snowmouse

How is the accessibility at these beaches.  Just watched the Mallorca beach video and realized that many stairs and no railings is going to be a deal breaker for me.  We don't need full accessibility, but need an easier access.

It does say, A.  I guess we'll take it!😊

I just received notification that we are going to Aruba instead of Bonaire on Feb12 Nieuw Amsterdam, 5p-11p.  I'm fine with the change but wondering if there will be shore excursions available?  There aren't any on the app right now.  Wondering if this isdue to only being an evening stop, or if it just too close?  We probably will just go ashore for dinner.  We have done this in the past, but our favorite Mirandi is no longer in business.  Any suggestions for something beachy but nice.

How early does boarding usually begin?  We have an 11:00 boarding time on Nieuw 
Amsterdam this Sunday.  I'm assuming this is one of the earliest times other than priority?

We haven't cruised in a few years, but have always brought along our own liquid Coffeemate  for breakfast.  I know policies about plastics and beverages are much stricter now than in the past, but would this be OK?

19 minutes ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

Once you have the HIA added, your shore excursion credits and dining credits will show up in your booking info for your cruise. If/when you book a shorex or a dinner reservation in one of the included venues, it will automatically be applied as a credit (unless you select that you do NOT want it applied.)

 

I am in the process of working through this right now. I'm not sure but I think that if you have multiple excursions in your "basket", the discount will be applied to the most expensive ones. The problem I'm having is that several excursions I want are already waitlisted....  

Many of my choices are waitlisted also.  I did go ahead and add it and used it toward a dining reservation which worked great.

Looking at the shore excursion options, most that are available are far under that threshold.  It seems the credit is for one excursion only regardless of cost.  So if we use if for something that is $40, we leave the rest of the credit on the table, correct?

I can't remember the cost exactly , but it seemed much higher.  The cost of adding the beverage package ahead of sailing is $45/day.  For $5/day totaling $35 on our 7 day, seems like a no brainer to receive the additional amenities.  Am I missing something?  I bought the cruise on an impulse as a gift for DH on Christmas Eve, so it is a little fuzzy.

Initially I did not add the Have it All option, we were just thinking we would add the signature drink package.  Now, however, we are about three weeks from sail and are being offered HIA for only $50/day.  Obviously, now this makes sense.  My question is about how you are credited for the specialty dining and shore excursion .  If we make reservations and prepay online, can these be applied to our account?  I would really like to book ahead for our choice of times, but don't want to pay if I can't be reimbursed with the credit.

I am looking for a morning at a resort in Curacao for our cruise in February.  I have read Avila is beach only, and have seen a variety of info on the Renaisance and the Marriott.  Anyone have suggestions or opinions?  We are two seniors.

Do you need to arrange ahead of time, or can you just show up at disembarkation?

We would like to see both Oak Alley and Laura , but will not have a car. Staying in the French quarter. Looking at a couple of options with tours by Isabelle and Big Easy tours. Any preferences or other ideas? Are there any discounts out there for these tours? Looks like the going rate is $100 per person, and we are a group of 5 (gulp)!

We are looking for a Sunday Jazz Brunch post cruise. I am looking at House of Blues, Commander's Palace, and Court of Two Sisters. Any recommendations or preferences. We are a family of 5, kids 18-24.

Thanks, I'll take a look at that.

I am still waivering in my hotel decision. We are doing a 3night pre cruise stay in NoLa. I thought I had decided on the Drury, but the heat really has me concerned. I am starting to think maybe the Jackson Square area is more central with less walking? I know this will cost more but, we are really not used to the heat levels that are August in Louisiana. I could see eating up all of the $ we are saving by staying at the Drury in taxi fares? We want to be able to do a variety of activities including the french quarter nightlife (a little bit) a cemetery/ghost tour, wwII museum, and of course some great Cajun eating.

Any suggestions? At this point I am looing at the Bourbon Orleans. Deciding factors being location, cost, and must have a pool.

We need transport for 5 from airport to downtown pre cruise and port to apt post cruise. It seems that a car hire or limo might be our best option. Can anyone recommend a service? Our cruise departs 10aug14

Sorry, but what is wttf?

We saw the Beatles tribute a few years ago (I think on Mariner). It was a really great show, we would love to see that again. HCat, please report back after your cruise!

How does one sign up for the Murder Mystery dinner?

We live in the Cities, too. Eden Prairie. Our fourth family cruise is in 2 weeks, RCI Mariner. Have also done Disney 2x, and last year Dawn Princess, southern caribbean. Our children are 14s and 8d. We have lived in Minnesota only 4 years and consider it mandatory to escape at this time each year (for mom's sanity)!!

Just a couple to add:

Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons

The Reef, Nora Roberts (Caribbean theme)

Thanks for all the great suggestions. I have a list and am heading to Barnes and Noble.