STAY DETAILS
September 9-16, 2011 (but only stayed for the weekend)
2-bedroom corner unit
Rate: $139 exchange rate via RCI (timeshare)

I highly recommend Wyndham Skyline Tower for its location, cleanliness, and the spacious units/rooms. I would definitely stay here again if I ever want to go back to Atlantic City. However, I don’t recommend Atlantic City for non-gamblers like me. For more photos, feel free to contact me.

LOCATION
It was one big block away from the boardwalk, but a little more north of where most of the boardwalk activities and people were. It was right by Pacific Ave where you can catch a Jitney. Since the place was located closer to the North end, the area by Pacific Ave and Atlantic Ave looked a little shady. I wouldn’t suggest walking there at night. Drive or catch a cab.

The hotel didn’t have a casino. But Resorts casino was right next door. Taj Mahal and Showboat were also close by. You can get to the other casinos on the boardwalk by Jitney or just walking on the boardwalk. It was also an easy and short drive to Borgata and Harrah’s by the marina.

If you’re looking for a place to eat nearby, restaurants on Pacific Ave are less expensive than on the boardwalk of course. We ate at Perry’s Cafe (Pacific and Tennesse Ave) for breakfast and it was good. It wasn’t nearby, but we decided to try the famous Waterfront buffet at Harrah’s. The food was delicious and there were a lot of selections, but I had better. We paid $30+tax per person.

PREMISES
The hotel didn’t have a big loading/unloading area. However, the street right infront of it wasn’t so busy that it didn’t pose a problem. The lobby was nice and adequate in size. The hotel overall was very clean. I saw people cleaning all the time, especially on the 6th floor where the activities center and other amenities are. The place wasn’t as big as the other known hotels/casinos, but I liked it that way.

The default temperature was a little on the cool side. It wasn’t a problem coz you can control the temperature in your unit anyway, but it’s gets really cold in the hallway.

There were only 2 guest elevators and 1 service elevator. Because of the number of floors, there may be a wait for the elevators. We didn’t experience that much wait maybe because it was no longer peak season. We experienced the longest wait on Sunday morning when a lot of guests were checking out.

Read on…

Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Nassau, Bahamas

The ship arrived at Nassau around 8am.  We headed to the gangway around 12 noon and there was a very short line to get out.

We reserved a room at the British Colonial Hiton for the day for $109 plus taxes and fees that covered 2 adults, 2 children were free.  There were 5 of us (3 adults), but the nice front desk agent didn’t charge us for the 3rd adult.  Maybe because they were doing construction on the wing where our room was and there was no electricity from 1pm to 3pm.  We could have also gotten a day pass (without a room) for $55 per adult and half price for kids.  But the room was cheaper and you get a room unlike the day pass.

We swam at the hotel’s pool.  We played on the sand on the beach right infront of the hotel and we snorkeled and kayaked.

We left the hotel at 6pm and we planned to go shopping afterwards.  Unfortunately, most of the shops were closed then.  So if you plan to shop, do it early.

Below is today’s Cruise Compass.  Click here to download the Cruise Compass for the entire cruise.

Reviews after the jump…

Read on…

Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Coco Cay, Bahamas

The ship arrived at Coco Cay, Royal Caribbean’s private island at 8am. We ate breakfast at the ship and headed to the gangway around 11am. The gangway and the tender weren’t crowded. We got to the island in 15 minutes.

Coco Cay was great. There were a lot of activities available and buffet lunch was provided by Royal Caribbean free of charge.

We were only able to snorkel today, but we had a blast! We saw plenty of fish even a stingray. My aunt just stood in the water and fishes were swimming around her!

We were the last ones to board the last tender (4:30pm) back to the ship. There was no line at all. Unfortunately, we got back with bad sunburns on our back from snorkeling too long, but it was well worth it.

Below is today’s Cruise Compass.  Click here to download the Cruise Compass for the entire cruise.

Reviews after the jump…

Read on…

Monday, June 13, 2011
Embarkation – Port Canaveral FL

I like how I could check in my flight on my phone and I didn’t have to print my boarding passes. I got to the Delta terminal at Laguardia airport around 5:40pm and I haven’t seen a line that long for Security. I was worried, but I was able to catch my 6:55am flight. I had a rolling carry-on, a backpack and my camera bag. But at the gate, they only allowed 2 bags, so I had to check in my rolling bag at no charge. Unlike American, US Air and United (7-hr flight!), we were served complimentary drinks and choice of pretzels, peanuts or cookies during the 2 1/2-hour flight. I always look forward to the cinnamon cookies, they’re my favorite.

