raahc

Why does the WJ close so early? On the RCI app and a recent cruise compass the hours are 5:30 pm - 8:45 pm. Our dining time is 5 pm, and we prefer the early shows at 7:30, 8 or 8:30 pm ... hubby is going to have a hard time doing recon in the WJ, unless we go right after the MDR ? (I'd better pack some alka seltzer ? )

Good day everyone! Just wanted to say it would be nice to get an email alert - on pins and needles here ?

Thank you for taking the time to share your review. A few questions: How early can you arrive and embark? Did you mention you walked around San Juan, went back to the ship for lunch, then got back off to walk around again? How early did you arrive at the shows to get a good seat? In the past, we lined up 30-45 minutes, but I'm not sure of Harmony? Thanks!

Hi @TJ! - lost track of this post but I think you meant to send it to @PRebecca who is located in Florida. I'm from Canada ?

Thank you both for the reminder!

This is what I found for the themed nights in the WJ, but note this can change as well as the order of the MDR menus. When you said spicy food night, did you mean Indian night? They'll also be listed on your cruise compass. Day 1: Grill Day 2: Crepes/Italian Day 3: Indian Day 4: Caribbean Day 5: Mexican Day 6: Mixed Grill/Crepes Day 7: Mongolian Hope this helps.

We'll be flying in on a weekend! Thanks for the info! Looks like you have all your bases covered! I have several hotels in mind, so I'm going to do the same thing! I wrote them all in my excel planner with reminders on my phone too! Great idea! Thanks!

We filled our stainless steel water bottles that we brought from home, with ice and water from wherever we happened to eat breakfast before heading out for excursions. Back then, our ice bucket in our room was refilled twice a day, but I believe they don't provide that service anymore. Yes, there are signs posted not to place your water bottle anywhere near the spouts, and there were staff watching as well (good job!)! I do recall when we went through the check point to get back on the ship, we had to empty the bottles.

Oh no worries, thank you for taking the time to look! I hope you are able to find them for yourself though!

Fantastic, thanks for the tips. The cruise and flights are eating up our budget, so we'll definitely have to track prices. Wow 6 times! I'm in ? ??? Awesome! Thanks again Matt, much appreciated ?? I have two hotels in mind right now, and my hubby likes one near Cocoa Beach. It would be wise to book a few (refundable) to lock in at least, then watch the rates as you and others have suggested!

Good strategy! I would definitely watch the rates and when it comes closer to our cruise date, or there is a difference in price, I would certainly book the non-refundable rate. Do they notice double bookings?

Thanks for your feedback Matt. The $300 was converted to Canadian, but I am finding hotels are in the $225/$275 + tax USD range. I tried Priceline in the past, and found out the tricks to determine what the hotel actually is. I do prefer the ability to cancel or change, and unfortunately I won't be able to do that with the express deals or name your price. I know a lot of people have used and like Priceline though. Thanks again!

No worries at all. I think the price is higher due to the exchange rate and Feb seems to be a popular month. Everyone's tastes, expectations and budget are different as well ? We haven't traveled for a very long time, so everything is going to look pricey ?

Now I'm curious! Intercontinental - $372.40 USD = $484.00 CAN Disney Polynesian $559.00 USD (basic room) = $727.00 CAN The $300 CAN is looking better every minute ?

About 9 yrs ago, we stayed at Homewood Suites in Plantation for $169 and I thought it was pricey then ... lol The $300/night is converted to Canadian dollars, even worse for us with the exchange rate ? I am finding the ones near Port Canaveral or Cocoa Beach in the 4-5* range pricey, and yes, I'm getting insomnia ? My husband likes Cocoa Beach, so I'm going to keep searching! Thank you, they both look like amazing hotels with good ratings and reviews, but I think both are almost 1 hour from Port Canaveral and we'd prefer to stay closer. I did check the rate for Rosen Centre and they don't have availability for Feb 8th. The Rosen Plaza's lowest rate is $233/USD. Thanks again for the attachment.

No worries, thank you for getting back to me ? Thanks for the awesome description. We only have one "dinner for two" and like Chops, but Jamie's sounds delicious as well ?

That's reassuring to know the driving is easy! I hope to convince hubby! Thank you. OMG, you must be a super planner by now. That is A LOT of work! Hyatt must love you ... lol Thank you also for the reassurance. It's always stressful to visit somewhere new and not know what the driving conditions are! I read up on the visitor toll pass. It runs until August 1, 2019. If we do rent a car, we'll just pay for the tolls with cash.

