Michel

Have a great cruise !!

Forgot to say, my balcony was on the right side of the ship, deck eleven. 

I was on Allure, in january this year, also western Carribean.

I can tell you that the ship will ALWAYS be docked on is starboard side (right) in Labadee. The ship also backs up to the pier in Falmouth, so also docked on starboard side. 

Cozumel is a guess, 2 out 3 will be docked on starboard side. 

Nachi Cocum is great. Was there in jan. 2016. it's $55 per person and all inclusive. 

Good pool, great bar, sublime food and excellent service ! 

I was in Port Everglades early january also for the Allure on a sunday.

We arrived at the port at 9h50 am and proceeded into the main building. The security check point was not wet open and we had to wait in line for a few minutes. The lines were short and I consider that arriving before 9h30 does not do any good there. The security control opened a few minutes later and then the check-in process was quite quick. 

 

We were upstairs in the sitting area at 10h20 and the boarding began at 11h15. We were on the ship at noon and enjoying our first drink 5 minutes later !!

 

So bottom line is; I don't think getting there before 10h00 will make a big difference, but you want to be upstairs when they begin  boarding so you can enjoy your cruise ship asap. 

I took a taxi from FLL the first day and cost me  23$, and the taxi back to FLL on last day cost only 13$ (more waiting time the first day) 

 

Have a nice cruise my friend ! 

It maybe a minority opinion here but I believe nothing in most ports can equal the ships. Some many people look for great things to do in these ports when the best thing overall in the port is the ship. I love port days on the ship because it is a great time to enjoy the ship.

 

Being able to walk around and have a empty ship is its own reward. You can also find something to do around the port for very low or no costs. For those on a budget if you cut out the extras on the average cruise and saved those funds it would be cost to the cost of another cruise in many cases.  

 

I sooooo agree with you ! The ship itself is a destination. During port days,I like to read the cruise compass and try new things, new activities.  

Probably Eastern Caribbean on Oasis class ship in december 2017 or/and the 9nt southern route (same has FloatMe) january 2018 on Navigator

Only the two big screen in the Aqua Theater. Nothing on the upper decks for now. 

And I found watching a movie there was quite unconfortable. 

$100 for great service??......I can't think of anything they could do extra that they don't already do that is worth that!

 

I agree, I had terrific services from my room attendant with absolutely not tip until the very last night. 

Somewhere on this Blog I saw a drink menu posted and most drinks were $12.00 each except for the Drink of the Day special which was $8.00 per drink.  Our cruising buddies just called RCCL and inquired on drink prices and were told they averaged $5.75 a drink.  PLEASE somebody who has cruised recently please tell us how much they REALLY are, if you don't buy a drink package.  ALSO, someone said the drink packages could be used in the ports...in this true?  We will be cruising Liberty of the Seas on 2/28/16.  Thanks

 

Hi, I was on the Allure a few weeks ago and I can tell you that only the beer average around $ 5.75.

All other frozen  drinks (daiquiri, pina colada) and/or mix are more like $ 12.00 each. But I had the premium package so did not really worried about the price. 

I had the premium package on the Allure 3 weeks ago and I LOVED IT ! 

Had a fancy drink on the rising tide bar that was around 14$ each.

I would never had that drink if it wasn't included in the package. 

Go for it !

Had a few bottles of water in my carry on 3 weeks ago in Port Everglades and had no problem.

Never in my 10 cruises have I been alerted to anything....price drops or upgrades.

 

I do it the old fashioned way of checking each day...lol.

Did the same thing (check every day) last year for my Allure cruise in january 2016 and got 2 Premium package totally free. 

I have done Nachi Cocum 3 weeks ago and agree with the above comments ! 

Taxi is 17 $ from the international cruise port, the place is clean and it's all inclusive. 

But it is not a party place. No loud music, no party's. The food and the service is great.

Last week at Port Everglades, terminal 18, my taxi driver pulled my 2 checked luggages out of the trunk and also my 2 carry on. 

The porter stood on the curb watching him do all the work. So I tipped the taxi driver 5$ and gave 2$ to the porter. 

