GAPearl Goes Solo on the Splendor! 11/1/14 SJU-MIA Repo Cruise Review.

[babsee101]

 

So what's on my travel agenda for next year? As of right now, I'm planning Costa Rica and Panama for winter and spring trips. Carnival Magic is tentatively my birthday trip next summer, and I'm bringing my mom and two first time cruisers along. I've been to 40 states and have a goal to visit the last ten next year, so I may have a few weekend trips throughout the summer. I'm not sure about next fall but I'm seriously looking at a cruise from Singapore to Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, but I'm also thinking of flying to Thailand and staying for a week. I need to crunch some numbers to see which will be more feasible so that's up in the air. But before all that, I'm headed to Mexico next month on a quickie two day cruise with a good friend. Hopefully there will be some better nightlife on this one. At some point in the next few weeks, I plan to link my noncruise travel blog in my signature, so to those of you who have asked be on the lookout for it.

 

Thank you all so much for reading! Until the next cruise..... :)

 

Another fantastic review, Kim! Thank you so much for putting it together!

Very much looking forward to checking out your non cruise travel blog.

 

I do have one question for you ....

 

When the heck do you have a chance to work? lol :D

Edited November 29, 2014 by babsee101

[gapearl]

This is the first review of yours that I have read and have really enjoyed it. I will be going to search for your past ones and I am sure enjoying them also. I let my husband pick our next cruise and he chose The Sunshine which I have been on but not him. He chose this for the ports. All new to him, my first Sunshine was my first solo. 11 nights and I did visit St Thomas. We will be visiting San Juan for the first time and I thought maybe you could suggest something to so there. I saw pictures on Trip Advisor of private tours that took people to waterfalls and were able to swim in them in the rain forest. This looks awesome. Also want to see the beautiful rock formations on the seaside cliffs. We will be there from 8 to 6. Not really a museum or fort type person. Any advise you have would be appreciated. Other ports are St Thomas, St Martaan, Grand Turk.:)

 

Hey there! I'm so glad you enjoyed reading! Sunshine isn't on my immediate radar but hopefully one day in the future.

 

In San Juan, the rain forest (El Yunque) is about an hour drive from San Juan. Then when you get there it's a 30 minute walk to get to the waterfalls. I did this on a land trip so I can't tell you how easily it would be done on a cruise stop, but it looks like you have plenty of time. There are some tours that offer ziplining, so if that might interest you consider that as well.

 

St. Thomas- Coral World with Coki Beach, Sunny Liston Tours, or Magen's Bay

 

St. Maarten- Maho Beach to watch the planes

 

Grand Turk is super small, only about 6 miles long. If you want to do anything other than the beach, you'll need to do a ship excursion. A taxi driver can take you around on a tour for an hour or 2 if you want, but there's really not much there. This is the place to enjoy a beach day, and of course some jerk chicken from Jack's Shack. :)

 

Hope this helps a little! Enjoy the Sunshine!

 

Hey Kim, as always I loved the review. I'm already hyped for our cruise on the Freedom in TWO weeks.. 12-13-14, here we come. You know I'll do a review when I get back. I'll let you know when it's up.

 

Each time we've been on a cruise, I've come back with things I, 'meant to do.' so this time I have a list of Must Do Items or Must Try. Believe me though, my list does NOT include anything like hiking through the rain forest or riding in a helicopter. My list includes, having a piece of chocolate cake from the specialized coffee shop, trying the Spring Rolls, taking pictures around the ship on Embarkation Day before it is too crazy.

 

Speaking of links, you MUST make a link of the 'Original Corn Bread,' thread. Only those of us who remember it well can really relate to what you included on this review. LOL, that corn bread thread should go down in history.

 

Your travel plans sound fantastic which means more GA Pearl Reviews on tap. YAY !

 

Now, one techie question for you which maybe I asked before but can't remember the answer. When you write your reviews and use a certain color text, or font size, do you have to reset that each time you write a post, or is there a way to make that your default setting for the review portion ? I notice your replies are in blue text, regular font size, but I love the larger font for your review posts.

