Goldeneye

I agree, the so called 'Indian Cuisine' on the ships is a joke.. With so many talented chef's I really don't know why they 'dumb it down' either serve a nice flavourful Curry dish or not at all... They really need to kick it up a notch or two!!

We have just returned from SJU and were travelling with our good friends who live in a diff city to us, consequently we travelled to SJU on diff airlines. Post cruise we shared a cab to the airport, however they were travelling AA and we were United.. The Cabbie ignored our request to drop us first at United saying only one drop zone allowed and instead insisted that we all get out at the AA terminal. We had to walk back with our bags..

We have been to SJU on a number of occasions for stays of 5 days up to a week.. We use the Taxis a lot....

For the most part I have found the Cabbies in SJU, rude, obnoxious, dishonest and will use any and every opportunity to rip you off..

We always try to remember to ask the price before getting in, if we forget and he tries to load the fare we give him the correct amount minus any tip we were going to give.. We make sure tell him what we were going to give him by way of tip if he hadn't tried to rip us off..

I would say that we have used SJU Taxis on well over 30 occasions and we have only come across 4 that stand out as being polite, friendly and honest!! Strange how 3 were immigrants to Puerto Rico!!

Why I liked the Premium package..

I liked the premium package as there was 'no guilt' if I wanted a 2nd martini.. It was already bought and paid for..

I liked not having to sign for a beverage, I always felt obliged to add an extra tip.. This way I just went around tipping extra to my fav bar staff at the end of the cruise...

I liked that if I wasn't enjoying a drink I could leave it and not feel 'guilty' that I'd just dropped $7:50 on it.. I found that some bar staff to could make my favourite Rum Runner drink and it taste totally different..

I liked that I felt 'liberated' to experiment in the Martini bar and instead of sticking with the safe, tried and tested I felt free to order others that I may not have 'risked' if I was dropping $10

I liked having bottles of San Peligrino, we would go for a speciality coffee before breakfast and then take a bottle of San Pel to breakfast..

I liked ordering a 'French Kiss' after dinner... an indulgence I would not otherwise have done..

I liked ordering wine with dinner, and not feeling I had to finish every last drop..

(warning, if you order a wine over the $12 limit they charge for the whole glass)

The freedom to mix it up a little and leave something I didn't particularly care for is great.

I told my friends we were travelling with about this guy... I was so disappointed... The ONE occasion that we go to breakfast at a different time and he approaches them and does his spin...

He was outside The Intercontinental .. (so away from his usual hunting ground) My friends let him go through his script ) As soon as they said .. Wow, nice to meet you, your quite famous on the internet he was gone in a flash...

They said his face was quote scared and it looked like fresh wounds, they wondered if it was self inflicted or if he got someone to give him daily knocks...

Another scam, this time it was both my husband and friend.. They were in SJU and a fairly large man approached asking if they were Canadian, then flashed $5 Cdn and asked if they could change it for US.. My husband was going to but friend felt something was odd and said we don't have any cash on us... He then followed them into the restroom of The downtown Sheraton.. Followed very quickly by a security guard, as soon as he entered the guy left (He's known to them) Seemingly it's a guise so he can see where on your person your wallet is.

For people who haven't been to SJU before, despite this I still feel it's a very safe city to walk around so don't be put off just be aware of scams..

We love to try new types of foods, especially those that have unique spices. I was pleased to see that these ethnic foods are even appearing in the MDR on various ships. Unfortunately, many cruisers are happy with pizza, burgers, and chicken fingers.

I agree, actually I think there are a majority that enjoy different cusines but those that don't are sadly very vocal...

30 years ago when I first started travelling through Europe I would often hear the cries of don't you have Fries... or Chips..

I was on a Cosmos holiday, we had arrived in Italy and yet again were given another 'English meal' this time after seeing all the Italian dishes going to other tables I spoke up and said I'm in Italy I want Italian food... The tour op said, this is what our customers request.. I put my foot down and said .. I want Italian food in Italy not chicken and chips why not give us the choice.... In the end our whole bus tour was given a choice... All but 3 opted for the pasta..;)

YUMMM on Cilantro.. (corriander) and YUMMMY on CURRY......

Gross would be......

Mushy Peas...

Over toppinged(pound of cheese in every bite) deep pan Pizza's!!

And all Greasy fast food !!!!

I'm sure there is more on offer than Indian food at the buffet table..

For those of us that don't appreciate pizza's, Burgers, hot dogs and bland casseroles, stews and chicken nuggets etc..

It's a welcome change to enjoy the subtlties and flavors of spices coming together in a taste sensation!! :D

Thank goodness the cruise ships have opened up there offerings to offer more than the typical bland North American Fayre!!

WELL DONE CRUISE SHIPS ... KEEP IT UP !!

I'm having terrible difficulty too with bidding on resort hotels for 25-27th Feb...

In the past I've bid on resort hotels in SJU area Pre Cruise at Christmas and had no difficulty getting a resort hotel for $85( Intercontinental) & $90 Post cruise My friends who are arriving a day after us and have never used priceline went ahead and kept upping their bid.. they went up in $5 increments bidding $155 before any 'resorts' accepted..

I've looked to see if there is something going on that week and can't see anything unusual..

Out of the 3 cruise lines I've been with.....Celebrity, RCCL and Carnival .. Suprisingly... Carnival wins hands down !!

This goes for their drink menu and specials too

It will be my hubbies 50th when we are in St Lucia, we did Cosol last time, however due to hanging around for OP's we ended up leaving later than scheduled and didn't get to go to Jalouise Beach :(

I am considering a resort day while here and originally thought of doing a Sandals, however after reading some comments it doesn't seem that these are the best for snorkelling..

Jalouise Beach plantaion ~ Anyone have thoughts on here :confused: The surroundings are simply stunning, It's supposed be an hour by rd or 30 mins by boat.. anyone had any knowledge or best way to get here ??