CatFan00
November 28th, 2004, 08:46 PM
I wanted to post my thoughts while they were fresh. I rarely post on the board, but so many reviews helped me, and I wanted to give a little back.
Pre- Cruise
We stayed at the Reinassance in Ft. Lauderdale. Received a great rate through Priceline. Absolutely loved the hotel, and had a great dinner at a restaurant just next to the hotel. I cannot remember the name of it so I apologize. It started with a "B" and is right on a small waterway.
Embarkation
We had filled out all of the paperwork ahead of time, and it took less than ten minutes. It was fabulous.
Cabin
We had a Verandah Cat. A. The room was great with plenty of space and we used the balcony all week for breakfast and lots of reading. Flushing the toilet can scare you to death the first time.:D
Food
The Dining Room was very nice. Some of the food was excellent, some just ok, but was worth being waited on. Something we didn't find out until the last couple of nights is that at dinner, the Lido serves basically the same food as the Dining Room. They do not have as many choices, but we found this quite nice as by the end of the week, we were quite tired of dressing up, and it was nice eating when you wanted.
Entertainment
The shows were much better than we expected. We were not very fond of the cruise dancers and their shows, but loved the comedian, majician, and Edge. Also, there is a band in the Ocean Bar that we thought were great.
Service
This was our biggest disappointment by far of the cruise, however service was fantastic. Please let me explain. I do not think there was one staff member, crew member, or waiter that did not do a very good job outside of one particular drink waiter in the Ocean Bar that did not get our order right all week. I mean they were terrific. But by the end of the week, after talking and getting to know so many of them, we left with such an empty feeling. I realize this is simply my opinion and no one else's, but it really bothers me how overworked the crew is. I am certainly not talking about the regular staff. They seem to have it pretty nice. But we thought the regular crew were really being mis-treated. Let me please say, I know it is their choice to work on this cruise. I know it is far better than they have it in Indonesia and the Phillipines. But I think it is wrong, and by the end of the week, it started having an effect on our vacation. We loved most of the cruise, but this became such an overwhelming burden that it seriously will make us consider not going again. I understand other cruise-lines are no different. I know many companies do the same thing. But it does not make it right. I know for many of the crew, it is the only way for them to have a way to make it. But come on, treat them like human beings. Many that we talked to have a family that they will not see for atleast a year. Wives, children. They work 10-14 hours a day, 7 days a week for a year straight. I do not think that is right. This is simply my opinion, and I do not at all want to infringe on anybody else not having a problem with this. But for my wife and I, it bothered us greatly. I know for us, we would be willing to pay more money (sorry, I said it) for their to be more workers so that the crew could have atleast one day off a week. Maybe they could work 3 weeks on, and one week off. Something should be done. SOrry, I am rambling, but it bothered us greatly so I wanted to share it.
HMC
One of the most beautiful places on Earth. Even the raving comments on here cannot do it justice. We had a cabana, but probably would not do that again. No need for it there. Simply wonderful
St. Thomas
We did not like St. Thomas very much, but took a ferry to St. John and loved it. Trunk Bay is magnificent. Very similar to Kauai. We thought quite a difference between St. John's and St. Thomas, although it does take a bit of work to hit Red Hook at the right time, so do your homework. But we are not big shoppers, so if you are, St. Thomas is for you.
Tortola
We were a bit tired on this day, so did not go to the Baths. Therefore, maybe I should not comment on the island. We really didnt think much of what we did see in Road Town.
Nassau
Exiting the ship here is like going through a den of wolves, but we heard not as bad as Jamaica. Couldn't imagine. It was a fun experience though. People were very nice. Took a ferry to Atlantis. It was quite a site and definitely worth it.
Extras
Wanted to say a word about things we read on here and thought were useful or not for others to know. Did not need bungie cords as the doors to the verandah stay open if you want them to. Loved having the shoe organizer and over the door hanger for the bathroom. Never used the highlighters, but not a bad idea. Never used the medical kit, but it was nice to have in case. Ziplock bags work nicely.
Disembarkation
Not too bad, although not nearly as easy as getting on the ship. Thought it horrible walking across the catwalk to the terminal and seeing the workers scramble to call home. Thought the cruise-line made flying out more difficult by traying to "help" by having your baggage tags waiting for you. The line downstairs was much longer than the regular lines for customers. Also, they hand-checked every bag, as they do not have an x-ray machine. You might be able to get around this by not listing that you are flying out on your dis-embarkation sheet. It would be much easier just to check the 'Making my own plans' box.
Overall Negatives
The airport hassle. The before-mentioned floating sweatshop. St. Thomas and Road Town. Also, and this is just part of being on a cruise, but sometimes we felt like we were at an 'adult' summer camp for a week. Long lines, Immigration check-in at St. Thomas, dress code, constantly hearing Dane through the loud-speaker. Reminded me a bit too much of summer camp. But you are on vacation, so some of those things can get annoying. A small price to pay I guess.
Overall Positives
HMC! Trunk Bay. Breakfast on the verandah. Sail-away from the Crow's nest (a must atleast one day). All of the wonderful people we met. The view of endless ocean in front of us.
Well, sorry for the rambling, but those are our assessments. I might have forgotten a few things and will add them later. WOuld be glad to answer any questions. We had a great time, and would consider going again. The vacation would rank very close, but maybe just below a week in Hawaii for us. Thanks for reading!