 

Keep making the fun happen wherever you are. I love your sense of adventure, thanks for sharing it with the faint of heart. (the second rung of a ladder is as high off the ground as I wish to go, other than when I fly, that is.)

 

Happy sails and trails to you, until we meet again.

 

Well I guess I'll have to keep doing adventerous excursions and you can keep taking them vicariously through me. Maybe I'll go dig up the original cornbread post. LOL Definitely make sure you try the spring rolls. They're excellent and one of my favorites! I can't wait to read about your next cruise. Only two weeks to go! :D

 

As far as the font, yes I have to change it with every post.

[gapearl]

We went to brunch both sea days. I talked about both in my review. The last sea day was an epic fail for us, too. Three of us, there early, every food order wrong multiple times. And I wanted the rolls, not the mixed pastry basket. When those rolls are warm, they are The Best Thing Ever!

 

Am I the ONLY person on that sailing that didn't get the toiletry bag? I got a little insulated tote bag! It's only about the size of my laptop. Not that I mind, because I'd just bought a new toiletry bag, but I doubt I'll ever use this...

 

 

Delta Dear - I'm packing this morning, flying to FLL at 1:40 to board Freedom tomorrow for a solo cruise. I hadn't really planned on taking this cruise but the Premier Casino offer was too good to pass up. But, honestly, I have no enthusiasm for this. I mean, I haven't even been home from Splendor for 3 weeks yet! I'm sure I'll have a great time and will be excited once I get to Ft Lauderdale. Three more new ports!

 

There are still a handful of cabins for the Splendor to Bermuda! It would be great if you could join us.

 

Kim, I thought maybe you were at our table the last day for afternoon tea but I didn't see you mention it. I was thinking maybe we did meet, briefly, after all, but it seems not.

 

I was one of those people who insisted that it was NOT legal to do a B2B NY-SJU SJU-MIA. My PVP had told me that when I wanted to book both legs on Conquest last November. I asked him again about this Splendor cruise and he was adamant. I was shocked when Malcolm made comments during the PG party about people being on the ship for both legs! Not fair! In fact, I had meant to say something to John Heald when we got back and forgot. I still might when I get back from Freedom.

 

Maybe in the future we'll cruise solo together. :D

 

Now that I'm FINALLY finished, I can go catch up with yours, Sean's, and Jamman's. Sean said the Seuss brunch was also a mess. I hope they can figure things out and get it together. Next time I'll have to ask for some warm rolls. :D

 

Maybe one day we will be on a ship together again. Nope, I never went to tea so we didn't meet, but I bet at some point we walked right past each other and didn't even know it. I looked at the Splendor to Bermuda. Holy cow it's expensive! :eek:

 

Another FANTASTIC review!

 

I would love to follow your non-cruise travel blog, I find that is the BEST way to learn, from others experiences.

 

I could not agree with you more, the behavior of certain people on cruises leaves a lot to be desired. Personally I believe those people are out for whatever they can get for nothing.

 

We always make it a point to take care of wait staff, bar servers, cabin stewards etc they work so hard. We even had a bar server on our latest Liberty cruise tell us they preferred to work the shorty cruises because the turnover of people is faster.

 

Happy and safe future travels!

Susan

 

Thanks so much for following along Susan! I also always leave a little extra for my cabin steward and waiters when they take good care of me. I wish I could finish my land trip reports as quick as I do my cruise reports. lol :)

[gapearl]

What crappy weather on your debarkation day.

:(

 

VERY! :( I'd rather have it on debarkation day than embarkation day though!

 

Thank you Kim, for another wonderful review!!! I look forward to your next adventure!! :)

 

Thanks a lot! Now I can finally go finish reading yours! :D

[gapearl]

Thank You so much for another wonderful review. I am not sure what I am going to do with myself at work....with both your review and Jamman's reviews over on the same day. It's just not right ;) :p :)

 

It's a darn good thing I had a cruise in 6 days to look forward too. Bring on the Carnival Dream

 

Guess you actually have to work now! haha I can't wait to read your Dream review so hurry back with it!

 

As always, a fun and wonderful review. Thank you!

 

Thanks again for coming along for the ride!

[gapearl]

Bravo ! ! !

