Mitsugirlys FASCINATION with San Juan-review & pictorial

[mitsugirly]

I loved reading through your review and seeing all your pictures. We are going on this cruise in Jan 2017. Now I'm really excited to go!

 

I've only cruised twice so sorry if this is a dumb question... My husband was thinking we could get on the ship, drop our bags in our room and then get off the ship and explore old town before the ship leaves San Juan. Do they allow you to do this?

 

Thanks for the comments and so happy that you get to do this cruise. It is AMAZING! I hope you have a wonderful time. I can't wait until I do it again.

 

 

ABSOLUTELY...you can drop you things and get back off the ship until it's time to return. No problem! That's exactly what we had planned on doing ourselves but Kendra and my grandson were party poopers and wanted to sleep...I mean come on, they had at least 1-2 hours the night before. :p

[mitsugirly]

(Crawling out from the work rock here...)

 

Hi Kim, just FINALLY finished the review and wow!!! I almost had to break away to ask about the monkey purchase but remained disciplined and waited[emoji4]

 

It sounds like you guys had an AMAZING time- this itinerary was my second favorite when I went, and am glad you had mostly positive experiences!!

 

Back to the monkey- had NO IDEA you could buy them.... Let us know if/when she procurs one(if it's legal in OH) I would love one but think they are illegal in NYC and with my luck I'd get caught.

 

I had no idea about that island off of St M- will have to give it a try(sans kayak- I'm in Kendra's boat on that one).

 

The Sheraton seemed very nice- I stayed at the other Sheraton(by convention center) when I was there and it had a beautiful infinity pool overlooking the port,if you want other tips for a future trip!

 

I'm looking forward to your EPIC review- where is it going?

 

I'm behind in my Alaska review(working insane schedule since my return- 11 on, 1 off, 13 on) but I DEFINITELY recommend working it into your cruise plans for next year- will send you more wildlife pics I took[emoji4]

 

Happy pre cruise working!!!

Stacey

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Hi there Stacey!!! So good to hear from you and I can't wait to see some pictures of your cruise!!! I hope you had a wonderful time. Let me know when you do the Alaskan cruise and come back here and link it. I'm so busy with school work, work and now .... Sakari's new scuba diving classes that I rarely have time to come over here to read for "pleasure" and I'm only on here when I get a notification of a response to a thread I'm subscribed to.

 

So messaged that guy several times about the monkey after she got home with no answer from him...until about a week ago and he only replied "hi". :rolleyes: I have no idea about the rules in Ohio, but I do know they did find a place that sells all kinds of exotic animals in Tennessee (and has a farm). So if she wants one, she'll know where to get one. But, she has decided to hold off. They are buying another home (actually the closing is tomorrow) and will be moving out of their current home right after we return from our Epic cruise.

 

Our Epic cruise is going to St Thomas, TORTOLA (new port for us) and Great Stirrup Cay....fingers crossed there was no damage to it during Matthews rampage in the Bahamas plus there's the factor that it has been closed for remodeling and is supposed to reopen in November...cutting it close.

[runningmoms2girls]

Thanks for the comments and so happy that you get to do this cruise. It is AMAZING! I hope you have a wonderful time. I can't wait until I do it again.

 

 

ABSOLUTELY...you can drop you things and get back off the ship until it's time to return. No problem! That's exactly what we had planned on doing ourselves but Kendra and my grandson were party poopers and wanted to sleep...I mean come on, they had at least 1-2 hours the night before. :p

 

What a great idea! We are doing a similar itinerary on RCCL. I'm hoping the timing works out so we can do the same. We are flying in that morning (nonstop from Atlanta).

[my_crib_too]

We always talk about moving to Florida just so we can be closer to the ports (and also I absolutely hate the cold and snow).

 

My wife and I talk about becoming snow birds (Florida) in the next 5-10 years and being able to drive to Tampa, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Port Canaveral for cruises at a moment's notice. Would have to fly friends and family down to watch our pets during our trips. Retirement is going to fit really well.

[kelib]

What a great idea! We are doing a similar itinerary on RCCL. I'm hoping the timing works out so we can do the same. We are flying in that morning (nonstop from Atlanta).

 

RCCL does not dock at the same pier as the Fascination. Fascination docks right in OSJ next to the day ports. RCCL is across the water so you would have to find a form of transport to get over to OSJ or anyplace else.

[runningmoms2girls]

RCCL does not dock at the same pier as the Fascination. Fascination docks right in OSJ next to the day ports. RCCL is across the water so you would have to find a form of transport to get over to OSJ or anyplace else.

 

Thank you!

[mitsugirly]

What a great idea! We are doing a similar itinerary on RCCL. I'm hoping the timing works out so we can do the same. We are flying in that morning (nonstop from Atlanta).

 

Have a wonderful cruise! Does RCCL leave really late like Carnival does? (We left at 10pm). I wasn't sure if it's the same for the other cruise lines.

