BeachGal

Anyone else on this sailing?

I think they are mixing up the itineraries for the 7-day cruises.  There are some 7-day trips that drop Mazatlan, and some that drop PV.  I see that there are 22 cruises that have Cabo, PV and Mazatlan on the itinerary.

16 minutes ago, SweetPea said:

I perused that CC thread and had to look up Lelepa. Wow! I admit, i didn't see the market for that in that area but looks amazing. 

Agreed!!

2 hours ago, Geezer Of The Seas said:

Did the double decker tour this past April from the lower deck of a bus at the rear. Weather was hideous; temp in the mid 90's and triple digit heat index. The one day I forgo a long sleeve sunscreen shirt and my arms got incinerated. Then there was the tour. Unimaginative, recorded narration, unlimited diesel exhaust. Maho Beach was a disappointment, all the commercial air traffic materialized after we left. The highlight was the skill exhibited by the driver navigating the kamikaze traffic. Felt like we were back home in Florida...............

Your experience was very similar to ours.  Fortunately, we were able to catch a couple of landings at Maho Beach.

46 minutes ago, tonyfsu21 said:

Take a cab next time directly to Maho and spend some time at the Sunset bar. This is the way to do Maho beach.

If I had my choice, that's what I would have done from the get-go, but I did not choose this excursion. I could have happily spent an afternoon at a bar overlooking Maho Beach.

Open-air, double-decker bus around St. Marten. Tour started about 40 min. late, and we were all standing in the sun waiting and wondering what was going on. The guide at the front of the bus narrated the tour, but only the folks on the top level could hear her.  It took a couple of stops before they got it fixed.  Maho Beach was the only interesting stop on the tour, and we didn't get to stay there long.  Ugh, never again!

3 hours ago, OCSC Mike said:

Hilarious but they're also clearly amateurs. That's what bringing a handful of gallon ziplocs is for.

EDIT: So you all don't think I'm even more frugal and food-crazy than I seem (is that possible?)... I usually just bring home some cookies.

Same! A few(or more - who's counting) cookies help keep me in a semblance of cruise mode as I wing my way home.

@DonR you have some options in regard to dining.  You can get seating alone (normally at a two-top table), or you can ask to be placed at a large table with other people.  On day 1, go to the MDR and talk to them about what you would like in regard to your dining choices. When I dine in the MDR, I like the two-top option because I tend to be a bit overwhelmed by large groups.  More often than not I end up chatting with the diners at the tables around me.  

12 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

You just want to find the ghosts that haunt that ship.

Ha ha, those stories are part of what kept me from staying there!

23 minutes ago, twangster said:

Staying in a cabin on the QM makes me feel like I am sailing on her across the Atlantic.  The tiny port holes open and I can imagine sitting by the window for days with the cold North Atlantic breeze coming in.  Seeing the fresh and salt water fixtures on the bathtub and even just walking the halls coming back to my cabin makes it feel like a cruise. 

Such history, the origins of cruising in many ways.  

I like your 'pre-cruise' mindset.  The QM is a wonderful ship to wander through, and so well taken care of that you can't help but wonder what it would have been like to sail across an ocean surrounded by the history and class she embodies.

**Sorry to all for the thread hijacking**

20 hours ago, twangster said:

Now that the Queen Mary has reopened I'm back on board with staying on her every chance I get.  

15-20 minute Uber ride to Navigator from the QM.

As someone who has visited the QM many times, but never stayed overnight, I'm curious about what you like about her?  For me, the QM was one of those attractions that we visited for the day, and never thought about an overnight stay because it seemed so extravagant to stay in a hotel so close to home.  Now that I am on another coast, and wanting to come back and visit Navigator, you have me intrigued.

Serenade, Oct. 22

Go to pool deck, grab a pina colada with a dark rum topper, take some selfies to send to family and friends back at home(Ha ha, have fun working this week!). Then I make my way back down through the ship running errands, eating, and people-watching. Once I get to the lower decks, and muster (and my drink) is done, I go back up to the pool deck to drink and chill until rooms are ready. 

10 hours ago, Vancity Cruiser said:

Of all the reasons to be soured off of cruising.............

Truth!

49 minutes ago, CanHardlyWait said:

I don't recommend it. And don't even get me started on 55. LOL.

Wow, you remember the specific #?  Ha ha, I place myself in the 55+ range, and then I don't have to remember any details.

3 hours ago, PhantomWolf said:

While sharing a trip with someone and making memories is a great thing, I did enjoy my time alone not having to worry about what another person wanted to do.  The only time it felt a little odd was when it was time to eat, but even then, if you wanted to strike up a conversation in the main dining room, or at a place like Playmakers, it was super easy.

I agree!  Being on your own is a great sense of freedom.  Conversations are easy to get started wherever you decide to eat, but I will admit to sneaking up to WJ when I just want to eat and people-watch.

19 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

The peach dessert is both a triumph and a letdown.

@Ampurp85 this comment is perfection! I have a love/hate relationship with so many of the desserts on board.  Such high hopes that are quickly dashed after one bite...sigh.

8 hours ago, SweetPea said:

What I'm shocked about is ... how could this be in any way surprising to them?! Cements my belief that they (or any line) will push to see exactly where that line is, and unless a big "hello" is raised, they'll continue to move the line a bit further to see what they can cheapen next.

I'm glad you spoke up!

Absolutely!

2 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

The tour that we booked was “An intimate tour of Acadia National Park”. It was a max of 14 people and lasted about 2.5 hours. This tour was not cheap but I would say this tour was worth it for the convenience and small group size.

Thanks for the great pics/info on that excursion - I have the same one booked in Oct.

48 minutes ago, RCIfan1912 said:

I tried to book through Harr travel for our last cruise but it was very, very strange. I love the videos on YouTube as well so that's pretty much why.

I can totally relate to this.  I had checked out their videos and thought, "Wow, they really know their cruise business," and tried to book with them.  I got the run-around numerous times and had to track them down with multiple emails and calls when I had a question or concern.  The only time they were quick about reaching out was when they needed a payment.  There were a handful of situations that made me realize that providing top-notch travel service is not their priority.  

@Yo2slick I agree about the benefits that SWA provides.  After some big whoopsies on the part of SWA, I have definitely looked at other airlines, and even other modes of travel (car or train), but I always come back to SWA because of the customer service, the bags fly free (for now), and the fact that I can use points for an almost free flight.  We'll see how long it takes before I am simply driving to port cities and not even bothering with flying!

I'm wondering if this is the post you were looking for?  I remember having a great conversation about which direction Navigator would eventually take.

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/topic/24058-navigator-dry-dock/#comment-262116

OK, I'm in for this one.  Got my pre-cruise hotel booked for an eek-worthy price!

11 hours ago, AshleyDillo said:

There are a bunch of us on this sailing as this is one of our Royal Caribbean Blog Group cruises!

We have found hotel prices are super high due to some event in the area that weekend..a Regatta, I believe.  We are only coming in the day before so we are staying in the seaport area. We have been to Boston before and done the sightseeing thing so no need for us this trip.

Coming in a few days early is a good idea to explore the area. You can accomplish a lot of sightseeing by foot and using the subway.  Lyft and Uber are also prevalent as an alternative to taxis.

Thanks for the info about hotels in the area - I haven't booked a room yet, so I need to get on it!!

MEI all the way.  I experienced incredibly bad service with Harr, and have had nothing but positive things to say about my agent with MEI.

Looking at this one...

Both fine for me...