ericrz Posted December 7, 2023 #1 Share Posted December 7, 2023 So my mom and I went and booked the MAS Islander for a September 2024 5-night cruise to Key West and Cozumel. Happens to leave on September 1, which will be the first anniversary of Jimmy Buffett's passing. I was thinking about going to Key West that weekend, but the cruise is much more economical! I picked a balcony cabin on the phone with the rep, but she warned me that cabin numbering may not match the existing Costa Atlantica deck plans still available on the Internet. She said Islander deck plans should be finalized next week, and I can call back and change cabins if I don't like where we ended up (deck 9, forward -- trying to keep my mom relatively close to the elevators). The rep said that major structural items on the ship (pools, dining rooms, etc.) are not likely to change locations. But there definitely could be some renumbering. Fins Up! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pr8hd Posted December 7, 2023 #2 Share Posted December 7, 2023 (edited) Took the plunge today as well. 😀 Booked the 5 night Cozumel/Progreso itinerary for July 16-21. Went for the Obstructed View Interior on Deck 4. Room number was assigned. Based on prevous MAS experience, this can change without warning. That said - Booking the repositioning cruise when Islander leaves Italy would be a fun shakedown trip! Edited December 7, 2023 by pr8hd 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BusyBlond Posted December 30, 2023 #3 Share Posted December 30, 2023 Can someone that has booked a 5 day on the Islander tell me how much the port fees and taxes are? I hate that I can't see all the associated fees without entering our names etc.. I just want to know what the total bottom dollar is going to be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KINGBOBOFTHENORTH Posted January 2 #4 Share Posted January 2 On 12/30/2023 at 3:43 PM, BusyBlond said: Can someone that has booked a 5 day on the Islander tell me how much the port fees and taxes are? I hate that I can't see all the associated fees without entering our names etc.. I just want to know what the total bottom dollar is going to be. You can call them and they will provide that information over the phone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brighton Line Posted January 3 #5 Share Posted January 3 On 1/1/2024 at 11:13 PM, KINGBOBOFTHENORTH said: You can call them and they will provide that information over the phone. Or just enter bogus information Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pr8hd Posted January 4 #6 Share Posted January 4 On 12/30/2023 at 3:43 PM, BusyBlond said: Can someone that has booked a 5 day on the Islander ..... $233.00 on Progreso & Cozumel sailings. $275 for Key West/Mexico. Gratuties $18 PP per night. Fuel surcharge $15 PP per night. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KINGBOBOFTHENORTH Posted January 5 #7 Share Posted January 5 I don't know if anyone else sails to Progresso/Merida but Cozumel and Key West are pretty common destinations out of Tampa on the traditional cruise lines. So they're facing stiff competition on this new venture of theirs and they have LOTS of cabins to fill. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pr8hd Posted January 6 #8 Share Posted January 6 On 1/4/2024 at 8:08 PM, KINGBOBOFTHENORTH said: I don't know if anyone else sails to Progresso/Merida but Cozumel and Key West are pretty common destinations out of Tampa on the traditional cruise lines. So they're facing stiff competition on this new venture of theirs and they have LOTS of cabins to fill. Disney, Carnival and RCL and soon MAS visit Progreso (Yucatan). According to the port schedule it looks like Progreso has only one ship call per day. Cozumel may have three or four ships each day. I think MAS is trying to fill a niche for shorter (4-5 night) cruises visiting KW and Mexico. MAS seems to be the only line with a KW and Mexico itinerary from Tampa. Tampa is a bonus with a shorter drive and better parking. 🙂 It's going to be interesting to see how this plays out long term. Side note: Key West is doing everything it can to limit the size and number of ships docking. Apparently the Governor disagrees with that idea. I believe (hope) Spirit class ships are small enough to visit if Key West gets what it wants. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KINGBOBOFTHENORTH Posted January 6 #9 Share Posted January 6 52 minutes ago, pr8hd said: Disney, Carnival and RCL and soon MAS visit Progreso (Yucatan). According to the port schedule it looks like Progreso has only one ship call per day. Cozumel may have three or four ships each day. I think MAS is trying to fill a niche for shorter (4-5 night) cruises visiting KW and Mexico. MAS seems to be the only line with a KW and Mexico itinerary from Tampa. Tampa is a bonus with a shorter drive and better parking. 🙂 It's going to be interesting to see how this plays out long term. Side note: Key West is doing everything it can to limit the size and number of ships docking. Apparently the Governor disagrees with that idea. I believe (hope) Spirit class ships are small enough to visit if Key West gets what it wants. Cozumel is the destination of nearly every cruise departing from Tampa. Key West is also a common destination, although perhaps not on the same cruise as Cozumel. Key West government and voters have very little authority to regulate interstate and international commerce so I doubt they will prevail in their fight. Since the voters want to limit ship passengers to 1500 per day, Spirit-class would be way too large. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ship Angel Posted April 27 #10 Share Posted April 27 On 12/7/2023 at 6:15 PM, pr8hd said: Took the plunge today as well. 😀 Booked the 5 night Cozumel/Progreso itinerary for July 16-21. Went for the Obstructed View Interior on Deck 4. Room number was assigned. Based on prevous MAS experience, this can change without warning. That said - Booking the repositioning cruise when Islander leaves Italy would be a fun shakedown trip! We will be on the July 16th sailing too. Driving down from Stockbridge GA. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rellersi Posted May 10 #11 Share Posted May 10 just booked the Islander for Oct 18th. Grand Terrace suite. Mostly Carnival cruiser but this is basically an older Carnival ship (spirit class) so should be comfortable getting around Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brilliantseas Posted May 11 #12 Share Posted May 11 On 4/26/2024 at 11:13 PM, Ship Angel said: We will be on the July 16th sailing too. Driving down from Stockbridge GA. July 12-16 for us. Enjoy your sailing! Last cruise was on the Carnival Spirit, so this will feel very familiar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amontanez Posted May 30 #13 Share Posted May 30 We've booked Islander for July 2nd. 2024 .. can't wait as it's our 30th cruise, 1st with MAS .. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grayesun Posted June 7 #14 Share Posted June 7 (edited) We're booked on the inaugural cruise June 14, with a bunch of brave (crazy) Villagers bussing down to Tampa! Expecting good times, surprises, unbridled enthusiasm and chaos...that's what adult beverages are for...🍹x 11! Edited June 7 by grayesun 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retired dude Posted June 23 #15 Share Posted June 23 how did the cruise go??????We live in tampa and are very reluctant to go on this cruise line after mostly sailing with celebrity and rccl..Of course if it is good enough for the villagers, then it must be special. thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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