banditoo

Thanks SadieN and riffatsea. I will look for Miracle Funtimes for this itinerary. Didn't realize the Splendor was starting a new itinerary.

We will be on the Splendor Mexican Riviera cruise this March 24 round trip from Long Beach. Can anyone post a copy of the Funtimes for the Mexican Riviera itinerary?

We have done the round trip itinerary from LA in February. The evening of sailaway, weather was typical clear mild southern CA evening weather. By the time that we woke up the next morning cruising down the Baja it was pool and suntanning weather so the first sea day was spent poolside. The remainder of the cruise was beach or pool weather including the sea days coming back. Can't remember anything particular about wind. Looking forward to cruising this itinerary again this March!

Great info. We will be cruising with 4 little ones for these three ports late March so info is very helpful. Thanks!

Our family of 10 will be arriving at LAX at 0900 the morning of our carnival Cruise. Hoping to book a shuttle for 10 people unless there are other suggestions for getting from LAX to Long Beach cruise terminal? How early can we usually board the ship and is there anything worthwhile to do in Long Beach cruise terminal area for a few hours if we have to wait to board?

When we were there people were abandoning their rented clamshells complaining of heat and no air flow. There is plenty of shade available under palm trees and easy to pull a free lounger under.

Love to chat with you guys re the Mekong Prestige 11 - we are about to book for next February.

Dave and Joan - Sooke BC.

Mekong Prestige II cruise was absolutely FANASTIC as was the rest of our Cambodia/Vietnam trip which I pieced together using help from travel forums. My pics, planning notes, journal etc. are all on shutterfly https://sharemytraveladventures.shutterfly.com/cambodiavietnam2016. Meking Prestige II was a lovely boat, the included excursions were varied and very enjoyable, crew was lovely, food was excellent.

I am thinking of using the water taxi on my own and then going snorkeling. Where do you leave your personal belongings while you snorkel?

 

 

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You will see people have left their bags or belongings in little piles up against shrubs while snorkeling.

We did a Segway tour with Danny's Two Wheel Adventures and a boat/snorkeling trip on the Arusun, also booked through Danny. Had a great time on the Segways (first time used) and then a relaxing afternoon on the water after. We previously did a jeep safari tour with ABC and had a great time on that too.

We are doing the Oasis of the Seas' Secret Harbor excursion and it is at 11:00 am. Since there are no food amenities at this beach are we allowed to take something from the ship to snack? Maybe something prepackaged?

Thanks, Karen

I believe officially food is not supposed to be taken off of the ship. However many people do take buns with cold cuts or muffins etc. from the buffet. If you take some ziplock bags, you can bag it in your room to pack in a tote for lunch.

This thread is so great, thank you!!

 

I will be traveling with my husband and 2 kids (12 and 8). I am still torn between Coki and Saphire. I would like great snorkeling, a bucket of beers, and a good place to relax. There are two ships in the day I am there. The other one gets in at 8 and we don't get in until 11:30 so I can't beat the rush to get a good spot. My kids will love snorkeling as well, are both beaches similar in terms of water roughness? Is it hard to avoid the rocks/coral when you are snorkeling? I don't enjoy it when I feel like the current is going to push us all into the rock.

So, also, cost wise - is it going to be $80 for a cab for the for us round trip? And $12 for the chairs, $16 for the beer?

 

Thanks so much!!

Coki was completely calm the day I was there. Not hard to avoid the rocks at all as you swim around the rock outcrops to either side of the small bay, not over them. Some people were even standing beside the rock outcrops on the soft sandy bottom in the shallower area. The fish were plentiful even for those standing or wading. Please do not get tempted to feed the fish as many seem to do. This is unhealthy for the fish and they will swim around you even without food. The beach sand is so soft you may find you don't need chairs. I just put my beach towel down on the sand (I spent most of the time in the water anyway) :).

Do you happen to know how many ships were in port the day you were there? We are debating between Coki and Saphire.... I think the teens would like Coki better but I would probably like Saphire for the less crowded aspect.... However I checked the port schedule and our ship is the only one there that day....it is Oasis so that is lot of people anyway but I was thinking Coki might be a little less crowded because we are the only ship there.

I was there 2 weeks ago (went solo as hubby was laid up with a sore back). We were the only ship in port. Coki was almost deserted and no one hassled me for anything, I put my towel and bags down on the beach and went in snorkeling. Easy as can be. I caught one of the shared cabs right at the port as soon as I disembarked in the morning and then caught one back right from Coki. A beautiful few hours on the beach and snorkeling.

Champagne Reef is right off shore once you get there. You don't need a guide to snorkel the reef. We did a day tour with Levi of Bumpiing tours and it included Champagne Reef as well as Titou Gorge and Trafalgar falls. A great way to see some highlights of the island. Levi is fantastic and it is evident he loves his island is running a successful business. The full day tour was cheaper than what you have indicated the cruise tour is for a half day,

I was at Coki this morning. Not crowded at all as ours was the only ship in port. No harassing peddlers. You could sit on beach or rent chairs. Bathrooms were very cean. Water and beach were beàutiful with sandy gradual entry. The snorkeling areas to each side of the beach around the rocks are quite small and coral is very minimal. There are lots of fish and you do not need to feed them as they swim all around you without food. I also saw a ray and octopus. Taxi each way there and back from Havensight was easy and cost $9 per person each way. A great way to spend a few hours.

