CruiseDirections

CruiseDirections,How long a ride is it from pier to the airport in Montego Bay?

 

 

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It would depend on traffic but it took us around 15-20 minutes I think.

I'm enjoying ALL the comments from the cruisers who went on the first sailing this season - thank you! We're on the 2/5 sailing.

 

A couple of other questions about the beach day at Maria La Gorda. How long were you at the beach? Can you tender back to the ship early, or at any time? Is there any decent snorkeling in the area - trying to decide if I should bring my prescription snorkel mask. Were the sand fleas….or ‘no see-ums’ a problem?

 

BTW, are there any others who will be on the 2/5/16 sailing?

We were supposed to arrive at 8 am but were delayed getting to the beach and the tender ride was short but bumpy because of the waves. We were on the first tender but we didn't get there until around 10 am. Without an excursion some people probably didn't get there until noon. The last tender was a 2:30 pm, I think they just continuously went back a forth but not sure. There is a reef right near the beach but people on the snorkel excursion reported there were not many fish.

I didn't see any sand fleas but there were mosquito's.

Kiwi935, We left from Sangster Saturday afternoon after staying overnight at a nearby resort. There was no departure tax (we flew Southwest Airlines) When we landed we paid $35 US (for 3 people+luggage) to get to the cruise terminal. After the cruise there were taxis when we got through the immigration building and we were charged $40 to go to the hotel, I don't know how much they charged our friend to get to the airport which was 5 minutes further. Then from the resort to the airport we were charged $15.

Eagerly reading all posts, thanks for the pictures! Are there any ports that require a tender now? Another question is for dinner time. Is it one open seating time for everybody?

The only tender port is Maria La Gorda, all purchased excursions go first everyone else has to get a tender ticket.

Open seating at all restaurants starts at 6:30 pm but you can go anytime after that. The smaller one was on deck 5 and it was booked by 2 of the larger groups but if they had tables available we were able to dine there.

A few more photos of Maria La Gorda beach. cabanas, dive center, restaurants, and launch going back

We now have a little less apprehension about our cruise having read your comments. You have answered the question regarding excursions in that there are both the P2P tours as well as other offerings. Thank you for the heads up on the Cabo San Antanio tour. A tan in the sand beats the lure of the tour

 

Did you have or did you get to view the new balconies? We armchair nautical designers needed to know the means of separation of one balcony space from another, i.e., perhaps a simple panel? Thanks for your posting, glad you had a good time.

I have attached two photos for you.

May I ask about how many electric outlets are in the cab and do I need a converter for USA use ?

One US 110 with ground and one 220 at the desk/vanity. I brought my converter and plugs plus a US plug in that you could plug three things into but didn't need them.

We were also on the 1st cruise of the season and had a great time, there were a few glitches but nothing major. I think the P2P program did a good job trying to provide a cultural experience, it is not mandatory to attend any of the activities or tours. We went on the included tours and had good tour guides who did their best to answer questions and provide information. The only excursion we were disappointed with was the one we paid $63 for in Maria la Gorda, optional tour #3 to Cabo San Antonio. We were lured by promise of the UNESCO biosphere reserve at a National Park where we were supposed to see flora and fauna and have encounters with the locals. It was a bus ride stopping at the coast, a light house and a not so nice beach with a with a couple of locals selling beverages out of coolers, some people begged to go back to beautiful beach at Maria la Gorda instead but they said no. This tour was not a part of the P2P program.

This was our 47th cruise and the second on this cruise line (the first time was on Louis in the Greek Islands). The ship did have a few issues but they did their best to correct them. If you go with an open mind and a spirit of adventure you should have a good experience.

Has anyone traveled on Celestyal? My daughter and I are going to Italy and Greece for 10 days with her class. We are thinking of ditching them at the end of the trip and taking a 5 day cruise thru Greece and Turkey. At first I thought it would be a nice relaxing cruise - but it makes TWO stops a day. I have never been on a cruise like that before. Has anyone else? It is amazing? Or is just too much?

 

TIA

 

Kathy

My DH and I did this a few years ago on Louis (now Celestyal) it was not relaxing but we enjoyed all the ports, they were amazing.

I am researching Travel/Medical Insurance for the CubaCruise. My employer's Medical policy provides World Wide coverage but I would also like coverage for trip cancellation/interruption, evacuation/repatriation and AD&D, etc. How has everybody else satisfied the insurance requirement? What company did you choose? Thanks for any help.

Hi Aqhaone and CruiseDirections - My husband and I will be on this one too! So excited to visit Cuba for the first time. We'll be spending three nights in Jamaica before the cruise and then spending Christmas in FL with family.

 

I'm guessing the ship might be pretty empty until we get to Havana and pick up the first group of the season to board there.

World Juggler and Aqhaone I started a thread titled "Celestyal Crystal pre- Christmas 2015 CubaCruise" on the "All Other Cruise Lines Roll Calls" section in Roll Calls. Please join me and anyone else who is booked or interested in booking this sailing.

We will not be aboard the repositioning trans Atlantic this year as we have set out sights on something different. But here is the site for the Cuba Cruise TA;

 

http://yourcubacruise.com/transatlantic-positioning-cruise

 

And unfortunately we will not be aboard the Havana boarding until late January but will be for three b2b's.

