sweenbean21

I have not, but I am considering booking this for my husband in November. Would love your input when you get back. Enjoy! 

We have a limited window to book a cruise and are looking at the Paradise or Elation - our son is 14 and wants to make sure there is a basketball court, but I don't see it on either deck plan...

Anyone been on either ship recently and can confirm or deny?

Thanks!

Typically no, but on our last cruise there was someone nearby us always smoking marijuana when we were on our balcony. I personally hate the smell so it was pretty annoying!

We left over Christmas one year and the pool was covered for the first two days. By the evening of the first sea day it was warmer and by the time we woke up for the second sea day we were in Florida weather. But, like another person posted Florida is currently getting snow so guess you can never really tell....

I did not like having the last day before we got off the ship being cold though, but if you like the itinerary I'd manage with it.

We went on an island tour last November and then asked our driver to take us to the best offshore snorkeling spot - we went to Boca Catalina. It is good snorkeling, we stuffed pool noodles into our day bag and felt safe snorkeling around. There is no place for food or drinks at Boca Catalina but Arashi Beach is a short walk and there is a snack bar there.

We are going back to Aruba in January and plan to get the #10 bus back to Boca/Arashi for a beach day.

Enjoy!

Governors doesn't get as crowded but can get pricey with four people in a taxi - I'd probably just stick around the port beach then Grab a drink or smoothie, browse the shops, my husband and son played the giant chess game if your kids know how to play...

We walked to Governor's Beach in November. It is super easy to do, the scenery along the road isn't pretty but there were 5 of us and saved us a ton of $ over a taxi. Definitely was worth doing, we had the beach to ourselves for the better half of the morning. Enjoy!

Love the vibe of shipwreck beach in St Kitts, been twice and will definitely be back!

I am okay with this new system...until, for whatever reason, my envelope is tampered with or my card is not in my mailbox and I have to go stand in a LOOOONNNNGGGG guest services line for no fault of my own :(

Does anyone who isn't platinum/diamond know the answer to how you order drinks before the cabins open?

How do you order a drink in the interim of arriving onboard and the cabins being opened?

I'm not sure upfront, but I'm sure the Fun Times will address it...

We have private tours scheduled in Aruba and Curacao. Our lady in Curacao addressed that the island time would be 2 PM when we get in at 1 PM ship time. Our guy in Aruba said our tour is 8-12, guess I should confirm with him but I am pretty sure if you are taking a tour with anyone familiar with the cruise ship schedules then they understand the difference ... I would just confirm with an email but you should be fine!

We are at 64 so at least you're a week ahead of us, it will continue to come slowly and go QUICK..enjoy ;)

The salt air will clear your sinus right up...enjoy!

Thanks for sharing, 72 days!!

We snorkeled offshore at sapphire beach and loved it!

It will be decorated. We disembarked on Christmas day and there was Christmas caroling, snow in the atrium and a visit from Santa when we were on the carnival pride.

I believe the policy states children 12 and under must be in a balcony room with an adult ... but I'm sure you can always get the connecting rooms and sleep whatever arrangement you wanted to. I'm sure the 7 year old would never be alone in the room anyway and the balcony wouldn't be a problem.

We did the dolphin swim at Chankanaab in Cozumel in Dec 2014. It was and still is my son's (now 12) favorite excursion!! It was great and the most reasonably priced we had ever seen. We booked directly with Chankanaab and not the cruise line. We even had a manatee encounter with the dolphin swim!

They also have a sea lion show, restaurant, gift shop, snorkeling area, beach area and pool area. Great day. Enjoy.

We are using SAS transportation in November (we have previously used them), http://ridesas.com/. They were reliable and on time the last time. No problems.

Is the gift card sent via email or mailed as a regular card? I've been wanting to try this!

We take tours on the islands and see and learn so many things. My son has visited the ruins in Mexico, the rainforest in Puerto Rico, the volcano and banana plantations in Saint Lucia, a lighthouse in Bermuda where a school aged local boy taught him an authentic dance...I am a firm believer a couple missed days of school for those experiences are well worth it!!

Forgot St Maarten, Mullet Bay in St Maarten has decent snorkeling, and you can walk to Maho to watch the planes.

We took a taxi to Sapphire Beach in St Thomas..it was a great day of offshore snorkeling. I know a lot of people venture to St John, but you may not want to do that with such a port intensive cruise.

We took Cool Tours in St Lucia and had some of the best snorkeling I have ever seen!! Sugar Beach was AMAZING, but you have to take a boat to get to it..so the tour is necessary I believe.

Puerto Rico doesn't have much offshore snorkeling, I'd just venture around Old San Juan or go to the rainforest.

Haven't don't the other islands ....have fun!!!