biggest disappointment

[ganurse]

what was your biggest disappointment on the easter carribbean cruise? this is not bring the happiest down but to help us learn!

 

[NCRedding]

I loved our Eastern cruise, but the biggest disappointment to be was the cabana massage on CC. It was my first massage, so I didn't realize that it wasn't supposed to hurt. The attendant asked me if I was cringing because I was tender or shy. When I said "tender", she said that I needed this and began massaging harder. I was sore for days. I have since had other massages, and realized that I should have told her that it hurt.

 

[callahanjulie10]

I am not sure what this poster is looking for. We haven't been disappointed in the Eastern at all and we have been 3 times. We didn't enjoy the Western as much as the Eastern just because the islands themselves are more expensive but we have been twice!
What I wish DCL would think about doing though is to annually change so things on the ship so that repeat cruisers would have a couple of new experiences to look forward too. Of course- this does't keep me or my family from cruising- just a suggestion! We have #6 booked

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Originally posted by NCRedding
I loved our Eastern cruise, but the biggest disappointment to be was the cabana massage on CC. It was my first massage, so I didn't realize that it wasn't supposed to hurt. The attendant asked me if I was cringing because I was tender or shy. When I said "tender", she said that I needed this and began massaging harder. I was sore for days. I have since had other massages, and realized that I should have told her that it hurt.

That's terrible, NCRedding!

 

[westjones]

We haven't gone yet, but my BIGGEST disappointment that I have found out since booking is that on the morning of St. Thomas everyone has to get off of the ship very early!

I don't know how horrible this is going to be, but it sounds horrible. I don't see us booking another Eastern cruise again after this one. I hate mornings! And I really hate the idea of being on vacation and being told I have to get up and get off of the ship when I would rather sleep in and enjoy a nice calm breakfast!

DJ

 

[outahere]

Westjones.......

You don't have to leave the ship in St. Thomas, but everyone must report to the Immigration folks early. Once you've gone to see them, you can go back to bed, go have breakfast, or whatever you like.

 

[Sue Sullivan]

You don't need to get off the ship, but you do need to meet with immigration officials. After the meeting, you can go back to bed ifyou wish. Sounds crazy to me too, but what can you do?

 

[ClarabelleCow]

since the "special sailing" I'm doing only goes to San Juan and St. Thomas, prior to CC, will we nned to do this? We are not leaving the US.

 

[aprilgail2]

Originally posted by westjones


I don't know how horrible this is going to be, but it sounds horrible. I don't see us booking another Eastern cruise again after this one. I hate mornings! And I really hate the idea of being on vacation and being told I have to get up and get off of the ship when I would rather sleep in and enjoy a nice calm breakfast!

DJ

That is why I won't book the eastern...I don't want to have to get up and drag my daughter down at dawn for immegration! You don't have to get off the ship but once I drag her up there will be no going back to sleep for us and I just don't want to do that...I will keep going on the Western!

 

[westjones]

Oh Thank You for letting me know we at least don't have to get off of the ship! That is a relief! I still don't like the idea, but at least it doesn't sound quite as bad as it did.

It will still probably be our last Eastern cruise (unless after I experience it we find that it isn't as annoying as it sounds). My DH will be so happy to hear that they do this on the ship at least!

DJ

 

[DavidOH]

Ok. Could somebody l\please fill me in on this. oi am a novice hear and am just about to book an Eastern trip. What is this all about and how early is early?

 

[tecdavidt]

I don't know how early non-US citizens have to get up for sure. We had to be in the Walt Disney Theater at 7:30 to 8:00 am. Our cabin was on deck 8. The times went by deck numbers. It actually went fast. They had coffee, juice, rolls and boxed cereal to snack on while you waited. It is just a reminder of how 9/11 has changed how we get to cruise. Pre 9/11 we never had to do this.
All cruisers have to go through regardless if you get off the ship. It is US immigration rules. If you have an excursion booked you probably will be getting up early since most morning excursions begin early so it really is not a big deal. We saw a lot of children still in PJ's and we just got dressed went down, and when we finished we went back to our cabin to clean up for the day.
On the western, technically Castaway Cay is still in the Bahamas and the port before is Cozumel. They really should be doing immigration the morning of debarkation but I don't remember how they handled it. I know on our Celebrity cruise in 1/03 we had our last port at Nassau and we had to to immigration the next morning of debarkation at Fort Lauderdale. Kathy

 

[KYCruiseCrazy]

thats an easy one. having to leave the cruise

 

[jrabbit]

western, technically Castaway Cay is still in the Bahamas and the port before is Cozumel. They really should be doing immigration the morning of debarkation

You only have to go through immigration when coming into a US port from a foreign port. Coz is a foreign port and so is Castaway Cay.

When you return to port Canaveral and disembark from the ship (both the Magic and Wonder), you are going through immigration and customs at the same time.

Could somebody l\please fill me in on this. oi am a novice hear and am just about to book an Eastern trip. What is this all about and how early is early?

It's a knee jerk reaction to 9/11. It looks like we are doing something - but the reality is we are not. What you need is your KTTW card and photo ID. The immigration officer barely glances at your documentation and you are on your way.

We dressed for the day (swimsuits/coverups) and went up to topsiders for breakfast. We sat outside and watched dawn break and saw a Mickey cloud over St. Thomas and we knew we were going to have a magical day on the island. Yes it was early, but it was worth it to see that mickey cloud - would have missed it if we were still sleeping!

 

[BABYJOSIE98]

I have the Eastern booked for October 2005. Is it the only one day of the 7 day trip that we have to do this????

I think I could handle that.......

I picked Eastern because it works with my DD's days off school and I am booked on RCCL for Jan and it stops at Key West and Cozumel.

I am excited already!