purplegrapefruit

I’m not wanting the rum cakes. I want the rum.

 

 

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They might have it onboard the ship.

We were just in Aruba and Curacao. They didn't really have the traditional duty free liquor stores typical of many other ports. We found at least in Willemstad they just had regular liquor and convenience stores that sold liquor, but not in the nice duty free packages that deliver to the ship.

Another point. There would be no way to keep non-prepackaged food from spoiling in the heat. It's just not worth it.

We did have a lot of fun on the speedboat sail and snorkel in Labadee. Lots of huge coral formations and sea fans. And the boat ride was a thrill. Very small group.

We loved it. Great interactive shows. We spent about 3 hours. the flamingo feeding was a lot of fun. The dolphin interactions seemed reasonably priced considering. Little on site cantina for snacks and drinks.

Could you just take out a larger bill before you leave (10, 20) and buy something like a coffee in port to get change?

There are 8 maybe 10. Personally I would just get a table for your group. Even with a table for 10 the other may feel as if they are not part of the group. I know my wife and I would not like to be at a table of 8 or 10 where everyone else is one family.

Exactly this. As a couple we would feel like a third wheel at a table like this. It happened to us once and it was awkward, and it was only a family of five. not to mention when they didn't show up we were completely alone.

Bonaire, Aruba, were both fabulous. You can snorkle a sunken freighter in Aruba, the SS Antilles. We also enjoyed the speedboat and snorkel excursion in Labadee. Totally different ecosystem, lots of fan corals. Cozumel is good too, the Palancar reef. Lots of choices!

Oh, this is what sounds good to me, shallow excellent snorkeling. Do you remember which vendor you used?

 

 

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We went with a shore excursion through the ship (Royal Caribbean) and the catamaran was called the Mi Dushi. Fabulous crew, we had ample time to snorkel, and we visited an amazing snorkeling spot. It was a morning excursion. We liked that it was unguided, as we could spend as much time as we wanted exploring on our own. The excursion we took was specifically Catamaran Scenic Sail and Swim in the Bonaire Marine Park - BO44.

Where do you go for the snorkeling off the beach? So far I have seen the boat tours like Seacow and Woodwind.

 

 

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There are many snorkling spots accessible from Shore on Bonaire but since it is coral reef most are not beachfront. unless you take a water taxi to klein Bonaire. We took a catamaran excision and snorkeled off the boat. We could get so close to shore we almost 'bottomed out' a few times! Amazing marine life and crystal clear water you can't really go wrong.

Very shallow. Bonaire is surrounded by reef, and most snorkeling sites are accessible even from shore. There is a bit of depth where the boat moors but nothing like the Cayman drop off.

Bonaire's charm is that is is not overly developped and commercial. Wander the craft market. Stroll dwn the main street and have lunch on a patio.There is also the Cadushy distillery. I could definitely spend an afternoon sipping that stuff in the sun. It's delicious.

Thanks...from Canada so no worries about health care cost.

 

We have been to Caribbean before but thinking we will get updated vaccines this time.

In Canafa, you do have to pay for hep A and for Twinrix (both A and B) which is a good idea if you haven't had either. Most travel related vaccines are not covered by provincial health insurance, but if you have private insurance they might cover some or most of the cost. You can go to a travel clinic for the most up to date advice.

On Carnival, asking the right person (sometimes takes a few people)...I can get a bowl of mixed berries (blue, rasp, and blackberries) for breakfast. It's not an easy task, but I get it done.

 

How hard is this to happen at the Windjammer Buffet in the morning? You know they got them....

I found them by the waffle station on the Navigator. They had bowls of thawed previously frozen ones. I enjoyed them on the waffles. They'd be good on yogurt too.

Thanks for the replies. We'll try emailing before our next cruise, and if all else fails, ask on embarkation day. It's an important part of cruising for us, so we'll try to be proactive next time!

