Mitsugirlys graduation getaway cruise

Wonderful review, thanks.

You're welcome and glad you enjoyed it. :)

A few years ago, we had a trip to Sesame Place planned. We were only staying one night. Our daughter was only about 2 1/2 at the time and we were going with another couple. Well, they day before we were going I tripped over my dog and slammed my pinky toe into a case of water. It immediately started swelling and the whole side of my foot started turning a lovely shade of purple and green. Luckily (or not), I worked for an Orthopedic Surgeon and they did an X-Ray. Well, I not only broke the toe but it actually split the bone right up the middle. They didn't even need to do the X-Ray to see it was broken. The colors and swelling was enough to know it was. What can you do for a broken pinky toe? Nothing but buddy tape it and keep it elevated. Yeah right. We were going to go spend the weekend at a water park. We had a fantastic time and I could only wear Crocs the entire time. We spent an obscene amount of time on the lazy river. :D

I can't tell you how many times I've rebroken that same toe, but it seems that once you break it, you are constantly hitting it on something or other. :p

I can tell you that almost 5 years later it is still a pain.

Oh great, that's encouraging. :p I can tell you that since I broke this toe, I swear anyone that comes near me or backs up, either steps on it, hits it, bangs it...like it's always that foot!!! I have also manage to hit the rest of the toes on something here and there every since this has happened. Ugh. I swear that foot is cursed. :D I was outside studying yesterday and pulled the lounge chair on the deck over and of course somehow I managed to pull it up over my 3rd toe of that foot and took a chunk out of it. :o

I am more a reader than a poster on CC but needed to tell you how much I love your reviews and pictures. Your pictures of Coki beach snorkeling brought me back to our trip there, one of my favorite places. We had not done any research on that beach and took the recommendation of the taxi driver and glad we did.

 

On a personal note, just wanted to say that I think you will be outstanding nurse, your positive outlook on life will take your far in life and your career. I have been hesitant to go to Bermuda as I am not sure about the multiple days in port, so will be on the look out for your future review. Best of luck on your upcoming boards. Johanna

Thank you so much for the kind compliment about nursing.

Going to Bermuda and having multiple days in port is one of the many things that draws me there. I absolutely love the thought of "parking" somewhere and being able to come and go at my leisure with no worries of the ship leaving you and being able to explore everything instead of having to pick and choose just one destination....ahhhh. Being on my own time frame just really sounds awesome. :)

I broke my toe on a case of water too. It was a full 8 weeks until the pain went away and luckily it was May when I did it so I could wear sandals all summer. Broken toes are a pita! :D

Yea, I have been wearing a lot of sandals as well. The one time I put my tennis shoes on to do the ropes course was SO painful. I think I have only worn tennis shoes once since I have been home and that was at work last weekend. :p

Love your review. We are thinking about taking the getaway because we want to go back to st martaan but the idea of the larger ship doesn't thrill us. We like the jewel class ships. Your review makes Getaway seem less crowded and easy to navigate (or is that all your planning?).

 

Also, congrats on graduating. I just took my nclex in March and all I can say is study your select all and alternate format (put in order steps of procedures, listening to heart sounds) because the better you are doing the more of those you seem to get. My screen shut off at question 76 and I wanted to have a heart attack. Good luck!!

 

 

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It was pretty easy to navigate I thought. Crowds don't really bother me, but I take a majority of the pictures when we either first board or later in the evening when a lot of the people are out to dinner or at shows or gambling. So you can get some pretty decent pictures that way with not a lot of people in them. :D The only time it ever really felt crowded to me was at night when walking inside when you were close to a show or during the first sea day out by the pool area. But, we had a group of 8 and never had a problem finding seats anywhere.

Thanks for the tips on the NCLEX...obviously SATA are my least favorite. :o I have been reading a lot of people say that there's a lot of those on the test and I'm completely dreading that portion. With my luck, I'll be the one that gets 265 questions. I'm a really bad test taker. My anxiety kicks in so bad that I have been known to black out after a test. My mind just goes blank and everything I have learned just goes out the door and it's like I'm trying to read a foreign language. I'm completely convinced that I'll have to take it more than once. :(

Hey Kim-

Here are my college professor tips for test taking-

-try to attach reason to your information. Why do you take a blood pressure before a pulse? Why do you take a height and weight each visit?

-try to attach meaning to each piece of information? If you can make some of this info personally relevant, it will help you to attach it to your memory.

