cruiseorcamp

Thank your honesty and replay.  Quite concerning.  Our family was there in April of this year, and they had a wonderful experience with their driver.  There was also a buffet lunch somewhere.  I may have to re-think this one.

Our first cruise to St Lucia in January 2025.  We want to really see the highlights and participate in as much as we can as we are in our mid 70's.

Our family recently used Ambrose Tours and had a blast, but thought there might be a little difficulty getting either in or out of the boat due to the distance to the step.

I have emailed, TEXTED, and filled out forms to Ambrose, but after several weeks have not received a response.

I have reviewed all of the other suggestions on this thread, but some are very old.

Any updates on what to do to see Pitons, go to the Sulfur baths, etc?

We really have no mobility issues and always walk many miles when cruising and touring.

We can't, however, climb stadium seats without a handrail.  🙂  I have short stride.

Thank you.

Our flight is at 12:30 PM

Cruise line just sent an email regarding traffic and construction.

They recommend that guests use their shuttle rather than taxi or UBER/LYFT.

I thought I would grab a cab.  Rethinking this now.

Your comments are appreciated as we fly to Montreal Fri and communication will be spotty.

Thank you.

Our flight is at 12:30 PM, and we are looking for recommendations on best way to get to airport from cruise port.

I think the cruise lines has a shuttle, but if it is like most shuttles we use they wait until the bus is full.

Appreciate your suggestions as this will be out first disembarkation in Boston.

Thank you.

We took tours outside of downtown 18 years ago. 
Anything you could recommend around the port area?

My 18 year old sweatshirt needs replacing.  🙂

We enjoy local cafes even though food is included on the cruise ship.

Local cuisine, not large meals, though.

Thank you.

19 hours ago, lx200gps said:

Montrealer here. Are you talking about a hotel for the evening pre-cruise? There is virtually nothing of interest anywhere near YUL, you would be much better off either staying in Old Montreal near the port, or in the downtown core, which is not very far from the Port.

And we did!  Thank you.  I know some folks walk to the port.  We will do that if possible or call UBER.

Do you prefer staying @ hotel near the airport or by the cruise port?

Recommendation

Husband looking at Hotel Uville because he said we could walk to cruise port - HAL cruise lines.

Thank you.

I have searched RCCL and and San Juan threads.

We are cruising Jan 2025 out of San Juan.  Although we have been there 2X as a port stop, we have never had the need for lodging.

Clean and reasonably priced are our preferences.

We don't need a $500 per night stay as we will be sleeping there and cruising the following day.

Your recommendations are appreciated.

Thank you.

10 hours ago, IAcruising said:

Ugh. Original, if possible. Raised seal, if possible. Notarized, if necessary. No photocopies. How long ago did they book? Get a passport next time.

 

booked 3 weeks ago.

Our young friend and  her son will be taking their first cruise in a few weeks.

They will be traveling with her drivers license and their birth certificates.

Do they need to take the original of the birth certificates or a copy?

We have passports and have cruised over 20 years, but only once with birth certificates.

I hesitate to take originals...only passport 

Thank you.

On 10/31/2023 at 4:03 PM, Another_Critic said:

I gotta laugh at Royal suggesting to pre-pay gratuities.  Gratuities are supposed to be for exceptional service (not a salary supplement).  How do you rate service before boarding the ship??

 

2nd day of our cruise our wet wash clothes were still on the floor, bed still unmade around 10 am.

No steward had introduced themselves to us.  Very strange.

I marched down the hall and asked a gent and a supervisor if they knew who our room steward was.  Oh, it is me, you guys are out partying too much for me to meet you.

Not true!  We use the door magnet as needed.

From that point on our room was "eventually" cleaned of the morning as requested.

Mariner of The Seas

We still gave a cash tip.

Does anyone know exactly when GOS will be going into drydock?

Thank you.

Having recently disliked our inside guarantee because the TV is in the way of the person who is on that side of the bed.

This next cruise it appears to be the same.

How do I have the beds separated in advance so as to have that done when we arrive?

I have gone through our profile, our app, our reservation.  I am unable to find that info.

Thank you.

Every HAL cruise we have taken gives us nice toiletries in our inside cabin.

RCCL needs to step up their game.
Flight luggage costs are outrageous.  We use what is provided.

Cenotes.

55 minutes ago, c-leg5 said:

Without knowing the type of excursions @cruiseorcamp is interested in it is difficult to advise further.  
 

I agree in the main that unless it is a mainland excursion, which I would definitely do through the ship (although for me personally I would only do them from a mainland vacation because the time constraints don’t justify the costs), there is unlikely to be a problem within the island. 
 

