Greenhopster

Belize has an excursion that included a boat ride in the river Wallace, lunch, then on to Altun Ha (Mayan Ruins). BUT Belize also has cave tubing. Butts Up cave tubing is fun also. Don't miss getting a killer tropical drink at the Wet Lizard on the dock of Belize. They don't scrimp on the booze. For Roatan, I 2nd the motion to get with Victor Bodden tours. My wife and I have used Victor 4 times. You get a driver and you pick the activities. Victor's site has a number of suggestions, but you are the boss of the day's activities. Snorkeling off the beach in front of the Grand Roatan Hotel is the best around. We like Soto's Cruises on Grand Cayman for swimming with the Sting Rays. We have used them 4 or 5 times. Always fun. Grand Cayman also has a turtle farm that's cool. My endorsements of these activities come from probably 15 or so Caribbean cruises. The western Caribbean is my favorite itinerary and like to do it often. In fact we are doing it again Feb 2 on the MSC Meraviglia and will use Victor Bodden again.

Hi Marco, Are the scanners for carry-on luggage at Miami cruise port, TSA people or MSC people? I don't think TSA people care about ship rules and would allow bottles thru. What's your take? Jim

Hello,

We will be sailing on the Meraviglia on Feb 2nd. The Super Bowl Start around 6:35 in the evening. Will the game be on in any of the public areas of the ship?

Regarding Belize excursions. We did a cave tubing activity back in March of 2012. It was called Butts up Cave tubing. Web site is cave-tubing.com. We had a blast. I believe our tubing was a longer run then some of the other companies, because we had been floating awhile and began passing other groups that were just entering the river. I think this means we entered higher upstream. Also I do remember a pretty good hike to our entry point. Might want to inquire about the hike, if walking is a problem for some. Cave tubing is something to see. Kinda cool and spooky at the same time. I give it 2 thumbs up.

Thank you for your quick reply.

I would like to know if bathrobes are in the balcony room or can they be requested. I will be in the Bella category. If we must request them, are they free of charge?

Tabyana Beach is the best! I recommend you bring some Milkbone dog biscuits. They hold up great in the water and make great food for the fish.

I just tendered in from the Miracle and the tender ride is 5 minutes at best.

I was on the Miracle May 6 sailing. Golf Club casual to suit and tie. On the other nights dress code was wide open. I saw young women in Daisy Dukes and pull over.

Bingo cards have 24 numbers and a free space. I agree the jackpot games is crap. Back in the day, you made sure you played Bingo on the last day because the Snowball jackpot was going to be given away no matter how many numbers called. But back in the day also meant great service and food. Now it's a cattle car with feed.

Crewsweeper and Guest 2000, Thank you for the info on snorkeling. Looks like we have a plan now.

Jim

Hi, 6 of us are going to check out Roatan with Victor Bodden's driver. We have our own equipment and want to snorkel for 1 hour in the waters off Grand Roatan Resort. How can we do it the most economical way? Should we access beach at a certain resort and walk down. What would the fee be?

Radisson at the Port

Maybe this will help. https://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/getreviews.cfm?action=ship&ShipID=7

I think we are going to do Nachi on out upcoming cruise, it’s just my husband and I so we are looking for some relaxation for a little while. We will be in port on Sat April 12 from 8-4, suppose to be the first of 3 ships for the day. This is our first cruise so not sure what to expect. We are thinking going straight to Nachi when we arrive and staying until about 1pm and then come back to pier to explore around there since we haven’t been before. Are there cabs lined up to take you back to the pier at Nachi since it’s smaller than the other beach clubs? I’m a little nervous with this being our first time. And has anyone ever had the massage at Nachi? I’ve not hear good reviews of the ones on the cruise. I was thinking of doing a couples massage, wasn’t sure if I should book that at time I make my reservations or just when we arrive. Thanks

Hi Bamachic, Cabs everywhere, so don't worry about getting around fast. I recommend you go into downtown after your beach visit. More fun that the pier area. Cabs are lined up on main street to run you back to the ship.

Miracle and Western Caribbean by far better. 100 times.

Thank you all! And good advice on restaurants and engaging with our butler. I tend to be a bit shy on asking for things but it seems like all of the ship crew members want to help.

