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Cruise Review: Carnival Valor

Carnival Valor, 7 days

Eastern Caribbean

2-11-2007

These are my personal opinions, comparisons, and experiences only. I will state the facts, both positive and negative. My experience may not be the same as yours…so take it with a grain of salt…like all reviews. I am married, in my early 40’s, and have sailed twice with Royal Caribbean and twice with Princess. This was our first Carnival cruise and we now have a total of 46 days at sea. On this cruise, we sailed with 24 family and friends. We flew down to Miami a day early, and out a day after the cruise. We stayed at Sleep Inn Miami Airport. The price was right, and it’s a decent hotel. There are places to eat nearby, but most sites are a good cab ride away. We used Miami Sunshine Transportation to haul our large group to and from the Port of Miami. They did a fine job at about $8 pp.

EMBARKATION/DEBARKATION:

We were traveling with family, and one of my children was under 21. Carnival will not put people under 21 in a cabin without the other person being less than 25. Fine. TA stated that Carnival’s policy was this way when booking, but it could be switched at the pier. I’m hoping the Carnival Rep was just having a bad day…but she was extremely short tempered, rude, and we had a very hard time communicating with her. She turned our embarkation into a big headache. I won’t go into details, but I took her name and reported her. We brought our (under 25 children) along, and they were originally booked in cabins together. Carnival then changed the booking to kid/parent in one cabin, kid/parent in the other. They said we could switch it at the pier later. (Rules state under 21 must stay in cabin with someone over 25 years old)

TIP: If Carnival books you this way, and you need it changed (to parent/parent, child/child), here’s how it works: You will check in at Embark (they will pair each minor with parent/older than 25) If your cabins happen to be on different decks…you may be split up from each other (minor/parent) while boarding to pick up your Sign & Sail cards. Don’t fret…once you are onboard, take the matter to the INFO DESK (Purser) and they will change it right back and issue new S&S cards. This can be very confusing if you don’t know what to expect when you get there. Picking up your S&S cards onboard is a new procedure on Carnival Valor.

After embarkation, Carnival doesn’t allow you to go to your cabins until after 1 or 1:30 pm. They close the access doors to the cabin locations, and ask that you don’t go there. Stewards need time to do the cleaning from previous guests. This makes the ships common areas VERY crowded. Some people disregarded the request and went in anyway. Most people head to the buffet for some food and on deck for drinks. Debarkation went very smoothly. We chose the traditional method of luggage out by midnight, and wade through to find your luggage on the pier when they call your color.

CABIN:

We booked an 8A on Upper Deck (6), right outside the forward lobby (atrium). I liked the location, right near the forward elevator banks. The cabin was well appointed, very functional, and we liked it. Balcony was a little smaller than on previous ships I’ve sailed. The cabins aren’t immune to outside noise. Talking, yelling, or running in the hallways can be heard by everyone…so please be courteous to others. This cabin is located near the atrium. You can hear the elevators dinging and piano music pretty easily. That didn’t bother us.

Small standard Balcony

TIP: Please turn out your exterior balcony light when you don’t need it. It will light up two balconies over at night. I like to sit in the dark and watch the stars at night.

TIP: Port side of the ship (outside/balcony), on the Eastern itinerary had better views while in ports. (At least on our cruise) The Port side was always facing away from the other ships docked, and looked out over the bays. Nice. The TV is interactive. You can book excursions, view your S&S account, the dining menus, or watch movies. We really like being able to check our account from the room. Network channels came out of Colorado. There were a couple cartoon channels, news channels, and a few channels running the (ship DVD), ship’s position, bow cam, and deck cam.

THE SHIP:

This is a large ship, and I like the patriotic theme everywhere. Carnival decorates very whimsical, and I’m used to more of a traditional décor. For the most part, I was still very pleased with the look…but not with the design. Example: ~Children’s area above the relaxing SPA? ~Decks you can’t walk through to reach dining rooms? ~Access to the internet center through a Cigar Club? ~An exterior deck (called Promenade Deck on other lines) with midship access only, and doesn’t circle the ship? ~Go through the Spa to find the gym? Myself and others found this ship difficult to navigate. At the end of the week…I was still going in the wrong direction. Signage is not the best. They really need to mark ‘port & starboard’ inside around the elevators so you can tell which way to go. Some signs are made of little lights and are hard to read. The common areas always seem to be crowded on this ship. With so many people onboard…it can be a nuisance. Some other ships seem to do a better job of dispersing people. At first, I didn’t like the mid-ship pool area design. I came to like it in time. There are some food stations outside, between the buffet and pool bars. This helps keep traffic down in Rosie’s during peak hours. I liked the dual bars, but the one on the non-smoking side was closed most of the time. The Lindy Hop is an entertaining place to sing-a-long with the piano player. They serve a good snack mix with drinks. A cozy lounge, next to several other bars. Arrive early for seats around the rotating piano. The Ivanhoe Theater is pretty well designed. I liked the feel of the room, but the views from the lowest level aren’t great. Not enough slant to the floor. Much better views from upper levels. Bar service up there sux though. There are some nice little table/stools up on the very top rear sections. Dining Rooms are pretty funky. The pink/orange thing is…weird looking. I much prefer the dining room décor on Royal Caribbean ships. They are much more elegant. Service for dinner was outstanding! Some of the best we’ve experienced. Natalia and Iliana were an awesome team! The dining room staff preformed some singing, or dancing every night. The service at open seating breakfast and lunch was pretty bad. It’s almost like they don’t care much. The hostess was rude, the waiters forgetful, the food not as great. I preferred to eat at Rosie’s…and I usually avoid buffets like the plague!

THE FOOD:

I’m not a picky eater, and never have a problem trying new things or finding something I like to eat. I was happy with the choices on each night’s menu…even when others were not. With that being said… I thought the food was great! I ate many of the seafood dishes, such as flounder, tilapia, & shrimp. I didn’t eat the lobster, but many said it wasn’t very good. The hot soups I ate were also very good, as were the Starter courses. The rolls and breads were good, and deserts as well. The Warm Chocolate Melting Cake is on the menu every night! (It’s a good one too!) The only thing I really didn’t care for the entire week in the dining room was the Filet Minion. Mine was very tough, but others said theirs was perfect. Rosie’s was themed like a 50’s diner. I liked it that way. I prefer feeding stations, like Princess & RCI have rather than the long line type. Stations flow smoother and faster. You don’t have to stand in a long line to pass over things you don’t want. Just grab and go. Rosie’s has A LOT of seating, both indoor and out. Never had much of a problem finding seats…even at peak times. Fish & Chips, deli, oriental, pizza, and burger places were great too.

PORTS & EXCURSIONS:

Nassau, Bahamas

This is a short port stop, so we had to be back onboard by 1:30pm. Our plan was to take a taxi over to The Atlantis Resort to explore and view the aquariums. (The Dig) Upon arrival, we were approached by taxi tour guides, and decided on a tour with Derrall Fox. The price was $25 per person for a tour of Nassau, Paradise Island, Atlantis Hotel (including The Dig), some historic sites such as The Queens Staircase, and shopping. We thought this was MUCH better than a taxi ride to explore on our own. The driver was a very knowledgeable guide, and walked us through everything. I highly recommend doing this type tour instead of going out on your own. Atlantis is spectacular! A must-see. We then shopped near the ship, straw market, and hit Senor Frogs for some party action.

The Atlantis Resort

St. Thomas:

USVI You must process through customs at this port stop whether you get off ship or not. The line moves very fast once they start processing. Start to finish it took us 25 minutes. We pre-booked a tour with SUNNY LISTON TOURS for $25 per person. We were picked up right on time and dropped off in Charlotte Amalie for shopping. Angela was our driver, and she was great. We were cut short on our shopping time, which was disappointing for some in our group. We did not visit Sir Francis Drakes Seat, Bluebeard’s Castle, nor did we choose the beach. She brought us to Sapphire beach, (where we wanted to go anyway) which is very nice. More beach time would have been great. After this stop Sunny himself picked us up. He is a very fun guy, and sang the “Sunday, Monday” song. They kept the music cranked up and the sing-along was really fun. People are definitely turning their heads as you pass by! The view from Mountain Top is spectacular, and the Banana Daq’s were great… and strong! Overall, the tour was very fun, and well worth the money. Angela and Sunny are great!

