the credit card for the difference. I suspect we fell though a technical hiccup crack originally.

The credit was back on my card within 5-7 days as promised by the excursion desk, and the kids decided to book the Haines kayak trip instead since the original one no longer included the train ride. So everyone is happy now, and I have to admit, I was pleased with the excursion desk's prompt resolution.

Agree with Pudgesmom, Vionics. Not cheap but with every penny. They have everything from flip flops to heels to boots.

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I’d be living aboard a classic styled 40-45’ cutter rigged monohull sailboat that DH and I could handle ourselves, with a clipper bow, wineglass stern, water maker, genset, a/c, diesel engine, bow thrusters, high performance sails, best nav equipment and electronics, custom exotic wood interior, killer galley with refrigeration and freezer, and tons of stowage, We’d be cruising the south Pacific with no set itinerary. With a really well stocked liquor locker.

“The journey is the destination”

Okay, I will go through all the info here!

However, how can I test myself whether I will have seasickness or not, since it will be my first time?

I would at least plan for the possibility of mild motion sickness. We have sailed, raced, and spent hundreds of rough nights on 25’-40’ sailboats pitching and hobby-horsing, and the motion hadn’t botherd me in years. We’ve been on cruise ships in high winds and rough seas, no problem. Then it got me on the NCL Jewel heading from Houston to Cozumel a few years ago. Seas and winds were not rough at all. Ginger and fresh air helped until I got some dramamine in Coz. We never say never anymore.

I can understand that they may not have had their vendors and tour schedules solidified yet for the season, but it is really poor customer service to not refund the difference automatically when they move us to a less expensive excursion. I'm just glad I caught it before we sail, so the kids can check the excursions and see if they want to book something else instead.

Moral of the story: Buyer Beware and keep an eye on your booking and pre-paid activities. :mad:

FYI for anyone going on the Legend to Alaska this summer, if you have already booked your excursions, double check your booking.

I had two in my party booked and prepaid for 'Glacier Lake Kayak and Scenic Rail Excursion', $235 each. I looked at my bookings today, and they have been changed to 'Glacier Lake Kayak and Scenic Drive', $179 each. I received no notice or credit from Carnival for this change, and those two were really looking forward to riding the train part of the way to the kayak destination. Both attempts to get help from Carnival by phone have resulted in long waits and then being disconnected.

DH and I are introverts who like our quiet time, and prefer to go on fishing or bareboat sailing trips by ourselves. We enjoy cruises once in awhile for a chance to just show up and mentally check out, and not have to do anything for a week. We get a balcony cabin, and I enjoy sitting out there reading or watching the water go by. As others have said, research the itineraries, lines, and ships. You can do as much or little as you want. There are always quiet places on board, and you can always adjust your schedule onboard to avoid crowds.

I am taking my mom, niece & nephew (14 &18) on the Legend to Alaska at the end of May, without their parents. Right after booking, I contacted Carnival and asked what doumentation was needed for them to travel with us, and if Mom or I had to accompany them on excursions.

The answers were:

- The 18 year old is considered an adult.

- Have a letter signed by the parents giving the 14 year old permission to travel with me (they did not specify notarized but I assumed that).

- The two of them can go on excursions together without me or their grandma since one of them is 18.

Before anyone flames me for letting the kids go on excursions by themselves, I’ll add that they are very mature and responsible kids, he will be weeks from his 19th birthday and entering the Army. They know our rules and checkin policies, and their parents are fine with this. Plus we all would worry more about Mom off on her own ;)

Since then I pack by laying out one outfit for each day plus one spare. I pack each sealed in an air tight plastic bag. Usually just a standard gallon zip bag which I reuse for further trips. On the plus side we never forget half an outfit, it limits over-packing, and we never have to worry about spills or rain.

 

My kids roll their eyes loudly in stereo every time this topic comes up, though. Something about always voted most prepared at Girl Scout camp every year? Kids! :rolleyes:What are you going to do? :*:cool:

We call these ORW’s - Outfits Ready to Wear. Complete change of clothes in 1 large ziploc. We always carry 1 ORW apiece in our carry on.:D

The only question I can answer definitively is that yes, the dining room waiters dance several nights, as mentioned above. We were had YTD (Your Time Dining) rather than the set dining times.

 

I just finished my trip report from our August Alaskan cruise with two teenaged sons- ages 19 and 16 at the time of the trip.

 

Have a fantastic trip!

Thank you so much, I think they are going to have a great time!

The bow of the Legend is for crew. On her sister, the Miracle, we went all the way forward on 9 and 10, above the bridge.

 

Yes, the crew dances a few nights, usually about 75 minutes into assigned dining times.

 

We had towel animals take over the Lido chairs.

 

Assume they honor check in times.

Thank you!

Hello happy cruisers! I'm hoping anyone who has done the Legend Alaska itinerary from Seattle can answer a few questions for me, please. I'm taking my mom, niece and nephew on this cruise in May, and this is the first cruise for the kids (15 & 18) so they're super excited. I haven't been on Carnival in a few years, and never on a Spirit class ship, so there are a few things I'm wondering about. . .

Check in times - does the terminal in SEA enforce these? (We may request a later time if they don't enforce, to shorten our wait in terminal)

Do they do the towel animals all over the pool loungers one morning on this itinerary?

Does the MDR staff dance one night during dinner?

My first cruise was on Conquest, and we were looking for 'the secret door' at the bow of the ship as soon as we boarded - does the Legend have a similar 'secret door'?

Any 'can't miss' things on Legend?

Thank you for your help!

Trip insurance. October is still hurricane season.

Ferry service between St. Thomas and Tortola doesn't always run as scheduled, and you cannot reserve a seat. I personally wouldn't try it unless the ship's next port is Tortola. And in that scenario, I would sooooo be on the ferry to Tortola! :D

Can I walk down the rocky path with a beach bag? How wet do you get?

 

Do you recommend wearing water shoes or sandals?

A backpack is easier on the trail down to The Baths, but it is do-able with a beach bag. The path winds down the hill, through the trees and boulders, so it's not a flat, smooth hike. If you are going to Spring Bay instead of The Baths, the walk from the parking lot is short and flat, so that is definitely easy with a beach bag.

How wet you get depends on if you go in the water (or if its raining).

We always wear good walking/water shoes like Keens when we go to the baths. Watch out for the sea urchins when you're wading in there.

Enjoy! It's a beautiful place!