SMerritt

We will be taking our honeymoon on our first cruise leaving out of San Juan in October! Our stops will be St. Kitts, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, St. Lucia and Barbados. I was wondering if anyone could recommend some activities or excursions to do on a budget? We don't mind renting a scooter or something like that and just exploring some and laying on a beach most of the day! Rental company recommendations and beach recommendations would be great! We are open to any and all suggestions. We can be adventurous and laid back! Thanks everyone!!!

You are going to get a TON of ideas so I will only post my fav.

Magen's Bay Beach in St. Thomas!

The ride over and back is an adventure in itself.

There will be open-air "buses" that run all day when you stop off the ship and plenty when you decide to return to the ship.

The ride through town and over the mountain is scenic and full of twists and turns, with a bunch of happy fellow-passengers.

Magen's is one of the most beautiful beaches on the planet, plus quiet and perfect for swimming or just floating. Also, no "civilization" - houses, hotels, etc.

There is a bar, with reasonably priced, and good food, also a shop.

It has been about a year but, the bus fare was like $6.00-$7.00 and a $2.00 beach entrance fee. Loungers and umbrellas were inexpensive.

For the islands you are visiting, cab fares are very reasonable, and ABUNDANT!:D Browse the forums and try to figure out what you might like to see or do, many of the drivers will even help you decide on an adventure.

Just don't over plan......let it happen and have fun!

As my well-traveled mother taught me - Do not over plan, or you will come home complaining about everything you missed.

We have found some "spur-of-the-moment" adventures have been our best adventures.

Thank you ALL for taking the time to post the car rental information-renting cars in HI can be tedious and frustrating as some have posted.

Our Concierge rented us a car on our second cruise, we mentioned it to our butler - he suggested (as others have posted) discounthawaiicarrentals, he called, and got us the same car for 60% less, and pickup and drop-off was seamless. We have used this rental site many times now, the pricing and service is great. Even got a FREE upgrade to a red Camaro convertible once!:D

Note: Cab rides can be a little "pricey" but the HI cab drivers love their islands and even a ride to the beach can turn into a tour - we are researching UBER on the islands...........any input?

Mornings tend to have the clearest weather. Clouds start gathering on the higher elevations as the day progresses. So afternoon tours could find their views hampered by clouds and mist.

Ditto.......

We booked late so ended up with the first flight of the day - turned out so perfect we booked the second early also.

Both of our pilots said the same thing punkincc posted - the earlier the better

We then went back to the ship for a great and leisurely breakfast and enjoyed a peaceful day on an almost empty ship :D

Oh, one of the days, I ventured out after breakfast and rode the free bus to Hilo Hatties and walked over to Walmart where I found "gifts" and souveniers......including Choc covered Macadamia nuts.

What time does Pride Of America sail past the lava?

Usually around 9:30.......Watch your daily, NCL didn't post it in the schedule, it was just a "note" at the bottom of the front page. They sail past it twice so both sides have a view.

I am going to see if there are now any outside dining venues.

So I got a text from my mom. She said, "The experience was awesome! Unfortunately couldn't get a very good picture. The whole hill was glowing but with interruptions… but you knew it was lava!"

*\0/* Yay! Thank you soooo mush for posting! I am excited to go now!

My parents are on POA. Hopefully I will hear from them today and have a picture or two to post. This is so Exciting!

Thanks!

This was a highlight on our first POA cruise, second = :( nada, none

We will be going again in September......

Note: POA did not post this "sail-by" very well (bottom of newsletter) - So just a HEADS UP for anyone sailing on the POA

*fingers and toes crossed*

We usually go to a selected beach on Maui....

Cabs are pricey, usually fun and friendly drivers, but the $$

Have rented many cars on the islands - fun, but the hassles and a TON of time spent getting to the rental agencies is already starting to depress me.

Has anyone used UBER on any of the islands? To a car rental office or other destinations?

Take Uber. They come swiftly and the comfort level will be higher than a shuttle. Price should be less than the total for the shuttle.

OMG! Brilliant! :D:):cool:

We usually use SAS...........which has been fine but we did have a major "hiccup" with them once

Going to check out UBER for Hawaii in September - not only airport to ship but home to airport, we use a local limo service which is well worth the $$ but I am all for spending those $$ on kitchen magnets etc. :p

Hope im able to tear my kid away from the kids area lol but at least that may give me and the hubby some private pool time LOL. Thanks a bunch, greatly appreciate it.

