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Subject: Trip Report Discovery Cruise

Posted by: texfrank
Host: maritzfw.maritz.com
IP #: 12.105.115.18
E-mail: <andfra@msn.com>
Date Posted: June 21, 2004 at 13:44:28
Subject: Trip Report Discovery Cruise

Message:

We just came back from a family vacation, 6/12 - 6/17, to Sheraton Lucaya
resort. We flew into Ft Lauderdale and took the Discovery over. I wouldn't
recommend the Discovery if you can fly into Freeport instead. Between all the
waiting in line to board and the five hour boat ride, they should call it the
Eternity Cruise instead. Very unorganized, we waited 40 minutes just to get
thru one check in line. With an impatient five year old, not pretty. There
were several large groups of teenagers, that for the majority, were reasonably
well behaved (The F-word, some other cussing, and underage drinking are some
factors to consider if you have small children) The days we went, at least 1/3
of the passengers were these teenagers. The Discovery Kids club was really
lame and my kids wouldn't stay. All they had was a 5ft long countertop with a
13in TV, videos, and coloring supplies. They provide breakfast and lunch on
the way over and dinner on the way back. Breakfast was okay but the other two
meals were bad. It reminded me of college dorm cafeteria food - mystery meat?
They get a little pretentious with the wait staff and the tipping guidelines on
the table. Entertainment - they had a guy singing Carribean style at the back
of the boat and he was pretty good. Jean Pierre the magician was worth seeing
also. We didn't do the casino because it was too smoky. The waves were
relatively calm and this boat will rock back and forth some. If you are prone
to motion sickness, I would definitely bring some medication.
The line to check in coming back was the worst part. They have lines for
Bahamas citizens, non US citizens, US citizens and Groups. Nobody pays
attention to what line they are supposed be in. The groups of teenagers let
their friends cut in and out and they weren't in their group line. The staff
didn't enforce anything, it was a free for all. Our friend went to India
recently and she said that even they were better organized. Back in Ft
Lauderdale, US customs and Immigration were well organized, fast, and
courteous. It just takes forever to get your luggage unloaded. I have
travelled on the Victoria Clipper Ferry (Seattle to Victoria) and it was
excellent. Maybe the new proposed fast cat service out of Palm Beach will be
like that.

Re: Trip Report Discovery Cruise - Joe Todd 1-20-05
Re: Trip Report Discovery Cruise - Kate 6-21-04
Re: Trip Report Discovery Cruise - Liz 6-21-04