Conference abbott::cruise_travel

    I am, in fact, sailing on the Sky Princess from Nov 17th to 24th.  I
    sailed last year on her, prior to some refurbishment.  My room is on
    the Baja Deck, outside cabin.  I travel with my wife and two teenaged
    sons.  While the quarters are small there is plenty of room including
    closet space.  Just ask the steward to store the suitcases for you. The
    rooms on the former Sitmar ships are all large by industry standards. 
    I have traveled on the Holiday and the Sovereighn of the Seas, and I
    prefer the rooms on the Sky Princess.  
    
    But, I must say that my dream is to one day have a suite during my
    yearly cruise.  
    
    I will post my thoughts upon my return; as there has already been some
    surprises in the travel arrangements. 

    Great, I would love to hear your impressions when you get back.
    What islands are you sailing to? I'd like to hear about them as well.
    Have a great holiday!

    I also sailed on the SKY PRINCESS, only she was the Sitmar FAIRSKY at
    the time.  I seem to recall several notes in here re this ship.  
    
    My two cents worth...Beautiful ship, very comfortable and smooth even
    in rough water, enough room for 3 ( 4 probably a squeeze) in any
    stateroom, and some nice extras...pizzaria on board for snacking
    anytime, whirlpool spa, etc.  As an aside, got friendly with some of
    the cruise staff on the FairSKY PRINCESS, and spent quite a bit of time
    in forbidden territory (staff's quarter below the guest decks) where I
    learned the staff has a good bit of fun even when the're not trying to
    keep everyone entertained ;^)

    Sorry for the delay in getting back with the information from my trip. 
    Unfortunately one must return to work and play catch-up
    
    My cruise was quite nice.  We had excellent weather, only a brief
    shower early one morning.  Other than that it was sunny and warm. 
    Sailing over Thanksgiving was nice also.  The ship was very uncrowded. 
    The showroom was never filled to capacity for any show.
    
    We visited Martinique,St. Maarten, Barbados, Mayreau, St. Thomas, and started and
    ended from San Juan.   I would really prefer fewer ports and more time
    "at sea".  
    
    Martinique is quite pretty.  It had been my only experience with a
    French Island.  I did not find the people stand-offish or rude.  We
    were told to expect this.  The beaches here are away from the downtown
    area.  In fact you take a ferry across the bay.  They leave every hour
    on the half hour.  Some of the beaches are "clothing optional"  The
    rest of the island is very pretty.  Mt Pele has a history regarding
    erupting and a sole survivor.  Shopping here is relative exdpensive but
    there are some good buys on French purfumes.  The cab ride is very
    expensive from the pier to town.  If you are lucky you get to tender
    in.  That will save you about 10-20 dollars.
    
    We were a little disappointed in St. Maarten.  Only from the aspect of
    major construction taking place in the main street on the Dutch side.  
    St Maarten is half Dutch and half French.  The border goes through the
    center of the island.  It disects one bay which leaves one side as
    "clothing optional" and the other side not.  The Dutch side was better
    for shopping.  But the island is pretty overall.  there is a lot of
    development going on for luxury hotels and timeshares.  There are a lot
    of hawkers on the street trying to get you to go on a tour and receive
    a free gift.  
    
    Barbados is a British Island.  It still carries on many traditions such
    as cricket and afternoon tea.  The island is quite pretty and scenic
    once you get away from the downtown atmosphere around the dock.  If you
    travel with a group larger than 4, expect to have the taxi drivers
    attempt to split you up.  We also had a driver take us to the beach and
    scheduled him to return at 4 to pick us up.  He did this with no
    problems and was right on time.  The beaches here can be quite rough.
    
    Mayreau is a private part of an island run strictly for Princess ships. 
    The gist of the day is strictly beach party, swim, volleyball, and
    picnic lunch.  There are a couple of "poison Apple Trees" on the beach. 
    They are well marked and you are warned to stay out from under them and
    not to touch them.  They will seriously irritate the skin.  You must
    shuttle in from the ship as there is no dock. 
    