Our 6 y/o Grandson LOVED the Splash Academy!

So many ships that we have sailed, have dark & dreary areas with a few video machines and coloring books...........NCL LOVES Children!

The Breakaway area was two stories, bright, clean and HUGE! Staffed with energetic young men and women (Nannys?). The "energy" even at the entrance makes you smile.

There were areas for different ages, with crafts, games, a parade! On and on.......our grandson would grab a quick dinner and happily head out.

You receive a pager in case any issues arise........

I went looking for the wrinkle relaxer today and tried several stores. I was finally told it has been discontinued. :(

All sizes available on Amazon:D

I use the Eagle Creek packs and packing cubes. They keep things relatively wrinkle free and organized.

 

Roz

And when I unpack, I just leave everything in the cubes and toss cube and all into the drawers! I can unpack in 5 minutes and undies etc stay together, Love the cubes!

I've been reading about the volcanoes in HI and it seems like even though some are active we can't see molten lava from any of them. Is that true ? I do see videos of molten lava but they are old.

If you are sailing on the POA and if Kilauea has a hint of lava, they will sail by at night - up and back. There was information about what we were viewing via PA outside on the decks while viewing.

Our first cruise, it was amazing! Second cruise, no activity.

Many on our first cruise missed this event because NCL did not publicize it very well, so check with the crew for updates.

The two you see suggested most often here are either Kauai or the Big Island for views of the Volcano in VNP. Those two have the most spectacular scenery which is very difficult to access any other way.

 

If you are going to vacation on the BI after the cruise, you will have plenty of time to explore VNP by car or on foot and also to perhaps be in the park after dark to see the glow from the crater. That would be more than enough VNP for me.

 

My preference would be to do the heli in Kauai. The places you get into will literally take your breath away. Into the valleys of the Na Pali coastline, down into Waimea Canyon, down inside the crater of a volcano, waterfalls, coastline...top thing I have done, ever. Highly recommend Blue Hawaiian due to their equipment, Eco Star, attention to safety and professionalism. Do your research on the various websites, and read reviews. We were picked up at our ship, the POA.

 

Someone posted a trip review here recently, and they had a horror story to tell about their experience with another company.

Punkincc pretty much covered it all.....these are two very different adventures.

We first took the tour of the Big Island - Saw a lot of volcanic activity and so much you can ONLY see from a helicopter! Our Blue Hawaiin Pilot was so knowledgeable and enthusiastic - it was a jaw-dropping morning.

Kauai - Beautiful Jungles, waterfalls, a "turn-around" INSIDE a crater....and again, the most amazing and friendly pilot.

** Blue Hawaiian pilots have incredible knowledge of the islands, and kept the chat going with all of us, we all departed smiling and wishing our flight never ended.

** Leave your cameras on the ship. You don't want to be too busy trying to take photos and miss so many amazing sights. Blue Hawiian offers a reasonably priced CD that is PERSONALIZED, the CD even includes you in it. I am not a CD buyer, but we have watched and shared the BH videos over and over.

We have a business and check in with our dogs daily?

The main complaints, it can be slow at times -

Try to log on early in the mornings or around dinner time

Gat a package, insteade of minute-by-minute use

Look in your cabin and on the daily for first day specials

Does anyone know who is the Haven Concierge and Hotel Director on the Escape now?

Sailing next week!:D

We sail NCL - usually dock mid-morning

The ferry ride (about $4.00) from the port to Atlantis is fun, the ferry operators are also "tour guides" pointing out homes etc. along the way. The ferry is also a lot more relaxed than taxis.

We just wander Atlantas looking at the opulent shops and yachts, have some Conch Fritters at an outside bar.

I save Nassau to get any shopping done, gifts etc. Easy walk back to the ship from downtown.

Ardastra Gardens is also a short walk

Yes, call your cell phone provider for special pricing - we get a 30 Day international rate special on one of our phones through AT&T

Besides the hourly rates posted, there are a lot of taxes and other charges that mount up quickly - please check before coming home to a huge bill.

Can you communicate with them via emai? Or email them through a family member?

The worse thing about cruising is sometimes flying to get to and from the ship.

 

Keith

Ditto! Six hour flight and 1 hour drive for us

Also - Looking out at POM at dawn on disembarkation day

1) Check on what proof of citizenship your cruise line recommends, and whether you need a passport. Order what you need immediately.

 

2) Check the dates on all your IDs, cards, etc to make sure they'll be current.

