by Sentinel 25 Replies latest jw friends
Hubby and I are about to embark on our first cruise this coming weekend. We fly to Ft. Lauderdale, and sail to Key West and then to Cozumel and back to Ft Lauderdale. (Five days, Four nites) We are on the Royal Caribbean Line, and our ship is The Enchantment of the Seas.
Have any of you taken this cruise before? Have you cruised elsewhere? I'd really be interested in some good tips you might have. ...or other interesting experiences from your travels.
I cruised almost 20 years ago. So much has changed since then, so I can't offer any current advice. One thing I do remember, you have to pay for every alcoholic beverage you drink on the ship. That's why I smiled at the guys and they usually bought my drinks, which is why my drink tab was under $20.00 at the end of the cruise.
We took the exact same cruise last July. The cruise itself was great, but unfortunately another guest had a heart attack after we left Key West and they had to turn the ship around, so we were really late getting to Cozumel. Bummer. I would definitely suggest parasailing in Key West! Both of you can go up together and it is so much fun!! If you want to do any other "excursions" I would sign up as soon as you get on the ship because the good ones fill up quickly.
The shows were really good, but I'm not sure if they will still be doing the same ones. Stay away from the onboard casino - they have the tightest slot machines I have ever played. The drinks are a little pricey, too, so you may want to smuggle some mini-bottles in your luggage. The brochure says they don't allow it, but everybody does it. All in all, its a great trip with great food and quality entertainment. Enjoy!!
Speaking of cruise tips....don't forget that you will have to tip your waiter, bus boy, wine steward(if you use him) and cabin steward. Some first time cruisers don't know this and are surprised at how much it adds up. Usually it's $2-3 per person per day for each of the help mentioned. You put the cash in an envelope and hand it to them on your last night of the cruise.
Shore excursions cost extra too. Some are well worth it, others not so worth it. In Cozumel do the Jeep Safari Tour. That was a lot of fun. Several snorkeling adventures at Cozumel also. Can't remember which ones I've done, but no bad experiences with any of them. Key West has a couple of good snorkeling deals, but you can save the shore excursion money and just walk around the town, shop, hit the bars, etc. It's just a great place to hang out and do nothing.
One thing I forgot to mention earlier - In Cozumel you simply MUST go to Carlos & Charlie's. It's the most "happening" place there. You'll love it!!
I've been on 4 so far they are one of the greatest ways to vacation. My first cruise was Greek Isles and Athens but the ship wasn't that big or comfortable. We took another ship from Ft. Lauderdale to the Bahamas, which was average.
What really sold me on cruises was the Carnival "Fascination" from San Jose, PR to about 5 islands in 7 days. (St. John, Dominica, Martinique, etc.) You get a full day on the islands and all night on the ship, plus a full day just to have fun on the ship itself. The main reason we love it is that we usually take 4 kids on vacation, my 3 and another teenage nephew. They get unlimited food, fun and friends. The shows (comedy, music) at night are very high quality, even by grown-up standards. They kids get their own room (although technically an adult is assigned to the room). The land excursions are safe because they are chaperoned by the same people who run them several times a year. There are activities galore on the ship for kids and grownups alike. I can't say enough about them. It's like a Club Med with a different island to wake up to everyday. My wife is fluent in Spanish and French so we were a bit more adventurous taking our own excursions all over the islands and mountains.
Last year we took the cruise that circumnavigates Cuba (but never stops there since it comes out of Ft.Laud). We went to Cozumel, Cayman Islands and Jamaica. The crew had some concern about crime in Jamaica, but we climbed through a waterfall and visited the main shopping areas of Ocho Rios. No problems, mon. The ship was the Carnival Paradise which is the same size as the Fascination but cleaner and fresher because there is no smoking. The Royal Carribean line has ships and amenities that are pretty much equal to the Carnival lines although they have in the past catered to a slightly more sophisticated crowd, I've heard.
Bon voyage,
Gamaliel
Thanks for all your replies. We won't have to be concerned about any alcoholic beverages, TresHappy. My husband is an alcoholic. (recovered completely now for two years) I used to enjoy a mixed drink now and then, but can take it or leave it. As a courtesy, I wouldn't order a drink in the prescense of hubby, although he tells me it's alright to do so. I love Pina Coladas, with or without the booze.
Yes, Undercover, we heard about the tipping, and how much it can add up to. One person told me they had $100. in cash put away just for tips alone. I nearly flipped out, but then, they said they were treated like King and Queens, and the staff just went "overboard", so to speak, taking care of their every need. There is a price for everything. I will tip if the service is good. I don't tip just for the sake of tipping.
