trixiegal

Did you get an answer from them? I'm contemplating booking the Caribbean Princess in September and what to know my shore excursion options.

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I believe that several have reported that it cannot be applied to your S&S account until you have checked-in because your account doesn't actually exist until then.

 

 

 

That begs the questions: can you add it to your account at check-in? After all, you've already stood in line to check-in. Why stand in line again at Guest Services?

I was wondering the same thing and intend to at least ask during that process, so I can get it out of the way. I hate wasting time in lines when I'm on vacation. Kiosk idea is Plan B if I can't get them to add the gift cards at check in.

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I believe the motivation to stay in a hotel outside of the city is usually cost per night is lower and shuttle to port is included at certain hotels. Also, because there are tons of airport hotels why should anybody leave that area if they are flying in unless they also want to sightsee. If you are good with navigating cities, taking cabs and want to see beautiful downtown Baltimore at night, then pay a little extra and stay near the Inner Harbor. Many great restaurants to choose from. The ride the next morning to the port will be quick. Key Highway is rarely backed up, even during morning rush hour.

It does seem a little silly to come out to the suburbs unless you just want a quiet, relaxing night with a nice dinner.

However, we all have been in situations where waiting on that FREE shuttle takes longer than expected. Happened to me in Ft. Lauderdale last year and we waited over an hour after flying all morning. I needed to stay on a schedule and ended up wasting $ on prepaid water taxi tix when we only rode on it for less than 30 minutes because they closed early. Point is, be prepared for the unexpected if you take the shuttle from the airport/train station to the hotel. Port shuttle shouldn't be an issue.

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Also, Harbor East has a few lower-priced hotel chains (right next to a Four Seasons lol) so check them out, too. Very close walk to the main Inner Harbor action and has some great restaurants to try kids should enjoy like Roy's or Oceanaire. Neither are cheap.

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Port Discovery, Aquarium, Md Science Center, Ripley's Believe it or Not, ship tours...

So much for kids to see and you to spend your $$$ on at the Inner Harbor. I agree with another poster who actually lives in this area to avoid the suburban hotels if you want the kids to see anything cool. Arundel Mills outlet mall is huge with a Medieval Times and Dave & Buster's but that's typical for many US cities, kind of a tourist trap. Go to the city for an authentic Baltimore experience. Take your time, walk around the water, buy taffy at the shops at Inner Harbor and eat gelato at Vaccaro's. They will love it!

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It is only 20 minutes with NO traffic but don't think it's that way at rush hour which can begin as early as 2 pm on the BW Parkway. It might be weird on the 4th, which could mean more or less traffic- also depends on of the Orioles have a game?

Point is I suggest you leave BWI as quickly as possible once you get the luggage and be on your way. Better to be early to the port and not deal with traffic.

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Not to confuse you anymore but have you checked on the Wingate near BWI? I remember them having cruise packages there, as I'm acquainted with the former Sales Manager at that property. It's very clean and they also include free breakfast. That's another consideration and probably explains the difference in pricing, along with geography.

I do not recommend going all the way East to Glen Burnie when you have those other options. It isn't the nicest area but not the worst. However, the joke with locals is no one goes there unless you have to. Stay in BWI zone, Hanover or Elkridge for a much better experience. Trust me. I've lived in this area for 8years.

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I guess it depends on if you want to be closest to shopping or not. The Best Western is very close to where I live and locals love The Stained Glass Pub that shares a parking lot with the BW. I'm personally not big on BW and prefer Holiday Inns or Choice hotels like Comfort Suites because I get perks. However, the reviews are good for that location. I'd ask if they have a shuttle to the casino/outlet mall but only if that's important to you. It's only 5-10 min away.

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I'd go with the HI express then. Yes, there is a Denny's on the property and it's up the road from Arundel Mills and a Safeway, Walmart, sam's Club, Costco and much more.

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How much is it to stay at this Best Western? If the price is right, keep that reservation. Inner Harbor hotels will be more expensive.

