Click Here

Freeport
Subject: Re: Re: Trip Report Discovery Cruise

Posted by: TexFrank
Host: maritzfw.maritz.com
IP #: 12.105.115.18
E-mail: <andfra@msn.com>
Date Posted: June 22, 2004 at 11:27:06
Subject: Re: Re: Trip Report Discovery Cruise

Message:

The boat pulled into GBI around 1:00pm but you have to wait at least an hour
for them to pull your luggage and call your tag color. Ours was blue which was
the next to the last color. It was about 2:45pm when we arrived at the
Sheraton (we picked up our luggage, went thru Bahamas immigration and customs,
waited for a taxi). The taxi stand is segmented by Hotel Destination - just
find the sign for your hotel and stand under it. They will pack as many
passengers and luggage as possible into each van/taxi. Most of the vans don't
have a/c but it wasn't too bad - just a little stuffy. On the return trip, we
got off the boat around 11:30pm, same luggage tag color, same wait. The cruise
terminal parking garage in Ft Lauderdale costs $12per day. One more thing,
before you board in Ft Lauderdale they will hit you up for a $10 per person fee.

Hope all this helps. Enjoy your trip.





: Thanks for the info. Great post. Unfortunately, my family has reservations
for
: the Discovery cruise in July. We had previously had reservations since
February
: for the CAT and then they were cancelled in May and had to book on
Discovery.
: I didn't really expect much as far as the food that will be served. My kids
: are older 14 and 18 so I don't really have to keep them entertained. About
: what time did you reach the Bahamas and back to Ft. Lauderale on your trip
over
: and your return trip. Thanks.
:
:
:
:
: :
: : 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.