CruisinChic

We are trying to find a tour company that offers kayaking tours of the bioluminescent bay in Fajardo on a Sunday night and are not having any luck.  I've checked 4 of the main tour operators and none offer tours on Sundays.  Any other ideas?  This is the only evening we can do it.

Thanks!

1 hour ago, Hoopster95 said:

Yes. Here's my day in Barbados review on this exact tour.... great day!

(Click on "Hoopster95 replied to a topic" to get directly to the Glory Tours/Barbados section)

 

 

Thank you so much!  Your review was very informative and I loved all the pictures!  What type of camera did you use for the underwater pictures of the turtles?

 

I posted this in the Barbados forum, but have not received any responses, so I am trying here instead.  Has anyone used Glory Tours in Barbados?  They have a "Best of Barbados Tour" which includes the highlights below.  We like to squeeze as much as possible into each day so this is the best I can find which does that.  Thoughts?

Has anyone used Glory Tours?  They have a "Best of Barbados Tour" which includes the highlights below.  We like to squeeze as much as possible into each day so this is the best I can find which does that.  Thoughts?

Thank you so much for all the feedback!  I booked with Spencer Ambrose and we are looking forward to it!  

Can anyone recommend a good land and sea combo tour?  We would like one that sails from the cruise port to the Pitons and then transports you via bus to Sulphur Springs and other sites.  I found the Ultimate Land and Sea adventure from Feel Good Water Taxi and Tours, but the price they are quoting is very high for 2 adults and 2 kids ($500).  This tour seems to do everything we want, but surely there is another tour company offering it for a lower price.

https://www.feelgoodwatertaxiandtours.com/ultimate-land-and-sea-adventure

Thanks!

Thank you for all of the great suggestions!

We are going to be in St. Kitts in April (RCCL) and I’ve determined what we would like to do, but have some questions. 

- Based on what I’ve read, you cannot book the scenic railway unless you do it as a ship excursion.  Is this correct?  That seems ridiculous, but I realize what a stranglehold the cruise lines have on the islands.  Are there any private tours that include the scenic railway? 

- Does anyone have a recommendation for a full day private tour guide to take us to Brimstone Hill, Timothy Hill, a scenic island drive, downtown Basseterre and a beach stop?  

Ideally, we would like to do the railway and all of the above, but don’t know if that is feasible.  

Thanks! 

Perfect, thank you!  We are Marriott people (points), so we booked the Sheraton in Old San Juan.  I was hoping they docked there, but it's not a big deal to take a taxi.  Hope you all have a fabulous time!!

Thanks, that is exactly what I needed!  I did check the lunar calendar and we will be 2 days after a new moon so I am hopeful the weather cooperates and we can see them well.  Last time I was in PR, they did not run tours due to weather and I was bummed.

We are staying 1 extra night in San Juan post-cruise and want to visit one of the bioluminescent bays.  I keep reading that Mosquito Bay on Vieques is better than Laguna Grande in Fajardo.  I understand that Fajardo is a bit of a drive from San Juan, but we dock in the morning and have all day.  We are trying to figure out logistics and have some questions:

1. Is is worth the extra trouble to go all the way to Vieques?

2.  If so, is there an excursion from San Juan that takes you there and back?

3.  Is it better to rent a car and drive to Fajardo on your own or take an excursion from San Juan? 

4.  Are there excursions from Fajardo to Vieques?

5.  What tour companies are recommended for these excursions?

Thank you!

Can anyone confirm that the RCCL Freedom of the Seas docks next to Old San Juan (March  31st, 2019 sailing)?  We are trying to book our pre-cruise hotel and just want to be sure that is where the ship is going to be docked.

Thank you!

Thanks for the reply! This is only a 7 day sailing with only 1 day at sea so I guess 1 formal night, which works for me. Definitely do not want to have to rush back in from port for that!

We actually were hoping to get off relatively early so we can store our luggage at the train station and go sightseeing that day. Do they do any type of early check out?

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I received an email a few weeks ago about an itinerary change for this sailing. They swapped Dominica for St. Thomas, which is frustrating because I specifically chose this cruise over all the other Southern Caribbean ones because it did not go to St. Thomas (where I have been many times). Anyone know why this occurred (assuming related to hurricane damage/rebuilding)? I realize they reserve the right to change at any time so it is what it is. This is my first time with Norwegian (will be my 17th cruise) and I’ve never had an itinerary change 8 months prior. Just curious if this is typical for them. Thanks!

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We are sailing on the Magica out of Stockholm on May 26th and this will be my first time on Costa (16th cruise). I have a few questions I was hoping the CC community could help me with:

- What night(s) are formal night? Assuming our only at sea day, which is Monday. But, not sure what other night they would have it.