Magen's Bay, St. Thomas

St. Maarten:

Docked in St. Maarten

We pre-booked a tour similar to Sunny’s…which Sunny himself booked for us with his friend Victor Bryan. The tour ($30 pp) was in an air conditioned 12 passenger van. It was nice and informative, but lacked the fun-spirited sing-along of Sunny’s tour. We toured the island, saw Maho Beach, around to (French side) Marigot for some shopping, photo stops, and to world famous Orient Bay Beach. This is a beautiful beach where tops are optional. You can go all nude at the end near Club Orient. You can Jet Ski, parasail, snorkel (go near Club Orient), swim, or play in the surf. There are bars, restaurants, playgrounds, chairs/umbrellas, you name it. Very beautiful place. Good for families too, if you aren’t hung up on topless or naked people. After 2 hours Victor was supposed to take us shopping in Philipsburg, but most opted to be dropped off at the ship instead. There is a small area of shops by the ship.

Orient Beach, St. Martin

ENTERTAINMENT:

I attended the welcome aboard show, and a couple comedian shows. I didn’t go to any others. Typical cruise show, nothing spectacular. Comedian made fun of himself for an hour, but he was good at it. My favorite entertainment is live music like the deck band ‘Eclipse’, Thomas with his guitar on the Promenade, and in the Lindy Hop with Trevor. I did participate in “Name that tune” and “Battle of the Sexes” games, and watched many others such as “Fear Factor”, “Survivor”, “Love, Sex & Marriage”, and others. There is an endless amount of activities for you to do all day…and you’ll never be bored.

Things that I liked:

The many activities offered.

The Topless deck! (What man wouldn’t like this?)

No tendering on this itinerary! Yah!

Carnival’s Veteran/Military discount! Hope it stays around. Other lines could take note!

Most of the staff onboard was very friendly.

Bartenders and cabin stewards go out of their way to say hi, or make you laugh.

Towel animals are pretty cool.

The shops have good sales all week. There is a great Tanzanite sale as well, with drawings to win more jewelry. Must be present to win.

On St. Valentine’s Day, the ladies in the dining room were all delivered a single red Carnation to the table. A nice touch.

Buckets of beer…great idea. They go down quick on a hot day.

Those blue plastic rockers on the terraced deck. Fun to sit and people watch.

The chocolate buffet is pretty good. It’s served once in the afternoon.

The Deck Party under the stars is fun. They don’t do much besides line dance, but it’s nice to have live music on deck until late. The band was still playing at 2 am! Cool.

Thumbs up to the deck band, piano players, guitar player near the casino and all the other entertainers. They are all very good. There was an entertainer who did tricks in the dining room. He was very good with coin tricks…and I liked him a lot. Amazing.

Getting through Customs in St. Thomas goes very smoothly. There is a huge line up, but the line moves really fast. In fact…you barely even stand still once the agents arrive onboard. Quick and painless.

Room service. It was great for us, but I heard from others that never received deliveries. Not sure what happened there but mine was always right, and on time.

All the different places to get a quick bite to eat! Deli’s, buffets, pizza joints, burger joints, sushi bars, dining rooms, room service, fish & chips, etc.

Warm Chocolate Melting Cake…need I say more???

The bathroom is very functional. This is one of the best showers I’ve seen on a ship. The curtain doesn’t attack you like on some ships. Love the shower head/hose and the soap/shampoo dispensers. Two thumbs up.

Love the Lobby (atrium). Valor’s goes from deck 3 all the way to the sky. Princess ships have short 3 story ones that aren’t that impressive. RCI still has them all beat! Love the décor with the wooden (flag) flooring.

The beds and comforters are very nice.

Midnight comedians!

Carnival Capers with the removable schedule section.

Things that I didn’t like: (this may sound like a rant...but this is how I feel...sorry)

No steel drum music! What’s up with that??? I really missed this.

Hot tubs were never really hot.

Security seems to hassle young people for ID all the time. You’d think by weeks end they’d stop asking the same people. It’s good to keep down the underage drinking that’s happening, but they don’t have to be rude about it.

We had multiple weddings, realtors, a large Do-Wop group, and other meeting groups onboard this week. Lounges and clubs were constantly closed for private parties. This just doesn’t seem fair. Many daily activities were moved to locations that weren’t very suitable. This is the first time I’ve seen a big, beautiful atrium/lobby used for such activities! They held break-dancing shows, cornhole tournaments, trivia contests, Battle of Sexes, Golf Putting contests, etc. This made taking a nap in your cabin or falling asleep before midnight very difficult…as they were using loud music and PA systems in the atrium at all hours.

Deck chair saving: This is WAY OUT OF CONTROL. Valor deck chairs were VERY hard to come by in nice sunny weather, or on sea days. People toss stuff on the chairs and never use them. On the bright side…you can bring home a lot of $22 towels. ? Chair hogs….two thumbs down to you. You know who you are.

Attention Smokers…you’re not going to like this part so just skip on by it… Interior smoking. I’m not a smoker, and don’t think it should be permitted anywhere indoors. Until society catches up with the times…I’ll deal with it best I can…in protest. The bars, lounges, and casino are smokey, as is the Promenade (deck 5) in general. It’s a high traffic area, and there is no shortage of smokers onboard. How does this affect my cruise…other than the deadly health hazard? I like to pack light, and sometimes wear my dinner clothes on more than one night. That’s tough to do when they smell like cigarette smoke the next day.

Exterior smoking: While I’m on the subject…Starboard side of the pool deck is the ‘smokers-gone-wild’ section. Some people disregard this and smoke all over the place. The smell of cigars and cigarettes will sometimes chase you off of your ‘premium priced’ balcony as well. (Not to mention the marijuana smoke we smelled a couple times out there)

I didn’t like the fact that some passengers think it’s ok to walk around wherever they want with no clothes on. I don’t mind this outdoors…but I didn’t like all those shirt-less, and shoe-less men walking around inside Rosie’s getting food or in the American Lobby having drinks. It’s just tacky and unhealthy. Try this at a nice land based restaurant. Wise up fools…if you only knew how stupid you look.

I hate cruise ship coffee on all lines equally. It’s all very bad. I think it’s a ploy to get you to the Java Café for $4 lattes. Dining room coffee is a bit better than everywhere else…but not much. This ship has a very crowded feel. I think it has to do with the proximity of all the clubs, venues, shops, etc all being located together. There are a lot of people on board…yes. It is nice to stroll down the Promenade and see what’s up. This is both good and bad because it gets crowded. (Can you tell I’m not a fan of crowds?)

I prefer a sliding door to the balcony. The swinging door just wastes space. The balcony seems even smaller because of this. I didn’t like the furniture out there either. The best furniture I’ve seen was on Island Princess. Large table right up against the rail, and two chairs that can lay back.

Shows starting at 10:30pm for late seating. Princess has many shows BEFORE dinner for late seating. This way, you are not up all night trying to see everything.

I like to see the ships position on a chart broadcast on the TV in your cabin like Princess and RCI. Carnival Valor didn’t have this feature. You had to go down on the Promenade to view it.

TIP: FRS radios: They are a good way to communicate onboard. The problem is, parents give these things to their kids and let them run amok! They are on every channel, screaming and cursing on them. I found them to be useless onboard because of this. If you bring them…bring one with privacy codes. Oh yeah, this ship has cell phone service at sea…so you’ll see people all over the place yapping it up.

Note: Parents…you brought those kids, and it’s YOUR responsibility to watch/parent them…24/7. I saw unsupervised kids running loose everywhere. I saw small children climbing up onto the upper rails of the 10th deck! Now I love kids, but they need tending to. Kids need supervision on a ship...you just don't let them run amok! ANYTHING can happen on a ship, and you have a FALSE sense of security about cruise ships if you don't supervise them!

CONCLUSION:

Many things on this cruise simply didn’t live up to the ‘greatness’ I’ve experienced on other cruises. Don’t get me wrong, this was a good cruise…just not as good as it could have been. It started out on the wrong track right from embarkation…where I actually said I would never sail Carnival again…before I ever stepped foot on their ship! (Yea, I was mad!) There was a lot I liked about Carnival Valor, and a lot I didn’t care for. All in all we still had a good vacation experience. We received good value for our money. I believe we will sail Carnival in the future sometime. But for my money and experience…I think Royal Caribbean and Princess are more our style.

Cruise Review: Island Princess Hawaii

Island Princess to Hawaii
By Pete Larson

February 5-20, 2006,
Los Angeles to Hawaii to Los Angeles. (15 days)
Total distance traveled: 5,081 nautical miles.

This was our 4th cruise, and our second with Princess Cruise Lines. We are in our early 40s, and love each cruise for what it is. We flew in to LAX two nights prior, with family and friends. There were 8 adults, and 2 children in our group.

