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Subject: Re: Trip Report Discovery Cruise

Posted by: Kate
Host: adsl-68-248-239-199.dsl.milwwi.ameritech.net
IP #: 68.248.239.199
E-mail: <kate316@sbcglobal.net>
Date Posted: June 21, 2004 at 19:33:50
Subject: Re: Trip Report Discovery Cruise

Message:

:I too was in the Bahamas from 6/10-6/14. We flew. Did the discovery twice a
few years ago. When for the same price you can get to Freeport much faster
flying. You don't have to worry about lodging before and after your trip. It
seemed that all the kids were on class trips. We had 10 senior guys from Ohio
in front of us in the airport. They too were very friedly and well behaved.
They all fell asleep on the plane. So we had a quiet flight. The day we left a
whole bus came to do a snorking tour they had just arrived on the Discovery.
They too were on their senior class trip. So guess that time is so busy
because of class trips. SO I think that's why there were so many of them. Our
flight left Milwaukee at 7 a.m. and we had a 2 hr layover in Baltimore and
arrived by 2 p. m. we were at the pool by 3:30. so
would reccommend flying.The immigration went very quick in the new airport.


: 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.