EatonDoolittle

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/202-tortola/ Here is the Tortola board. Scroll through and read a bit, as your questions are probably already answered there. If not, that is the place to ask.

Another factor, which I rarely see mentioned in these discussions, is thinking about how often, if at all, one gets up in the middle of the night. It can be a cautious walk to the head in bouncy seas if the bed is by the balcony.

I'll probably get scolded for jumping cruise lines for this discussion, but I just booked a 27 day sailing on Holland America to the Amazon for Feb 2025. It goes R/T from Ft Lauderdale, the only way I have found to see that region without any flights to and from South America involved. It includes several Caribbean stops on the way down and on the way back, so it's almost like 3 cruises in one. The Amazon region has always fascinated me, and it is losing it's natural resources by the day.

St Croix is perfectly civilized and safe, even though it it part of the US. 😁 As an aside, I travel solo all over the Caribbean, walking, touring, private excursions, taxis, city busses, beaches, etc. I simply walk with confidence, and don't carry the aura of a victim.

We all know that this is simply a veranda cabin by another name. Kudos to the marketing department. My question is, does this cabin qualify for the suite bonus of an extra Mariner point per night? TIA

Yes, your plan will work. Have him drop you at the square, everything you want to see is within a few block radius from there. Very safe. Can't help with the cost, both times I've done it has been as part of a tour. It's a fun city to explore, just be mindful of the fearless locals driving scooters. And don't rush back, there is far more to see in town than at the port, IMO.

Here's the link, not sure why you can't find it https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/find-a-cruise/S5X27A/X512.html

You’ll leave from T 21. Rotterdam at T 26, Volendam at T 19. The Port Everglades app shows 30 days out.

I love Barbados, but St Vincent is not a bad substitution. It is fairly unspoiled, and "old Caribbean", so don't expect a Diamonds International. Not many ships go there, so do enjoy it. There are beautiful gardens to explore, and exceptional sailing opportunities. A catamaran trip to sister island Bequia (very unspoiled) , is a memorable way to spend the day.

According to a recent discussion with the on board future cruise agent (Rotterdam), it is usually offered in the first 90 days of new releases. He called it HIA plus.

I saw that news report as well. As a person familiar with the virus (tho not for years, now), I certainly have sympathy for any sufferers. However, wasn't it nice to see a story about Norovirus that did not mention cruise ships?

(Putting on my flame proof suit)... The Medallion I just returned from 21 days on HAL's newest ship, and loved everything about it except using and keeping track of the old fashioned cruise card. Met a couple who felt the same, We bored our dinner companions to extreme, going on and on about Princess's Medallion and how much we liked it.

The Port Everglades app for your phone shows the schedule month out.

yes

I asked the future cruise consultant here on the Rotterdam about Caribbean, late 2024 just last night. She confirmed that they are not out yet, but should be soon. She gave me the flyer for this season as reference, so I took that to mean not to expect much change for next season.

As @blue_watersays, this is their standard procedure. However, the last 2 times I went to Jost with them, they did indeed send a taxi, but we had to pay him separately and additionally. Maybe $20, don’t really remember. Better confirm that with them. Regarding your other post, the Norman Island trip is more snorkeling focused, JVD is more about the beach bars.

There is also a PE app you can download on your device which shows the schedule a month out.

@capriccio has cleared it up nicely, but I'll just add that not all spots on Deck 5 are covered. If that matters to you you'll need to plan an early arrival to score one of them.

The iron is free to use. I recently had a cabin a few doors from the laundry, was very pleased to be able to iron and freshen some clean clothes that had wrinkled in the suitcase.

Lime is a 5 minute walk next door to Sunshine's. Plenty of time to have lunch at the Lime, walk over for a few Killer Bees, have a short swim, and still meet the van to the ferry dock back to St Kitts. I guarantee that.

If you take a ship tour to Nevis, they bring a ferry over to the dock at the end of the cruise ship pier. You'll just walk through the mall to the left. Organizers usually have you at the end of the pier and walk over together. It's the same dock that the catamaran tours leave from.

Exactly. I booked my HIA dinners and shore excursions months ago. Specialty restaurants booking up well before the sailing is nothing new, and certainly not exclusive to HAL ships. It's like the people who come in to a show or movie as the lights are dimming and get annoyed because they can't find 4 seats together in the prime locations. Think ahead, people, and take some responsibility for yourself.

I'll be waiting for that news as well, I sail her in Feb. I would guess they would both be on for the first few days' inaugural festivities with VIPs, press, etc.

Good to hear. I had planned to bring on a few of my preferred caffeine free sodas next week, knowing they could get confiscated. Happy they are using common sense rather than being petty. Tell me again how six cans of soda brought on board will damage their bottom line...