Can you help me? I need it all!

[Cruisin Around]

Hi Everyone!

I love this entire website and especially these boards! I have a small dilema! In January of 2004 my husband and I booked a Western Caribbean cruise aboard Celebrity's Galaxy for October of that year. I visited this site every day and researched everything that I possibly could (since that was our first cruise). Mind you, I didn't look at this as work or a taxing situation! I loved reading everyone's comments and looking at all the other websites that I learned about. So I literally had nine months to prepare and gather opinions. I did NOT think that we would be taking another cruise this year because we've been spending $$$ on our home. HOWEVER, last week I got an e-mail with a bargain we couldn't pass up and low & behold, we're booked again, this time for 9/23/05. It's on Voyager of the Seas out of Cape Liberty. The package that we got includes motorcoach transportation from Harrisburg, PA (we're from Pittsburgh so we'll drive about 4 hours to get there and pick up the bus) so I don't need any information about pier/parking/traffic and so on--but I am interested in everything else!! I've been trying to visit many different posts, and I've gathered some facts, but I thought all of you kind people may be able to help me in one post! I hope there are others out there that will benefit from this as well. THANK YOU in advance. Here goes:

 

How does RCI differ from Celebrity? Did you enjoy VOS? Do they give tours of VOS?

 

We're going to Labadee, Ocho Rios, George Town Grand Cayman & Grand Bahama. What CAN'T I miss on these stops?

 

My husband is interested in kayaking and swimming with stingrays. He was thinking about kayaking in Labadee, but I've read bad things...what do you think? Is there a port that we're stopping at that has good kayaking? We're not OVERLY adventurous, but he's looking to try something new. (DH is 36 & I'm 29)

 

Any tips in general?

 

I think I'm good with packing both needs and clothes, but again, any tips and tricks are welcome.

 

Also anyone with money saving tips, extra coupons or discounts, I'd really appreciate - like I said, this wasn't planned far in advance!! :o)

 

Feel free to e-mail me directly also at cruisinaround2004@yahoo.com

 

Thanks so much!

Gina

[Host Kewlguy]

How does RCI differ from Celebrity? Did you enjoy VOS? Do they give tours of VOS?

Thanks so much!

Gina

 

Celebrity is more formal. Mellower cruise experience. More mature crowd. Less activities for the youngsters.

 

I loved the Voyager. Can't beat the ice skating rink, miniature golf.

 

Voyager tours? Maybe if your a diamond member, otherwise your outta luck. Only tour they offered me was the ship shape spa.

[spbflseas]

Cruisin Around:

 

I agree with Kewlguy in the general differences between the lines. I would recommend the following:

 

Labadee: Waverunner Tour - this is so fun and well worth the money

 

Ocho Rios: Either Dunn's River Falls or the River Tubing. I list river tubing as one of the best tours I have ever taken.

 

Grand Cayman: Stingray City

 

Happy cruising.

[PVDCruiser]

General Tips for Packing:

 

- Only pack the shoes you know you're going to wear as they take up LOADS of space. In addition, stuff socks etc. in them to save space.

 

- Avoid heavy cloth clothing. For my cruise I packed plenty of board shorts and they save loads of space.

 

- Make sure your clothing is basically neutral and easily mixed. That way you can pack less and still have many different outfits.

 

And if I remember anything in the morning, I'll be sure to post here. :)

[Host Kewlguy]

Ocho Rios is one of the ports we will be visiting on my upcoming September cruise. If the stories are true about tourists being harrassed getting off the ship by the locals, I may stay on board the ship, which I have never done before during any other port stop. I wouldn't want to subject my better half to that type of antisocial atmosphere and behavior.

[RDeagazio]

If you're interested in touring the Voyager, check with your TA. A lot of times they can find out when their Sales Reps are doing ship inspections and they might be able to get you on one of those.

 

I've arranged special ship inspections and onboard lunches for my clients with my RCI Rep and have even taken bus loads of clients at one time. Depending on the ship, you usually board as soon as they've cleared the previous cruise (so you must get there early). The tour usually starts by immediately looking at cabins before the next set of guests gets onboard-- this may not always be an option as once boarding starts you're not allowed access to the cabins. After that we head to the dining room for a nice lunch (and wine) and afterwards everyone is free to explore the ship on their own until around 2-3pm when you disembark. While on the self guided tour, you are not allowed into the Windjammer or other dining areas, however if you remove your "guest identification sticker" they won't stop you. Also you are not allowed to purchase any bar drinks etc.