My uncle and his family checked in at the Hyatt hotel right in the Orlando International airport the day before. My uncle was waiting at the hotel atrium which was also the airport’s atrium before you get to baggage claim.

The hotel was pretty nice and big, but the elevators were located in only one side of the building so it was a long walk going to the other side where my uncle’s hotel room was located.

We drove to Port Canaveral for our Bahamas cruise on Royal Caribbean Monarch of the Seas. It was pretty easy to get there – I-528 E all the way until you see signs for your ship’s terminal.

Cruise lines usually have daily newsletters that contain the day’s activities, specials, and other info.  These daily newsletters get delivered to your stateroom the night before except of course on embarkation day.  Royal Caribbean’s daily newsletter is called Cruise Compass.  Below is the Cruise Compass on embarkation day, click here to download the Cruise Compass for the entire cruise.  It was in our cabin when we checked in.

Reviews after the jump…

Read on…

Sunday, May 1, 2011
Disembarkation – San Juan PR

We did express walk-off and had to meet at the Island Dining Room at 6:45am. I like how they had us waiting in the dining room where we can sit and let us disembark in groups. However, some cruisers didn’t listen to the cruise staff. Instead of going further into the dining room where there were seats, they stayed in the pathway and blocked it.

We reached the gangway around 7:20pm and waited for about half an hour to retrieve the dive knife they took from us. The cruise security had trouble finding our knife. You would think they would have it by the gangway. That was a big hassle for us the whole trip. The dive knife was 4 inches and had a blunt tip. Their steak knives were sharper, not to mention had pointed tips. A couple of times, they let us take it inside the ship, the rest of the cruise, they took it from us and we had to retrieve it every time we leave the ship for our dive trip.

By the way, the International Cafe was open early on disembarkation day. So grab something to eat while waiting to disembark.

Sunday, May 1, 2011
Puerto Rico

It was a rainy day today. We went straight to our hotel (Intercontinental in Isla Verde) from the ship. We took a taxi and paid $19 (taxi rate) + $4 ($1 each luggage) + tip.

We got there around 8am and our room wasn’t ready. So we just left our bags with the bellboy and got picked up by our tour guide Asha from Natural Wonders at 10am. Asha took us to get some authentic Puerto Rican food by the road. I don’t remember exactly where. It was delicious. And I love the homemade hot sauce!

We then headed to the rainforest. We first went to a part of the rainforest that is not usually visited by tourists, but still beautiful. Unfortunately, because of the weather, one of the trees fell on the road and we couldn’t get by.  We then continued to other parts of the rainforest.

We went to Ceviche Hut in Luquillo for a late lunch. The food was great especially the ceviche, but it was pricey.  After lunch, we headed to the beach in Luquillo then went back to the hotel.

We booked the cheapest room (2 double beds with cityview) at Intercontinental. But when we got back to the hotel, we were given an oceanview room at the top floor!  It was great!

We ate dinner at Mi Casita at the shopping center across the hotel.  The restaurant was highly recommended and there were a lot of people.  However, we weren’t impressed.

Reviews after the jump…

Read on…

Saturday, April 30, 2011
Sea Day

We used our sea day as our relaxation/be-lazy day. We ate breakfast at the Horizon Court, then proceeded to the outlet sale at the Island Dining Room. The deals were okay, but not great so we didn’t get any. We went to the International Cafe for snacks and dessert… always great as usual. We went to Horizon Court for lunch and were told that they were having Asian food at Cafe Caribe. Needless to say, we sort of had 2 lunches! All we did all afternoon was take a nap, go around the ship, eat and window shop.  Now, that’s what I call vacation.

We got balloons by our door today for our 1st year anniversary.  Then we got a dark chocolate cake with a candle for dinner.  Small tip: Don’t celebrate an occasion on the last night. Everybody was busy with stuff (I’m not gonna tell you so not to spoil the surprise).

Below is today’s Princess Patter on embarkation day, click here to download the Princess Patter for the entire cruise.

