WWbytheSEA

Are there any places near port where we could watch a roller making cigars. I really don’t want to waste an hour or more on a factory tour but would love to spend a few mins watching somewhere outside a factory tour.

I am booked for a 3 hour tour with OldCarTours and so looking forward to it. When we are done the tour, I am going to have them drop me off at a paladar somewhere in Havana but I wont be able to walk back to the ship as I will have my older in-laws with me. My Spanish is limited so I was thinking of getting the restaurant to call me a cab back. This shouldnt be an issue correct?

Also any decent bars (afternoon) within walking distance of the Havana Cruise terminal?

Take a quick Uber across the bridge and go to MICHAELS GENUINE

130 NE 40TH STREET

In the design center - IMHO - One of the top 10 restaurants ever been

Puerto Sagua for sure - right down the street from Versace mansion. Went to this spot a few times for breakfast and lunch while staying at the Marriott Stanton. Recommend the cuban of course and the ropa was very good as well

Dunns River Falls in Falmouth is a must. I did it in 1994 when Wife and I got married. We went back in 2016 and did it with my 2 sons born in 1996 and 1999. Great Experience!!!

Looking for snack/cocktails for lunch - Just had a friend come back and visited a paladar named mas Havana- Anyone been here or have other recommendations for a lite lunch spot with cocktails?

My wife and I have been on several private tours in other parts of the Caribbean. Do you ask your tour guide(s) to join you when you stop for lunch or drinks? In the 3 private tours, I have had only 1 time did one actually join us. This time I am with another couple so i’m thinking I won’t be extending the invite for our guides to join us. What is your experience with this?

Wow - 20-25 Cuc for Cohibas - that’s almost 23-28 in US dollars. I seem to remember getting them cheaper than this in other islands Am I doing the match correctly?

Hi BDM - On this same cruise for my Wifes 50Th on October 20. Never been on this class of ship but so looking forward to it and your initial thoughts are making me feel good about the choice. Staying in a JS on deck 10. Cant wait to read more...

Try asking a crew member that is familiar with the Falmouth port. On my last trip to Falmouth, a crewmember contacted his cousin who took us around all day for a very minimal price. There are many crew on the ship so someone would be able to assist you.

Thats great for all four of us -- Thanks Bruce

We will be arriving in Tampa a few days before our cruise and spending time in the Reddington Beach area. I will be renting a car from National Tampa airport and returning the car to the National Tampa location on Kennedy Blvd. I'm thinking my best bet is to drop the other couple at the cruise terminal and then for me to drop the car off at National and take a cab back to the port. Any other suggestions or does this sound like the way to go. The National Kennedy location is only a a couple miles away from the Port

Party of 4 adults arriving back into Tampa port after Cruise. Need to get back to Tampa airport for a 12:30PM flight. What are my best options for those that have done this before?

Hi BeneBire - Loved your pics and hope you a nice time in Cuba - This will be my first time on smaller ship. What did you think of Majesty? Also what did you do on your day in Cuba?

Thanks much

Dave

Just did the tour with Action Watersports last week while on our New Years Liberty of the Seas cruise. This is the third year that we have done this same tour. I went with my 16 year old son this year. The guides name is Leon. You can get transportation (5 bucks each way per person) from across the cruise port. I think the meeting place was the Iguana gift shop right next to the Hard Rock. It's about a 20 min ride to the holiday inn resort where they launch the jet skis. Make sure you have water shoes as the entry area is very rocky and will hurt your feet. The jet skis they use are about 2009-2010 Yamahas Crusiers with the governors removed so they go at a nice clip. The jet skis are getting old and long in the tooth, bumpers coming off, seats showing wear etc, Part of this is from how they have to line anchor them once you get out to Stingray city. It's about a 5-6 mile ride out which takes around 20-25 mins. The water was really choppy with 6-8 foot swells on our way out. We then went to starfish city instead of rum point beach as folks wanted to see the starfish instead of the beach. I will say that this is much, much more of a jet ski tour than snorkling. You are on the jet ski for at least 75 mins with a half hour at stingray city so not much time to snorkel. Also get a good pair of sunglasses with croakie straps that hold them onto your head, I just bought a pair of Costas Tuna alley and they were unbelievable on the water. Tour was so much fun. When tour is done, you can hang at the holiday inn pool area which never seems to be crowded. If you want you can get your own taxi back. The beach area where the jet skis are is nothing much. The ride back can be a long one depending on traffic and how many ships are in port that particular day. It took us almost 45 mins on the way back. If I can answer anything else for you just ask. We just went back after the tour and had lunch at a place called da fish shack right by the port area. It's right on the water with outdoor deck, iguanas walking around with fantastic views of the water and the cruise ships tendering.Expensive 40 bucks a person but so good if you like fresh fish...