 

Thanks, babe! :)

 

Not sure if you already have your Costa Rica trip planned....

 

When I go to Costa Rica I want to stay here!

 

http://www.costaricatreehouse.com

 

I do have a place in mind, but that place looks pretty sweet too! I'm gonna have to go check them out on Trip Advisor. Thanks for the recommendation.

[gapearl]

Awesome & detailed review - thank you for taking the time!

 

As usual, the review was awesome! You are a wonderful biographer!

 

I'm glad you all enjoy it and I appreciate the positive feedback. Thanks for reading! :)

[gapearl]

Wonderful review. We were on the first leg of Splendor's journey. The week before your sailing. We were still able to get the Cheers package at the reduced rate, and let me tell you.. I drank it up!! :D

 

Sorry to hear your night life sucked. I think we may have tired them out the week before. The night club on our cruise was rockin' every single night. There wasn't one night the entire week that I got back to my cabin before 4am. We were lucky enough to meet a great bunch of cruisers on our cruise that we all met up with at the casino bar every night. Also, there was a gay/lesbian VERY large group on our cruise (a few hundred). I don't know if you've ever hung out with gay guys but let me tell you they are an awesome bunch to hang out with for a great time!!

 

We are now FB friends with a couple of the bar tenders onboard who invited my friend and I on a cruise they are taking after the first of the year. Who knew they like to go cruising on their vacation time! :)

 

Thanks again for another great review and happy sailing!

 

Absolutely loved our cruise, it was one of the best cruises I've ever had.

 

Now I'm mad you guys had all the fun in the club. :( Normally I'm right there with you, heading back to my room at 4 am. I will say I got some good sleep on this cruise thanks to the boring nightlife. lol

 

Oh yes, I've hung out with the gay guys quite a few times. Last year in New Orleans, we went to a gay club called Oz. Good times indeed with them. :p I wish I could have been on the first sailing with you all. Sounds like you had a blast!

 

If you make it on the cruise with the bartenders, have fun! :D

 

Thank you for your review! We also had a poor experience with the sea day brunch on the glory...maybe just poor guidance fleet wide.

 

Also, I'm sure North Dakota is one of your last 10 states to visit-most people haven't been here. When it's time to cross it off your bucket list, message me and we'll try to get together. I love to meet another cruiser!

 

I've never had this bad of an experience at brunch. I hope things improve soon in the future. I still need to fill out my survey and will definitely mention it.

 

Both North and South Dakota are on that list. I'd love for you to show me around! :)

[gapearl]

Enjoyed your review. Have to agree with you about the roof on Splendor. Did not like it at all.

 

It was a pleasure meeting you in person & talking with you. Hope I get a chance to cruise with you again. Wish you safe travels on all your future trips. Enjoy the Magic. I may sail on her in the fall(or the Breeze or Dream if I go solo. Still may sail Magic or Breeze solo.). And I will definitely make sure I bring a box of Jiffy to show them what cornbread is. :)

 

It was a pleasure meeting you too! It was great hanging with you and Johnnie in St. Croix and at dinner every night. You two are welcome to join me on the Magic. :D

 

Kim thanks for another entertaining review.

 

Glad you enjoyed! Thanks for reading!

 

Another fantastic review, Kim! Thank you so much for putting it together!

Very much looking forward to checking out your non cruise travel blog.

 

I do have one question for you ....

 

When the heck do you have a chance to work? lol :D

 

Believe me, I work A LOT. lol This summer was just a blur because I've never worked as much as I did during those months. Thankfully I have a job where I can have as much time off as I want to travel. I worked Thanksgiving and I'm working Christmas and New Year's as well. Double time on holidays = cruise deposit. :D

 

Again, thanks for reading. :)

[tbbtravels]

Awesome review! Great pictures and I loved the ones with your new camera. It made the blue water really stand out against the catamaran.

Great job on your vacation by getting the most out of your vacation.

Edited November 30, 2014 by tbbtravels

[wrigley80]

Guess you actually have to work now! haha I can't wait to read your Dream review so hurry back with it!

