Tropicalgal2

Tuesday ~ Feb. 18' date=' 2014 ~ Bonaire[/u']

 

So he came back out and we walked on down to the Divi Flamingo resort and bought at day pass there for $10. Turned out to be a good decision. We had one of their pools practically to ourselves all day....had a nice lunch and just got some really first class relaxation in. This was our headquarters for the day:

 

Jane Welcome back to the living! ;) Ice can be SO bad in NC ! ! ! Hated it more than snow when we lived there. :(

 

About how far is it from the ship to Divi Flamingo? How far passed the "second" pier? How long of a walk was it?

 

What did you get for the day pass? Was it just admittance and WiFi?

 

Thanks again for taking the time to post your happenings and your photos. They will help others. Just wish RCCL was coming back to Panama next season! :( It has been GREAT while it lasted! :)

Day 1- Time to get on the big boat!

 

Our Ocean View Room

 

Here’s a photo of the room from the door

 

 

And one from the window

 

 

The kids LOVED the Pullman bed that came down from the ceiling. That bed was like their own secret loft during the day. It had a little bar across the long side to keep anyone from falling out and a ladder that you can set up and take down to get to the bed. The mattress up there was fairly comfy and definitely sized to fit a medium sized adult. Even with just one side down though, I still managed to whack my head on it a few times when getting up from tying someone’s shoe or something. I meant to grab a picture of it pulled down but I forgot- probably a side effect from all those bed to cranium collisions.

 

There was a loveseat sized couch that we made up as a bed for my son. It was the perfect size and we turned the bed towards the bathroom wall which made it impossible for him to fall out.

 

There was also a curtain in the middle of the cabin which, at first, I thought was a genius idea to turn our little studio apartment room into a “suite” but after it was pulled back-and-forth, and open-and-closed approximately 128 times by each of the children, causing my husband to threatened to turn into the Hulk if they touched that curtain ONE MORE TIME, I took back their genius award. If you don’t have little curtain monsters, you may like that feature.

 

We were debating whether to get an interior room or an ocean view and I’m glad we went with the window. Among maybe benefits, I love being able to watch us pull into port without having to get out of my warm, cozy bed. It was calm most of the trip but on rougher sea days, all of us were amazed to see how big the waves got. And I had a natural alarm clock with the rays of Caribbean sun waking me up each morning. Of course, we usually get up at or before sunrise anyways, so other people may see that as a downside.

 

Was wondering if you had a refrigerator/minibar and/or coffee pots in your room?

 

We have only done JS before. We will be in a Large Ocean View this time and don't know what is in the Ocean View!

 

Any help would be appreciated! :D

Jane:

Did the Panamanian immigration request hotel receipts/proof of staying upon departure? We were told that there may be a fine if you have no proof?

If so, did you bring something from the ship?

Review was wonderful and helpful, in Panama now, leaving on the Vision tomorrow.

 

IF you are an American citizen you can stay in Panama for 180 days without any problem. There is no need for a visa. You only need to say why you came to Panama and where you were while here. If you didn't stay at a hotel but went to the ship and then back to the airport . . . just tell them that.

 

We have people come and stay with us and they have never had to pay a fine because they didn't have a receipt for their stay here! :)

I was looking on the passport website to try and figure out what I need to do to update my name due to marriage. I noticed something about a passport card. It is a heck of alot cheaper to get then a passport book. Can you use this as part of the passport requirements to travel? I was going to use my husbands and two kids birth certificates but this seems better to have, if it can be used to travel on the ship instead. Anyone know??

 

The US passport office can only issue Passport Cards in the same form (name) as the passport that they are being used to represent. :o

 

Like others have said they are NOT GOOD for International travel. In many foreign countries they are excepted as an official form of ID. That is good as you don't have to carry your passport all the time when shopping! :)

Had that happen today - this morning I just put our bed preference in the reservation, and the price jumped up! Called tonight and had to wait on hold for 45 minutes, but they fixed it. The customer service person advised me to call and make any future changes because of this glitch in the system.

