This was a fabulous cruise with wonderful ports, enjoyable fellow travelers, and great entertainment. Just an all over fun and activity filled week.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
5 out of 5
Food was very good and dining room OK but not as good as what we had last Christmas on another cruise line. Our waiter, Karolly (sp) was really the very best and the 2 other couples at our table were in agreement. The service by Karolly and the company at our table made dinner very enjoyable no matter what was served.
Entertainment
5 out of 5
Was surprised by quality of entertainment which was very good. This includes nightly shows along with other organized events.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
Staff was very good with no complaints but also did not "go extra mile" or proactive. However, friendly and helpful and did their job.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
The ship is very well laid out with thoughtful, convenient access to all entertainment venues without running all over the ship. The theater has good seating with unobstructed views from all vantage points. The casino has great slots and tables with a lively and party atmosphere as good as a feeling in Vegas or Atlantic City. The Colony Club for secondary shows and other entertainment had great activities that were well attended and the atmosphere there was elegant and cozy, though enough seating was often an issue. Ship overall had a very comfortable feel.
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
Had 2 outside rooms (one for us, one for 21 and 17 year old son and daughter) on third deck which were not spectacular but enough for the time spent there. Great location for everything we did. Bathroom and shower were very small and I am not a large person. Space for clothes and personal items was sufficient. Steward took good care of the room.
Took a cab arranged by Pearl, a shop owner at end of street off pier, out to Long Beach Bay. This is a great beach that Long Beach Hotel and Pineapple Beach Resort/Sandals is on, one at each end. Just a medium sized beach but NOT crowded, has great snorkeling at end of beach nearest Hotel, great, very reasonably priced restaurant/bar in middle part of beach closest to ocean (Long Beach Hotel veranda dining was nicer looking but pricey, and did not check out pasta restaurant on hill overlooking bay). Colada and Daiquaris $4 each, complete meal $4-$6. Entire family really enjoyed it here though a quiet spot. Water equip rentals on beach. Pearl asked what time we wanted to be picked up and had taxi driver husband waiting to take us back to port at time specified.
Husband, myself and children (son, age 21, and daughter, age 17) went to Magen's Bay though I was hoping to go to Red Hook to get ferry to St. John's for snorkeling. This is a beautiful beach but actually reminded me of a bigger Long Beach Bay in Antigua...same beach/bay look. Went directly here after leaving ship which was good because by noon the beach was extremely crowded with cruise passengers and locals (too many for me but rest of family who like sunbathing OK with). Water very calm and clear. I found some snorkeling at very far end of beach near cliffs. Tip: area near snorkeling spot less crowded, bargain for chairs which are pricey for 4 people, arrive early and shop after visiting beach since most do opposite, and if arriving early stake out a picnic table to put belongings on and then just use towel to lie on beach.
This was, for all of us, our least favorite port. Nothing bad but just a big city with white sand beaches and very commercial and not our favorite. We stopped at Straw Market for a quick look, then took #10 Jitney for $2/person "cheap sightseeing" out to Cable Beach, then water taxi over to Atlantis. Was able to get into pool area which was nice but packed (maybe due to holiday). Tunnels with aquarium really nice and interesting. Atlantis is nice but seems very large, impersonal and too commercial for my taste. Worth a tour though. Went into casino after a tour of pool and beach area and a swim, and won $50 in about 15-20 minutes.
Coming into the port was spectacular. San Juan is a city and has all of the regular tourit trappings. Only had time for a sightseeing bus tour picked up upon exiting ship. This was informative and good for getting to see around the city, but next time I would visit the casino at the large hotel there or go to one of the beaches. For first visit, it might be best just to see the city.
We headed for Orient Beach. This is a large beach with many restaurants, water sports and a nude beach area. We had a taxi driver named Ramon (we found through water taxi captain who called him from water taxi so that he was waiting for us as soon as we stepped off). Ramon was excellent and waiting to pick us up at end of day. He recommended Johnnies where he drpped us off at Orient Bay. I was happy with Johnnies because 1) it appeared that it became extremely crowded with multiple rows deep of sunbathers further down the beach, 2) water sports were easily accessible, 3) drink (Margarita) and chair for $7, near snokeling, 4) near nude beach area which is worth a curiosity stroll, and 5) during brief but quick and torrential downpour which is common on this island, very close to Johnnies covered dining area so backpack and items don't get soaked.
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