Host CJSKIDS

It's me. And I'm home. In the house by 8:30. Can't beat that. :D You guys are amazing; over 8000 hits now and still going.

 

Annie, not 42 days. Only 18 days. What a life! :p

Thanks for the live from thread and all the information.

I'm sailing with you in January and so looking forward to meeting since I always follow your live threads.

Also she called about the 9th and was also told all sold out?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

there are still cabins to book directly on the Princess website for this sailing in every category but the full suite. Your friend was given incorrect information. If she still wants to book, she can.

Thank you for taking the time to let us know how the cruise was. Glad that you had such a great time.

So in looking at the excursions for the now changed ports, Princess has us arriving in grand Cayman at 11 am and staying until 4 pm.

Stingray City excursion has 2 different time choices to pick.

8 am - 12:30 pm or 10:30 am - 3 pm.

Stingray encounter with snorkel and lunch is 8:30 am- 2:30 pm

Another tour is 9 am - 12 noon.

I prefer having less ships in Cozumel as well.

Just wish they would clarify things so we could make plans.

So we don't get into Grand Cayman until 11 am but you have your stingray tour at 8 am!!

And I never thought about tendering in the dark. Not something I'm willing to do.

So on the Princess website right now, this is how they are selling the 1/18/14 cruise on the Ruby:

Day 3: Grand Cayman, Cayman islands Monday- January 20- 7 am to 4 pm

Day 4: Cozumel, Mexico -Tuesday, January 21 - 9 am to 6 pm

On the personalizer:

Day 3: Cozumel - 7 am - 4 pm

Day 4: Grand Cayman - 11 am - 7 pm

i understand changes but it would be nice if they would update their website to match what the cruise is. I just booked this a few days ago and was told one thing by them on the phone and 10 minutes later when I got the email, it showed something completely different. They are still selling the cruise the original way.

I have tried everything I can think of but still no luck.

 

Would anyone be willing to search Coral Princess for me? Please??

 

We depart Jan 8th and return Jan 19th.

 

If this information is on the Fort Lauderdale Official Port Site, I can't find it. I think I have been everywhere. But it is not the first time I have tried to find something on the web and have been unsuccessful.

 

Any help appreciated.

According to the App on my iphone, you are departing from Terminal 4 and returning to Terminal 2.

That of course is all subject to change.

Call Princess.

I just hung up with them. The person that I spoke to says it's strange that the personalizer is showing one thing and that the website is showing another thing. He can see the differences.

At this point, he wasn't sure what to tell me and said that he would let them know tomorrow so that they could update which ever is correct. He does figure that the personalizer is indeed correct and that we may want to go by that.

I see that the itinerary has changed for the 1/18/14 Ruby sailing from what it shows when searching the cruise. It still shows that Cozumel is Tuesday, 1/21/14 however in the personalizer it shows that Cozumel is Monday, 1/20.

When I go to the port schedule for the Puerta Maya dock it doesn't show the Ruby Princess docking there either day.

Cruise port insider for the cozumel schedule shows the Ruby docking at Punta Langosta Pier on Tuesday, 1/21/14.

The official port schedule for Grand Cayman has us there on Tuesday, 1/21/14.

Makes it a bit hard to plan anything other than Princess' excursions.

Can you give us an idea of what the menu rotation looks like. Hope you are having loads of fun!

I haven't been able to get on the site this afternoon either.

DO NOT use this company!!!

Not only is it sketchy its not at the address they give you & they wont answer their phone there are no signs and the lot isnt labeled its just situated behind a little convenience store ,..I called their customer service number that happens to be in Knoxville TN and they couldnt tell me where it was either so we drove around for 30 minutes .. Then They refused to get me a shuttle to the port before 11:30 and thought it was hilarious, i flipped my **** on the guy because we had priority boarding on our ship as he sat there smoking weed in a chair not caring one bit.. I hunted down my own shuttle and made the guy take us to the port along with another couple experiencing the same thing & we had all called the "customer service" number trying to figure out the problem since they state that shuttles are available starting at 9am to take you to the port...

