monctonguy

Lots to do just wandering around....shops, food, drinks etc....that's what I did on my first visit there last year and what I will be doing on this visit as well. Just exploring more areas and taking in the sights and sounds.

 

I didn't think the cab was that much from the pier to downtown, thought it was around $8 each way but I could be wrong. Either way its an enjoyable few hours and not real expensive to enjoy Cozumel.

haha...thats gold!! Love it!

Following this as I will be there in 3 weeks.

 

I have booked the stingray tour with RCCL......but will have a few hours after that to do some wandering and exploring. Not sure what else I will do as there seems to be so much to check out here.

Cozumel I would have no issues jumping in a cab and heading downtown to wander around, do some sightseeing, shopping..grab some food and drinks with no issues or worries at all.

 

Jamaica  prob not so much. Very pushy and aggressive. I have only done organized tours there and even then encountered aggressive and pushy ppl including lots of drugs.

 

Have yet to visit Cayman....will be in a cpl weeks. From all I have read and heard very safe, but overall expensive.

Was Fosters the oil can one?

 

I remember thinking it was about $1.50 more than the regular priced beer from what I can remember on my previous cruises. Not included in the beer package.

 

Speaking of beer...are the beers offered uniform across the ships based out of North America?

 

Wondering about Strongbow as it was hit on the last cruise, but I didn't recall seeing it on previous cruises. I am headed on Brilliance in a few weeks and wondering.

Never in my 10 cruises have I been alerted to anything....price drops or upgrades.

 

I do it the old fashioned way of checking each day...lol.

Its  a good deal for a longer cruise for sure..I am tempted to sign up for it if I can get the others I am travelling with to join me.

 

While I find it every expensive to have a meal at these restaurants...to be able to do 5 for $100 is great value I think!!

I know they had one on the Independence in the cigar lounge...wasn't very big but they had one.

 

I would think a similar ship in same class with  a cigar lounge should have them.

I think it really has more to do with the seas, than the size of ship.....I have been on smaller boats that felt smoother than larger boats.....but its because of the weather.

 

I can tell you that I have been on Enchantment 4x and never had an issue with it rocking. There have been a couple times when you could notice it, but nothing that caused any issues.

I guess port stops could have a bearing on it, as well as length of cruise. Every cruise I did up to my last one was only 4 nights with 1 or 2 stops and usually one of those stops was Coco Cay where your drink package worked.

 

My April cruise is a 7 day with 6 port's so it will be interesting to see how that works out.

 

That being said....I can't ever see myself NOT having 5 drinks in a day(which is about the break even point along with some pop and water throughout the day).

 

Cpl beers once back on the boat...cpl glasses of wine at supper......shot of bailey's in my coffee after supper......that's 5 drinks and I still have 4-5 hours ahead of me for the evening on the ship!

Get the select package for your self(wine and beer) and the premium package for him. If you both really do like your drinks, you will come out ahead at the end even if there are some days you drink very little based on my 8 cruises so far with the drink package.

 

Its so nice not to worry about where your bill is at, try new drinks, if the drink gets warm leave it and get another one.

 

While I am the exception to the rule, I get almost my whole package's value the 1st day on the boat. I am on early, enjoy the sail away party and then hit the various bars and clubs during the evening.

 

I didn't cruise until the drink packages came out as I was an "AI" type of guy and heard horror stories about bar bills more than the cost of the cruise.....

I am going to be here during my cruise on AOS, and with the CAD/USD really low I am not going to be able to do much at each port...and of course this is my most port intensive cruise ever....go figure!

 

I am defn doing the "airport" beach here...its been a bucket list item for me ever since I saw/heard about it.

 

Any idea the rough cost from the port to there and back? Is the sunset bar there pricey because of its location?

I agree....their food at supper time is on par with the MDR imho. Some of the Indian food I enjoyed on the last cruise beats anything I have eaten or paid for anywhere else.

 

Breakfast is pretty basic(lots of options but nothing that really stands out). Lunch has a good variety for sure...but their evening food is top notch.

 

I eat more supper's in the Windjammer than the MDR to be honest. I am not such a big fan of  all the small talk, the order taking, and the 2 hrs it can take for the whole process. But the MDR food is always amazing.