    St Thomas is the shoppers paradise.  The bargains are substantial.  the
    island is also quite pretty.  One of the prettiest in the islands. 
    Magen's Bay is voted one of the 10 best beaches in the world and the
    downtown harbor is very picturesque.  With so many ships hitting this
    port on a daily basis it tend to be very crowded.  In most of the
    islands I would suggest never paying asking price.  They do barter.
    
    If your flight is after 4:00 P.M. leaving San Juan...I suggest taking
    the tour on the last day.  It basically takes you to a hotel and gives
    you lunch and use of the facilities till flight time.  Otherwise you
    will be dumped at the airport with possibly hours to wait.  If you get
    into San Juan early enough on the front end you can get some sight
    seeing in then.  Old San Juan is right near the port.  You could get
    some hotel nightlife since the ship doesn't leave until 11:00 P.M.
    
    The ship was excellent...Luckily the Showroom wasn't crowded since I do
    not believe the new set up is as nice as before.  Many seats face
    backward.  Even thought they can be turned around it then tends to
    crowd the person's legroom behind you.  
    
    The shows were not that great, but they were nice.  The singers and
    dancers did a very nice job but scenery and props left a lot to be
    desired.  They had a nice comedian and magician also.  I am not too
    impressed with lip-syncing the main shows.
    
    The dining room service was excellent.  But I did notice much smaller
    servings.  But on a few occasions I ordered two entrees and that proved
    no problem.  The quality was excellent and service was excellent.
    
    The room steward was very good during the day but the night steward
    left a little to be desired.  In reality they were about avarage.  I
    have been on ships where they constantly check your room and you are
    never left with a mess or no ice.  Now they make up the room in the
    morning, check it in the afternoon, and turn down the beds in the
    evenings.  Other than that you must request it.  I do suggest that you
    ask your steward to store the suitcases for you that will give yousome
    extra room.  Another new addition since the merge is the existance of
    more nationalities and women as stewards.  That was refreshing.
    
    I have to go now ...May add on later 

    Thanks for the info, I'm glad to hear you had a good time.
    
    I'm going on a 10 day cruise out of Ft. Lauderdale. We'll be hitting
    Nassau (won't get off the ship), St. Thomas (love it), St. Croix,
    Montego Bay, Grand Cayman Islands, and Cozumel. My trip isn't until
    April 5 (getting closer every minute).
    
    I have a few more questions. Which dinner seating did you take? Did it
    seem like the best choice? How much did you really need to dress up on
    the formal nights...I really don't own 3 evening gowns...or any of the
    other times? Is the Pizzeria included in the price or are you charged?
    What was the casino like..any chance of winning? Any particular things
    you would really recommend on the ship? Any places you can recommend in
    St. Thomas (i was there many years ago for only 1 day)?
    
    Thanks again for the information.
    
    joye

    Joye,
    
    Sounds as though you have a very nice itinerary.  I have been to each
    except Montego Bay.  I have been to Jamaica in Ocho Rios, though.  I am
    sure you will enjoy it.
    
    I opted for the 1st sitting for our meals...this is probably more due
    to the "kids" than for our own.  there are times when you feel rushed
    as they start readying for the next sitting.  The second sitting is
    more leisurely.  Food and service is the same though.  A few of your
    meals will be open seating, meaning you can sit in either dining room
    and at any table.  We tried to stay with our own table in order to
    better know our waiter.  This only applies to breakfast and lunch.  The
    other ramifications of the time of the seating is with the Shows or
    cocktail parties afterward.  There is a seperate show for each seating
    also.  
    
    Initially we did not "dress" for show; but we have opted to dress on
    the last three cruises.  In everycase those that dress were in a
    minority.  A dark suit and nice dresses were much more in evidence. 
    But there will be a few in dazzling evening gowns.  This is a very good
    time to have a portrait made.  The photographers set up especially for
    this.  You will not feel out of place.  Remember that the dress is
    "suggested" not mandated.
    
    The pizzaria is included in the price.  Drinks are not, though.  The
    pizzaria is open during a few hours in the afternoon and again in the
    evening.  It is usually crowded, but worth while.
    
    The Casino is alright.  Mostly  slots, 25 cents and $1.00, but also
    craps, roulette, and blackjack.  They do hold a couple of classes for
    beginners.  I play the slots quite a bit....Some machines pay off well. 
    A knowledgeable blackjack player or craps player could do well.  We did
    see some heavy betters who seemed to be winning quite a bit.
    