-sleep well every night before the test. Memories/ learning can only "attach"

when we get adaquate REM sleep. Cramming the night before will not help.

-study in small incriments (one to two hour blocks). Then do a little exercise or movement.

-relax. breathe. remember that this is one day in an entirely successful life.

-AND if worse comes to worse, you can have a do-over! This is not the be all and end all. The grade on this test does not define who you are to your core.

You will be fine. I just know it.

Keep us posted!

Tracie-Lynn

You'll do fine. If you can pass nursing school the nclex isn't so bad. And if you're not a fan of waiting for results the Pearson Vue trick works to tell you if you passed. I tried it in the parking lot as soon as I left.

You said the cabin was noisy(the whistling), did your kids notice the same thing in theirs? Thanks!

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

You'll do fine. If you can pass nursing school the nclex isn't so bad. And if you're not a fan of waiting for results the Pearson Vue trick works to tell you if you passed. I tried it in the parking lot as soon as I left.

 

You said the cabin was noisy(the whistling), did your kids notice the same thing in theirs? Thanks!

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

Yea, the first student to take the test (Friday) from our class just did the Pearson Vue trick and found out she passed. So I think it still works.

When I ask my kids about it, they said they didn't remember a whistling sound. :confused: But then again, they really don't pay much attention to things and they are kinda "loud" to begin with...so they might have not noticed if there was. The weird thing about the sound was it wasn't from the door or the sliding glass door. It came from above the bed area...like where the little cut out shadow box is behind the bed.

Hey Kim-

Here are my college professor tips for test taking-

-try to attach reason to your information. Why do you take a blood pressure before a pulse? Why do you take a height and weight each visit?

-try to attach meaning to each piece of information? If you can make some of this info personally relevant, it will help you to attach it to your memory.

-sleep well every night before the test. Memories/ learning can only "attach"

when we get adaquate REM sleep. Cramming the night before will not help.

-study in small incriments (one to two hour blocks). Then do a little exercise or movement.

-relax. breathe. remember that this is one day in an entirely successful life.

-AND if worse comes to worse, you can have a do-over! This is not the be all and end all. The grade on this test does not define who you are to your core.

 

You will be fine. I just know it.

 

Keep us posted!

Tracie-Lynn

These are all test taking strategies that I have done prior to each test in Nursing school...but it still didn't seem to help. I completely draw a blank and then once a test is over and I recall the questions, I know exactly what the answer is and why. I just freeze. I have always had that problem. :(

I have said the entire time during nursing school...just let me make it to the end because after that, I'm fine since I can take the NCLEX as many times as needed to pass. I said I would be a bit more relaxed knowing this...so we'll see how that holds up. :D

FINAL THOUGHTS ON THE PORTS:

 

MAHO BEACH:

 

WOULD I GO HERE AGAIN? Nope, I have been twice now. That’s enough for me. I will move on to other places to experience more of the island.

WOULD I SUGGEST IT TO OTHERS? Yep, absolutely. It’s a must-do at least once type of thing.

I agree with you on that! I've been twice now and suspect I'll only go back if I'm traveling with people who haven't seen it.

ST THOMAS:

 

COKI BEACH:

 

 

WOULD I GO BACK? ABSOLUTELY!!!! WITHOUT A DOUBT!!!!

WOULD I RECOMMEND THIS PLACE? ABSOLUTELY!! It has a little bit of something for everyone whether you snorkel or just swim (or relax).

We love Coki Beach. I've been twice as part of tours and intend, the next time we hit St. Thomas to spend the entire day there. We didn't have a "private server" but did enjoy some frozen drinks from one of the shops there.

THE GETAWAY:

 

 

I highly recommend the iConceirge program. We used it a lot and thought it was well worth the money if you are going to be split up at any time from the people you are traveling with…on such a huge ship.

We also used the iConcierge app - this last time, we splurged for the $7.95 per phone and it was great for touching base with our friends. Definitely worth it.

The new picture Kiosk to be able to snap a picture and immediately post it to your facebook or send an email to family…excellent idea.

 

 

The face recognition and photography having the ability to type in your cabin number when they take your picture=the greatest thing ever.

Oops! You just reminded me that we forgot to check out the pictures. We almost never buy them but the husband was a little goofy one evening and those might have been interesting to see. :)

I actually loved the keycard in the slot idea and pulling when you leave (of course for other reasons that what someone would normally like them for….when it’s time to go, it’s time to go…momma has control and pulls the card and the tv goes off…winning). However, it can be a nuisance if you are trying to charge things back in the room while you’re gone.