Low and behold the day we get back from the cruise We started called about 7:30 (and they said theyd have shuttles every 15 minutes starting at 7) to tell them we needed a taxi...never would answer the phone so we left about 20 messages on their answering machine & this time there were FOUR other couples having the same problem... hundreds of shuttles and taxis had come and gone & around 9:30 we decided to just pay a taxi to take us back .. and by the way none of the taxi drivers had ever heard of the lot ... I called the customer service number to ask why there were so many issues and the guy got an attitude with me told me they werent his drivers and he didnt have to help me & hung up I called back to get his name - he hung up again I called again and asked for his name again and again he hung up on me. THIS PLACE IS A SCAM! So if you think youll park here to save a few dollars youre actually going to spend the same plus you have to deal with their crap!

I'm shocked that you left your car with them after all your issues parking the first day. Warning bells would have gone off for me when there was no sign on the lot, no answers to the phone calls and the guy was sitting there smoking weed! You are extremely lucky that you came back to still having your car there!!

It's just around the corner and you will have no issues walking. We just had an event the other night there for my husband's office. Walked home when it was over. I walk in that area all the time at night. You have the Epic right there and the Icon near by and both are high end condo buildings. Many friends go to Wolfgang's steakhouse and walk back at night.

It's a really nice hotel, you will enjoy it.

I think there is a stop at Johnson Street, which is just across the street from Le Tub. If not, then most likely at Hollywood Blvd.

Thank you.

I know that the trolley stops right at the Westin Diplomat, but does anyone know what trolley stop you would get off of for Le Tub?

It's always easier than taking the car back out.

thanks!

I have a rolling small cooler that I got at Costco and have brought it on many cruises. I will put my wine in it as well as water bottles. It fits through the x-ray machine and I have never had a problem.

Usually use it leaving the ship filled with anything I purchased while traveling.

What are "rents"? I assume that you meant some of your rental property.

Probably parents!

I make this drive constantly as I go back and forth between Miami and Naples to live. Just made the drive again on Monday. There is nothing to see on Alligator Alley at all. US41, there isn't that much to see either. With all the construction going on the east coast on US 41, it's not the way I would take. Last time I did that, it took us forever.

Alligators do like to hang out in the big lake in the parking lot of the Indian reservation rest stop that is half way through across the alley. You may be able to see one here.

I will tell you that the Ron Jon surf shop in Fort Myers is smaller, it's not a huge one like on the East Coast.

So really enjoyed reading your review, very funny! Loved all your pictures as well.

Sorry to read that you had such issues on the ship.

Ok, back in Miami from a wonderful week on the Reflection. Tonight we are at the Coral Gables Hyatt are are going to Tarpon Bend on the miracle mile, or maybe La Dorada.

Enjoy!

glad to hear your cruise was wonderful.

I know everyone loves Bayside, but there are so many better restaurants over in that area.

For a great steak dinner you have Wolfgang's Steakhouse and it's right on the river. They do have a great happy hour with some nice appetizers that are just about a meal. It's right around the corner, Toro Toro right in the hotel is good. Area 31 is fantastic and that's around the corner. Bonding for wonderful Thai food is pretty close, River Oyster, Trulucks, Captial Grille, DB Moderne Bistro, Il Gabbiiano, are a few.

Elwood's Gastro Pub is close and they have great beer and great bar food. Biscayne Tavern has great food. Both of these are casual and very decently priced.

If you want sushi, Zuma is close by. I will warn you that it's pricey!

Over by Mary Brickell Village there are lots of restaurants from seafood to Italian. This is about a 20 minute walk or a ride on the free "people mover". Getting back from the area is easy to the hotel, it's only a few stops back.

We ended up at Casablanca Seafood Market and Restaurant, next door to Garcias. It was outta this world! The half shell were a tad salty, but it is that kinda month, the shrimp cocktail was perfect, the stone crabs were as always great but pricy, and the grilled lobster was tender, not chewy. Very nice place overlooking the river, different, very very good.

 

And yes the stone were about half the cost in the market, but we really enjoyed not eating under a tree:D

That's great to hear. Always have read about Casablanca but haven't gone yet. I will have to check it out.

