MomofTheBoy

I live in Chicago.  Not one pier is near me.  in 2017 we cruised with my mom (last time we cruised told you its only every few years) we, sorry I, drove from Chicago to Miami.  Not ever again in life will I do that.  My son was just turning 7 and my mother said she couldn't drive.  So it was me, 7 months from brain surgery that did all the driving.  Stopped in Atlanta as the half way point for the night to and fro.  Did I say never again in life?  I mean never ever again in life!!!  This one or the next one.  So flying is all I got!

So he really is a CD?!  Cool beans.  

Have you finished the show yet???

26 minutes ago, Booman14 said:

How long until you sail?  I'm 18 days out and I'm still hoping for an upgrade. 

I think 65 days from now.  Not soon enough!!!! The Chicago sand is gonna have to do until then...once the weather FINALLY breaks.

1 hour ago, brownc424 said:

This might be out of your budget, because it is absurdly overpriced, but Atlantis has an unbelievably amazing Waterpark. Calling it absurdly overpriced might be an understatement, but it was so much fun. Otherwise, do what someone else suggested and grab a taxi to junkanoo Beach. 

Yes I saw the Atlantis prices and the Ancestors weren't pleased with those prices LOL  Neither was I!

3 hours ago, ninjacat123 said:

Nassau has Junkanoo Beach, about a twenty minute flat walk from the pier.  Casual tiki hut food and drink on the beach with chairs to rent.  It's a free beach so you could throw a towel down as well. Great view of the ships in port.  John Watlings Distillery is straight up the hill from the beach, about 15 minutes walk.  Best pina colada ever! Mr. 11 could have a virgin one😉

On Grand Turk exit the ship, walk up the pier and turn left to Jack's Shack, about a 10-ish minute walk along the beach.  Delish jerk chicken and more with tasty drinks with tables you can sit at (as long as you order) or chairs and umbrellas to rent.

HMC is awesome!  I would suggest walking up the beach to Cabana 9 (our usual go-to) and grab chairs in the big villas shadow.  Bathrooms are close by.

When is your cruise and where out of?

Thank you!!!!  July 30th out of Miami.  I didn't think about doing the distillery because I had him. HOWEVER.... he likes a good sugar based frozen fruity beverage.  Me too just with a kick that he can't have!!!

1 minute ago, cruisemom2 said:

That's awesome - what did you originally book?

Ocean view.  That's what I usually get and I've been happy.  Just felt in my spirit I needed a balcony.

Haven't had a balcony since cruise #2 and this is cruise #7.  Single mom so cruising only happens every 3 to 4  years.  I'm so excited!!!  

Any recommendations for Nassau?  My son is 11 and he not the tourist dude.  He all about the water!  I wanted to do the submarine boat thing but the time of said excursion is smack dead in the middle.  So we will have to cut our beach time short on the front or back end.  I'd rather start my day off doing it so the rest could be the fish fry places and the beach.

5 minutes ago, ninjacat123 said:

That's great!  Fun ports and a balcony sounds awesome.  Have fun!!

So I'm super excited for this cruise.  Since the ports are Nassau, Half Moon, and Grand Turk, its a beachy vacay!  I just want to put my toes in the sand, sit back, watch the smile on my SONshines face, and relax, relate, release.  However I wanted a balcony to start my RRRing BUT I did not wanna pay an extra $300 for one.  Nope just couldn't see myself doing that.  Well because of my excitement I check my lil planner every few days.  I add stuff to the cart, take stuff out the cart and just in general poking around (also checking to see if the price changed - it hadn't).  Low and behold I saw an upgrade offer for $100!  Yes I will take it!

I will be floating on her very soon!!!!

I hear you... I Place Carnival excursions in 4 buckets 1) For cruise newbees 2) For worry warts 3) Willing to pay extra for the convenience and 4) Offers an excursion which interests me and I can't find privately (but this is rare). Best to not rock the boat with your Mom. Keeps her happy and less worried. Last thing you need is for a reminder every 15' asking "are we on schedule...will we get back in time?" etc

You have obviously met my mother LOLOLOL!!! That would be her! You sure we gonna get back in time? I don't want the boat to leave us. How long before we leave? We should go now just in case.

She would work my last good and bad nerve!!! So to keep her happy and keep me sane, we will be herded with all the other guests for a Carnival excursion. Had we did it the way I wanted, we would have been half way through our excursion before the Carnival folks showed up.

I just booked a ship tour only because my mother insisted she didn't want to risk missing the boat. No matter how many times I told her, I got this (in my George Lopez voice), she wasn't budging. Luckily the tour I wanted to do outside of Carnival was of course cheaper and Carnival gave me the difference in price. I'm just not gonna like the whole crowding situation.

Down to single digits!!!

Hey Girl Hey! Loved your last review. I'm all in for this one. NOW I can see the pictures!

Any recommendations on who to use? I am the complete opposite of a strong swimmer. I do ok in a pool but the big wide blue ocean.......nope! I need someone that will be cognizant of a non swimmer especially where it pertains to snorkeling.

Hey everyone,

Headed to this port in about 3 weeks. I want to take my son to swim with the stingrays but I can't seem to find a tour that does NOT involve a snorkel stop. My ideal trip would be to play with the stingrays, go to the turtle farm and get in some beach time. I don't snorkel nor does my son or mom. Does anyone know if this is possible???

Following along!

That's nice. The fairy sprinkled dust everywhere today. Called me but it was for Oceanview to Junior suite for $510. Umm no. I'm good but glad to have gotten the call.

:)a

 

we are back on sensation she was one of our first ones back on November 20 th. So will review after our trip glad you enjoyed your first cruise

We are on a transatlantic crossing before hand.

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Hello everyone,

I need a wee bit of help. I'm trying to choose between Hyattt House and Hyatt Place, both near Miami Airport. I'm driving in so they offer different things. One has breakfast included and free parking but I will have to park at the port. The other doesn't offer free breakfast but I can leave the car there for the duration of the cruise. I know absolutely NOTHING about Miami so I'm hoping those of you that are more familiar can help me out. Oh price is only different by about $5

Thanks everyone. Last time I did decorations I used the putty stuff like you use for college dorms. Plus those command strips (awesome). No balcony so no risk of damaging the eco system. Now off to find Ben 10 decorations.

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Are we talking inside the cabin ?

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Hey party people

Are balloons allowed on any of the vessels? Planning The Boys birthday decorations for our cruise in 29 days. I know they have decorations but never saw balloons. And before anyone says just let Carnival handle the decorations, I can't as he has a very specific theme.[emoji16]

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I was playing around on my Carnival booking and was going to order the pop package for my son and husband but it was around $105 usd, which is over $130 Canadian for us for the week. Seems like a lot of money for pop! How much is it for one if we don't buy the package?

 

 

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Dear MomofTheBoy-You are such a great Mom to do this for your son! I was thinking you must be crazy to drive so far for this cruise till I read about your son's birthday wish! Good luck and have a great cruise!

Awww thank you!!!! I do try to keep my best mom ever crown polished!

The drive is because of my mom. If it was just my son and I we would be flying the friendly skies! However, my mom wanted to go but she can't fly so its for her I make this uber long drive. LOL

I just bought water and the card I used was charged at checkout. I'd rather have the water there since I have to bring juice (my son loves certain juices).