 

My wife and I talk about becoming snow birds (Florida) in the next 5-10 years and being able to drive to Tampa, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Port Canaveral for cruises at a moment's notice. Would have to fly friends and family down to watch our pets during our trips. Retirement is going to fit really well.

 

 

We talk about that all the time as well. It's just so hard to actually do it. :p

[mitsugirly]

RCCL does not dock at the same pier as the Fascination. Fascination docks right in OSJ next to the day ports. RCCL is across the water so you would have to find a form of transport to get over to OSJ or anyplace else.

 

Oh wow, I didn't know that. "Across the water" as in you would have to take a boat to get there? Like is their dock over on that island that is the "rum"??? factory?

[kelib]

RCCL leaves from the Pan American Pier which is across the lagoon from the cruise port. I think the only way to get to OSJ from there is Taxi or Swim.

One thing I really like about the Fascination is being right in OSJ. Heck, I walked from the Sheraton to the ship.

[mitsugirly]

RCCL leaves from the Pan American Pier which is across the lagoon from the cruise port. I think the only way to get to OSJ from there is Taxi or Swim.

One thing I really like about the Fascination is being right in OSJ. Heck, I walked from the Sheraton to the ship.

 

 

Yea, we walked after the cruise to the Sheraton for our post-cruise and loved it docking there.

[kelib]

Bummed that the Sheraton is sold out when I go down (Thanksgiving weekend) so staying one night at the Hilton, but keep checking on the Sheraton just in case.

[les37b]

LOL... I hadnt realised this was a thread bump!

 

I just posted I was looking forward to reading it..... Best I start reading ! :p

Edited October 13, 2016 by les37b

[me-shel]

OMG, I feel like I just binge watched an entire seasons of "Kim's Caribbean Adventures" on Netflix! Thank you for such a thorough and honest review - the good, the bad, and the "meh." It seems like most people choose their cruises by balancing three criteria: price, ports, and ship. We just settled on this trip for next year and it hit 2/3 (ports & price) but left me worrying that it might be too many ports. Let me tell you... after getting through this thread once (I have a feeling I'll be going through again) I'm now nothing but excited!

 

Price: Still can't beat it.

Ports: You've made them all feel like they can't be missed.

Ship: We've sailed on the same class with 3/4 day trips on Imagination and Inspiration and had a great time. I'd been worried it would get boring and feel small/old/outdated for a full week - but clearly this can be a BUSY week! If we were on a nicer/newer/modern ship I'd be sad to miss out on all the onboard experiences.

 

This thread has been my therapy - thank you for eliminating any remaining worries I may have had!!

 

Your snorkeling pictures are inspiring! Do you happen to know - or maybe the "audience" knows - which port (or two) has the best diving of the 5 islands? I definitely want to ditch my family and go diving at least once, maybe twice. And in one way or another, I'm GOING to find myself in the water with those sea turtles, either diving or snorkeling!!

[mitsugirly]

Bummed that the Sheraton is sold out when I go down (Thanksgiving weekend) so staying one night at the Hilton, but keep checking on the Sheraton just in case.

 

 

Aww, I wish you luck and hope that something opens up. It's such a convenient location.

 

 

LOL... I hadnt realised this was a thread bump!

 

I just posted I was looking forward to reading it..... Best I start reading ! :p

 

LOL. You have a lot of catching up to do.

[Moosevilleco]

Hi there Stacey!!! So good to hear from you and I can't wait to see some pictures of your cruise!!! I hope you had a wonderful time. Let me know when you do the Alaskan cruise and come back here and link it. I'm so busy with school work, work and now .... Sakari's new scuba diving classes that I rarely have time to come over here to read for "pleasure" and I'm only on here when I get a notification of a response to a thread I'm subscribed to.

 

So messaged that guy several times about the monkey after she got home with no answer from him...until about a week ago and he only replied "hi". :rolleyes: I have no idea about the rules in Ohio, but I do know they did find a place that sells all kinds of exotic animals in Tennessee (and has a farm). So if she wants one, she'll know where to get one. But, she has decided to hold off. They are buying another home (actually the closing is tomorrow) and will be moving out of their current home right after we return from our Epic cruise.

 

Our Epic cruise is going to St Thomas, TORTOLA (new port for us) and Great Stirrup Cay....fingers crossed there was no damage to it during Matthews rampage in the Bahamas plus there's the factor that it has been closed for remodeling and is supposed to reopen in November...cutting it close.

 

 

It's been a few years now but Tortola was one of our favorites! Cane Garden Bay is a beautiful beach and within walking distance is the Callwood Distillery- the best rum I've ever had and the only place you can buy it!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[mitsugirly]

OMG, I feel like I just binge watched an entire seasons of "Kim's Caribbean Adventures" on Netflix! Thank you for such a thorough and honest review - the good, the bad, and the "meh." It seems like most people choose their cruises by balancing three criteria: price, ports, and ship. We just settled on this trip for next year and it hit 2/3 (ports & price) but left me worrying that it might be too many ports. Let me tell you... after getting through this thread once (I have a feeling I'll be going through again) I'm now nothing but excited!

