crusin okie

We spent Thanksgiving on the Liberty of the Seas and the cruise was great! Pretty much no complaints. We met a lot of wonderful people, had great weather, once we got out into the Gulf, and we got to spend some quality time with our daughter and her family.

 

The problem was Galveston. Never mind the time it takes to get from the airports to Galveston, that is doable with little problem. The check in was amazingly fast, so that was good. The problem, and it's a huge problem, was the disembarkation.

 

Disembarkation was a Royal Mess! Walking off the boat was easy, but the mass confusion and wait following was enough to make even me mad. We found our luggage fast but then there were 3 or 4 confused lines funneling into one, massive, slow line!! From getting into line to reaching the customs agent was 70 minutes!! 70 minutes of snaking around the building lugging all your baggage. Our cruise had 1350 kids onboard, so you can imagine the issues those parents had keeping their kids occupied (they actually did a stellar job and I commend all those parents). I have no idea why the long lines, all the customs booths were open....I guess they need to make the port larger and get more agents because that is too long to wait! Getting outside was also horrible. We got through the line around 11 am, which is when people were arriving for the next cruise...what a mess! In 24 or so cruises I can't remember another experience like it.

 

We were attracted to leaving on a cruise out of Galveston because the flight is 2.5 hours compared to 4.5 to Florida.....but when you figure in the 60 minute ride from Houston and the hour waiting in line for customs, it's making the difference next to none. Sorry Galveston it's Florida for us from now on.

No matter where we sail from - we ALWAYS get a porter. They get you thru customs ASAP so they can get back to the baggage area and get another customer. It is much faster and very worth the porter's tip. We have sailed from Galveston many times and disembarkation is no fun, but neither is at any other port.

We will be in Grand Turk in a couple of weeks and have reserved a cabana at Margaritaville. Can you tell me which cabana you think is the best? I read on another review that you may be able to reserve your cabana at guest services? Do you know if that is true? Thanks for any information you can share. I have enjoyed your review tremendously as this is the same cruise we will be on.

WilsonFamilyNRH is absolutely correct. We experienced the same price increases on the Navigator OTS in April 2015. RCCL refuses to admit their drink prices have increased, however, we were on the Navigator with the same group of friends in April 2014. We all agreed the prices had increased significantly.

I have a 10 yr old and our friends had an 8 and 4 yr old. This yr he loved it. Last yr he didn't want to go. I actually have the schedule if you want to know activities. They came in everyday with crafts they made or medals. It was great

 

 

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We're booked on the Breeze this fall. 12 yr old granddaughter will be with us. Can I please get the camp schedule for 10 year old. Ksorth@cox.net. thank you

Has anyone done the Roatan Las Sirenas Resort by Mayan Princess All Inclusive Beach Excursion through Shore Excursioneer? We have booked it and it looks like you get full access of the place, not just the small part of Mayan Princess that Carnival limits you to.

 

Any comments are appreciated!

Did you actually go to Las Sirenas? Would you recommend this resort? I have been unable to get any feedback regarding this place and will appreciate any information you can provide. Thanks.

We are on RCCL Navigator OTS 4-22-15. We are interested in buying an AI day pass to Las Sirenas Beach Resort. It looks like this is connected with Mayan Princess. Does anyone have any information, good or bad, on Las Sirenas? Does anyone have experience with Shore Excursioneer? Thanks in advance for all replies.

Given your situation, I believe I would recommend the Navigator. The Magic can seem crowded (because of the layout of the public areas) but is a lot of fun, as is the NOTS. I just think you would enjoy the NOTS more than the Magic. My 2 cents. :)

I stayed at B2 and that is pretty nice as well.

We are thinking of booking the B2 rather than the Holiday Inn across from Bay Market. Did you think the B2 was good value? I don't see much on here about that hotel and I wonder why more people don't stay there. It doesn't seem to be much more expensive than the Holiday Inn which I thought was looking pretty tired. I appreciate any comments you care to make.

WLHYATT AND TALLYHO8 Thanks for your information. I've also now realized there is a football game on 11-9-14 (Saints and 49ers). I would appreciate any opinion of NOLA metro residents of what effect that will have on traffic leaving the cruise pier. We've cruised several times but never out of NOLA so I don't have a "feel" for the area. In fact, I've never been there so am very excited to see some of the sights. Thanks again for any information you guys can provide.

I've read that disembarkation from ships returning from cruises that visit Belize takes considerably longer due to expanded Customs issues. I would appreciate comments from those who've sailed one of these cruises as to your experience in delays getting off the ship. We return from our cruise on the Dream on 11-9-14 and are trying to decide if we are safe in booking a flight out at 12:30. Thanks in advance for any information you can provide.

Hi fellow Parrothead :) JB and Allen Toussaint - one of my favorite songs.

Have been on the Magic three times, the last being in Dec '13. Was on the NOS post dry dock in May '14. Itineraries being equal, I would go with the NOS.:)

Going to Falmouth, Jamaica in March on a Celebrity cruise. I am interested in the Champagne Catamaran Caribbean Sail Away. excursion through the cruise line. Has anyone taken this excursion. Is it worth the price? It sounds fun but is a little pricey. Just curious.

Tom

We also have a group interested in this excursion. D o es anyone know if beer is served? Or only champagne? Thanks for any reply

.

We have used the Holiday Inn across the street from Bayside Market Place on Biscayne Blvd. Found it not to be the most plush but it was clean and conveniently located.

What ship & cabin?

We have done it via JH sometimes and by e-mailing the Maitre'D other times. In every case we got the table for 2 we requested. We always check out the table location to make sure we don't have to get in the line to change.

 

Never got a birthday cake that either we or our TA didn't order. It must have been meant for someone else.

Would you please share the email address/format for contacting the maitre d? We are sailing on the Magic

Thank you.

Serene56,

Thanx for the info. This was a balcony guarantee and I was a little disappointed to be this far forward. But sounds like it may not be so bad afterall.

Thanks for the information, this subject has provided some very good suggestions. We're booked on the Conquest room 7220 ...can anyone tell me if we will have the same situation with the lifeboat overhang/crew coming and going? Also, I noticed an adjacent blank area...anyone know what this space contains?