Arizona Travelers

1 hour ago, Sthrngary said:

@Arizona Travelers I am the OP for this post.  I too am cruising EJ for what I would call a milestone trip.  This will be the first and last cruise for my older sister.  I choose EJ for a reason.  I have taken over 30 Plus Cruises.  I have done many brands, categories, stateroom types and VIP sections.  I studied the brand, asked questions of those that cruised it, watched the adjustments to the original concept over time.  There is nothing I have read or seen that tell me to not go on this cruise brand.  

 

Remember, every cruise, on every brand is about what we want to make of it.  Knowing the in's/out's can change the outcome.  Avoiding things that you know are not for you if possible is the key.  Especially a new brand.  Still, No cruise I have ever gone on was perfect.  That is the nature of cruising.  So let us all study, learn and have a strategy.  Share what you learn with others so everyone has a great time especially for a milestone cruise.

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

Very well said, we first became interested in Explora when we were sailing MSC (pre-Covid) and met Ken Muskat who gushed about a "yacht club only ship".  I think that's where my husband has been mislead as that's not the experience I expect.  We have also cruised a lot, only a few brands and all mass market lines before.  I am mostly concerned with influencers/TA's as I've seen several post about being on the second leg of our trip.  Not sure how to avoid that or any strategies to not let that distract from the experience.  I will definitely report back (hopefully with positive news and any tips) when we return. 

I'm anxiously following as well.  Booked for November and am hoping for the best but aware of so many things that may make this a one and done for us.  Disappointing because you only get one chance to make a milestone birthday special.  If not for the large cancellation penalty, we would have done something else!  Hoping to hear anything else that we need to know to properly set expectations!  

6 hours ago, cruisingxpert said:

We are on the 14 day Dec 6 sailing.  Excursions posted for every stop except the one I am most interested in- Anguilla

There's nothing for my 11/22 cruise either. Having been there before (and hope to retire there one day), we are renting a car and going to our favorite spots (Anguilla Sand & Salt, Rendezvous Beach and back to Sandy Ground to Elvis' Beach Bar).  There's not as much to do there outside of beaches (they have 33!) and great food.  

On 8/16/2024 at 12:16 PM, Nashna said:

Looks like Explora Journeys is offering Blue Waters in Antigua.  

Beach Relaxation at Blue Waters Resort & Spa

• Spend a day at the smart Blue Waters Resort
• Enjoy three private beaches around Soldier Bay
• Unwind on a lounger by one of the resort’s pools
• Dine at The Palm Restaurant for à la carte cuisine and buffet dishes
• Sip your choice of premium drink from the open bar

Activity Level: Moderate

Features: Beachside Experience, Meal Included

6 Hrs

Meal Included

English

Minimum Age Requirement: 18

From €335.00 per guest

That's interesting, my excursions are finally available for my cruise and it's a different resort, "All-Inclusive Day at Luxury Haven The Verandah Antigua".  I would definitely book Blue Waters if it was available.  Need to research this one more.  Sigh.

46 minutes ago, cruisingxpert said:

Would you mind sharing what tour company you are using in Virgin Gorda?  I have been hoping to see what excursions Explora are offering before booking privately but it seems we won't have any info on excursions earlier than 90 days out and maybe not then.  I have been looking at the Oct 25 cruise that does a crossing and no excursions have been posted for their Caribbean stops. I am on the 14 day Dec 6 cruise.

I'm waiting on this also.  We cruise Nov 22nd (Explora II) and were told the excursions would be posted 90 days out (which was 25 days ago when we were told last week).  

2 hours ago, Nashna said:

You might be very surprised at how enjoyable Caribbean Islands can be.  We are on Explora II in January and have already planned our days in port.  For example, Virgin Gorda is a wonderful, quiet, beautiful island.  We will spend the day on a sail around the islands with a stop for swimming and walking on amazingly beautiful beaches.  Our sailing also takes us to Antiqua.  We have been to this island many times, so we won't be taking an island tour.  However, there are some fantastic resort hotels on the island that do allow guests to visit for the day.  While there are many Caribbean Islands where we don't get off the ship, many others offer excellent opportunities to experience island life.  What islands will you visit on your cruise?

May I ask what resort you will visit in Antigua?  We have done this the past two times we've visited (Blue Water and Hawksbill) but are not able to find any willing to book ahead of time for our cruise in November.  Do you just wait and call the day you arrive to see if they have availability?  

2 hours ago, happy cruzin said:

Not true!! Explora offers both 7 and 14 day itineraries all the time.
 

7 days is different that 14 days….IF you book it as the 14 day and not two 7’s. If you book it as two sevens, then you are correct, It’s two separate cruises and you would have to disembark and go through customs and re-embark.
 

Please see my previous post. We were NOT required to go through customs when we sailed last year, because we were on the 14 day itinerary. 

This is exactly why this issue came up.  We booked an 18 day MSC cruise recently (for Dec 2025) and our TA priced it as the 18 day vs. the 10 day and 8 day.  We chose the 18 day even though the cost was slightly less and there was slightly more OBC for doing separate cruises.  To us, it was worth it to NOT have to do the B2B customs thing.  But now she tells us we still have to do it (Miami is the port for that one) which is what prompted us to ask her about this one.  Explora told her we did have to do this in San Juan but it didn't make sense to me.    

To those who suggested changing the photo shoot, the appointment was set by the flying dress company based on lighting and weather, not sure I want to make it a later time.  She knows I am on a cruise.    

This question is for anyone who has sailed on two cruises with San Juan being the mid-point between the cruises.  