Many, not all, ship excursions activities use shared taxis for transportation anyway. There are so many taxis in the main tourist areas they are lined up waiting or can easily call for back-up UNLESS it is an excursion to the east side where cell service and electricity are limited.

On 10/1/2023 at 12:11 AM, brillohead said:

For a port like Cozumel, just book a private excursion.  You'll have a better and cheaper experience anyway.

 

We have gone with local operators in the past; however, after having nearly missed the ship 2X, DH will only agree to ship excursions.

Thank you.

It was a ship sponsored excursion.

I was not aware of age limitations until we went into booking.

13 hours ago, c-leg5 said:

Who exactly do you think is being discriminatory? I am confused as to who you are actually blaming.

 

Most of this thread is based on speculation.  Certainly no one here knows the answer as to who is setting the restrictions. As already stated, I doubt the cruise line is actively trying to stop people from buying excursions.

 

As far as OP @cruiseorcampis concerned, and their original question, lots of independent vendors in Cozumel where you can probably buy direct. Of course that does then leave the question as to whether they are actually insured or not.  
 

If you have a specific activity in mind try the port of call board on CC for suggestions and advice.

So I have posted this on RCCL as that is our upcoming cruise.

However, has anyone been denied shore excursions due to their age?

I understand that there are certain types of activities that might not work for disabled folks, but we have been denied 2 or 3 excursions at Cozumel port.  Over 70.

This will probably be our last trip there and wanted to do something fun.

Thank you.

Not what I WANTED to hear, but not expected.  I do not like those ports.  Been there, done that too many times.

My DH was super excited about his whale excursion.  Sad that it isn't happening.

Our discussion is that he said we should proceed after unpacking and repacking

Mine is:  let's take the credit and stay home.

Nope...we are going.  Ugh

Anyone have experience with ensuring that any onboard credit from our credit cards is used first?  I do not think they are refundable.

Thank you.

See you onboard??

4 hours ago, merryjewelhound said:

Vision of the Seas: An Update To Your Itinerary

About Your Upcoming Travels

Dear Guest, We’re excited to welcome you onboard for our Vision of the Seas September 14th, 2023 sailing. Before we set sail together, we have some important updates to share. As you know, we’re continuing to monitor adverse weather from Hurricane Lee with our Chief Meteorologist, Craig Setzer. Please know, the safety and well-being of our guests and crew members remain our highest priority. To ensure we have a safe journey and stay well away from Hurricane Lee’s path, we’ve adjusted our itinerary to go South instead of North. We’ll now overnight in Baltimore, Maryland, and proceed to Port Canaveral, Florida for our new and exciting itinerary! Additionally, we’ll now visit Nassau, and sail to our beautiful private destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay. Although we’ll depart from Baltimore on September 15th, guests are still required to board and remain onboard on September 14th as scheduled. We’re truly sorry for any inconvenience caused by this. Nevertheless, we’re excited to sail away with you! Below, please find our revised Vision of the Seas September 14th, 2023 itinerary. Date Day Port of Call Arrive Depart 09/14/23 Thu Baltimore, Maryland     09/15/23 Fri Baltimore, Maryland   3:00 PM 09/16/23 Sat Cruising     09/17/23 Sun Cruising     09/18/23 Mon Port Canaveral, FL 7:00 AM 9:00 PM 09/19/23 Thu Nassau, Bahamas 1:00 PM 7:00 PM 09/20/23 Fri Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas 7:00 AM 5:00 PM 09/21/23 Sat Cruising     09/22/23 Sun Cruising     09/23/23 Fri Baltimore, Maryland 7:00 AM

 

Hit or miss has been my experience. 

Eating in buffet more often than not @ dinner for more choices, less wait time and salads.

On 9/10/2023 at 1:58 PM, ecslady said:

 

Leaving also on 9/14 on Jewel out of Cape Liberty heading to CA & Greenland.  More than likely we will find out something at the same time as you since we are both headed north.

I am wearing out my email expecting to hear something from RCCL.  Nothing yet, so we will pack our suitcases and move forward.

1 hour ago, shipgeeks said:

I'm packing one of each regardless.

Based on the timing of notifications of current sailings, I am not expecting any news until Wednesday evening.  If they can keep the current itinerary by holding off on changing it, I'll be happy. But I will be aboard no matter where we go.  

We fly early Wednesday to Baltimore.  I sure hope it isn't Wed. night.  Perhaps my attire will be excused.  🙂