 

3) Check whether you will have medical coverage. (Medicare, for example, isn't usually active outside the U.S.) You can get trip medical coverage through the cruise line or an independent travel insurer.

 

4) Check what kind of insurance for cancellation, lost luggage, delayed flights, etc. that you can get through the card you booked with, your airline, your liability insurance, the cruise line, or an independent agent. Make up an emergency list just in case.

 

5) Check and double-check what time you're due back on the ship and leave a generous margin. So far as I can tell the biggest money drain besides needing a medical airlift is missing the ship and having to take an immediate flight to the next port.

 

Signed,

A Compulsive Planner

#1 and #2 plus pre-register and print out your Cruise Ticket(s)

Cruise Lines require a lot more "Red Tape" than checking into a Hilton

We called NCL to inquire

Have to call again, NCL Rep asked if we wanted a Haven Suite

Are they adding a dedicated Haven on the POA?

Strongly suggest you do NOT rent a car in STT....the traffic is insane! Book a private tour...

Ditto!

There are tons of fun open-air buses and cabs that will take you anywhere

I would send in yours ASAP.

Agree! You might need to acquire more documentation than you think

Some Processing Centers are a lot slower/faster than others

Rare: But mail, papers, forms, do get lost

Took a Princess cruise that had just come from Europe. We had to wait almost 3 hours in a huge line outside of the terminal before boarding, Something about the ship having to clear Dept. of Agriculture (?) Other than that, the cruise was great :)

We must have been on the same cruise! :D

It was a little hectic, but once boarding started, we were on the ship in minutes!

Lesson Learned: Check and see if you should arrive at the port later in the day

As moopig psted, after that, the cruise was great!

We sailed on the Breakaway & Getaway when they were new - again, all went smooth

Helicopter, absolutely. Even if you end up in a middle seat. I did a tour of Kauai and hovering over Waimea Canyon and in the Mount Waialeale crater...unbelievable. Simply unbelievable.

Agree 100% !!!

I finally agreed to a helicopter tour in Hawaii on the Big Island.......It was AMAZING!

So wonderful.....that we did the Kaui Helicopter tour the next day! - flew inside a crater, can not do that with a plane. Still view the videos!

Looks expensive but the helicopters were incredible, our pilots were in love with their jobs and the islands.

Just unbelievable experiences, each island was so different

First time poster, long time lurker. We are at a crossroads here and would love some input. We are currently booked on a large family vacation(reunion of sorts)on the Escape(sailing out Nov 28th). We then went ahead and booked Disney world and universal afterwards for just our family of 4.

 

However, my husband and I are anticipating very high crowds at Disney and are having "buyers remorse" so to speak - we've gone 3 times in as many years. If you can be bored of Disney my husband and I are at that stage. My kids are excited to go to Disney but I don't think they would be heart broken over not going again right now. We are debating jumping on the getaway Dec 6th instead of Disney and then heading to universal for the remaining 6 days of our trip. Budgeting is coming into play here - By not doing Disney we can save approx. $1500.

 

My question is, has anyone ever done two cruises with kids(1 day off the ship then back on to another)? Was there ever a sense of the kids being bored? Was it just too much "sea" time? This will be our first time on NCL but have sailed the smaller class ships on RCCL and the kids absolutely loved it. NCL seems to fit more in line with our personalities and what we are looking for in a vacation. There is the option to jump on the Oasis of the seas to have a full other type of ship experience, but the Getaway seems to cater more to children my kids age.

 

Any insight would be greatly appreciated! If it was only coming down to my husband and I we would GLADLY jump on that second cruise, but our 5 and 8 year olds are making us second guess doing that.

It is a no-brainer for us. NCL Loves Children! RCL needs to start considering them.

Our Grandkids amongst other little people were bored with the Oasis Boardwalk on the first day.....the children's rooms were obviously an afterthought - dark and dreary with no real activities. The nightly entertainment was nil, except for the water show. It was the first cruise that we saw teens hanging out in the stairways and just watching movies in the cabin.

The last cruise on The Getaway, we were feeling guilty, the kids 4 & 6 wanted to spend most of the cruise in Splash Academy, the small ropes course, and pools. There are also daily activities that parents can join in, like sand painting and sea shell mosaic classes. Also a Sponge Bob Breakfast!

Opinins Vary - do your homework on each CL site, but our 4 nieces and nephews and grandkids vote NCL now everytime!