LREcruise02

Blue water I saw another review that said the water taxi times were on ship time. But I had thought they were on local time. Do you recall which is correct? Thanks!

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Awesome! Well if you end up doing the tour let me know how it goes :) happy cruising!!

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Also there are a LOT of reviews of Native Choice on Trip Advisor and I am yet to read a bad one! Also I haven't read any that anyone said they felt unsafe. If that helps!

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It's 5 1/2 hours usually... We are going from the Dream only in port 7-2 so I think they shorten up a little of the ruins time. I haven't heard about it being unsafe at all. The ruins are a big tourist spot and they go to the Bacalar Lagoon Resort after. If you look it up it seems like a nice place. We haven't been before but we go beginning of April so I can report back :)

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We are doing a tour with Native Choice in April from the Dream that includes Chacchoben Ruins and Bacalar Lagoon. Price is $80 person and includes food and drinks (including alcoholic) at the lagoon. They have pictures and more info on their website.

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I think usually there is a family "welcome aboard" party where they could maybe meet other kids their age. Also if your cruise has a roll call you could ask on there!

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Oh and we had our stroller with us all day and it wasn't a big deal. Never worried about it!

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The walk from where the water taxi lets you off to Atlantis is kind of long. But at Atlantis it's not bad walking around the aquarium parts and water park. As long as you don't walk to the dolphin area that is a hike! If you have a small umbrella stroller it might be worth taking, especially for the walk back to the water taxi when I know my 3 year old would fall asleep! Have fun we love Atlantis! Was just there last year with our girls who were 4 and 2 at the time. They had a great time! They have a nice lagoon beach area perfect for kids.

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Our last cruise was a 4 day as we combined it with 4 days at Disney. We had 2 young kids with us and never felt like it was excessively loud or party atmosphere. We could still relax! We went in Feb though so not sure if that would make a difference.

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We took our girls to Atlantis at Nassau. It isn't a cheap day but we love it there. We didn't pay for the water park since they were too young to do that really. But we did the Digs (big aquariums) and the beach and lunch. The girls loved exploring the aquariums and they have a lagoon beach spot perfect for kids, and it wasn't crowded at all when we were there.

I can't speak to those other resorts but hopefully someone else can!

At Freeport we took a taxi to the Junkanoo beach club. Very nice beach we had a great day there! And there is a restaurant you can sit at tables in the shade right off the beach, restrooms, etc. we packed the sand pail and shovels for the kids and they had a great day playing in the sand and water.

You will have a great time in the Bahamas!

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I think you will find it easy to always have snacks and milk for your kids on board. I usually bring my own packaged snacks like goldfish, pretzels, etc for taking to ports, and also grab some boxes of cereal at the breakfast buffet.

I also would stress bringing your own kids cups and utensils, if they prefer the smaller kids ones. I usually bring my girls each 2 and always have one washed and ready to go.

Have fun! We have been to Nassau and Freeport with our girls a couple times, most recent Feb 2013 when they were 4 and 2. If you want any port advice I am happy to let you know what we did!

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Cruisecraze when in march do you go? We are on the march 29 sailing and have a 5 year old DD who is very excited to go back to CC!

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I highly recommend Chankanaab at Cozumel. My girls love it there! I know Belize has a Carnival beach excursion that picks you up right at the ship. Sounds like that would be your best bet!

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Thank you! I know it seems like a great way to get $400 towards my cruise bill! I might have to take advantage of it. I appreciate your help!

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March 29! (Not soon enough!!) :)

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Great thanks! And I hear ya we are in Central IL... So tired of the snow! And counting down til our cruise!

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Ps blue water are you going to do a full cruise review?? :)

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Thanks for this review!! We have this exact plan when we are at Belize the beginning of April. I have 2 young kids 5 and 3, did you feel the water taxi was safe? I am bringing their puddle jumpers so they will have life jackets on for the trip over to CC. Thanks!!

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I think your question was fine! I have a 5 and 3 year old that have been on several cruises. We really never did the kids club either until our cruise last year, when they were both old enough so we let them check it out on the sea day. This next cruise coming up my 5 year old keeps talking about it! So I think we are going to let them choose some activities on sea days and maybe one of the late night parties.

They always eat with us in the dining room, get off the ship with us, we do the pool and water park area, mini golf, etc. but I did find on the last cruise it was nice to have some time to myself to lay on the lounger on the deck while they were having fun and meeting other kids on the ship in the kids club! We found a nice balance and hope to on our upcoming cruise too.

Just wanted to share my experience!

What ports are you stopping at?

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* that age not "that are" sorry

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With little ones that are you can't go wrong at the beach! Pack some small pails and shovels and let them go to town :) don't forget sun hats and lots of sunscreen!!

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We are doing this same cruise at the end of March :). We have planned Chankanaab in Cozumel, water taxi to Caye Caulker in Belize, staying at Mahogany Beach in Roatan and also doing the Express Zip line there through Carnival, and doing Native Choice Chacchoben Extreme tour in Costa Maya to Chacchoben Ruins and Bacalar Lagoon.

These ports are all new for us except Cozumel which we have been to several times. I highly recommend Chankanaab there!

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Ok question for those of you with the arrival card. I think after reading all the terms etc that I have this correct but want to check. I could open the Arrival card now, use it for my sail and sign purchases on our upcoming cruise at the end of March, which will surely total over $1000. Then get my bonus $400 credit and apply that towards my balance. Is that correct?

My cruise is already fully paid, but I would think the on board expenses will count as travel expenses, correct?

Does anyone know if they charge you the $89 annual fee if you cancel the card before the end of the first year? If I end up really liking the card I may keep it, but already have an Am Ex that I really like the cash back on currently.

Thank you for the help!

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We did Dzibilchaltun at the time with a 4 and 2 year old. They weren't that excited by the ruins, but loved the cenote! And the trip over and back wasn't bad either. They both slept the ride back. If you do this take water shoes as some of the rocks to get down into the cenote are slick.

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We had a good experience with Auto Progreso to Dzibilchaltun, on that same cruise on the Triumph. If you don't end up with enough time to do Chichen Itza, Dzibilchaltun ruins are great and the cenote there you can swim in was incredible as well!

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