 

There sure are a lot of "glitches" in the system lately. Waited over 1 1/2 hours yesterday to be told I had called the wrong Toll Free number! :( Was on hold for another 30 minutes AFTER being transferred! :confused:

Beth' date='

 

No.....unfortunately the second week we docked on the Outside.

 

Jane,

 

The second week did you have to tender in? Where did you stop or dock? We docked inside last year on Grandeur. Didn't even know that we might dock outside! :rolleyes:

 

Your pictures are stunning. I wish we had the beautiful Caribbean Blue ocean here in Panama! :) My I ask what type of camera you used?

Jane,

Thank you so much for all you have done. The photos are great. Thanks for taking the time to do this. I'm sure it will help others to "see" VOS! :)

What happens when that is the only option available? Trying to book Liberty for Thanksgiving and my travel agent said that is the only option available. There is 8 of us. Will it be impossible to get a table together without waiting forever.:confused:

 

On all of the cruises we have been on we have chosen MTD. The first afternoon we go to the MTD area and ask for a time for the week. Sometimes they have only given us the time for the first night but after eating that night we have been able to make reservations for the time we wanted for the rest of the cruise! :)

We signed up for MTD for our upcoming cruise. Here's my question. If I made reservations, but decide I want to eat earlier, can I just show up or do I need to stick with the reservation that I made for that day?

 

Thanks!

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

We did go the MDR as soon as we could to make sure that all was OK with with our MTD. With MTD you just show up when we wanted to eat. There was never a wait. Some other times we did we a wait of maybe 5-10 minutes. MTD is the best way to eat when you want. IF you have an idea of what time you want to eat each night, you can make the reservation even with MTD. We did that after the first night for every night since we knew what time was best for our family. :)

I am a little confused by the statement that Sr, Vets, etc discounts can be applied to any cruise. When I am looking for a cruise on-line, and do not check off the different discounts there are more cruises shown. Sometimes when I check off a Sr, or Residency discount the cruise that I was looking at is not shown. In other words, not all cruises offer all the different itineraries. Am I wrong about this.

 

We have yet to receive a Senior discount on a RCCL cruise even though we book through RCCL AND do look on-line before we call! :o

[quote name='niceguy6505']Ive read on here some people take a case of water just put a luggage tag on it. And folks take a 12 pkg of soda as well.[/quote]

On another thread someone wrote that out of Port Canaveral in December the porter told them that their water COULDN'T go on as luggage with its own tag. He also said that no water could go on-board . . . He then turned his back. They cut open the water package and put it into their regular luggage and then checked their luggage with the porter! :D

We have taken two 1 liter bottles of water each in our luggage and a Dr Pepper a day for each of us in our carry-on! :D

Is the Royal Replenish Package available anywhere on the ship apart from room service, ie: same places as the unlimited soda package? I originally purchased the unlimited soda package but changed it to the Royal package because of the addition of the juices, water, coffee and tea.

 

Very Frequent Flyer,

 

This is what we received to our questions about the Royal Replenish Package on Vision class ships. Most answers would be the same for any ship.

 

 

 

"I will attempt to answer the questions you have asked below, in blue. Some items vary by ship, itinerary and availability.

 

 

 

1 - What premium coffees are include in the package (cappuccinos and

lattes) any others? Where are these available on the Vision? I am assuming

in the MDR. Are there other locations as well? Are they available 24/7?

Cafe Lattetudes is the main location for these beverages. Here we feature illy coffee.

 

2 - What are the “specialty” teas? Where are they available?

Cafe Lattetudes is the main location for these beverages, we also have teas available in all restaurants. Specialty teas may be items like Chai.

 

3 - Are virgin frozen drinks included in the package such as virgin Piña

Coladas and virgin Strawberry Daiquiris? What other non-alcoholic drinks

are in the package? Would all on the mixed drink menu BUT without alcohol

be in the package?

Yes. All non alcoholic cocktails are included.

 

4 – What Frozen drinks are in the package? The information says “. . .

frozen drinks, non-alcoholic cocktails” or are they one in the same?

This is the same.

