Donna G

just be aware for anyone trying to RU. If you have connecting rooms or multiple rooms in a row, you are not guaranteed that all the rooms will win, or that the rooms will be anywhere near each other. If anyone is trying to do the bidding thing, just know you don't have lots of control.

bottom line, it costs nothing to ask.

I'd be worried about shore excursions and drink packages etc that were already linked to my room. It's not like you are just changing a seat on a plane, so much more involved. Or what if the room on the other side of them has their other family members they want to be near. My husband won't even change seats in the movie theater when we pick seats. But I do wish you good luck and hope whatever happens works out for you.

you might get a faster answer to your questions this way.

it's so difficult to get a rental car these days. Definitely book in advance. Did you try to pull up Avis on the map of locations to see what is near the cruise port? I would call Avis directly.

Just remember, "worth" is all in the eye of the beholder. What I think is worth the money may not be your idea. Look at what is offered and make an informed decision. I was just listening to a podcast where they were discussing this and what I decided was that for my first or even second trip to CocoCay I would not do it because I want to experience everything the island has and if I had the Beach club I would want to stay there and get the most for my money. BUT, after those first visits I think I will definitely do the Beach Club to just kick back and relax.

pros and cons for bringing your own. Pros you know it fits, no need to worry about if it was washed properly between use, no need to wait in a line to get your gear = more water time, saves some $$ at CocoCay cons takes up space in your suitcase 99% of the time you don't need fins to snorkel, just float around.

oh no! First a big Chicken Wing shortage and now Bacon? forget Covid, now the world really is coming to an end.

Would calling be easier? Or do they have long hold times and you don't have time? Just wondering if it's an option.

I don't know why, but this is so appealing to me! Something about swimming with cute little piggies in the ocean. Nope, don't want to swim with sharks or sting rays..give me cute little pigs. I hope you get your excursion! This will be something that I look for on my first trip to CocoCay!

all great info and recommendations! I learned to dive in Hawaii and really miss it. I will always be comparing my experience to those dives.

As someone who is a diver, I would recommend looking at your local community center/YMCA or Padi shop to see if you can take classes and get your dive card. You get much more out of becoming a PADI certified diver than just the lesson you get on the ship before going out into the ocean. I know it's not like they are taking you on a super deep dive where you need to worry about decompressing on your way back up, but there are safety things that you really should learn. Can you do it on the ship and dive?? yes, of course. Will you feel more comfortable and confident if you are better trained? you bet.

In Skagway we booked the Hike/Float tour and we really enjoyed it but when we do Alaska again we will definitely sign up for the train ride. The pictures people came back with were beautiful. We did really like the hike/float. We hiked up part of the old Yukon trail and then had a super relaxing float back to town. We didn't have to paddle at all. Just enjoy the ride and look for eagles. The guide did all of the rowing. In Juneau we didn't plan an excursion. We just got off the ship and grabbed a taxi to the glacier and stayed as long as we wanted. We hiked trails and just enjoyed the area. Then we called for a taxi to pick us up and had them drop us back in town where we went to the Alaska Brewing Co and did their tour (they drove us from the shop in town out to the factory area). So it was a great day and we did things that people were paying a lot more for with excursions. It was really nice to have the extra time at the glacier. People on excursions only had a short time there because they had to load back on the bus and move on to the next stop.

It may also depend on the excursion company. Some may have contracts negotiated sooner than others. I had all of my March 2022 excursions booked and got notice that one was cancelled. Just keep checking. You can always cancel and rebook if something better comes along or if a sale comes along.

Just be sure to get a milkshake to go with those onion rings!!