Cel_cruise Posted September 25, 2018 #101 Share Posted September 25, 2018 Loving your story and looking forward to the next installment! Good luck with those last few super hectic days before vacation! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare KKB Posted September 25, 2018 #102 Share Posted September 25, 2018 Looking forward to more. You & your DH sound just like us! Allure was our fav ship—hoping Anthem is great too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UOFL Posted September 25, 2018 #103 Share Posted September 25, 2018 Great review so far!! We will be on board with you!! Can’t wait 5 more days!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stleda124 Posted September 25, 2018 #104 Share Posted September 25, 2018 Following Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emeraldcity Posted September 25, 2018 #105 Share Posted September 25, 2018 I can help with your confusion about the early departure from San Juan. We've had that sort of itinerary before and it's due to the distance they have to travel to get to the next port. It's particularly annoying in that most stores in San Juan do not open until 10:00, and the forts don't open till 9:00, so it leaves very little time to experience that port. Sure they could leave a little later and sail a little faster, but it's all about optimal fuel consumption and the costs therein. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Fun Researcher Posted September 25, 2018 #106 Share Posted September 25, 2018 San Juan with those shortened hours is pretty much a wasted port for us now. We stayed on the ship last time and took advantage of the lower crowds. I do love sailing into and out of the harbor though. It's a beautiful sail away. Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kokomo_Man Posted September 25, 2018 #107 Share Posted September 25, 2018 There used to be a free trolley to take people around old town. You could get on and off at the various stops it made. Can anyone comment on this?... hours of operation, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare broberts Posted September 25, 2018 #108 Share Posted September 25, 2018 There used to be a free trolley to take people around old town. You could get on and off at the various stops it made. Can anyone comment on this?... hours of operation, etc. https://sanjuanpuertorico.com/trolley-old-san-juan/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkam2821 Posted September 25, 2018 #109 Share Posted September 25, 2018 This is why a whole lot of us here refuse to use a TA. You can do ANYTHING with Royal Caribbean without going through your TA. The few little perks a TA gives is not worth giving up the control of my booking. These comments have left me scratching my head as we have always booked with a travel agent but have also always been able to purchase whatever we wanted (dining packages etc.) from the website. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ocean Boy Posted September 25, 2018 #110 Share Posted September 25, 2018 These comments have left me scratching my head as we have always booked with a travel agent but have also always been able to purchase whatever we wanted (dining packages etc.) from the website. You can't make any changes to your reservation if you book through a TA and RCI will not talk to you about things like changes or payments. However, you certainly can get into your cruise planner to make purchases such as drink packages and excursions as well as make show reservations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryano Posted September 26, 2018 #111 Share Posted September 26, 2018 These comments have left me scratching my head as we have always booked with a travel agent but have also always been able to purchase whatever we wanted (dining packages etc.) from the website. Im sorry. I should have said "ANYTHING as far making changes to your booking":. Yes, as Ocean Boy has said, your cruise planner is still available :) Basically what Im talking about is you have to go through your TA to make payments. Also, if Im on the computer at midnight and I see a price drop but Ive booked through a TA, I cant call Royal and get the price drop. There stands a good chance of it not being there the next day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amsred2 Posted September 26, 2018 Author #112 Share Posted September 26, 2018 Ok guys. No need to start a feud over the pros and cons of using a TA. My story and comparison is meant to be fun and lighthearted. Perhaps a new thread would be appropriate on the topic to promote discussion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joand452 Posted September 26, 2018 #113 Share Posted September 26, 2018 We’ve stopped at San Juan from 3:30 to 11:00 pm. We hot footed it to El Moro (the fort you see when sailing in). It closes at 5:00, but we actually had plenty of time. The next time was the early morning stop, so we went to San Cristobal, at the top of the hill. We had plenty of time then, too. Fortunately the first time we were able to get the U.S. Parks Senior Pass for $10, which allows both of us access. Now it’s $85!! Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryano Posted September 26, 2018 #114 Share Posted September 26, 2018 Ok guys. No need to start a feud over the pros and cons of using a TA. My story and comparison is meant to be fun and lighthearted. Perhaps a new thread would be appropriate on the topic to promote discussion. No feud here. Just a clarification is all :) I am sorry for derailing your thread. no need for a new thread either. That horse has been beat to death already :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amsred2 Posted September 26, 2018 Author #115 Share Posted September 26, 2018 Drinks Package and Packing… or… Drinking While Packing Packages! With our “Adbenture” all planned out there were only a couple things left to consider. Am I the only one that plans what to pack way in advance? As we were pre-packing (yes…hubby always questions why we must pack…before we pack), we were talking about all the different drinks we want to try. I think I am looking forward to the Avocado Margarita