 

My DW and I love Oceania. we have done 3 10 day cruises with them. Food is the best. 4 specialty restaurants on the Marina and the Riviera. So we do each one once. Pumpkin soup in the French restaurant is to die for. Lobster mac and cheese in the Steak restaurant is fabulous. The buffet is second to none. First of all, you do not serve yourself. There is an attendant at each food station and will serve you. There is a grill in the buffet that offers Steak, lobster, and huge prawns. Just go up and say 1 steak and 2 lobsters. All none alcoholic beverages are included. Oceania allows you to bring alcohol for consumption in your room. We bring 1 Jack and 1 vodka. Our cocktail parties on our balcony are world class. Wifi is free. They just treat you like the old days. Very special. Spend a little more and get the treatment and gastro delights you deserve. Now spb tours in St Petersburg is fabulous. They take care of the visa details. The tour give you lunch, time to shop, and takes you to the best sites. We also seemed to walk by the lines and get right in to the palaces. Our Guide Marsha was very educated and versed in Russian history. Do not waste a second looking for a different tour company. This is the one. https://spb-tours.com/ In the Wanemunde port we took a bus to Doberan and rode the narrow rail Molli Train to the coast. Great scenery and shopping up in the coastal town.

 

2017 Baltic

2016 Adriatic

2015 Tahiti

and 20+ other cruises

 

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Sent from my iPhone using Forums

My DW and I love Oceania. we have done 3 10 day cruises with them. Food is the best. 4 specialty restaurants on the Marina and the Riviera. So we do each one once. Pumpkin soup in the French restaurant is to die for. Lobster mac and cheese in the Steak restaurant is fabulous. The buffet is second to none. First of all, you do not serve yourself. There is an attendant at each food station and will serve you. There is a grill in the buffet that offers Steak, lobster, and huge prawns. Just go up and say 1 steak and 2 lobsters. All none alcoholic beverages are included. Oceania allows you to bring alcohol for consumption in your room. We bring 1 Jack and 1 vodka. Our cocktail parties on our balcony are world class. Wifi is free. They just treat you like the old days. Very special. Spend a little more and get the treatment and gastro delights you deserve.

2017 Baltic

2016 Adriatic

2015 Tahiti

and 20+ other cruises

Wondering if anyone can offer me any advice, I would like to do a stingray city tour preferably one that isn't really full of people, but I don't want a tour that includes snorkelling as only my eldest daughter likes snorkelling. I would like to see a bit of GC as well, do any tour operators do a tour that combines both? I've been googling like mad :-) Thought I had found one but can't find it now.

Hi, Check out Soto's Cruises. My wife and I have used them 3 times. Small boat great people, never rushed. Good price for Sting Rays and snorkeling. Jim

We will be traveling with my whole family and will have 6 adults and 6 kids (ages 4-13). Some of us want to swim with the stingrays, some will want to just hang on the boat. :D Who would be the best option for that?

 

Our ideal day in GC would be stingrays plus some time to chill on the beach or snorkel in a SHALLOW area (for those younger kiddos).

Hi Soto's Cruises is out favorite. We have used them 3 times. Good price and boat is the right size. Not a huge 100 person boat. Better time snorkeling and stingray feeding. Jim

On 2 cruises that included Roatan, my wife and I loaded up on stuff like you bring and took it to the elementary school. They were thrilled and I was never questioned. I will be doing it again in May on board the Miracle. I would just do it. Jim

Going on the 7-Day Western Caribbean cruise out of Tampa this coming weekend. Been looking at the offered excursions through Carnival but was wondering if booking locally once at the port of call was a better option as far as pricing goes.

 

Should I go ahead and book the excursion(s) through Carnival?

Forgot to mention, book online before you go. Jim

Going on the 7-Day Western Caribbean cruise out of Tampa this coming weekend. Been looking at the offered excursions through Carnival but was wondering if booking locally once at the port of call was a better option as far as pricing goes.

 

Should I go ahead and book the excursion(s) through Carnival?

In Roatan look at Bodden tours. You get a driver and plenty of options to choose from. We have used Victor Bodden 3 times and always fabulous. In Coz do the beach in the morning then head downtown for eats and shopping. Cabs everywhere. Belize is probably one port I would try to use the carnival excursions. Grand Cayman, use Soto's Cruises for Stingray City and to snorkel the Coral Gardens, my wife and I have done this 3 times also. I'm going on the Miracle May 6th and will do what I recommended. Do not be afraid of outside excursion vendors. They will take good care of you, and I have never missed a ship in 25ish cruises. Jim

Board with a crowd and then succumb to a senior moment.

Hi, I will be sailing on the Miracle May 6th. In the last 2 years my DW and I have done 3 Oceania Cruises. They provide very plush white bath robes in the room. I was wondering if Carnival provides robes. Thank you. Jim and Shelley