It is NOT the Best Western on O'Donnell. It's in a suburb very close to the airport. And, yes, it's in a residential and business park area so not much directly around the hotel but the Arundel Mills outlet mall is only 4 minutes away with everything you need (and a casino!). I'd call and ask if the hotel shuttle goes there.

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I love Charming Charlie's! I go crazy in there. DD and I were just talking about making a trip to get some things before our cruise.

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I'm intrigued by this thread as a relative newcomer to the VIFP club. I did get an amazing deal on my upcoming cruise for a Lido balcony by using the past guest 2-upgrades. I used a wonderful PVP this time around and she suggested that cabin. I'll definitely use her to book my next one.

I just checked my special offers and I didn't see anything, though I didn't expect to. However, it occurred to me that perhaps each PVP puts their own guests into the "lottery" and that is why some cruisers have gotten more than one free cruise? That makes the most sense beyond looking at casino and onboard spending.

Those are too cute! May get both for me and DD. Were shipping costs expensive?

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You only lose the bonus card within a certain time frame, but for a September cruise you'll be fine either way. You can use your remaining balance on board, but I don't think you can add it to your s&s account beforehand.

You can't add it beforehand. Called Carnival today and was told I had to add the balance remaining on my gift card after I ordered ship excursions at Guest Services. Tried to explain I didn't want to wait in a line to do that. But she said that was the only way after she put me on a brief hold to check with her supervisor.

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@jdragr

Your posts with those gorgeous dresses definitely inspired me! I've always loved fashion and wearing formalwear. I worked in fashion retail for years and I live to get invited to galas or weddings just so I can pick out the perfect gown. However, the last few years have been filled with lots of challenges and pressures so I put on some weight and stopped shopping so much (that part isn't necessarily a bad thing! ;)). I was not really looking forward to picking out dresses to wear for the 2 formal nights on my cruises. Nothing I already have in my closet fits. I started out focusing on helping my daughter pick out some dresses and bit the bullet and picked out these two for myself. They're from Cache and I used a Groupon to get them for 25% off already super low prices. Thankfully, I have shoes I can wear with both of them- gold and silver strappy heels.

I really hope they fit because they're final sale...

(sorry for the slight blurriness)

I booked a last minute cruise a week ago and I just used the e-card to pay for my shore excursions via the Carnival website. There is a small box above Payment Information asking for the gc #.

Now I'm waiting on my bonus email. Then I'll call Carnival and apply both of the cards to my S&S account.

Trixiegal- Congrats on that great deal!!! I bet your kids will LOVE the balcony and the Breeze...you are right about the newer CCL ships being much nicer than the old, neonie & glitzy ships...a bit too much for me...The Oasis/ Allure ARE amazing ships and your kids would LOVE the Flowriders, zip-line, rock climbing walls, teen's place & video arcade, and a tip: try & book a cruise that goes to the private island of Labadee ,,they would LOVE all the water sports & HUGE Zip-line there..that means Western Caribb route, not Eastern... remember what I said in my intitial post about things to do in your balcony cabin- like breakfast on your balcony on a SEA day , going out there on a moonlit night, sunsets, etc...write them down or print it out & take with you...any more questions, give a holler....3 weeks will be here soon!

 

Big Al

Thanks, Big Al. All of your fantastic suggestions are duly noted.

We've been to Labadee on the Explorer 7 years ago and I didn't like it. :(

I do want to try the other itineraries, maybe Southern or Eastern without Haiti. I just need to take the time to look on the RCCL website.

I just ordered these for my daughter last night from Arden B. They had 65% off some very cute short dresses. Both were under $35 each! And I got an additional 10% off with a code from retailmenot.com.

Didn't see anything for myself but I plan on checking out BCBG and White House Black Market at my closest outlet mall. They never fail me.

Since this is what I do for a living I love this thread. Still have to find me and oldest dd a short cocktail. Dh is a Texan and really wants to wear his western tux but going to try to talk him into going traditional.

Oh my gosh, I love those dresses for your daughters that you posted. Have your daughters ever been in any pageants? Everyone tells me my daughter should enter them but she's hesitant for some reason. Not very competitive and hates cattiness. I told her she should do it for the scholarship $$ now that she's going to be a college freshman.

