jaedam0820

We are going on a 7N Western Caribbean cruise. How much cash do you think we need to bring? We would bring anything that we possibly could need while on board, and our dining/drinking packages have been paid in advance.The only things we intend to buy are souvenirs. Do you suggest that we use the local money or USD would do?

Just an update, ours got validated in about 18hrs. Glad it didn't take them that long. Just the covid test and we're all good. Thank you everyone for your replies!

I accidentally uploaded my VC instead of my hubby's, under his profile. I called CS and told me to reupload. They didn't tell me when it would get validated. I assume they can just verify it upon check-in if it doesn't get verified on time. I refused to get stressed over it. Thank you all for your replies.

I didn't realize until now that we had to upload a copy of our vaccination records in the app. How soon do they get validated? What happens if it doesn't get validated until embarkation day?

10 minutes ago, Snowchaser said:

Taxi is set price of $27 for 1 or a family and you can get a van for that price too.  Uber is a couple dollars cheaper but for me the taxi is just easier with it being right outside the terminal door.

We'd probably be best with a van since we are three with at least 4 luggages. Thank you for the info!

11 minutes ago, AshleyDillo said:

It is very easy. There are people outside with signs for shuttle services that you can walk up to. There's also a taxi line. Additionally you can use Uber or Lyft or purchase an airport transfer through the cruiseline while onboard.

Oh this is great info! Thank you so  much!

Is catching a taxi easy from the port going to the airport? Do you have any suggestions on how to go from port to the airport on disembarkation day? Is it ideal to book a taxi service beforehand?

Our 7N Caribbean cruise would be the longest we'd be out in the sun. We have excursions on port days too. Based on your experience, how many sunscreen lotions/sprays is needed for 2 adults and 1 kid? 

2 hours ago, AshleyDillo said:

This is up to the discretion of the captain. Sometimes they have you adjust your time on a sailing and other times they don't change it and you remain on the same time as the embarkation time zone.

As for excursions through the cruise line, the time will be based whatever the ship's time is.

Make sure that if you use the cell phone for time that you adjust it to stay on the ship's time.

Got it! Thank you so much for the clarification

For the excursions, do they follow the ship time or the local time? Is it advisable to change adjust the time on my wristwatch according to the local time and keep the ship time on my cellphone? Or it wouldn't matter since ship time follows the local time?

Is there a chance that there would still be available day beds at Cococay even after the website says it's sold out?

17 minutes ago, DunkelBierJay said:

To board as early as possible, you could get there a few minutes before 12:30 pm where the staff at the terminal will check for your set sail pass, vax card, negative test and passport. They will allow you to enter and go up the escalator where you will check in after running through security. Boarding may already be in progress, or you may need to wait a little bit. There will be an announcement and a mass exodus for the ship...just follow the crowd. Your SeaPass card will be next to your stateroom door on the room number, and you are good to go. You should have access to your stateroom by 1:00 pm or 1:30 pm. You can use the barcode on your set sail pass to make purchases at the bar if you like. None of the other shops will be open at that time.

Thank you so much for the detailed explanation. Really appreciate it!

11 minutes ago, luiiismdo said:

 

Thank you!

We would be embarking from Port of Miami. What are the step-by-step procedures upon arrival at the port? Also, we already have a setsail pass which says our check-in time is at 12:30pm. Is this when we check in at the port and but still different from boarding time (like checking-in to a flight and waiting at the airport gate for boarding at a specific time)? Or once we check-in, we board immediately? TIA.

Thank you so much for all your input. I will keep everything in mind!

So I had no idea about the importance of making reservations at the MDR so the earliest I was able to book is 7pm for our dinners. Can we try to go at an earlier time before our reservation? What is the best time to go if it is possible? I have a 3yr old and we normally have our dinners at 5:30-6pm at home. Will there be a penalty if we go for an earlier dinner time and cancel our reservation?

1 hour ago, Matt said:

You don't need a tourist card for your cruise ship visits to any port in Mexico.

Oh ok. Thank you!

Hi! How do we avail and where to get the tourist card for Mexico? We will be in Cozumel and Costa Maya. Do I need to get a tourist card per city in Mexico that we will visit? What are the requirements? Do toddlers also need to have one? Thank you in advance. 

40 minutes ago, Reigert2008 said:

While you will "probably" be ok, In my opinion, it's best to have the reef safe "in case" the excursion vendor checks your sunscreen when you pull it out of your bag to apply.  Of course, they can't check what you put on in your cabin before you arrive, but  once you are on the excursion, you may fall subject to rules, regulations, and fines in the other country.

 

For us, it's just easier to have it and use it and never have to think about it.

Do they check the sunscreen even though we won't snorkel? The only excursion we would be participating in would be the semi sub panorama in Roatan and aviary in Costa Maya. The sunscreen mostly would be used while on the ship and by the beachside on port days.

36 minutes ago, Reigert2008 said:

We've seen it listed on a few excursions, but so far no one has checked.  We purchased some for our last cruise and as we use up the "bad stuff" we will only buy the reef safe versions for ease of travel.

I didn't think it would be required so I bought the normal sunblock lotions we'd been using for years. I'd look around in Amazon. Thank you for replying!

36 minutes ago, Vlad said:

Max reef safe goes up to SPF 50, I've seen 70 once , but without those ingredients, sunblock isn't really working the same way. You're much more likely to get burned, especially if you don't apply it completely like they suggest, every 80 min. 

I'm not sure if links from Amazon allowed here. Or that's advertisement? 

Can give you couple to choose from. 

I've looked at Amazon for reef safe sunblocks and the most I've seen is SPF70. Wish there's something higher than 70. Thank you. I will look around.

1 hour ago, ChanaC said:

I don't think they are checking and confiscating any non reef safe sunscreens, but they may only sell reef safe stuff on the ship and at Coco Cay and Ladadee. For what it's worth though, a lot of big brand sunscreen makers like Neutrogena and Banana Boat have started making reef safe products. Take a look at the ingredients, and I believe anything that doesn't include the ingredients Oxybenzone and Octinoxate are considered safe, even if it's not advertised on the bottle. 

I didn't know this until now. Thank you so much. Would look into it.

9 minutes ago, Spang1974 said:

I am assuming you mean something for sea sickness that doesn't cause drowsiness? Try ginger tablets, or green apples? 

Yes! They sound perfect! My toddler likes green apples. Thank you for the suggestion!

Do you have any recommendations for anti-drowsy meds for toddlers while on cruise? Dramamine makes my 3yr old sleepy.

I just watched a YT cruise vlog and it was mentioned there that only reef safe sunblock screens are allowed? Is this true or just normal sunscreen products are ok? This is my first time cruising and I hate to jeopardize it for not following regulations.