dohertm1

13 hours ago, Jimbo said:

Would only agree with you inless you didn't have the end cabins  near the aqua theater Deck 10 is best, you forgot to say you can see the wake from that balcony. Guess you have never been in one of those cabins to know.

Yes, you're right, those cabin balconies have a view of the wake, which is nice. But one of my pet peeves about Oasis is the Aqua Theater itself. A more beautiful use of that space would have would have been outdoor deck space on each level with magnificent views  So much of the design of Oasis is inward facing. I'd rather see the ocean.

12 hours ago, lcpagejr said:

So can norovisus, the flu, gastro illnesses, etc....Stop the fear mongering

It's not fear mongering, it's a fact. I love cruising but I still take precautions. I can't tell you how many people I've seen in the past before the pandemic that did not sanitize their hands on a certain cruise line that I won't mention here. 

I stand corrected on the COVID testing policy. Recently changed, so no Covid test is required before boarding RCL cruises to the Bahamas. I think that's unfortunate because we all know that illness can spread quickly on a ship, and not just COVID. I'm an avid cruiser and I've been on cruises where people boarded when they were ill and there were consequences. How quickly the cruise lines forget.

I understand. Yes, the cabana prices are more ridiculous. Generally much more than the cost of taking the cruise itself. Have a great time!

Plan your own excursion. That's what we always do. 
https://www.visitspacecoast.com/cities/port-canaveral/things-to-do

It was very easy to get tickets on our Oasis cruise. Once you board, just make reservations using your app. Relax and have fun. 

The main dining room and Windjammer Cafe are free are good. We never paid extra for the ultimate dining plan, especially on a short cruise. It's one of the ways Royal Caribbean tries to get you to spend more money.

Boardwalk balconies are not worth the money. Very noisy and you're looking at the interior of the ship.

All he needs to do is go online and order an expedited birth certificate. And if he has an enhanced New York State drivers license everything will be just fine.

Hate to say this, but the daybeds are not worth the exorbitant cost. Beach chairs and umbrellas are free all around the island. FYI - South Beach is a quieter part of Coco Cay than Chill Island.

If you're vaxxed, no test required as per RCL, so you're good to go. Unvaxxed passengers must submit a negative CoVID test result. 

Yes, much to see and do near the port, which is on the Dutch side, St. Maarten. Here's helpful info on the many things to do in Philipsburg. Many folks start by heading to the Boardwalk. 
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g147347-Activities-Philipsburg_Sint_Maarten_St_Martin_St_Maarten.html

If you've never been to the French side, Saint Martin, I highly recommend Orient Bay, which is a long, beautiful beach with crystal clear water. So relaxing. If you're adventurous, rent a car and also visit Marigot (history and local shops) and Grand Case, known as the Culinary Capitol of the Caribbean. 

I am sailing on March 27 on Oasis of the Seas, where Windjammer is open every night for dinner. You can check the international cuisine themes each night using your app. Overall however, I always recommend the main dining room because then we are sitting together as a family instead of constantly getting up and down for a buffet. And of course the wonderful thing about the main dining room is that it's included at no extra charge, the service is wonderful, you can order whatever you like, and as much as you like. 

The RC app would list Johnny Rockets if it is on that ship. Did you click on dining? Which ship are you sailing on?

On 2/18/2022 at 8:32 PM, winter560 said:

Thanks everyone. Johnny Rocket is not even listed as a restaurant on the app...maybe I just need to be patient and wait a month or two for it to get closer!

It’s all one beach - Mahahual. Take the open air tram just outside the port exit and get off at the second stop (it will all look run down but don’t be alarmed) and walk a few steps to Tropicantes and Krazy Lobster. The beach is free to all. The food at both restaurants is good and you can claim a lounger if you buy a beverage or snack. I would not advise going farther than the second stop. The beach gets more seaweed the farther you go. The section of beach near Krazy Lobster and Tropicantes was perfect for swimming and crystal clear. Have fun.

We will arrive on HAL ship, docked in Hamilton for 3 nights.

DS and wife want to do beaches. Will the water be warm enough to swim May 22-24? What beaches tend to be warmer at this time of year?