 

Great snacks in the windjammer during the afternoons. LOVE the nacho bar they usually have set up.

Only lucky that those that get an extra day on the ship....not those that miss a day on their cruise...and dealing with the airlines trying to get into the port in time to make their cruise...I wouldn't want any part of that!!

I just cruised Independence which is the sister ship to Freedom. It was only a 5 night, and I felt I didn't have enough time to take in and do everything I wanted to do or go back and try again.

 

I have cruised mostly smaller ships and shorter cruises....and I didn't find Independence too busy or long waits or too crowded at all. For the extra 1300 ppl or so compared to my previous cruises, there was a lot more room and things to do which help spread it out. I was impressed with this.

 

The biggest thing is I found that you didn't as easily get to know the bartenders or seem to run into people you have met earlier or recognized from previous events or meet ups. For some this may be a plus, for others maybe not.

 

Overall the pros weighed out the cons for me. I liked that there was so much to do and see.....I am cruising Adventure for 7 days in April so that will give me chance to experience this again for an even longer time and compare again.

That sounds amazing and top notch. I think the bar may have been set very very high. Sounds like it was over the top service from beginning to end. Don't be too disappointed that not every cruise, boat and crew will be like that!

 

Interesting about the hot food buffet set up back there. I never noticed that last Jan on my cruise....will have to check that out when I am back on her on Feb.

 

All the talk about the food in the MDR defn has me hungry now! Never disappointed with the food, that's a constant for sure.

I had seen that..and they were informed they were getting a OBC as a result.

 

Interesting as you get NOTHING when you miss Coco Cay, so there is defn some different kind of a set up for Labadee.

Will be interesting to see if that happens and how much. Haven't gotten anything back when I have missed stops on previous cruises, but then again  Coco Cay is their own island. But don't they own Labadee?

 

Either way, the OP should not expect some kind of compensation from RCI as a result.

I don't think you will need to worry about anything in Feb or March...this will be over long before then.

 

That being said, the only thing RCI would do is refund excursions you have booked. Other than that it would just turn into another day at sea.

 

Now I am guessing if this drags on longer than expected they may try to schedule a stop elsewhere instead.

 

But bottom line is you don't get anything for missing  a port day here.

Amen to that DocLC!!

 

Interesting to see what happens to Majesty bookings as a result....and will hold my breath on Empress.

 

That being said, Empress had some very good pricing, it has some nice itinerary's and the fact it came back to the fleet will keep those bookings high I think.

That's why I am looking at trying to get to diamond asap....with my cruise in Feb..then doing a 7 day cruise solo cabin in April I will hit emerald and be 24 nights away from Diamond. Seriously looking at doing a transatlantic or repositioning  cruise in the fall solo just to bump me to diamond.

 

I am really hoping that if/when they do change....that at least at Diamond level you wouldn't loose too many of your perks and incentives.

There are going to be a lot of disappointed people. Let's be honest, most ppl who booked Majesty was strictly for/because of the  the refurbish details....and nothing else.

 

To advertise, promote, take bookings and then just say NAH, we won't bother to do that now is not a great way to conduct a customer driven business.

 

While I know its not past the final payment date for any of those cruises, so customers can cancel and get full refunds that is not the point. Many would have potentially booked flights, hotels, time off work etc to plan this vacation.

 

While some things are beyond control, this is just a decision that RCI made obviously based on their best interests not the customers.

 

Glad I didn't join the rush to book....

 

Now, I wonder what changes they may decide to not make with Empress now that they have lots of bookings confirmed with that ship as well....hmmmmm

They had the option to buy in the terminal in Tampa last Jan for the Brilliance cruise.....only place I have seen it so far. I will be at San Juan in April so will see if they do there.

 

I have never seen it cheaper by buying it in advance or on the boat.....8 cruises and counting so far.(outside of when they offered a bogo on the drink package last year for select cruises(oceanview and higher) and only for a short period of time)

Just a note there is a fee to rent the lockers as well. I believe $4.

 

My buddy just used his cell phone to shoot when doing the zipline last week.

Just off Independence and no machines.....you still get the "coke cups".

 

While the waits weren't real long, the lack of options is what I missed.

 

I love all the powerade drink options which I usually need in the morning and missed them greatly.

 

I am cruising Brilliance next and am out of luck on her as well.