Taraks Travels

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!

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

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.

@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

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.

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.

That seems about what I remember from January when we were there...It might even be in that smaller building to the left of where you circled...I honestly don't remember. It was a LONG walk from the ship and it was a day when a cold front swooped down south and it was only about 60 degrees and it was chilly that day!

@PeloAlI see they have the 3 night dining option for $102 right now. Chops+1 was $85 and one night specialty was like $54...the current price for 3 nights is not bad at all...kinda like a buy 2 get 1 free, if you will.

We only did MDR one night of the 6 nights we were on board Freedom for our two previous cruises and had My Time dining....I think it's just that...you make your reservation with them at the time you want or just show up and they will seat you when they can. With that, I guess you and your friends just talk to concierge and they will likely work with you and seat you at table together, I would think?

When you get off the ship in Nassau and make the walk towards where the taxis are....there is a building you can go in and get passport stamped.

@KimVI actually found a deco hotel (South Beach Plaza Hotel) on Collins Ave, 2 blocks walk from the beach for one night for $230. The reviews are mixed but we are only there for 1 night and our flight gets in early the day before the cruise so we will drop our bags and walk to the beach or stroll Ocean drive.

We just booked with MEI and Kathy Geiger was great! Our first time using MEI... I asked a ton of questions and she responded to every one of them. Kathy Geiger| [email protected] - (509) 531-6500

@MattG @asquared17 We got our deposit paid this weekend and are on deck 12 courtesy of our TA... Thank you for the info....Makes me feel a better about our choice!

We got our booking deposit paid over the weekend and have CP Balcony Room on 12th floor. Looking forward to this one! @mike2608 We love Chops! Had fantastic service on Freedom the 2x we sailed on it. Thinking about popping for the 3 al a carte option since it's only $102 right now...that's like buy 2 get 1 free! Considering Chops +1 is $85...you might look at the 3 night dining option.

I appreciate all the comments. For budgeting purposes, we have decided to do the Central Park balcony. We'd love to have ocean balcony (did that for our first ever 3N to CocoCay) and had interior promenade view for the 2nd with our daughters but again, budget is driving this one. Looking forward to this (Just waiting on my TA to get back to me with final pricing and we'll be sending our deposit!

Working on booking this one for my Wife and I. We've been on Freedom 2x and hopefully this works out for us for our 3rd RC adventure.

Looks like my Wife and I are gonna book Symphony for February 2023 to St Marten, St Thomas and CocoCay out of Miami on 2/25 . Would like to hear your experience with these balcony cabins. Pros and cons. We’re also considering ocean view forward facing but like the idea of balcony for fresh air. Concerns are noise at Boardwalk and being right across from other cabins in the Central Park ones. Thank you in advance

We celebrated my 50th and my Daughter's 16th at Chops on our 3N in February of this year. My Wife talked with guest services ahead of time about it and they brought out a really nice cake for us....so yes, I think you can get something done.

We got PDCC Waterpark passes for the 4 of us for our Sailing this coming weekend (PDCC 1/30). I only paid $46/pp for it...I have considered cancelling them but think I'm gonna ride it out and see. I did cancel our Nassau Catamaran for Saturday morning as the weather.com report states: Windy with a few showers in the morning then partly cloudy in the afternoon. High around 70F. Winds NW at 25 to 35 mph. Chance of rain 30%. Winds could occasionally gust over 50 mph.

For our 3N sailing 1/31, Atlantis just got added to the Nassau Excursions...it's $199/pp . Have read you can book room for a night at Comfort Inn and Suites Paradise Island for about $350/night and have access to Atlantis water park.

That stinks and is my worry right now for our departure next Friday 1/31. I officiate HS Basketball and have been in so many different gyms over the last month. I have tested at home 2x in the past week and been negative so hopefully it stays that way. My Wife works in the dental field so there's concern it could happen with her too. Fingers crossed and hope you get something rescheduled for down the road.