trixiegal

I live extremely close to the port and my daughter just moved from downtown Orlando a few months ago, plus I'm at Disney all the time. It is more than 3 hours to go from the Universal Area to the port area and I drive around 80 on the turnpike! From Disney its about 3 hours and 50 minutes and from the Universal/Downtown area around 3 1/2 hours. That's no traffic, doing 80 for the most part and knowing exactly which way I'm going.

Driving to the UM campus takes another 15/20 minutes from here on US 1 because regretfully, there is always traffic here in Miami.

 

Wish I could do it in 3 hours because the drive is just that much more from here than from Naples to Disney.

That's fine. YMMV. I stated clearly "a little over 3 hours" which means, in my mind, anything under 3 1/2 hours barring no stops for gas, bathroom breaks or what have you. Travel time is subjective. But my point was it's not a bad drive from Orlando to Miami. Either the morning of or night before is an option that is doable without a lot of hassle because the Turnpike is a straight shot.

BTW, I don't miss the US 1 traffic! I loved visiting my sister when she was down there but I hated when 1 was backed up.

Wow, the Carnival board is feisty today!

 

 

 

I personally would not feel comfortable using this particular PVP again. Yes, everyone makes mistakes, but like someone else said, it's the way that the mistake is handled/corrected that matters. The PCP should have just said, "A passenger with a similar name wanted trip insurance. I screwed up, I'm sorry, it won't happen again." Not what basically amounts to, "My bad, it wasn't a big deal." Again, I wouldn't feel comfortable using this PVP. Not because I think she'd dishonest, but because she is apparently sloppy at confirming details. And unfortunately, her sloppiness could have cost the OP $250 and the other passenger his/her trip insurance. When I'm spending what could potentially be a large sum of money, I want to be sure that the person that is handling my account is competent and pays attention to details.

Exactly! I have a PVP I've used a few times and I would've been speaking to a supervisor if that happened to me. It's unacceptable and not just a small error. But I have high standards because I've worked in the travel and hospitality industry. Who knows WHY it happened but I don't see that as the point. Not everyone is good at their jobs so I would make a point to note to the higher ups that this error had occurred. I hope most posters realize the PVPs work in a HUGE call center with very high turnover. These aren't experienced travel agents but customer service reps. Adjust your expectations and also follow up on any issues so they may not happen to the next customer. But I'm the type to take the surveys and give feedback whether the service is good or not good. The power lies with the consumer, so why not use it?

I've been on on phentermine a few times. It really does stop the appetite in its tracks for 6-8 weeks. It's meant to be taken short term because while the amphetamine effects continue, the appetite suppressant (anorectic) effects wear off. I will say that it makes me crazy. I get a lot of house cleaning done and my thinking is razor sharp but I also jump down peoples' throats and get extremely jittery. After a certain point I need to move up a dose to get the suppressant effects. As my body adjusts to that I start automatically adding more coffee to my day- not a pretty picture. The main thing to keep in mind is that it is an amphetamine. You will have the side effects that taking speed would give you.

I am going to start verrrrry slow and see how I do. In the past, I've been sensitive to appetite suppressants but I need a quick fix.

Just be aware the rental offices in Cape Canaveral are small local offices and they are busy on the mornings that cruise ships are there. Don't plan on a quick in and out. I also found out the hard way at Budget that you don't have to stand in the big long line to return a car, you can go to the counter to the left as you face it.

Thanks for the tip. I'm thinking of getting to PC to drop off the rental around 10ish if all goes well. Hopefully, we can get on the ship around 12:30 or 1 pm.

Either way is doable. The 17th is a Sunday so you could hop on the Florida Turnpike and get to the ship in a little over 3 hours. I drove to Miami from Orlando over a period of 4 years while my little sister was at UM and it never took 4 hours unless there was accident on the Turnpike. The port is not far from the area where the University of Miami is. Just map out where you need to drop off the rental. I'd drop your family off first and then take a shuttle to get back to the port.

