big al

Hi all..my wife & close friend will be visiting GC next Feb., and DW & I have been here 5-6x, last time a year ago April '23..I know almost all of the Beach Clubs shut down during COVID, but for the life of me, I don't understand WHY more Beach Clubs have re-opened or some new ones have started..it's enough now..time to get things going again..we also are going to Cozumel, where there are like 12-15 beach clubs like Mr.Sanchos, Paradise Bch Club, Nachi Cocom, and many more...what seems to be the problem? Funny that GC is maybe the most well off Caribbean port most ships go to..you would think there would be at least 5-6-7 beach clubs.. So it looks like I'm down to either Governor's Bch or Public Bch., or maybe the Coral Bch resort for a day pass..thoughts? If it matters, we need some shade, restrooms, food & drink, loungers ( of course..)..last April my wife & I just had a drink in Georgetown, walked around, then went back to the ship..pretty boring..I'm hoping by next Feb '25 when we sail, maybe more may open..thanks! Big Al

Hi all..DW & I are booked in a Deluxe Balcony ( Deck 12..) mid ship on the new Sun Princess next year..my question is how was the light coming in from the curtains early morning? I like the cabin dark & dislike when the curtains don't close completely & shut out the morning light...LOVE the sofa ( finally !! ) and glass enclosed showers on the Sun..cabins on both the Enchanted & Regal Princess were both without a sofa & I HATE curtained showers..apparently Princess finally listened to all the complaints about those sticky curtains- after I showered & shaved in the shower, the bathroom floor was like the Nile River, lol..ship looks awesome! Big Al

Can't blame you, though not a big fan of the MDR..LOVE Playmakers...great wings, chicken tenders platter w/ fries are super, onion rings & that killer dessert, the Campfire Cookie is awesome...sometimes I have medics waiting 🤣 😂..I'm pretty good at home, but on a cruise, it's beer, goodies & anything goes, lol...then, back to common sense after the cruise...again, have a blast!

Thanks! My unlimited dining, as I quoted, is $289.00..if I took all 3 you post here, it would be about $153.00, which is not too bad..did you end up booking this? Let us know how it goes if you can, & enjoy the Indy! Big Al

But the Wonder does 7 nights..IOS is doing only 5 and the rep said "no 2-3 night dining packages on 5 night cruises..only 6 or more nights"...I still will keep checking to see if anything comes up like a special...

Hi guys & gals...I will be cruising on the Independence Of The Seas, a 5 night Western Caribb cruise next Feb '25..RCI just posted recently that all they offer on a 5 night cruise for specialty dining is "All inclusive dining" package for $289 PP...I spoke with an RCI rep & she confirmed that was correct- SO, has anybody booked a specialty dining venue on the IOS, what venue and how much was it pp? I am considering Chops Grille, Izumi's & maybe Giovanni's..my memory is that it's somewhere around $49 for Chops, don't know the other 2...thanks! Big Al

Great to hear! Please let us know how you like the Sun Princess..so far about 90% seem to love it..only problems have been things like the shows are still not ready..love the new glass enclosed showers ( HATED those curtained showers!! )..now if only Princess would put beverage holders in the main theater, that would make improvements perfect for me- they are the only cruise line that makes you hold your drink or put it under the seat for an hour or more..drives me crazy ( people have knocked over my beer or drink 5x on Princess..)

I love your answer, lol!

So guys & gals Diamond+ here...question: On cruises I only will drink 4 types of drinks: beer, apple martinis ( at dinner..), Sprite Zero AND a B-52 shot..in case you don't know, a B-52 is made of Kahlua, Grand Marnier and Bailey's ( FYI to remember what this , just think of the Russian intelligence group, the KGB to know what's in it...)..it's sweet & yummy..it's kinda like 1/3 shots of each liquor..I ALWAYS drink these on cruises.. so, do you think this will count as one drink or 3? The beers in the Diamond or now the "Crown" lounge stinks, so I get my beers at either the British Pub or Playmakers ( I like draft beers mostly..) Thanks! Big Al

Wow, that is crazy..on RCI, there is a dedicated lounge for this group of cruisers, with appetizers, drinks, etc...I guess I will wait to see what the Sun Princess cruisers say...thanks..

I recently became a Platinum member on Princess..under the benefits page, it says I can go to the "Platinum & Elite Lounge" now...looking at the ship's deck plans, I cannot find it...does anybody know where it is on the new Sun Princess? Thanks.. Big Al

Great to hear, thanks!

Correct..it is 1/3 of each liqueur...I always thought it was considered one shot...

You don't see it on the bar menu, but on the Enchanted 2 yrs ago I had it like 20x on a 10 nighter...

Hi all..if you went on or are currently on the new Sun Princess, I have a questions about getting "shots"..I love a B-52, which is Kahlua, Grand Marnier & Bailey's layered in a shot glass ( sweet & delicious!! ) ..does anyone know if this kind of drink is included in the Premier or Plus drink packages? Thanks!! Big Al

Alaskan Amber my fav by faaaarrrr...I wish I could get in in FL....