My luggage were at my stateroom door in early after noon, so... 

 

And since were in the tipping topic, I tipped the beach waiter at Labadee (the one that walks around with Labadoozie souvenir cup) last week.

He promise to come back and "check on me" but I never saw him again !? So much for tipping....

Are these beaches all within walking distance?

Yes they are. About 15 min walk for the furthest one. But there is a shuttle boat to that beach (If weather permited) 

that was going to be my second question then. so if I have a drinks package I can use it on the island?

 

Yes the drinks package works on Labadee, the only surcharge is if you buy the souvenir cup for your labadoozie. ( 3.95$)

I couldn't believe the deal I  found for airfare out of Halifax for my cruise out of San Juan...it was about $330 return USD......amazing.....that's crazy to think about $165 each way in USD.....never seen that in 15 years of travels!!

 

Glad I waited to book as previously flights were over $600 USD return and higher out of Moncton.

Good for you my friend ! Hey were leaving soon ! If your in Fort Lauderdale saturday night (jan 9)  and want to grab a beer somewhere, and want to learn more about Quebec... just reply to this message, or text me @ 819-212-5484. I have a rental car, so can meet anywere. I travel with my girlfriend Lynda. 

 

Have a safe cruise ! 

Michel

Google map estimated at 34 min walk. 

But you will most likely have a ride

Anybody else going Jan 7 Brilliance out of Tampa?  We're newbies and looking for people in the "know". ;)

Rob & Cindy

Sorry my friend, first cruise for me to, but sailling out of Fort Lauderdale on jan 10. On Allure.

Maybe well meet in Falmouth or Cozumel ! 

We went there several years ago when in Ocho Rios.  Rather than taking a taxi, we took an excursion that sailed us there in a catamaran.  It was nice seeing the country via the shoreline.

 

I like your idea ! Although very much expensive, but looks very exciting going by catamaran. 

I did the Dunn's River Falls years ago while staying at  a resort, so not quite the same.

 

But based on my experiences with travelling...if you take a taxi alone, you defn will not save money compared to booking it with a group.

 

As for not wanting to do the shopping, eating part I don't think there will be any way to avoid that if you book with a group.

 

So it comes down to how much extra you want to spend to avoid the things you DON'T want to do.

 

The other thing is Falmouth is a fairly new port and not much around that area, so not sure how easy or cheap it is to grab a cab to go somewhere unlike when in Nassau or Cozumel etc.

 

I will be there in 35 days'ish....I can let you know once back as I don't plan on going anywhere when in Falmouth but I always like to research and ask and look around so I know what my options are for the next time I visit.

 

Thank you very much monctonguy for sharing your experience.

I might just do like you did and wait until I'm in a resort while in vacancy in Jamaica. I'm going to be in Falmouth january 13 on the Allure. One day ahead of you I beleive ! Hope you have a great cruise ! 

Maybe you can watch the Allure leave Port Everglade on January 10 !? 

Well, if you made any typos, I certainly don't see them !!  Well done !

Thank you very much !

And thank you for your good advice. I'm not a fan of that kind of hard selling technique, so I might just stay in port or book a tour. 

Hello to all in the forum

 

My question is regarding the dunns river falls excursion. I will be in Falmouth in january 2016 and still haven't decide what to do there.

For those of you who actually went to dunns river falls. Have you ever considered the option of going on your own ? I mean with a cab taxi or private driver ? 

 

I'm interested at doing only the falls, no restaurants, no shopping, no bull...... So I looked at the excursion on my cruise planner page and only found one that's Dunns river falls transfer (AKA Dunns express) but the reviews are not that good, so I'm wondering, what if I can do all that by myself ? Plan everything and just take a taxi ! 

 

Would I save any money ?

Would I be back in time to the ship ? 

Is the driver gonna wait for me at the falls ?

 

Any of you did that excursion on your own ?

Is that to risky ?

 

Thanks, Michel

P.s..excuse the typo, my first language is french.  

 

Possible that it was done as a drunk dare. Those events are for those who like to live on the wild side. 

I agree, drugs or alcohol might have played a role. 

So sad, one must be in a great mental distress to do that.