Los Angeles, California --
Arrived in LA two nights pre-cruise for some R&R and sightseeing. Took a pre-reserved SuperShuttle from LAX to Best Western Ocean View Hotel, Santa Monica. It overlooks Santa Monica Beach, Santa Monica Pier, and Palisades Park. We had an ocean view with balcony. The hotel was nice, and in a really GREAT location. The beach and pier is right across the street, and the 3rd Street Promenade is only 2 blocks away. This is a great place to spend some time.

Island Princess leaves from Los Angeles Harbor in San Pedro, California. We arranged for SuperShuttle to drive us to the pier on sail date. We were told by Princess to arrive AFTER 1pm because there were 3 cruise ships in harbor. We arrived a little before noon, and the short line outside started moving into the terminal shortly thereafter. Porters grabbed our luggage quickly, and were very helpful. We processed through the EXPRESS check-in line quickly and were in our cabin before 1 pm. Getting to the port early was a great choice for us, as we missed standing in HUGE lines later. The people who bought Princess Transfers got there hours after we did, and waited in those long lines.

Ratings:

Best Western Ocean View Hotel: C+

Best Western Ocean View area: A Embarkation: A+

SuperShuttle Service: A+

Porters: A+

Sail Away Party -- I enjoy having a nice sail away party at each port, and the first night should be the biggest and the best. Princess put on the lamest party I have ever attended in 4 cruises. The band set up, then disappeared and never played any music. So basically, there wasn’t a party, dancing, or an explanation why. It was over before it started. Everyone went inside right away, as it became cool and breezy on deck as night fell. I later found out one band member didn’t show up onboard so they didn’t play.

Ratings: Sail Away Party: F

Sea Days -- I love sea days! I’d like a cruise that didn’t stop anywhere; so being on a cruise that begins and ends with 5 nights at sea was HEAVEN to me. Getting around the ship seems a little confusing at first. It gets easier as time goes by. The crossing was pretty rough at times. Seas were mostly mild to moderate. The ship does pitch up and down, side to side quite a bit. Sometimes, walking straight can be a challenge. There are many daily activities for those who like to participate. Check your Princess Patter daily.

TIP: If you are prone to sea sickness, I recommend taking a remedy each day. I would also recommend a cabin near the center of the ship, on a lower deck. The front of the ship seemed to have the most movement. (think of the ship as a teeter-totter) On one occasion, the dance show in the forward theatre was postponed because it was too dangerous for the dancers.

TIP: For those that like to carry a schedule, but like to save their Princess Patter as a keepsake: You can pick up a single page daily activity sheet at Guest Services each day. You can fold it up, and not miss a thing.

TIP: If you like to see the menu each day prior to dinner, you can simply look in the binder located on most bars. There is a Dining Room Menu posted there each day. This can save you a trip to the Dining Room to see it.

FYI: If you book a balcony on this trip, keep in mind it may be windy and cool. Water spray sometimes reaches the highest decks. We found the balcony to be almost useless most sea days coming and going to Hawaii because of this. Even so, I still would have booked the balcony room. Sailing between islands, and while in port are great times to use the area. It’s also nice to have daylight in the cabin.

TIP: There are some nice aft sun decks on Island Princess. There is plenty of sun, and very little wind back there. You can get to them easily through the upper deck public areas. There are also some hidden sun decks you can only access through the Port and Starboard stateroom hallways on Aloha and Baja decks. You can have them to yourself for a few days. Word usually gets out, and traffic out there picks up later in the cruise.

FYI: If you like wildlife, keep your eye out for porpoises on the first couple days. We saw large numbers of them near the ship from our balconies.

Hilo, Hawaii --
We rented a minivan from Thrifty, and drove up to the Kilauea Volcano. The drive takes around 45 minutes each way. Prepare for rain, and cool weather at the volcano. There are lots of trails and thermal features to see in the park. Thurston Lava Tube was interesting to walk through. This was the most crowded site in the park.

FYI: If you like wildlife, keep your eye out for whales in the morning before entering into Hilo’s harbor. We saw many humpbacks just before reaching the harbor.

FYI: The evening we left Hilo, around 9-10 pm we passed the lava flow where it enters the ocean. It was on the Port side of the ship. You could see the lava flowing down the mountain, and entering the sea. It will be dark, and you will need a really good camera to take a good picture. This spectacle is worth seeing, so try not to miss it!

TIP: If you have a starboard balcony, I suggest viewing the lava from your cabin. Deck rail space on deck 15 is tough to find. It’s crowded with people, and the majority of it has high windows, which limit your view. Get there early if you want your own space, or better yet, stand on the stairs leading to the forward Splash Pool.

FYI: This evening is also the ISLAND NIGHT deck party. Fun, music, games and dancing under the stars. Don’t forget to go in to Horizon Court and see the tropical buffet.

Ratings:

Thrifty Car Rental Hilo: B+

Island Night Party: B

Kailua-Kona, Hawaii --
This is a tender port. Excursion groups have priority getting on the tenders first. We went on the Capt. Zodiac Excursion. It was fun, but it was a rough ride. Snorkeling in Kealakekua Bay was second to none. Loads of fish, and coral. The area gets a lot of traffic when the Fairwind boat arrives dumping loads of people into the water with you.

Much that Kona has to offer is within walking distance of the tender port. Tender lines can get long near the end of the day. The lines move pretty quickly, however.

I had planned a trip to a coffee farm, and reserved a rental car from the Dollar Rental place at the King K. Hotel. There was a Chinese New Year celebration going on, streets were blocked, and traffic was a nightmare. I skipped picking up the car, checked out the town, and joined the celebration. I also paid a visit to Rainbow Falls Tattoo shop for a permanent souvenir. Very nice people, and great work.

Ratings:

Capt. Zodiac Excursion: B

Kealakekua Bay as a snorkeling spot: A+

Rainbow Falls Tattoo: A (great parrot tattoo!)

Nawiliwili, Kauai --
A lush tropical island, much of which is inaccessible by car. This is one of the best islands for a helicopter tour. We booked a helicopter tour ourselves with Island Helicopters. The flight was beautiful, and the pilot very skillful and friendly. Here is something upsetting which happened to us, with Island Helicopters: My wife and I were split up at the last possible minute, and put in different helicopters. We were not given an explanation, nor the opportunity to fly at a different time together. They split another couple up at the same time, and they were just as mad. My wife had to be talked into this excursion in the first place (pre-cruise, by me), because she sometimes has anxiety problems. This situation upset her a lot, and really created quite a problem for us. We were assured in the beginning that we’d fly together on the helicopter. They also changed our flight time without telling us until I called to confirm 48 hours prior. Then, after the flight, they told us that the free video offered on the website was no longer available. We complained, which made them very agitated with us. They said they’d mail them to us. The shuttle driver dropped us off at the Thrifty Car Rental, as requested. but acted like a jerk after the video snafu. Long story short, I would not recommend Island Helicopters as an excursion. Love the ride, the pilot, and the experience…hated the mismanagement.

We rented a convertible from Thrifty, and headed to Poipu Beach Park. Great snorkeling, nice sand, and a swimming area for small children.

TIP: When you rent a car at any of the islands, it’s best to reserve it far ahead, as they can sell out. When you pick up the car, ask for a map, and pay close attention to the location so you can find the return spot. It’s sometimes at a different location than where you pick up the car.

Ratings:

Island Helicopters flight and pilot: A

Island Helicopters management, and business practices: F

Kauai scenery from helicopter point of view: A+

Thrifty Kauai: A







Honolulu, Oahu --
The ship docks at Aloha Tower Marketplace. (ATM) It’s a fun place to eat, drink, and shop.

We took the Princess tour: USS Arizona & City Tour. The tour was good, but did not go where advertised. Because of long waiting times at USS AZ, we didn’t get to go all places, such as the Pali Lookout as they advertised. Shuttles, buses, and taxis can be had right at the front entrance to Aloha Tower Marketplace.







We took a taxi to Waikiki for $17 one way. We attended the Royal Hawaiian Luau, which was very good. You receive a lei greeting, a couple free Mai Tai’s, and a photographer will take your picture and offer it to you for $20. The hotel is very nice, the seating was great, and it can all take place indoors if the weather is less than nice. Walls are open to the beach, with a spectacular view of Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head. The show was good, the buffet food was good, and the price was ok. We caught a taxi at the front door, and headed back to Aloha Tower for $14. We even had time for pitchers of beers at Hooters Honolulu before boarding the ship at 10:30pm.

TIP: If you are attending the Royal Hawaiian Luau, check their website for a coupon. We received 20% off with the coupon offered on each admission. Reserve early, they sell out.