We'd like to hear what other's experiences are with seating arrangements in traditional dining. We choose traditional dining because we cruise as a couple and love meeting other people on our cruise.In fact, we have met some lifelong friends this way. However on our last two cruises, the seating arrangements were dismal. In 2016 we were seated with a family of 5, with two teenage children and one of their girlfriends (awkward). Half the time they never showed up. Our most recent cruise this January, a 9 night on the Navigator, we were seated by ourselves, surrounded by huge 10+ tables of families. When we asked to move because we didn't want to be alone, they placed us at table with a family with small children, including a screaming baby. Not our idea of a good time. We asked to be moved again, and were moved up to deck 4, to a quieter section, and ended up making friends with another couple of seasoned cruisers, also seated at a small table next to ours. It ended up being ok. (And our waiter was fabulous, BTW).

Questions:

-Is RC making any attempt to seat people with people of similar ages, or similar situations (i.e. couples and not families with teenagers) like they did in the past?

-Who should we contact at RC ahead of time to specifically request we wish to be seated with other people? If we wanted to be alone, we would have chosen MTD. Thoughts?

The Grille King! The patio is right on the water. Great food and fresh seafood.

Believe it or not, in my cruise docs the CDC link for both Labadee (Haiti) and St Martin listed both Typhoid and Malaria. Made me wonder what was going on down there since I had last been. Thanks for the answers guys, I knew I would get answers here. Did not know if I needed if to go get vaccination records updated.

We have asked this same question of a travel medical clinic. Their answer was yes but only If you stay overnight or at a resort. The mosquitos which carry Malaria come out at dusk and dawn. The ship is only in port during the day so anti Malarials are not indicated Typhoid is only a problem a problem if you are staying locally in Haiti.Which you won't be doing.

would you go? :D

 

https://www.pigeonforgetnguide.com/blog/news/dolly-to-launch-new-cruise-ship-parton-of-the-seas/

Is that the sister ship to Boaty McBoatface of the Seas?:')

You can buy a 24 period as you go, and there may be a good deal on the last 1-2 days if you don't want to commit to the whole time. That's what we did, we love being unplugged on vacation though.

We did not buy any drink package. Tea and coffee and juice is available free of charge as is lemonade and iced tea. We bought drinks a la carte and also bought a 10 drink card on day 4 of our 9 day cruise. We used it for fancy drinks! I think the price was 88$ including 18% gratuity. We didnt miss not having soda at all.

Does anyone know if RCI charges all passengers for the visa including Canadians ( who do not require a visa for tourism purposes if they arrive by air). Curious!

We've stayed twice on deck 12 on the Navigator and would 100% do it again. Agree with all the other posters. It is quiet and very little traffic. There is quite a bit of motion but it just rocked us to sleep. It was nice being up by the pool and being able to go outside without getting on the elevator. The room is spacious too, and a newer flat screen TV.

Do you remember how much $$ the 24 hour pass was? The last 2 day deal? Thanks!

We were on the Navigator 9 night. it was $31.98 for a Surf package or 39.98 for a Surf and Stream package for the last 2 days of the cruise. This appeared on Day 8. We got the Surf and Stream package as we had gotten the Surf Package for 24 hours on day 4 or so, and it a bit too slow for uploading photos to FB, etc. The surf and stream was fine. It was nice to have internet access for the last 2 days as we were at sea, and could upload some of our photos, check in for our flights, etc.

We bought a 24 hour pass partway through the cruise, and got full Internet access through that period. They also had a deal on it the last 2 days.

Please share your review/thoughts/opinions on the following two excursions through RC in Belize City. Trying to decide between the two!!

 

Lamanai Mayan Ruins and Riverboat Safari

 

Altun Ha Mayan Site and River Wallace

 

Both are 6 hours. Altun Ha is significantly cheaper than Lamanai, but Lamanai includes an "authentic" Belizean lunch, whereas Altun Ha includes a stop for lunch/shopping, but you are responsible for finding your own lunch. Both also include boat rides. Please share your thoughts if you have been on either of these!!

We went on the Lamanai excursion several years ago and is still one of the best excursions we have ever done. The lunch was prepared by a local Belizean family. It was delicious. The ruins were spectacular and still in a state of excavation. It didn't feel manicured or touristy as you are so far off the beaten path, and many ruins are still uncovered. We saw so much wildlife both on the boat ride and in the jungle, including crocodiles and howler monkeys. In either location be sure to wear long pants and shoes as you are in the jungle as there are a lot of mosquitos. Bring bug spray! And water! It is very very hot.

As I recall there were locals selling bug spray when we got to the boat docks and they weren't overcharging.

Overall a fantastic excursion.