 

Price: Still can't beat it.

Ports: You've made them all feel like they can't be missed.

Ship: We've sailed on the same class with 3/4 day trips on Imagination and Inspiration and had a great time. I'd been worried it would get boring and feel small/old/outdated for a full week - but clearly this can be a BUSY week! If we were on a nicer/newer/modern ship I'd be sad to miss out on all the onboard experiences.

 

This thread has been my therapy - thank you for eliminating any remaining worries I may have had!!

 

Your snorkeling pictures are inspiring! Do you happen to know - or maybe the "audience" knows - which port (or two) has the best diving of the 5 islands? I definitely want to ditch my family and go diving at least once, maybe twice. And in one way or another, I'm GOING to find myself in the water with those sea turtles, either diving or snorkeling!!

 

 

 

LOL. I need my own show huh? :p

 

Yea I was "kinda" worried about the ship itself, but after thinking about it, I thought...I'm going to be so busy daily that I can't imagine the ship being so bad that it would matter. I mean as long as it has food, water, and a casino...I'm good. :D

 

I was seriously in shock that we actually liked the ship and it didn't bother us at all, especially for a cruise like this. I hope they put another ship from this class down there so I can try another one.

 

I have looked up the same cruise for next Spring Break and it's still the same price as what I paid for this...dirt cheap. However, I'm not sure I want to do this for Spring Break because I want to be able to spend a few days before and after the cruise just like I did this time around. So...that would mean that I would have to book for the summer again.

 

We'll see. :) I just know that I can't wait to do it again.

 

I'm not sure about the diving and which would be best...but I can tell you there were divers at St Lucia at the beach we were at. ;)

 

 

 

Speaking of diving......

[mitsugirly]

Ok, here's a follow up for me (and Sakari).

 

 

I enrolled her in scuba diving classes and she had her first the other night. OMG....she LOVES IT!

 

I just had to share with all of you (that might still be on here, which most probably have left by now, so I'll make sure to put this in another review later) to show you...since this was brought up on this thread and the PADI Seal was suggested. I want to thank you!!!

 

Her first night....consisted of getting suited up and fitted with her gear, learning what everything was, getting use to it in the water, learning to breathe in the water, removing her regulator while under water and learning to put it back in :eek:, controlling her BCD according to her weight, reading the gauges and hand signals.

 

She did absolutely awesome. However, we MUST GET HER TO STOP SWIMMING LIKE A MERMAID WITH A MONOFIN!!! Bouncing up and down in the water with a tank seriously looked retarded. ;)

 

So here's my pictures I wanted to share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

 

 

Learning to control her BCD and going up and down

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

Then here's a video I put together of her progression throughout the night of her first class. It's about 5 min long...so just warning ya.

 

 

/WTn4eE3u0SM

Edited October 14, 2016 by mitsugirly

[hlb76]

So glad she loves it! Glad you decided to try it with her. Kinda knew you would not want to miss out on that fun!!;)

[pghsteelerfan]

Just noticed your review popped up again...thanks for the update with Sakari's scuba lessons! I just have this feeling she will be a natural. Thanks for sharing and congrats to Sakari! :)

[mitsugirly]

So glad she loves it! Glad you decided to try it with her. Kinda knew you would not want to miss out on that fun!!;)

 

She's so happy and loving it.

 

Just noticed your review popped up again...thanks for the update with Sakari's scuba lessons! I just have this feeling she will be a natural. Thanks for sharing and congrats to Sakari! :)

 

 

Yep, tonight is their specialty dive...in the DARK! She's looking forward to it.

 

 

Update from last nights class to follow...

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

One problem remains....she still can not clear her ears. :( She had one on one with the instructor and he would take her up and down and no matter how many times she tried, they would not pop. I feel so bad for her. She went down to the deep to retrieve things but would mostly stay midway when they were out there.

 

Last night she learned to share the air with her octopus and also they let in water into their mask and learned how to lift up the bottom and blow air and get the water out...THEN the had to throw their regulator behind them and then swoop to find it with their arm and get it back in their mouth. I was a little freaked out by this but she did great. She also learned how to clear water out of her snorkel (which I already taught her that in the bathtub...the water streaks on the walls prove it!).

 

Then that dreaded deep end and clearing her ears...ugh

 

Learning to put her equipment together on her own

 

 

 

 

 

 

I got to borrow one of these 1 piece mask with no snorkel in your mouth things last night to see if I would like it.

 

 

 

 

Learning to get the water out of her mask

 

 

 

 

Playing games with the torpedo

 

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

Then comes the deep end...

 

 

 

 

 

I felt bad for her partner (the little boy in the class with her) because Sakari had a lot of one on one instruction last night because of her ears. The little boy doesn't have any issues with his ears.

 

 

 

 

She gave me the "ok" signal....but she was lying.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Still trying to pop her ears. It never did work