Taking our first Cruise on Rhapsody of the Sea out of Galveston March 4 - Timeshare Users Group Online Community Forums

dixie · January 31, 2007, 07:08 PM

It is going to Jamaica, Caymans, and Cozumel. Has anyone taken this cruise B4? As I said, it will be our very first cruise. So I would appreciate any advise and pointers. We would like to explore Jamaica but not using the on ship tour pkg. Would rather book our own. Thanks for any advise! Anyone want to go?

K9HNDLR · January 31, 2007, 07:22 PM

Haven't been on that one, but my first cruise was awesome!

Before you go, try to get info on the stops to get the best bang for your buck, and the best sites with the time you have on shore.

I remember one night at dinner I could not decide between the steak and the duck. The waiter told me, "You can order both, heck you can order one of everything on the menu if you want!"

I didn't order everything, but did have the steak with a little duck!!!!

We went to the Bahamas on a 5 day cruise out of Florida.

Have Fun!

Art · January 31, 2007, 07:36 PM

The best place to get advice such as you are asking is over at www.cruisecritic.com

There are boards over there for each of the ports you will be visiting. Almost all those boards will have discussions and recommendations of various local tour guides and things to see or do. A favorite on Grand Cayman is Captain Marvin's trip to Stingray City. Unbelievable!

You might also want to check the "roll call" for your cruise. Roll calls often have good information about what people are planning to do in each port; including organizing private tours.

Now that I've made those suggestions, I need to add that first time cruisers are often better served by using the ship's tours even though they are more expensive. Among the reasons for doing this is that the cruise lines do a pretty good job of quality control, and the ship does wait for any late returnees from an "official" excursions (but not from a private one). This probably only matters if the excursion takes you 2 or 3 hours from the ship - the Mayan Ruins in Tulum when the ship is in Cozumel is a good example. The third reason is that the ship excursions build one's comfort level so that he/she can more knowledgeably plan private excursions on subsequent cruises.

BTW, Jamaica is one port that I would not want to explore without a really competent tour leader. That is true now for me, even after 7 cruises to destinations including Mexico, Costa Rica, the Caribbean, Alaska, Hawaii, Aruba, etc.

Art

Bizzyb · January 31, 2007, 08:44 PM

We're sailing on the Freedom of the Seas in May going to Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman and Cozumel. I second the advice to visit Cruisecritic.com. I have learned so much about cruising from reading their boards. This is our first cruise and after reading all the advice from there I just booked a private tour with Native Ways Watersports to Stingray City (Rays, Reef & Rum Point tour). They also have lots of recommendations for tour guides in Jamaica, look under Ports of Call for Jamaica. Happy reading and Happy Cruising.

jerseygirl · January 31, 2007, 09:25 PM

We were on the Rhapsody of the Seas NY's week. We LOVED it! Great service -- especially from the bartenders.

Our itinerary was slightly different (Key West instead of Jamaica). In Key West, we just rented a golf cart and tootled around the island for a few hours (no formal tour). In Cozumel and Cayman, we just wanted to go to the beach, and used RCCL "tours" to do so. Yes, we know we could have gotten a better deal independently, but we'd been to both beaches before, liked them a lot ... and ... we're lazy when we're on vacation so there's some comfort in just following directions!

Stop by the Schooner Bar and give Franklin a great big hug from the woman whose favorite drink is an "After Five!"

cmdmfr · February 1, 2007, 09:32 AM

Dixie my wife and I are going on a cruise with the all the Delaware fire fighters and one of our stops are Jamaica. My wife has a co worker that has a house in Jamaica so we talked with her and she has lined us up a tour of the island with the grounds keeper which is a local. I will let you know how it went also I hope to take pictures and if you are interested let me know and I will give you the phone number of my wife’s co worked and you can talk to her here is her web site.

