kansascruiser1

Thank you Port Royal and Little TLondon for responding. I will do some research.

I'm confused...I thought the sun beds at Jaqcui O's was complimentary with lunch? Now I'm reading there is a charge for them.

 

Can someone spell it out for me?

 

Can you just rent chairs without lunch? How much $?

 

Is there any other places to rent chairs on Love Beach?

My husband and I were there 2 years ago, the sun bed was in a circular shape with a top that was collapsible. It was $25 to rent the chair when we were there. The food is quite expensive in my books, it was delicious. It was really crowded when we went. They came to our sun bed and got us for lunch. The place was packed with a huge party of locals. I can't remember the cost of the lunch, we paid with credit card, it showed the cost in their money. It was a lot more than I realized or thought it would be. We also bought a bucket of beer, it was more pricier than other islands we'd been to. We had to ask for ice twice. We will be in Antigua on Jewel of the Seas April 22nd. My husband wants to go back there to eat. We are both foodies, I'm wanting to go somewhere different. If you go before us, let me know.

How do you sign up for the bogo promotion? Online or once you board the ship? I've never been on a cruise that offers this. I do love the specialty restaurants.

Great help, I sent them an email, thanks much

Maureen

If you ended up going, would you respond how it was?

Thank you

Tell me about both of them, please! Pros, cons, etc.

I am in San Juan at the Marriott stellaris. I just met a couple from St. Croix, they are here on vacay. They told us to go to rainbow beach. Both grew up in St. Croix.

Sounds like you've received several good idea's. I agree with Sheri, lovemypups. We've been to San Juan 8 times since 09. Our next trip is the end of April. We arrive 3 days prior to our cruise cause we love it so much. We are creatures of habit I'm afraid. We've always stayed at the Marriott Stellaris on Condado Beach. Since you are getting in mid-afternoon, time you get your luggage arrive to the hotel and get situated, you'll be there in time for happy hour at the Stellaris 4 to 6. 2 for 1 beers! Every year we do research to stay somewhere else but we can never pull the trigger. We've always received great service from the Stellaris, have no complaints actually. They do have a nice bar right beside the casino. On the week ends it's a happening place. The casino has been very good to me in the past. Stellaris is located on Avenida Avenue which has all types of restaurants, Walmart and CVS located 1/2 block away. We do take a cab into San Juan when we want to go walking around or eat at the Parrot Club, one of our favorites in old san juan. There is many good restaurants in OSJ. If you stay at the Marriott you should walk to La Placita. We usually go there on a Thursday and/or Friday night. It's a happening place. All the locals are getting ready for the week end, everyone is out to relax and have fun. Bands playing everywhere. People are so friendly. Santaella, Asere and Jose Enrique restaurants are located in La Placita. We've eaten at all 3 and each one is excellent. By day it's a market and at night it turns into parties, bands, bars, restaurants. So much fun. The first time we went to San Juan in 09, we flew down the day before the cruise. Each year we go back we've extended our stay by a day. We are going on Adventure of the Sea's April 30th. We will be arriving to our favorite, The Stellaris on April 26th just in time to watch the sunset and enjoy happy hour and 3 days before we get on the cruise ship. Good luck with your choice, you can't go wrong in San Juan.

We are in 1390 in a couple of weeks. I can post a picture when we get back if you would like.

I just got on cruise critic to see what is going on. Yes, if you would post a picture that would be awesome. Or you can email to me: boutimess1@aol.com It's our first time in an aft cabin. Least I won't get confused or lost when leaving the cabin to go anywhere!

Anxious to hear how the cruise went.

We've done Spencer's tour 3 time's. We love getting over to the Piton's before anyone else get's there in his speed boat. I'm dieing for his lunch and rum punch again. We are going on Royal Caribbean out of San Juan on Adventure of the Sea's. We are at St. Lucia May the 4th and definitely plan on Spencer's tour. Be sure and take some beach shoes, little rocky where you get in to snorkel. You will have time to get back and shop, we always have. Spencer does a great job, you will enjoy it. When is your cruise?

Mark, we have DI-1390 April 30, 2016. If our cabin like the one you posted? I didn't catch the number of your cabin. I've never had an aft cabin before. We did get deck 10, DI-1390

Thanks!

Debbie

Can anyone give me an idea of food and drink costs at Jacqui O's?

I found a website: http://www.antiguanice.com It had all kinds of information about Jacqui O's. Also listed the menu prices. It's really expensive. I didn't see the drinks, only the food. The website also shows pics of it, looks very nice. I got on face book and sent a message. I got a reply, they open at 11:00 a.m. and it's best to make reservations. They are 20 mins via taxi.

We are going on Royal Caribbean, Adventure of the Sea's May 1 out of San Juan. We are wanting to go to Jacqui O's. If you go before us, let us know how it was.

