theminnow

Hi Craig, thank you for the map! My dh and I love the beach so we plan on going at least once if not both mornings. We haven't been there since 2010 and we did purchase the bus passes then however, we got lost on the way home. YEP, you read that right, we got lost!! lol When we first got on the bus I thought it was strange that everyone was in there work clothes and no one seemed like a tourist. However, we just sat there and checked out the scenery. Well before you know it my dh and I were the last ones on the bus and then the bus driver pulls over and gets out :eek: My dh and I look at each other and I am like OMG where did he go? Is he coming back? So we wait a couple of seconds and realize NOPE he's going home. lmfao We get off the bus and start walking the streets until we find a cop who helped us get on the correct bus and back to boat. Thank god we left the beach early. :eek:

 

Anyway my dh and I still talk about that day and laugh hysterically when we do. BTW, the bus driver never said one word just got off and left us sitting there in our bathing suits! lol lol lol

You're welcome.

That story sounds like one those times you would say to your spouse "Someday we'll look back on this and laugh", and it appears you have reached that time.

Enjoy your cruise and have a good time in Bermuda. I know we want to get back there some day.

Craig

On our first cruise to Bermuda, about a week before the cruise I also checked out the weather when we would be in port, and it showed rain every day. Started setting up plan B, but I never had to use it as it rained once in the morning before breakfast and the weather the rest of the time we were there was sunny and nice.

Point is don't let the weather report get you down, way to far out for an accurate prediction. Besides I'd rather be on a cruise with rain then be going to work.

Enjoy your cruise.

Craig

If you do decide to go to snorkel park beach, don't pay for the RCCL excursion.

This is an excursion you can easily do on your own. As others have stated you can walk to the beach, and you can pay the admission price, rent the chairs, umbrella, and water toys for much less. Check out the distance to snorkel park beach from the dockyard:http://www.mappery.com/map-of/Royal-Naval-Dockyard-Tourist-Map

Enjoy Bermuda.

Craig

Check out the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral:https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/

Enjoy your cruise.

Craig

I know that you shouldn't assume, but I will throw caution to the wind. I assume that many of the members that post in this forum are retired, and I was wondering what you did to celebrate your retirement. Does not have be a cruise, just curious (throwing caution to the wind again) what other people did.

I took a cruise on the Freedom of the Seas with DW and another couple. All four of us got the drink package, and it was nice to not have to have a designated driver. We (DW and myself) booked a JS on the hump. I think we got spoiled and will be looking to book JS or higher on our future cruises. It was a Western Caribbean itinerary, and we had a great time. Labadee and Falmouth were alright, but the Caymans and Cozumel fantastic.

So what did you all do?

Craig

When we were in Labadee a month or so ago, we went to Columbs Cove. Beach was very nice and is the furthest away from where the ship will dock. Beach was not crowded, but our ship was the only one in port that day. Not too far to walk to the bathrooms, bar, or the picnic area to eat.

The water toys are at the beach next to Columbus Cove I think, so most of the kids may be at that beach.

Enjoy your cruise.

Craig

If looking for a Cayman Rum foregt BBD, put your money to 7 Fathoms

Agreed. Get a bottle of BBD for a conversation piece, but get the 7 Fathoms for the taste.

Craig

We went to Royal Palms on Seven Mile Beach. Best beach on our cruise. Forget what the taxi cost, maybe $20 for four of us. I think there was a $2-3 per person entry fee and an additional charge to rent chairs and an umbrella. They also have a restaurant there as well. You should not have a problem getting a taxi, they'll be there waiting for you at the pier.

Hope this helped.

Enjoy your cruise.

Craig

I found the quality of the pizza on the Freedom was in direct relation to the amount of alcohol consumed. The more the better.:D

Craig

We usually try and purchase a Christmas tree ornament from each of the ports as well as one of the ship we are sailing.

Craig

Always look forward to reading your reviews. You do such a great job and the pictures are fantastic.

Craig

I would book as soon as I knew I wanted to go on that cruise. Better chance of getting the stateroom you want in the location you want. And if the price drops (before final payment) you get the price drop as well.

Good luck.