I am leaving tomorrow for Baltimore so if you want to Email me I will read it tonight or when I get back the Address is cmdmfr3@comcast.net
Enjoy you cruise you will have a good time

http://www.reefwatchjamaica.com/

lvhmbh · February 1, 2007, 11:09 AM

My friend called me from MSC Lirica (it was still in port in Ft. Lauderdale) and first stop is Jamaica. They told her that it was not recommended that they leave the ship!!!! I don't think I'd take any tour on my own unless it was the groundskeeper mentioned above and I'd still be nervous without a large group. We have gone to other islands and snagged a taxi driver with friends but wouldn't do it there. JMHO, Linda

cmdmfr · February 1, 2007, 12:01 PM

Ivhmbh I agree with you on Jamaica I have heard some bad things about the Island but just like any place you have to be careful. If it were not for my wife and I traveling with her friend and my wife working with her for 8 years I would not do this tour. Just glad there is 6 of us going on this tour of the island

talkamotta · February 2, 2007, 01:09 PM

Cruising is very fun....

I have been on an Alaskian cruise (which is the best) and Ive been on an Australian/New Zealand.

The boyfriends parents have been on just about every cruise there is. They went on a South American cruise and it wasnt very safe. They had 3 people mugged while they were waiting to board the ship. They tell you at most ports to not wear any jewelry, stay in groups, and keep your money next to you. Might want to purchase a fanny pack and wear a shirt over it. You always hear about the bad stuff, so it will probably be ok, just pay attention. The captain will tell you when its not a good idea to get off the ship. Its a good way to see alot of places and decide if you want to go back and find a timeshare.

We felt very safe in New Zealand and only did 2 excursions. One was a train that I wouldnt do again and the other was Hobiton. (Where the Lord of the Rings was filmed) and the caves. I loved that one. For the most part we just did our own thing. The parents like going shopping (which I dont) so we went to an observatory and saw the southern cross. People were extremely friendly and helpful. One thing you have to be careful of is the time....The ship might not wait.

Dont let one cruise turn you off on cruising. Have fun

January 31, 2007, 07:08 PM	#1
dixie TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Aug 18, 05 Location: texas Posts: 295	Taking our first Cruise on Rhapsody of the Sea out of Galveston March 4 It is going to Jamaica, Caymans, and Cozumel. Has anyone taken this cruise B4? As I said, it will be our very first cruise. So I would appreciate any advise and pointers. We would like to explore Jamaica but not using the on ship tour pkg. Would rather book our own. Thanks for any advise! Anyone want to go?

January 31, 2007, 08:44 PM	#4
Bizzyb TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Jun 6, 05 Location: Renton, WA Posts: 32 Resorts: Marriott Marbella Beach Resort	First cruise for us also We're sailing on the Freedom of the Seas in May going to Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman and Cozumel. I second the advice to visit Cruisecritic.com. I have learned so much about cruising from reading their boards. This is our first cruise and after reading all the advice from there I just booked a private tour with Native Ways Watersports to Stingray City (Rays, Reef & Rum Point tour). They also have lots of recommendations for tour guides in Jamaica, look under Ports of Call for Jamaica. Happy reading and Happy Cruising.

February 1, 2007, 09:32 AM	#6
cmdmfr TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Jun 6, 05 Location: Delaware Posts: 127 Resorts: Westgate Lake resorts and Sea Time	cruise Dixie my wife and I are going on a cruise with the all the Delaware fire fighters and one of our stops are Jamaica. My wife has a co worker that has a house in Jamaica so we talked with her and she has lined us up a tour of the island with the grounds keeper which is a local. I will let you know how it went also I hope to take pictures and if you are interested let me know and I will give you the phone number of my wife’s co worked and you can talk to her here is her web site. I am leaving tomorrow for Baltimore so if you want to Email me I will read it tonight or when I get back the Address is cmdmfr3@comcast.net Enjoy you cruise you will have a good time http://www.reefwatchjamaica.com/

February 1, 2007, 12:01 PM	#8
cmdmfr TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Jun 6, 05 Location: Delaware Posts: 127 Resorts: Westgate Lake resorts and Sea Time	cruise Ivhmbh I agree with you on Jamaica I have heard some bad things about the Island but just like any place you have to be careful. If it were not for my wife and I traveling with her friend and my wife working with her for 8 years I would not do this tour. Just glad there is 6 of us going on this tour of the island

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January 31, 2007, 07:22 PM	#2
K9HNDLR Guest BBS Reg. Date: Jan 15, 07 Location: Arizona Posts: 42	Haven't been on that one, but my first cruise was awesome! Before you go, try to get info on the stops to get the best bang for your buck, and the best sites with the time you have on shore. I remember one night at dinner I could not decide between the steak and the duck. The waiter told me, "You can order both, heck you can order one of everything on the menu if you want!" I didn't order everything, but did have the steak with a little duck!!!! We went to the Bahamas on a 5 day cruise out of Florida. Have Fun!

