As avid travelers with a deep-seated love for exploring new destinations, we've honed our expertise through years of experience in the travel industry. Along the way, we've uncovered numerous tips and tricks to enhance our journeys and ensure they're as fulfilling as possible. Now, we're eager to share some of these insights, learned from both smooth sailing and the occasional hiccup, to help you make the most of your own vacations. Don't forget to subscribe, as we have plenty more exciting adventures in store that you won't want to overlook!
Yes, you have to tender out in the middle of the ocean and take a ferry. The port area is too shallow for the large ships, so they can’t get any closer to the ports.
Thanks! Most Secrets resorts do offer snorkeling equipment for guests to use. I do remember some guests snorkeling, but the water was mirky when we were there, that’s not the norm for that location. If the water is mirky you can take a snorkeling excursion to a nearby area. You can purchase those at the resort through tour providers or online through a third party before you go. Safe travels!
If you get any of the packages, they add the tip at the time of purchasing. Soda could be 8.99 a day, so that's 8.99 x 3 (for 3 day cruise) x 1.18 (for tip) = $31.82 charged at the time of buying online or on the ship. Prices change like you said, but the 18% is added. Adds a bunch to a $55.99 / per day 7 day Deluxe package = $462.48. I'm so glad I reached Diamond status, so my wife and I get the refreshment package (x2 without cheating) and use our 4 drinks a day for only alcohol drinks. Also we bring our 2 bottles of wine. - I agree with all your other justifications. - Hot tip, buy drink packages online in Nov, especially during Thanksgiving week. Best prices all year.
Hello, Was curious did you sail on Reflection post Refurbishment? We sailed on Equinox back in 2023 our first experience with Celebrity and thinking about taking a cruise in 2025 on Reflection. Thank you for your insight.
Yes we did. We were on the Reflection at the end of February 2024. It received its update in the beginning of 2023. It could use a little more work in some of the rooms, they were still in need of some refurbishing. Most of the public areas were all refurbished and really nice. They did a good job of keeping up with the overall appearance of the ship.
Thank you for your wonderful video. I am a platinum member with Princess, and will be taking Caribbean princess July 12, 2024 or 16 night cruise out of Southampton. UK. It appears to be the same old same old princess look throughout the ship. The only concern I have are sewage smells. I am aware they have limited sockets, I will be sharing a mini suite with a friend. Princess is in a state of limbo, flux. They were aligned more with Holland America and Cunard. They seem now to be transitioning to compete with Royal Caribbean, Norwegian and Carnival. I’m 63, been cruising since 1993. This is probably my last cruise on mainstream cruise lines. They’re just too big, too crowded, and there’s more nickel and diming aboard. I’m glad you had a nice time. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks so much, we’re glad you enjoyed the video. We have a couple more Princesses cruises planned as well, then we are looking at a possible river cruise. You might enjoy one of those. Thanks again and safe travels!
I got the refreshment package on sale for $23.99/day. I don’t drink much soda - my favorite drink is iced tea, but I do drink specialty coffee and the occasional Diet Coke. I will use the bottled water, the coffee, maybe get a Diet Coke here or there, and I will probably try a few mocktails, so I will likely break even. I do drink a bit, but not much. One of our excursions includes drinks, we’re doing the guacamole class which includes a margarita and I will have a glass of wine here and there. But because of the way I drink not only alcohol but everything else, the drink package isn’t worth more than about $50/day for me.
You can get a soda at any bar or restaurant that's inccluded in the soda package. You don't need to stand in line at the machine. I have found ultimate drink packages are often less on longer cruises (over 7 nights) than shorter ones. It's easier to break even. Also cancel and rebook if a better price appears. Anything we pre book has been paid off before we cruise. So no, why did we drink so much at the end of the cruise.
Great video and thank you for adding the point of its not just the alcoholic drinks in the package. I try to tell people all the time it's everything! They seem to think Oh I have to drink so much to make it worth it when if you have a couple of specialty coffees in the morning, a Jonny Rockets Shake, your 4 alcoholic drinks(probably more lol), another coffee in the afternoon, a few water bottles, another coffee with desert at dinner! My mind so worth it! Especially not having to worry about a bill at the end!