Reviews after the jump…

Read on…

Friday, April 29, 2011
Aruba

It was a nice, sunny day in Aruba. We booked a dive trip via Princess. Red Sail Sports was a fine dive operation.  They also offered snorkeling.  The dive boat and snorkeling catamaran were right outside the cruise terminal.

We didn’t have to go far to go shopping. There are a lot of shops and stalls right outside the cruise terminal. The prices are not bad either. I got big zippered bags at a price of 3 for $10. We don’t really shop on vacation, just for souvenirs to give to people back home.

If you want your passport stamped, bring your passport to the cruise terminal in the morning.  The information desk will be able to stamp your passport for you, but they’re only there early in the morning.

We got back on the ship around 3pm and I decided to do laundry before everyone comes back. There were 2 washers, 2 dryers, and 2 irons and ironing boards on Baja (Deck 11) port side. The washer and dryer cost $1 each. Soap, Color Safe Bleach and Softener (dryer sheets) are available at the vending machine for $1 each. There’s also a change machine if you don’t have quarters.

Below is today’s Princess Patter on embarkation day, click here to download the Princess Patter for the entire cruise.

Reviews after the jump…

Read on…

Thursday, April 28, 2011
Bonaire

Caribbean Princess was set to dock in Bonaire at 12 noon. I walked around the ship and I was surprised that there were a lot of lounge chairs available by the pool, either in a shaded area or not.

We booked a dive trip via Princess and the dive shop was right across the pier. But that’s really the only convenient thing about the dive operation (Dive Friends Bonaire).  More details about the dive operation in my review after the jump.

I loved the marine life in Bonaire though.  And I heard that the snorkeling at Klein was great.  I definitely would want to go back to Bonaire to dive, but with a different dive operator.

We got to go around the area by the pier after 5pm and we weren’t able to get our passports stamped.

Below is today’s Princess Patter on embarkation day, click here to download the Princess Patter for the entire cruise.

Reviews after the jump…

Read on…

Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Grenada

It rained when we got to Grenada, but that didn’t last long and we saw a beautiful big rainbow from the pier.

The ship didn’t offer a certified dive excursion so we booked the dive ourselves. Only my husband dove in Grenada, but I tagged along. The dive operator, Dive Grenada was by a nice quiet area of Grand Anse Beach and I enjoyed just relaxing. There weren’t a lot of people at the beach. The loungers were comfortable and I could always find a shaded area to stay in. The dive shop also offered free wi-fi so I was online the whole time I wasn’t in the water. Later in the morning, the waves got bigger and I got pummeled by one. That wasn’t pleasant.

Grand Anse Beach is beautiful.

Docks are not allowed at Grand Anse Beach so the divers had to battle the waves and lug their gear to the boat.

We had to be back to the ship by 1:30 as it was to set sail to Bonaire at 2pm. We got our passport stamped at Security/Immigration when you enter the pier. There was a line when we got back to the pier at 1pm, but it was a quick line. We head to Horizon Court for lunch and it was packed.

That night, I left John in the cabin and went around the ship to take photos for my Cruise Critic fellas.  I stopped by the International Cafe, had some desserts and the shrimp salad everybody was raving about.  I loved it!

The loungers at the Calypso pool were all covered, ready for the evening MUTS.

Below is today’s Princess Patter on embarkation day, click here to download the Princess Patter for the entire cruise.

Reviews after the jump…

Read on…

Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Dominica

The ship was late in getting to Dominica. Our meeting time for the dive trip we booked via Princess was 9:20am so we headed to the gangway at 9am. The gangway was packed.

The Roseau (Dominica) pier was tiny. The pier was packed with tour operators and cruisers waiting for the rest of the cruisers booked for the tours. It was hot and the vehicles by the pier made the wait very uncomfortable.

Before we could get our excursion tickets at the Princess tour desk, we had to sign dive waiver forms and present our certification card. But when we met with the dive operator (Dive Dominica), we found out that they weren’t given the waiver forms we signed at the ship so we had to fill them out again… waste of time, paper and ink.

In the afternoon, we went to get our passports stamped, then bought magnets by the pier ($3). If you want your passport stamped, take the street right in front of the pier, between the bank and museum. Look for the police headquarters which is right before when the street curves to the left. It’s about a 5-minute walk.

Below is today’s Princess Patter on embarkation day, click here to download the Princess Patter for the entire cruise.

Reviews after the jump…

Read on…