Craig

Even if Liberty docks at 9, the ship has to clear customs and this could take some time, maybe 15-20 minutes. I believe they allow those with Royal Caribbean excursions off first and that could also delay your getting off the ship. May be tough to make the 9:30 ferry. Good luck, hope you catch it.

Even if you don't make the 9:30 it could be worse. You could be sitting at a desk like me at work.:(

Craig

We want to get a day pass to an AI in Cozumel for our August cruise, w/out going through RCCL. Looking for something that has a pool, beach, food, and unlimited alcohol. Can anyone provide some good recommendations and if possible what we can expect to pay. Also, are the day passes booked directly through the resort or an outside vendor? t

We went to Nachi Cocom when we were in Cozumel. They only allow 100 people per day so it does not get crowded. They have everything you listed with the pool having a swim up bar. There are no water toys, and they don't allow loud music so it is more geared to adults then to children. We booked thru their website, it was I think a total of $55 per person with a deposit of $10 per person at the time of booking, and the balance due upon your arrival.

Enjoy your cruise.

Craig

Bermuda was our first cruise as well. You certainly picked a great place to cruise to. Check out Horseshoe Bay. It is fantastic with the pink sand. There is also a place to get refreshments and food, as well as bathrooms. You could then take the trail to Warwick Long Bay.

Check out the Bermuda Forum here to get other ideas:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=196

Enjoy your cruise.

Craig

We used cash for small purchases and a credit card for large purchases. Also while in Bermuda, the Bermuda dollar is equal to the US Dollar. Not sure if that is true when you get back home. Just be careful of the bills you receive in change as you may get Bermudian dollars. If you do get Bermudian dollars, keep them if you want a souvenir, or spend them before you leave.

Enjoy your cruise.

Craig

I bought a Pentax K1000? film camera back in 1980s for a trip we were taking. Much later I bought one of the first DSLR cameras that Pentax came out with, (I'm guessing late 1990s or 20000s) and still use it. What I liked about the Pentax DSLR camera was that it was backwards compatible with my old lenses (actually any Pentax lens). Not sure if your model is that way, but if it is you can pickup some decent used lenses fairly cheap on line. The old lenses may be manual lenses, but keep practicing and you will get use to them.

Craig

First cruise we had an ocean view cabin. We didn't want to spend too much money as we had never cruised before and we were happy with the cabin.

We got hooked on cruising and I started talking about a JS or GS. The wife thought it was too much to spend, but on the next cruise I convinced her to get a JS. The look on her face when we walked into the cabin said it all. She loved how much space we had, the walk in closet, the size of the deck, and large bathroom with a tub. Won't need to talk her into booking a suite any longer.

Craig

If you are simply looking for a view from the balcony, either side of the ship will have a nice view. When we were in Bermuda, the Grandeur was port side to the dock. We were starboard side, but the view across the water to the other side of Bermuda was very impressive.

Hope this helps.

Enjoy your time in Bermuda.

Craig

think the perks is only for booking a suite or concierge is that right?

Also Aqua class gets all 3 perks.

Craig

Mary,

Follow this link: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=34&src=nav

Find your cruise line, then ship, then date.

As far as getting on the spread sheet, I think someone involved in the roll call will do that. Hope this is the info you were looking for. Good luck.

Enjoy your cruise.

Craig

I'll second Nachi Cocom. They only allow 100 people so it never gets crowded.

Enjoy your cruise.

Craig

A lime daiquiri. Very refreshing on a hot Caribbean day.

Craig

Are you sure the 3 perks are available? When we booked a Syndey/Honolulu cruise recently, we tried to get the 123go promotion but told that they were not applicable to trans-atlantic, trans-pacific, repositioning cruises. Check the small print. If it's applicable, please confirm, and I'll see if I can rebook!!

When I go to do a booking, after i input that I live in VA, and am over 55, the site shows I get all 3 perks. Never called them. It just shows up during the booking process. I don't think this is a trans pacific cruise. Still not sure about this cruise.

Craig

Many thanks for the replies. I think we'll go with the 2016 cruise. Making the deposit this early doesn't bother us, heck the money isn't doing us any good in the money market. Plus we get all three perks. We wil probably stay for around a week after the cruise to do the tourist stuff. All I really care about is seeing Pearl Harbor, the rest will be up to the wife.

Again thanks for all the help.

Craig