Cuckoo7

My wife also got a note in our mailbox one time that if she hit a certain number by a certain day (can't remember exactly the number, maybe 5000), she would get $300 fun play.  I had already hit that amount and didn't get any.

We did not reserve and had no trouble getting space for four.  They met us right when we got out of the taxi.

2 hours ago, lrk said:

It has been a while since I have sailed out of Galveston, so I am just curious.  Some ports just glance at what you are bringing in, and some make you take everything out.  Any recent experience out of Galveston on Carnival?

Sail out of Galveston often.  We used to just walk right through without anyone checking, but the past couple of times we brought wine, they were much more diligent and moved us from the scanners directly to the table to check.  YMMV

9 hours ago, Journey11 said:

Is the casino DOU drinks package for drinks everywhere handled differently than Cheers when sailing out of Galveston?

Can you get drinks in the casino on day 1 under the DOU package?

Yes.  My experience was that it started to work around the time the casino opened.

YMMV, but I've been to the Mahogany Bay beach many times and never had an issue with bugs.

19 hours ago, bolt said:

We were hoping to drop our luggage off at the cruise terminal before our check in time and then exploring the Strand.  Does anyone see a problem with this?

 

Thank you

 

Bolt

Do it every time.  Not a problem at all.

It's been several years, but we did Cavetubing.bz.  They were great and did go through 3 caves.

We've used this place a few times.  Very good service, and they are quick to respond on prices.  

https://cozumeldrugstore.com/

I'm guessing it's only for Carnival passengers, for the reason you noted.  While we took the shuttle the last time we were there, my brother and his family just grabbed a cab outside the port because they only wanted to go to Margaritaville.  They didn't feel unsafe.  The only problem they had was that the driver said he'd be back to pick them up at a specific time and he didn't return.  So they had to get another cab for the way back.  If I recall, it was pretty expensive, so negotiate in advance and I'd say don't believe them when they say the amount is for both ways.

On 3/13/2024 at 10:07 AM, Moondoggy51 said:

Here's the problem from my perspective.  After getting a number of recommendations from folks here on Cruise Critic, I went out to Trip Advisor and viewed some of the 768 photos of Krazy Lobster and the attached is a representative photo of the area that I assumed we would find.  As you can see the water was crystal clear, plenty of beach area and lounge chairs with the dining tables in the background.  What we found was a beach in the second photo with no sandy beach or lounge chairs and rickety set of stairs as your access to the water.  The second picture was listed previously in this thread by 2021BoatCruiser (thank you) and we were seated even further away from the steps than what's pictured.  If you look at the pictures on Trip Advisor I don't recall seeing any picture that 2021BoatCruiser provided so people trying to make decisions can get a false impression of reality and had I seen a picture of a rocky shoreline with sandbags I may have made a different decision to go there.  Don't get me wrong, the food was very tasty and affordable and had the beach been as projected in the first photo I would have been very pleased.

We almost didn't go to Krazy Lobster after I saw this but decided to do so anyway because the port area was so crowded.

The beach area definitely looks like the second picture, but we were seated in an area with both a table/palapa and loungers right in front. I think it was kind of where the boats are above.  Drinks were a bit weak (as they usually are at these kinds of places), but we had a blast.  Lobster nachos were tasty, and the shade was perfect.

We had only two complaints.  First, lobster nachos are actually not on the menu, so we asked how much they'd be.  We were told 25, but we were charged 30.  The server was apologetic but said his boss wouldn't fix it.

Also, the bathrooms are downright disgusting.  As Ace Ventura would say, "Do NOT go in there."

On 3/8/2024 at 4:45 PM, Pyxie said:

Quick Fix from Alchemy Bar but I'm probably in the minority.

Love this drink.  Every time I order it, they look at me funny and ask if I like black licorice.  They look at me even more oddly when I say that I never really did, but I love the drink anyway.  🙂

On 3/4/2024 at 4:59 PM, TravelBluebird said:

well I haven’t seen them open yet—good question I will try to find out!

Someone on the book of face said they are working now.  Can you confirm?  We sail in a week, and I'm really hoping they work, as that was something I was really looking forward to.