This last time, my husband was using a business card as the key card - and leaving it in the slot but pulling it up so the lights would go off. On about the second day, the room steward had replaced it. Apparently they have "for light switch only" cards...so that might be good for people to know as we much preferred that to pulling the room key out and realizing that the person who was still in the room grabbing "one last thing" was suddenly in the dark!

Now the not so good???

 

Where was washy-washy? Seriously. There wasn’t anyone around telling anyone to wash their hands going into the restaurants or buffet like there is on the other ships. They had the hand sanitizer pole at each entrance, but you all know how many people will just walk by it if not told to wash your hands. No washy-washy- happy-happy songs as you enter the buffet area or anything. The only time you would ever find someone standing around with the squirt bottle was coming back from port.

 

lol Funny how people think differently about different things. Those washy-washy people annoy me. :o And it really annoyed me on the dock when they had just given me a wet cloth to wash and then they were spraying me with that stuff.

Where is the chocolate buffet? Did they stop doing them on the new ships? (Not that I eat chocolate or anything, but I do always enjoy going and getting pictures of the amazing work they do with chocolate).

 

Totally agree with you on this! Have to say though that it's been a long time since we've seen the midnight/chocolate buffets. I guess it's too expensive? As someone who DOES love chocolate though, I was bummed when they stopped doing them...

Having to book shows-UGH! I just hated it. I missed just being able to walk into the theater every night at one of the 2 showings, getting a seat and seeing something new every night. On this ship, if you don’t book ahead, you don’t see the show unless you are willing to stand around waiting to see if there are seats available from no-shows and then again, you may not sit together. Not my idea of a fun night.

 

VERY much agree with you on this. As we'd just been on the ship three months ago, we didn't need to see the shows but I miss going on the Carnival ships where there is a different comedy show every evening. And the adult shows. They don't have those at all on this ship. And that comedy club - horrible! Hard seats sitting in rows. Not relaxing at all. After the margarita tasting, I ran into three of the comedians sitting around talking and I let them know they needed more shows (more material!) - they're shows are the same every time they perform - and complained about the club. Hopefully they passed on my opinions. :D

Giving us 2 luggage tags…really? For 4 people in a room?

That is crazy! Our travel agent sent us three tags for two people. If we'd needed more, though, I knew there were are a couple of ways around that. The baggage carriers as you are getting on the ship have luggage tags they can throw on. Plus, you can print extra ones from your account on the website.

The constant water on my balcony. There should have been a drain there like there was on all of the other balconies. I’m not sure what was going on. You would also think on a hot day, it would dry up but yet there the water was all the time.

How does it feel to know people are thinking of you when they're out there on their cruises? :) Our friends were in a balcony room and the first thing we did when we went into their room was check to see if they had the drain. :)

The pool area….doesn’t have any area to dance at. What the frick? Like sail away parties pool side is what usually gets the party started with the music and dancing. There was music, but no dancing because THERE’S NO ROOM. Yuck.

We went to H20/Spice for the Sail Away party (which was very anti-climactic since our ship sat there for another two hours, lol)...lots of dancing etc. but not my kind of music at all. We went to several of the parties there each evening - I wondered why it never clicked in with them that more people were dancing during the 70's and the 80's parties...not to that other "music."

Casino-it seemed small to me and so spread out between different rooms and sides of the ship, then several different hallways. It’s was just a little weird (although I got used to it). But, the really odd thing was they didn’t have any of the slots that are usually on all the other ships. They are usually the ones that everyone is always playing all the time. Why mess with a good thing?

The only good thing about it being all spread out like that is that the non-smoking part stays pretty much "clean" though I noticed some smoke hitting us at points. I wish they'd just make the whole thing non-smoking because if you hate smoking as much as I do, you're pretty limited to where you can go and still breathe...

About the slots - I don't play but one evening, a woman came by and was really quite upset, telling her husband she didn't know how to play any of the stupid machines. The dealer offered to have someone come and show her how to use the machines but she didn't want to do that and headed back to her room.

FORGETTING MY LATITUDES SHIP PIN FOR THE SECOND CRUISE. Am I tagged for no pins? Lol

We both got our pins but somehow, I am a Silver and the husband is a Bronze member...though we've only ever sailed together!

My final thoughts:

 

I missed how easy it was to get from point A to point B in very little time.

