Cloud666

Sign said adults only!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I’ll be sailing on the Splendor in January to Hawaii. It seems it was changed back to adults only.

Funny, I can remember when the deck in front of the funnel ( on older ships) was a topless deck.

I will have to disagree with your assessment. The vocal MAJORITY got it switched back.

Agreed

I would rather have 1 piece of the chocolate on my pillow (the ones you would get every nite) then 1 croc hat........

Agree 100%

Yes, I did misread that. I'm very sorry :(

No problem ....

They HAVEN'T taken away the turn down service. Please stop spreading that rumor. It is a choice you can request without issue. Just ask! Taking away means it no longer can happen. Not true.

I ment the chocolate, not the turn down service ....everybody calm down

Nothing like wearing plastic on you head under the tropical sun. Carnival keeps cutting back ...taking away the chocolate candy with the turn down service and now rewarding our loyalty with this junk.

I'm still a cruise newbie...been on the Sunshine twice. Theater took a little bit of standing in line. Wasn't a big deal to us but maybe it was because we didn't know any better. We loved The Sunshine and would do it again in a skinny minute if the ports were right. LOL

I see you will be on the Valor this weekend. We were on the Liberty two years ago on Super Bowl day. We had a blast. One big party.

Hi Cloud666 we are prepared to pay for the food, we want to dine at Passions, Matthews on the Beach, Yemangi, Screaming Eagle, Madam Janette, Suisse Chalet, Daniels Steak & Chop, White Modern Cuisine, and have two other open nights wanted Chefs Table but there are some new negative reviews. We know for two people to eat dinner alone be around $200 plus....depending on how many drinks we have.

 

People don't realize how much they saving taking a cruise vacation vs. a land island caribbean vacation.

The $200 plus is an accurate number. We have been to most of those restaurants and they are all very good. However, I suggest you post the list on the Aruba bb site, to get current reviews and to make sure all are still in business. I'm confident you will have many suggestions for your two open nights.

A new trend is now developing in Aruba. At one time, it was unheard of to buy an all inclusive hotel package. However, with more people cruising and as you said, realizing the value of having meals included and with the high cost of dinner on the island, all inclusive packages are in demand and hotels are now offering them.

It did feel cramped in general. although if you didn't have your heart set on somewhere specific there was always somewhere to sit etc. The best tip I learned in this forum prior to sailing was to eat by the Havana Bar. :-)

It's the forgotten bar on the ship....always a seat

Cloud666 thank you for the reassurance about the Marriott and all that info. i definitely will join that board thank you and I am surprise all the night spots closed down very odd.

 

I am so glad to hear that people here prefer the Valor over the Sunshine, glad I made the right choice. :D

I don't think they all closed down. Some went out of business but others might have moved to the new area I mentioned by the high rise hotels. Many new ones opened there too. It's sort of the "new downtown" by the high rises. You will see what I mean when you get there. You will enjoy it.... Just bring $$$$.... It's become expensive eating dinner in Aruba.

Do the Valor. Sunshine feels like a glorified ferry. The outdoor stuff is fine if it's open (so, it's great when you are in port).I won't say the staff were globally terrible because there were a few really nice staff members that we felt sorry for having to work on the ship.

Now that I think about it, I agree with you about the water slides. They were only operational in port. I believe the miniature golf had the same problem . Too windy at sea....nice ideas but bad design ....

The public venues and promenade areas were way too small and narrow for the number of people on board. I went on Sunshine twice because of the ports, price, Serenity Deck and the restaurants. Like I said in another post, the restaurants were excellent and I am a Sushi junkie

We are trying to decide between these two ships as well. The Sunshine followed us on our last cruise with NCL and the kids were really excited about the Sunshine's slides.

 

When we take all the kids, we don't really get to see any shows plus we have been cruising NCL and their theater seating is NOT good at all except for maybe their new super ships which we have not sailed yet.

 

I would like to try Guy's burgers for sure. Kids activities and the slides are a big thing for us.

The kids will love the Sunshine and the water activities. If you can get away from them for a few hours, you will definitely enjoy the Serenity Deck and the no - kids pool and hot tub :)

Hello, we have a land vacation 8 day trip planned for this July in Aruba, so I don't think we be doing anything other than walking around the ship area but I did make reservations for one of the top rated restaurants for dinner as we are docked till 10pm, Yemanji's its very close to the cruise ship dock and I am unsure whether I make that restaurant when I go in July because its a distance from Palm Beach and the fact I have a list of restaurants I must try for dinner there. I am staying at the Marriott Resort & Stellaris hotel it worries me because its not the Hyatt Regency but my brother and sister in law and their two adult girls will be at the Marriott Ocean Club they rented a two bedroom villa, i am not one for villas or vacation club this is why we chose the Marriott because its right next door from one another.

