dude_hdt

Coco Cay...not too perfect day.  Windy, captain 20 knots today...was 35 earlier in morning and mostly cloudy with a few "liquid sunshine".  We were off early to snag beach chairs and umbrella, people were very slow getting off as we found Chill Island cove closest to Chill Grill very empty.  Saw sting ray about 2 feet from water edge and a couple of friendly sharks, 3 to 4 feet long.  Norwegian's island next door but no one there.

Unfortunately, I'm recovering from ear problem last week so best not to get head wet, else plenty of little fishes to entertain casual snorklers.

Pictures from our deck 12 Central Park balcony room.  The note in the room say our room includes free lunch for 2 at Jamie's or Sabor or Johnny Rockets.  Didn't know we had a choice when we booked.

Dinner was at Chops last night. While they only recommend 1 soup/salad/app and 1 entree, & no limit on sides, you can order as many as you like.  Our family of 4 (2 teen boys) ordered 8 app and 6 sides.  Entrees were 16 oz rib eye, 9 oz filet, fish (can't remember name), and lamb.  3 orders of bacon for app.  The bacon was mainly why I chose Chops. It was good. Probably 80% fat.  Didn't live up to my expectation of one I had in Washington DC a few years ago where it was more like 99% fat and melted in your mouth...no knife needed at all.

After dinner, we had time to do the open walk in for Grease.  Full theater with VIP seating on deck 5.  Several 2 seaters around.  The cast we very talented singers and dancers. However, as others have reviewed, the stage presentation seemed to focus very much on sexual innuendos and motions compared to the Travolta movie version.  Be aware if you have kids you don't think is ready for such topics.

We had to do nights 1 and 2. I think it came out to $25/meal/person or something like that.  Mainly wanted Wonderland as I make a decently mean steak with my ceramic grill at home but wanted the bacon at Chops. 

Ha. I’ll have to do double meat next time:)

The apps wasn’t fully functional until you hook onto onboard WiFi. It then jumps to screen where you login with internet package or in lower portion there is a button to download or update apps. That takes you to screen where it asks for your name and room number. Afterwards, our specialty reservations made onboard shows up.  We got the BOGO 2 nights and Central Park balcony got us lunch at Jamie’s.

Dinner 1 at Chops

Dinner 2 at Wonderland

Lunch 6 at Jamie’s

Soda cup is old style in room. 50th anniversary design though so...great. New style also available at kiosk around the ship to purchase or swap.

Coney Island hot dog while viewing Coney Island. 

Boarding:

Got too excited and left out Titusville hotel at 9:15a. Arrive at Enterprise to return car at 10:35. First shuttle bus to transfer to pier at 10:02. Foot on ship at 10:14. How’s that for fast!!!  10:45 specialty dining reserved and sitting in Central Park. 

First roast beef at Central Park Cafe. 

Hello everyone. I’ll attempt to do a live report for my cruise this week. Destinations are:

Day 2 Coco Cay

Day 4 St Thomas

Day 5 St Martin

I say “perhaps” as I might get too busy having fun to keep up :)

I just boarded Harmony minutes ago. You still need to check in at terminal. Really quick though. Key is on room door. Your drink package is printed on your boarding pass so you can use that to get drinks until you get your key at your room. 

Agree with longer cruises on these. So much to do onboard that 7 days are not enough. Once I retire and time is not a factor, I’ll definitely be doing back-to-back. 

What "vest" are you guys referring to?  The small thin one that you blow in to inflate that I usually see snorkeling excursions use?   I was just going to use one of the pool vest to go out to the reef.  Would employee not let me take the pool vest?

I was looking forward to seeing the plane (24 more days!!!).  Don't wanna pay an excursion though.  Not really a "Perfect Day" then...without forking over more $$.

We used to love going to MDR as it was one of the bigger events of the day.  However, with the multitude of evening entertainments nowadays and us wanting to attend as much as possible, shortening the dinner is the only way to make more time so MDR is mainly for formal night for us.  That and as others have mentioned, WJ quality and selection has improved quite a bit.