Pre- Cruise
We stayed at the Reinassance in Ft. Lauderdale. Received a great rate through Priceline. Absolutely loved the hotel, and had a great dinner at a restaurant just next to the hotel. I cannot remember the name of it so I apologize. It started with a "B" and is right on a small waterway.
Embarkation
We had filled out all of the paperwork ahead of time, and it took less than ten minutes. It was fabulous.
Cabin
We had a Verandah Cat. A. The room was great with plenty of space and we used the balcony all week for breakfast and lots of reading. Flushing the toilet can scare you to death the first time.:D
Food
The Dining Room was very nice. Some of the food was excellent, some just ok, but was worth being waited on. Something we didn't find out until the last couple of nights is that at dinner, the Lido serves basically the same food as the Dining Room. They do not have as many choices, but we found this quite nice as by the end of the week, we were quite tired of dressing up, and it was nice eating when you wanted.
Entertainment
The shows were much better than we expected. We were not very fond of the cruise dancers and their shows, but loved the comedian, majician, and Edge. Also, there is a band in the Ocean Bar that we thought were great.
Service
This was our biggest disappointment by far of the cruise, however service was fantastic. Please let me explain. I do not think there was one staff member, crew member, or waiter that did not do a very good job outside of one particular drink waiter in the Ocean Bar that did not get our order right all week. I mean they were terrific. But by the end of the week, after talking and getting to know so many of them, we left with such an empty feeling. I realize this is simply my opinion and no one else's, but it really bothers me how overworked the crew is. I am certainly not talking about the regular staff. They seem to have it pretty nice. But we thought the regular crew were really being mis-treated. Let me please say, I know it is their choice to work on this cruise. I know it is far better than they have it in Indonesia and the Phillipines. But I think it is wrong, and by the end of the week, it started having an effect on our vacation. We loved most of the cruise, but this became such an overwhelming burden that it seriously will make us consider not going again. I understand other cruise-lines are no different. I know many companies do the same thing. But it does not make it right. I know for many of the crew, it is the only way for them to have a way to make it. But come on, treat them like human beings. Many that we talked to have a family that they will not see for atleast a year. Wives, children. They work 10-14 hours a day, 7 days a week for a year straight. I do not think that is right. This is simply my opinion, and I do not at all want to infringe on anybody else not having a problem with this. But for my wife and I, it bothered us greatly. I know for us, we would be willing to pay more money (sorry, I said it) for their to be more workers so that the crew could have atleast one day off a week. Maybe they could work 3 weeks on, and one week off. Something should be done. SOrry, I am rambling, but it bothered us greatly so I wanted to share it.
HMC
One of the most beautiful places on Earth. Even the raving comments on here cannot do it justice. We had a cabana, but probably would not do that again. No need for it there. Simply wonderful
St. Thomas
We did not like St. Thomas very much, but took a ferry to St. John and loved it. Trunk Bay is magnificent. Very similar to Kauai. We thought quite a difference between St. John's and St. Thomas, although it does take a bit of work to hit Red Hook at the right time, so do your homework. But we are not big shoppers, so if you are, St. Thomas is for you.
Tortola
We were a bit tired on this day, so did not go to the Baths. Therefore, maybe I should not comment on the island. We really didnt think much of what we did see in Road Town.
Nassau
Exiting the ship here is like going through a den of wolves, but we heard not as bad as Jamaica. Couldn't imagine. It was a fun experience though. People were very nice. Took a ferry to Atlantis. It was quite a site and definitely worth it.
Extras
Wanted to say a word about things we read on here and thought were useful or not for others to know. Did not need bungie cords as the doors to the verandah stay open if you want them to. Loved having the shoe organizer and over the door hanger for the bathroom. Never used the highlighters, but not a bad idea. Never used the medical kit, but it was nice to have in case. Ziplock bags work nicely.
Disembarkation
Not too bad, although not nearly as easy as getting on the ship. Thought it horrible walking across the catwalk to the terminal and seeing the workers scramble to call home. Thought the cruise-line made flying out more difficult by traying to "help" by having your baggage tags waiting for you. The line downstairs was much longer than the regular lines for customers. Also, they hand-checked every bag, as they do not have an x-ray machine. You might be able to get around this by not listing that you are flying out on your dis-embarkation sheet. It would be much easier just to check the 'Making my own plans' box.
Overall Negatives
The airport hassle. The before-mentioned floating sweatshop. St. Thomas and Road Town. Also, and this is just part of being on a cruise, but sometimes we felt like we were at an 'adult' summer camp for a week. Long lines, Immigration check-in at St. Thomas, dress code, constantly hearing Dane through the loud-speaker. Reminded me a bit too much of summer camp. But you are on vacation, so some of those things can get annoying. A small price to pay I guess.
Overall Positives
HMC! Trunk Bay. Breakfast on the verandah. Sail-away from the Crow's nest (a must atleast one day). All of the wonderful people we met. The view of endless ocean in front of us.
Well, sorry for the rambling, but those are our assessments. I might have forgotten a few things and will add them later. WOuld be glad to answer any questions. We had a great time, and would consider going again. The vacation would rank very close, but maybe just below a week in Hawaii for us. Thanks for reading!