Mitsugirlys FASCINATION with San Juan-review & pictorial

[mitsugirly]

Oasis:

7 day E and W caribbean, usually 3 ports.

 

I have been patiently waiting for and really enjoying this review.

 

So are you saying Oasis does E and W and not Southern? I thought you were saying southern and that was the ship that was in port at SJ when I seen the ship. :confused:

 

Thanks and glad you are enjoying the review.

 

Great pics of the snorkeling and fish. Very impressive with all the names. I love snorkeling... it just puts you in another world, so peaceful to just float and watch for their lives to happen. Again thanks for sharing.

 

 

Thanks. I love snorkeling for that reason too. So peaceful and so beautiful. :)

[mitsugirly]

Loving your review, thank you for taking the time to do this!! Hubby and I love the smaller ships (really all we have been on, except Valor). Hubby says they seem less crowed! We are going to try a bigger ship next April (glory), so we will see if he still feels that way!!

Well my question may be weird but I'm loving all the grape trees?? Assuming there are vines in there lol. Just wondering if they are eatable?

Now for the real question we are going to st Thomas next April (never been) I was thinking of the trunk bay excursion. Have you been there? And if I may ask if not what made you pick the other places you have been. Just trying to get some info so I can make an informed decision on our day there!! Thanks!!!

 

I have also found that the smaller ships seem less crowded (but we have only sailed NCL's smaller ships until now with Carnival...well, unless the Pride is considered smaller...idk). Is Glory considered a big ship? I haven't been on that class yet. I consider big like Dream, Breeze, Vista, then NCL's Getaway, Breakaway, Escape and Epic. So I don't know how the Glory compares to those. I may have to try them.

 

I honestly don't know about the grape trees. I would think they are not? I don't believe they are grapes in the sense that we have grapes from vines. No vines, they just grow on the branches. I imagine the iguanas can eat them (and why they hang out in the trees). :D

 

I have not been to trunk bay yet. I have been a little apprehensive to go (on my own) because of the travel time and the ferry. I might have to try it using the cruise excursion just to make it there. We will be in St Thomas AGAIN, in a little over 2 months. I'm going to check the NCL excursions to see what they offer. HOWEVER, we are only there from 7-2pm, which doesn't give us a lot of time anywhere. :(

 

I have solely picked the other places on recommendations here on the board. People recommend, I research, look for reviews, and pictures on the web to determine if it looks like something we would like and then go with it from that. :p I haven't been disappointed yet in any of the St Thomas places.

 

Kim,

 

Loving your review and pictures, as always.

 

Which side of the street is Gourmet Gallery on? Been to Havensight a couple of times, but I don't remember seeing this store.

 

Also, is your computer possibly auto-correcting, because your daughter's betrothed is her fiance not her finance.

 

Thanks for all the time and effort you always put into your reviews.

 

 

Thanks. The Gourmet Gallery is located in (I think) the far building where the buildings are lined up across the street. I'm making you a picture as we speak...using google earth of course.

 

I think we started in the first building and kept winding our way around. So it's either on the far side of building 2 or far side of building 3. I want to say building 2. Hopefully someone can chime in and let us know for sure. It's a lot different trying to find something when you are on the ground than looking at google earth from above and having an over view.

 

LOL about the finance. I'm honestly not sure. It's probably my mistake. I'm typing so fast to try to get this review done and concentrate a little more on my homework (which I'm avoid at the moment) and I guess I should probably be proofreading these things first. :o

[kvickers]

Great review as always Kim! We are sailing the Escape in March with 2 kids ages 7 and 10. Any good tips/ideas for something to do with them in St. Thomas that would cost a lot?

 

 

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[mitsugirly]

Sorry I went MIA. Kendra called me and we were on the phone for over 2 hours. :o I know better than to answer my phone when I'm busy. You can't get off with her.

 

So now, I'm going to go do a few more papers and maybe return later if I have the time. If not, I'll see everyone tomorrow. I have a new batch of photos done and uploading and I'm ready to finish out the rest of our St Thomas day.

[mitsugirly]

Great review as always Kim! We are sailing the Escape in March with 2 kids ages 7 and 10. Any good tips/ideas for something to do with them in St. Thomas that would cost a lot?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

 

Thank you. Glad you are enjoying it.

 

Any good ideas that would cost A LOT? :confused: There's probably plenty of that around. :D

[kvickers]

Thank you. Glad you are enjoying it.

 

Any good ideas that would cost A LOT? :confused: There's probably plenty of that around. :D

 

 

Oops! I meant 'that would NOT cost a lot'. lol!!

[mitsugirly]

Kim,

 

 

Which side of the street is Gourmet Gallery on? Been to Havensight a couple of times, but I don't remember seeing this store.

