1/26/2013-Fantasy-Eastern including Puerto Rico

[sarbah77]

Anyone that has posted on the first page can edit their posts to include a roll call, FE list or whatever anyone wants or thinks should be included. A post can't be randomly be added since they are posted in date order.

If the original poster of this thread doesn't come back (and I'm not sure when we last saw that person), would you be willing to add a roll call in your post, which is second?!

Okay, let's go for another question:

What port are you most looking forward to? And why?

I admit that, despite asking this question, I'm not sure yet! I've been to Castaway Cay but not the others. That said, Puerto Rico does hold a lot of allure for me. It sounds like such a fascinating area. And I know I love Castaway Cay. We spent our day on Serenity Beach last time and it was wonderful. Except that my dumb husband refused to put on sunblock so the tops of his feet paid the price for a few days. (He'd also refused to buy sunglasses or pack sandals prior to this trip, so we bought them on shore. He's such a goof!)

 

[thrillfan]

I have been to St.Thomas and Castaway Cay before but never San Juan so I guess I will be more excited to see San Juan even though like you sarbah 77 I have not read or seen anything that interest me there.

 

[cblack]

If the original poster of this thread doesn't come back (and I'm not sure when we last saw that person), would you be willing to add a roll call in your post, which is second?!

Okay, let's go for another question:

What port are you most looking forward to? And why?

I admit that, despite asking this question, I'm not sure yet! I've been to Castaway Cay but not the others. That said, Puerto Rico does hold a lot of allure for me. It sounds like such a fascinating area. And I know I love Castaway Cay. We spent our day on Serenity Beach last time and it was wonderful. Except that my dumb husband refused to put on sunblock so the tops of his feet paid the price for a few days. (He'd also refused to buy sunglasses or pack sandals prior to this trip, so we bought them on shore. He's such a goof!)

The first time we go out each summer, my DH says, "I don't need sunscreen." As you might guess based on your experience, he does need sunscreen. Maybe they can burn together in San Juan

I am most excited about Castaway Cay. The water was only a couple feet deep with almost no waves when we were there, and this allowed DD to play without me panicking every minute . It was also neat to walk out really far and get pictures that looked like you were walking on water.

I am intrigued by San Juan. Not sure what we will do there yet Any recommendations?

 

[jilljill]

I'm looking forward to going back to San Juan. I've been there several times, but it's been a long time since I've been there.
Definately want to go to the Bacardi factory, it's changed greatly since I've been there and I can legally drink there this time. LOL!
El Yunque is a neat place to visit, but I would do it with a DCL excursion if they are offering one.

 

[cblack]

I'm looking forward to going back to San Juan. I've been there several times, but it's been a long time since I've been there.
Definately want to go to the Bacardi factory, it's changed greatly since I've been there and I can legally drink there this time. LOL!
El Yunque is a neat place to visit, but I would do it with a DCL excursion if they are offering one.

Are there any good beaches there?

 

[jilljill]

Condado beach is a good area, just not sure how many of the beaches are public now since there are many high priced hotels there. That's where we used to stay.

 

[thrillfan]

I am glad we have someone that has been to San Juan before maybe we can get some advice to what to do and where to go. That may excite me more about going. I just cant find a whole lot about San Juan. Can you tell us about San Juan... hows the shopping, wheres the best place to go. Should we stay with Disney exscursions or is the a company that is safe.... Give us the scoup thanks

 

[cblack]

Condado beach is a good area, just not sure how many of the beaches are public now since there are many high priced hotels there. That's where we used to stay.

Ahhh! That explains it, I couldn't figure out why I couldn't find nice public beaches on an island (felt silly asking too )

I will have to check to see if any of the resorts offer day passes...

 

[sarbah77]

Awww, why all the San Juan hate? It's one of the reasons we picked this ship!

We were originally booked on Oasis of the Seas, with stops in Nassau, St. Thomas, and St. Martin.

Well, I never find much to do in Nassau and the ship leaves at 3. Atlantis waterpark doesn't open until 10 and reports are that it's not enough time for the price you pay. I looked at a walking tour, which looked fun, until I realized we were going to be there on a Sunday. And every tour book I borrowed from the library talked about how everything is closed on Sunday.

Then I looked at the excursions/what to do in St. Martin and St. Thomas and went "meh." Showed my husband, who agreed. We considered the Oasis westbound itinerary, but we couldn't go a week later because of some work deadlines I have.

THEN I looked at the Disney Fantasy. Really, I can get a guarantee for an aft balcony for the same price as the Oasis? With a bigger room and a bigger balcony? (In order to get more people on the ship, you got it, they made the rooms and the balconies smaller. And sort of wedge shaped) Yes, the destination for Oasis of the Seas is Oasis of the Seas, but I wasn't feeling it. And Fantasy skips Nassau, goes to Castaway Cay, which we love, and Puerto Rico which is new and interesting, so we signed up.