We are booked on Explora II leaving Miami on Nov 22nd, returning on Dec 6th.  We have received differing answers from Explora and our TA each time we ask about what happens in San Juan.  Ordinarily this would not be important but the day we are in San Juan happens to be my milestone birthday and I have booked a flying dress photo shoot with a meeting time of 8am (we dock at 7am).  

So the question is, do we need to wait until those who are disembarking leave the ship and they process those who are staying on for the next segment?  We've done this earlier this year when doing a B2B in Miami.  But we booked a 14 day cruise here, not a B2B so is San Juan a normal port day for us or do we need to process through customs as if it's a B2B?  Which will likely mean I will need to move my photo shoot time.  

Thanks in advance for your experience in this situation!

We are arriving in Antigua next week.  I have been in contact with Blue Waters off and on the past few months.  Each time they said to reach out closer to the cruise, 1 - 2 weeks before to confirm.  I emailed last week and this week, both emails have not received a response.  What other day pass options do you recommend?   

20 hours ago, lazydayz said:

We bought the package, which includes the Steakhouse and two others for $60 per person, which is a good value.

lazydayz - do you mind sharing how you found the package?  I do not see this option in my cruise manager.  I actually don't have the Teppanyaki option either but I do recall discussion of that having another method to book.  Thank you!

It's been a while since we sailed Carnival.  Are there any theme parties onboard?  We're sailing the Panorama in May.  

Great review, we are on the Seaside in the YC on Saturday!

deleted

First Sea Day

We had one in February it was in the last night randomly!

 

 

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Thank you, that's great to hear.

Hello All;

 

So my wife and I have been eyeing up the cruises that MSC seaside takes and have given a lot of thought to taking the western Caribbean in February of 2019. Looking at everything and reading a lot of reviews (seems this ship didn't have a good start) and watching a lot of videos one thing seems to be in common with most of the written a video reviews people either hate the ship (even watched a video review of guy who hadn't been on the ship but was commenting on how bad it must be because of someone else's review).

 

It hasn't deterred the Mrs and myself from exploring this even further. But I do have some questions for those who have cruised this vessel and can answer some questions. First I should say that my wife have only taken one cruise it was our honey-moon and that was well over 25 years ago. Since then we have done the all inclusive in Jamaica and Mexico, Bahamas (you get the picture).

 

This will be for her 50th birthday, and we are looking at doing something nice. Question one I have been looking at the drinks on us promotion and have looked at the different levels (bella, fantastica, all the way to yacht club). We are looking at not having to spend as much on the ship per se if there are things that can be pre-purchased (such as specialty restaurants). Also looking at the difference between the Aurea Experience and the yacht club, I see where one gets some massages and has the chance of scoring a cabin with balcony (Aurea) with an all inclusive under the drinks on us that can be upgraded to the premium for 26 bucks per person per day..Looking at pricing this is cheaper than the yacht club which does't come with massages and an inside cabin only....

 

Can someone explain the what the advantage of going yacht club over Aurea would be in this case? Or would it even be worth dropping to Fatastica paying for the upgraded drink package and pre paying on some of the specialty dining?

 

Thanks in advance for the help.

 

Ron and Sue

The Yacht club has it's own private restaurant, lounge, pool, and area at the front of the ****. It has priority elevators as well. You have access to the spa being in Yacht club. You get a butler in Yacht Club, but not Aurea. The Aurea has it's own area, but it is definitely not as large as Yacht club's. They do not have a private restaurant either. I feel like I should mention that you can get a balcony in the Yacht Club as well.

My Italian heritage made me ask.

Not many people “purchasing” drinks these days.

 

 

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I should've said order instead of purchase

You are allowed to purchase two drinks at a time on NCL. (Hint, Hint)

I think 5% is about all you'll be able to get off the price in an authorized dealership.

 

However, what they can do is give you something else at a large discount, or even free.

 

I was looking for a Rolex for my dh a few years back and they offered me a couple of bracelets for free with 5% off the Rolex. (He ended up purchasing a Breitling.)

 

While I was doing my search, however, the best price I found was in a casino in Biloxi (Beau Rivage). No one in the Caribbean could come close.

Hmm I will look at other states as well. I'm in California, so I know I won't get a great price here. I can definitely contact other ADs in other states though.

Most authorized dealers outside the states will discount about 15%, much more than that and they risk violating their agreements with the manufacturer that can end their relationship.

 

I would just make sure you buy from an actual AD. If not there will be no warranty from the manufacturer and you will be on your own.

 

Rolex is on my list. But I have bought a few watches overseas and always had a good experience. Many people loathe Diamonds International but I’ve always had great service and since prices on watches don’t really change between retailers I know I’m getting a good price.

I will absolutely look on Rolex's website for ADs before I leave the states. I definitely don't want to get stuck without a warranty.

I have a few observations. First, I love haters of MSC. It's people like you that keep the cost down for the rest of us. For that, I thank you. Second, it seems like TAs hate MSC with a passion. Do they not pay you enough commission, so you push other lines and hate on MSC? Either way keep doing what you're doing. I'll continue to enjoy a Yacht Club suite for the price of a balcony on other lines.

Thanks for the responses everyone. For the record, I did plan on going to an Authorized Dealer or a reputable jeweler like Little Switzerland. I know a lot of ADs here in the states won't discount the watch at all. I was wondering if any of you were able to negotiate the price of the watch down in the Caribbean. I will try to do so, if not I'll just pay full price and be happy with the sales tax savings.

Has anyone purchased a Rolex in this port? How'd it go? Did you get a good price? I will be cruising here in the near future and look to possibly purchase one.

Has anyone purchased a Rolex in this port? How'd it go? Did you get a good price? I will be cruising here in the near future and look to possibly purchase one.