| Author | Message | ||
| Tim N (Timn88)
Intermediate Member Username: Timn88 Post Number: 1718 Registered: 6-2001 |
Daves got a point, with all these cruises gone wrong due to the whole boat getting sick, id be careful. you might as well invest in a gas mask! | ||
| J. Grande (Jay)
Member Username: Jay Post Number: 884 Registered: 10-2001 |
William, I did this cruise about a year ago, same ports! Grand Cayman was great! Do the stingray city snorkling, you won't believe it, it is a great experience! Bring and underwater camera, they are cheap and you can pick one up at Wal-Mart. If you like snorkling, pick up your own gear. I bought my own stuff a few years ago because I hate using the communal gear that everyone else has had their mouth on! Definately bring your own booze, but be careful, Carnival checks your bags when you get back on the ship. Bring it on when you board the first day in Miami in your luggage. I had a great time finding local taxis to take us to the attractions, much cheaper than booking with the Cruise director. In Jamaica ask for a cab driver named "Granny" he was fantastic and cheap! BTW don't waste your time with the "Free Diamond Earings" that they give away in the jewlery shops. The diamonds are so small you couldn't see it under a microscope! I found if you go with the attitude thet you will have fun, then you will! Have a good time! Oh yeah, don't forget about the Mayan ruins in Cozumel! and in every port, make sure you bargain! Never pay full price, start at half and work your way up. | ||
| djmonk (Davem)
Junior Member Username: Davem Post Number: 150 Registered: 1-2002 |
Bring Purell r something like it, which is a hand sanitizer. Use it generously ( i sound like a germ freak) but with this virus going around better safe than sorry. Nothing worse than being sick at sea. Ochos Rios is very depressed, the falls r close to where the ships come in go straight there yourself, r stay on boat. You should be getting a great deal on cruise's at this time, have fun. | ||
| Fred (I Luv 4REs) (Iluv4res)
Member Username: Iluv4res Post Number: 255 Registered: 8-2002 |
Yes, I have been on more cruises than I can count. Here's the rundown on the ports: Please let me know if you are a certified diver and want dive spots too or not. Cozumel: This is a small island. The highlights are some shopping: you can walk from the boat. In addition, there is a very nice small park, Chankanaab State Park, where you can rent a mask, snorkel & fins. They have lockers there. You can snorkel with tons of fish. Bring Milkbone dog biscuits to feed them. There are also some pretty large iguanas at the park that are neat to see. You can rent scooters to get around the island, but this is not necessary since there are plenty of cabs. The ruins on the island are pretty small and not a lot to see. Ocho Rios: Dunns River Falls (sp?). These are the waterfalls where you can climb up and slide down. You can get a cab to go there. Don't rent a car or scooter. Dangerous. Cayman Islands: I am assuming you are going to Grand Cayman. Yes, you can open an account while there. Seven mile beach is beautiful if you just want to lay out. However, I would definitely recommend swimming with the stingrays. This too, you can get a local dive shop to take you instead of the ship excursion. Get off the boat and immediately book/schedule the stingray trip (go for the deep water 10-20' (approx.) instead of the shallow water 3-5' spot). Ask the locals where the dive shops are. Most are along the street that line 7 mile beach. There are several smaller dive boats that can take you. The dive shops can rent mask,snorkel/fins and/or if you're certified, full dive gear. Once you're booked, you can then tour the island and/or beach, then go back at your scheduled time for the stingray trip. As previously mentioned, you will have a better time going with 4-8 people on a boat, rather than 200 on the cruise excursion. Less waiting time, etc... Let me know if there are any specific questions about the ports. | ||
| Bill Sawyer (Wsawyer)
Member Username: Wsawyer Post Number: 567 Registered: 2-2002 |
This is good info. I'm going on a Royal Caribbean cruise from 12/19-12/22. | ||
| Howie/ExoticAutoBrokers.com (Brokerofexotics)
Member Username: Brokerofexotics Post Number: 281 Registered: 11-2001 |
William - Ammodium AD...a must (really!) | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
Intermediate Member Username: Countachxx Post Number: 1629 Registered: 2-2001 |
yup going with the GF cruise stops in Cozumel, Mexico, Ocho Rios, Jamaica & the Cayman Islands, maybe I can open an account while I am there  Thanks Fred, sounds like youv'e been on a few cruises | ||
| Fred (I Luv 4REs) (Iluv4res)
Member Username: Iluv4res Post Number: 253 Registered: 8-2002 |
First. Be careful of the Norwalk Virus that has been going around the cruise industry. My cruise advise..... 1) Bring a bottle of Vodka or whatever you like to drink. Also bring some large cooler-cups.(Vodka works well because it mixes with so much.) Smuggle it on with you. Drinks on the cruise are expensive. If you bring your own, you can get juice and mix your own drinks. Then bring them with you up to the pool, etc. in the cups. 2) Depending upon where you are going, do NOT pay for the shore excursions the ship is offering. Most often, when you get on shore, you can get a cab driver or local to take you to the same place for a lot less. Plus, you don't have to deal with 150 others on a smelly bus. You have your own smelly car & driver that you can direct. You can spend more or less time at each place as you see fit. 3) Bring Pepto-Bismol or something like it. Good to have. 4) Don't forget to bring a suit & slacks/sportcoat. (wife/gf needs formal too) They have a few formal nights. Most other nights, slacks & shirt are appropriate for dinner. The rest of the time, you will spend in shorts/T-shirt/sandals. Bring comfortable walking shoes/sneakers. 5) Bring a picture of your F-car to place in your cabin. You will surely miss it. 6) Bring suntan lotion/sunblock. Bring a hat. Try to get one with a visor that goes all the way around. 7) Expect the cabins to be very small. Nothing like they appear in the pictures. When you first get onboard, you think they're really small. But, you won't be spending much time there (except for sleeping and ????(censored)), so you'll get past that. 8) Bring some bottled water and/or canteen & a backpack with you. Then, in the mornings, before getting off the ship, take some fruit & muffins from the ship with you in the morning. Depending upon where your going, you will be glad you brought a small snack along. The backpack can also hold sunblock, hats, change of clothes, anything you buy, etc... 9) Don't wear jewelery or flashy things while off the ship. Do bring a cheap waterproof watch. If you wear glasses, bring a floating cord for them. 10) Plan on eating a lot! Post your itinerary/ports of call. I can probably give you the highlights of each. | ||
| Matt Lemus (Mlemus)
Member Username: Mlemus Post Number: 844 Registered: 8-2002 |
Find out of they have laundry facilites. If so, You can cut down on the amount of clothes to bring. Also, make sure the little woman does not bring 21 pairs of shoes. Get some rubbermade plastic bins for packing. Makes it much easier then traditional. baggage. | ||
| BobD (Bobd)
Member Username: Bobd Post Number: 823 Registered: 3-2001 |
Consider dumping the big, foo-foo cruise ships and take a Windjammer Cruise. We did this a couple of years ago... it's an absolute blast!!! http://www.windjammer.com/ | ||
| bruce wellington (Bws88tr)
Intermediate Member Username: Bws88tr Post Number: 1256 Registered: 4-2002 |
expect to gain about 50lbs, are you going with gf??? | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
Intermediate Member Username: Countachxx Post Number: 1624 Registered: 2-2001 |
Going on a cruise from Miami on Dec 22-29 on a Carnival ship. Havent been on a cruise in a while. What to bring? What to expect ? Thanks |