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Brobbins246

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  1. Like
    Brobbins246 reacted to GaryAA in St. Lucia Pitons   
    We did the coastal cruise from the port and like twangster said we were underwhelmed but enjoyed the scenic boat ride. My next cruise in December (hopefully) will be scuba diving at the Pitons.
  2. Thanks
    Brobbins246 reacted to Tmsmith in San Juan land vaca?   
    We have added extra time to San Juan departure cruises twice now.  We did a beach day, visited the forts and old San Juan on another day, rain forest for a day and then rented  jeep and drove around the entire island which took a day. We didn't make it to Vieques for the bio bays nor did we take the ferry to the outer islands both of which were recommended by friends in San Juan.
     
  3. Haha
    Brobbins246 reacted to melmar02 in As if the hurricanes and C19 were not enough   
    2020 just turned '21 and is already drunk. 
  4. Thanks
    Brobbins246 reacted to twangster in St. Lucia Pitons   
    The path the ship can take can be highly variable.  With islands so close relatively speaking they can sometimes take a meandering path over night resulting in an approach you might not predict.  Other ships can cause them to deviate from a direct path.   Consequently they might take a path where you can see the Pitons or they might not.  
    Having done a coastal cruise from the port to see them I was able to check off the Pitons check box but I was somewhat underwhelmed.  If your family has a more interesting day planned I'd be tempted to do that activity and hope for the best on the sail out.
  5. Like
    Brobbins246 got a reaction from PPPJJ-GCVAB in New Explorer and Freedom Deployments Booking   
    My April 2022 on Freedom got swapped for Explorer and I was able to see the new itinerary by looking up the Explorer sailing on that date.  All the same islands except in a different order and one new island replaced the only sea day we originally had.  I'm fine with the itinerary change because I prefer to do pool lounging on the ship while it's in port for less crowds and less wind.  I figure port intensive trips give you more options for either staying on the ship or getting off each day, while a true sea day is only one option. I'll just have to figure out which island I want to visit the least and stay on that day.
  6. Like
    Brobbins246 reacted to Dan Curtis in Talk to me about Southern Caribbean   
    I 100 per cent agree, great tour with informative bus ride, we had an awesome tour guide, we did this both times we was in Barbados. 
  7. Like
    Brobbins246 reacted to HeWhoWaits in Talk to me about Southern Caribbean   
    In Barbados, I feel that THE must-do is a visit to the Mount Gay Rum distillery. Very informative tour and a great selection of rums. My favorite is the XO Triple Cask - best enjoyed like a fine single-malt Scotch.
  8. Thanks
    Brobbins246 reacted to fa-li in Talk to me about Southern Caribbean   
    Do you like to snorkel?  We've had several excellent experiences with See and Ski in St. Thomas.  For very reasonable rates, we rent a small boat with captain and he takes us to several good snorkel spots.  There is always a cooler full of beverages onboard.  It's no frills, but for serious snorkelers, it's awesome as you can go where the other people are not, and see exactly what you want to see.  We usually bring snacks, but last year our captain took us by the Pizza Pi VI boat and that was an excellent addition to the day!
    For Antiqua, Gail at BeachLimerZ is so amazing.  You can do a whole or half beach day at her private beach.  There are lounge chairs, umbrellas, a bar, beach toys, and they put on an awesome bbq lunch which is included.  She will send someone to pick you up and then give you a ride back to the ship.  
    I hope this helps!
  9. Like
    Brobbins246 reacted to MrB in Booked my first non-Royal Caribbean Cruise   
    We live quite near Port Canaveral (Orlando) and have gone on four Royal Caribbean cruises so far. Not the most experienced cruisers in the world, for sure. 
    Royal  Caribbean has been a fantastic introduction to cruising. We loved leaving the house, driving less than 45 minutes total door to door, parking the car in the port garage overlooking the boat, and getting on the boat in about an hour from leaving. Shockingly good experiences all the way around. We are smaller boat fans (Majesty and Enchantment) because we look for simpler, calmer trips. Basically an hotel room that moves around on beautiful water. I can't tell you how well RC does this.
    Here comes the "but...". Everything out of Port Canaveral ends up in Coco Cay and Nassau. We are getting to be not fans. As we are local to Florida, and not coming from a colder climate, we don't neccessarily need to bake in the sub-tropical sun, as we can literally do that in our backyard. We actually have to wear lots of protection against the sun on a daily basis1.This is not a knock at all on Coco Cay. It is great and fulfills its purpose very well. Nassau is, well, Nassau.
    I know that RCG really needs to pay off Coca Cay and that it works unbelievably well at an Orlando adjacent port. Absolutely understand why they can't chase our particular needs. Just very sorry to see RCG go for now. It was an amazing introduction to cruising. Thank you.
    We looked at a Carnival itinerary out of Canaveral, going to the Amber Cove (DR) and Grand Caicos. But then we saw a detailed ship tour video of the selected ship, the Carnival Elation. Oh my gosh, it was a horror show. Bad Vegas meets Scary Clown. So glad I caught that before booking. There is a big difference in style - not in good way for Carnival - between RCI and Carnival. Very coarse decorations, not sleek, and bars everywhere.
    Ended up on  a Princess Cruise on a yet-to-be-delivered boat  (Discovery Princess) that is an out-and-back from Fort Lauderdale to Grand Caicos with a full cruising day on each side. Looking at Princess boat tours online, it's crazy to think that there is any connection whatsoever to Carnival. So now we have to drive almost 3 hours  (oh, the horror ! I know, I know) to get anything that makes sense for us now.
    We always check for new itineraries out of Port Canaveral, but everything is private Island and Nassau on shorter trips, which is where we are until full retirement.
     
