In at 8:00 out before dinner. I wanted to see the islands not the ship. It's nice to have a meal onshore. It's getting harder to get away from the port area without being rude, and the touts are getting more aggressive. I was jealous of the folks that sailed their own hull as we all paraded back to the mothership. Other than the inescapable number of people that come ashore, not only from our ship, but the other two or three at the pier, it was a decent experience. Patience is rewarded, a lot of our fellows are older, and need extra time, and priority on the elevators. The boats motion is so smooth I was surprised to look out and see we were well out to sea a number of times. Even in high winds, moderate seas it was smooth and comfortable.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
Simple, quick, effortless. Very little time in line, Bags showed up a little later, piece of cake.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
4 out of 5
Specialty are great, buffets are industrial, mains are decent enough. It's clean and filling.
Onboard Activities
3 out of 5
Ladies enjoyed the hot tubs, guys enjoyed their cigars. Really other than a few shows and living at the bar we didn't do much aboard.
Entertainment
5 out of 5
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
OMG these people work their collective butts off. Unfailingly polite, helpful, even cheerful. They really work very hard to ensure my vacation was effortless. And it was.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
Upgraded to balcony room, small but well designed. Bed was comfortable, only issue is the single electrical plug. Brought power strip to charge all the devices and run my CPAP. Lighting could be better at the makeup station, but I quibble. Enough drawers and shelves for four suitcases of stuff. Clean, comfortable, bright.
We walked off the boat and spent the day unescorted at a local beach. Great snorkeling, fun wander through town. Good local items for sale at the local market.
Favorite island, did the ziplines in the rain forest. Really outside my experience box. Driver to site was fun, vehicle clean and modern, facility clean, people helpful. Very patient with one of the group who was really uncomfortable with the heights, it was a blast. Huge fun. The island is clean, the traffic was horrid by the port, the roads narrow and steep, but never felt unsafe. Our driver was good natured, loved his island and knowledgeable about everything. Really a good time.
Did a fun snorkeling trip, the cat we were on actually put up it's sails!!! It was magical. Saw the turtles, exactly what you would think, 85 people struggling to not kick each other to death to see a few wild unpenned turtles. The crew and the boat saved this excursion from being a disappointment. Seas were high so no outside snorkeling, four other cats in the area for the turtles, and while they do feed the turtles to bring them in, no penned turtles and I still saw four turtles. And these are the endangered tortuse shelled turtles, beautiful. Good abundant lunch, plenty of after snorkeling drinks, great crew, very nice boat, enough clean not stinking heads to minimize any waiting. Picked up inside the port fence so no touts, but no other shopping than the company gift shop. Not a concern for me.
This is always a cluster of monkeys. People are rude, demanding, and it's irritating. Claiming luggage was easy, customs was security theater, is only our fellow travelers that makes this difficult.
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