Second cruise booked - advice please

[Garyjames220]

hey

So after a lot of changing about we have finally decided and booked our western carribean cruise for start of Feb 17. We are just 2 adults mid 20s and need a wee bit of advice

- we have a 8c room ( how nice is the wee seat in the room but for $250 dollars more we can get a smaller balcony room. Would u say it's worth doing or save the money for other stuff on the ship ?

- I see there is a palo and remy on this ship. What is the difference as I no there both adult restaurants. I mean do people normally go to both or one or the other on there cruise ?

- going to do a tour and falls etc in jamica but on the rest of the islands, do you need to spend much of excursions or is everything near the port. Eg beach etc ?

- we are room 8668 ( right hand side of ship) is that the side castaway cay is normally on as it's coming In and other islands ?

- staying at Hilton cocoa beach the night before cruise. Does anyone no if they do a bus or is a taxi costly ?

- finally just any other advice you may think is helpful, please do share


Thanks


Gary

 

[jdb in AZ]

hey

So after a lot of changing about we have finally decided and booked our western carribean cruise for start of Feb 17. We are just 2 adults mid 20s and need a wee bit of advice

- we have a 8c room ( how nice is the wee seat in the room but for $250 dollars more we can get a smaller balcony room. Would u say it's worth doing or save the money for other stuff on the ship ? Do you spend much time in your room reading/relaxing, or are you always on the go? If you're only in your room to shower and sleep, then save the $250 for something else.

- I see there is a palo and remy on this ship. What is the difference as I no there both adult restaurants. I mean do people normally go to both or one or the other on there cruise ? Palo is Italian. Remy is French. It's up to you (and your budget) to visit one or the other, or both. Remy is more elegant. I would choose the Palo brunch and Remy dinner.

- going to do a tour and falls etc in jamica but on the rest of the islands, do you need to spend much of excursions or is everything near the port. Eg beach etc ?

- we are room 8668 ( right hand side of ship) is that the side castaway cay is normally on as it's coming In and other islands ? If the ship backs into port on Castaway Cay (which it usually does) then you're on the correct side of the ship to see the island.

- staying at Hilton cocoa beach the night before cruise. Does anyone no if they do a bus or is a taxi costly ? Not sure if they have a bus, but a taxi should be about $25.

- finally just any other advice you may think is helpful, please do share


Thanks


Gary

Have a great cruise! (My answers are in blue.)

 

[Garyjames220]

Thanks

What do u guys do - palo or remy or both


And what about the excursions question. Hoping to not spend to much on them. I mean when u arrive at these islands is there beaches and that there or do u need to spend to get to them

 

[squirk]

If you're a Hilton-chain person, I might suggest the Doubletree instead of the Hilton. The latter is a little worn and dated, and also a little more expensive in our experience.

 

[Garyjames220]

Really

Am actually using Hilton points and there both the same amount of points. What one is closest to port

 

[squirk]

Really

Am actually using Hilton points and there both the same amount of points. What one is closest to port

Doubletree is closer to the port, but the two hotels are not even half a mile apart, I'd bet.

We stayed at the Hilton for our first cruise and were underwhelmed. We found the Doubletree much newer, nicer and better-appointed.

 

[Garyjames220]

Oh well mybe I should change over to that one then

Anyone got advice on my other questions

 

[Scillycruisers]

Oh well mybe I should change over to that one then

Anyone got advice on my other questions

We like our balcony on a cruise, but there are 3 of us.

We have never bothered with either Palo or Remy

What are your other ports? We have just done a brilliant Aqua tubing / beach combo tour in Jamaica, but just walked to a public beach in Grand Cayman as our excursion was cancelled due to tendering restrictions.

 

[Fathawkeye]

Room type - The higher floor you are on the more you pay, typically. I always book a 5D on Deck 6 - I think our rooms are pretty similar - just less on price. The balcony are good. If you get a room in the back of the ship - they can be obstructed and or smaller or bigger depending on the room you get back there too.
Its too bad you are one week after I will be on the Fantasy - none - the less- you will have an awesome time!!
Palo - I think its a nice place. I thought the food was great and its definitely a place to try. Would I take the whole family - no. Would I go with a significant other - yea, probably.
In Jamaica you port adventure should be good if booked through Disney - I personally do not like Jamaica and would never get off the ship if I were to ever return. Was not a fan, that being said - YOLO. Right outside the cruise port gates - you go from first world to 3rd world in a just a matter of a few steps. Like any port you enter - beaches are owned, land etc. You would likely have to take a cab or hire a private excursion to take you to public areas, etc.
Since you booked - do you have a travel agent? If you transfer your reservation 30 days from booking your travel agent can give you free onboard cash to spend on your account. And, if you booked with your disney card - you can get another $50 in credit too. My cousin is an agent (if you would like her info - id be more than happy to get you her contact information) using an agent does not cost you any more to use their services. Just my two cents...

