ddy123

That's an excellent idea Arubalisa. Thanks so much!

Apologies - should have done a search first before asking.:o

I see there are no Day Passes. Any chance there is a place adjacent and within walking distance to Manchebo that would offer day passes with shade? We are traveling with our two teen daughters so my DH and I could take turns getting a massage while one parent stays with the girls.

Thanks!

ArubaLisa - the Manchebo Resort looks wonderful. Do they offer Day Passes as well? Would be great to spend the day here. DH requires shade for health reasons so wondering whether it is at all likely that we would secure palapas? We arrive early in the morning.

The resort looks like something we would consider for a land based vacation to celebrate our 20th anniversary, so this would give us a great way to check out the resort in advance.

Thanks!

Great. Thank you. I think we may be leaning towards this.

Trying to come up with an alternative plan to the wine packages. Now that we can bring on two bottles we may forgo the package as our favorites are gone. Thinking of purchasing at Vintages and then bringing the open bottle to dinner? Is that allowed? I saw a picture of the Vintages specials board and some of the lower priced options seemed nice. Anyone happen to have a full Wine list from Vintages?

I really don't like the changes. We used to exclusively drink the red and white Kendall Jackson. Does anyone have a wine list from the Navigator Main Dining Room that shows what is offered by the glass? That may have to be the way to go.

Based on the list, am I correct in that Alexandra Elena Nica will replace Ricardo after February 9th? Does anyone have any experience with Alexandra? Thanks!

Do they still offer Seattle's Best in the Promenade for no charge?

Some ships have been swapping out the Seattle's Best Coffee with Starbucks in the Cafe Promenade.....has that happened on Navigator? Thanks!

That is very handy! Looks like on Adventure we are in GS1574 which lines up to the left of the pool bar. Anyone know if that is good or bad related to noise? We could move forward to under the solarium but from a motion perspective I really did not want to be that far forward.

Thanks again:)

We are in GS 1574 on Adventure and would love to figure out what is directly over us. Where/how do you drag deck plans? I am a really light sleeper so now I am worried. :( Anyone stay in 1574 before? Thanks!

Hi Bonnie. Thanks so much for your reply! Wow...I did not realize how little overhang there would be. I wonder whether the RFS on the 8th deck will have more? The picture was I believe on the 9th so maybe we will get lucky with more overhang on the 8th? If not, moving chairs it will be! Thanks again for such a quick reply!:)

Hi Bonnie. I did a search and just read though this entire thread. What a service you provide to the Cruise Critic members! You are a wealth of information and I am sure you have made many cruisers very happy with their choices!

We recently switched from two aft D1s on Voyager to the Royal Family Suite 8394. We "justified" (maybe more me than my sweet DH who said yes!) this to celebrate my change in jobs after 25 years with the same and only company I have ever worked for. Plus we have two DDs ages 10 and 13 who were planned to be in their own adjoining cabin (not connecting) and the nervous mama kicked in about not having them being in the same cabin with us. So we did it and booked 8394!

I have been told that we will be able to find some shade on the balcony away from the railing. My DH needs to stay out of the sun as much as possible so I am hoping that is the case. What do you think? I am likely going to purchase a two of these umbrellas to take with us as well. I would imagine we could attach them to the balcony chairs.

Even if we don't end up needing them on the balcony, they will come in handy for our DDs soccer games.

Thanks for any thoughts you have and all of the information you have provided in the past. You are the reason we went AFT on our first cruise on Explorer!

Thanks again 138east. I really do appreciate how much you have done! I will definitely keep checking to see if any cheaper rates pop up.

138east - You are so nice....I never expected you to go to the trouble of looking up rates for me! Thank you! I just looked up the rates and you are right, it is about $15.00 cheaper at the Holiday Inn. But that outlet mall across from the Marriott I think is calling my name....just don't tell my husband ;)!

138East - thank you for being so responsive and helpful. One thing I don't do however is post my exact travel dates on public websites. I know I am probably being a bit overly cautious but unfortunately in this day and age I just don't think that is wise. I do sincerely appreciate all of your help though.

I just reread your post and I see you said $140 for TWO rooms.....that was a great deal!

We are paying $91.00 plus tax for a King room and $99.00 plus tax for a 2 Doubles room......they have a 20%off on weeknds special going on. I thought that was a great price. We are only on a 5 day cruise but we have 2 cars because with 6 of us and all the luggage even our SUV won't manage it. So I figure we either pay $200 for parking 2 cars or get a VAN/limo service. I still have to price that out in order to compare.

The other thought I had but I think this is likely more trouble than it is worth is to leave one car at the hotel and have my husband make two trips to the cruise terminal. The first to drop me and my two girls off with our luggage and then go back and get his parents with their luggage. BUT I imagine the traffic to the terminal would make this not very practical and very time consuming.

Oh and I did doublecheck and we are at the Marriott Courtyard at 87 Gilmcher Realty Way.

Jimbo - I will call and double check to make sure Central Reservations didn't put me in the wrong Marriott....that would not be a good surprise.

Meg - thanks again. I will give them both a call and get the rates. I'm hoping we don't need two cars. If we do, it would probably be cheaper for us to just park at the port.

I asked about park and fly because I thought this was odd too....she specifically said they no longer offer park and fly.

Thanks 138East that sounds like a great plan. Don't mean to paint my in-laws as impatient....I just did not want to head over so early and then be there before things actually got started. 11:00 sounds like the perfect time.

Just an FYI to anyone who may talk to Marriott Central Reservations when booking this.......they will tell you that you can NOT leave a car at the hotel when on the cruise. I called the hotel directly and they said not a problem just as long as we know that we are parking at our own risk....that they have security but if in the unlikely event something happened, they would not be liable.....which is what I would have expected.

Meg - the Marriott Courtyard looks like just what we are looking for. Reasonable price for a decent hotel....thank you! And outlet shopping to boot....I am a happy girl! We will be driving there with two cars, will park our cars at the hotel while on the cruise and then will need to take a car service to the port. Do you know of a good car service that we can arrange in advance.....we will have 4 adults and 2 kids so I need to make sure they have something large enough for all of us.

Do you know what time you can board the ship? Trying to figure out the best time to leave the hotel so that we can get onboard early. Don't want to overdo it though because while my in-laws are always late, I tend to be early and if I keep them waiting around the cruise terminal because I said we had to get there early and then we can't get on the ship.....:rolleyes:

Thanks for your help!

Am I asking for too much? A clean, safe hotel with a decent onsite restaurant that has free parking and a free shuttle to the cruise terminal?