 

There is a posting about that TA cruise on this board on Page 63, posting No. 1241. Rereading, it sounds like we had a terrible time but when I saw the date I realized that we had been aboard for three weeks by then and it showed. So take that into consideration along with the point of the multitude of languages spoken by the small group of passengers inhibiting social activity. But having our SI cabin made the trip almost like sailing our very own private yacht.

 

As to the anticipated TA, it sails from Liverpool to Montreal and that is almost like coming home for us. A few details to attend to first.

It was very early this morning when I posted, I guess I wasn't awake yet...

In boarding the first Cuba Cruise of the season at Montego Bay you will be joining those who will be completing the Crystal's 21 day trans Atlantic Cruise which terminates at Havana. We thoroughly enjoyed the 2014 crossing but were please to have new passengers come aboard at Montego Bay as there were only 98 of us aboard. Little doubt that this year's crossing will surpass that figure, now that the word is out.

 

Chimo

Hi Chimo, Very cool that you are repeating your transatlantic, how many ports do you have in the 21 days? We did a Northern TA from the British Isles to Newfoundland, it would have been great except for hitting the remnants of a hurricane for 3 days and 2 nights. We did have a very memorable experience on that cruise in the footsteps of the Titanic.

Are you interested in a Meet and Greet after we board in MoBay? I would love to hear about your TA trip.

Hi World Juggler, I am Nancy and my husband is Steve.They are starting to book up for the Dec 18th cruise but probably a lot of people are not on Cruise Critic. We are really looking forward to the Cuba cruise, having sailed around Cuba several times on different ships and flown over it as well. This will be our 48th cruise so we were looking for someplace we have never been. We have been on Sailing Ships. Steam Ships, River Cruises, and Cruise ships large and small to almost all of the Countries in the Caribbean, Alaska. Hawaii and Mexico plus the major cities in Europe and land tours in many other countries. We sailed on Louis Aquamarine in the Greek Islands so we are familiar with the Company. Your name implies you have traveled the World also. I am happy to be in contact with others sailing on CubaCruise and especially on our sail date. We will have to set up a Meet and Greet before the cruise so we can get together after we embark.

:)I am on the pre-Christmas cruise. It will my first time to Cuba and on this line. I have cruised with Holland America quite a bit and hope this is just as enjoyable.

Hi aqhaone, Im happy to find someone who is on the same CubaCruise. I hope we can keep communication going about the upcoming trip.

Is anyone else on the pre-Christmas cruise? We disembark on Christmas Day, and are staying in MoBay after cruise. We sailed on Louis Cruises in the Greek Isles a few years ago.

A noted point of interest for the US passengers joining the cruise; The officials at the Cuban immigration tables, upon seeing a US passport placed before them, held their stamp above it and waited for the passenger to state if he should or should not stamp it. The officers then followed the passenger's request. Be prepared to answer this animated question.

Thanks for the info, I didn't know we had a choice.

Thanks for all the info.

The Norway, I was totally hooked on cruising after that - we will be on our 46th cruise a the end of this month on the Jewel.

Spinnaker on Jewel and Pearl in 2012 are wide open and lovely. Spirit has the worst theater I've been in. Sorry I can't help you with the Dawn theater.

 

I've been on 7 cruise lines and I like the entertainment on NCL best of them all.

I agree Susie, the Spirit has the worst theater I've ever been in on a ship and since it's at the rear of the ship you enter at the front near the stage. My sister got locked out of the show when she got up just before showtime to use the restroom. There was no legroom for my 6'6" hubby, it was designed and built for Asia before NCL acquired it and sister ship Star. We suffered through it because the entertainment was excellent.

Danfiveoh - thanks for the info about the town and people.

Well it's done. :) I went ahead & booked this cruise for October 2015. I am going to give MSC in Europe & try. Thank you all for the information & comments!:)

Hi usateg, I am from the US and sailed back to back to cruises on MSC last September from both coasts of Italy. The ships were great Orchestra and Fantasia, the ports were wonderful (they were our 6th and 7th European and 43rd and 44th cruises) and the price was fantastic. We had no problem communicatng with Staff and Crew or

passengers. We are not big drinkers but most other people thought the drink packages were a good deal. Because we were from North America we got drink coupons for 1 liter of water each evening in the dining room, the food was very good in the dining room, the buffet was typical. As stated earlier they sell tours based on language and if not enough sign up it could be cancelled. This happened on one of the tours we wanted so we agreed to join a German/Italian group. The guide could also speak English so she did give us some comentary in English. The evening shows were the best we've seen in a long time, don't miss them! You just need to be flexable and have a good attitude and you will have a great time, I know we did.

Holiday 1992 we helped put together a group of 133 including a band.

We plan to drive to Bayport Terminal in November for a cruise on the Norwegian Jewel, do they ever have fog at the end of November? We will probably stay overnight near the port, does anyone have any hotel recommendations?

We have been to Roatan many times and have witnessed a lot of changes. We have also been to the Honduras mainland flying into San Pedro Sula, touring and then boarding a sailing ship in Omoa on the north western coast. I am really looking forward to exploring the Banana coast before it gets too crowded (like Roatan). This will be our 45th cruise so any time we can visit a new port makes it an adventure.