Conference abbott::cruise_travel

    We are sailing on the Norway 4/15 and appreciate your tips.
    
    Did you go the St. John?  Would you recommend it?
    
    What did you do in St. Marten?  Were there many tours offered?
    
    How was Great Stirrup Cay?  
    
    I'm in touch with our agent almost daily and still haven't received
    our tickets.  I'll feel much better when I have them in my hand!
    
    I'm glad you had a great trip.  I'll let you know about ours when
    I return.
    
    Pam
                          
    

    Glad to reply.
    1. The ship stops at St.John only long enough to drop off the
    Snorkelers and tour groups (via Tender) then moves on to St.thomas.
    I did not go to St. John but those that did said it was the most
    beautiful of all of the the ports. You must depart the ship about
    6:15-6:30am. They will provide a boat bak to St.Thomas pier later
    in the day so you would still have time to do some shopping in
    St.Thomas if you want.
    2. St Martin offers several tours of the island for both the Dutch
    and French side. I went snorkeling instead (not the best place for
    this, ok but not the best). I did hear complaints that people on
    the tours didn.t get much of a chance to do much shopping on the
    French side. You may want to hire your own cab rather than go with
    the group. Nice shopping, lower prices (little bit) than St. Thomas
    but less selection.
    3. Great Stirrup Cay was a blast. Great beach, food, entertainment
    etc but very crowded. TIP if you want and umbrella when you get
    to the beach you must get the first tender going ashore and be off
    it first. You will go to Checkers Caberet to get your going ashore
    tickets (get their early and sit near the stage) when they hand
    out the ticket jump up and get in line quickly. when you board the
    tender go to the lower deck to the seats where the ramp is to storm
    the beach. The umbrellas will be folded on a pile to your left.
    With 2000plus people you will learn how to get tough or get run
    over. Don't take this the wrong way. Its the type of hussle that
    comes with large crowds.
    
    The ship burns oil so you will find fly ash and soot on the lounge
    chairs and deck so watch your good clothes and always use a towel
    when using the lounge chairs in the back of the stack. The lower
    pool deck (aft) is less windy but the most crowded. 
    
    To get the best seats for the shows you must get to the seating
    areas early. Have a drink and relax.
    
    Tipping: I gave full amount rouded higher to the bus boy, waiter
    and cabin stewerd as they were great. The head waiter got a nominal
    tip for table side service and the Matierde nothing. Your choice
    however. The bar tabs include 15% tip automatically.
    
    I didn,t get my documents until 2 days beforehand. Be sure to have
    your passports, birth certificates etc handy when you get to the
    pier it makes the processing that much faster.
    
    Have Fun.

    Thanks for the information.  I'm copying your notes to pass out
    to my group to help them, especially those who have not cruised
    before.
    
    It sounds like we are in for a great trip.  Thanks for your input.
    
    Pam
      
    
    

    We had a great time. The ship was clean, service great, food excellent
    and entertainment fabulous. I found out that I love blackjack. The
    dealers even helped me to play better!
    
    On St. Martin, we took the Dawn Beach barbeque trip. It was okay - no
    big deal. Pretty beach. Then we shopped. Good deals on watchs etc. Go
    to the "What to see" and "Where to shop" lectures on the boat - they
    help a lot. 
    
    We had been to St. John and St. Thomas before, so we skipped St. John
    and went to Coki beach in St. Thomas for snorkeling and rented a cab
    to go to Mountaintop (a must). From Mountain Top you can see the whole
    island. It is a great picture taking spot. Then we drove around a bit
    and shopped.
    
    The private island was lots of fun, but watch out for the coral. We
    walked around the island and it was quite slippery. The snorkeling was
    great and we rented an under water camera to take pictures of the fish.
    
    The service onthe Norway was exceptional. Fresh fruit was brought to
    our cabin several times and the ice bucket was always filled. The food
    was great and the crew were a riot. 
    
    Have fun! Wish I were going again...
    
    					DR 

    We didn't get fruit in the room, but did get wine on arrival. I
    believe this stuff is complements of your travel agent and not the
    cruise lines. Service was great!. Can't wait to go again.