Losnab

Our cruise starts 1/2 and since we are driving to port we decided that it would be a good idea to extend our pre-cruise hotel stay to include 12/31. Was hoping to see fireworks and enjoy easy New Year's Eve on beach but the only thing I can find is a street party.

Any budget conscious recommendations?

Thanks

Used Uber at to and from hotel to Port Everglades two years ago and plan to do very same next month. Easy breezy.

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Here are a few things I always bring: First aide kit. Magnets for hanging schedules etc. A multi outlet plug. Enjoy!

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We plan to go to Holiday Beach Resort.

 

 

 

Here's a link to my website with info and photos I've found about the Resort: Curaçao.

Wow what a great compilation of well organized info. Next time I want to be on your cruise. Thanks

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First time I heard of this - thanks for the tip

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Thanks we will plan the bus route. We have always had memorable experiences when doing so in the past on other islands. In this case was it also easy to return?

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We would just add that its possible to get to Darkwood on a local bus (you need to walk to the bus station) for only a few dollars. Can't remember if its the #20 or #22.

 

Hank

Has anybody taken the bus to this beach lately? Just want to be sure we we take the correct bus. And would appreciate input re directions for walking to bus. Thanks

I understand darkwood beach is lovely and a good place to snorkel.

Has anyone had a more recent experience using a bus to travel to and from this beach from the cruise port? Can you please give me detailed directions for walking to the bus stop from the cruise port and

where to get off the bus so we know we are at the right place?

Cam we use American dollars to pay for bus, cost and other info that may be helpful

Thanks

Sorry

I posted a similar question on the Curaçao section of the board and clicked on the wrong island.

But I do have a recommendation for you:

Check out the Good Return Bonaire

http://www.bonairebest.com/things-to-do/good-return-bonaire/

And I plan to do the same excursion again :)

We enjoyed The Spice Beach Club! :)

 

http://spicebonaire.com

Thanks for the link

It sort of reminds me of beach club in Barbados. Lots of fun but is there a decent opportunity to snorkel?

:eek:

Check out these guys. They were great and only 55 bux. They were walking distance from the pier. 5 minute walk I think. They had all the gear, the crew was friendly and helpful and we saw lots of fish and turtles. They gave us drinks and a nice meal afterwards too. The guides showed us stuff we may have missed otherwise. We really enjoyed it !!

Thanks for your reply. Those guys got 5 stars on trip advisor. But it looks like they take you over to Bonaire ... Right? Our ship is scheduled to go to Bonaire the following day. Now to decide if I want to snorke in Bonaire 2 days in a row or have a Curaçao snorkel experience as we've never been to Curaçao. Hmmmm what a decision (lol)

We will be visiting Curaçao during the less desirable 2 - 10 pm time period

We travel with our own snorkel gear and would like to visit the marine park on our own. Any suggestions and/or experiences to share?

G'day Losnab,

 

That is the place!

 

You don't need to book a room for the evening, you just just wander in the door at anytime and enjoy their facilities.

 

They have public access balconies off the gaming areas.

 

Hope you enjoy your NYE in Sydney ... we'll be enjoying Champagne in Champagne Bay!

 

A&C

Hi Exige

I decided to call the star to make sure their balconies would be accessible. But since their renovations I understand the balconies are only avail on nye to those who have reservations in one of their venues.

They were nice enough to accommodate us one of their clubs with a gatsby theme finger food and cocktails.

https://www.star.com.au/whats-on-sydney/nye/cherry

So I really appreciate your info that led us in a good direction. :)

Thanks for sharing Terry

just looked back at my post from 2012.

And I thought this might be a good time to bring the Dukan diet back to the top as its been a real life changer for me.

This is the first diet (and there have been many) where I not only lost the weight but stayed within a few pounds of goal for more than a few months.

I now have the book in digital format and passed my hard copy along

I do make sure to keep Shirataki Noodles on hand to add to my plate protein Thursday's. I typically season with a little low sodium soy and chopped scallion

My husband did not go full dukan but shares protein Thursday's with me and has one of my dukan muffins for breakfast each weekday morning

I'm happy to post recipe if any one is interested.

When I cruise I put 3tablepoons oat bran and bit of stevia into snack baggies and add one Baggie to yogurt or bit of ff milk daily

Actually packing is easier as it is no longer torturous to plan out just enough outfits. Somehow before dukan I always overpacked - I suppose I was less secure about what I would feel comfortable in and just threw so much more stuff in my suitcase

I guess everyone responds to different modes of diet in their own way but Dukan has been extremely good to me in the long term

We did a 10 night Caribbean cruise on the Legend in January.