 

 

[njoyndride]

I have not been to trunk bay yet. I have been a little apprehensive to go (on my own) because of the travel time and the ferry.

 

First, thanks SO much for all of your awesome reviews...I love them being beach/snorkeler people ourselves. It's really all we do off the ship. Your information on Tabayana was awesome and that was one of my favorite days. I'm waiting patiently (well maybe not so much :p) for your day in St Kitts, we will be visiting there in December for the first time.

 

When you have a full day in St. Thomas definitely go to St. John and Trunk Bay...there is plenty of time and you are so organized you can handle it no problem. The only advice I would offer is don't do the ferry from Charlotte Amalie, do Red Hook and just get off the ship as early as possible. The ferries go back and forth often, there are taxi's in St. John right at the ferry pier and also at Trunk Bay for your return.

 

Thanks again for all the time and energy you put in your reviews Kim!

[CAC104]

Loving your review, thank you for taking the time to do this!! Hubby and I love the smaller ships (really all we have been on, except Valor). Hubby says they seem less crowed! We are going to try a bigger ship next April (glory), so we will see if he still feels that way!!

Well my question may be weird but I'm loving all the grape trees?? Assuming there are vines in there lol. Just wondering if they are eatable?

Now for the real question we are going to st Thomas next April (never been) I was thinking of the trunk bay excursion. Have you been there? And if I may ask if not what made you pick the other places you have been. Just trying to get some info so I can make an informed decision on our day there!! Thanks!!!

 

I did a ship excursion to Trunk Bay and was glad I did because a storm came up and the water turned very rough. Our excursion ship made it back taking much longer than normal and the ship was waiting for us as we actually came back later than sailaway. If we had gone on our own, we would have been left. I was disappointed when I got there because it was in the height of the winter season and the beach was very crowded. People in the water were just splashing and kicking everywhere and every fish had taken off to find more peaceful places.This was probably just a bad day, but with so many great places on St. Thomas I would never bother to do that again.

[luvcruzing]

Thanks for the map and circling where Gourmet Gallery is located at Havensight. I can see now why I never came across that store before.

[1959kar]

Take the time to go over to Trunk Bay Beach, it is my favorite beach we have been to, it is absolutely beautiful, sand like silk, clear water, snorkel trail, if I wasn't on my kindle I would post a picture or 2

[PTAngel]

Thank you for this review. I enjoyed 1 from you before that discussed renting a golf cart in Grand Turk. We did that in March & I really enjoyed it. DH was disappointed because he drove all around the island & we saw run down areas & a lot of pot holes.

 

I am cruising next on the Oasis to St. Thomas, St. Maarten, & Nassau. I did some research & I found good reviews about Secret Harbor in St. Thomas. Have you heard anything about that beach? I know you much more extensive research than I do so thought you might have more insight. I think my friend wants to snorkel & I read that you can rent equipment on that beach & they also have restaurants & bath houses. Now my only issue is that the Oasis only docks at Crown Point instead of Havensight & there is not as much info for transportation from there.

[mitsugirly]

Oops! I meant 'that would NOT cost a lot'. lol!!

 

:D Well honestly, all of the things I have done there so far (I think) are pretty inexpensive. Since our main goals at any port usually involves going to the beach or snorkeling, that's what you'll find me doing. Doing any of that usually only consist of catching a cab to get to where you want to go, so there's the cab fee. The only other expensive would be food/drinks. I think it makes for a pretty cheap day. :)

 

First, thanks SO much for all of your awesome reviews...I love them being beach/snorkeler people ourselves. It's really all we do off the ship. Your information on Tabayana was awesome and that was one of my favorite days. I'm waiting patiently (well maybe not so much :p) for your day in St Kitts, we will be visiting there in December for the first time.

 

When you have a full day in St. Thomas definitely go to St. John and Trunk Bay...there is plenty of time and you are so organized you can handle it no problem. The only advice I would offer is don't do the ferry from Charlotte Amalie, do Red Hook and just get off the ship as early as possible. The ferries go back and forth often, there are taxi's in St. John right at the ferry pier and also at Trunk Bay for your return.

 

Thanks again for all the time and energy you put in your reviews Kim!

 

I will eventually make it there (since it's all everyone seems to talk about on here). But I assume that a 7-2pm port day will not work right?

[mitsugirly]

I did a ship excursion to Trunk Bay and was glad I did because a storm came up and the water turned very rough. Our excursion ship made it back taking much longer than normal and the ship was waiting for us as we actually came back later than sailaway. If we had gone on our own, we would have been left. I was disappointed when I got there because it was in the height of the winter season and the beach was very crowded. People in the water were just splashing and kicking everywhere and every fish had taken off to find more peaceful places.This was probably just a bad day, but with so many great places on St. Thomas I would never bother to do that again.