Jumping on this post again ? If we decide to rent a car for 1 day just to get around, how easy is the drive from Orlando airport to Cape Canaveral and the surrounding area? We're in Ontario, where driving is beyond stressful, and it's a daily concern just making it safely from point A to point B! You nailed it! I think we're going to have to roll the dice. I love the hotel that @Lovetocruise2002 recommended below, but hubby would like to stay in Cocoa beach (Hampton Cocoa Beach), take a stroll on the beach, walk around (or drive) to pick up some items, eat out, etc. Decisions, decisions ? Thanks again! You've been very helpful ?? I think most shuttles (for only 2 people) would make multiple stops, thank you for pointing that out. I remember our last cruise, we had a free shuttle to the cruise port, but it was full from everyone at our hotel, so there were no stops. You have a group of 14! Wow! Are you doing all the planning?

Thanks for the detailed explanation! We were going to stay 2 nights pre-cruise but with the US exchange rate, we may only stay 1 night ? I'm glad to hear $207 USD (about $235 USD with taxes) is a good rate, converted to $312 Canadian/night. Prices have sure gone up over the years! 1/ Is $300 + an average price for hotels in Orlando (the good, clean ones)! 2/ Where did you purchase the water, fruit and snacks? 3/ When you mentioned you don't need to go down to baggage claim, did you mean that is where you would go if you needed a rental car or shuttle, but not necessary since Cortran's will pick you up at the hotel entrance? We would need to get to a Walmart or Publix and there isn't one close by (I looked on Google Maps), but this hotel does sound very nice and convenient! I was thinking if Cortran's charges $20/pp for one way shuttle to Port Canaveral, we might rent a car for 1 day to get around, then return it to Port Canaveral. We can forgo some attractions since it's only 1 night, but this way we can at least get to some shopping areas. Or, take a taxi to get around.

Oh, I see. I thought you meant when I purchase it and it has that plastic smell. Yes, that's a good tip on making sure it's all clean and dry before storage. Thank you!

Thanks for the info! I just signed up for Hyatt to take a look at the rates. I'm with CAA. We were looking at Cocoa Beach, as I thought it would be nice to take a walk on the beach and the surrounding area (never been there), but I'm interested in this hotel as well ? 1/ Do you know what the differences are between the Hyatt Place and Hyatt Regency, other than the Regency is right at the airport? I'm getting $207 USD per night for Hyatt Regency (with my CAA membership) 2/ Can you hear any noise from the planes since it's right at the airport? 3/ What is there to do in the area, without a car? TIA (thanks in advance)

That's great, thank you @bhageerah. Yes, I am familiar with Poo-Pourri ? You mentioned airing it out? Is this due to the strong plastic smell?

Thank you!

Thank you, yes, that is what we would bring, along with liquid laundry detergent to wash bathing suites, etc. Edited: I'm editing this response as I noticed you mentioned 2 oz bottles. Is this with a specific airline? We're permitted to carry 3.4 oz in carry on bags, but we always pack our liquids in our checked baggage. It's been a while since we flew, so thought I'd find out if you just meant 2 oz for convenience? Liquids We have huge 40 oz for our excursions (blue/black). We drink a lot of water! I was thinking if there are no plastic lids, I could buy smaller bottles like the 3 pack in the picture for drinks. I'll need to use some kind of cup to fill the bottles with sudsy water, maybe some paper towels and a long chopstick to swirl the water around ... unless we bring our bottle brushes. I took a look at some Harmony photos and the sink is definitely deeper than Oasis! It's squared off, whereas on Oasis, the sinks are rounded, so there isn't much depth. I thought they were shallow like the ones on airplanes ?

Thanks for confirming. Ugh, I understand RCI being environmentally friendly, but we already have very heavy insulated water bottles, and now will bring insulated bottles for the complimentary drinks, just a lot to carry. I'm wondering how people wash their bottles since the sinks in the cabins are very small and shallow? Thanks for confirming as well. see note above Re: birds - well, imo, that's just annoying! We'll be sure to try and find a table away from the feeding frenzy and leftover food on tables ... Re: veggie straws ? shaking my head here... so sorry you had to experience that ... they're lucky the sea gulls didn't get overly aggressive and start pecking ie: bleeding!