msmayor

If this airfare is for your March 26 cruise, then I would guess you're trying to book airfare for the Sunday after Easter. That would be a huge travel day for what is likely the last week for spring breaks. I would imagine trying to find good flights for that day at this late date is not going to be easy.

What kind of treatments to you ladies get?

 

(I am a lady, no offense meant to the gents who get treatments too.)

 

I plan on seeing my local girl before leaving...

Hot stone massage is a given...my favorite. I also tend to book a facial as well.

About three trips ago I treated myself to a wash/blow dry on formal night and since then have had my hair done that way twice each trip. Its nice knowing I will have a 'good hair' night on formal nights!

I have to say that with respect to having my hair done, HAL has been the absolute best. On our Bermuda cruise, Anne Marie was so amazing and we had such nice conversations the two trips I made to the salon. Last March on the Westerdam, Francis was just as great...he convinced me to try a Keratin Express treatment (which I found out when I got home was actually reasonably priced) and he made my hair look AMAZING. I loved it so much, I now get Keratin at home regularly.

My husband insists I plan spa visits when we cruise...I'm not going to argue that!

Double check, but if they are ship-sponsored excursions booked ahead of time and the ship does NOT make the port, the fees are almost always automatically refunded; the 2-day cancellation provision doesn't apply.

Privately-booked excursions that are non-refundable should definitely be included.

I know some are asking just about the dining package, but would someone who knows about this 10-drink card/package explain how that works?

My husband and I would never drink enough to make a daily package worth it, but a 10-drink card would make sense...IF whatever limits are on the drinks themselves aren't too restrictive.

What drinks can/cannot be obtained with the card?

Stayed in promenade rooms on Freedom of the Seas and had no noise issues at all...we booked on deck 7, so had rooms above and below us. Had a nice view of the parades from our room!

I always book onboard, but I make all my appointments on embarkation day.

The last time we sailed HAL, they were running a special a prior poster mentioned: 10% off one, 20% off the second and 30% off the third. What I especially liked is that since I booked all three at once, I was given 10% off the least expensive and 30% off the most expensive. Saved a lot!

But even without those deals, my husband and I walk to the spa within an hour or so of boarding so I can get the appointment times I want.

The thing is, just 'adding another port' isn't as easy as it sounds.

First of all, there's the distance to travel to consider as it relates to the other ports on the itinerary. Once the potential ports are determined, RCL is at the mercy of schedules already in place. Some ports are already 'booked up' with other ships. There simply isn't always the room to add another ship.

Last year we were due to cruise out of FLL on a Saturday, and because of work schedules we had no choice but to plan to fly out early Saturday morning. I had the first flight out (6:05am) of BWI, non-stop to FLL.

A snowstorm hit our area on the Thursday before, wreaking havoc with flight schedules Thursday and Friday. Even if we HAD been able to schedule a Friday flight the day before departure, we would have had issues.

When the timing of the storm was still in flux, though, I already had started my contingency planning. We were prepared to rent a car one-way and call out of work and start driving, all night if need be, to get south of the snow.

As it turned out, by Saturday morning the flight schedules had most wrinkles gone and while it was super cold (8 degrees) and we suffered through the delay of a frozen jetway, we made it out of BWI and landed in FLL by 10:30am.

This year's trip again has us flying in March, but a bit later in the month and again one day before departure. Same contingency will be in effect though...if a freak storm ends up predicted, we'll get in the car and drive south.

There just doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason on who is offered a casino rate. My wife and I gamble a significant amount of money at craps but its rare that we even get offered a free drink. For our upcoming cruise, I've applied for a line of credit; maybe that's the secret.

I don't know that I'd expect a free drink as the ship-based casinos don't really operate like the land based. Never used a line of credit either, so maybe you're right...

We do get to know some of the dealers and pit bosses when we cruise, since we are in the casino every single day it is open and often 2-3 times. Even if its just passing through to watch table play between dinner and a show, or to grab a drink at the bar, we say hello and get 'face time'.

We've received the casino offers and would not consider ourselves 'big' gamblers at all. Matter of fact, we rarely bet more than $5 or $10 per hand, and will plan to spend no more than $100-200 per day in the casino...

We've NEVER lost that much though, as we have our daily budget and never go beyond. More often than not, we leave the casino at the end of the day with a good portion of our budget or more still in our hands.

That being said, on our last HAL cruise we made sure that every time we sat down at a table, we handed our card over to be 'logged' and we watched the dealer also punch in how much actual cash we laid down on the table. If we gave him/her more cash, it was logged...so they always knew how much cash we put into play.