 

[Garyjames220]

So Mexico Jamaica and gran caymon. Would I need an excursions or is there stuff near by

I booked direct with Disney as I had a place holder

 

[ForMyBoys]

Our last two sailings were on the Fantasy the first week of Feb

We have done adult dinners and brunches and highly prefer the Palo Brunch over them all. We really enjoy the main dining room dinner so I like that I can do the brunch and not miss dinner. Being its your first cruise I would stick w/ the main dining room and if you can book a brunch great, but if not def try a sit down breakfast or lunch at Royal Court. I don't think adult dining is necessary to enjoy the cruise.

Our family loves the Ocean view rooms. Our first cruise we had ocean view and loved it. Second cruise we upgraded to Verandahs and while we used them we felt we explored the boat less and didn't have the same experience. Third cruise we switched back to ocean view. We enjoy sitting in various ship locations and mingling so we agreed we preferred the experience more without a verandah. But if you really just want alone time and to hang together it may be worth it for you to get a verandah. Our friends had room 8676 and loved it and they did face Castaway Cay.

Get a rain forest pass if you can- you can call and buy one day to try it for something like $18.

 

[Garyjames220]

Thanks. Some good advice there

Oh yeah rain forest should be good

Can't wait to go

 

[Garyjames220]

Room type - The higher floor you are on the more you pay, typically. I always book a 5D on Deck 6 - I think our rooms are pretty similar - just less on price. The balcony are good. If you get a room in the back of the ship - they can be obstructed and or smaller or bigger depending on the room you get back there too.
Its too bad you are one week after I will be on the Fantasy - none - the less- you will have an awesome time!!
Palo - I think its a nice place. I thought the food was great and its definitely a place to try. Would I take the whole family - no. Would I go with a significant other - yea, probably.
In Jamaica you port adventure should be good if booked through Disney - I personally do not like Jamaica and would never get off the ship if I were to ever return. Was not a fan, that being said - YOLO. Right outside the cruise port gates - you go from first world to 3rd world in a just a matter of a few steps. Like any port you enter - beaches are owned, land etc. You would likely have to take a cab or hire a private excursion to take you to public areas, etc.
Since you booked - do you have a travel agent? If you transfer your reservation 30 days from booking your travel agent can give you free onboard cash to spend on your account. And, if you booked with your disney card - you can get another $50 in credit too. My cousin is an agent (if you would like her info - id be more than happy to get you her contact information) using an agent does not cost you any more to use their services. Just my two cents...

So would I need to take an excursion at each port or is there stuff to do when u get off the ship at these islands ?

 

[Garyjames220]

 

[Trera]

So would I need to take an excursion at each port or is there stuff to do when u get off the ship at these islands ?

we like Palo and Remy and normally do both on a 7 night. The Remy dining experience is so elegant and enjoyable that we dont want to miss it.

On cozumel, we took a cab to Nachi Cocum that we reserved ahead of time. They limit total guests per day to around 100 I think so it doesnt feel taken over by cruise ships. Very quiet and relaxing with a nice beach and all you can eat and drink is included. Cab ride was about 15 min or so each way.

Jamaica we stayed on the boat

Cayman we walked around the shops for a bit right by the port but then grabbed a cab down to 7 mile beach nice relaxing day not far from the ship. We have heard of people walking but didnt want to waste the time doing it. If you havent done anything on grand cayman before with the stingrays, I might would suggest that since it is always a nice time.

good luck.

 

[Garyjames220]

Yeah I was actually thinking of the stingrays but then thought I could do that on castaway cay

 

[jrabbit]

We enjoy Palo - Brunch (sea days) especially, but dinner and the Souffle for dessert is very very good. Have not done Remy - we don't think we would like it - but that's just our tastes.

I would stick with the Porthole room - I've never been in a cat 8 (we're cat 9 people down on deck 2), but you should have good views and natural light.

Going to Cozumel? you're mid 20's, like fun and adventure - then consider XPLOR park (on the mainland near Playa del Carmen). It's expensive through DCL (but I would not attempt it any other way). 2 zip line courses (do them back to back so you don't have to wait in the long line to "gear up"), drive jeeps above and under ground, swim / float along in the underground river, OK buffet lunch included.

other advice ....