FYI: If you want to get from the ship to Waikiki area, a free shuttle can be caught at ATM going to Ala Moana Mall. You can then catch the free shuttle to the Waikiki area. This is the FREE method of getting from the ship to Waikiki. The free shuttles look like trolley cars. ~The next cheapest way to get to Waikiki area is by bus. The stop is right outside in front of ATM, and it costs a couple bucks.

Ratings:

Princess excursion; USS AZ & city tour: A-

USS AZ as a must do attraction: A+ (you have to go here!)

Royal Hawaiian Luau: A

Hooters: A

Lahaina, Maui --
This is a tender port.

We took the Whale Watch excursion, and saw many whales. We were lucky to see a couple of male humpbacks fighting over a female at pretty close range. The excursion boat is nice, with shade on the lower deck if needed. The boat rocks pretty good if the swells are big, so take your meds if you get seasick. There were a few sick people on our boat. The channel between Maui and Lanai can get pretty rough.

We had a rental car reserved with Enterprise after the excursion but never used it. We called for the shuttle, and it never came. I tried calling for an hour straight and the calls went unanswered. We took the shuttle to Hilo Hatties, and just walked the town shopping the rest of the day.

TIP: The old courthouse in front of the famous Banyan Tree has restrooms, and really cool free walking maps of Lahaina.

Ratings:

Princess excursion; Maui Whale Watch Tour: A-

Enterprise Rental, Kaanapali: F


Maui

Ensenada, Mexico --
Only a four hour stopover here. Shuttle buses line up outside the shopping center at the pier. They will take you to town for $2 each person, each way. There are loads of shops, restaurants, and bars in town. Downtown Ensenada is a fun place to shop. There are people lining the sidewalks selling things but they aren’t overly aggressive.

FYI: The Shopping Center at the pier is very small. You can buy souvenirs, liquor, and sundries there, but not much else. There is a little bar in there with a really nice, old bartender. Some of the ship’s crewmembers stop for drinks there, and are fun to talk with.

Los Angeles, California --
Disembarkation: Went pretty smoothly, even though there were 3 ships in harbor. You tag your luggage and set it out in the hall before 8pm the last night. You will be called to Customs by your luggage tag color, and process through. Then you go to a public place to relax until you are again called to leave the ship. We lounged on deck in the warm sun.

There is no luggage carousel; they just put the luggage out according to your tag colors. Getting a porter was difficult, but only because of the bad management of the Princess Transfer program! We dragged all our own bags out to the transfer bus waiting area.

FYI: The Princess Transfer program was all messed up at disembarkation. This REALLY needs improvement. We waited in line WAY too long to board a bus out of there. Many people missed flights, or were very rushed to make it. Our bus line was over 2 city blocks long to board 1 bus! You would think they would have it all together since they do it so often, but they don’t. My advice is; SKIP THE TRANSFERS and grab a shuttle or taxi to the airport.

FYI: LAX needs to get it together as well. The line for security to x-ray your bags gets way too long, and needs to be relocated. Then, after that long wait, you wait in another huge line to go through security. (ie…huge line, one security checkpoint out of 6 open)

FYI: The pier porters were much nicer, and more helpful here than the ones in Miami, FL. Not once was I given any grief, did they demand a specific amount dollar amount, or were my suitcases threatened, as porters do in Miami. Those thugs try to intimidate you into paying them way too much to toss a couple suitcases in a bin. (payment to ensure your luggage arrives safely on your ship)

Ratings:

Disembarkation: A

LAX Security Setup & Operation: D+

Porters: N/A

Princess Transfer Program Management: F

Conclusion: I knew when I booked this cruise that the majority of the people on this cruise would be in the ‘older range.’ It’s a long, pricey cruise, and who has more time and money than retired folks…right? (my attempt at humor) I don’t mind…I love older people…but we were clearly some of the youngest passengers onboard.

Dining & Food: Food is very subjective, but here is what I found: I liked each and every meal I had in the dining room, and our servers were outstanding. The Head Waiter came by each night, and was very nice Breakfast and lunch service is sometimes hit and miss, but the food was always good, and the company interesting. I’m still not a big fan of Princess dining rooms. They are very understated compared with Royal Caribbean ships. (if you compare)

I’m not a big fan of ANY buffet, and Horizon Court was no exception. It’s a place I only ate out of convenience a few times for breakfast mostly. Many people thought it was great, but I didn’t.

We had dinner in the Bayou Café ($15 each), and it was great. The Carpetbagger Filet was the best steak I’ve ever eaten! Worth every penny.

I loved the Pizza, and all the food at Princess Grill. I didn’t care much for the ice cream at the Lotus Pool area either. Ice cream was better in the dining room, and it was free there.

Ratings:

Provence Dining Room Food: A-

Provence Dining Staff: A-

Bayou Café Food & Staff: A+

Horizon Court Buffet: D+

Princess Grill & Pizzeria: B

Coffee Rating: I love coffee, and find that most cruise ship coffee is pretty bad. Princess coffee is pretty bad as well. I bring my own coffee maker, and make it in my stateroom. This is a good cruise to do it on, as you can buy some great coffee in the islands! (check the rules to see if your coffee maker is allowed)

The coffee is different at each location, so I rated it:

Dining Room: C-

La Patisserie: C+

Horizon Court: F (totally undrinkable, and I’m not kidding)

Bayou Café: C-

Entertainment: Bands were ok, and most shows too. I’m not big on most of them, but I liked the comedy stuff. I know this wasn’t a Caribbean cruise, but I sure missed the steel drum music!

Activities: I liked most of the Cruise Directors staff, and activities. I got involved in a few, such as Battle of the Sexes, (I was Captain, and Men won) and The Princess Survivor Challenge. ( I placed 2nd…got robbed in the end )







Ship: I have loved every ship I’ve been on, and Island Princess is no exception. She’s beautiful, and kept up well. I do think Royal Caribbean’s ships have much more of a WOW factor, and seem more elegant. Princess atriums all look the same, and are nowhere near as impressive as RCI ships.


Balcony partitions opened


Spa: A very nice spa package is available. We paid $150 for 2 people to use the Sanctuary as often as we liked. There are several aromatherapy steam rooms, showers, saunas, heated beds to use. Very relaxing. Overall: We liked this cruise very much. Hawaii is beautiful, and I loved all the sea days! The crossing is cool, rough, and windy, so pack and dress accordingly. Most everything met or exceeded our expectations. Princess is still one of my favorites!

Cruise Review: Navigator of the Seas

Navigator of the Seas Review
By Pete Larson

Sail date: 12-13-2003:
Voyage # 54
Western Caribbean: Labadee, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel
Nautical miles sailed: 2,040
Ship Captain: Leif Otto Bang
Cruise Director: Jeff Martin


We are a couple just turning 40, traveling with 19 family members and friends. This was our 3rd cruise, (second with RCI) and our children’s 1st. (ages 21 & 18) We booked 13 months in advance through an Internet travel agent, and had great prices. The price of the cruise never dropped below our booking price. I booked our airfare direct with the airline, and bought travel insurance through CSA.

HOTEL
We flew in 2 days prior, and stayed at Holiday Inn, South Beach. This is a decent hotel, with great prices and a nice beach/pool area. There are 2 restaurants in the hotel; one is OUTBACK, which was good. There is a SUBWAY right across the street. This is a nice area within walking distance of Lincoln Road Mall, which is full of outdoor cafes. (most are Italian) The boardwalk is right outside the hotel, and runs North. It doesn’t connect to the South Boardwalk. You can catch the Electro wave shuttle outside the Jackie Gleason Theatre, and ride around SoBe for 25 cents per ride. Driving and parking in SoBe is a nightmare. I suggest renting a bike over at Lincoln. You can even rent a Segway Human Transporter! There are many other choices for public transportation as well. You can also rent Yamaha Waverunners on the beach at $65 per half hour.

TIP # 1: Everyone in Miami wants your money. Everyone in Miami wants a tip. Even the “Sandwich Artist” at SUBWAY has a tip jar! The cabbies, the porters, the concierge, the guy in the bathroom, the bartenders, waitresses, bellhops…etc. Bring lots of small bills with you!