January 31, 2007, 07:36 PM	#3
Art TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Jun 6, 05 Location: Grand Island, NY Posts: 414 Resorts: Marriott Ocean Pointe Kona Coast Resort Harbor Ridge Marriott Grande Ocean	The best place to get advice such as you are asking is over at www.cruisecritic.com There are boards over there for each of the ports you will be visiting. Almost all those boards will have discussions and recommendations of various local tour guides and things to see or do. A favorite on Grand Cayman is Captain Marvin's trip to Stingray City. Unbelievable! You might also want to check the "roll call" for your cruise. Roll calls often have good information about what people are planning to do in each port; including organizing private tours. Now that I've made those suggestions, I need to add that first time cruisers are often better served by using the ship's tours even though they are more expensive. Among the reasons for doing this is that the cruise lines do a pretty good job of quality control, and the ship does wait for any late returnees from an "official" excursions (but not from a private one). This probably only matters if the excursion takes you 2 or 3 hours from the ship - the Mayan Ruins in Tulum when the ship is in Cozumel is a good example. The third reason is that the ship excursions build one's comfort level so that he/she can more knowledgeably plan private excursions on subsequent cruises. BTW, Jamaica is one port that I would not want to explore without a really competent tour leader. That is true now for me, even after 7 cruises to destinations including Mexico, Costa Rica, the Caribbean, Alaska, Hawaii, Aruba, etc. Art

January 31, 2007, 09:25 PM	#5
jerseygirl TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Jun 6, 05 Posts: 1,554	We were on the Rhapsody of the Seas NY's week. We LOVED it! Great service -- especially from the bartenders. Our itinerary was slightly different (Key West instead of Jamaica). In Key West, we just rented a golf cart and tootled around the island for a few hours (no formal tour). In Cozumel and Cayman, we just wanted to go to the beach, and used RCCL "tours" to do so. Yes, we know we could have gotten a better deal independently, but we'd been to both beaches before, liked them a lot ... and ... we're lazy when we're on vacation so there's some comfort in just following directions! Stop by the Schooner Bar and give Franklin a great big hug from the woman whose favorite drink is an "After Five!"

February 1, 2007, 11:09 AM	#7
lvhmbh TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Jun 6, 05 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 734 Resorts: Bluebeard's Castle, STT Vistana Resort, Orlando Costa Linda, Aruba	My friend called me from MSC Lirica (it was still in port in Ft. Lauderdale) and first stop is Jamaica. They told her that it was not recommended that they leave the ship!!!! I don't think I'd take any tour on my own unless it was the groundskeeper mentioned above and I'd still be nervous without a large group. We have gone to other islands and snagged a taxi driver with friends but wouldn't do it there. JMHO, Linda

February 2, 2007, 01:09 PM	#9
talkamotta TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Jun 7, 05 Location: Sandy, UT Posts: 1,273 Resorts: Sands of Kahana, Longboat Bay, Westgate Vacation Villas, etc	Cruising is very fun.... I have been on an Alaskian cruise (which is the best) and Ive been on an Australian/New Zealand. The boyfriends parents have been on just about every cruise there is. They went on a South American cruise and it wasnt very safe. They had 3 people mugged while they were waiting to board the ship. They tell you at most ports to not wear any jewelry, stay in groups, and keep your money next to you. Might want to purchase a fanny pack and wear a shirt over it. You always hear about the bad stuff, so it will probably be ok, just pay attention. The captain will tell you when its not a good idea to get off the ship. Its a good way to see alot of places and decide if you want to go back and find a timeshare. We felt very safe in New Zealand and only did 2 excursions. One was a train that I wouldnt do again and the other was Hobiton. (Where the Lord of the Rings was filmed) and the caves. I loved that one. For the most part we just did our own thing. The parents like going shopping (which I dont) so we went to an observatory and saw the southern cross. People were extremely friendly and helpful. One thing you have to be careful of is the time....The ship might not wait. Dont let one cruise turn you off on cruising. Have fun