Gathina
October 29th, 2011, 12:31 PM
I live locally and had won a cruise for 2 for $150 through a silent auction at church that benefited a ministry we have to the seafareres at the port. I think normally the cruise was valued at like $350.00. We each had to pay a port charge of $56 and some odd change.
Live 10 minutes from the port and a friend from MI here on business went with me. Parking is valet only for $15 per day. Embarkation was easy, the terminal is very nice and well staffed and it made me a little sad such a nice terminal didn't have more cruiselines to support it because it could do a lot for our local economy. We arrived at the ship about 12:15 and were settled into our cabin (Deck 3, lowest deck) that had a double bed and an upper birth. You can tell by the ship design it's definately an older ship but it's very well maintained and clean.
Lunch was on the upper deck..typical "cruise food trough"..but it was ok. Were supposed to sail at 4:30 but never sailed until almost 6. Dinner first night was at the Rio restaruant, nice selection and there are servers that bring Brazilian style rodezio meats to carve at your table. Nice touch, except for the server in the squeaky sing song voice that kept yelling "Roast bEEEEEEEEEfffff!". Nice casino,won $35. Entertainment was nice, good comedian, a cirque de soleil act (kinda weird, one of them was a giant slinky) and a couple of singers. There was a nice British style pub/club. The main audtiorium style room which also served as an after hours disco was very chic, I was impressed with that.
On the second night we ate at the Crystal restaruant which is supposed to be more formal..most people adhered to the dress code but a few people who obviiously didn't care came in shorts and tshirts and werent turned away which the brochure indicated they would.
We spent the day at Our Lucaya resort on the beach, very nice..we didnt buy the lunch option but spent time in the market place which was typical of most ports, and had lunch there.
I really enjoyed the Italian cafe that was open until the wee hours..you could get a giant cappucinno and a beautiful piece of cake for $4 and they actualy had a "happy hour". Other times you could get delicious homemade pizza for a snack (no charge). The gift shop items were reasonably priced and so was the liquor sales.
Ok..only one negative thing and that wouldnt disuade me from sailing with this line again..when I pulled the blanket back the first night on the upper birth the bed was made, but there was a giagnatic black hair on the pillow..not mine nor my friend as we are blondes..they did change the sheets..and the blanket and comforter..the cabin steward, whom I think was a new employee, was clearly moritifed..all the next day he apologized profusely and that night on my bed was a plate of chocolate covered strawberries with a note from the supervisor.
I think this is a great deal, esp.if you live locally and want a quick get away. The stay rates for a couple of days at our Lucaya our reasonable. I noticed a lot of Bahamians sort of use this as a shuttle to go home and visit if they live in FL..the ship IS old, although clean and neat and well maintained. If you are a big person, I dontk now how comfortable you will be as the cabins are small, the upper berths have a sign staying "maximum weight allowed 180 lbs) and the bathrooms are small too.We had a small window (outside cabin). We got off the ship at 7:30 on Monday morning and I was actually at work by 8!! If you are a giant luxury liner person, its not for you. But it seemed to have a local following as there were many there you could tell were repeat customers.
Live 10 minutes from the port and a friend from MI here on business went with me. Parking is valet only for $15 per day. Embarkation was easy, the terminal is very nice and well staffed and it made me a little sad such a nice terminal didn't have more cruiselines to support it because it could do a lot for our local economy. We arrived at the ship about 12:15 and were settled into our cabin (Deck 3, lowest deck) that had a double bed and an upper birth. You can tell by the ship design it's definately an older ship but it's very well maintained and clean.
Lunch was on the upper deck..typical "cruise food trough"..but it was ok. Were supposed to sail at 4:30 but never sailed until almost 6. Dinner first night was at the Rio restaruant, nice selection and there are servers that bring Brazilian style rodezio meats to carve at your table. Nice touch, except for the server in the squeaky sing song voice that kept yelling "Roast bEEEEEEEEEfffff!". Nice casino,won $35. Entertainment was nice, good comedian, a cirque de soleil act (kinda weird, one of them was a giant slinky) and a couple of singers. There was a nice British style pub/club. The main audtiorium style room which also served as an after hours disco was very chic, I was impressed with that.
On the second night we ate at the Crystal restaruant which is supposed to be more formal..most people adhered to the dress code but a few people who obviiously didn't care came in shorts and tshirts and werent turned away which the brochure indicated they would.
We spent the day at Our Lucaya resort on the beach, very nice..we didnt buy the lunch option but spent time in the market place which was typical of most ports, and had lunch there.
I really enjoyed the Italian cafe that was open until the wee hours..you could get a giant cappucinno and a beautiful piece of cake for $4 and they actualy had a "happy hour". Other times you could get delicious homemade pizza for a snack (no charge). The gift shop items were reasonably priced and so was the liquor sales.
Ok..only one negative thing and that wouldnt disuade me from sailing with this line again..when I pulled the blanket back the first night on the upper birth the bed was made, but there was a giagnatic black hair on the pillow..not mine nor my friend as we are blondes..they did change the sheets..and the blanket and comforter..the cabin steward, whom I think was a new employee, was clearly moritifed..all the next day he apologized profusely and that night on my bed was a plate of chocolate covered strawberries with a note from the supervisor.
I think this is a great deal, esp.if you live locally and want a quick get away. The stay rates for a couple of days at our Lucaya our reasonable. I noticed a lot of Bahamians sort of use this as a shuttle to go home and visit if they live in FL..the ship IS old, although clean and neat and well maintained. If you are a big person, I dontk now how comfortable you will be as the cabins are small, the upper berths have a sign staying "maximum weight allowed 180 lbs) and the bathrooms are small too.We had a small window (outside cabin). We got off the ship at 7:30 on Monday morning and I was actually at work by 8!! If you are a giant luxury liner person, its not for you. But it seemed to have a local following as there were many there you could tell were repeat customers.