I'd recommend the Fish Fry area, about 10-15 minutes past Junkanoo.  It's not a short walk but doable for those not mobility challenged.  There are a ton of restaurants down there.  We went to this one, which was featured on Food Network.

On 2/13/2024 at 1:23 PM, pcvtmom said:

With the recent travel advisory for Jamaica, from the US State Department, my husband is leery about the plans I had for our cruise visit to Montego Bay in April.  I planned to shuttle or taxi to Margaritaville (brief visit, we're Parrotheads 😉), and then go to Dr's Cave Beach for the day.  I cannot find any recent posts on travel sites about the shuttle from port to the Hip Strip, and I wondered if that is still an option.  If so, what's your experience? I believe he'd be more comfortable with a shuttle than a taxi. 

 

Older posts (pre-pandemic) on Tripadvisor and other sites mentioned that Carnival offers a shuttle, but that isn't in our shore excursion list, so I guess it's been discontinued.  None of the Carnival shore excursions appeal to me.  The only excursion to Dr's Cave Beach involves a dolphin encounter, which we aren't really interested in doing.

 

I appreciate any feedback you can provide!

We were there about a year ago, and yes, they still have the shuttle.  There's a kiosk in the port where you pay.  I believe we paid with our sign and sail card, got a wristband and then boarded the bus.  You can hop on and off at any of the stops, and it includes Margaritaville and Doctor's Cave.  It ends and turns around at this little shopping area across from Rose Hall.

You may get offered some pot, but we never felt unsafe at all.

They stop at a certain time (don't know exactly).  If you are relatively late getting there, you have to DIY.

We've been a few times and enjoy it.  I think June of 2022 was the last time, so the price may be different now, but it was $25 pp entry with a $12 food/beverage credit. You get wifi and use of snorkel gear for an hour.

There's sand where the loungers are, but it's not a sandy beach.  There's a rocky staircase entry into the water.  Pool and facilities are all nice.  We found the food to be pretty solid but the drinks not very strong.

Yes, we went last week and were charged the 1-4 people rate for a couple, alone in a Nissan Versa.  It was $8.  On the way back (as posters have said, plenty of taxis available), we were quoted $10 but didn't argue.  Streets are all torn up for repair in a significant portion down there.

Not too long - 10-15 minutes maybe.  Few stops between the port the Southernmost point.  Here's a map:

https://www.cityofkeywest-fl.gov/326/Duval-Loop

26 minutes ago, THL1313 said:

Hi, We are going on Vista over Thanksgiving, do you know when the conversion from red frog to pig and anchor is planned?  

 

I think it's due for a dry dock early next year.  I'm pretty sure he said it'd be then.

On 10/20/2023 at 1:21 PM, MistyRo76 said:

We liked the Red Frog Pub in the evenings when we sailed Vista several years ago. It wasn't usually too busy and service was quick. 

 

We like it too.  Unfortunately, we were told by a bartender last week that it's going away in its current form.  They will be removing the brewery and converting it to a Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse/Brewhouse.

18 hours ago, c-leg5 said:

No not to snorkel but if you choose El Cid you have to have a pass to enter - it is a hotel. A long time ago we did just purchase food and drink but I don’t know if that is possible any more.

 

We were there about a year ago, and the pass was $25 with a $12 food/beverage credit.  You get use of snorkel gear for an hour.

I won $5000 on a game like this on the Dream a couple of years ago.  They don't have it anymore.  Hit it on the 3rd try.  I thought I was pretty cool until I found out later it was programmed to go off at a certain time.

We did this one last year...  URL says cave-tubing, but it's not.  Short sightseeing, then the ruins, then a lunch at a local restaurant on the way back.

https://shoreexcursioneer.com/belize/altun-ha-mayan-ruins-city-sightseeing-cave-tubing.html

We weren't the first tender off and had to wait for another couple.  Never felt rushed, though, and we were back with plenty of time to spare.  I think they have a "back to cruise ship" guarantee.

They go to the sports bar, I believe.  

On 9/21/2023 at 6:01 AM, Knights on the Beach said:

I'm just happy there are chips & salsa - something that's been sadly lacking from my cruises in recent years. 

It's more like pico.  I was looking forward to chips and salsa but was disappointed.  As noted by some others, pizza was horrible.  Nuggets were solid.