EMBARKATION
We arranged 2 SUPER SHUTTLE’S to take us to the Port of Miami at 10am. They arrived on time, and the charge was $55 for each shuttle. (+ tip) They transported all 19 of us, and luggage with no problem. Upon arrival at the Port, the porters were fighting over us immediately. Our porter was very nice, and wanted $60 to toss our luggage in the bin, and get it to the ship safely. (that was just one shuttle with 9 people!) He was very helpful, and was tipped $40 from our shuttle, and more for the other shuttle. Not sure of his final take, but he got more than $2 per bag from us. One suitcase was damaged upon arrival as well. Not sure who did it. I don’t like the porter situation in Miami. We entered the Port and waited in line to pass security. Have all your documentation & ID ready. They would not allow boarding until 11am. Check-in and security went fast and smooth. We boarded within minutes of checking in.


TIP # 2: If you are in a group, and your children are switching to other rooms, you must see the Pier Coordinator near check-in to have the rooms switched before boarding the ship. They will update which room # each person will actually be occupying. This is done after you set up the Sea Pass accounts. (they will print new cards)

BOARDING:
You have to see it to believe it! OVERWHELMING is all I can say. Seeing Navigator and Explorer end to end is a real spectacle. WOW! This ship is gorgeous! Off to the Windjammer for a quick lunch. They buffet was great!

TIP # 3: Get onboard early, and tour the ship. You can get photos of the public spaces with no other people in them. You can take Spa tours and make appointments for things as well. Bring tip money for the porters, but don’t pay what they ask! ($1-2 per bag)

THE SHIP:
The layout is nice, the décor is beautiful, and the public areas are plentiful. We always take a self-tour of the ship after our boarding lunch. There were many places I never made it back to during the week! You will find your way around pretty easily by day 2 or 3. This ship is in top-notch condition…and still looks brand new. There is a pool open 24 hrs a day. They are all salt-water pools. Hot tubs are fresh water. There is a mineral spa in the SPA / Gym. It is very hot and has different massage vents. You can use it free of charge. Also free, are most activities such as Rock Wall, In Line skating, ice-skating, and mini golf.
I thought a ship this large would be more stable than smaller vessels…it isn’t. I didn’t see too many sick people, but the ship definitely moves around a lot. My wife took Bonine and had no problems. You will feel the movement though. Come prepared.

TIP # 4: The elevators are a busy place. Many times, when an elevator finally comes to get you…it’s already full! Learn to take the stairs more! You will get there quicker anyway. The glass elevators are much more scenic to ride. The view of the Royal Promenade is spectacular!

THE CABIN:
We had aft cabin #7688. It faces the ships wake, and has the largest balcony. This cabin is GREAT! The balcony is its best feature. It does take on a little soot from the stacks. Don’t walk out there in your socks...they will be black! I found myself wiping the chairs off each morning. It has 2 lounge chairs, 2 chairs and a table. We ate many room service breakfasts here. Much easier than fighting the crowds at the Windjammer on port days. Nothing like a nice hot breakfast on the balcony as we pull into port each day! I laid on a lounge chair to watch the meteor shower and fell asleep under the stars listening to the sounds of the sea. The structure on the back of the ship doesn’t obstruct the view much. The balcony is in shade most of the day. If you are looking for sun, it’s better on the top decks. It is less windy back there, but there were mornings that were still too windy to eat out there.
I like the re-design of the shower stall. No more curtains, like on Vision Class ships. The room was large enough for 3 persons, and had a drop down bunk if needed. There is a sofa, safe, dressing table, coffee table, big closet, hair dryer, and plenty of storage space. The RCTV is wonderful. You can book excursions, check your Sea Pass account, order room service, movies, and many other things right on the TV.





Half of the large aft balcony

TIP #5: If you don’t like to walk…you won’t like this cabin. It is a long way from stairs and elevators to the rear of the ship. (120 steps to be exact) I didn’t mind it, but some might. Also, be careful walking down the halls. Cabin attendants and passengers put carts, trays, vacuums, and stuff all over the halls. I found myself navigating around, and tripping over stuff everyday.

TIP #6: There is a charge of $7.95 per minute for using your phone to call shore. Some teens in our party thought they could use a Phone Card, and did. They rang up hundreds of dollars in phone bills calling their boyfriends back home. They thought it would not apply if using a card. It did. Learned the hard way at the parents’ expense. Educate your children before boarding.

STAFF:
The staff was always friendly. I really liked our cabin steward, Renato, and some of our servers. Great dining room & bar staff. I had one problem with security holding onto one of my suitcases. It made me late for dinner on the first night. Security held it because they saw something suspicious inside. They called me to the GUEST RELATIONS and made me show them what I had. There were 2 little knives in the outside pocket of my checked bag. I needed them to cut the zip ties on the zippers. They needed to see them, and then they let me take them to my room. It was a real joke. The knives in the dining room are bigger! Each of my knife blades was less than 2 inches! I was also stopped by security coming back from snorkeling in Grand Cayman. I had a dive knife in my snorkeling gear. I forgot it was even there, but they picked it up on the x-ray. When showed them it, they let me back onboard with it. (which is weird, because it was much bigger than the knives they saw in my other checked bags being loaded on the ship)

TIP # 7: The GUEST RELATIONS desk (also known as the PURSER) is less busy in the middle of the night. Most of the day and evening, there is a line. Sometimes, a really BIG line. Get your business done early in the cruise. Late in the cruise…you will wait forever! Use the casino as your personal bank to get money or break down bills. The line is shorter.


DINING & FOOD:
We were in the very rear (near Port windows) of the SWAN LAKE DINING ROOM. (Top tier) I would have preferred the bottom level, but it wasn't a big deal. The Waiters still sing and dance on each tier. The windows were nice, but you can't see anything outside because at Second Seating it's already dark in DEC. Our waiter was Omar, and he was good, not great. Seemed quiet and shy. I didn’t like our table assignments. We had a party of 19 at two tables. My children were split up at two different tables, which didn’t please me, and we moved around a bit. The waiters were a little confused, but it worked out. I thought the food was FANTASTIC, and usually stayed with what was recommended by the staff. We had the best Head Waiter ever. She really took care of us.

TIP #8: I thought with the coming of Seattle’s Best Coffee, that it would be better than before. It’s not. Personally, I couldn’t stand the coffee. Way too strong and bitter. Being a diehard coffee drinker…I made due with it, but you may want to think about an alternative way to make coffee.

ENTERTAINMENT:
~Royal Caribbean Singers & Dancers -Now & Forever -All Access ~Ice Dancers -Ice Dancin’ ~The Original Drifters (Celebrity Entertainers) ~Miguel Washington (Comedy) ~John Joseph (Comedy) ~Duo Iouvilov ~James Stephens III (Comedy) The Broadway type shows are interesting, but not my favorite. The Drifters were great! Lot’s of oldies, and the young singer is EXCELLENT! The Duo is really good, and the comedy of John Joseph is OUTSTANDING! I did not see the others. Ice Dancin’…just like everyone says…DO NOT MISS THIS SHOW! It is incredible what they can do on the small ice! This is by far…the best show on the ship. There are also singers, and musicians in the pubs and lounges each night. I enjoyed the guy in the Two Poets Club on the Royal Promenade. (He would play Jimmy Buffett for me) Another nice thing to see are the parades down there. They do a lot in the space given, and it is quite spectacular.

TIP # 9: Get tickets to ICE DANCIN’ early for the seating you want. All of the shows SELL OUT. (even though tickets are free)

CRUISE CRITIC MEET & GREET:
I met several of our group at the Pool Bar the night before. I spotted someone with a CC lanyard around her neck, and she knew someone who knew someone…and it went from there. We met for the party in the Cosmopolitan Club, and the Social Host was Mikiko. There was cookies and coffee, or you could use the cash bar. A free drawing was held and the prize was a computer mouse. Capt. Bang also came down to speak. He answered questions and even posed for pictures. He is the nicest guy. It was a really great group of people.

PORTS:

MIAMI
Pre-cruise- See above (hotel) Post-cruise- RCI Everglades tour. The bus picked us up right outside the ship. Our bus had a flat tire that they fixed in about 30 minutes, and we were on our way. We got on the airboat, and the weather was cold for Florida, so gators weren’t too active. We did see a few. I liked the airboat trip, but it could have been longer. We were at the airport well before 2:00pm.

TIP # 10: If you have a lot of time to kill before your flight, there is a nice little ‘park like’ seating area outside, across from the main entrance. There are benches to sit on, and catch some sun, or read. Inside the terminal it’s pretty hectic, and hard to find seating.