 

Aww that sucks. I can see where a bunch of people splashing around, scaring the fish off would make a difference. I will make note of this and try to not go during the heavy season.

 

Thanks for the map and circling where Gourmet Gallery is located at Havensight. I can see now why I never came across that store before.

 

You are welcome. It's just the shopping area across the street with all of the stores lined up. I had never been over there prior to this either (I think...or if I did, I don't remember).

[mitsugirly]

Take the time to go over to Trunk Bay Beach, it is my favorite beach we have been to, it is absolutely beautiful, sand like silk, clear water, snorkel trail, if I wasn't on my kindle I would post a picture or 2

 

I will get there some day, I promise. I just don't think we have enough time on our upcoming cruise.

 

Thank you for this review. I enjoyed 1 from you before that discussed renting a golf cart in Grand Turk. We did that in March & I really enjoyed it. DH was disappointed because he drove all around the island & we saw run down areas & a lot of pot holes.

 

I am cruising next on the Oasis to St. Thomas, St. Maarten, & Nassau. I did some research & I found good reviews about Secret Harbor in St. Thomas. Have you heard anything about that beach? I know you much more extensive research than I do so thought you might have more insight. I think my friend wants to snorkel & I read that you can rent equipment on that beach & they also have restaurants & bath houses. Now my only issue is that the Oasis only docks at Crown Point instead of Havensight & there is not as much info for transportation from there.

 

Yea, there are a lot of pot holes in places on GT, especially leading up to the lighthouse. We still had a lot of fun with it though. If you are a beach person, I hope you were able to make it to Governors. Such a beautiful place. Next time I go, I think I will go in the opposite direction and head toward the conch graveyard area and explore.

 

Yes, I have heard of Secret Harbor, but I have not done any research on it yet. (I have a folder that when I find something interesting in any port, I put it in a folder for later to look at...my St Thomas folder is a little empty, other than places I have already been to). But, in my folder I had kept THIS link to someone that does reviews online. They have a St Thomas link and there's something in there about Secret Habor (and other beaches)...So, now that you brought this up, I'm going to have to check these places out because scrolling down that page has some interesting places.

 

I can't imagine any of the cruise ports, no matter where it is, not having much transportation. That's how the taxi drivers make their money and depend on the cruise ships. I'm sure you won't have any problems finding a ride there. :)

[mitsugirly]

I could spot our ship in the distance

 

 

 

Back in port for a little shopping

 

 

 

And a little fun

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

This is what the buildings across the street look like. It's like a mini shopping mall. Man it was so hot out when we returned. We went in the stores just to get out of the heat and have some a/c.

 

 

 

I'm not a big shopper. There's 2 things I buy in port. A magnet from each port we have been to (Sakari collects) and a tee shirt. Once I get one of each of these, if I return to that port, I don't have to shop! LOL I have people (from work and family) that always say "Get me something from ____, while you're on vacation" and my answer is always "nope". I hate when people ask you to bring souvenirs back from places YOU went. I don't bring them back for myself really and I'm surely not spending money on it for someone else. Think about it. Someone gives you some "My friend went to ____ and all they brought me back was this crappy tee shirt" and it's funny at first, but how often do you think they really wear it? Or you bring back that ceramic figurine with the name of the port on it. They haven't been there. They don't know what it signifies. Where does it end up at after it has collected dust for awhile? At the thrift store! That's where! Go to a thrift store and look at the ceramic knick-knack displays and tell me all of those weren't from family and friends buying souvenirs on vacation and when the time is appropriate, you slid it out of site, in hopes that they wouldn't miss it, and gave it to the thrift store. Right? It's a waste of money for me. I refuse to fall into that trap. End of story. LOL

 

So here is my purchase this time around. I ONLY ended up getting 2 this time because Sakari had to have the one with the cruise ship on it and I had to have the sea horse (the one critter I have yet to find when snorkeling).

 

 

 

I got the sea horse because it matches my new foot tat

 

 

What do you think? Can they be friends? (Kendra has the matching tat too).

 

Back to the ship we went at 4pm

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

After showering and changing we headed up to the outside grill to eat and had to take our food inside because it was just too hot to eat outside. After eating we headed back outside to watch the ship pull away.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The kids were more interested in doing things they shouldn't...well, I should say B was. For some reason he had JEANS on!! It was way to hot for that. Let's just say he ended up in the pool showers...playing, and he was soaking wet. Kendra was a little perturbed with him and said they were going back to the room for awhile. I watched it happen, I watch Kendra not watch it happen. I waited for her reaction. I gave her the "watch your kid better" look as she walked away. Was it mean? Maybe. But, we go down this road every time...well, every day I should say with him.

