Redsfan

the old adage is you get what you pay for...for our family of 5 no other cruise line can compete with Carnival on price, not really even close for same length and itinerary. We may try RCI or NCL at some point, once it is in our budget. It is difficult finiding cabins for 5 but Carnival offers this to us and that comes first. Sure for small families or 2 the options are plentiful and the ability to test other lines is there. All I know is both NCL and RCI would run us about a grand more for the same length of trip....

We're in cabin 1214 in December. Definitely post pictures and let me know how the location is, if you don't mind.

 

Can't wait to see your photos now! :)

we are on the same cruise as you, and it looks like you are a July 15th bday, and we are on the same deck...cowinkeydink indeed

I would be shocked if you had issues: DUI offenses here in Canada are treated with a small tap of the wrist. With all the carnage I see on the roads here due to DUI's unless you kill somebody they might take away a license for a day or two and give you a side of back bacon for your troubles :D:D:D

There are tour operators too, Nightwind out of Sapphire is very popular, just a ton of options. The Carmival option is the easy one. If you're interested in a St John excursion google for day sails and look at other sources like shoretrips.com. If you're just not sure you're up to it take an island tour and hit a beach. The weather is always an unknown, unfortunately. But of our 8 cruises and many, many day sails we've never had a bad experience on an excursion due to weather (for what it's worth). Rains come and go quickly.

 

Paradise Point is a great spot to end your day with a Bailey's Bushwacker, fun for the kids, and great views of the harbor, the kids would get a thrill seeing the ships from there. The Butterfly Farm in Havensight by the dock is also cool and the Birdlady has a great birdshow there the kids would like.

 

Have a great cruise!

thanks!

I would go with Trunk Bay.

 

If the Carnival excursion isn't too expensive and includes a cat or other non-ferry transportation the kids would love playing pirates. A ferry is OK too, just not as nice as a cat. We did the Carnival excursion our first visit to STT (2002?) and really enjoyed it.

There may be other excursions even better that stop in Cruz Bay and sail on to other St John bays for snorkeling or to drop you at the beach. If interested check what the other cruise lines offer, check shoretrips.com, and google.

 

A self-excursion (taxi & ferry) is also a good option, just need to do a little more work on your own.

 

Sure it's a bigger excursion but you could have a great day on the water, at the beach, and in Cruz Bay which has some excellent shopping and lunch spots!

thanks, Trunk sounds like Paradise but will depend upon weather for 1,and also how much we want to spend. This will surely not be a cheap trip, but maybe worth it if time permits. I can't see myself every paying what Carnival or any cruise lines charge for excursions. Their Trunk Bay one is like 4 hours or something with maybe 2 hours of beach...

Is your Carnival excursion a boat from port to Cruz Bay (St John) and an option of an island tour and Trunk Bay (or just get dropped at Trunk Bay) and a boat back to the ship? I think that would be doable depending on the ages of course. Your long day in port makes it a good option, but you're a ways from the ship if the young ones get restless, etc. Magens and Sapphire are just a short taxi back...

So you do have more choices than someone with 8 hrs in port, but I can understand a St John excursion being a major one with the kids. May not be as relaxing for you as I had thought!

they 3, 5 and 11 come that time. Patience is pretty good if busy LOL...

Cruisee - If you're in port at least 8 hrs then an excursion to STJ is an excellent idea. I've recommended against it for some folks, and I've also recommended doing it on your own if you don't care about the sail from the cruise dock. Trunk or Cinnamon Bay on your own is one of the easiest in the Carib. Whether on your own via taxi and Red Hook ferry, or on a cruise line sponsored cat from CA to Cruz Bay and beyond, it's a great day with a tour of STJ and a gorgeous beach thrown in - Can't beat that!

 

If you prefer not to move around alot and just want a pretty nice beach just stick with Sapphire, Coki, or Magens on STT and relax.

so if you arrive at 7am and leave 6pm do St.Johns? Great advice you gave me on the Tortola board....Magens is doable but wondering if St.Johns is worth it for us..remember 3 kids in tow...

I don't know if there's an actual name of the beach. The area in front of the resort is suppose to be resort guest only, but it did extend past that area of course. We did walk down to the end of the resort part and quickly turned back around because of all of the guys hanging around that area. I'm not a big fan of Jamaica to begin with (which is why we picked an AI resort that would be safe to go to without people hassling us). So maybe you would feel ok with the area. Everyone has their own comfort zone. :)

I hear ya...thinking of doing a tour with Peat Taylor to Dunn's than back to a beach for a bit. Looks like the beach is near the port so might be Turtle or somethin'..

thanks for the great pics...which Beach did you take these at? I know it's where the resort is, but is the beach exclusive to it? We are thinking of Dunns River Falls and a Beach, and this one looks descent enough.

Thanks!

pretty sure a number of them on here will book anything for you...have you tried Peat Taylor? There are a couple others as well

giving this a bump in case anyone is looking for the same info...anybody have updates on this thread?

has anybody been here lately? Any updated pics?

Thanks for the info, but it's not the same place. It's ran by the same booking company, but after reading many reviews of different places they seem to have different opinions.

 

So, really looking for someone that has been to the one in Ocho Rios and would like to know what type of food they serve if at all possible. The reason I'm asking, I read somewhere about the food being terrible at some of these places and even though it's "all you can eat" you were not allowed to go up and get your own. You had to wait for your server to bring you food....which was very little and very few and far in between. Then I read some complaints about it being things like hot dogs and such. I can get a hot dog anywhere. Although I'm not a picky eater, I would rather sample some good Jamaican food or something decent.

 

Come on, there has to be SOMEONE that's been here right? :D

we travel much later than you do but I am also struggling to find the right place to go as well. Tours offer this Resort at a descent price, but like you I read many mixed reviews, most not so good. I would like a nice beach and read a mix of opinions on it as well. Have read that Turtle Beach is pretty descent though....

I haven 't but I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night...

Okay...I'm not the only person addicted to these webcams! Whew...Thought I was going to need professional help. :D

 

Pete

are you a loser like me who wakes up in the morning and before anything refresh your webcams? We are 10 months out and can't even find a cam of the IOS yet I still snoop others...

No passport needed to visit St. John. It is part of the US Virgin Islands. Passports are only needed if you take the ferry to one of the British Virgin Islands from St. Thomas or St. John.

gotcha, thanks...was wondering...

wow at this thread...!!have to subscribe as this has be wanting to do a Dream Itinerary and visit the Eastern Route!!

Did I read correctly you need a Passport to take the Ferry to St.John?

Aaaammmmmmazzzzzzzzzzzzing Review. I have silently been following along for weeks, enjoying it all. Thank you for all the time you put into it, your fabulous photos & delightful attitude. It has been helpful & It makes me so much more excited for my upcoming cruise on the Dream. I look forward to more reviews from your future cruises. Happy Sailing.

still wondering if you are the tweety from yahoo euchre? LOL..

don't think there is a waterpark or slide, but I believe there is a small kids water play area on the beach. No charge