    1 - Addage I heard from my doctor about living in Florida when looking for lesions on my nose: "If there's water, it's got alligators. If there's a bump on your nose, it's skin cancer". Right on both accounts at our house.
  10. Like
    Brobbins246 got a reaction from Tira04 in 2021   
    April, 2021 Southern Caribbean/ABC islands on Freedom, fingers crossed!! We booked this last summer way before COVID was a thing.  Fortunately we were taking 2020 off from cruising so we haven't had to deal with any cancellations. Hope things are sailing smoother by 2021.  
  11. Like
    Brobbins246 reacted to michelle in 2021   
    Thank you for sticking with us!  we appreciated the support.
  12. Love
    Brobbins246 reacted to AnnetteJackson in Goodbye from some friends   
    This pandemic has made for a lot of changes in the cruising world from cancellations, lift and shifts, FCCs and everyone’s least favorite topic … REFUNDS!  It definitely has made a lot of people take a new look at life and that is exactly what a few agents at MEI-Travel have done.  Danette LeBlanc after 7 years with Mei-Travel is stepping away to spend time with her family.   Her father has terminal cancel and she wants to spend all the time she can with him and the family at this time.  Prayers to her and her family as they navigate this incredibly hard time.  Also, Stephanie Hudson after 15 years has decided to take some time to step away and enjoy her new home on the coast of NC.  While this is not her retirement home, I am sure after all this time a little break to put her toes in the sand is what she needs at this time.  Wishing her all the best (and a little jealous).  MEI-Travel is working over the next week to contact their clients with a new agent that is stepping into very big sets of shoes to fill, but the new agents can do it.  It does take a little time to ensure that the new agent has everything and both Danette and Stephanie will be working thru June 30th to help with the transition of their clients.  To say that this was a very hard decision for both of them is an understatement.
    Also, I want to thank all of you for allowing me to work with you all.  Being able to chat with your guys almost daily for the past 5 years or more has helped me grow in knowledge of Royal and cruising.  There is no way I can think of this group without thinking about all the group cruises – the laughter, the tears, the burning bus, the exploding toilet, the first stop at Perfect Day, St Patrick’s Day and the most expensive Guinness beer or two I have ever paid for… and the memories go on and on….. SHOTS!  How could I not mention the SHOTS!   But more importantly, Matt.  The countless hours of planning for group events, looking up changes and many possible group cruises that never happened, there is just not enough time for me to write up how special my relationship with Matt and his family is.  All of this made it very hard for me to make this change, but I am stepping away from MEI-Travel to pursue a new opportunity.  This new opportunity will come with new challenges and a chance to spread my wings a little.  I hope our paths cross on a cruise some day or maybe in the Orlando area some time (This time without my suitcase with me!).
    MEI-Travel has a team of agents that work with Matt and they work together to provide great service to you all.  I know with cancellations coming in the very near future you might be concerned with all this change, but the team is there to help you all.
     