I've read about Harmony stopping at Coco Cay several times starting in May.  We'll be on Harmony on 7/21 and Coco Cay is on the agenda.  I wasn't too thrilled with Labadee when we were there in 2016 while on Oasis.

Thank you for the live review.

What did you mean by paying ahead and orange wrist band for Maho?  Was this part of a formal excursion?

How did you add pictures to your live review?  I'm looking to do similar on my future cruises as I do enjoy reading these live reviews.

We do have a balcony but if you're talking about "balcony discount" from diamond, etc... then, no we don't have that.  We cruised with RCCL twice last year with promenade window cabins but go plenty of hassles for trying to apply stock benefits.  No issues at all this time around.

4 hours ago, nelblu said:

The Rep. that called me, in response to my e-mail, said it's effective with bookings as of June 1, 2019.  I had booked a sail only a week earlier.

We booked our July 2019 cruise in Dec 2018 so must have been on the good side of that policy change.  I guess I shouldn't get too excited about future RCCL bookings then.  My next few cruises after July is with CCL so luckily no worries with them.

We check with multiple TAs as well as cruise line.  Sometimes large TA will have a block of rooms they need to get rid off and give better discount...sometimes not.  Sometimes more OBC, sometimes not.  So if they final $ is important to you then going thru the trouble is worth it.

We've had Belize cancelled because of high winds also.  So if that's your next stop and the wind persists...watch for cancellation there too.

In the original post, Carnival said they would reimburse airfare change fees.  Doesn't that mean you can change your air ticket to another vacation somewhere else and Carnival will pay the change fees?

I live about 30 minutes from Galveston port so plenty of Carnival and RC sailings.  I sailed Vista last Oct and had a blast.  I do agree with the horrible seating layout of Liquid Lounge...worst design of any ships I've been on.  Comedy club was standing-room-only if you arrive late but if early or on time, you should get a seat.  Other than that, no complaints.

Comparing to RC, I do like the Royal Promenade sooooo much more than the normal ship design.  Carnival sure screwed up not going with that design that RC picked up and now so has MSC.

I'm already booked on Vista again this October!!!

We just submitted out stock proof last week for July 21 sailing on HOTS and got all of the OBC!!!  I sailed Liberty twice last year and after lots of arguments on the phone was only able to get partial OBC at best so thoroughly surprised RC gave us the full amount this time.  Hope this is the new way forward as we never had issues with Carnival stocks and their OBC.

ssb,

Is the contract and such for Terminal 3 all signed off and in motion?  I've been waiting for some big announcement since last fall but keep hearing "in work" mostly.

Carnival has no issues with placing their new ships in Galveston, like Magic, but don't know if RC has warmed up to it yet.  Oasis 5 would be lovely.  I've been on Oasis and will be on Harmony next month so Allure or Symphony or Oasis 5 would be awesome.  I'm only 30 minutes from the port so quick drive instead of having to fly to the port for the big ship is my desire.

As for Liberty...I've sailed her twice and love that class of ship too so hoping for another Freedom class to replace Liberty.

I've heard from some recent folks on Symphony that its the new no hole allowed card.  I'll be on HOTS in late July...hope I can still punch holes.  Much more convenient and secure way to have my card with me.

I'll be on HOTS on July 21.  Hope I still have a choice as I much prefer the old one.  I'm guessing they are trying to be environmentally conscious and not use disposable straws.  The old style has a slider on the lid that I use any ways so straws not mandatory.  I prefer it to hold temperature rather than forcing you to use the new straws and having to clean that straw often.

At the end of the day, the new one looks very disposable so more plastic in the trash than the old one.

We'll be docking at Crown Bay in late July.  I believe docking time is 8am so early arrival.  Is it possible (safe) to walk from the port to Emerald Beach?  Are there umbrella for rent or tree shades to put towels underneath?

Prime choice right now is Honeymoon Beach Water Island and early arrival means we can beat the crowd but looking at alternatives just in case.

thank you much for the detailed info on getting to/from Water Island.  Definitely on our list for something different to do at St Thomas.