 

5 – What are the types of the fountain sodas offered in the package?

Coca Cola products are included in the program, Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Diet Sprite, Ginger Ale. Not available 24/7 but close to it.

 

6 – What juices are included in this package? Where on the ship could one

get these? Would pineapple juice and other juices be available using the

package from the bars 24/7?

Orange, Cranberry, Pineapple and Apple juice are available. Not available 24/7 but close to it.

 

7 – Where would one get the water both still and sparkling water?

All bar locations provide this service.

 

8 – Where on ship could you get what you wanted from this package besides the MDR, any bar and the Windjammer? ?

All Food and beverage areas, except Room Service and the Stateroom set up - (Mini Bar)"

Hope this helps everyone! :)

Unfortunately the search feature isn't available so I'm hoping someone can help. Maybe Mommabean will happen upon this thread. :)

 

Can anyone confirm if JS on Vision have walk in closet? From most of the pics I've seen they do not, but then on some sites the description states that they do. I saw a corner aft JS on the Enchantment and that cabin did have a walk in closet. Is it only corner afts that have them? If anyone has pics it would be great.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

We have not seen an JS with walk-in closets. This is a link to 8588 which is on the back corner.

 

 

You can see the closet has hinged folding doors. At about 3.31 minutes into the video the closets are clearly shown.

 

Hope this answers your question.

I'm getting this whenever I click on any "BOOK NOW" button:

 

"The information you requested is temporarily unavailable. If you are trying to make a reservation, you can contact a Certified Vacation Planner at (866) 562-7625 or click here here for our International contact information."

 

So, I guess it's down for me too. :confused:

 

I have been getting the same message! Have tried Foxfire (It stays in English) . . . No GO! Tried on Internet Explorer and I can do it BUT only in Spanish! I HAVE to sign in to do anything goes to the page that in English is giving the unavailable! Looks like the English side is down but the Spanish side is working with the sign-in glitch!

I'm getting this whenever I click on any "BOOK NOW" button:

 

"The information you requested is temporarily unavailable. If you are trying to make a reservation, you can contact a Certified Vacation Planner at (866) 562-7625 or click here here for our International contact information."

 

So, I guess it's down for me too. :confused:

 

I have been getting the same message! :( Have tried Foxfire (It stays in English) . . . No GO! Tried on Internet Explorer and I can do it BUT only in Spanish! I HAVE to sign in to do anything goes to the page that in English is giving the unavailable! Looks like the English side is down but the Spanish side is working with the sign-in glitch! :confused:

Quantum would fit in the new locks, but might not fit under the Bridge of the Americas. Same problem that Voyager/Freedom/Oasis class would have with the new canal.

 

Thanks Bob for the info. You would want to keep the Sky Arm down while going under the bridge, if there is any chance of it fitting in the first place.

 

The clearance under the main span of The Bridge of the Americas is 61.3 m (201 ft) at high tide. The Centennial Bridge clearance is much higher: 80.0 m (262 ft)

 

The new lock chambers will be 476.72m (1400 ft.) long, 54.86 m (180 ft.) wide and 18.26 m (60 ft.) deep, with each lock complex measuring more than a mile and a half in length.

Vision is currently doing the final RCI Panama sailings from Colon and while she re-positions first to P.E. she then heads for winter to Tampa.

 

No news, but was stated in press at one time that she would 'home-port' year round from Tampa.

 

RC will NOT have any ships sailing out of Panama for the next few years. Panama was NOT happy when they were notified that RC was pulling out of Colon! Easy port for us! :(

I see that still bottled water is offered in the premium package and the ultimate package has still bottled water and bottled water. What is the difference in the two kinds?

 

"The Premium package offers - • Bottled water still (500ml)" (LOOKS LIKE REGULAR BOTTLED WATER ONLY)

 

 

"The ultimate package offers a combination of all the benefits from Premium

and Royal Replenish packages." (THIS PACKAGE HAS BOTH TYPES OF WATER, Still and Sparkling)

 

 

Royal Replenish package has Bottled water: Sparkling (375ml) or Still (500ml)

 

Hope this answers your question.

