QueenofEverything

Thanks for all your helpful responses. We have been to Tabayana and loved it. Sounds like a return trip is in order!

We were signed up for cavetubing, but someone here at home told us they had taken it, and the water was really cold. We go next week, and since its January, I was a little concerned about that. I've been snorkeling in one of the Caribbean caves before - and it was cold. Not sure I wanted to be cold for that long....

 

Anyway, we changed our excursion to the Sergeant Cay Snorkeling through Carnival. It had pretty good reviews on the Carnival website. Has anyone done this excursion recently? We love to snorkel, and since we ARE going to the great barrier reef, we hated to lose that opportunity. I just hope we picked a good place.

 

We would love to hear from someone that has taken this excursion recently. We will be there next Thursday (Jan 23).

 

Thanks!

Um.....you do know that the Great Barrier Reef is in Australia, right?

Bring a warm coat.

 

http://houston.justweather.com/

Not quite! It will be plenty warm in March!!

We have been to Tabayana and know how phenominal the snorkeling is there. Is it good at Mahogany Bay? It was not open yet the last time we were in Roatan.

Tabayana is great - the reef comes right up to the beach. Absolutely beautiful fish and coral. I would recommend taking your own equipment if possible, it was expensive to rent

Hi Folks -

 

Was wondering if anyone had done any of the excursions with Princess Cruise Line and had any recommendations/warnings to share? This is our first trip to the Caribbean and I think we want to stick to Princess Excursions this time around. I've tried searching the forum but not quite getting the "reviews" I want. DH and I are interested in these:

 

Cozumel -

1. Passion Island Beach Break, Scenic Cruise and Lunch

2. ATV Adventure, Beach Break and Lunch

3. Palancar Reef Snorkeling, Sail and Beach

 

Roatan -

1. Tabayan Beach and Lunch Break

2. Ultimate Beach Package

3. Shipwreck Snorkel and Beach

4. Relax on the Beach

 

Belize -

1. Altun Ha Mayan Ruins, Scenic River Cruise and Lunch

2. Cave Tubing and Scenic Drive

 

Anyone have any comments on the above mentioned excursions we are interested in?

We have done the Tabayana Beach break in Roatan. It is a private beach club for cruise passengers. You take a mini bus over to the west end of the island. It is a very scenic drive. The beach is absolutely beautiful. If you like to snorkel, this is the place for you! The reef comes right up to the beach, so you just walk out a few feet and are in the middle of beautiful coral and lots of fish. I would suggest bringing your own snorkel gear as it is quite expensive to rent there. The lunch is ok, nothing special, but they have very eager bar attendants that take good care of you as you relax under the coconut palms.

In Belize, we have done the cave tubing and scenic drive. It is a pretty long drive over some rough roads, but it is a very unique experience and sort of "what you are supposed to do" in Belize. You will get one of those big tire tubes, a life vest and a headlamp and then head as a group upstream. It is a pretty good hike and it's jungle, so hot and humid (and you are carrying a large tire tube). Depending on the trip, you may go thru one or two caves. It is really cool, they have everyone turn off their headlamps at one time and you see total blackness. It is interesting and fun.

Hi Jeffry,

 

Houston, to me, is an ugly city. The port is not pretty but then, what port is?! Keep a close eye on fog as that seems to be a major problem OFTEN in that port. Sign up for the email notifications from Princess, or whatever you need to do so you don't sit around for 4 hours like we did. We always manage to have a great time, regardless of delays, weather, crabby passengers, etc. :)

You obviously have not seen the right parts of Houston! Houston is a very beautiful city with friendly and warm people. It is a great place to live and raise a family!

So 15 punches is about $2 per cup. Does anyone remember about how much the specialty coffee is if you purchase them one at a time? Is this a big savings, or just a convenience?

Why are they having to sanitize again? Do they have norovirus for a second week?

When I get a bargain on a cruise I ,too, skip insurance. But I am aware that it is a gamble and if I am willing to take it i can't complain.

Although it is tempting to skip insurance when you get a really cheap cruise, don't! What will happen if you have to have an emergency evacuation, or get sick or injured on a shore excursion? Chances are sliim, but you never know. Many health insurance policies will not cover you when you are out of the country. I don't think it is worth the risk. Anyway, if you get a good deal on the cruise, the insurance is usually cheaper, too!

Keep in mind that your free dinner most likely will only be for 2 as well.

Where can you see the above mentioned cam at?

http://www.princess.com/bridgecams/

I guess they are missing Cozumel this week. The bridgecam shows them headed for Roatan. I assume this us because they departed almost 6 hours late yesterday.

I thought there was a 1L exemption per person. Is that not true anymore?

What is the tote bag like? On Royal Caribbean, we got two really nice beach towels and a couple of other things. On Disney we got a backpack with several items in it. We got something on NCL, but I don't remember what it was.

Not so important, just wondered. Free goodies are always fun! Thanks for your responses!

Does Princess give repeat passenger gifts like most of the other cruise lines do? If so, can someone let me know what they are?

TA on the old SS Independence fron NY to Naples in 1959 and from LaHarve to NY on the SS France in 1964 as a kid. Back then, that was considered transportation.

First cruise as an adult was the Enchanted Isle of Commodore Cruiselines, 1998. New Orleans to Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Cozumel. It was OLD!!! It was about 24 thousand tons and a real nothing of a ship, but it was our first cruise and the crew made it fabulous! The crew was probably the most outstanding we have ever experienced. I think Commodore went out of business about 3 years later and the Enchanted Isle was scrapped in 2003. Not much of a ship, but we were hooked!

What is the policy on soda?

eeeeewwwww! Edible? I'll pass on those!!

I sent an e-mail to Avalon asking about laundry. They sent me the price list if you are interested:

Shirt

2.50

Trousers / Jeans

5.00

Undershirt / T-Shirt

1.50

Underpants

1.50

Socks (pair)

1.00

Handkerchief

0.50

Pyjamas

3.50

Ladies

Blouse / T-Shirt

2.50

Skirt / Trousers

5.00

Knickers

1.50

Stockings / Tights

1.00

Bra

1.50

Nightdress

3.50

Pressing only

Men’s Suit

6.00

Lady’s Suit

6.00

Lady’s Dress

6.00

Jacket

3.00

Trousers

3.00

Skirt

3.00

Blouse / Shirt

2.00

Subtotal

A 50 % surcharge for express service within 10 hours 

Prices are in euros

Thanks Traveling Lady and Paulinda for your responses. We are booked on the upstream route like Paulinda and you said exactly what I have been surmising, that the time in port is definitely different. I did not realize this when we booked, but it really doesn't matter because we are celebrating our 30th anniversary and want to be on the ship on our anniversary. I am disappointed about Rudesheim, because it looks really interesting, but on the flip side, we will have more sailing time going upstream and that will be enjoyable as well.

Traveling Lady - Is there time in the various ports to do anything other than the ship's activity? We would like to do the tours, but would also like time to wander a bit on our own and, of course, do a little shopping!