Not to be confused with Samuel Smith, also a well known beer & brewery... Thanks for the tip! Big Al

JIMESOPUS..thanks for that..I hope you post your thoughts on the Aqua cruise TA..I am really looking forward to see what improvements NCL made on the Aqua vs. Viva & Prima..lots of complaints here on CC as well as the YouTube cruise bloggers..all said the ship was nice, great food, great shows, but so many of the public spaces were too small & too crowded... Big Al

Thanks..other Lagunitas, pretty bad list..I don't like Heineken..Enchanted, Regal & Crown Princess were all pretty boring...

Hi guys & gals..my DW & I are booked on the new NCL Aqua 4/16/25 for a 5 nighter out of Miami..looking forward to celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary on her...here's the mystery: the Aqua is leaving Southampton in the UK on 3/28/25 and arrives in Boston on 4/4/25..there's NO info on how she gets to Miami on 4/16/25 for that 1st cruise in Florida..I thought maybe a "crew cruise" ?...Is the Aqua sold out from 4/4 to 4/16? How does she get from Boston to Miami? If anybody knows, OR can find out while you are on an NCL ship now or in the future, please post..I figure either someone in "Cruises Next" or an officer ( maybe at your Meet & Greet! ) might know...thanks! Big Al

Hi guys & gals- I am an admitted & proud beer snob...I like draft beers over bottled/ canned beers and have found that about 80-85% of cruise ships ( I have been on 45 cruises including 7 cruise lines..) have lousy beers on draft EXCEPT the Breakaway Plus ships on NCL, who have a place called "The District Brewhouse", where they have between 25-27 draft beers on tap..another 75 in bottles..it's Beer Heaven for a guy like me...for those who have either just cruised the new Sun Princess, OR are going soon on her, can you please post what draft beers you see on the ship & where you found them..hopefully, at least O'Malley's fight have some...the Sun Princess looks super...thanks! Big Al

Hi Deborah...Sounds great...we are going to Curacao Dec.4th '24...do you have an e-mail you can post? I sent one yesterday ( I think it was "restaurants@avilahotels com"?)..DW & I like not too crowded..also does Avila have: food & drinks, pool, hot tub (? ) and shade? Thanks so much! Big Al

I had Playmakers on the Mariner a few times..love it too..great food!

Hi all... I have just booked the Independence Of The Seas for next Feb 2025 for a 5 nighter to Cozumel & Grand Cayman..DW & I are Diamond, plus a total of 45 cruises on 7 cruise lines to date...BUT, we haven't cruised the IOS- We did the Liberty in 2012, Freedom in 2006, so it's been a while since we cruised the Freedom class ships..a few questions for those who have recently sailed the IOS: 1) I know "Grease" is the main show..what time are the shows at night? Memory tells me something like 7 & 9 pm? Is it still like 2 hours long? OR is there only one show per night due to it's length? 2) Is there still the lobster tail night? Usually it's the 2nd to last night on a cruise..remember, this a a 5 night cruise... 3) Are they still doing the 70's disco party in the Royal Promenade late at night ( 11 pm? ) 4) Where is Karaoke done and what time? Star Lounge? Thanks for responding!! Big Al

What a great review of the excursions on the Escape & the food wilmingtech !!!! I was glad to help out regarding the yummy Monte Cristo sandwich in Taste, lol..and YES, I agree the best was at Bennigan's, where I ate it there for 20 years before they folded...BTW, Cheddars has a pretty good one if you have one near you... Some thoughts & observations: I don't know if anybody else experienced this, but I thought the noises in the cabin were waaayyy too loud..our cabin ( deck 10 near the elevators ) made so many creaky sounds due to the high winds & waves that myself & my SIL had trouble sleeping...my wife can sleep thru a Cat 5 storm ( I hate her for this!! 😉 ) but I am a difficult sleeper...I thought Choir Of Man was sensational, on par with Hairspray & We Will Rock You ( both on RCI), and I thought the 4 guys from the UK Legends group were also very good..didn't think too much of the French magician, although his tricks were pretty good, his comedy not so much.. I thought the crew & staff were very friendly , and I thought Jack, the CD from England was good ( DW thought he was very good looking..)....our 4 dinners in specialty dining were all fabulous except Moderno, which was good, but probably won't eat there again..Bayamo, Cagney's & Le Bistro were all super..MDR food was pretty mediocre, like 95% of all MDR food I've had on my 46 cruises..IMO, Celebrity & Disney had the best MDR food so far.. The District Brew House had great beers and I loved the Abita Amber Ale on draft..and while we are talking about the DBH, I want to thank Crystal & hubby for putting the M & G together..I thought it was terrific and I enjoyed meeting so many of you... I really missed the Observation Lounge on the Encore & the Joy ( April '23..) that The Escape doesn't have.....we visited that venue almost daily for killer views, relaxing & sipping a coffee.. and I missed the Beatles's shows on both..the bread for dinner was pretty bad we thought and much better on the Joy & Encore...we also thought the ship rocking was a bit much..waves were not that high..maybe 10-15 ft..I had read on other reviews that some thought the Escape had some stabilization issues...did your cabin shake & vibrate 4-5 x during the cruise? Wow, I never felt that on any ship in my 46 cruises... Those are some of my thoughts & impressions of the Escape & the cruise itself...we may try the NCL Aqua when she comes out in 2025..we are doing the new Celebrity Ascent in Nov. '24 next..everybody have a safe & Happy Holidays time!! Big Al