Anthomaniac

Yep, they rent equipment too

Are there any fish to see off the beach in front of the Local Village and or Jack's Shack? Is it worth carrying my snorkel gear down to those spots? I'm not expecting tons of fish, just interesting underwater sights.

Thanks

not really... there is pretty heavy swimming, boat, waves there, you would have to swim out a ways to see anything

We used SAS in May and will use them again in November. Stayed at Holiday Inn port of Miami the night before, used a taxi to get to the port the next morning.

if you like to be in the water GT is an amazing port - they have one of the largest reefs in the world! I would recommend SNUBA, snorkeling, etc.

I haven't been to Local Village, however this is my experience from Jack's Shack...

We were there at the end of May, and most of the drinks were good, but when we got there we were told it would be an hour before the jerk chicken was ready...no prob, we ordered drinks and my friends ordered burgers. An hour later they said it would be another 30 minutes...no prob we ordered more drinks. We went inside to get some souvenirs and use the bathroom, and when we came out I saw that several people had jerk chicken. I went to the same server that we had been using all day and said that I would like some chicken and she said that it was all spoken for and that more would be ready in half an hour.

Sorry but for me this is not acceptable, we left and I won't be going back when I am there in November.

we didnt wait for our tender to hmc at all, got on the first one and were one of the first people on the beach! :D

Going for my second time this november!

We thought the bar-b-que was actually pretty good, but i didnt expect gourmet dining on an island with almost no electricity, lol

its more than five minutes, it is more like 15 or so - but my understanding is that they cancel due to high seas not because of the length of the ride, but because in high seas having another ship attached can be dangerous for the ships and the pax as they try to move from one ship to the other...

You might want to take a little cash for the small straw market....

When we go back in November, I am taking some ziploc or cheap containers for food, that way I can just fill them up and put them in my beach bag to go back to our cabana...it was not fun wrestling with plates in the sand

Not sure where you think they were, but GT is NOTHING like Nassau or Freeport...the entire island is off the beaten path...it's a whopping 7 miles long by 1.5 miles wide....

 

GT is NOT a third world country, it is an island that gets most of it's revenue from SCUBA diving tourists that come to visit one of the largest reefs in the world, and the crime rate against tourists is so low as to be nearly non-existent

Heck the whole population is only about 4500!!! and the penalties for crime are pretty steep...hard to hide on an island that small...

Is it safe to travel around a third world country like that? I was researching things to do in Nassau and Freeport, and it was recommended to not go off on you own to the more obscure areas and lesser known beaches. Apparently crime there has skyrocketed and the police mainly focus on the main touristy areas.

 

It seems like the golf cart thing (un-escorted) could allow you to get into some "off the beaten path" areas.

 

Just curious if you felt safe.

Not sure where you think they were, but GT is NOTHING like Nassau or Freeport...the entire island is off the beaten path...it's a whopping 7 miles long by 1.5 miles wide....

GT is NOT a third world country, it is an island that gets most of it's revenue from SCUBA diving tourists that come to visit one of the largest reefs in the world, and the crime rate against tourists is so low as to be nearly non-existent

One of the great things about getting a Cabana is that you get priority tendering, no waiting in line for a tender ticket, just go when you are ready and they will get you right on to the tender with your Cabana ticket. :D

We had #12 in May and didnt have a problem with anyone trying to use it when we werent in it...i would agree that the ones further down the beach are less likely to have this problem...

This now my favorite review ever...you got a picture of the elusive MINI! :D

Technically Carnival Corp owns the Island AND Carnival Cruiselines and HAL. :D

(HAL bought the island and then Carnival Corp bought HAL - now HAL gets priority use of the island, with Carnival getting it in the months that HAL in not in the Carib. and the occasional multiship day with both lines)

When we were there in May, vests were NOT included with the snorkel equipment provided in the Cabana... ymmv

There are some excursions, but no "trips" the island of Little San Salvador is 95% undeveloped - it is largely a waterfowl sanctuary. The excursions offered are more nature based - Horseback ride, eco tour, snorkelling, deep sea fishing, etc. There are lots of nature trails/bike trails you can access for free. It is an amazing beach, even if you arent into hanging out on a beach - white sand as fine as powdered sugar, crystal clear water.