Try one of the resorts for a day... They should definitely carry top shelf liquor. Cozumel Palace or the Melia resort have been mentioned. I'm researching them now so I'll post again with more info.

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I'm really interested in booking this but confused whether Carnival gives you the choice to book the catamaran or Twister. Is there a difference in price?

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Nope, I checked and she didn't say that. She said RC "is of arrogance."

I just love when people make up what the OP said just to prove some nonexistent point.

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Okay, I will jump in here. I don't think arrogant was used ONLY to describe that situation the OP described but I may be wrong. I personally used arrogant (haughty, presumptuous, aloof- LOOK IT UP) to describe my experience with RCI. I found all these adjectives perfectly describe the guest service staff and some of the crew we encountered. The entire experience left a bad taste in my mouth when thinking about RCI and how much $$$ you spend on a cruise comparable to Carnival's newest ships. No, it's not exactly apples to apples but the price difference cannot be attributed to stellar customer service like Disney. So I can relate to the OP in her assessment of RCI.

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I got married on a cruise many years ago before so many people were having those kinds of weddings. I actually had many of the same issues you did back then and the entire process led to me eventually becoming an event planner! I instantly regretted choosing some members of my bridal party and will keep it to one or two ladies if I ever get married again. It's sad that some people are so disrespectful and inconsiderate when a couple is celebrating one of the most important days of their life.

You were absolutely a stunning bride. Yes, those Carnival photographers are expensive but so worth the $ spent on the portraits. My kids and I did a family photo shoot on the Dream last year and there is one where my daughter looks like a supermodel standing on the deck with the wind blowing in her hair. They do ask you to do weird poses but it all turns out fabulous in the end.

Congratulations!

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ITA, TexasRon! People have differences in opinions and experiences, which I find valuable as a person who loves to travel and stalks travel websites and reviews. So sad that people get upset when someone puts a crack in their rose-colored glasses instead of simply respecting their opinion.

After six cruises in 13 years on RCI, CCL and Disney, I have to say I had a lot of carefree fun on my 1st Carnival cruise because I appreciated the value and service for what I actually paid. I have paid RCI thousands for a cramped balcony room on the Explorer of the Seas 9-day out of Bayonne and that turned me off to cruising for 6 years. I used to say I would never cruise again after that cruise, and that was after having a gorgeous wedding on an RCI ship for my very first cruise. I'm well-traveled (grew up with a flight attendant mom) so I've been to many, many vacation destinations around the world. Cruising is addictive but IMO you have to find the right ship for you and your current lifestyle.

Disney doesn't do it for me because the shows and service just can't make up for overcooked and bland food. They even messed up the Krispy Kreme donuts! They were freezer burned and mushy. I had a great time in a lovely, spacious inside cabin on the newly-refurbished Magic. But I like to enjoy food on my vacations and Disney is subpar in that area. Won't pay lots of $$$ when I never look forward to my next meal. If I had little kids, I'd suck it up for them. Parents of kids under 13 should try this line at least once because it will create a lifetime memories for them.

RCI is inconsistent and extremely arrogant. I'd rather pay $$$ for Princess and Celebrity if I have to deal with snootiness from staff and guests. Their product is very comparable to CCL but is overpriced. I do want to go on Quantum, Oasis or Allure in the next few years but I won't expect great service or consistency unless I pay major $ for upgraded cabins. I'll expect to pay for WOW factor and that gets old after being on a ship for a week. I'd probably have the most fun on that kind of ship with a big group like I did for my wedding cruise.

Carnival pleasantly surprised me when I took a last-minute on the Dream. Their ports were great and I especially loved Mahogany Beach in Roatan. I hated RCI's Labadee island. Everything was nickel and dimed. I might as well do a land vacation if I have to pay for every little thing. Carnival seems to respect that some people don't want to add hundreds of dollars to expensive vacations on things that should be included. If I spend extra money, it will be on the spa, excursions and shopping. I just liked the more laid back and "fun" atmosphere. My kids are older teens and it worked for us. We are going on the Breeze in 3 weeks!

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