 

 

 

Haha.....not really. I'm already in vacation mode. We leave on Thursday. My next review will be a big one

[blueangel74]

It was a pleasure meeting you too! It was great hanging with you and Johnnie in St. Croix and at dinner every night. You two are welcome to join me on the Magic. :D

 

 

 

That would be awesome but we will not get a chance to cruise again until October or November. We have narrowed our choices down to either the Magic or Breeze. Dream if I go solo.

[pghsteelerfan]

I just caught up to and finished your review last night...actually it was very early this morning and after a few days being away for Thanksgiving, I had to call it a night. I really enjoyed your review, laughed my butt off on more than one occasion, and especially enjoyed being able to "see" some different islands. Your pictures are just beautiful and it seemed like you had a great time, as always. I mentioned earlier on that we had been in Dominica and Martinique in 1992, but that was so long ago and I didn't have many pictures (pre-digital camera days) to remember them by. I only remembered them being beautiful but after seeing your pictures, they are "WOW!!!" beautiful in that I'd really love to get back there. Since we don't cruise that often, I really enjoy reading reviews to get my "cruise fix". Thank you again for doing this review, I enjoyed it as much as I've enjoyed your other reviews and it was very nice to "see" some different islands.

[SunshineCruiser24]

So sad to see that it's over.

[Jenner9]

Thanks for taking the time to write a great trip report! I enjoyed it. What site do you use to upload your pics to CC?

[Chelleum]

 

So what's on my travel agenda for next year? As of right now, I'm planning Costa Rica and Panama for winter and spring trips. Carnival Magic is tentatively my birthday trip next summer, and I'm bringing my mom and two first time cruisers along. I've been to 40 states and have a goal to visit the last ten next year, so I may have a few weekend trips throughout the summer. I'm not sure about next fall but I'm seriously looking at a cruise from Singapore to Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, but I'm also thinking of flying to Thailand and staying for a week. I need to crunch some numbers to see which will be more feasible so that's up in the air. But before all that, I'm headed to Mexico next month on a quickie two day cruise with a good friend. Hopefully there will be some better nightlife on this one. At some point in the next few weeks, I plan to link my noncruise travel blog in my signature, so to those of you who have asked be on the lookout for it.

 

Thank you all so much for reading! Until the next cruise..... :)

 

Great review as usually Kim, hopefully next time we are on the same cruise we will get to meet. I'm going to Liberia Costa Rica in May for a week, and my family is from Panama. If you have any questions about Panama let me know. You can contact me on the other site (Chelli Chase) You will definitely have a great time in Panama. I can't wait to read your non cruise blogs.

[gapearl]

Awesome review! Great pictures and I loved the ones with your new camera. It made the blue water really stand out against the catamaran.

Great job on your vacation by getting the most out of your vacation.

 

Thanks so much! I'm really liking the new camera. My other camera came recommended by a professional photographer friend of mine, so I bought this one without having a chance to do any research or reading any reviews on it. I got lucky and it takes great pictures. I had a great time on the cruise and glad you enjoyed reading about it. :)

 

Haha.....not really. I'm already in vacation mode. We leave on Thursday. My next review will be a big one

 

Can't wait! Since we're friends elsewhere now, I hope I get a sneak preview before everything gets posted here. Don't forget the monsoon drink in New Orleans. :D

[cruizinisthebest]

Thanks for the review. Read most of it. Well done!

[gapearl]

That would be awesome but we will not get a chance to cruise again until October or November. We have narrowed our choices down to either the Magic or Breeze. Dream if I go solo.

 

My vote is for the Breeze, but you can't go wrong with either one.

 

I just caught up to and finished your review last night...actually it was very early this morning and after a few days being away for Thanksgiving, I had to call it a night. I really enjoyed your review, laughed my butt off on more than one occasion, and especially enjoyed being able to "see" some different islands. Your pictures are just beautiful and it seemed like you had a great time, as always. I mentioned earlier on that we had been in Dominica and Martinique in 1992, but that was so long ago and I didn't have many pictures (pre-digital camera days) to remember them by. I only remembered them being beautiful but after seeing your pictures, they are "WOW!!!" beautiful in that I'd really love to get back there. Since we don't cruise that often, I really enjoy reading reviews to get my "cruise fix". Thank you again for doing this review, I enjoyed it as much as I've enjoyed your other reviews and it was very nice to "see" some different islands.