Our cabin was "forward" - very far away from pretty much everything on the ship. Can't tell you how many times I thought of something I'd forgotten in my room but didn't feel like going ALL THE WAY back there so just lived without it. Ugh!

The Getaway just felt different. I don’t know if it was because of the size, the actual events that happened to me leading up to the cruise and during the cruise (missed flight, broken toe, tooth falling out),

Again...how do you feel about people thinking about you while on their cruises? lol I chipped a tooth...and thought of you. :)

Thank you for a fun review! I read it after my first time on the ship but still found it interesting...

 

 

lol Funny how people think differently about different things. Those washy-washy people annoy me. And it really annoyed me on the dock when they had just given me a wet cloth to wash and then they were spraying me with that stuff.

 

 

They really annoy my husband as well, but our daughter loves them and laughs every time and comes away from the cruise singing washy washy, happy happy, wakey wakey eggs and bakey. She wanted to know where they were this time.

 

The problem with not having them there, I watch people enter to eat over and over every day without washing their hands...therefore causing germs to spread. This ship will probably have an outbreak one day soon since they eliminated that.

 

The wet washcloth they hand you when you are returning is not to wipe your hands of with (or sanitize them) it's just a wash cloth in cold frozen water to cool you down as you are returning...as in to wiped your face off and refresh you. They do nothing to sanitize your hands from anything you might have picked up or touched while on the island. That's why they have someone still standing there spraying your hands when you board. :)

 

 

Totally agree with you on this! Have to say though that it's been a long time since we've seen the midnight/chocolate buffets. I guess it's too expensive? As someone who DOES love chocolate though, I was bummed when they stopped doing them...

 

I know they did away with the midnight buffets many years ago. From what I hear, there was too much wasted food. But boy was it a beautiful display.

 

As for the chocolate buffet, they still have them on all the other ships. (It's not at midnight, but still a grand display of chocolate with fountains and carvings and lights...and so on). It was just this ship that didn't have it for some reason. :confused:

 

That is crazy! Our travel agent sent us three tags for two people. If we'd needed more, though, I knew there were are a couple of ways around that. The baggage carriers as you are getting on the ship have luggage tags they can throw on. Plus, you can print extra ones from your account on the website.

 

I wasn't talking about the tags to board the ship. You have to print those prior to leaving for your cruise. (They stopped sending them out unless you are in the haven or higher class rooms). My problem was the debarkation tags. They only gave us 2 of them for a room that was supposed to be for 4 people with more than 1 luggage each. Those you can only get on the ship. :)

 

 

 

How does it feel to know people are thinking of you when they're out there on their cruises? Our friends were in a balcony room and the first thing we did when we went into their room was check to see if they had the drain.

 

LOL, that's hilarious.

 

 

We both got our pins but somehow, I am a Silver and the husband is a Bronze member...though we've only ever sailed together!

 

You can look it up on your "My NCL" by logging in and seeing that all your cruises are listed on your account. If they are not, you can send them an email (there's a link on that page) to have them correct it. It usually takes awhile, but they will make sure that they get all the cruises on there for you.

 

Our cabin was "forward" - very far away from pretty much everything on the ship. Can't tell you how many times I thought of something I'd forgotten in my room but didn't feel like going ALL THE WAY back there so just lived without it. Ugh!

 

We have stayed in the very front once and also in the very back. It's a lot of walking I agree. I do the same and unless necessary, I try not to have to walk all the way there again when I leave something behind. LOL

 

 

Again...how do you feel about people thinking about you while on their cruises? lol I chipped a tooth...and thought of you.

 

 

Oh no. I hope you're ok. Chipped teeth are no fun either. :(

 

Thank you for a fun review! I read it after my first time on the ship but still found it interesting...

Thanks so much for taking the time to read my review and enjoying it. I appreciate it. Happy sailings to you.

Just an update on my ring status.

I finally got my butt in gear and dug out all the information on it (certificate/warranty) and called the number listed on it.

YOU GET AN AUTOMATED SYSTEM....grrr. I really hate those with a passion and feel so much better when talking to a live person. Then all they do is tell you go to their online web address (which is listed on the certificate) to fill out the form. But their website is super crappy IMO and very immature for a company. It took me a minute to find the form because all they had all over it was their price matching deals...which how would you ever find that same jewelry...please.

I can tell already that this is going to be a big hassle and a lot of invested time.

1) You have to send a copy of the certificate they gave you.