LABADEE
A really nice place to spend the day. This is a tender port, but the tenders are huge. The line really does move quickly. We did the Waverunner tour here, and it was great! The water was pretty rough, so it was hard to go wide open. Lots of fun. The rest of the day was spent eating the BBQ, and swimming at Hideaway Beach. The Haitian Market here is IN YOUR FACE shopping at it’s finest. There is loads of nice stuff to buy, but they will try everything to get you to buy something. Use your bargaining skills, and don’t be afraid. They are nice people, but they REALLY want you to buy. If you like hand carved things…this is the place to buy.

TIP # 11: There is a little tram to take you around the peninsula, but it never seems to come by. You may end up walking everywhere, but the walk is not really as long as it looks. Bring lots of sun block…this place is HOT, HOT, HOT! You can use your soda sticker here too.

OCHO RIOS, JAMAICA:
We booked a tour with Peat Taylor, but he was not our guide. I never saw him. Great tour...but we did not beat the crowds as promised. We waited for 20 minutes in a building outside the ship while they got the bus. Then waited in the bus for 45 minutes in the parking lot for 2 people that didn't show up. I think they went fishing for others to take their place...and found some. I felt a little deceived, and we did not beat the huge crowds of people. We also had to wait over 20 minutes in a downpour for the bus to pick us up at the falls when finished. The falls are very fun to climb. The rest of the tour was very nice. The fern gully was a nice drive, and we asked to go see the Fire Dept, as there were 3 U.S. Firefighters on the tour. (me included) His other tour bus made the falls before the crowds, and they were very happy with the tour. I was still very satisfied with the experience, although disappointed at what had happened. He dropped us off at Island Village for shopping, and MARGARITAVILLE! What a great place. Beach, bar, restaurant, water slide, pool, hot tub, dancing, gift shop, and a great party atmosphere. A perfect end to the day, at the swim-up bar!

TIP # 12: If you are paranoid about Jamaica, go to ISLAND VILLAGE. It is a gated area of shopping, where the sales are NOT AGGRESSIVE. You shop in stores like in the US. You may not get to bargain, but it is not IN YOUR FACE shopping. There are a couple stands in the center where you can bargain with the locals. You can get JABLUM BLUE MOUNTAIN COFFEE here for about $13 US per LB.

GRAND CAYMAN:
Nativeway Watersports is a great tour company that takes you to STINGRAY CITY and CORAL GARDENS to snorkel. Excellent tour and crew. The interaction with the Stingrays is priceless. Coral Gardens is really beautiful. Very nice coral and fish everywhere. I took a different tour of STINGRAY CITY in 1999, but Nativeway was much better. I even bought the video they filmed for us! Everyone on this trip really thought Nativeway was GREAT! They took us to 7 Mile Beach, and dropped us off at Royal Palms Hotel. This is a nice section of beach, with café and bar, Waverunner rentals ($65 per half hour), or you can have your hair braided. Admission is $3 per head, and taxi fare to tender dock is $3 per person.

COZUMEL:
We took a taxi to CHANKANAAB NATURE PARK. We got big van-taxis for our large group, and they charged us $13 US for the ride, which included the ($10) admission fee. The park is very nice, with an excellent beach. (look for iguanas all over the place) The restaurant food was great, and drinks are plentiful. (try the one in the pineapple!) The wind was VERY strong that day, and snorkeling wasn’t allowed until the seas calmed down. Lots to see out there. They even put some statues and such out there to find. We taxied downtown for shopping, and then hit CARLOS & CHARLIES for some refreshments. This is a fun but WILD place! Kids are allowed in, but the behavior is a little wild and risqué, so be prepared. We had a great time, and taxied back to the shopping area near the ship. We hit ½ SENOR FROGS there. Another fun place. Be prepared to drink some shots! (like it or not!) Needless to say, we were feeling no pain when we got back on the Navigator for sail away!





Chankanaab Park


This is a great day at Chankanaab


TIP # 13: At C & C, they will come around and blow a whistle behind you. Then they tilt your head back and pour a shot of (Sex on the Beach) down your throat, shake your head, and grab you where you don’t expect it. It’s pretty funny, so bring a camera! (and your wallet. Shots are $3 each!)

SEA DAYS:
This is a great time to sun or go to the SPA. Relax away the hectic pace of the island stops, and listen to the Steel Drum band on deck. Yes…people still hog deck chairs, and block your view. Don’t get discouraged…there’s always somewhere to sit to enjoy.

TIP # 14: Go to the CORONA DECK PARTY! It’s a lot of fun, drinking and dancing under the stars. There is also a big buffet on deck, CORONA beer, and drink specials. Let loose and DANCE!

DISEMBARKATION:
Very smooth and easy. I love the baggage carousel! I really hated the old method, wading through a sea of suitcases. It helps to mark your cases distinctly.

TIP # 15: Regardless of what RCI tells you, there is currently an American Airlines bag check in at the pier. Each person over age 18 must fill out there own CUSTOMS FORM. Do it in the line, and they get mad! Have ALL forms, and ID ready!

HIGHLIGHTS:
Sunsets Sky watching
Sound of the sea from the balcony
Steel Drum music on deck
Walking around the ship the first time in awe
Standing on the bow of the ship
Sail away parties & the CORONA deck party!

LOWLIGHTS:
The coffee
Getting off the ship after a week!

CONCLUSION:
I think the VOYAGER CLASS ships are great. They have something for everyone. There are a lot of people aboard, but it only feels crowded during meals, or getting off/on the ship. (same as any other ship) There is so much you can do; a week is not enough time. Don’t try to do it all, just enjoy what you are doing! No Problem Mon!

Update: 2008
After many cruises, Navigator of the Seas is still one of my favorite ships. Very elegant, very large, but a winning combination of all things for all people.

Cruise Review: Ocean Princess

Ocean Princess Review
by Pete Larson
February 8, 2002
10 day Southern Caribbean Medley
Ports: Ft. Lauderdale, Curacao, Isla Margarita, Barbados, Dominica, St. Thomas, and Princess Cays
Miles sailed: 3230

This was our second cruise, but first with Princess. We cruised Royal Caribbean’s Enchantment of the Seas in 1999. We booked with an Internet agent almost a year in advance. Prices dropped on this cruise over $400 per person after the 9/11/01 terrorist attacks. We booked our own airfare through Orbitz.com, and Access America Insurance.

Pre Cruise:
We booked the pre cruise hotel with Princess. It was the Ft. Lauderdale Airport Hilton. Nice hotel, but would rather spend the extra to stay on the beach next time. We had Princess transfers as well. An agent was waiting at the gate for us. We identified our luggage and a porter loaded them onto the bus. This didn’t seem to go too quickly for a cruise line that does this everyday. Luggage goes with you to your room in the hotel. You set it in the hall the next morning and porters take it downstairs.

Embarkation:
The bus picked us up before noon, and we were off to the port. We had express check-in, and walked right up to the counter and checked in within 4 minutes. Security is a little tight getting onboard. They searched us good, and we boarded. This was a real smooth process with no congestion. We were onboard by 1pm.

Cabin:
We had an inside cabin (C516) on Caribe deck 9, amidships. Very nice layout, plenty of storage and room for two. There was an unused fold down bunk for a third person in the cabin, refrigerator, safe, and TV. No clock. Shower was very functional, and not as small as I had expected.

Ship:
Beautiful and well maintained. Very clean. Always some painting going on. Decks are washed down each night. Freshwater pools and hot tubs open 24 hrs. Most impressive areas: Wheelhouse Bar, and the Atrium area. Favorite area: Outer decks of the Promenade. Keep in mind that the Starboard outer decks are nonsmoking. We used FRS radios to keep in contact with our party. They worked well. There were a few others using them as well, so we changed our channels a couple times. Ship movement was very noticeable. Even in mild seas, there was movement amidships. One night we had seas of 12-14 feet and it was hard to walk without running into one another. Bring your Bonine if you think you will get seasick, and there won’t be a problem. I find the rolling comforting myself. I love the movement of the sea.

Staff:
Very friendly people. Cabin steward called us by our first names whenever he saw us. Other staff always said hello when they passed you. Princess has some really nice and dedicated staff. I did meet a couple I would have liked to throw over the rail though. (Dallas at the Shore Excursion Desk, and the rude lady in the gift shop!) The Entertainment staff is the best. They do their job well.

Dining:
Traditional late seating. Here is one of our low points. Our waiter was very good, but too distracted by another table. He simply had too many people to please. This table of 10 was very demanding, and drank several bottles of wine each night. He had a tendency of spending much of his time trying to please them, and would forget about us. Our assistant waiter would be called away mid meal each night to help elsewhere, leaving our waiter alone to tend a table of 10, our table of 6 and a table of 4. Here is a tip. If, after the first night or two you are not pleased, switch to Personal Choice Dining. I wish we had. I had looked forward to dinner in the past, but was not thrilled at all with this.

