Had a good time and will cruise again. Don't feel that the initial cruise cost is all inclusive. You have to pay for required gratuities, expensive drinks, photos, etc. Dare to strike out on your own on shore. Taxis are readily available and most of the drivers will advise you on where to go and what to avoid. Share a taxi to save money but don't let the driver hold you in a cab for 20 minutes while he tries to fill up the van. If you share, the price should drop. Don't be afraid to negotiate with the drivers and at the local shops. Pack light. There are self laundry rooms if you run short. Remember everything you bring or buy, you got to tote out at the end.
Embarkation
3 out of 5
Wow, what lines to get through customs. Workers were very nice and helpful.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
4 out of 5
We enjoyed the buffets. Great cheese burgers. Had at least one every day. Pizza and Taco fare good. Breakfast buffet was great. Main dining fare was a bit fancy for me, but I guess I should become more sophisticated??? Be prepared to do without soft drinks or pay $2 for a little glass. No free refills here! Ice tea is free at the main dining rooms but you have to ask for it. I didn't find this out until the last night.
Guy's Burger Joint
5 out of 5
Had one or most days, two, everyday. Great.
Onboard Activities
3 out of 5
There were a lot of activities all the time, but I spent time in basking in the sun by the pool and in the hot tubs. I didn't want to be entertained, just to relax and chill. I had a hard time understanding the announcements. With the speakers having some distortion, announcers speaking accented English and talking fast, I just gave up trying to listen.
Entertainment
4 out of 5
I enjoyed the string trio that played in the lobby every night.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
Everyone was helpful and very nice.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
Everything was excellent.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
Cabin was great. Only drawback was that the twin mattresses that were joined to make the king bed kept separating during the night and I ended up on the springs below. A cover pad to hold them together would have been nice.
Ship tip
Prepare to walk a lot. It is a big ship and it seems the place you need to be next is always at the far end from where you are. Take some spring clamps to attach your beach towel (provided) to the lounge chairs. A general tip is don't pack so much. We over packed.
Loved this island most of all, especially the French beaches. Just go with the flow and get a good tan. There is a lot of damage still evident from the storm but the beach is great. Just don't expect a lot of amenities. Bring what you need for the day with you. Hire a taxi if you just want a beach experience and save the money.
Partner did the horse ride excursion and she enjoyed it. The ride seemed a bit short for the money spent to me. I paid $20 to ride the bus to be with her. Giant conch shells are everywhere on the beach near the light house where the horse trail goes down to the water. Don't pay a huge price for a nice shell. Pick up all you want off the beach.
Can you imagine being herded in a cattle feedlot? That would be close to my experience here except no cattle prods. It was hot and crowded. I was so thirsty but the water fountains didn't work.
And the photos/photo packages are ridiculously overpriced, and we never buy those either. Just take your own photos. The staff and other passengers will take group photos if asked nicely. You make it what you want to make it, and I'm very happy other people are willing to spend an arm and a leg on all those up-charges because it keeps the cost down for the rest of us that choose not to spend a fortune on add-ons.
It just depends on how expensive you want to make it. We don't buy beverage/alcohol packages (tea, juice, and water are just fine for us), wi-fi package (T-Mobile is free in all ports, so we catch up then), or specialty dining (silly when there's so much food included in cruise fare). And we usually only do one excursion. It's very affordable for us!
Hay if you want an all inclusive you will need to go to a all inclusive resort and pay for it ...did you not do your research on the costs ? Drinks are at bar prices cocktails very reasonable and if you want soft drink you can bring 12 cans PP if not just drink water goodness your are on vacation splash out a little ... you get nothing for nothing....
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