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packercruising

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Posts posted by packercruising

  1. On 8/11/2019 at 8:37 AM, WannaCruise said:

    Lots of discussions on drink packages...especially lately with the $18 "sale" / "error" and now with the crazy $$$ price.

    Royal definitely made money on us with the $18 error.  We had never gotten the drink package before, but when two of our cruises next year had the $18 price (or $23 CAD for us), we jumped on it.  Typically, DH gets the soda package, we bring wine on board and the rest we purchase a la carte.  But for that price, to be able to try any drink + coffees + water + soda for DH, it's a no brainier.

    But then it got us thinking...our 2 cruises next year with the $18 cost are with our kids so will definitely watch how much we drink.  But...DH and I have a 6 night cruise in Dec where it's just the 2 of us.  That would have been the perfect cruise to have gotten the $18 drink package.  We did the calculations at $62 CAD and he would break even,  but I would not.  (This was just before the recent price hike)

    But kept thinking...it would be nice.  It would let us try new drinks without thinking about it.  There are so many neat cocktails, and can give different wines a try. If don't like anything, then order something else. Or if I've had half of the drink and it's enough, then no worries.  Toss the rest away.  DH also loves beer, scotch and other type alcohol.  I'm the type that would stick to the drinks that I know so would be a nice perk of the package.  And then you have the fancy coffees, etc that we typically wouldn't purchase (DH maybe, but I wouldn't).   Having said all that, I'm not a big drinker...would probably have 3-4 drinks (and fancy coffees, water) + any extras that I tried but maybe didn't love.  But...we went ahead and purchased it.  So now, all because of the $18 error, we have purchased the DBP for 3 cruises.

    Anyone purchase the package more for the convenience than the savings?

    P.S. - I've started a spreadsheet of great drinks to try. ?

    For my wife, it is worth it, but I am a beer drinker. I probably do not break even, but the question was about convenience and I love the convenience of it.

  2. We watch some runners from our balcony once. They were allowed on the ship, but it delayed departure. Hard to feel sorry for someone like that. It might help if the ship time was the same as port time. Last Feb. Ship time was 1 hr different from port time in Belize. Made it confusing for catching our excursion. But what the heck, they have Belikan Beer! If you get to Belize there is an awesome woodcarver there. The best shopping is behind pier 4 where the locals are.

  3. Welcome to cruising and to the forum! Usually I would say that flying in the day of departure is a bad idea, but this is obviously an exception. Considering the distance, it is probably a direct flight? Lots of good ideas here. The carryon only idea is really good, if you pack right. Also, have all your documentation. Someone mentioned a private car. That would be more expensive, but might be worth it for you.

  4. 17 hours ago, Vanessa77 said:

    January is the middle of summer here, so you can expect temperatures anywhere between 25 and 40 degrees Celsius. Normally the south would be cooler, but during summer it’s just bloody hot everywhere. Except maybe Tasmania. In Queensland it will be hot, but the worst part will be the humidity. North of Brisbane is tropical region, so expect 70%+ on the humidity scale. 

    Really, shops closed on Tuesday? I’ve never heard of that. Restaraunts closing Monday isn’t unheard of, but never heard of shops closed Tuesday. But then again I’m generally working so.... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 

    i am going to noumea in December and their local market will be closed the day we’re there. Pretty bummed about that ?

    We were on an excursion that included that included a forest and then shopping in a small town. The forest was terrific, but we only got 1/2 hour there. We got to the town and most of the shops were closed. Probably those little towns can't afford to have shops open every day. The ship was supposed to let them know we were coming, but someone dropped the ball. We had a good time, though. 

  5. 4 minutes ago, LandstromCruise said:

    As far as weather is coming in January a good time?  Is there any areas in Australia or New Zealand that a more chilly at that time of year? 

    It's their July, so think hot! We were there in March

    9 hours ago, Vanessa77 said:

    Haven’t been on my fist cruise yet, but I am Australian and have done quite a bit of travel around the country, so I can at least comment on that! 

    The commenter above mentioned Australia zoo, and I can’t reccomend it highly enough. I live in Melbourne where we have a great zoo, but Australia zoo is something else. Do not miss the midday show. It blew me away. 

     

    Our favorite port (Other than Sydney), was Adelaide. Beautiful city. They even had a band great us as we came in to port. I became a Adelaide Crows fan during that cruise. ? Melboure was a disappointment as we were there on a Tuesday and apparently shops like to close on Tuesdays. Poor planning on the ships part.

  6. Even if you select My Time Dining, you can eat in the same Dining Room every night. The advantage is, you can change your seating if you want. You might want to check out photos of the 4 dining rooms mentioned and choose you preference based on that.

  7. On 7/17/2019 at 1:18 PM, IRMO12HD said:

    @packercruising What ship were you on?  I understand that the larger ships go through a separate channel because the original channel is too small?  Do you know if you can see the other channel/ships?

    We were on NCL Star. It was in 2011, before there was an expansion to the locks. I would suggest a smaller sip so you go through the original locks, but that is just an opinion. Whatever works best for you. It is something you will be really glad you did.

  8. On 7/14/2019 at 3:04 PM, tonyfsu21 said:

    We have been all over the Caribbean and this is my personal list of “stay on/ get off” ports:

    1. Nassau- stay on the ship. Mostly dumpy with few exceptions at the mega resorts for day passes.

    2. Cozumel- Get off. Lots to see and do. Great snorkeling, diving, beaches and a safe downtown. Also- rent a Jeep and tour the island perimeter road stopping at light house. 

    3. Falmouth- stay on the ship. Not safe, dumpy, constantly hassled for tip money. Dunn’s river falls just not worth the BS. 

    4. San Juan- get off. Great walking downtown and shopping. Fort is pretty neat to check out. 

    5. Labadee- get off. Great beach day. Dragon line zip line is great! Safe & fun.

    6. Coco Cay- get off. Our personal favorite so far. Lots to do, awesome pool! 

    7. St Maarten- get off. Nice walk to the downtown shopping from ship. Nice beach and bars/food service located on beach! Maho beach is an experience and a drink at the sunset bar is a must.

    8. St Thomas- get off. Bus to fabulous Meagan’s bay beach!! 

    9. Costa Maya- get off. Pool area right off pier makes for a nice day. Never left that area so can’t comment on the rest of the port. Mainland Yucatán is always a roll of the dice though IMHO. 

    Good list, except we stay on a Labadee. We don't do beaches. #3 goes for all Jamaica ports for us. I agree that getting off the ship doesn't have to include an excursion. 

  9. We did a 15 day from Los Angeles to Tampa. If you do one, do the entire route. Some itineraries go half way and then turn back. It was terrific. We lucked out and had port side a balcony, which happened to be the side that allowed us the best view of the locks. Also, do some reading. There is a fascinating book, that is well worth the time.

    The Path Between the Seas: The Creation of the Panama Canal, 1870-1914
  10. There may be other restaurants that serve free breakfast too, but I am not familiar with Explorer. We generally end up at WJ. They have a terrific breakfast buffet, so it is quick. There are also stations so you can have omelets or eggs made to order. We eat late too. MDR is often not serving. We have tried it but their service has not been as good, especially if you are a coffee drinker. 

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