I was enjoying Beachpoint oysters and clams casino at River oyster last night.

Thanks Carolyn!

 

Dallas is over run with diff resturants too, so we are aware of all the fluff and stuff, Trulucks was started here. Which is why we asked here on CC about the Miami scene. We know that this time of year, everybody and their spinoff will have Stone Crabs, we want to go to dinner, not a debate on bad government, but to find a couple of different, off the beaten path, out of the way places that we wont see in Texas. The Rustic Inn was very funkie and the wife liked everything about it. If there is nothing like that in Miami, so be it.

Thanks again

You're welcome.

The Monty's in Coconut Grove is funky. All outside picnic style tables with a large thatched roof. It is a great place to get the stone crabs. On Friday nights it does get very crowded and parking can be difficult, though they will always have valet. If you want seafood only, it's a great spot to go to. I just have never had much luck with the rest of the food here. It may have the look that you are going for.

The Area 31 that you discussed is a beautiful restaurant and everyone I know does really enjoy eating there.

The River Oyster is always one of my favorites. It's without a doubt a local place and the chefs are fantastic. The chef also owns Oak Tavern in the design district. I love the food here, always really enjoy it. I spend way too much time here! Actually going to happy hour tonight with one of the bartenders from here. If you like oysters, they have about 8 different kinds every day and during happy hour they are 1/2 off.

Scotty's Landing is a pretty cool place. They are always filled with locals. The place is here now but their lease is up and looks like they will be torn down. Extremely casual. They also have stone crabs on their menu. Scotty's is within waking distance along the docks to Monty's in Coconut Grove.

Tarpon Bend in Coral Gables is a fun place. Not sure whether or not they have stone crabs at this point.

My ceviche is really casual but I must say that the stone crabs here are wonderful. It's not a fancy night out by any means but the prices for stone crabs are great. I have enjoyed everything I have tried. My son makes me go here constantly when he is visiting Miami.

Today they have mediums in stock, 1 lb mediums which is 6-7 is running $30.45 and 1 lb large which is 4-5 claws is $42.95.

It's a great place to stop and have stone crabs and a cold beer before you go to a nicer place.

http://myceviche.com/

I know that friends eat at Garcia's Seafood and I've heard others talk about it. They're right on the Miami river. I've never personally eaten there but maybe others could weigh in on their experiences.

What are you doing living in Brickell if you were born and raised there?

 

The stone crabs at Joes are the exact same as the ones at Montys just more expensive.

The locals that I was with who were born and raised here, not me!

I live on both Brickell Ave and in Naples. Brickell, because it's an incredible place, especially if you work on Brickell Ave.

I appreciate your views, I appreciate the fact that you feel Miami is corrupt and shady at this point in your life and you moved out of the area.

Only on here to try and help others not to debate you. We are all entitled to our opinions.

Honestly, out of both restaurants, I don't care to eat at either. I know the food at Monty's for the most part is Sysco and therefore don't care for it but will go on Friday nights for their stone crab specials and a couple of painkiller cocktails.

My choice for stone crabs is Trulucks and I much prefer the one in Naples over Miami or grabbing it at My Ceviche.

Right now the majority of the restaurants that will serve seafood have stone crabs on their menus as appetizers. I've seen it on the menus at Wolfgang Steakhouse, Edge, River Oyster and one other just this week. Some how I don't think Perricones will have it tonight as a special, but who knows!

Rated by who? Trip Advisor?

 

You'll find locals at Montys and the tourists at Joes.

 

My family is long time local Miami and we stopped eating at Joes in the 1980s and they've relied way too long on their reputation and not their food.

Well, I guess all the locals (born and raised here) that I was with last night discussing stone crabs and the local restaurants have a bit of a different opinion that you do. And while I love the atmosphere at Monty's and the cocktails, the rest of the food at the Coconut Grove one isn't what brings me back. If I judged it solely on their food, I would have only gone once.

That's what is great, there are always choices for everyone and everyone is entitled to their own opinions!