Food:
Horizon Court Buffet is congested at peak times, food is plenty and good. Typical buffet. Two things that could be better: coffee and toast. The coffee is terrible, and the toast is like rubber. Most other things are quite good. Nice omelet / egg station for breakfast.
Dining room food was very good. Each night is a different theme. Some menu items included prime rib, filet mignon, halibut, lobster, king crab legs, frog legs, pasta, duck, pheasant, turkey, tilapia, lamb, and scallops. There is usually something on the menu to suit your taste. We tried the Sterling Steakhouse one night. I found it to be quiet, but nothing special. The food was good, but nothing better than that in the dining room. You pick your own cut of meat, and have a bloomin’ onion. This was not a very busy place.

Entertainment:
Shows were good, movies were good, comedians were funny, and bands were good. Overall entertainment was good, not great. Entertainment Staff was great. They made everything from Bingo to pool games fun. Cruise director (Trevor Bradford) was very entertaining. Most evening entertainment seems to be geared toward older cruisers. We had a hard time finding a good party. (under 40) Royal Caribbean does a much better job at entertaining younger cruisers. Love the steel drum band on deck called Sugar Cane.

Excursions:
We took 3 with Princess.
Barbados 5 Star Catamaran with lunch. This was top notch, and a highlight of the cruise. Tiami Catamarans took us out to swim with sea turtles. Then we went to a beach on the Gold Coast for lunch and snorkeling over a reef. Open bar was good, and the crew was GREAT! Fun and friendly. This is a DON’T MISS excursion!

St. Thomas Sailboat & Snorkel Adventure. This catamaran takes you to Buck Island for snorkeling. (not Buck Island near St.Croix) This is a fun half-day trip, but not the caliber of the Barbados 5 Star trip. Snorkeling was good, and the trip short but scenic sailing out of the harbor. Open bar after snorkeling.

Ft. Lauderdale by Land & Sea. This was a post cruise bus tour of the city, followed by a trip on a paddle wheel boat for a tour of the canals and Port Everglades. You will pass the houses of the rich and famous on this trip.

On our Own:
We took a taxi to the Curacao Seaquarium on our own. Beautiful aquariums, and great snorkeling. (for a fee) I did the Animal Encounter SCUBA dive there. It was fun feeding the sharks, turtles, rays, and fish there. I got quite a few fish bites carrying around the bait. Feeding the turtles and sharks was fun, but a little scary. Thrilling. The water in the lagoon is only 25' at max depth. I dove without a buddy.

They have a beautiful beach a short walk away. ($3 each) It’s tops optional for women.

Coooooooool! :-)

We hired a taxi van for the day in Dominica ($30 each). It was a GREAT day! This was a fascinating tour of a beautiful rainforest island. It is another highlight of the trip. The lush vegetation, flowers, and fruit trees made this a spectacular trip. The driver was a great tour guide, and took us to a sulfur pond, Trafalgar Falls, Emerald Pool, and a black sand beach. (Note: some hiking up steep slopes and rocky loose terrain required) We made many stops at interesting places. Dominica is unspoiled, and not really set up for mass tourism. I love Dominica, and it was MY favorite port. People were the friendliest I have seen. Do not leave this island without trying the fresh fruit grown there. I never knew a banana could taste so different. There is a fruit stand (Mr. Nice's) where you can try all kinds of fresh fruits for free. (tips only) The man who runs it is entertaining and funny. Go see him.

Picture below is us at Trafalger Falls.

Highlights:
Dominica (WOW!)
Champagne waterfall and atrium party
Sunsets
Napping on Promenade deck (relaxing)
Barbados 5 Star Catamaran (Tiami) (A DON’T MISS EXCURSION!)
The ship (beautiful)

Low lights:
The coffee (seems to be a little better in the dining room…but not much)
Disembarkation (you would think they could come up with a better plan)
Dining room service (need more personal attention)
Missing shows because of time (dinner takes forever…see above)

AFTER THOUGHTS:
I had a very good cruise on Ocean Princess. What drew me to booking her were the size, age, and itinerary. I was not disappointed. Sun Class ships have it all. I don’t know if I will ever be happy cruising anything larger. Having cruised both Royal Caribbean and Princess, I would have to say that Royal Caribbean is perhaps, a better fit for us. I still like to kick up my heels until the wee hours, but still like the royal treatment. Princess is a class act. I know now why older cruisers are drawn to them. I will surely cruise with them again, but will more than likely try Celebrity or RCI again. I am the sort of person that will not let ANYTHING come between me and a good time on a ship.

Edit: 2008
This ship has since been transferred to another line under P&O. She is a sister ship to SUN.

Cruise Review: Enchantment of the Seas

Royal Caribbean's
ENCHANTMENT OF THE SEAS
by Pete Larson
Western Caribbean, February 28, 1999

PRE-CRUISE
This was our first cruise experience, and it was a very good one! We booked this one through a local travel agent before knowing about all the great online agents out there that offer better service and prices! Don't be afraid to ask me for a Travel Agent recommendation!

We booked an inside cabin on deck #3. (A-deck) RCI numbers the decks on the ship starting with #1 being the deck you catch a tender from. B-deck is #2, A-deck #3, etc. We received our cruise documents 25 days before sailing. Air/Sea package worked well for us. One change of planes en route to Miami, with the same on the way back. RCI rep met us at the arrival gate.

TRAVEL DAY
RCI put us up a day early for free at the Miami Airport Hilton and Towers. This is a very nice hotel, with a great view. The hotel is surrounded by water, with a nice peninsula to walk on. I saw a manatee swimming in the water that evening. I received a letter at check-in telling me where to go in the morning to check-in with RCI. This is where you will show ID, birth certificates, etc., and receive your SuperCharge cards. These cards also serve as your boarding ID. Buses came to take us to port at 12:30-1:00pm. Buses were late and some impatient people just took cabs to the port.

EMBARKATION
The driver gave us a quick tour of Miami on the way to the port. I think he was fishing for tips, but it was nice. As we neared the port, I got my first glimpse of the Enchantment. We were stunned. It was so big and beautiful. We got off the bus and went directly up the gangway, and had our picture taken. This was a very smooth procedure. After boarding, we took our carry-on to the cabin, and went to activate our SuperCharge cards in the Fascinating Rhythm Lounge. We checked out the other common areas before the ship was completely full of people.

THE SHIP
Enchantment is truly a big and beautiful ship. It is so big, you seldom notice there are so many people on board with you. There are always quiet spaces to be found. The Orpheum Theater is outstanding in design. We never had a problem finding seats, even when we were late to the shows. Chairs have lighted drink holders, and some have tables.
The Carousel Lounge is open, with the rear sections raised up for good views of the stage area. Dancing, bingo, and various games and briefings are held there.
The pool area has plenty of chairs, with some in the sun, and some in the shade. After the first couple of days, it is much easier to find chairs in the sun because most people tend to over do it, and get sunburned. It was funny to see all the red faces at dinner on day two! The pools are saltwater and warm. They close at 7 pm each night and are drained. The pool was not open at all on Sunday.
The Solarium area has a nice pool and hot tubs. The sliding roof was open during the day. The Solarium Cafe served good burgers, fries, dogs, and pizza.
The Casino Royal is a typical casino. I pulled a few slot handles, with no luck at all. Plenty of machines and tables to keep gamblers occupied.
The Schooner Bar is a nice place for a quiet evening. There is a wonderful piano player singing songs in there each night. People were gathering around the piano and joining in on the songs.
The Centrum is truly amazing! You have to see it to believe it. There is ballroom type dancing there in the evenings. Riding up the glass elevators is really nice.
My Fair Lady dining room is big and majestic. It spans two levels and has great views of the ocean during the day.
Windjammer Cafe is a nice spot to eat as well. Buffet is on different islands, and is a busy place. The entrance and exit is right through the buffet area, which makes for some congestion.
The Viking Crown Lounge is a really nice area. The only problem is that it is the disco tech at night. It is a very loud area, and has an extremely young crowd. The drinking age is 18 while at sea, and this is their hangout. I couldn't stand it in there after a little while. A nice spot during the day though.
The Observation deck could use some improvement. It is usually too windy to spend much time up here at night to watch the sky. The lighting interferes with your night vision so it is hard to see anything but the brightest heavenly objects. Being an amateur astronomer, this was disappointing to me. There are some star charts up there which is nice. In one word...windy!Shipshape center has plenty for the athletically motivated.
Boutiques of the Centrum has some really nice things. They sell some high dollar items, as well as gifts and liquors. T-shirts sell as low as 3 for $15, and Absolut Vodka was only $6.99 per bottle! Rum prices were in line with that on the islands. There is not a huge selection onboard, but certainly enough to satisfy most everyone.
The Photo Gallery is where you will find all your pictures hanging. They snap pictures of you on formal nights, during dinner, and coming and going to ports. Formal portraits are $19.95 for 8x10s and smaller ones were $9.95 or less. Cruise Memories video is $25, staring you!Bars are plentiful onboard. My favorite was the pool bar for drinks during the outdoor parties and sail away parties. A steel drum band plays tunes there.

