Mike T

I'm rolling the dice on the DBP...I've had it on previous two 3N sailing but I did NOT purchase it during Black Friday for our 7N SOS Cruise in Feb '23....I'm hoping it will go below $72.99 between now and then.  Been debating and honestly, with two port days, I am thinking it might be better for me to just get refreshment package and pay for drinks as I go. 

Plus my Wife cannot drink due to kidney issue... and I've heard a few people say when they called to buy one DBP and the other person in cabin who doesn't drink, get them the Refreshment Package...RC told them they would not do it.  I'm wondering if they are moving away from this?

 

We took taxi over and walked around.  You can see part of the hotel, part of the aquarium and casino.  There's a nice marina right there also. 

Might look into booking room at Comfort Suites Paradise Island...used to be a booked room got you access to the water park at Atlantis.

21 hours ago, KimV said:

We sail in March and I am finding "good" hotel rates to be $325+.  I booked the Hampton Brickell (we stayed there before and really enjoyed it) but the cost is $425.  Seems kinda high for a hotel.

That seems to be about the norm for our sailing time (Feb 24th hotel stay). I was hard pressed to find anything in what I am willing to pay for a single night, which is about $250 max.  We have done early October and late January cruises in the past and had luck with a couple of the hotels out near airport but there's just not much out that way in terms of food.  We got in later in the evening so it wasn't as big of a deal as we just shuttled to hotel and ordered pizza and went to bed.  With our flight getting in at like 10a, this time, we'll have a whole day to burn so I wanted to be closer to things to do/see without having to Uber everywhere.

Anyone on this cruise get the DBP for $62.99...it's currently at $72.99 + BOGO50%

Did anybody actually score $62.99 for DBP?  It was out there for a quick minute for our SOS February cruise and then it went back to $72.99 and BOGO50%...I only need it for me as the Wife has kidney issue so I'll have to call them....but was hoping to get it for the $62.99 

Anybody getting better than 72.99 and 50% off 2nd DBP with the Black Friday deals/fiasco with the website?

For our February cruise, I decided to use ABnB and found a place on Ocean ave in South Beach.  It's rather small like a studio but since our flight gets in at 10am and it's within walking distance of plenty of things to do/see in SoBe and has a pool,...we're doing that this time.  I think our total was $245 which is about what I've found for hotels....and for Sobe, it's CHEAP!  I had reserved a room at South Beach Plaza Hotel for about the same amount but then reading more and more reviews of how noisy it was in the early morning hours...I cancelled it and went with the ABnB.  I think it will be a lot more private and quiet for the night before we embark.

What are the call center hours of operation?  I can't call during the day due to work but could call tonight or over the weekend when I have time to just set the phone on hands free and wait for CSR to answer...

On SOS 2/25 out of Miami...

DBP has been $72.99 for weeks...went to $67.99 for about a week.  I looked yesterday and swear it went up to $77.99 (I'm thinking they did that to offer % off and it would end up being $67.99), then this morning it's back to $72.99 but when I go to purchase, it's $62.99...I should have bought it but it was like 4am EST and I didn't have my CC# handy and still trying to decide if I want to part with $500+ at this time for that.  $67.99 is not terrible to me though.

Water park was 50% off and it was like $50 this morning

Zoom internet was like 50% off and at $9.99 or something very reasonable.

I logged in while at work and now I'm getting the "Gone Cruising" message. 

Just saw on SOS FB page that the reason for maintenance is that the RC reps are not seeing the BF deals on their end so it's getting fixed?
 

Up to $600 off and 30% off + kids sail free

Let's get the drink packages down...make the DBP about $55!!

Question for the cruisers on this one....

Was thinking of a way to easily meet and mingle with other cruisers in a fun and hopefully harmless way...

Contemplating bringing a couple of our packs of Cards Against Humanity on this sailing.   

Now I say harmless, but if you have ever played this game, you know it can get quite crazy with the scenarios it can present with the answers provided.  Amongst friends, that's all good and fine but with complete strangers...I question if this could create a scenario where we would have somebody wanting to toss another passenger overboard?!  (kidding of course..but this game can be down right brutal at times)

It certainly would not be to create any tension/ill feelings/problems or to offend anyone but rather just as a means of having some laughs and fun on a sea day on deck. 

Curious your thoughts?

 

Just trying to make sure I understand this fully....So we've been on two 3n cruises on Freedom and had My Time dining and only ate in MDR once in both cruises.  We did Chops and Windjammer (Which were okay with).   For our 7n SOS cruise in Feb, our TA put us in at 530 time slot. 

My question is...if we stay with that 530 time and we do not switch to MY TIME...we're needing to show up at 530 to be seated in MDR?

With MY TIME...we could request/try to reserve table for say, 630, and that would be our nightly time in MDR each night (if we choose to eat there).  OR If we're on My Time but want to wing it each night, we may be waiting until tables become available, right (that's such a rookie question)...LOL!  Do I have this thought process correct?

12 minutes ago, CrimsonCruiser said:

Snagged this from Tony at La Lido Loca who was just on Allure this past week

Thanks @CrimsonCruiser, I appreciate that.  Thinking we'll mix it up between WJ and JRs in February!

What is on the breakfast menu at JR's?

On 10/18/2022 at 2:18 PM, Zacharius said:

 I also am able to stock up on bottled waters for shore excursions, which may help offset any "not getting your money's worth on shore days" feelings. 

THIS!  Great tip!

