Balliett
February 6th, 2005, 07:40 PM
demographics: jim, 60, grace 56. Sixth cruise, two of them with kids: Five on HAL, one on RCCL. paid 2100 (total with all taxes and fees but without air or transfers) thru Priceline\Orbitz for veranda cabin 7044.
Western Caribbean: Fort Lauderdale, Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Mo Bay, Half Moon Cay, Fort Lauderdale
Ship comments: Immaculate ship. Best looking ship in most harbors. Looks like a ship, not a pull-toy. On the last night, there were force 7 winds (near-gale) but the soup didn't slosh at all. The internet is slower when the ship rocks a bit, though. (Oh the sacrifices of sea travel!) Great beds. This was our first veranda, and it was very usable. check out the moon at 2am in the robes (provided). Unfailingly smiling and helpful crew, even if a few were english-challanged. I like the new tipping plan. We still gave $2 to room service and occasional dollars to bartenders...and $5 to the room guy when he brought our laundry. (Best deal: the $12 bag. It comes back folded in a wicker basket.) Oh, we did receive a letter the second or third day saying there was an increase in GI illness on board, so be sure to wash hands etc. and stay in the cabin if you get sick. The folks at the next table did disappear for two nights, and returned for dinner on the last night. Their kid got it on day three and they had it on days four and five and stayed in the cabin. Saw or heard about no one else getting sick.
Food: Ironic that while sailing in the caribbean all of the fish on board is frozen! Not up to Red Lobster standards for the fish in the main room. we didn't eat at the optional restaurant. In the main room, the table settings were classy and lovely. The poultry was always good, the lamb was good, the meat varied. On surf and turf night, the lobster tail was good but neither of us finished the tough small steak. should have asked for two tails. The escargot was good. Drink prices were reasonable. Minibar prices were the same at at bars. You could have six Heinikens delivered to the room for about $16 plus added tip.
side trips: We planned our own, using info from these message boards, with one exception.
The precruise was at the Marriott Marina. $209 included room service breakfast and free van to the ship. The property is right on the water bus line (all day for $5) which is a free tour by itself and goes to the beach or Las Olas street for shopping and dining.
In Georgetown Grand Cayman, I arranged for Geddes Hislop to meet us when the ship docked. He's a naturalist, educated in canada, who took us on a hike and tour of the island for $45 each (about four hours). Very pleasant and personable. More like a naturalist than a "tour guide." He will take up to eight but it was only us two on Wednesday for a private tour. Learned about him on this board, so if you're interested, you can search for info here or google. He has a web site.
In Montego Bay, we followed board member's advice and did Sunset Beach, all inclusive resort, for $20 day-pass each. Hard to believe, but Yes free drinks, food, entertainment, pools, kids programs, beaches, (not as good at Doctors Cave, but good enough). You could walk there but we took a nice cab (tourist board supervises well) for $6. As someone posted, ask for towel vouchers when you check in. It's an easy cab ride back, or walk. All cabs in Mo Bay seem to want to take you somewhere else, but we just say, "We're meeting friends" and they stop pitching. If you have been to jamaica before and want just a no-hassel beach day rather than a tour, this is a great bargain. They had a dozen workers busy building the water park next door. Nowhere near to being finished, though.
On Half Moon Cay, I took my only HAL arranged excersion: riding a horse in the sea. $49. Grace doesn't like to ride or be in deep water, so she stayed on board. Nice horses, no experience needed (for the rider) if you are at all fit. Neat experience!
Other remarks: Entertainment on board was hit or miss. The Elton John imitator was good. Something for everyone, though. One of us is catholic, and there was a priest on board (a real one with a parish in NJ) who had about forty people with him, so there was mass at least once a day, which was good. Also Bingo and lots of $5 blackjack. six deck shoe. tight slots and video poker with autohold but lousy pay tables.