[Murphy]

Gina,

Since you've sailed on Celebrity, if you haven't signed up for their Captain's Club you should do it right away. You will then automatically also be signed up for the RCL Crown & Anchor Society (this might require a phone call, not sure) As a C & A "gold" member, you will get a coupon book onboard that has % and $ off drinks, spa, casino etc. Not a huge savings, but what the heck, every little bit counts! Also as a Gold member, you will be invited to the repeaters party which includes a cocktail or two!

[alexkrn46]

Labadee the kayaking seemed fun too ( I didn't do just observed). Labadee is the best Have fun and it a do not miss!

Orcho Rios- if you stay on a tour the pan handling is kept to a mininum. We did the Dunn's Falls/swim with dolphins an it was great.

Grand Cayman- we went on the swim with the stingrays- we were put on a catamaran verus a boat. They have two different tours. The boat tour didn't seem as crowded.

We missed Freeport, but it is a short stay and you have to take a taxi to get any place.

Have a great cruise!

[deaconess]

I agree that Celebrity is more formal, and definitely has less to do! I am not the overly adventurous type, but I had trouble deciding what to do on Explorer (sister ship to voyager) there was so many choices...

 

As for the captains club, I am a member, but because I've only sailed with Celebrity once, I don't qualify for C&A...you have to be a Captain's club "silver" member(4-5 cruises - I don't remember exactly which) in order for the membership to transfer...

[cruisin from florida]

Ocho Rios is one of the ports we will be visiting on my upcoming September cruise. If the stories are true about tourists being harrassed getting off the ship by the locals, I may stay on board the ship, which I have never done before during any other port stop. I wouldn't want to subject my better half to that type of antisocial atmosphere and behavior.

 

I'm just going to reiterate what has been recommended on these boards many times with regards to Ocho Rios: Peat Taylor!! If you want a no-hassle, pleasant day there, this is the way to go.

 

Here's a link:

http://www.geocities.com/peattaylor/

 

We used Peat's services two years ago and really enjoyed Ocho Rios.

[Murphy]

Sorry Gina, Deaconess is correct. You have to be at X's Select level (5 cruises) to get the equal Platinum level for RCCL. Sorry!

[BigDawgRonAZ]

Gina...you have plenty of time to prepare for your cruise...lol. I spent the past year getting ready for our trip in a couple of weeks and I'm still not ready!!

 

Anyway, I've sailed the western itinerary three times, and love it the most.

Here's what I recommend...and what we did on the Voyager in 2003.

 

Labadee....wave runner.

 

Ocho Rios: Peat Taylor hands down...my wife and kids just loved him...and he will sing for you if you want. He took us on an island tour, dunn rivers falls, took us back to the ship for lunch, then came back after lunch to take us shopping. I can't say enough good things about him. He does fill up fast so you might want to check for availability as soon as you can.

 

Peat Taylor website

 

Grand Cayman: Stingray city...again, I would book a non-RCI tour and save some money. We used Captain Marvin's and had a blast. I've recommended them to my friends as well and they have not disappointed.

 

Captain Marvin's website

 

I don't kayak so I can't answer that question. All I know is that you will have a wonderful time on Voyager! Good luck in your research.

[Cruisin Around]

You guys are the best! Thanks for all the tips/suggestions/opinions. One thing scares me about doing a tour that's not from the cruise line. What if for ANY reason (even if the independent tour company is the best most reliable group of people & accidents occur!) we would be late getting back to the ship. They will not wait for us correct? I'm TERRIFIED to fly so I would be stuck. I just don't think I could relax. Does anyone else feel this way?

[Host Kewlguy]

The risk is minimal. Stick with private excursions that are recommended by cruise critic members and you should be fine. Life is all about taking chances.

I may even decide to leave the ship in Ocho Rios and do the Peat Taylor tour. I would have never known about him without this web site.

[cruisin from florida]

I found out about Peat Taylor from this site, too. It was definitely great advice. We weren't at all concerned about missing the boat or whatever. We were back in plenty of time, and would even have had time if something had gone awry (car breakdown, or whatever).

[39august]

Peat is great. Don't worry about getting back in time. Peat's been taking care of cruisers for several years now. And the countryside around Ocho Rios is beautiful. It would be a shame to miss it. I reccomend nativewaywatersports.com for Stingray City in Grand Cayman. You can read all about local tour guides on the Ports of Call boards. Lots of info on each port.