Well, got my answer as the 3 night dinner popped back in the planner at $112.99.

Looks like the Voom Surf and Stream went down a bit.  If you have purchased this, you might check pricing.

Hello fellow shipmates!  Hey, could someone please check their cruise planner for me (I don't want to sit on hold with RC)...We purchased the 3 night dining package already for $102...It's not showing up on my planner because I already purchased it and I'd like to find out if the price went down. 

I see the DBP went from $72.99 to $67.99 this morning and that's pretty good!

Also, they are advertising the DBP and Zoom 1 device for $88.99...well, that's $.01 more than if you buy them individually (67.99 + 20.99)...so not really a deal there.

Thanks for the assist!

39 minutes ago, Adriana said:

@Mike T, ahhh, gotcha! Yes, it does get loud, but maybe get ear plugs. You may get lucky, if during the week, it does get too too crazy. It is a great price for the area. 

It's a Friday night....no way that place is quiet! 

On 10/21/2022 at 9:28 PM, Adriana said:

@Mike T, awesome spot! Perfect! Right about there is where Collins becomes beachfront (c 5th to 14th), parallel to Ocean Dr. Typically, the hotels there are decent, but they are usually so packed that they may not be in the absolute best conditions. That is more of a tourist hotel than the other full on luxury ones. However, it will be fine. Go down a few blocks north, hang west and walk Lincoln Rd. It is the local pedestrian mall with boutiques, cafes, outdoor dining, galleries, etc. Everything is expensive in South Beach, but Lincoln is must better than Ocean Dr. 

Yeah, I'm somewhat familiar with the area in terms of proximity to beach and the amount of places to eat/shop/see.  I stayed at the Lowes up the street for a convention several years ago and we did a little walking around.  My issue with this property is that I think it's a busy bar in the evening and at some point, I'm gonna want to get some sleep!  .  It's still reserved but I'm looking at other options as well.  I really appreciate all the info you've provided.  We'll see what happens.  I just don't want to drop $350+ for one night...and I know that's cheap in this area.  That's why I scooped it up because of the price for that area.

1 hour ago, TessOR said:

We have booked ahead three times with Joyce Prince.  She talks with you about your hot spots and gives some great history information about the island throughout the day.  We have done different things each time. Never worried about making it back to the ship, she is very aware of the times and has been doing this for a long time. 

@TessORdo you have a website or email for this person?

For those that have set up their own taxi/shuttle/driver/transportation or whatever you wanna call it (for sake of conversation, a NON RC purchased excursion) in St Thomas and St Maarten....How difficult was it?  Are they hanging out at the port?  Are their rental cars or even UTV rentals available for half day right at/near the port?

I like the idea of RC purchased excursion because I know they will get us back to ship.  My biggest fear is going off on our own and something happening and we don't make it back to ship!  LOL!

What I would like is a little more freedom to explore and maybe see more than one or two spots.
While I think Maho Beach watching the plane come over would be cool, I don't think I wanna spend money on that RC excursion and that be the only thing we see/do while there.

 I would love to hear from those that have set up their own and I'd also entertain your thoughts on the RC provided tours if you have one that you really liked and gets you to some good sight seeing spots.

@Adriana 1401 Collins Ave

On 10/19/2022 at 1:26 PM, MC17 said:

We will be in Nassau on January 5. I’m tempted to stay on the ship but if we do an excursion it’ll likely be the Atlantis water park. How long are the typical lines this time of year (Jan 5)?

I know this doesn't answer your question but....We went to Nassau/CocoCay January '21...I've read booking a room for 1N at Comfort Suites Paradise Island gives you water park access at Atlantis and is cheaper than the day pass at Atlantis.   https://www.comfortsuitespi.com/

With that posted...do your homework as I have NOT done this and I cannot for 100% certainty say it's factual....  and I'm sure their may be some things to consider...like time you get access to the park, when you could access room (although many say they don't even step foot in room).   Good luck and have fun whatever you do!

Has anyone reading ever stayed at the South Beach Plaza Hotel on Collins Ave in South Beach?  I got a room reserved there for $250 which is absolutely nuts low for South Beach where most places are $400+

The reviews are pretty mixed though and it makes me a little apprehensive vs paying a little more for a chain hotel with pool....Location wise it's superb as it's literally 2 blocks walk to the sand and one block over from Ocean Drive.  Our flight gets in at 10a so we have the whole day to kill....but, it's one night and being right there in close proximity to plenty of things to see during day and places to eat will allow us to Uber there then Uber to port the next day.

Any feedback or personal knowledge (I've read Trip Advisor reviews) would be great to hear from fellow RC Cruisers.

2 hours ago, LJay0301 said:

Thanks for sharing, i have never been to the Bahamas and wanted a passport stamp too, my boyfriend has been serval times so he isnt really interested in the port so at least i can go get a stamp!

 

First time we didn't even get off the ship.  2nd trip we had our teen daughters with us so we did.  Took a taxi over to Atlantis and looked around there.  You can't see all of Atlantis but there's a nice marina there with some really nice boats.  I've read there are several things you can do for free if you just walk a bit.  Queen's Staircase, shopping and some places to eat as well as Junkanoo(sp) Beach.  I also read you can book a room at Comfort Suites Paradise Island and you will have access to the water park at Atlantis.  People say they don't even go in the room since you can't check in til 3p.  Or just use it to change into dry clothes before you head back to ship.   It was cheaper than day passes at Atlantis but we did not end up doing it.  If you're considering that, I'd research it first.