First Time Cruiser Questions

[lapinluv]

Hello. I've been lurking for a while to see if my questions get answered and have read the recommended sites about the cruise. But, I do have a few more, specific questions, if you don't mind.

Thanks!

1) For divers out there, is SCUBA diving better on St. Maarten or St. Thomas? DH is a diver and would like to dive when we cruise at the end of January. I would like to do Coral World in St. Thomas, but he thinks diving will be better in St. Thomas. Any first hand experiences?

2) What are the big budget breakers when on the ship? We're not big drinkers, but figure on pictures and the spa doing us in. Any other things that may kill us?

3) We have a verandah room. Just wondering if we will get a lot of use out of it, since it will be the end of January. Is it too cold/windy to sit on the verandah?

That's all I can remember for now.

Thanks!

 

[Scratch42]

Can't answer regarding Scuba.....

2. Getting off the Ship is definately a Killer!LOL

3. Hoping it will be warm enough! But only Mother Nature knows for sure!

BTW, are you sailing on the Eastern January 24, 2004? If you are come join our group on the Cruise Meets Board and say HELLO!

Scratch

 

[natdencro]

Yes, I also agree that the "official" photos are expensive. However, you can always get another guest to take photos of your party with your own camera - for free!

We had a verandah in Jan/Feb............. and although it was warm enough most of the time to sit out, we found that we were too BUSY onboard to get the most benefit from it!

Also, alcohol on board is very expensive, but the daily "special" cocktails are lovely, and very reasonable - if you just have the one!

Enjoy cruising. Nat

 

[tkd lisa]

Again, no help on the scuba.

2. We didn't have a lot of budget breakers. Didn't drink much on board, didn't play bingo (I hear it's a budget breaker), and didn't do spa or pictures. Those are the main things I hear are breakers!

3. We had a verandah on our January 4 day cruise. Even though it was 28degrees when we got back to Florida, it was wonderful to sit out on the verandah. I think on a 7 day, since you're much farther south, the weather will be great for verandah sitting!

Enjoy!

 

[alexandrew]

Excursions are a huge budget breaker

 

[jrabbit]

Tips - they are not a budget breaker since they should be planed for, but if you don't plan for them, the amount may come as a big surprise. Remember they suggested tips are per person in your group.

Shutters - yep we spend way to much there. The only way we don't is by avoiding the photographers in the first place. And that is harder than you might think. Last cruise we did good until Castaway Cay day

DCL Excursions. If you can manage one excursion on your own you will save some money - unless the one you book on your own is an expensive one. We have gone to beachs on our own (same beaches as the DCL excursions) and have saved well over 1/2 the price if not more.

Souvineers - I really would like a DCL polo shirt but I can't bring myself to spend $80 on one.

Spa - Yep it adds up fast.

Drinks - During the day/evening can be expensive if you are NOT drinking the drink of the day. Also wine with dinner will cost you too. The wine packages they have will help you have a fixed price.

 

[mickeyboat]

I checked out the Navigators and the Drinks of the Day appear to be what I will be having while I am on board. I seem to remember someone saying in a previous thread that you should order them straight from the bar as the ones being carried around are watered down from melting ice. Has anyone had any experience with this?

Denae

 

[lbgraves]

We got the small package at Shutters & were so happy with them. Since it was our first trip to Disney with the characters it was great to get some good shots of them with us. We also bought an 8x10 of DH & I on formal night in front of Lumeire's. Didn't plan to but wanted one of the family. Since the kids didn't cooperate, that was fine with our digital camera. I figured that for $20 it was easier & cheaper than us getting dressed up & driving an hour to the nearest Sears to pay the sitting fee & then the cost of the sheet so we got it. First nice picture of the 2 of us in 6 years since our wedding.