A few things to keep in mind:

 

- six cruise ships seems like a lot (and it is) but that is not unusual for St. Thomas. They often have 5 or 6 ships in port so they can handle many more than most islands. Their transportation options account for that capacity (allowing that of course with 6-7 ships in town traffic can be affected a bit)

 

- the cruise ship ferry follows a longer route to the island and the seas are known to be rocky on occasion. If you are prone to seasickness, you may want to consider Red Hook

 

- the ferries themselves are very, very large. I do not know their capacity, but they hold a lot of people. I may not risk taking the last one back without doing some research, but as a general rule space is not a problem. Most people cruising automatically take the ship's ferry without doing the research to know that taking Red Hook is much easier than you would think. So I doubt there would be hoards of people.

Does anyone have a website that shows how many ships are in ports? I have googled and every time I think I have found a website, I have to become a member. We are going on Carnival Liberty out of San Juan March 29th on it's first voyage out of SJU. We've done this same itinerary on Carnival Valor over the 4th of July for 4 years in a row. Carnival Valor is the only ship in the ports during the summer, totally awesome! I can't find a website that shows how many ships will be in the ports on the March 29th cruise.

We go to both! We catch a cab to Coki first. Great snorkeling there. They have beach side service, beers were cheap, have a menu for food. We've never eaten here, sorry. Coki has great snorkeling, lots of fish. A fun beach with great service. You can rental equipment if you don't have any. Some people use swimming goggles only. I can't hold my breath that long. LOL It's a really fun place to spend the day. Much cheaper.

You can catch a cab from Coki to Magens, wouldn't you know I can't remember how much it costs, wasn't that much. It does cost $4.00 a person to enter Magens. They have restrooms, bar, grill. I'm sure you could ask and find out the cost of chairs etc, if you wanted to know. No reason you can't visit both if you wanted to. Food and beer, cost of entrance, chairs etc add up at Magens. Both are a lot of fun but totally different.

We are going on Carnival Liberty March 29th out of San Juan. We are doing both again, Coki and Magens. They aren't that far apart.

We didn't do much at all on this day. It was also Elegant Night. We drank a lot, sat on deck for a bit. We also watched the Hairy Chest Contest and the Master Mixology Contest. Same ole same ole. We normally go to the wine tasting but we didn't go this time. We saw the Love & Marriage Show.

 

I'm not sure when they started putting those large screens (kind of like theater movie screens) with the words kiss...kiss...kiss across the bottom. If they show you and your partner on the screen, you're supposed to kiss. We were the first couple they showed and we had NO idea that we were supposed to kiss. The audience had to tell us what to do. How embarassing, but fun at the same time. Cute idea.

 

This time they had 4 couples on stage (the first time I saw that as well) Same questions as always, but a very entertaining show anyway. I loved the Cruise Director. Woo Hoo!! The assistant cruise director Shawn was hilarious too.

 

We went to the casino on this day as well. My husband won $250 playing Blackjack on this cruise. And I won about $45 on the slots. We are NOT gamblers so as soon as we're ahead, we QUIT!

 

We drank a little too much on this day. We went to bed before dinner and slept for the rest of the night. OOPS! That's what vacation is for though, right?

 

I don't have any pics from this day. Sorry... :o

We sail June 30th on Valor, this is our 3rd cruise out of San Juan as well, first time on Valor. We've previously had Felipe as our cruise director. Do you remember who your director was? Felipe was on this ship earlier in the year, I'd read reviews he was there. I'm afraid they have moved him again.

Plus, do you remember the restaurant/bar you had the drink specials at before you boarded the ship? We usually go to the Parrot Club and have lunch and a couple cocktails there. Curious if you remember the name of where you went.

Enjoying your review! I can't wait to set sail!

Says Ready to Drink! Meaning all juices, alcohol and even a straw is provided for you :)

I can't remember, hate to ask again, didn't GAPearl buy these and take onto the ship or did she drink them only in San Juan? Question is, can you buy these in San Juan and board the ship with them? Carry on, or pack in suitcase?

Thanks!

I'm not sure what you mean by "what part" of Orient Beach. I thought there was only one Orient beach. Perhaps someone will come along and correct me if I'm wrong though. I think that if you tell your taxi driver to take you to Orient Beach that he will know exactly where to go. It's a really beautiful beach. (minus the naked elderly men ;))

 

The beach was really busy...it was full of restaurants and stands as well as women trying to sell their wares. There is also a "clothing optional" side and a side where clothes are required. (women are allowed to go topless though)

 

I hope you have a great time. :)

Orient Beach is one long beach. Most of the taxi's drop you off at one end by a bar/grill called, Pedro's. We didn't go inside until we were leaving. They had the cheapest beer and best barbecue chicken. The road behind Orient Beach is full of pot holes, terrible to drive down. There is one after another bar/grill/shops along the beach. You can walk forever and choose where you want to get a chair.