(And then we spent this past weekend arguing about what we'd do if his parents DO decide on an Alaskan cruise, since I pointed out that he informed me we'd have to cancel "our" trip to accommodate his parents rather than discuss how we could adjust our budget, either by finding a different "us" trip or whatever. Oh, men)

(I confess; I really DO want to go to Alaska again, but I'm torn about doing it via cruise ship and REALLY torn about being in public with his parents. LOL)

 

[sarbah77]

The first time we go out each summer, my DH says, "I don't need sunscreen." As you might guess based on your experience, he does need sunscreen. Maybe they can burn together in San Juan

The only positive is that I don't have to convince him to wear a hat. It only took one episode in his life to realize that he should not let the top of his head burn. Also, we went to Cedar Point a few weeks ago and I had a spray-on sunblock and he didn't burn all day. Nor did he smell like sunblock. Fingers crossed that he's converted!

(yeah, right! )

 

[jilljill]

When I went to San Juan I was sort of sheltered as we stayed in the Condado Beach area. Shopping there is amazing and full of very high end stores, so very expensive. I do remember walking around Old San Juan and wandering in and out of the little local shops, but keep in mind this was almost 30 years ago and I'm sure many things have changed.
All my trips were taken with my parents and my dad was on business, so we didn't always have lots of time to explore outside the Condado area.
Keep in mind, traffic is horrendous all over the island.


I suggest looking over on www.cruisecritic.com for info on San Juan. That's what I plan on doing.

 

[brookepi]

My experience has been that southwest's flights are cheapest when they come out. When I have purchased opening day flights in the past, the flights were $99 each way ( which is good for Stl to Orlando). When I checked after opening day, the price climbed steadily to $349 each way

Thank again so much!!! You helped us cut our airline budget almost in half

 

[cblack]

Thank again so much!!! You helped us cut our airline budget almost in half

Yay! Were you able to get a good rate? Were the time options good?

The cost for us ended up being $140 each way. I decided to use points instead of dollars, though, so the total cost was about 46,000 points plus $15. Our flight times are ok. We will get to Port Canaveral about 6pm on Friday. This allows us time to go out for a nice breakfast before going to the airport and flying down. We plan on telling DD at breakfast where we are going. Coming home, our flight is at 2. Both are about an hour and a half later than I wanted, but I think they will be great!

Now I just need to figure out car service. Anyone have any tricks on this?

 

[jilljill]

I would get a rental car instead of hiring car service since you are going to PC the night before your cruise. This gives you lots of flexibility and will be cheaper than a car service. Otherwise, you can look in the FAQ sticky under Port Canaveral and click on the link for Shirley's Helpful Hints/Tips for the PC area.

 

[brookepi]

Yay! Were you able to get a good rate? Were the time options good?

The cost for us ended up being $140 each way. I decided to use points instead of dollars, though, so the total cost was about 46,000 points plus $15. Our flight times are ok. We will get to Port Canaveral about 6pm on Friday. This allows us time to go out for a nice breakfast before going to the airport and flying down. We plan on telling DD at breakfast where we are going. Coming home, our flight is at 2. Both are about an hour and a half later than I wanted, but I think they will be great!

Now I just need to figure out car service. Anyone have any tricks on this?

We got great rates at $115 each way and the times work out well too since we are going to have to drive 1hr 45 min to the airport. We end up in MCO a little after 4. Our flight back home worked out well too since we will leave around 1pm.

I am now looking at the car rentals too. I don't seem to be finding the same deals that everyone else finds. I was looking to get a full sized van (to fit 7 people and our luggage) and it is $115 each way I looked on the costco site but that was the cheapest I could find it. I wonder where people get these great car rental deals? Are they renting economy cars? So I have to wait closer to the sail date?

All questions for another day. For now I am going to be over the moon about getting all our tickets for under $700 and NOT having to pay for luggage

Have a great night everyone. Only 200 more days!!

 

[jilljill]

In the FAQ sticky on the main boards look under car rentals and you will see where to look for coupon codes for rentals.
Typically, vans do cost more than cars. Have you thought about renting 2 smaller cars? Even with gas and tolls it could be cheaper than 1 van.

 

[jilljill]

Jilljill - is there anyway to move a post to the beginning of this thread so we can have roll call, FE, and any planned activities or meets in that first post? I would be happy to help with maintaining it if that is an issue.

Found out the OP of this thread is no longer sailing with us. I'm the 2nd person and then it's brookepi. I would rather not maintain the lists on the first page, but if brookepi is willing that would be fine since her post is now the 3 post in the thread. That still keeps things on the first page and I can edit the first post to say to look at post #? for updates.

Does this work for everyone?

 

[thrillfan]

jilljill thats good with me , I am willing to help maintain the list anyway I can. Thank you.

 

[brookepi]

Found out the OP of this thread is no longer sailing with us. I'm the 2nd person and then it's brookepi. I would rather not maintain the lists on the first page, but if brookepi is willing that would be fine since her post is now the 3 post in the thread. That still keeps things on the first page and I can edit the first post to say to look at post #? for updates.

Does this work for everyone?

I can help. What info do you want to start with? I guess we kind of need a new roll call.

 

[sarbah77]

I can help. What info do you want to start with? I guess we kind of need a new roll call.

Brookepi, if you'd like, I can go through our roll call and gather everyone's names/info and post it, so you can copy it in to your post. What do you think?

Today's question! If you haven't yet posted an intro, please, do so! We don't need full names, if you don't want to post them, since this is a public forum. Who are you? How many of you are sailing?! What state/country are you from?!