the most! The drink package is a no brainer for hubby...end of story. However, except for when my dad is in town and wants to do tequila shots (that’s a story for another day) and vacations, I’m not a big drinker. I don’t have more than a half dozen Cuba Libre’s in as many months between vacations. I debated, ad nauseum, about the cost vs. comfort of the deluxe drink package. It would be nice not to have to worry about our bill at the end of the trip but the I doubted that I could drink enough, every day, to break even. All the frustration of fighting with my arch nemesis, the RC website, had paid off when I was able to snag the deluxe package at $42 a person after my religious daily trolling the sales. You can guess by now that I had long since downloaded a drink/cost calculator for the math. A fresh OJ, a specialty coffee, a ginger ale, 4/5 waters and two pretty umbrella drinks would be the break even point. I can definitely manage that daily and probably more on sea days. The cost to pre-purchase the “Cheers” program on CCL is $51.95 which is toeing the line of being worth it for me. I have never seen CCL run the different kind of sales that RCL does. So, point to RC for the low cost/sales and also a half point for being able to get different packages if we had wanted (I would have given a whole point but you are still required to purchase some package for everyone in a room). Oh and as a bonus, during one of the sales, I was able to snag the Voom Surf & Stream for a low $12 a day vs. CCL $25 a day. I will wait to give this point to RCL until I actually experience the Voom package (my money is on RCL since CCL's internet is notably bad). Normally I decidedly disconnect during my cruises but, when I saw the price, a glorious idea began to form: Live Blog! Tally so far: Website ease/access Carnival 1- Royal 0 Advance Reservations-TBD Deluxe Drink Package Royal 1.5- Carnival-0 Internet-TBD NEXT UP: TO SLEEP OR NOT TO SLEEP: Live from our (early) departure day! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stleda124 Posted September 26, 2018 #116 Share Posted September 26, 2018 Your writing style somehow is amazing. I look forward to your updates! Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amsred2 Posted September 26, 2018 Author #117 Share Posted September 26, 2018 (edited) As I have a busy three days at work before I leave for vacation...my next regular blog post will be Friday while waiting for take-off....live! Edited September 26, 2018 by amsred2 Forgot a word Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandis Posted September 26, 2018 #118 Share Posted September 26, 2018 Do you have a link to that drink cost calculator? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amsred2 Posted September 26, 2018 Author #119 Share Posted September 26, 2018 Do you have a link to that drink cost calculator? It's on my laptop. I will see if I can post a link later tonight once I'm home from work.:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbcatcher1 Posted September 26, 2018 #120 Share Posted September 26, 2018 Do you have a link to that drink cost calculator? https://boards.cruisecritic.com/show....php?t=2625801 Also just search drink calculator in any Cruiseline forum & they all have them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaniceB Posted September 26, 2018 #121 Share Posted September 26, 2018 Loving your precruise topics. I have to tell you that the Golden Eagle Catamaran was our first experience on St. Maarten and we all (20+ of us) still talk about the fun we had. We have all also vacationed on St. Maarten and we have done this a few more times. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do. Also, San Juan our first trip the group had to walk to Hard Rock. It may be a different one than you are going to. Anyway, my husband was in the Navy and was so mad that we were passing up all these authentic restaurants to get to Hard Rock so someone could get a tee shirt. I can't wait to tell him about your husband and his visits to Hard Rock. Looking forward to the rest of your review. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kokomo_Man Posted September 26, 2018 #122 Share Posted September 26, 2018 Did I hear someone say something about TEQUILA SHOTS!!!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amsred2 Posted September 26, 2018 Author #123 Share Posted September 26, 2018 Loving your precruise topics. I have to tell you that the Golden Eagle Catamaran was our first experience on St. Maarten and we all (20+ of us) still talk about the fun we had. We have all also vacationed on St. Maarten and we have done this a few more times. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do. Also, San Juan our first trip the group had to walk to Hard Rock. It may be a different one than you are going to. Anyway, my husband was in the Navy and was so mad that we were passing up all these authentic restaurants to get to Hard Rock so someone could get a tee shirt. I can't wait to tell him about your husband and his visits to Hard Rock. Looking forward to the rest of your review. Ha ha! Hubby has to get a shirt at every location also! Like I said earlier, he gives up so much for me that I felt I needed to give up Mofongo in lieu of a an expensive plate of nachos and a shirt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amsred2 Posted September 26, 2018 Author #124 Share Posted September 26, 2018 Did I hear someone say something about TEQUILA SHOTS!!!! Don't worry, l won't do shots without you...probably won't do shots without you. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crusinot Posted September 26, 2018 #125 Share Posted September 26, 2018 Following! Excellent review so far! I a looking forward to cruising on Allure July 2019 with my sister and her family! It will be their first cruise. I am hoping to take my mother along some day. She wants to try cruising but is very fearful of sea sickness..Maybe someday. Your story makes me believe that someday she will say yes. So very sorry to hear about your mom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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