 

At some point this day, they had a Dr Seuss parade going on inside. We were walking, they were walking and my pictures turned out crappy. Sakari participated in this once. The next time she refused. So, I didn't even mention it to her this time around. Of course, she was upset when she seen the parade and it was too late to join in. The entire "theme" this time around was "Vote for Cat" & "Cat for President". I'm guessing they are not too happy with the elections this year and the Cat in the Hat is a better choice.

 

 

 

 

 

Now we did buy the internet package so the hubby can work on vacation. I know others say how it's crappy to go on vacation and work or not get away from the "real world", but honestly, we seem to cruise a lot these days. If he was to completely shut down when we were on vacation, we would lose a lot of money. So, it's as simple as purchasing the internet and running orders about 1 hour a night and be done with it. We have my youngest son, Kolin, run the store while we're gone and the hubby still does the online thing. He don't mind, I don't mind and we still enjoy ourselves. He's always said he can do his job from any location in the world, including a beach...and he does.

 

Now, the reason I mentioned this is the internet on the Fascination was probably the crappiest we have ever had. It was VERY slow and sometimes didn't connect well. This particular day it would not connect AT ALL after returning from port. It took 2 hours after leaving port for any signal to happen. Such is life, but I just wanted to bring it up.

 

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

Later in the day Sakari wanted to go to the kids club. Remember that Carnival doesn't have the kids club open on the first night of the cruise...which I'm still trying to figure out this concept! So, we went and signed her in and told her what was on the schedule for the night (a dance party) to get her super excited.

 

Like always, we hit up the casino.

 

 

 

 

That night I would find a few of the games I normally like to play and I would walk away in a couple hours $54.54 ahead of the game. The hubby however, walked away $40 short.

 

The hubby said "I really have to get these orders in" and wanted to head back to the room to see if the internet was working yet. It was and he decided to devote the next hour or so working. Well, that's not fun for me...so I headed back to the casino without him. LOL Which is a good thing because this time I won another $48.

 

When I was done, I headed to pick up Sakari from the kids club. She immediately said "That was the BEST NIGHT EVER!!" Ok, I just had to hear about this. They had a dance party and she told me how much fun it was. She even said "It was even better than last nights!!" (Meaning the sailaway party). I was happy she was happy and all was good in the world of Sakari. She also mentioned she got to draw while she was in there. So, I'm sure that had something to do with it.

 

She mentioned she was hungry, so we headed to the Pizza area at the back of the ship.

 

 

 

My child is not normal...I swear

 

 

 

I ended up with a salad just because I had been craving one. (Yes, you get this from the pizza place).

 

 

 

We made it back to the room and Sakari got a stingray towel animal. Sakari ask how they knew we had seen one today.

 

 

A little t.v. and off to bed we went.

[njoyndride]

:DI will eventually make it there (since it's all everyone seems to talk about on here). But I assume that a 7-2pm port day will not work right?

 

I wouldn't do it 7-2, wait until a cruise when you have a full day.

[NightOne]

I wish I would have known to play it. I didn't even try. Fun game?

 

Rich Little Piggies is the bomb! You'll get that joke if you ever play it.

 

Yes, it is definitely fun but not as much when you aren't winning though. :D

[mitsugirly]

I wouldn't do it 7-2, wait until a cruise when you have a full day.

 

 

That's what I was thinking too. Thanks. :)

 

Rich Little Piggies is the bomb! You'll get that joke if you ever play it.

 

Yes, it is definitely fun but not as much when you aren't winning though. :D

 

I will have to remember that and see if I ever see it any place else.

[spencercoop]

Loving your review like always! Can't wait for more!!!!:)

[Arzeena]

So are you saying Oasis does E and W and not Southern? I thought you were saying southern and that was the ship that was in port at SJ when I seen the ship. :confused:

 

Thanks and glad you are enjoying the review.

 

 

Yup, they have a couple 8 day sailings but none to the south, she does the East and West only, as far as St Kitts :)

Edited September 8, 2016 by Arzeena

[Arzeena]

Thank you for this review. I enjoyed 1 from you before that discussed renting a golf cart in Grand Turk. We did that in March & I really enjoyed it. DH was disappointed because he drove all around the island & we saw run down areas & a lot of pot holes.

 

I am cruising next on the Oasis to St. Thomas, St. Maarten, & Nassau. I did some research & I found good reviews about Secret Harbor in St. Thomas. Have you heard anything about that beach? I know you much more extensive research than I do so thought you might have more insight. I think my friend wants to snorkel & I read that you can rent equipment on that beach & they also have restaurants & bath houses. Now my only issue is that the Oasis only docks at Crown Point instead of Havensight & there is not as much info for transportation from there.

 

Just went to Secret Harbor. Very nice beach.