2) You have to send a copy of the actual receipt they gave you with the purchase.

3) You have to send a copy of your statement showing the on board charge from the cruise line.

4) You have to let them know how you paid for it (with what type of card) and send a proof of the credit card statement with the charge on it. (I'm now wondering what if I had just done a cash account like I usually do???)

5) You have to return it in the original packing...remember that ring case that they wasn't going to give me when I was there because I was wearing the ring? Yea, glad I got it.

6) You have to send you last born child to them for cheap labor.

Yep, that about sums it up.

....Of all days for my printer to break, today would be that day and I can't print any of this stuff out. Sigh.

Lesson learned....I WILL NEVER PURCHASE JEWELRY OUT OF THE COUNTRY OR ON THE SHIP AGAIN. It's just too much of a hassle and they said 8-10 weeks AFTER they receive it for me to get it back. :mad:

YIKES! I know it is all so frusterating even before you get started with the entire ordeal. That is why I took my rings to get sized by my jeweler and just paid the $50. I also lost a small channel diamond in my emerald ring and had my jeweler replace that as well. However, your situation is indeed more detailed as evidenced by your local jeweler. I am very sorry that this situation ruins the entire "beautiful ring purchased on your graduation cruise experience." In addition, be prepared that they may incur additional charges. From my understanding, not everything is covered and free of charge for repairs. However, I certainly hope this is not the situation with your ring. Best Wishes and keep us informed with your progress.

Just an update on my ring status.

 

I finally got my butt in gear and dug out all the information on it (certificate/warranty) and called the number listed on it.

 

YOU GET AN AUTOMATED SYSTEM....grrr. I really hate those with a passion and feel so much better when talking to a live person. Then all they do is tell you go to their online web address (which is listed on the certificate) to fill out the form. But their website is super crappy IMO and very immature for a company. It took me a minute to find the form because all they had all over it was their price matching deals...which how would you ever find that same jewelry...please.

 

I can tell already that this is going to be a big hassle and a lot of invested time.

 

1) You have to send a copy of the certificate they gave you.

 

2) You have to send a copy of the actual receipt they gave you with the purchase.

 

3) You have to send a copy of your statement showing the on board charge from the cruise line.

 

4) You have to let them know how you paid for it (with what type of card) and send a proof of the credit card statement with the charge on it. (I'm now wondering what if I had just done a cash account like I usually do???)

 

5) You have to return it in the original packing...remember that ring case that they wasn't going to give me when I was there because I was wearing the ring? Yea, glad I got it.

 

6) You have to send you last born child to them for cheap labor.

 

 

Yep, that about sums it up.

 

....Of all days for my printer to break, today would be that day and I can't print any of this stuff out. Sigh.

 

 

Lesson learned....I WILL NEVER PURCHASE JEWELRY OUT OF THE COUNTRY OR ON THE SHIP AGAIN. It's just too much of a hassle and they said 8-10 weeks AFTER they receive it for me to get it back. :mad:

Sounds like super glue time to me. :D I need to show this to my wife. She wonder why I do not like to buy rings and other jewerly on the curises (besides seom $10 ear rings or watches) they either break down or come up missing. The jewerly fairy comes into our house at night and takes them. :eek:

The Ump

John

Love your reviews! Sorry about your ring :(

That is crazy! Our travel agent sent us three tags for two people. If we'd needed more, though, I knew there were are a couple of ways around that. The baggage carriers as you are getting on the ship have luggage tags they can throw on. Plus, you can print extra ones from your account on the website.

 

I wasn't talking about the tags to board the ship. You have to print those prior to leaving for your cruise. (They stopped sending them out unless you are in the haven or higher class rooms). My problem was the debarkation tags. They only gave us 2 of them for a room that was supposed to be for 4 people with more than 1 luggage each. Those you can only get on the ship. :)

 

Ah those! Well, our room steward dropped the ball on all of that - we didn't even have the customs form in our room for some reason. I had picked up a handful of the debarkation tags at the Guest Services area - but we always carry off so I ended up not using them.

YIKES! I know it is all so frusterating even before you get started with the entire ordeal. That is why I took my rings to get sized by my jeweler and just paid the $50. I also lost a small channel diamond in my emerald ring and had my jeweler replace that as well. However, your situation is indeed more detailed as evidenced by your local jeweler. I am very sorry that this situation ruins the entire "beautiful ring purchased on your graduation cruise experience." In addition, be prepared that they may incur additional charges. From my understanding, not everything is covered and free of charge for repairs. However, I certainly hope this is not the situation with your ring. Best Wishes and keep us informed with your progress.