There was a large irish group with musicians on board, and they entertained privately in the Queens Lounge. I got invited in once, but lurked outside other times. Best music on the ship, maybe.
We will next cruise with HAL in October from Italy on the Rotterdam
Western Caribbean: Fort Lauderdale, Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Mo Bay, Half Moon Cay, Fort Lauderdale
Ship comments: Immaculate ship. Best looking ship in most harbors. Looks like a ship, not a pull-toy. On the last night, there were force 7 winds (near-gale) but the soup didn't slosh at all. The internet is slower when the ship rocks a bit, though. (Oh the sacrifices of sea travel!) Great beds. This was our first veranda, and it was very usable. check out the moon at 2am in the robes (provided). Unfailingly smiling and helpful crew, even if a few were english-challanged. I like the new tipping plan. We still gave $2 to room service and occasional dollars to bartenders...and $5 to the room guy when he brought our laundry. (Best deal: the $12 bag. It comes back folded in a wicker basket.) Oh, we did receive a letter the second or third day saying there was an increase in GI illness on board, so be sure to wash hands etc. and stay in the cabin if you get sick. The folks at the next table did disappear for two nights, and returned for dinner on the last night. Their kid got it on day three and they had it on days four and five and stayed in the cabin. Saw or heard about no one else getting sick.
Food: Ironic that while sailing in the caribbean all of the fish on board is frozen! Not up to Red Lobster standards for the fish in the main room. we didn't eat at the optional restaurant. In the main room, the table settings were classy and lovely. The poultry was always good, the lamb was good, the meat varied. On surf and turf night, the lobster tail was good but neither of us finished the tough small steak. should have asked for two tails. The escargot was good. Drink prices were reasonable. Minibar prices were the same at at bars. You could have six Heinikens delivered to the room for about $16 plus added tip.
side trips: We planned our own, using info from these message boards, with one exception.
The precruise was at the Marriott Marina. $209 included room service breakfast and free van to the ship. The property is right on the water bus line (all day for $5) which is a free tour by itself and goes to the beach or Las Olas street for shopping and dining.
In Georgetown Grand Cayman, I arranged for Geddes Hislop to meet us when the ship docked. He's a naturalist, educated in canada, who took us on a hike and tour of the island for $45 each (about four hours). Very pleasant and personable. More like a naturalist than a "tour guide." He will take up to eight but it was only us two on Wednesday for a private tour. Learned about him on this board, so if you're interested, you can search for info here or google. He has a web site.
In Montego Bay, we followed board member's advice and did Sunset Beach, all inclusive resort, for $20 day-pass each. Hard to believe, but Yes free drinks, food, entertainment, pools, kids programs, beaches, (not as good at Doctors Cave, but good enough). You could walk there but we took a nice cab (tourist board supervises well) for $6. As someone posted, ask for towel vouchers when you check in. It's an easy cab ride back, or walk. All cabs in Mo Bay seem to want to take you somewhere else, but we just say, "We're meeting friends" and they stop pitching. If you have been to jamaica before and want just a no-hassel beach day rather than a tour, this is a great bargain. They had a dozen workers busy building the water park next door. Nowhere near to being finished, though.
On Half Moon Cay, I took my only HAL arranged excersion: riding a horse in the sea. $49. Grace doesn't like to ride or be in deep water, so she stayed on board. Nice horses, no experience needed (for the rider) if you are at all fit. Neat experience!
Other remarks: Entertainment on board was hit or miss. The Elton John imitator was good. Something for everyone, though. One of us is catholic, and there was a priest on board (a real one with a parish in NJ) who had about forty people with him, so there was mass at least once a day, which was good. Also Bingo and lots of $5 blackjack. six deck shoe. tight slots and video poker with autohold but lousy pay tables.
There was a large irish group with musicians on board, and they entertained privately in the Queens Lounge. I got invited in once, but lurked outside other times. Best music on the ship, maybe.
We will next cruise with HAL in October from Italy on the Rotterdam