We always 'cash out' at the cashier after leaving, even if we intend to return to the casino. We rarely (if ever) put chips back into play, which would NOT get logged.

We could be putting the same $100 into play 2-3 times a night, but as far as HAL's system knows its a fresh $100 every time. We think that is why we got tagged as 'casino players' (well, that and I won the blackjack tournament too!) and started getting offers.

When I spoke with my PCC about it she told me to call her anytime we were planning a trip and she would check on casino rates for us.

Were you implying I was clueless about the subject? If so, please take a look at this policy and say what I stated incorrectly.

 

https://travel.nationwide.com/plans-cruise-choice.html

Well you were right about the benefit for itinerary change after the cruise started, but the benefit clearly says "itinerary change after departure causing you to miss a prepaid excursion". If RCL changes the itinerary and doesn't go to Labadee, your excursions WOULD be refunded because they are only RCL excursions. So the insurance would NOT pay out, because you wouldn't be out any cash.

So in this case, having that insurance would not really be a benefit for missing Labadee.

Thanks Jane...that info is perfect. Valley Church it is...can't wait!

Here's what I posted back in March about our stop in San Juan and visit to Bacardi in March:

My husband and I just did the tour a week ago while on our Westerdam cruise.

 

We took the ferry from Pier 2 to Catano ($0.50) and then a shared cab to Bacardi House ($3.00pp).

 

There is a large open-air pavilion on the grounds where you select/pay for your tour. The standard tour is $12pp and as far as we could see, anyone of any age could go on that tour (there were children in our group). With the $12 fee you receive a heavyweight plastic drink glass with the Bacardi logo on it (its actually a pretty nice glass considering its plastic) and a 'coin' to 'pay' for your free drink at the large bar across the pavilion. There are a few drink choices and many got their drinks right away to consume while they waited for their tour group to be called.

 

While paying for the standard tour you could choose add-ons of either the Mixology tour or the Tasting Tour. Those are priced at $23pp; we opted for the Tasting Tour. They give you a colored wristband to wear at the cashier which is your 'ticket' for the extra tour.

 

Total price with taxes for the two of us was $74.

 

They give you a pager after you pay, and then you can relax in the pavilion until your tour group is called. Once your pager goes off you move to the tram vehicle for the short ride over to the Visitor Center for the start of the tour.

 

The basic tour took about 45 minutes or so. It was informative in terms of the history of Bacardi and the basic process of distilling rum. There are some neat artifacts along the way on the tour but most of it is just 'pretend'. Still, in my mind a good value considering you get the drink as part of the basic tour price.

 

Once the basic tour is over you exit through their gift shop but if you purchased one of the add-on tours, they separate you into the groups and you move on to part two. You'll still get to go to the gift shop if interested afterwards.

 

The Mixology Tour folks stayed in the last room we were in on the basic tour; that was a bar area with tables for the participants to mix their drinks. Those of us on the Tasting Tour were led into an area to gather and then we exited the building to go to the Distilling Building for a look at more of the grounds.

 

As soon as we walked into the Distilling Building (the large tall building on the grounds with "Bacardi" on the top) you could smell the rum! We went to the top and on the terrace to get a view of the entire facility as our guide explained more about the process of making and aging the rum. (We thought it was interesting that none of it is bottled on the island; it all leaves in bulk to be bottled elsewhere).

 

We returned to the Visitor Center and were escorted into a large conference-type room with tables in a U-shape all set up for the tasting...a placemat with four circles, one for each snifter glass of rum types we were tasting.

 

Our guide, Eric, was extremely knowledgeable about each of the rums and he really encouraged us to 'learn' how to recognize the differences in each. We tasted Superior, Bacardi 8, Bacardi Oakheart and the Reserva, an 18-year aged rum. The sample sizes were generous to really allow for a nice tasting. We thought it was worth the price paid.

 

After the tasting we went through the gift shop and then walked back to the pavilion; that's when we chose to enjoy our free drink (we were told the bar area on the pavilion stays open until around 7pm). After finishing our drink we headed back over to the taxi stand to reverse the travel back to the ship...$3.00pp cab ride and the $0.50 ferry ride.

 

We left the ship around 12:30pm and returned around 5:30-6.

Be aware that if you go and choose the tasting add-on, children under the age of 21 are not permitted inside the room. Reps from Bacardi are available while the kids are outside, but parents may not feel comfortable with the separation.

Jane...would you share some more about Valley Church?

What type of food and beverage is available from the restaurant there? I read somewhere that there are no restrooms but if you purchase food/beverage from the restaurant, can you use their facilities?

The beach looks so beautiful I think that's where I'd like to go; just want to cover my bases with what I know we'll need while there.

Thanks!