My husband does not drink so I purchased him the refreshment package. I was thinking about getting the deluxe refreshment package, but when I try to do it online, it wants me to do it for both of us. Do you know if Royal would allow me to get the deluxe without my husband getting it since he already has the refreshment package? Thanks!
Unfortunately, probably not. Royal Caribbean has a policy requiring all passengers aged 21 and older in the same cabin to purchase the deluxe package if one person does. This rule is specific to the deluxe package and doesn't apply to the other packages. It might be more beneficial to purchase the refreshment package and purchase the alcohol outright. Safe Travels!
You can call RC and request to do one Deluxe and one Refreshment package. Just let them know one does not drink. Whoever you talk to has to get a manager involved to approve it and they will almost always approve it. I've done it. Its just the extra step of calling in.
Yes if you call in and make up an excuse as to why the other person in the room can not drink then they will almost always not require the second person to purchase the deluxe
The crowd on this cruise was definitely older. There was a good mix of ages from around the mid-40s and up, but I noticed a particularly high number of people in their 60s and older, more so than on any other cruise line I've been on, except for river cruises.
I'll be going on this ship in January for the 2025 70,000 Tons Of Metal Cruise. This year, it was on the Freedom Of The Seas Ship. It seemed to me that the two ships are nearly the same.
That looks like it would be a fun cruise. Yes, the two ships are very similar. They are both part of the same class of ships in Royals Freedom Class. The Freedom of the Seas is the first ship in that class, so its a little older than the Independence, however it received a remodel in 2020, so it should be in great condition. Enjoy your trip and safe travels!
@take2-travel It is a fun Cruise. Imagine being in a hot tub while watching a live Heavy Metal Concert. Thank you for the information. Thank you for wishing me safe travels.
Great video! We are booked in a Preferred Ocean View room for late July. Do you know if the resort has laundry facilities available? We want to travel carry on only, and I prefer to travel home with clean clothes.🥴
Thanks! I’m not aware of a laundry facility and I don’t recall seeing one. However, you can send your clothes off to be cleaned, but it does come with an extra charge. Safe travels!
The jungle is what sold us on this resort! We have been to more "luxurious" resorts and as beautiful as they are. The unique layout with the jungle worked into the design made this the perfect resort for us.
Thanks! No, they don’t require you to purchase theirs. You can deny theirs and use your own car insurance. Some insurance companies won’t cover you outside the mainland US without an additional policy. You might double check with yours just to make sure. Safe travels!
the black sand beaches are one of only beaches sea turtles will crawl onto to bask in the heat of the sun because the sand type absorbs so much heat. It also gets really deep shortly off the beach which they like
One turtle is making sand angels anyway I hope whoever filmed this did turn that Turtle around on its belly because they can't get up from that position poor thing poor thing poor thing
There are no beach areas around the port or near Belize City. The water here is pretty dirty and really not the best for swimming anyway. There are some beaches south of the city that you can take an excursion to or get a taxi. There are also several good beaches on the islands just a short boat ride away from the city.
It’s open every day. For 2024 it will begin November 2 and run through December 30. It doesn’t require an extra ticket, just the standard park ticket. So you can go during the day and stay for the lights in the evening.
Ours was great. It cooled the room down quickly and did a good job at maintaining temperature. It’s a nice resort, you should have a great time. Safe travels!
If you book a room that holds more than two people, then most of them will have a convertible couch or a hideaway bed. The rooms that only hold two people typically have standard couches that do not convert. The room we stayed in only held two people, so the couch was standard.
We booked all of our excursions through a company called Viator. They offer several excursions using vetted companies. Here is a link to their site. www.viator.com/?pid=P00003870&uid=U00069394&mcid=58086. Safe travels
Been on 7 carnival cruises and always had a blast. There are folks that like to dress fancy as well as those that keep it casual. The crew are ALWAYS friendly and make you feel like family. Food is pretty darn good and the price is great. Never seen an issue with obnoxious behavior but Carnival are professional and I'm sure would deal with it appropriately. I'm looking into Royal just to give something different a try and appreciate your video.