    See you on a cruise!
    Annette Jackson
  13. Like
    Brobbins246 reacted to Ampurp85 in Okay, I'll ask the question: thermal scans and hot flashes   
    @Brobbins246 Ha! They may feel that way. I had ovarian cancer, took my right ovary and started perimenopause at 32. I have had the flashes for 3 years now. Since I am so young-ish people always look at me crazy when they happen because I get red. Had one while going through a TSA checkpoint and the TSA tried to assure me I wasn't in any trouble.
  14. Like
    Brobbins246 reacted to ehw51 in Okay, I'll ask the question: thermal scans and hot flashes   
    Power surge, I love it!  I might have to steal it. lol
  15. Like
    Brobbins246 got a reaction from Baked Alaska in Okay, I'll ask the question: thermal scans and hot flashes   
    I don't have hot flashes yet, but I plan to call them Power Surges when I do! ?‍♀️?
  16. Haha
    Brobbins246 got a reaction from MaryS in Okay, I'll ask the question: thermal scans and hot flashes   
    I don't have hot flashes yet, but I plan to call them Power Surges when I do! ?‍♀️?
  17. Haha
    Brobbins246 got a reaction from WAAAYTOOO in Okay, I'll ask the question: thermal scans and hot flashes   
    I don't have hot flashes yet, but I plan to call them Power Surges when I do! ?‍♀️?
  18. Thanks
    Brobbins246 got a reaction from ehw51 in Okay, I'll ask the question: thermal scans and hot flashes   
    I don't have hot flashes yet, but I plan to call them Power Surges when I do! ?‍♀️?
  19. Like
    Brobbins246 reacted to Jill in Every island’s reopening plan   
    Hmmm.....not so sure many ports will be opening to cruise ships anytime soon. I’d be happy just to visit Labadee and CocoCay. It’ll be interesting to see how it all plays out. 
     
    https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-news/caribbean-islands-opening-travel-coronavirus?fbclid=IwAR2uRnVoDzkSbeEx0X3TcISkY-oTXWifH71fY9D0N94_k3cx7IQfib0GoWY
  20. Like
    Brobbins246 reacted to M First in 2021 Pricing   
    Just checked in on my booking for Greece 2021 and found that the pricing went down over $200.00 this is great. 
  21. Thanks
    Brobbins246 got a reaction from Hoski in What to do in San Juan?   
    I don't know this from personal experience yet (going to Old SJ in April 2021!) but I heard you can get a ride (cab or Uber) up the hill to avoid the up hill walking, then do all your sightseeing on the walk done.  I'm no where near 90yo, but totally plan on doing this. ?
  22. Like
    Brobbins246 reacted to Baked Alaska in Hibachi included in U.D.P   
    Zero. Buy it (reserve the hibachi), then have them adjust your bill for the upcharge, and deleting the full rezi price.
     
  23. Love
    Brobbins246 got a reaction from JLMoran in Carnival to sail August 1   
    Change that CDC quote to "Hold my beer" ?
  24. Love
    Brobbins246 got a reaction from Kcusack89 in Carnival to sail August 1   
    Change that CDC quote to "Hold my beer" ?
  25. Like
    Brobbins246 reacted to JLMoran in Carnival to sail August 1   
    Carnival: "We're sailing again on August 1!!"
    CDC: "Hmmm, really now..."
    NYT headline on July 24: CDC extends "no sail" order until December 31, 2020
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