    Your ports are nice.  I agree about Nassau.  I no longer get off there
    either.  But the Paradise Beach / Cable beach area is nice.  The straw
    market is nice if you have never been there.  St Thomas is the best for
    shopping...Magen's Bay is a top notch beach.  Usually a quick Island
    tour will leave plenty of time for shopping.  Snorkling and diving are
    good there also.  But if you plan on diving or snorkling in only one
    place I suggest doing it in the Grand Caymens.  The water is crystal
    clear and there are ship wrecks readily availble.  Shopping is
    expensive in the Grand Caymans.  Perhaps a visit to the Turtle Farm and
    a side trip to Hell is also worth doing there.  St Croix was a
    disappointment after St Thomas on the shopping side.  It is quite
    pretty though.  There is some nice sights between Fredricksted and
    Christiansted.  There is a Rum Factory and the Whim Plantation are
    nice.  There are still windmills there.  The forts are nice.  While in
    Cozumel I suggest taking the tour of the ruins which leaves from Playa
    del ?  The ruins at Chicenitza (sic) are much more intact and worth the
    trip.  In the dead of summer it is almost too hot as it is in the
    jungle.  The ruins at Tulum are just that...ruins, barely two stones on
    one another.  Cozumel is a small poor coastal village.  Diving is good. 
    Shopping is fun.  Children begging in the street is hard to get use to
    though.  Bartering is fun but it borders on harrasment.  Be careful of
    the water and food.  Jamaica is nice, still a lot of poor.   Street
    vendors are very persistent.  If you even acknowledge them they will
    direct you to their stand, which might be blocks from where you are. 
    Many picture opportunities; but if it is a scenic person he will expect
    to get paid.  Drugs are rampant.  It will be offered on the street and
    at the restaurants, including MacDonalds.  You could easily be set-up. 
    Expect to go directly to jail and the ship can't help.  You must
    convert your dollars to Jaimacan Money when you arrive.   As your barter
    there will be different prices if you pay with dollars.  The prices
    come down dramatically as the time for the ship to leave approaches.  
    
    I hope this helps, but I am willing to expound on any topic.  Just drop
    a line back...and be sure to let us know how it goes once you get back.
    
    Joe

    An interesting observation about the slots; they usually are setup
    to pay well early in the cruise and then when they've got you hooked,
    they back them off more in their favor.
    

    I think you have a point there....They did seem to have more payoffs
    early...then a dry spell...and then hot again...then real COLD on the
    last night.

    Re. Montego Bay
    
    This is the same itinerary I took on the FairSKY PRINCESS in Feb 89.  I
    don't know how much things have changed since, but Jamaica was NOT a
    highlight of the cruise.  
    
    When we got off the ship at the pier, there were (armed) policemen. 
    When my sister was asked if we wanted a taxi, she said sure.  The cop
    then said no way, HE ASSIGNED PEOPLE TO TAXIS ( we were evidently
    impacting a second source of income for him).  After we avoided a major
    conflict ("yes, officer, which taxi should we take? :-)", we went to
    the "downtown shopping center", six shops in an older strip mall. 
    There were some nice goods at ok duty free prices if you knew what you
    wanted.  The real items for sale were from street peddlers selling both
    tourist items and many hawkers of "mood enhancing" products.  The only
    good that came out of shopping was filling out a contest slip at the
    jewelry shop...the only time I've ever won anything (nice Gucci watch)!
    
    Our last stop was a semi-private beach (don't remember the name, but it
    was near the airport & next to a much more costly, then brand-new beach) 
    which was nice...gentle surf, white sand, clean beach and water, along 
    with a nice snack/refreshment stand. There was also jet-ski rental 
    available. Last point...our taxi driver (actually a mini-van) was a maniac.
    No accidents, but gave us a high-speed tour of that part of Jamaica on the
    way to the beach, frequently turning around to emphasise a point while
    taking a 90-degree corner at 45 mph!
    
    If I went back to Montego Bay, I'd go to a beach for the day
    (notwithstanding winning another watch) and relax.
    
    Regards,
    
    Steve