So I was wondering if someone that has been to both could compare the two cruise ports. I have been to Falmouth last year and thought it was OK to walk around nice and clean, shops (no hassle) , food, drink, etc.

What is the Montego Bay cruise port like? and if you have been to both, which one did you like better and why?

Thanks all

Just ready to print out the Set Sail and i was posed with the following two options that have to deal with foreign currency exchange rates. i am paying with a US credit card RCCL BOA visa if that makes a difference. Which option??

A) I choose to pay my onboard charges in the currency of my card. I choose to use Royal Caribbean International's currency conversion program. This currency conversion transaction is based on wholesale exchange rates collected from Bloomberg plus a 3 percent international currency conversion fee. My choice to have charges billed in the currency of my card is final. I accept that the exchange rate used will be the rate in effect at the time the amounts are charged to my card.

B) I choose to have my credit card issuer convert my onboard charges to the currency of my card in lieu of participating in the Royal Caribbean International currency conversion program.

If I opt for my charges to be converted by my credit card issuer, or if my card is not billed in one of the billing currencies listed, my charges will be processed in the onboard currency (USD) and the issuer of my card may charge a service fee for currency conversion.

Just got finished researching a couple of Marriott properties right near IAH. The first is a full service Marriott that you actually take an underground tram directly from the airport to the hotel. This is a little higher on the price scale.

What I found and maybe great for you is the Springhill Suites on the IAH property as well. They offer a 24 hour free shuttle to and from the airport. They will also take you to the rental car center as that is my need the day after we arrive. They also have a free daily breakfast. Only down side is that it is not close to any other dining options. You could always grab something to eat at the airport before heading over or I'm sure the hotel would have delivery options. Great Trip advisor reviews as well. Hope this works for you.

Great post -- So inconvenient- So I am coming into IAH with wife and 2 late teen age sons on 12/25. We are staying at Marriot IAH on x-mas night. The next day, I am renting a car from National and driving to Galveston. Staying at Hilton on the 26th and then cruising out on Sunday 27th. This sounds dumb, but after looking at shuttle options, one way rentals drop offs, cabs, etc. I'm just going to leave the rental at the hotel while we cruise. Oh almost forgot, we are staying post cruise another day in Galveston Hilton before traveling back to IAH. It's expensive but only 60 bucks more than the other options I mentioned and the convenience factor outweighs that. As long as you don't have to pay for parking the rental while on the cruise the price is close. I am also Executive at National so I can pick a larger SUV and not pay what others would.

We should start a business to rent out idle cars while people are on their cruises.

Thanks Swingphi --- I don't understand why they can't just put this info on their website. Now I just have to find if I can leave my rental on their lot for a week.

Has anyone stayed here recently? The reviews on TA are sort of mixed but appears liked remodel construction that just finished was an issue. Specifically I am looking to see if they offer a free shuttle to the cruise port and if I can park my car in their lot for the duration of my cruise (7days). I am staying here post cruise for one night as well.

Momonthego is right, I would email and get a quote. Ricardo is very good at responding and communicating.

 

We went out of MoBay with Liberty Tours last week to the Blue Hole. It was $75 per person (there were 9 of us). It included transport, entrance into the Blue Hole and lunch at Scotchie's. Would use Liberty Tours again in a heart beat.

Did the $75 p/p include the food for lunch to or did you have to pay for the food? If you did pay for food, could I ask how much you think it would be for 4 adults with a couple of adult beverages for lunch? Really want to try this place Scotchies.

We have been on the RCCL Indy of the seas the past two years which stops in the Falmouth port. the first year we did Dunns River after doing it 20 years prior on our honeymoon. It was fun to do it again this time with our late teen sons. Last year we just walked around the Falmouth port and took in the shops and bars. Is the Montego Bay port area set up like Falmouth? Could someone please describe what its like.. Thanks

Just wanted to bump this up as I have not really read anything about those that have done private jet ski rentals while in Cozumel. If anyone has any experience, I would really appreciate to hear your insight.

Looks like I'm in the minority so far but on our last two INDY cruises over New Years, Chops was better in food quality and definitely service as we ate in both. Really thought service in Giovanni's was lacking. Had to request items multiple times, more drinks, water glasses filled etc.

Going to do both again this year on Liberty as they are different dining experiences.