I actually heard from the water taxi operator and others who have snorkeled Klein Bonaire that fins are not needed and actually discouraged in order to avoid damage to the coral.

I do not know about crabs legs, but there is still lobster on the 2nd formal night

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Great to hear about the lobster! Another of my favourites!:D

I'll be on the Royal for the Feb 28 Southern Caribbean sailing so am enjoying your live report in anticipation of our own turn. It's been a few years since we have been on Princess and I am curious as to whether they still do a main dining room night with crab legs or whether that has now been replaced by the crab shack which appears to include a fee?

Yes it's hard to pick one as some folks felt Coki was a waste of their time while some loved it. Guess you really have to experience these places yourself to know. And of course conditions can vary from one day to the next.

Coki and Sapphire are a short taxi away from one another if you have time to try both without too much moving around.

 

For STJ I was thinking more about the independent daysails like High Pockets or Yacht Nightwind. we haven't taken either but have read rave reviews for both. We did take the New Horizons out of Sapphire Marina while staying there which is a 65' sloop if I remember and that was a fun day. Snorkel stops off Honeymoon Beach and Great St James, they're out from 10 - 4 and very inexpensive if interested.

 

But enjoy your time whatever option you choose!

Thanks! So many options to consider! :)

We snorkel just a little so I'm not a good source for that. Many friends and people we've met consider Sapphire the best with the coral and the seagrass areas, while others prefer Coki and Lindqvist Beach (Smith Bay Park).

 

Mitsugirly is a frequent cruiser and a major cruisecritic poster and has tons of cruise reports and pictures if you want to look at her reviews. You'll find many rave reviews on the snorkeling at Sapphire on the St Thomas forum on tripadvisor.

 

And of course taking one of the excellent daysails to the cays off St John is also a great snorkeling option.

 

But do check with others with more experience. Beautiful Bill is an owner at Sapphire and can offer much better insight on Sapphire as well.

Thanks Blue Water. I have read most of those reports you refer to including Mitsugirly's photos reviews and the photo reviews on trip advisor. Though St. John looks great, I think I prefer to avoid the ferry situation for our one day in port. Most of what I have read on St. Thomas snorkeling leans me toward Coki at this point. What I really enjoy is great coral formations and varied sealife.

Both beaches are beautiful -

 

Coki Beach is in a much smaller bay and so tends to be more crowded. The vibe there is more lively as a result, and the many vendors there add to that.

 

Sapphire is home to 3 condo properties and you have access to the beach area around the Sapphire Beach Resort & Marina property. Beautiful Bill is one of the owners there and can give you much more information than I. But the vibe is generally much more tranquil as there are no vendors and there is room to spread out either in a sunny spot by the dive center or under the trees in front of the condos. There are a couple restaurant options there and runners do take orders on the beach too. Nice island views and water colors.

http://www.sapphireinthesun.com

 

Our favorite was Coki until we stayed at the SBRM and "discovered" Sapphire, now that's our go-to beach on STT along with Hull Bay when we want something different.

Blue Water

Do you snorkel and if so what are your thoughts on the snorkeling at Coki or Sapphire?

We're on the same cruise. I've been watching here too...We might try Sapphire:confused:

Decisions, decisions.

Joanie

Hi Joannie

I have heard that the snorkeling at Coki is superior so that is where my destination will be unless I hear something that convinces me that snorkeling is superior elsewhere on the island. :)

A taxi going to golf course will probably be taking people to Magens Bay Beach since those 2 are on the same side of the island. Unless you hire a private taxi not likely you would find a group taxi that will go to golf course and Coki.

Thank you Ms411.

We ended up going to Coki, based on the taxi dispatcher's suggestions. Mobs of people were going to Magen's, which I heard could get very crowded when there are a number of cruise ships in port.

 

We took a taxi (blue something) - they were lined up at the port. It was $9 per person each way. We ended up with 4 other people in the taxi, which was more like a passenger van. When we got to Coki, he dropped us off right in front. There are restrooms/changing rooms and more of a snack bar with drinks/chips. There is also a rental facility for chairs, umbrellas, snorkeling equipment, etc. We were assigned a beach attendant, who kept everything organized and let us know when our driver was back. We rented chairs, but didn't need umbrellas because there was plenty of shade. The beach was spectacular! My husband rented snorkeling equipment and enjoyed that very much. We loved it! Gorgeous beach.

 

If you take a taxi, be prepared for a "while ride" - I felt like we were on a roller coaster!

Thanks for your report clownfish cruiser. I plan to spend at least half a day at Coki on the beach and snorkeling while my husband likely golfs. When you caught the taxi at port, did the taxi drop people off at various locations or all just at Coki? I was hoping we could catch a taxi that would drop off at the golf course and at Coki.

Could someone clarify whether you still take your fins with you for the drift snorkel? I have read the recommendations to wear water shoes as the beach is rocky but are fins needed or is the current all one needs for propulsion?

This is fabulous info! Thanks for all your contributions! We will be there beginning of March so this is very helpful!