I found this in my notes:

Pedro's is first, next door is a watersport place, next is Andy & Cheryl's in blue (clothing), next is Brother's Bar (blue & red colors), next is Chez Leandra, $2.00 beers, Ethnic is next: $7.50 you get a chair/umbrella and a drink, beer $2.00, Bucket of 6 is $10, Next is Orange Fever, Carib beer sign, Sun Beach is next, one with the upstairs, looks like a net around it, next is Aloha in blue next is Malibu in red. Then Adam & Eve Beachware, then LeString - has a Guavaberry sign out front was blue & white trim, next is Kontiki.

You really can't see the naked beach, there is a huge rock formation that jets out into the water you have to walk around to see. Don't be alarmed thinking there is naked people walking all around.

You can walk down the beach forever............

Curious what tour of the Pitons did you take?

Spencer Ambrose has gotten the most talk & good ratings that I've seen. First time there, so I def look forward to it!! GAPearl has some beautiful pictures.

 

Susan

We went on spencer's tour last summer, we took his speed boat over to Piton's. Don't sit in the back of the boat, you will get totally soaked. Bad thing about it is, he has a tour guide with him that tries to tell the history of the island, you can't hear him speak, too loud on the boat. They need a speaker system.

This year (June 30th Valor) we are going on mysticmantours.com with Wendell, on a 52 ft. catamaran. Will be a smoother ride, we have 20 people going on it so far. We also get lunch, see the same sights etc.

I've also went with Cosol land tour before, it's a great excursion, I can't handle the windy roads. I wouldn't suggest if one get's car sick.

Debbie

GAPearl,

I am like a junkie and in need of my next fix! :)

No, really I am anxious to see what you did in St. Lucia because we will be there next week. I booked the Jalousie beach break with Spenser Ambrose. I am now I'm starting to change my mind and DH, who wanted to the do the tour now wants to do something else. Any recommendations?

Anyway, your pictures are fabulous and you looked like you had a fantastic time.

P.S. Your pretty yellow nail polish has inspired me to actually paint mine. Something I haven't done in years because I can't stand the smell.

Thanks,

Maegan

Maegan, don't you love Gapearl? I think she missed her calling and needs to change her job don't you? I'm going to have withdrawals when this review is over! Funny, you mentioned painting your nails, I thought about doing mine as well! I wonder if Kim realized what kind of following she would create when she started this? I thought I read in one review she was going to be in Puerto Rico next month. I wonder if that's for work or pleasure?

We did Spencer's tour last July. Cruise before we did Cosol's tour by land to Piton's. You have any questions feel free to email, boutimess1@aol.com This July we are trying mysticmantours.com with Wendell, his tour to Pitons is on a catamaran plus other stops, lunch etc.

You've done it now!!!!! I have loved your review soooooo much I just booked the Valor!!!! Can't wait for July to do this itinerary! Thanks- your information has been great!!!

What date in July? We are on June 30th...............

Lmao!!!

 

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I absolutely love Gapearl's updates, this is awesome. I think she should be the cruise director, seriously. What a following she would have. Our cruise is June 30th.....I'm ready to sail tomorrow!

What a god given talent you have! We all will be bored when this is over......

Let's vote for Kim, cruise director!!!!!

Here I sit waiting to hear from gapearl! You have quite a following......maybe this could turn into something good for you!

We have to wait till June 27 before flying down to San Juan. All we can think about, talk about, live for.........is our next vacation!

Is Felipe the cruise director on Valor? I think he's the same director that was on the Victory last year. He's kind of short, alot of fun, good looking, speaks spanish of course. We had him last year on the Victory out of San Juan and we loved him. He's so much fun, he is all over the ship at all hours, get's everyone involved. We are praying it's the same director.

What does subscribed mean? I see people posting this? Let me know what and how you are subscribing to, how to do it? I've really enjoyed reading Gapearl's reviews, looking at her pictures etc. We are going to be on the Valor June 30th, this will be our third cruise with this itinerary. First time on carnival valor, 2 previous cruises were on the Victory. You tell the best story, post the neatest pictures. You truly have a gift for this, maybe you should be a travel writer? We are staying at the Marriott Stellaris on Condado beach. We are arriving on Thursday so we can spend a couple days in San Juan before the cruise. I've taken notes from your review, can't wait to try some of these restaurants/bars/gasolina etc! haha You sure know how to have a good time! Your thorough reviews and posts must take you forever. I have no idea how to post a picture on here. I'm lucky to hit the reply buttons! Keep it up, most enjoyable.

Do you mind explaining what happened on Spencer's tour, which one you did?

Thank you!