Mike T

2 hours ago, ScooterScott22 said:

It has been a few years since we have been to Nassau and even longer since we stopped in for the passport stamp.  So this may not be totally accurate. 

After you walk off the pier area, I recommend to not follow the crowd.  Most people seem to go straight or to the right out towards the tours and taxi's.  There is a small gate along the left that is manned by a guard/military/police.  It looks like you cannot use that but we asked and they let us through.  Right outside of that is a governmental building and they do (or did) the passport stamps.  As you enter the building make a right and the room is about halfway down the hall on the right.

 

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!

On 10/8/2022 at 3:01 PM, PeloAl said:

I’ll have to do the math but I don’t think it’ll be beneficial as we’re a party of 4 so it adds up quickly. 

@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.

On 10/17/2022 at 2:03 PM, KimV said:

For those that have stayed near the airport the night before a cruise in Miami, are there things to do in that area?  We have always stayed near the cruise port and enjoyed walking to Bayside but the cost for the hotels downtown have really gone up.  Just looking for hotel recommendations and what might be in the area.

@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.

20 hours ago, Michelle Barker said:

Thanks. Have you done this yourself? How do you get the discount when you don't actually "check in" or stay at the hotel? I assume check in is around 2:00or so but I'd want to go to Atlantis in the morning. 

I have NOT.  I have read it in several places when looking for was to cut expenses to Atlantis.  When I messaged the Comfort they advised that they couldn't guarantee the wristbands for Atlantis until about 11a and then the room would be able to be checked in at 3pm.....so that would still give plenty of time.  I want to say on our 1/31 cruise the ship doesn't leave Nassau until 9pm!  Honestly, I probably wouldn't even go to the room?! 

3 hours ago, Termin8or13 said:

All I see are “price ranges” because prices vary ship to ship. I would like to know the actual price for my cruise for planning purposes. My cruise is still a year out!

Mariner of the Seas.

You can always purchase at a price you're comfortable with and if it goes down, call and cancel and then rebuy at the lower price.

18 hours ago, Michelle Barker said:

Anyone gone to Atlantis to use their water park recently? I know Royal isn't offering it as an excursion right now but i think you can buy tickets on Atlantis's website, then you find your own transportation. I'd just hate to buy the tickets just to find out we can't use their facilities right now.

The Comfort Inn & Suites (I think that is the one) on Paradise Island ...you can book a room for a night and get access to Atlantis water park.  When I priced Atlantis for our trip, it was $190/pp x 4 of us...the Comfort was about $350 so it was a significant savings.

Anyone booked a room at Comfort Suites Paradise Island for 1 night simply to gain access to Atlantis? Atlantis Day Passes are $190pp...a room for 4 at Comfort would be about $300.

Just curious if you were able to get your wristbands for Atlantis well in advance of the 3pm check in time at the Comfort? 

I probably won't even set foot in the room as we're just looking for better cost to utilize the Atlantis water park.

Does anyone know which Is usually the formal Night in a 3 Night cruise?  I cannot remember from the last time we went. 

Wife and I are contemplating the Alaska Glacier Cruise in July 2022.  I have a few things I'm curious about...

We have been on one 3N to the Bahamas (and taking our teens in January as part of Christmas gift)...For me, that cruise is a chill out, relax, enjoy the pool on board and the islands.  I see Alaska as more of a sightseeing type of cruise and being more "busy" at the scheduled ports during the days.

I'm stating the obvious here but I guess a balcony with view is the right choice for this geographic area....

What is the temperature up there like in July on the ship?  When I think of Alaska, I think of cold weather (and I'm a warm weather guy!)  I would assume I'm not gonna be in the pool on board on sea days(?)  and maybe wearing long pants for most of this cruise and going to need to pack long sleeves and a hoodie?  I'm not trying to be silly but I'm curious.

Seeing as I'm a beach dude and enjoy just hanging out I know this would be completely different trip at the port stops, than say CocoCay Bahamas where I'm just chilling for the day.  What types of excursions are offered and any that those have been on would highly recommend?

I appreciate your input and insights as we look for another adventure!

We were on Freedom the first week in October for 3N...Windjammer was open for dinner.  We're going back at end of January with the kids and I truly hope for my picky teenager's sake Windjammer is open for dinner! 

Will be cruising in January...Nassau is one of the stops.  We'd like to check out Atlantis this time.  The Day Passes at Atlantis that I've been able to find, were like $175 and we have 4 of us!   I have read somewhere if you purchase a room at the hotel across the street from Atlantis (?) you get rights to the water park at Atlantis.  I want to say maybe it was the Comfort Inn?  Obviously we wouldn't really need the room as we'd have to be back on the ship at end of day....Has anyone done this recently and can confirm this will work if you book a single night at this other property?

So, I'm working on expenses for our January cruise.  My question is not about the daily cost as it is so much surrounding calculating the number of days I'm paying for a beverage package or internet....

So, for our 3N cruise in January...am I paying for 4 days worth or 3? Anybody know?  Thanks in advance!

When we were there in October, I had my own gear (minus the vest) ...they gave me a vest to use free of charge.  I did have to wait in line to sign for it and that process was a bit slow.