 

I just booked up horseback riding for my daughter and her bf, they are going on the cruise also, I booked with Gold Mine Ranch they picking them up at the cruise terminal at 4pm the ride is at 5 for hour and half then they bringing them back to the ship, its only $75 each thought it was a great price.

 

Our questions about Aruba:

I noticed that many restaurants are "open air" is it true even in July there are trade winds which make the heat bare able?

 

What is a nice place to go at night listen to maybe a live band playing music and having cocktails?

 

What is there to do at night besides playing in the casino anything?

 

What is a must see in Aruba (sightseeing) and best way to do that?

 

I want to go on a tour in Curaco my other half and my father in law never been there but they don't want to, I looked up restaurants to have a nice lunch in seems like all the places are typical american food such as burgers, sandwiches and such, this does't interest me at all, I rather eat on the ship. I guess we also will be walking around the town close to the pier.

I rented "the Man" of kayaking Ryan de Jongh he used to live in Aruba and travelled to Curacao on his kayak, he is famous on the island for his environmental contributions he makes with the mangroves...all the money he makes giving kayak tours goes to his environmental project he is totally highly recommended on the island so they will do that.

 

Grand Turk is a huge delimma...my daughter wanted to rent wave runners they don't have them there, or canoe's, she isn't into snorkeling and I don't understand why, they enjoy hiking but I don't think there is hiking on that island its so small nothing there but they can walk a few miles along the beach I guess? As for us we are just staying on the ship but knowing me I get off to take photos and leave my other half and father in law behind lol...again, no decent restaurant to have lunch on this island...margarhitaville doesn't excite us the menu is the same old...been to a few before.

The Marriott is a fine hotel. We have stayed there at least 10 times since it opened in the mid 90's. In the late 2000's, it was completely remodeled. ( lobby, rooms, pool, etc) You are a short 3 min cab ride to the Hyatt and the new mall/entertainment/ restaurant area that opened across from it and the other high rise hotels. In all honesty, when we took the Sunshine to Aruba last April, it was our first time back since 2006. Much has changed and many of the night spots we knew were gone. I would suggest you join this bulletin board http://aruba-bb.com and ask the members. They are very helpful and current as to restaurants and live music. As far a tours, the Marriotts concierge Is very helpful as well as the bulletin board members. Generally a island tour by De Palm Tours will give you a good overview of the island.

Being a retired teacher, we did all our traveling in the summer. The trade winds blow all year, so eating outdoors at night should not be a problem. Sometime we did that and other times we wanted some A/C. The only times we experienced the trade winds not blowing, was when a hurricane or tropical storm was passing several hundred miles north of the island. Then, there was almost no wind and a lot of flies.

In Grand Turk, there is a nice free beach at the pier and a small shopping center. If Buffetts is not your thing, there might be a few smaller places that opened on the pier .... Not sure

In Curaco, follow the others and take a walk to the town . You will pass a lot of stalls and then cross the pontoon bridge. Interesting experience and some good photo opportunities.

We are on the same cruise as you are! What are your plans to do on those islands?

We have been to Aruba many times. Vacationed on the island durning the 80's and 90's. Cruised there twice before. Seen about everything there is to see. When we dock, just going to visit some stores and go to a supermarket a few blocks off the Main Street. Pick up some chocolates and soda. Then go back to the ship for a late lunch. After, take an evening walk to some spots we know in town or take a cab to the new entertainment/ shopping area by the high rise hotels. If you want any advise on beaches or sightseeing, feel free to ask.

On Curaco, going to walk from the ship to the town via the floating bridge. Not that interested in the tours.

In the Turks, we are gong to hang out the beach by the cruise terminal. Also hang for awhile at Jimmy Buffetts.

Just want to chill on this cruise..... Do the adventure stuff next time.

We have been on the Sunshine twice. Not crazy about the theater ( unusual seating..we miss the traditional seats with tables) or comedy club ( too small). However, we really enjoyed the serenity decks ( three levels) and the adult pool. Also, it has a nice choice of restaurants .... We are Sushi junkies...

We are sailing on the Valor again in May. We chose it for the ports.( Aruba, Curaçao and the Turks ).

Each ship has its pros and cons. Choose your cruise for ports and price. You will enjoy either ship.