Is there a rental car company that will pick me up at the cruise port?

 

We rented a car before and after from Thrifty rental. They took us to the cruise port and picked us up after. They were on time and did a great job. :)

Setting Sail

 

Coming up- CocoCay, Close encounters with exotic animal life, and the first formal night!

 

Thank you so much for all the information so far. It is great. :) Will be there in November! :D

Hi

Could anybody help by letting me know what is included in this package sailing on RHAPSODY. Most of the responses here talk about different ships and different outlets. Where would I get specialty coffees on Rhapsody? Any ideas? Thanks

Kim

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

 

We are on Vision. I believe that Rhapsody and Vinson are the same class ships so I would think that they would be the same for services too. Here is what we got in response to an email:

 

"I will attempt to answer the questions you have asked below, in blue. Some items vary by ship, itinerary and availability.

1 - What premium coffees are include in the package (cappuccinos and

lattes) any others? Where are these available on the Vision? I am assuming

in the MDR. Are there other locations as well? Are they available 24/7?

Cafe Lattetudes is the main location for these beverages. Here we feature illy coffee.

 

2 - What are the “specialty” teas? Where are they available?

Cafe Lattetudes is the main location for these beverages, we also have teas available in all restaurants. Specialty teas may be items like Chai.

 

3 - Are virgin frozen drinks included in the package such as virgin Piña

Coladas and virgin Strawberry Daiquiris? What other non-alcoholic drinks

are in the package? Would all on the mixed drink menu BUT without alcohol

be in the package?

Yes. All non alcoholic cocktails are included.

 

4 – What Frozen drinks are in the package? The information says “. . .

frozen drinks, non-alcoholic cocktails” or are they one in the same?

This is the same.

 

5 – What are the types of the fountain sodas offered in the package?

Coca Cola products are included in the program, Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Diet Sprite, Ginger Ale. Not available 24/7 but close to it.

 

6 – What juices are included in this package? Where on the ship could one

get these? Would pineapple juice and other juices be available using the

package from the bars 24/7?

Orange, Cranberry, Pineapple and Apple juice are available. Not available 24/7 but close to it.

 

7 – Where would one get the water both still and sparkling water?

All bar locations provide this service.

 

8 – Where on ship could you get what you wanted from this package besides

the MDR, any bar and the Windjammer? ?

All Food and beverage areas, except Room Service and the Stateroom set up - (Mini Bar).

 

 

Thank you for choosing to sail with Royal Caribbean International. We appreciate your patronage, and feel honored that you would chose to sail with us. We look forward to welcoming you back onboard the Vision of the Seas in March"

 

 

Hope this will help! :)

Are they worth the extra money, I know the balconies are usually wider?

 

What makes them a good choice.

 

Thanks

 

Aft balconies are the same price as any other balcony room. Sometimes the room is a little bigger than other balcony rooms. The balcony is WORTH it to us AND at no extra cost! :D Most times you do have to book early to have the best choice!

 

We have had both regular and aft balconies. The aft ones are so much nicer! (There are a few ships that have had trouble with ash on the aft balconies.) :mad: We personally have never had any trouble on our balconies. Others that have had the same room number have reported problems before or after us? :confused:

Thanks. Do you remember what brand and size bottle the reg bottled water was?

 

The Beverage Package Information states that the regular water is 500ml and sparkling is 375ml . . . No name brand is stated! :o

Does anyone know what the concierge club hours are on the Vision of the Seas Spanish immersion cruise? I know that dinner is not until 9:30 pm which is later than most other cruises, so I would think the club hours would be adjusted--but just thought I would ask to see if anyone has any information

.

Thanks so much!

 

STR6 Can't answer your concierge club question but dinner serving starts at 7:00 PM. There is an early (7:00 PM) and a late dining (9:00) times.

 

I'm sure that the times for the concierge club would be adjusted to the dining times. :(

There lots of hotels in Panama City or Colon.

We are looking for transportation to Myfriendmario, found them on this forum.

 

Have you heard back from Mario?