SERVICES
Drink servers are all over and will come by often. In fact, too often!I can see this being annoying to non drinkers. There is always a "drink of the day" which costs $5.95 in a souvenir glass, or $2.95 in a regular glass. They are served in different style glasses each day. Import beer is $3.50, or should I say $4.03 with the always added 15% gratuity. One word of advice: read each receipt before you sign them. Sometimes they mistakenly add an extra drink or bring you the wrong card back. They take your SuperCharge card from you each time you order a drink. You sign for the charge when they bring you the drink. Budget minded cruisers are best off bringing mixers or getting them at ports and buying the liquor onboard, mixing drinks in your room and carrying them where ever you want. Less convenient but you will save on the bar tab. The "drink of the day" is usually good. Some are the best I've ever had. My dining room waiter was Rui from Portugal. He was top notch. He provided me the best service I have ever received. The waiters perform on certain nights, so you will want to bring your camera to dinner. I had second seating, and was very happy with it. Dinner was at 8:30pm and took between 1� - 2 hours each night. Rui always made sure we were very happy each day.
My cabin attendant was OK. He cleaned the room twice a day, and did an excellent job. My only problem was "ice shortage" because I mixed drinks with ice during the day. Room service will bring you ice, but it would have been more convenient if he had left an extra ice bucket.I did not see him much throughout the cruise, but could always tell he had been there.The Solarium staff needs to be a little more attentive on busing tables. There are always dishes and dirty tables all over, and it's hard to find a clean place to sit. I noticed a bird living in the Solarium, was eating from the table tops. It was cute, but very unhealthy.

STAFF
Our cruise director was on his first Enchantment cruise as well. He was Kyle Dodson. He was very entertaining. Assistant Cruise Director was Kara Callahan. She was fun all day and night. She was MC at bingo and all other entertaining events.. I saw her much more than Kyle. They were the two stand out staff personnel I came across.The Captain was Per Arne Kjonso from Norway. He is a very witty and funny man.

ENTERTAINMENT
I found the entertainment to be outstanding. I was really impressed with the ships show band "Johnny Danger." They entertain somewhere onboard each night with a different theme like Rock 'n' roll, 50's & 60's, Country, etc. The Wave Revue Singers and Dancers are very good. Our celebrity entertainers were Finis Henderson and Barry Williams. You might remember Barry from the sitcom "The Brady Bunch", as he played the part of Greg Brady. He has a nice singing act. Two comedians, Tommy Blaze and Steve Shaffer were very funny. There are theme nights on this ship. Country Western night, 50's night, Toga party, or masquerade party. My favorite was Toga Night. You can wear your costumes, togas, or 50's wear to dinner on those nights. (casual nights) We wore togas to dinner and the show, and then went to a toga party on the deck. It was great dancing to the tunes in the open, night air. The midnight buffet was also served outdoors that night. The Cruise Compass bulletin will specify the dress for the evening.

FOOD:
The food was outstanding. I was able to try things I had never tried before. My favorite were the seafood dishes. (salmon) Each night has a different theme in the dining room. ( International night, Caribbean night, Italian night, etc.) The head waiter seems to be making something "table side" each night, or flaming some type of dessert. I never missed dinner in the dining room. Excellent food, with excellent service. Breakfast is open seating. You sit with other diners, but not at your assigned table. Lunch is served by your waiter at your assigned table. Shorts are OK for wear at breakfast and lunch in the dining room, but not dinner. The Windjammer Cafe serves buffet style food. I found it perfectly fine, but I am not a buffet lover. Some good things there, some bad. The "made to order" omelets are great for breakfast. Midnight buffets were pretty good as well. The best one is the Gala Buffet. Bring your camera because you will not believe your eyes. This was served in the My Fair Lady dining room.

The photo below is us in the main dining room dressed in Togas for dinner! It was quite a spectacle...since NO ONE ELSE was wearing them to dinner! (we got a lot of looks!)

THE DREADED VIBRATION QUESTION!
The question has always been about some sort of vibration on Enchantment. Here is the answer: YES, there is noticeable vibration. Enough to shake the water in your glasses. It was very noticeable to me, especially when trying to read something. I don't know if this is normal because it was my first cruise. After the first day you kind of adjust to it and it doesn't bother you. Sometimes, it would stop for about 30 seconds and start up again. The only time it quit was when you were in port. I had heard rumor onboard that Enchantment was going in soon for some type of repair. My best guess would be that this is abnormal for a large ship. I would not even consider this as negative when booking a cruise.

PORTS
Key West: Great shopping, great pub crawling, and overall a fun place. We went to Margaritaville for some Suds, conch chowder, Buffett music and souvenirs. My only gripe here is the ship doesn't stay at this port long enough! So much to see, so little time. You need to get a tender ticket if you are not going on an excursion here. Tendering is slow here.

Cozumel: I didn't see much of the land here. I chose the SCUBA tour, and saw Cozumel from below. We made 2 dives with Sand Dollar Sports. The reefs and aquatic life here are truly amazing. You must dive or snorkel at this island!
There is very good shopping here as well. Mexican blankets for $5 (US).

Jamaica: Ship docked at James Bond Pier, which is a taxi ride to shopping and beaches. We took the Sundancer Cruise to Dunn's River Falls. It was a fun, short ride there. My wife was getting her hair braided within 5 minutes of boarding. If you have hair of any kind, you will be approached by hair braiders everywhere you go. We climbed the falls, which were beautiful and fun. You can buy pictures or video of yourself climbing the falls. We also went parasailing, which can be done right at the pier. Cost was $45 each, for a 10 minute flight. It was really fun seeing everything from about 500 ft. Taxi drivers hassle you the minute you step off the ship. They were actually fighting over us! We took a cab for shopping at Taj Mahal.($2 each) Absent was bargaining like I had heard. We walked a couple blocks from there to the beach. One person was smoking marijuana in the street. The beach was public ($2) and very nice. Not crowded like the hotel beaches next to it. To avoid the cab experience, we hired a glass bottom boat to take us back to the ship. ($12 for the 4 of us) We didn't feel very comfortable in Jamaica. Some people here have "milking tourists of their money" down to a science. Beautiful place to see though, just be aware. Don't let this scare you into staying on board the ship. Jamaica is a beautiful place with much to offer.

Grand Cayman: Tendering here is quick and easy, with no tickets needed. I booked a tour with Capt. Crosby Watersports for snorkeling at Stingray City. Trip was great, Capt. Crosby is wonderful! This was much better than the "cattle boats" from the ship tours. Swimming with the stingrays was something not to be missed. Cayman is beautiful, and very safe. Seven mile beach is the most beautiful I have seen.(shell collectors delight!) Shopping is walking distance from the tender terminals.

Miami: Took Miami Highlights tour. Very nice bus tour of the city, with one 20 minute stop at Planet Hollywood. Tour ends at the airport.

DEBARKATION Luggage was easy to find, but hard to drag to airport check in. Long, unorganized lines at check in. All in all, it was smooth, but hard to know where to go when you get your bags.

CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS
~Watching the sunset each night
~Strolling the promenade deck in the evening
~Watching the ship enter & leave ports
~The great service in the dining room
~The food and entertainment
~Toga! Toga! Toga!

FINAL THOUGHTS
I will not hesitate to make my next cruise with Royal Caribbean. Enchantment is big and beautiful. The staff was really good at what they do. Take the time to meet new people, and sample new things. Time seems to just fly by. Our overall cruise experience was OUTSTANDING!

Edit: 2008
Looking back on this cruise, it is still one of our best cruises. Nothing rivals your VERY FIRST cruise experience! RCI has done away with Toga parties...and that is a shame. The ship itself was redone, cut in two, and stretched since our sailing. Many improvements have taken place. I remember this cruise with a great fondness.

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Welcome to "Cruise-aritaville!" This will be an archive of my cruise information, tips, upcoming cruises, advice, and insight. Basically...it's all things cruising. Enjoy!