Horseshoe Bay and all of the other beaches in Bermuda but it’s in the Atlantic Ocean and cold water temps in May. Not the best time of year to swim in Bermuda generally.

I tried to reserve some loungers at Tropicante and there are none available for my date. Does someone know the name of another place that is similar to Tropicante? I am not looking for an all-inclusive. Thanks

Krazy Lobster - literally next door to Tropicantes. FYI - Mahahual beach is nice where these restaurants are located but the neighborhood is run down (some would say authentic) and you won’t find beach club amenities or sparkling facilities. Food was good at Tropicantes but the “cleanliness” was somewhat disappointing. The beach is free wherever you go. You will bombarded by locals selling everything from cigars to jewelry. We still had a fun day getting outside the Disney-like cruise port.

After researching these two seem to be the most popular. I am looking for a relaxing day at the beach with shade, snorkeling, jet skis, a few cocktails and some good food.

The small print at Mr Sanchos says $12 umbrella rental and it looks like the loungers are quite close together but they have unlimited food. Nachi seems less crowded with great shade options but only a 3 or 4 course lunch. My husband is a big eater so I assume if hes still hungry he can pay for more food?

And last do I tip after each drink is brought and when lunch is brought or do I tip before I leave? I am assuming 1 person will be taking care of us all day? Also what is an appropriate ballpark amount to tip? Thank you.

I just returned from an amazing relaxing day at Nachi Cochim. Beautiful beach, delucious food (we ordered all we cared to eat from the menu), excellent dedicated servers, super clean and attractive facilities and most of all only 70 other guests. (The limit is 130) I walked down the beach past Mr Sancho’s where there were hundreds of guests crowded four lounge chairs deep in the beach. So glad we chose Nachi, where we were pampered like exclusive guests and given our own paplayas and lounge chairs and dined in the beautiful thatched pavilion. The pool was also crystal clear. Unlike you want to be surrounded by hundreds of other rollicking loud cruise passengers, Nachi is the best choice for a serene beach day on Cozumel. A couple staying at a nearby resort marveled at how nice and exclusive it felt. Simple, beautiful and worth every penny of the $55!

We are sailing on the Brilliance out of Tampa and the boarding time for our deck is 1:30 to 2:15. Is this a suggested time and if we show up earlier will we be able to board sooner? We are mainly asking because we were planning to eat lunch onboard, but that boarding time will have us eating lunch before we arrive at port. We were very surprised to see this after our Freedom cruise out of port everglades last year where we boarded before noon and were able to eat right away.

We arrived at the port at 10am and boarded Independence of the Seas last weekend by 11am for a 430 sailing. So glad we didn’t wait for the suggested time!

Hi,

 

I’ll be in Cococay at the end of the month, my first ever non-European cruise.

 

I got snorkelling gear for Christmas and wondered where is best on the Island to go?

 

We are not planning on renting a bungalow/cabana etc. My main interest on the island is to see lots of marine life.

 

Any recommendations for how to make the best of the day would be appreciated.

 

Thanks all

 

 

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Snorkeling is not great at Coco Cay but swim out to the sunken airplane they have placed there, which attracts a lot of fish.

We got off the ship and took a very nice shuttle to Montego Bay and had a wonderful, relaxing day at the beach (Doctor’s Cave). http://www.doctorscavebathingclub.com/

Family chose BOS. They also requested mini fridge months prior to sailing only to be told on board ‘all fridges were being used’. As they had a toddler- this made milk bottles difficult to keep cool. In my original post I was simply stating my observations on RC and BoS. This was our 15th cruise. I’m well aware of research

You’re an experienced cruiser so if you were not happy with the level of servIce or your cabin did you go to the Guest Reception Desk on the ship to complain politely and seek some type of accomdation, like an onboard credit? I have found RCI to be great about satisfying customers.

Thanks for all of the suggestions so far!

 

 

 

Was this an excursion via the ship?

My advice - do not pay for beach excursions through the ship when in Costa Maya - beach access is free and Restaurants along the beach offer food and beverages, such as Tropicante and Krazy Lobster. Have fun.