• Bring Sunscreen - you will need it - sunburns are not fun and the sun IS different in the Caribbean than back at home (wherever that is)
• You Can't Eat It All - but its a great time to try other things - if you don't like it, your servers will bring you something else (for free! )
• You Can't Do It All - but sleep is for when you return home!!. The hardest thing about a DCL cruise is deciding what NOT to do!!
• Tips are not included in your cruise fare. You tip at the end of the cruise, NOT for each meal.
• Take the Stairs whenever possible - you could die of old age waiting for the elevators - and remember the more stairs means more desserts
• The family activities in between the dinner seatings are fun - even if they say "for the whole family" ie: Mickey Mania, Walk the Plank, etc
• The shows in the Walt Disney Theater are pretty good. They are at the same time as the dinner seatings - so if you have main dinner, then you have the late show, Late dinner means you go to the early show
• The Adults Only shows in The Tube (Fantasy) (Fathoms, WaveBands, Evolution on the other ships) are a lot of fun and generally good entertainment. Since this is Disney, there won't be any f-bombs, there might be some slightly "offensive" language (Disney Dirty) and some innuendo.
• Deck 13 Forward - the Satellite Falls area - adults only - a great quiet place away from the "noise" and "crowds" elsewhere on the ship
• If you get drinks up on the outside decks, and you tip the server extra that first time (sail away party does not count), you will have someone that will look out for you the rest of the trip - while you are in their area!! Same goes for the Bars/Lounges

 

[Garyjames220]

Woo thanks for that big review

Really helpful jrabbit

 

[Fathawkeye]

So would I need to take an excursion at each port or is there stuff to do when u get off the ship at these islands ?

you can do an adventure at each place if you wanted - however - you don't have to. you can walk around the ports and the shopping areas for free.

 

[Sytrace]

hey

So after a lot of changing about we have finally decided and booked our western carribean cruise for start of Feb 17. We are just 2 adults mid 20s and need a wee bit of advice

- we have a 8c room ( how nice is the wee seat in the room but for $250 dollars more we can get a smaller balcony room. Would u say it's worth doing or save the money for other stuff on the ship ?

- I see there is a palo and remy on this ship. What is the difference as I no there both adult restaurants. I mean do people normally go to both or one or the other on there cruise ?

- going to do a tour and falls etc in jamica but on the rest of the islands, do you need to spend much of excursions or is everything near the port. Eg beach etc ?

- we are room 8668 ( right hand side of ship) is that the side castaway cay is normally on as it's coming In and other islands ?

- staying at Hilton cocoa beach the night before cruise. Does anyone no if they do a bus or is a taxi costly ?

- finally just any other advice you may think is helpful, please do share


Thanks


Gary

1. We get a verandah for every cruise. There are four of us in the cabin though and the extra outdoor space is awesome for fresh air and some quiet time with a book and/or camera.
2. We have stayed on Decks 6,9 and 10 and except for 2 cruises were on Starboard (right side) One cruise we were aft and the other six were mid to forward. We like forward the most though. The starboard side is really great when on Castaway Cay, Jamaica, Mexico and doesn't really matter in the Caymans as you are tendered to shore anyway. Any view is going to be great.
3. In Jamaica we have done the Green Grotto Caverns and the Good Hope estate tours. They were fantastic and we all really liked them a lot.
In Cozumel, we have done the Playa Mia beach break a couple of times and the ruins tour and beach break once. Loved Playa Mia and the kids had a great time too. We once went to Costa Maya (I think Jamaica replaced that stop in 2014) and went to the Checchiban ruins...which was fantastic!
In Caymans we did the tour and Turtle farm excursion which included a round trip to Hell. It was campy and a lot a fun. Highly recommend a trip to Hell and back. Lol
On Castaway Cay we typically get some snorkeling equipment, floats and rent the bikes (there is a packaged price for all that or you can rent seperately and pick and choose. We also have done the Stingray adventure and LOVED it. It was like a vacumn with teeth when it ate out of our palms. Really fun.
4. I would choose a Doubletree Hilton as well. We live in Orlando so we drive to port, but Doubletree is a wonderful part of the Hilton family.
5. We have done the Palo dinner once and that was sufficient for us. No desire to do Remy but I am told by many that it is sensational food and atmosphere.

Have a fantastic cruise! We are somewhat addicted to them. lol