If there's additional charges on a ring that has a loose diamond a week after I purchased it, I'm going to be pissed and NCL will never hear the end of it. ;) I'll keep you updated.

Sounds like super glue time to me. :D I need to show this to my wife. She wonder why I do not like to buy rings and other jewerly on the curises (besides seom $10 ear rings or watches) they either break down or come up missing. The jewerly fairy comes into our house at night and takes them. :eek:

 

 

The Ump

John

LOL. I have found that purchasing the $10 items can be a waste of money as well. I did a $10 watch purchase and the band on it broke within a month. Maybe I'm just not meant to purchase jewelry. LOL :p But hey, at least it was only $10.

Love your reviews! Sorry about your ring :(

Thanks so much. :)

Ah those! Well, our room steward dropped the ball on all of that - we didn't even have the customs form in our room for some reason. I had picked up a handful of the debarkation tags at the Guest Services area - but we always carry off so I ended up not using them.

Yea, no matter what tags they give us, I really don't pay attention to them. I walk off when I am ready...woke up, showered, packed the rest, had breakfast, and then a good cry not wanting to leave. :p Then I'm ready.

6) You have to send you last born child to them for cheap labor.

Oh no:eek::eek: look out Sakari!!! LOL

Loved the review Kim

We did Breakaway last year to Bermuda for our 30th anniversary. Like you we so missed the snows like the other ships have. It is great to have the almost three days there on the island. Most all reviews u have read say the beaches are great

With all the issues you had, it's no wonder you did not need the psych ward!

Kathy

6) You have to send you last born child to them for cheap labor.

 

 

Oh no:eek::eek: look out Sakari!!! LOL

 

Loved the review Kim

 

We did Breakaway last year to Bermuda for our 30th anniversary. Like you we so missed the snows like the other ships have. It is great to have the almost three days there on the island. Most all reviews u have read say the beaches are great

 

With all the issues you had, it's no wonder you did not need the psych ward!

 

Kathy

:D No psych ward needed here...there would be no crystal blue water and a beach there, so I'm good. :p

Well here's my update for the day...

I went to the dentist yesterday with my tooth in my hand.

He gave me the option...1) we can either cement the tooth back up in there or 2) just remove the portion of tooth left there and not have a tooth there. :eek: UM WHAT? Now why would I EVER opt for option 2? Seriously????

So, he put my tooth back in (there wasn't any movement from my other teeth thank goodness), but with the added cement, it made that tooth "longer" and was hitting hard when I closed my mouth. He filed it down some, but it still doesn't feel "normal" or like before. I guess time will tell.

Hello Kim, I have read and enjoyed all of your reviews and find my family and myself seem to like and dislike the same things as you. (cruised the Breakaway in April and had many of the same observations and really enjoyed Blue Lagoon). That said we are doing the Dawn out of NoLa in Feb. To the Western Caribbean. Would you tell me, of the four ports, what each of your favorite excursions was? (4 ports being Cozumel, Costa Maya, Belize and Roatan) I would really appreciate your input. Also, We loved Goffs Caye if you ever get the chance. Thanks!

OMG--hope things get better for you. It has been a dream of mine to take our married children and grandchildren ( one 19 mths and one on the way) on a cruise. My hubby thinks it will never work due to difficulties coordinating everyone's various schedules, getting everyone to agree on the ship and itinerary, etc. The beginning of your story reminds me of my own family--often late when you need them to be on time--you know how it is. So I'm anxious to know how the rest of the cruise went for you. Please continue with your saga...

He gave me the option...1) we can either cement the tooth back up in there or 2) just remove the portion of tooth left there and not have a tooth there. :eek: UM WHAT? Now why would I EVER opt for option 2? Seriously????

I'm guessing there was a third option (to follow up with #2)? Dental Implant? I'm in the process of that...got the extraction about a week before we went on the cruise! Not fun and expensive but, like you, I have no interest in just not having a tooth there!

Well, it took a day and a half but I finished this entire thread!

Thank You Kim!

Great review and Beautiful pictures!

I had just booked the Gateway for next April and wasn't

going to think about it until the first of next year but I found your review

and could not stop reading. Very unproductive day yesterday at work!

Since we have done this itinerary on the EPIC I wasn't excited but you

have given me new ideas on what to do! Thank you again.