 

Thanks for coming back to read another one. I'm glad I made you laugh. I like to put a smile on you all's faces. I hope you'll get to make it back to Martinique one day, and I hope you're able to cruise again soon so we all can read another awesome review of yours. Thanks for the nice words! :)

[gapearl]

So sad to see that it's over.

 

Me too. It was great reliving my vacation all over again.

 

Thanks for taking the time to write a great trip report! I enjoyed it. What site do you use to upload your pics to CC?

 

You're welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed reading it. I use photobucket to upload my pictures. I pay $2.99 a month to host them because I have soooooo many.

[gapearl]

Great review as usually Kim, hopefully next time we are on the same cruise we will get to meet. I'm going to Liberia Costa Rica in May for a week, and my family is from Panama. If you have any questions about Panama let me know. You can contact me on the other site (Chelli Chase) You will definitely have a great time in Panama. I can't wait to read your non cruise blogs.

 

Are you going on the reunion Liberty cruise? It's a shame we didn't get to meet the whole week. I've tried to plan a trip to Panama twice now and it hasn't worked out yet, so I'm determined to make it work next year. I'll have to inbox you when I'm headed that way.

 

Thanks for the review. Read most of it. Well done!

 

It is a bit of a long read, huh. lol :o Glad you enjoyed it!

[k2excursion]

Am I the ONLY person on that sailing that didn't get the toiletry bag? I got a little insulated tote bag! It's only about the size of my laptop. Not that I mind, because I'd just bought a new toiletry bag, but I doubt I'll ever use this...

 

 

I got the same thing that you got, so you're not the only one. I don't know what this is either. Since I don't know what a toiletry bag is, I started wondering if that's what this was. I've been wondering all along, and trying to figure out what I would use this for. The only platinum gift that I've ever gotten that I have ever used is the soft-sided personal cooler, which I use all the time, even for non-cooler purposes.

[Chelleum]

Are you going on the reunion Liberty cruise? It's a shame we didn't get to meet the whole week. I've tried to plan a trip to Panama twice now and it hasn't worked out yet, so I'm determined to make it work next year. I'll have to inbox you when I'm headed that way.

 

No, I'm not going on the reunion cruise next year. I have another cruise already booked. Sure whenever your going to Panama inbox me. I was supposed to go to Panama next year to see my family. Trying to get the time from work since I want to stay a month. :)

 

 

Sent from my LGMS659 using Forums mobile app

[kelkel2]

Kim I just wanted to drop by and say I really enjoyed your review, as always!!

I read the part about the free drink coupon for VIFP members and I can not agree with you more!

Our last cruise on the Liberty was our first experience with these coupons and it was horrible. First off, There was a line about 30-40 people deep just to be seated in the dining room for brunch.

Once seated we had a similar experience to you. The waiters seemed very overwhelmed, and I can say I really don't blame them for being so. The service was poor and the drinks took forever to come to the table once ordered. When they did come, the ice that was in them was melty and then then drink was watery because of it. Not a pleasant experience.

My DH and I had the same exact conversation that you brought up. I feel bad for those that had this as their first Carnival experience and what they must be thinking. Because obviously this isn't working. I just assumed since it was newer when we were on our Liberty cruise they just hadn't worked out the issues but that doesn't seem to be the case. I really don't understand why a passenger can't redeem this coupon at any bar they choose on the ship before debarking the ship? I mean a free drink is a free drink?

Needless to say if this is the case on our next cruise we probably won't go back to the brunch or redeem our free drink. It's just not worth it... I have better ways to spend my last day on the ship!

Edited December 1, 2014 by kelkel2

[MotoRacer598]

 

 

Steve laying some of his famous wheelchair macking on me. LOL

 

 

 

 

Steve looks like he's up to something.

 

 

 

 

I'm innocent! Had a blast on the cruise. I'm actually flying to NJ to hangout with one of the girls from the cruise Kim. Going to spend the weekend in NYC.

 

Great review and hope to see you soon!