Jillbus

I rented a car in Aruba and visited several beaches and also made a dinner reservation at a local restaurant.  Took a catmaran cruise before dinner.

LOVED Aruba.  Curacao, took a bus tour that stopped for lunch and snorkeling.  Curacao is hands down one of my favorite ports, so gorgeous and the snorkeling was phenomenal!

Kummelwick, escargot, Mushroom soup in Chops, French Onion soup in MDR, pumpkin seed rolls...

Thanks Matt!

My DW and I will be taking a 7 Night to the  Southern Caribbean. We LOVE to snorkel and would like some insight on these ports:

San Juan, Puerto Rico; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Basseterre, St. Kitts; St. John's, Antigua; Castries, St. Lucia; Bridgetown, Barbados; San Juan, Puerto Rico 

Thank you!

Just wanted to add my two cents.  Larger ships absolutely better, cabin location makes quite a difference, we take 1 Bonine in the morning, just in case, and bought sea bands to sleep with.  Years ago I also have candied ginger, but was fine.  We have never really had any problems except last year we had a cabin at the very back of the ship and could feel the motion of the ocean.  Drink and eat enough and you will be fine!  Seriously though, if you start to feel bad try a green apple!

We mostly cruise the Caribbean and have really had no problems.  However, when we cruise to Alaska we really felt it, which seemed odd as it wasnt really open waters.  A lot of people were quite sea sick on that one.

Anyway, I think you will be fine.  Bonine and sea bands, you will be good to go!

I'd say roughly 11:30/12 to 1:30/2 is the most crowded. My goal is to always arrive before 11, with 10:30 being the sweet spot for me.

10:30 is our preferred time to arrive as well!

 

 

 

5. The Nassau 7am-2pm stop is relatively short.  Is it possible to get a city tour and beach time in?  Please share your Nassau tour guide info.

 

Having been to Nassau a couple of times, I would not book anything.  When you get off the ship and out of the port area head left.  Its a bit of a walk but you can go to an area call the fish fry.  It is an area with a bunch of restaurants.  Its great.  Most offer a free Bahama Mama or rum punch or something when you order.  Go have some fresh conch or other seafood, a nice free drink, so wi-fi if you need it and then on the way back you pass Junkanoo beach.  Its a free beach and the water is beautiful!  Stop for a swim and then you can hit some shops on the way back if you still have time.

Enjoy!

 

I've been looking at private excursions in both Roatan and Belize.  We have 4 kids 17, 13, 10 and 5.  BTW, all my kids are good swimmers and I'd bring my own gear from the younger 2.  I've been doing some research on Roatan snorkeling and it seems that I could go to West End and try to snorkel off the beach there but it may be crowded.  Now I'm looking at private snorkeling companies that would take us out in a small groups.  Any companies that you'd recommend? 

 

Now for Belize, cave tubing.bz is the only one with 40"height requirement that would work for us.  Any experience with this company?  I worry about doing a tender port with a private company.  Is the cave tubing worth the stress and long drive?

My wife and I did cave tubing in Belize and used cave.tubing.bz.  We took some friends with us as well and they had 7 year old triplets at the time.  The man who owns the company is VERY SERIOUS about making sure you get back in time for the ship.  The drive didn't feel long because it was interesting with a lot to see.  Belize is very 3rd world, but it was still really neat to see.  The cave tubing and hike through the jungle were great.  They take REALLY good care of you and pay extra attention to the kids.  Your tubes will be connected to your kid's tubes.  I would say to definitely use this company!  By the way, the lunch and rum punch on the way back to the ship, are GREAT!  Let me know if you have more questions!

Yep!  It was actually really easy!  I also rebooked Givonni's @ %30 off!  Great deals today!  Now we both have VOOM.  We are limiting our use though.  Don't want to be tied to the internet when on a cruise! 20 days til we sail!  Getting so excited!

I have already paid for two drink packages and one Voom for my wife.  Is there a way to cancel and re-book?  My cruise planner is showing the sip and surf deal!

If you book a specific sailing, there are much more lucrative onboard credit offers than if you make an open booking (NextCruise Certificate).  Keep in mind you can book something in the future, but have the option to change that sailing later on and retain the onboard booking bonus.

Thank you this is very helpful!!!

I have had a RCCL Visa for a year and half and was able to build up enough for a 7 day cruise for 2.  So I guess for us it is worth it.

We love the IOS.  Sailing on her for a second time in March.  Love the Solarium, cantilevered hot tubs, Solarium bar, Champagne bar, Vintages, Dog and Badger pub,  Labyrinth night club, Chops, the shows, the shops, oh just everything!

I love the Liberty because we got engaged on her.  I am excited to sail IOS though in 27 days for the second time.

It will be the first time we have repeated a ship!

When you book in advance and put down a deposit, do you have specify a particular sailing ?  I realize that may sound like a dumb question, but I'd really like to book while on board the IOS in March, but with kids we aren't always sure exactly when we will be able to go.  Also, are the payments monthly or in large lump sums at specified times?  Any information would be greatly appreciated!