Bella8286

I can't believe I just booked my first solo cruise... I am super anxious but now that I've actually booked, I'm getting excited! I have been on many cruises with my ex and I'm REALLY missing it. None of my friends really enjoy cruising as much as I do but Carnival's $70pp deal only an hour from my home that just so happens to be my Spring Break week was a sign to me. I am super shy and not outgoing but since being separated (I was very codependent unfortunately) I'm really trying to force myself to try new things ALONE. Any tips, tricks, advice? I know Carnival isn't known for their singles activities but since I've never even paid attention I have no idea if they even offer anything. I've joined my roll call which is dead btw and joined the Facebook group. This is SO unlike anything I would ever do but for that price, I couldn't even go stay in a hotel for a weekend! I'd rather be cruising alone for a week rather than sitting at home alone for a week 🙂

not yet

Thanks everyone! I talked to my husband who I was sure would want to do Horizon and he picked Legend 😁 

Booking a cruise for our 15th anniversary in April. Definitely want Western Caribbean but mainly Cozumel is a must. I'm looking at the Legend or the Horizon. I can't find much info on the Legend and I'm reading really mixed reviews on the Horizon. Any input or experiences much appreciated! 

We used to feel the same as all of the reviews above and stay on the ship until our last time there! Right off the ship, take a cab to "Junkanoo Beach" (yes there is one in Nassau too not to be confused) The taxi ride is around 20 minutes but it's a $3 fee to access the beach, where there is a bar and great food and a really pretty beach surprisingly! This made for a great day for us before heading to Senor Frogs before getting back on. We will definitely do this again.

By far THE BEST excursion in Cozumel is the bar hop (if youre into drinking and no kids). One of our favorite ports/excursions. There is a designated meeting area. You take a nice, air conditioned bus to the other side of the island which is BEAUTIFUL. The tour guides are amazing and you spend time at 4-5 different beaches/bars. The views and scenery are amazing and nothing like you will see doing "touristy" stuff. When it's over, they drop you right back off at your ship!

We always do YTD. On the last few cruises, we've gone right at 5:45 when it opened. There was hardly anyone ever waiting to go in at that time. I feel this is better than the 6:00 early seating because you don't have EVERYONE showing up at the same time and our food and service is much quicker. That time just works great for us as to not miss any night time activities and I like to be hungry for some pizza or room service before bed :)

Just be aware of your account and what's being charged. We do Cheers and our son likes virgin daiquiris. We werent happy to find that they were charging those out of our 15 after we were told they wouldn't so we added charging privileges to his SS card to avoid any confusion.

It was offered on our Ecstasy cruise a few weeks ago. They said we could buy 24 hours and if we wanted to extend, they would apply what we paid to the package rate.

I have recently had to go gluten free (or at the very least, avoid it as much as I can) because this old body can't tolerate it anymore. :o:(

 

I'm curious...what's everybody's favorite gluten free foods in the MDR?

 

::edited to add:: I am NOT allergic. It's just that I can't handle gluten anymore without some rather ah..unpleasant..gastric repercussions.

My husband is GF, although like you, not deathly allergic. He knows what he can and can't eat so we didn't make anyone aware of his allergy. His favorite things on the ship are Guys burgers no bun, at the Cantina ask for corn shells instead of flour, pizza ask for GF crust (you'll have to wait for them to cook it) and at dinner, ask for GF bread and butter rather than the rolls they serve. :)

We did the Oasis last year and it was ABSOLUTELY worth it! Private butler, bartenders, TONS of food (much better than the buffet), and we did have a private lifeguard the entire day. It was open bar which made it even more worth it. Enjoyed everything about it, even the hot tub. It is to the far left of the beach but easily accessible to walk down to the public areas as well. DO IT! I'm not on a personal computer otherwise I'd post all of our pics :)

Can anyone comment on how the pre-paid/priority parking works?

Totally agree! We just got back from a Royal Caribbean cruise and will never go back, and we've sailed them several times.

