Sparetiming

Yes, we used Smart Wheels. Their office was right at the port. Very quick and easy. Nice van. Great time. No problems.

23 hours ago, nasa1974 said:

I have a cruise on the Oasis in March (Western Caribbean). I purchased the drink package for $72.99 BOGO 50% off before the Black Friday deals. I have checked the website every day and that price has not gone lower. What kind of racket is RCI pulling?

🤑

On 12/27/2022 at 10:25 AM, footzz said:

It's not just you. We've bought the DBP in the past, but never paid more than $58.99 a day pre-Covid. Even after the return to sailing, the first two cruises we took, the DBP was never higher than $62.99.

 

In our Cruise Planner for a Jan. cruise, the price has gone as low as $67.99 + grats a day and has gone as high as $77.99. Now it's at $72.99. There's no way are we going to pay over $1200 for a DBP. As long as people are willing to buy at the current prices, they're going to stay high. We'll manage just fine with our daily drink coupons and carry on wine.

I checked Black Friday sales our package was still $72.99. I have checked every day since and same price. I wonder if it is one price for some people and a different prices for others. I would have probably bought it at $67.99. You always have to sign in to get price so I wonder if prices are based on your Crown status or something. Our cruise is January 14th.

23 hours ago, footzz said:

Yeah, and up until 2014 there were more choices in the packages too. I drink mostly beer, and my wife drinks wine. When RC modified the packages in 2105 they became way less attractive to us. Now, the DBP prices are of little value for those who mostly drink beer and wine. For reference, here's a blast from the past...

I can live with these prices!! Too bad we will never see them again!!

Is it just me or has the Deluxe Beverage Package prices so high it no longer makes sense to buy it? Our cruise is in a few weeks and I have diligently checked the price, the cheapest it has been listed at is $72.99. Even the Black Friday sale was at this price. Now they have the Holiday specials and still at this price. For 2 people this amount is $1,168.00!! Almost as much as our cruise price. Sorry this is just ridiculous and I am disappointed. I guess I will be brown bagging 2 bottles of wine.

On 6/20/2021 at 2:05 PM, Essiesmom said:

Look at the list of excursions offered by your cruise line to see what they think might interest passengers.  When I visit a place for the first time, I book a basic half day tour that gives me an overview of the place.  The rest of the day I just wander around.  Having been to Curacao several times, I get off the ship at the mega pier and stroll along the shore to the Rif fort.  Glance at the shops and restaurants as I pass.   Continuing out the other side, I glance at the row of straw market booths on the was to the Queen Emma floating pedestrian bridge.  I cross the bridge and wander the main part of town.  Further down is a wooded area in front of a number of restaurants and bars.  Good place to stop for a snack, drink, people watch until it is time to go back.  EM

Can you please tell me where are the straw market booths?  Looking for a good place for t-shirts and souvenirs that is reasonably priced.  Thank you.

On 3/13/2022 at 9:34 AM, MNtwins said:

We just did Odyssey of the Sea cruise on February 26th and did a private excursion with Gone Caribe. It’s a married couple who own it and we had the wife, Jessica showing us around. Just an awesome experience. I had given them an idea of our interests and they put together a wonderful itinerary. We enjoyed the lovely sights of the island on our way to the west side of the island. We snorkeled with the sea turtles in their natural environment at Playa Piskado, stopped at Santa Martha Bay, great stop at Playa Porte Marie for lunch, snorkeling and swimming. On our way back to port we did a stop for flamingo watching, then made our way to town and did a little walk on our way to the locks,  Queen Emma floating bridge and the Rif Fort with Jessica sharing information along the way. 
 

it was my favorite island and we couldn’t of asked for a better private tour with Jessica from Gone Caribe. We got to meet Jessica’s husband, Joseph when we stopped for lunch as he had another group out as well, that we had met the day before and they said Joseph was amazing as well. You can’t go wrong.

 

if you get a chance to visit this beautiful island I would highly look at booking a private excursion with Gone Caribe. I had actually first heard about Gone Caribe right here on Cruise critic.

 

Sincerely,

Joyce

Can you please tell me where you stopped to see flamingos?

Can you please tell me what time they close?

Can someone please tell me the best place to shop near the cruise port for T-shirts and souvenirs?  What time do the stores usually close?  I have read somewhat about Seaport Village and a flea market near there.  Is that a good place to go and is it near the cruise port?  Thank you so much.

Do you mind if I ask what you did do in Curacao?

Can anyone tell me if they have rented a car from Smart Wheels and their experience?  They are located by the cruise port.

Can anyone please tell me a snorkeling beach with a good bar and restaurant?  Any all inclusive with day passes?  We are looking at Playa Portomari.  Like to visit at least two beaches while there.

Can anyone tell me if the Sea Aquarium is worth the time and money?  We are a group of 7 adults, no children.  Thank you.

Are there any Rental Car companies at the cruise port?

We rented a car last time from Avis. Depending on how many people you have for the taxi. Standard is 4 people to a taxi. For us it was cheaper in a rental because we had six people

Can anyone please tell me what rental car agencies are at Mega Pier? We would like to rent a car to sight see and go to beach. Thank you 

Can you please tell me if these are one-way rates and can you make arrangements with the driver to come back and pick you up?

We will be in Curacao for nine hours and wish to get a taxi or shuttle bus from the Mega Pier to Playa Porto Marie.  Does anyone know what the rate is for 7 people?  Can you please tell me if there is an admission charge or chair rental fee?  How is the snorkeling?  Thank you.

Hi, we are going to be in Aruba for several hours and would like to rent a car.  Has anyone had luck with car rentals near the cruise port?  I only see one car rental near the port and it doesn't open until 1pm.  Any advice or past experience would be appreciated.

I keep seeing the same sale for the Deluxe Beverage Package. Is there any time when they really put it on sale. The cheapest I have seen is $72.99, which I don't consider a sale. We are sailing the the Odyssey of the Seas 8 day southern Caribbean cruise. I seem to remember a big Black Friday sale one year.

Thanks Nanci and CB for your prompt and helpful replies. Where do you go snorkeling? Should we head to the left or right exiting the pier?

Hi everyone, we have never sailed to Coco Cay before so I just wanted to know if we should bring snorkeling equipment or the snorkeling not worth it. Hate to drag a bunch of stuff off the boat and don't need it. If you buy deluxe beverage package can you get bottled water to take on island or do they provide it there?

One more question please, are there towels on the island or do we take them off the boat that morning?

Can anyone tell me where the best snorkeling is on the island? What direction do you head after you get off tender?

Thanks so much for all your help!! Smooth sailing!!

Thanks Cathi for responding to my message. We are going to Cozumel in February onboard the Independence of the Seas. Tired of doing beach clubs there so I thought the Cozumeleno Resort might be better and we love snorkeling. How was the food? I keep reading bad reviews on it and some people even say they got sick. I never drink anything with ice in it or water. Was the snorkeling good? I just bought our tickets from shoreexcursioneers for the same price. Did you have any trouble buying tickets from a broker when you got to resort? I can't wait, the pictures look great!!