Like you I heard a good number of negative comments so I am happy to share that we loved the ship.

Every staff we dealt with was professional, friendly and kind. We have fond memories of the maitre d, and our servers. We even had a good experience at the pursers desk.

we loved the intimacy of a "smaller ship" and hope to sail on the legend again in the future.

Our hidden gem was the quiet deck in the back of the ship behind the spa. The spa manager was always lovely to us and everyone even though we did not utilize their services.

Enjoy

I haven't done NYE is the city for a good few years .. lots and lots (and lots) of people.

 

However .. when we did for a few years running, we found the Sydney Casino a really good spot. Most people seem to try and congregate around the harbours edge, so the casino is fairly empty .. and it has a number of outside balconies that you can watch the fireworks etc without any of the crowds. All that along with cheap drinks and food.

 

More people may have found out this "secret spot" .. and now all of CC knows :) .. however if you don't have a good view from your accomodation, it's definitely an option

Hi Exige

Wondering if this was place you are referring to

http://www.thedarling.com.au/sydney-casino/Pages/default.aspx

Is it possible to go there, play a few slots, have dinner and drinks and watch from their balcony? Or did you mean we needed to reserve their hotel room?

Thanks

Just curious has anyone considered or experienced using uber to transfer from their hotel in Sydney to White Bay?

Ditto

Thanks for the important info. Will be sure to pack hats.

I'll need to check Aussie travel guidelines as to whether I can bring in sunscreen in checked baggage as I understand they are pretty strict.

If not I guess we'll pick a bunch up in a local market.

Will not travel without my 50 face Cerave in my allotted plastic bag.

the OP stated they disembark at OPT

Thanks for the post

We were in similar change situation with United. They changed our 2:30 to 11:30 and we are arriving At White Bay

The only other option was moving back to 2:30 but increasing our trip time by an additional 14 hours. So united agreed to a layover in San Francisco and they will pick up hotel.

Obtained ours yesterday $9.95 each

Www easyeta dot com

I put the application in yesterday afternoon and by evening had an email confirmation that the visa was approved and that my ETA visa ihas been electronically linked to our passport numbers.

For an international flight, that's really tight!

 

You want to be checking in at 9 a.m. for international. It's about a 40 min ride e.g. taxi from White Bay to International, so that's 8:20 a.m.

 

That does give you time to get off, and get there in time. But as you can see, there's not a lot of allowance if there are delays somewhere. e.g. shortage of taxis at the terminal adds 20 min, then an acccident on the M5 adds 1/2 hour delays around the airport (as happened this morning).

 

Personally, it's tighter than I'd accept, but if you aren't disadvantaged e.g. they'd put you on the next plane at no cost if you miss this, then it's better than the extra travel. But if you'd incur substantial extra cost if you miss this flight, I'd change plans now and plan for a leisurely trip (instead of a stressful arrival into Sydney).

Thanks Big M - your point is well taken!

It is easy for an unknowing person in customer service to say there should not be a problem getting my flight time.

I wrote a letter to the airline as we would be willing to take the chance, but I think it's fair to ask for assurance that if indeed we miss the flight we will not incur any additional expenses and they will make sure we get on the next flight.

We are planning to fly out of Sydney the same day our cruise returns to Sydney. United Airlines, without notice, changed our return flight from 2:30 PM to 11:30 AM.

(Our ship is scheduled to arrive back in White Bay at 7:00 AM)

Does anybody have experience getting to SYD Intl. from White Bay?

Do you think we can make this without turning into crazy people?

Do you think it would be better to attempt to book the transfer via the ship? Taxi? Uber?

The other option is to move it back to 2:30 but instead of 24 hours of travel time that we originally planned - it would be 39 hours of travel time :(

As a tip/insight from our experiences early last year doing a wonderful Sydney to Auckland cruise, do not assume that your roll call is a true indicator for the make-up of those on your RCI sailing. These CC Boards are more heavily used by those from the USA.

 

BUT, keep researching and planning. Check out my live/blog for ideas, plus many pictures to get you even more excited about this great part of the world.

Thanks for generously sharing TLC - I read your posts a few weeks ago from my Mini iPad. Now that i am looking at them on the computer I realize I must make time to view them on a big screen.