Thank you all for the info on sites to see!

 

Since this is my first time there, I would prefer to take a cruise ship excursion. I found one excursion which we like - called Dominica's Favorites.

 

Tour Description

Visit a trio of natural attractions showcasing Dominica's unspoiled mountainous beauty. Delight in the panoramic vistas from the historic lookout of Morne Bruce. Inside the national park, see how Trafalgar Falls carved deep gorges and walk through lush tropical rainforest for better views of the dual cascades. A second trail brings you to the park's deep-green Emerald Pool, filled by other falls, where you can cool off with a swim.

 

 

• Morne Bruce: This historic mountainside lookout offers expansive views of Roseau, the harbor and botanical gardens.
  
• Trafalgar Falls: See the spectacular dual cascades from above, then hit the trail to enjoy the best perspective.
  
• Emerald Pool: Walk through the rainforest to this grotto, cooling off with a swim or in the cascade's refreshing mist.
  

Just booked this excursion myself for our March Serenade cruise; I feel like it will give my husband and I a good taste of the island.

I know I might have been able to do this cheaper on my own, but I think like you and would prefer to use the ship

We took an upsell last year from an inside guarantee to a VH guarantee and were assigned a VB aft on the Westerdam...it was HEAVEN!!! Two loungers, two chairs and a side table easily fit on the balcony and my husband and I spent a lot of time out there reading and enjoying the wake. He's not a sun-lover, so the overhang was just perfect.

Enjoy!!

Count me as another who booked during the original BOGOHO sale. We booked our D1 for a 10-night Serenade cruise just $2300 for 2 including taxes. I watched that price go as high as $4300 for 2, then it settled down to about $3800. I haven't seen any D1's available on RCL's site for a while.

I would never have paid today's price for this room.

Thank you for the information Jane...I appreciate it!

The Marriott on St. Kitts was on my short list; I'm glad to hear you have enjoyed it multiple times. My husband is not a big 'beach' person so having the pool, cabanas and good food helps make it a great day for him.

Of the four stops you list, which one would you say is your favorite?

When is her sail date? It may be too far off to have them listed yet.

I cruise in March, just 10 weeks away, and my sailing is not listed yet. There was an option to leave an email address and they will notify me once the packages become available.

I've booked a guarantee inside on RCL and as many suggested, when my cabin was assigned I called and changed it. As long as you choose an available cabin in the same category that you were assigned, they will change it.

We were assigned to an inside on Deck 2...I was able to change to an inside on deck 6 which for us was a better location.

Your pictures are fabulous! Gets me more excited about our Serenade cruise in March.

Would you mind telling me which beaches you visited? I'm still trying to decide where to go and I'd love to hear your thoughts on the ones you visited.

Was there a 'favorite' place on the ship you gathered in the evening before dinner? My husband and I love to enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail each night. Did you have a 'favorite' bartender or server?

Previous poster suggests being at MCO by 10 for an 11:30 flight...but in my opinion 9:00 is the safer time especially if flying on a weekend or near a holiday. Many flights now start boarding 30-45 minutes before departure due to the volume of carry-on luggage people have, so your flight (if on time) would start boarding a mere hour or so after your arrival.

Remember you will need to take the tram to get to your gate area, so if it takes you even 30 minutes to clear security you have just 30 to get to your gate for boarding...and that's if everything goes perfectly, including traffic on the way to the airport.

Just my personal opinion here, but as another poster said you are most likely already at or beyond final payment date for a March 2016 cruise (final payment for my March cruise was four days ago) so the only reason I can think of to use a NextCruise certificate now would be to get the on board credit. The perk of not putting a larger downpayment down would be lost.

That's the biggest reason we used the certificate...holding on to our money longer. I booked our March 2016 cruise with a NextCruise certificate in May of 2014.

I can't comment on Tulum...didn't go there. But we did go to Coba and really enjoyed the site. From photos of Tulum, Coba has much more shade and therefore out of full sun. I wouldn't characterize it as 'rugged' as the previous poster did, but the walkways are not paved. They are trails cleared through the trees; sturdy shoes would be advisable

You can get up close to most every site at Coba and yes, climb the large pyramid (my husband did it and said the views were fantastic). The steps to climb are irregular and there is no true handrail, so care needs to be taken going up and down.

We had a wonderful guide on our tour (through RCL) who really added value to the tour. We were very happy with our decision to visit Coba.

Please also consider that making the FLL flight won't necessarily be a moment to exhale and relax. Early March weather is a wild card in the northeast, and if there are issues in the NY/NJ area that mroning, your 10am flight may not get off the ground on time. Know your alternatives beforehand if it is important that you be home by a certain time.