The customer service and food was HORRIBLE.

IDK how ANYONE can complain about Carnival. Best prices, best food, and best customer service we've had.

We just got back from a 3 night on the Enchantment. Our last RCCL cruise was on the Brilliance a few years ago and we had a great time. While it wasn't our first time cruising with Royal, we took along three other couples who had never sailed with RCCL before. The ship itself was okay and our room steward was excellent. However, we were appalled at the lack of customer service in the dining room and bars.

One of my main complaints was that every time we went to R Bar to get our favorite drink ONLY available on Royal ships at that specific bar, they either didn't have the stuff to make it or the bartenders working didn't know how to make it. On the last night, one of the female bartenders actually yelled at my husband. I feel that since they've had the drink packages out, the lack of service at the pools is significant. I suppose they feel they don't have to work for their tips anymore? We only saw one person out of all 3 days by the pool coming around to take drink orders.

We also had a bad experience in the dining room. We ate at the steakhouse on nights one and two and had amazing service. We showed up to the main dining room on the last night and the server tried to refuse to allow us to sit at our assigned table because we hadn't been there any other night. The food on this cruise was a HUGE disappointment (aside from the steakhouse) and such a lack of food options compared to other cruises we've taken. Room service was a big disappointment as well.

I'm not one to complain but it seemed it was one thing after another on this ship. We have never had an experience like this before on a cruise. :confused::(

I just booked a Journeys cruise with reduced deposit!

Thanks for the review! We love the Fascination but I can relate to some of your issues. The last time we went, we had a few issues as well. First of all, you're right in the Jax port crew is awesome! We always do FTTF and this was the first time we have ever had it and our luggage did not arrive for almost an hour and a half after we embarked and our room wasn't ready. They did allow us to go to our room but it was in the midst of being cleaned. The pool bathrooms stayed nasty during our last cruise as well.

Disembarking on the Fascination has ALWAYS been AWFUL. We just expect it now. The first time we cruised on it, we never heard announcements either and it was almost 10:00 before we got off, HORRIBLE!

We're now those people who lug our suitcases down the stairs and jump on the first elevator that stops or else it will be forever before we leave :rolleyes: We're use to being off and on the road before 8...

Thanks for your quick responses! :)

Contacted by Carnival about upgrading from an OV cabin to a grand suite for $400 total. We sail on the Sensation 3 nighter in April. I paid almost $1100 for four of us and the going rate for a grand suite today would be $1900.

We've never stayed in one and the $400 would roughly be our spending money on the cruise so I'm wondering if it's worth the extra??

For those who've been out of Jacksonville lately, about what time are they cleared and ready to let people in? We've been out of there twice and were in around 10:30 but I've read a few reviews of it being much later lately :confused: We do FTTF so we can make the most of our day!

Also, thanks to all of your who post on here I found out about the Verizon rewards program and got a $500 Carnival e-gift card for $450. We already have a $100 onboard credit so basically we now have $600 to spend and paid $450. Score! :D

Great so far! Thanks!

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Subscribed :) Sailing on Brilliance in two weeks. Can't wait to see the rest of the review!

Uh oh, we sail Brilliance the first weekend of April and are in our early 30s :eek: BUT, I'm not worried...

My husband and I actually sailed on the Dream a few years ago in early December. There were scooters literally parked outside every door, so many elderly people, it rained the WHOLE 7 days and we didn't feel there was much to do as far as entertainment. I pretty much felt like you. BUT my sister and her husband did the same cruise last year in the summer and LOVED it. I think it was just a fluke week for us.

Bonine is the only thing that doesn't make me drowsy (I'm very sensitive to medication). We start taking a day or two before we cruise and have never had problems with sea sickness.

Thanks Bob! Wasn't sure about the taxes thing in port :)

Sorry if this has been asking a million times before but since I can't search...

Does it make a difference when you buy the drink package? In port versus at sea?

Just trying to figure out if there's a benefit to purchasing prior to cruising or waiting until we board. Thanks!