This sucks!! Itinerary change

[xpcdoojk]

Bicker, it is too bad you won't see this post, but you actually made a lot of sense.:D :D :D

 

jc

[CindyinSeattle]

I know what you mean about Nassau. We have been there at least 4 times, so have pretty much seen it all. One thing I would have done again if we had been in port all day, or overnight was go back and use Atlantis' property. We did this in 2001, called Comfort Suites in Nassau and booked a room for one night. We split the cost with another couple, and it ended up being $48 pp. Comfort Suites is right next door to the Atlantis, and they are the only hotel whose guests are permitted to use all of the Atlantis properties. We didn't spend the night there, as we were on a cruise ship and went back to diner. I told Comfort Suites up front what I wanted to do, and they had no problem with it, in fact they do it all of the time! Call them directly though, don't go through a website! The "Dig" is fantastic, and all their water activities are great! We would have spent more time on the property if my husband hadn't gotten knocked over by a wave (we were just wading in the ocean - hurricane Keith had just rolled through the week before) and lost his glasses - I had to guide him back to the ship, where luckily he kept a spare set. First time I realized how blind he is without them! Of course, the cruise line will tell you that you can't do any of this, because they would rather you book their bus tour for $50, but all that does is let you walk through the casino and shops, not use the Atlantis facilities. Unfortunately, when we were in Nassau this past October, we only had 5 hours there, not getting into port until 1pm or I would have gone back to Comfort Suites in a heartbeat!!

[hstrybuf]

Try to look at this change in a positive manner. Grand Cayman has not recovered from the hurricane and your first impression of it would not have been a good one. Also, there is always a chance that sea conditions would have made it necessary to skip this port if you could not tender in. It happened to us twice.

 

If you've seen and done it all in Nassau, you may have the ship to yourself! Enjoy the peace and quiet and do whatever you like without all those other passengers.

[wallie5446]

Here is a copy of a post from someone just back from GC.

 

We were on the Nov. 7th Mariner sailing and stopped there. In my opinion, I would have preferred a sea day. We took a cab to 7 mile beach and turned right around and went back to the ship. We usually stay on the beach across the street from the Holiday Inn and that part of the beach was closed. With only one small section open, it was over crowded and hot. The hurricane destroyed all the foliage on the island and there were no trees to hide from the hot sun. We couldn't find a spot on the sand to lay a towel or chair down. It didn't matter because all the umbrellas and chairs were sold out anyway and we were there early. There were portable generators on the beach to provide power to the restaurant/bar. It was a long cab ride back to the ship because of all the reconstruction (mostly roof damage and electric poles). The cab driver dropped us off at the wrong area for tenders and we waited for some time before we figured it out even though we've been there before.

 

Many of the stores are permanently closed and those in our group who decided to shop went back to the ship immediately.

 

If Grand Cayman is on any itinerary that I sail in the next year I will remain on the ship.

 

Dotsie

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Here is the link;http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=106127

[MaaDo]

Only 11 days to we sail!! I can hardly wait!!:p

[FinelyCruising]

Oh now that is NOT reliable and good information IMHO. We have been to GC several times and found the taxi drivers ger very much confused with the nonsense the 'guests' deliver as destinations even when the trees all have had their leaves... Since DH and I know where we are going we tend to be a bit terse with the rest of the companions in the cab who haven't clue.

 

GS an be very hot. That is not a result of the hurricane! Depending upon which beach you go and the time of day, it can be crowded with few beach chairs, or few places where you want to be out of the hot sun. (We prefer up by the Marriott, treat snorkel site too, but many find the extra $2.00 too much for cab fare to that location:p )

 

Heck, if some feel that the results of the hurricane make this port less of a great place to visit, better for me and others who will find the one on one in stores which are open THE place to be without the complainers.

[MaaDo]

9 days & counting....I can hardly wait!!

[stbmom]

9 days & counting....I can hardly wait!!

Thanks for reminding me!!!! Getting so excited.

[goodml]

Me too! Get me outta here!!:D