I've heard bottled water is expensive, as well as sodas. We will probably buy water ourselves at port, rather than purchasing it on the ship. I can give up sodas if I have to, and in fact prefer iced tea, lemonade or juice. It's amazing how popular alcoholic beverages are; I just hope no one tries to push them on my husband. I try not to be concerned, but we've been to places before, where they just "assume" everyone drinks alcohol, and that you aren't being social or having fun unless you partake. That is so not true.
Worldlygirl: Wow, you took the exact same cruise! So sorry about your change of schedule due to that fellow's heart attack. I've heard things like that do happen. I will be so happy to get to visit my sister, who lives by humble means in Key West. We haven't seen each other for a number of years. She is going to meet us at the pier. O doubt very much if we get to para-sail, althought it sounds delightful. The ship docks at seven in the morning, so by the time we get up and have breakfast and meet her at the dock, we will only have a few hours together before we have to get back to the dock to board, as the ship leaves at three.
We are going solo Gamaliel. We chose the Royal Caribbean line because it does cater to a more mature, sofisticated crowd. Our travel agent asked us if we were celebrating anything, and I said that we just had our wedding anniversary after 20 years together, so they said they would send a "complementary cake" to our table on the second night. I asked if it was free and was told absolutely yes. Then I looked in the brochure, and such cakes for special occasions are charged to your account!! I hope they don't end up trying to charge us for that.
I think this is going to be one of the most expensive vacations we've ever taken, with tipping, and the other little hidden charges. I will dislike having to ask: "will this be charged to our account?". But, people have been telling me that as much as $800.00 was charged on their bill, aside from the trip itself!! That's alot of money. Then again, they bought all kinds of souveniers, clothes, and booze, etc. It all adds up. We tend to be frugal.
We plan to spend more time off the ship in Key West, visiting my sister, having lunch with her, and going to some shops, etc. We aren't planning any excursions due to the additional cost. But, we will no doubt get off the ship at Cozumel and wonder around ourselves a bit, if it is safe to do so. There will be just so much to do on the ship itself, and we will have lots of exploring to do on board, swimming in the pool and sunbathing, etc. An acquaintance in my office just got back from a honeymoon cruise, and her ship docked at Cozumel. They did the whole eight hour excursion trip to the Mayan ruins, etc. They said it was so hot, and they were only given one drink and a small bag lunch. I got to see all her photos of the ruins, so I don't believe it's necessary for me to view them in person. I wonder how much of Cozumel can be seen from the top of the boat?
I'd like to go to the lounge where they have piano music. I would enjoy that; but want to stay away from the "bar atmospheres". Also, we want to go up as high as possible to view the stars at night. I hope we can take a tour of the ship, to see everything, the engines, etc. We opted for a larger cabin with a private balcony, so that will be nice as well. We also want to get our pictures taken on the night we dress up. I can't tell you the last time I dressed up. But, I believe it was the day we got married! We are rather home-bodies. I'm still trying to put together something to wear. I got the long skirt from a thrift shop, but haven't found a blouse to complement it yet. Hubby will drag out his old suit. This should be interesting....
My husband is the one who suggested that we take a cruise, but I was the one designated to plan the trip, pick the cruise line and the ship. I reviewed everything and did my research. This ship is not very old and is considered one of the best ships on the ocean. I have not read or heard anything negative about it. I made all the arrangements through Expedia.com, with the air included in the package deal. For the vacation time we had allotted prior to even considering a cruise, it all worked out perfectly as far as the dates.
Gamaliel, we hope that we will one day be fortunate enough to take the Southern Caribbean seven day cruise, and see and stop off at a number of places, like you did when you went to five islands in seven days. Actually, it seems like it's not that much more of an expense to add a few more days. But, this being our first time, we just wanted to do the shorter one to see how it goes.
I only know of one individual who was sick the whole time of their cruise. They even got medicine on board, but they couldn't eat, or walk the deck, or anything, and was miserable the entire time. Everyone else says they didn't wear the patch, or bother with medications. I have no problem flying, so I don't believe I will have a problem. We have an Insurance Policy to cover us in case of illness, trip cancellation, etc., just to be safe.
I'm so excited, can't you tell?
I went on a 3 day cruise last summer and had the time of my life. I am also getting ready to go on a 7 day to the Virgin Islands-June 1st. My advise to you is to take plenty of $$$ and pack lots of clothes. Don't forget to pack a formal dress if you plan on going to the captains ball (which I recommend) it is a lot of fun getting all dressed up.
Have an excellent time!!!
Red
Thanks Red. I'm hoping my fairy godmother will show up with my gown, otherwise, I still haven't figured out what I will wear.
Sounds fantastic Sentinel, hope you have a great time, sure you will. Bring back some photos.
Brummie (envious class)