I'm doing this, too. I'm very familiar with Orlando as I lived there for 5 years and my daughter is now going to school at UCF. We, thankfully, have family we can stay with in the area so the rental car is the best way to go. I booked with Budget through Southwest for the points. I have rented with a few different car rental companies since DD went to school last fall and I was visiting her. All of them that have cars at the terminal are very convenient. I don't like using the agencies off site because it always seems like an unnecessary hassle to wait for a shuttle to get to the agency and then wait in a long line to get the car. I'll pay $5/day more to avoid that scenario! I also usually pay the fee for the electronic tolls upfront. The way I travel around Orlando I got LOTS of tolls and it really is a stress-reliever and timesaver to know I don't have to worry about having cash for tolls. YMMV

We stayed at the Sleep Inn last September. It was fine for 1 night and I appreciated the Walgreens being right next door. I went twice before leaving for the port to grab some last minute items. It is a budget hotel and pretty basic. However, the area seemed quiet and residential. I usually travel with my two teenaged kids by myself. Never once did I feel unsafe or on edge, even after walking next door to the Walgreens or across the street to the Mexican restaurant. Too bad that's gone! The margaritas were delicious.

I have a weight loss center in my area I've been to that gives B12 shots. I'm going to call about this and see if they offer it. I have less than 40 days to get off some pounds. Not all of it, of course, but I'd like to lose 10-15. This sounds like it works!

You do realize this thread is 2 years old?

Why does it matter? The information is still relevant!

Those dresses are divine! I feel I'd definitely be overdressed wearing one on my Carnival cruise this year. I also need to lose some lbs. But I look forward to dressing up for the Med cruise I want to take in 2017.

We had it on the Sunshine in the forward dining room just go book it at guest services I believe.

Awesome! Thank you

This sounds great! Is it offered on the Sunshine?

WHO CARES? Thanks for bumping it up. My sis could use this tip for her baby on our cruise this summer.

I need to check out Stylebook. I just moved so I'm in the process of getting rid off so many clothes. It's very liberating!

Nice! Wife and I just did a cruise sans kids and it was $875 plus alcohol package of $600. Full disclosure, we went the discount route with the cheapest room, no excursions, etc. We looked at all inclusives which add airfare and I believe the total was $3000

Which cruise did you go on? Hope you had a great time! [emoji4]

AS I am in the habit of elevating my feet while sitting, and truly missed being able to do so while sitting on the balcony, I finally figured out a way to do so. I purchased an inexpensive inflatable beach ball. blow it up about 2/3 of the way, and presto! I have a cushy place to prop my feet! At the end of the cruise I deflate it, and tuck it in my suitcase to take home till the next cruise. It sure has made balcony sitting much more comfortable.

What a great idea!

Thank you. Looks interesting! Would you advise walking or getting a taxi?

I would get a taxi. There is a major highway you'd have to cross under and there aren't many wide sidewalks, if any. It's a very industrial area but the McHenry Row shopping center is nice.

Okay, I've had a long day but how do I load this onto my Harris Teeter card and pick up the gift cards there? I didn't see an option on their website, only the Kroger website has the promotion. Please help! :confused::confused:

There were curfew violations and clashes with police last night at what is being called ground zero. Several people were arrested as police had to use tear gas and other means to disperse the crowd

Ground Zero is North and Pennsylvania? My co-workers were actually out there to assess the damage (I'm in the construction biz) and said, despite the massive amount of people out, it was peaceful and orderly. I can't watch the news anymore. But I've been following along on Twitter. The nights have been the issue but the curfew is still in effect so, hopefully, it's calm tonight.

There was some sporadic looting of liquor stores in areas of Fells Point, which is adjacent to the Inner Harbor tourist area. However, as Tony O pointed out, the Md State Police and the National Guard are on the ground and there have only been peaceful protests all day.

No, Fells Point is not near the cruise ships. In fact, that area is on the other side of the Harbor. So glad there were PEACEFUL protests today. Now we can focus on the issues that sparked all of the unrest in the first place.

Amazon Local, Groupon and Living Social have had Legoland discounted tickets for sale in the past for significant savings. Just Google it.

I'm interested in reading this review to get another perspective on the Pride. I also gave you some advice on where to stay and park in the area. Even offered to bring you water since the BW Elkridge is in my neighborhood before I realized I was going to be in Asheville for Easter weekend! I'm sure you got it all worked out. [emoji6]

Despite living so close to this port, I've never found the fares on the Pride a good value even with not having to fly to get on the ship. Plus, I've been to the Bahamas too many times and I like cruising to new ports. I know she's usually sold out (which is why prices are so high) so let me click back to post 1 and see what this fuss is about.

Not sure how telling the truth is being condescending...

But, just reread her original post and it's pretty clear that she didn't want to stay or park in PC.

How do you know it went down?

http://www.carnival.com/BookingEngine/FareViewer/