Does anyone know if jelly fish are prevalent at HMC? I unfortunately have discovered that I am highly allergic to them and make every effort to stay out of water where they are known to hang out. Thanks

Saw no jellyfish when we were there in May, and the water is so crystal clear, you should be able to see any sealife from a long way off...

Yay!!!

I think #10 will be pretty great. Except green isn't my color. Maybe I should switch to #9 or #11.

 

:p JOKING!!!! :p

 

Does the snorkel gear include float vests or is it just mask and fins? I'm not a swimmer, but I will get in the water and snorkel if I can wear a flotation device.

Doesn't include a vest, but you shouldn't really need one, the salt water makes you sooooo buoyant (Esp if you are a little fluffy like me) :D:D:D

I'm still confused. Are you saying that if the CRUISE is paid for that you have a better chance?

 

Mine isn't. I don't pay off my cruise until I have to. But, of course, I had to have the cabana charged to my credit card to reserve it.

 

Cabana is paid for (has to be) but cruise isn't. Got the cabana i requested through the email. See my post from Wednesday morning. Emails were sent on Tuesday.

 

Also, when I was talking to my PVP the other day, he told me they were going to build more. I told him they should've put in a couple more cabanas instead of that stupid pirate ship bar!

 

Anyway, so do people think #10 is far enough away from the bar that we won't hear the bad pop music blaring? If that's what I'd wanted, I would've asked for #5!

With #10 you shouldn't hear the Pirate Bar...

I don't care how well behaved YOU think your child is...what matters is how well behaved the other 3000 people onboard think your child is.

If you want to let them roam, so be it, but you are still a parent and you should keep an eye on them to see how they behave when they think you are not around. I have seen children that were perfect angels when their parents were around turn into Damian-clones as soon as the parent was out of sight.

my dad was a navy man for over a decade - standard navy cure? green apples and saltines!

I must have inherited his sea-legs though - numerous dependents cruises and a commercial cruise, several ROUGH ferry rides in the Pacific Northwest and never had a problem <knocking on wood>

Smart phones/iphones serve so many purposes such as clock, alarm clock, music, GPS, and with so many aps, I have a flashlight ap. What other aps would be helpful on a cruise?

I don't know about smartphone apps, but for the iPad:

white noise app

Dashboard (alarm clock app that dims e screen and stays active all night)

Shipmate - allows you to access deck maps and info about your ship...even while offline!

Kindle (duh)

Weather channel max

moleskin for those pesky hotspots

Ipad - (need a nightlight, alarm clock, fan noise, etc? there is an app for that!)

energizer led glow stick (has a tiny flashlight on one end and a glowstick on the other - perfect for getting to the bathroom without waking ones roommates)

Aloe!

Aloe with lidocaine!

Conditioner

Sun hat

sunscreen

sunscreen

sunscreen

small hardside container for shells and sea glass

rum runners

california baby sunscreen for face

disposable contacts (that way i don't have to pack contact solution, contact container, etc)

extension cord - small one with a flat wall-plug

lanyard for the sail & sign

over door organizer

my own pillow because i sleep like a baby even in a strange room that way!

OP

 

I noticed that the 2 posts above this one for recommending a taxi service are both 1 time psoters.... use caution with a single posters recommendation. JMHO.

Seconded!

Anthomaniac: And a from me! When I lost 35 pounds (20+ years ago) and would go into a dressing room with smaller size clothes ; I couldn't believe the mirror or that the clothes would fit. But what a euphoric moment when you see the body that's been hiding under the extra pounds:)!

Keep posting and let us know when you start shopping.

I lost another 50 pounds 2 years ago, and you are so right the difference it makes in how you feel and look!

Wow, great job!!! Keep up the good work!

Thanks! I love when the scale shows a lower number, such great incentive!:D