Hello Kim, I have read and enjoyed all of your reviews and find my family and myself seem to like and dislike the same things as you. (cruised the Breakaway in April and had many of the same observations and really enjoyed Blue Lagoon). That said we are doing the Dawn out of NoLa in Feb. To the Western Caribbean. Would you tell me, of the four ports, what each of your favorite excursions was? (4 ports being Cozumel, Costa Maya, Belize and Roatan) I would really appreciate your input. Also, We loved Goffs Caye if you ever get the chance. Thanks!

Ahh, NOLA is so nice and so many things to do there. I hope you get a chance to go ahead of time and explore before the cruise.

Hmmm, we have been to so many places on the Western Caribbean and it's so hard to pin point a "favorite". :D But, I'll take a shot at it (although the best advice I can give you is to read some of the reviews I did to the different places and see for yourself if it sounds/looks appealing to you).

Cozumel-since we absolutely love snorkeling, in Cozumel my favorite place so far has been Chankanaab. Since it's a National Park, it's just so beautiful there with plenty of things other than just snorkeling. We had an amazing time swimming with the dolphins, there's the snorkeling, plenty of sand, beautiful lagoon, the ruin trails and I hear they have added an alligator place too. Since it has been our favorite place so far, we have done it twice. My next favorite place would have to be Playa Mia-which would depend if you have kids or not (well kinda), but it was a beautiful place with several pools, the kiddie water park area and water slides. The beach was nice and so was the water.

Costa Maya-Our favorite by far is Almaplena. The water there was just so beautiful and crystal clear. The beach was nice and it's very secluded and away from the crowd. My second favorite would be Maya Chan with excellent service and terrific food and drinks. The ONLY complaint I have about there is the water, but that is not something that they can help. It has the sea grass and it makes the water look icky. But the staff and place is really nice. The malecon...well it just wasn't my thing (went to Nohoch). I don't know, the water wasn't the greatest, very shallow and could barely swim, the service so-so and it's just not what you picture when you think of the Caribbean.

Belize-well, I have only done the cave tubing (twice) and really enjoyed it and had great service both times and would highly recommend it, but we won't go back since we have already done it twice. Then the only other place we have been was Bannister Island-which I'm not sure if they even go there anymore.

Roatan-ahhhh, my sweet Roatan. One of my favorites. It's so hard to pick here because Maya Key is absolutely AMAZING with the snorkeling and a great little island with extra things like the animals and the replica ruins. Then there's Little French Key which is heaven on earth. The water color and clarity is simply amazing. Add in the animals and you have another amazing island. I would highly recommend either. You couldn't go wrong.

:)

OMG--hope things get better for you. It has been a dream of mine to take our married children and grandchildren ( one 19 mths and one on the way) on a cruise. My hubby thinks it will never work due to difficulties coordinating everyone's various schedules, getting everyone to agree on the ship and itinerary, etc. The beginning of your story reminds me of my own family--often late when you need them to be on time--you know how it is. So I'm anxious to know how the rest of the cruise went for you. Please continue with your saga...

Yea, things get a little hectic when you try to coordinate a big group to do the same things. At least most of the time when we are having a sea day, we pretty much do our own thing and if we happen to run into each other or meet up, then it's just an added plus. :D

Not really sure what you meant when you said you were anxious to know how the rest of the cruise went for me since the entire review is finished from the beginning to the end. :confused: Did you skip some pages? LOL :D

I'm guessing there was a third option (to follow up with #2)? Dental Implant? I'm in the process of that...got the extraction about a week before we went on the cruise! Not fun and expensive but, like you, I have no interest in just not having a tooth there!

Actually, he made no mention of the 3rd option with #2. He basically said he would pull the remaining portion of the tooth left in there and I just wouldn't have a tooth. :eek: I'm not exactly sure what made him think that I would just want a missing tooth there, especially since you can see it was missing when I smiled. :o

Well, it took a day and a half but I finished this entire thread!

Thank You Kim!

Great review and Beautiful pictures!

I had just booked the Gateway for next April and wasn't

going to think about it until the first of next year but I found your review

and could not stop reading. Very unproductive day yesterday at work!

Since we have done this itinerary on the EPIC I wasn't excited but you

have given me new ideas on what to do! Thank you again.

Oh gosh, :o so sorry you didn't get much done at work. :D Glad you enjoyed it and have some new ideas. Thanks for the comments.