- I’ve read the outlets on Costa accommodate US plugs. Is this true for Magica? I am assuming as long as what you are plugging in is dual voltage? Are they strictly 220V outlets?

- Disembarkation - how does Costa handle that? As an American in Sweden, I’m expecting it not to be as simple as disembarking in Miami. Just trying to get a general idea of what time we could expect to be off the ship. Our flight is not until the evening so that’s not a concern.

- Do they offer in room dining for breakfast at no charge? That is my preference on port days when scrambling to get ready and be downstairs early.

I’m sure I will think of more questions later!

Thank you!

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Can anyone help me in figuring out how to make my final payment which is due today? After I log in to my reservation, I do not see anywhere to do this. Also, when I call, they are closed on the weekends. Not sure how I can make final payment if I cannot do it online and I cannot call to speak to someone.

Same question. We would like to explore after we dock before our flight. Wondering what the luggage storage options are? Thanks!

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Thanks for the info! We will be flying in from Amsterdam and the flight we want gets in at 5pm so I was concerned that was too late, but sounds like it should be ok. I’ll call Costa tomorrow to double check.

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What time do you have to check in by? This cruise does not leave Stockholm until the following morning and it is not clear what time you have to check in by.

Also, what is the earliest you can disembark on June 2nd?

Customer service is closed on the weekend and I am being impatient. Anyone know? Thanks!

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We are considering the excursion through RCCL that includes the skylift, bobsled and canopy zipline tour (Canopy Adventure and Aerial Explorer Bobsled). We have some questions:

1. What is the travel time from Falmouth?

2. Is it worth the $149 price tag? We have a 9 and 10 year old so we know they would enjoy this kind of tour, but $596 is steep for a half day's adventure. I realize everything is subjective, but would like honest opinions from folks who have done it.

3. I see many mentions of a slide/pool....is that included or is that extra?

4. Nothing in the excursion description says anything about lunch and this is shown as a 6 hour tour. Is that on your own? Do they allocate time for lunch or do you just make sure to eat before you go (11am departure time)?

Thank you!

On Carnival, typically spa treatments are discounted on port days. Is that the case on Royal Caribbean? If so, does anyone have additional detail? It's been many years since I have been on RCI! I am considering taking spa day in Cozumel on our upcoming Allure cruise since I've been there many times. Thanks!

The one thing we've loved most about cruising is that unlike land vacations, you don't have to do too much thinking. All the reservations and scheduling are kind of a bummer...I'd much prefer to "wing it" and do each day what we feel like doing that day...there's no way to predict that stuff 3 months out.

 

I will put together the whole schedule (planning is fun) and then hope it all works out...it definitely feels more stressful than our Celebrity cruise, though...where the crowds weren't so bad that you could plan your day...that day!

My thoughts EXACTLY!! The other thing that is irritating is when we booked (through Royal), the reservation agent made no mention of all this required booking of dinner and show times so I really had no idea until I started playing around with the cruise planner. I mean, I know you have to reserve specialty dining, but I've never had to book times 3 months out for My Time Dining. In my opinion, they should ask your dinner time preferences when you book, just like they used to for 1st or 2nd seating. If you don't know, you could end up eating at 5 or 9 every day.

When in April are you cruising? We are on April 9th.

 

Here's what I did: I reserved MTD every night for 6:45pm. I figure that is our backup plan each day. We can always cancel that if we need to. Once I book entertainment I will move those times around if necessary.

 

Now they have a "first night done right" deal where you can reserve specialty dining for day 1 for just $15 per person. We will probably do that. You can pick the time, but not the place. That's ok with us.

 

Once onboard we will likely want to book another specialty restaurant or two- for you experts out there, is it generally easy to book those the morning of, or day before, and hope to eat NOT at 5pm or 8:45pm?

 

The one unknown for us: on our last cruise the kids loved the MDR experience because we had a fabulous waiter who really interacted with them. That was 2013- since then I've heard basically bad things about MDR service/food. So I'm unsure whether I should book specialities in advance...because what if the MDR turns out to be more fun...although now they are teenagers so maybe won't be as amused...

That was pretty much the strategy I came up with last night after spending 3+ hours trying to figure this all out, fighting with their dysfunctional website and dealing with the crappy customer service guy on the phone. I booked MDR for each night, First Night Done Right and we will book Coastal Kitchen or another specialty restaurant once onboard if it's available. If not, oh well. I seriously found all of this beyond frustrating and feel the way a lot of you have mentioned...it should not be this stressful. We will try it once and hope for the best! If we don't like it, we will go back to our traditional 2nd seating MDR cruises with no reservation required shows. :)

Oh and we are going April 2nd.

Thanks! That link was very helpful!!