lasvegascruising

I was on the Splendor in November 2018.  Cabin steward asked us if we wanted morning or evening and we told him that it was up to him and his schedule.  We did tip him that day(maybe $20 bucks if I remember, could have been $40).  We received morning and evening service.  Didn't have to request it.  It was really nice to have the room made up in the morning and when we returned to our cabin in the evening, the bed was turned down and fresh towels were in the bathroom.  I wish I would have written his name down because he was really friendly.  Reminded me of cabin stewards of the past.  He would always shout down the hallway a good morning if he saw us.  Just a great experience.

As a matter of fact, my husband will use both of our cards to order himself two drinks!  A beer and a shot.  

Looks like a few of us are on this cruise.  If anyone does find out more information about what embark day will be like, please post on this.  All of us will receive an email that there is activity on this thread.  I want to get to the port when boarding starts even if I am early.  I actually am looking forward to getting on the Magic, relaxing and watching all the activity of the ship and Port Everglades.  Also, enjoying the ship as the day turns into night and the Magic slowly floats away into the open ocean!

fire Lt., thank you so much.  I guess I could have called Carnival myself, I'm such a dummy!  This information is very helpful and exactly what I was looking for.  Just wondering why FTTF, etc has a board time of 1pm and the first time slot I could select was 4:30pm-5pm.  I picked this on the very first day that it was available to choose.  Anyway, this information really helps me plan my embark day.  Thanks again!

I am staying near Houston Hobby and want to UBER to Galveston also.  Carnival bus is 36.95 per person.  I am wondering if UBER would be less then $73.90(two of us).  Last cruise with this scenario, we shuttled from hotel back to airport the morning of the cruise and took the Carnival bus.  Waited around the baggage claim area until about 9:30ish.  They herded us to the bus and we sat and sat.  One of the ladies that worked for the bus company came on the bus to give us an update and said something to the effect that we all had too much luggage.  They had to keep rearranging all the luggage under the bus to get it all to fit.  I told myself that the next time I am cruising out of Galveston that I am finding a different way to get there.  It was a nice bus ride down once we got going but it sure was a lot of waiting.  Can anyone report on what they paid an UBER driver to get from Hobby to Galveston port?

1025cruise....I am thinking cabins would be done during the move also.  I am hoping someone who has experienced this will post some information.

trudster57..I think I have read that if you have FTTF you can board with plats and diamonds.  I have seen posts that say you(FTTF guests) just ignore that check in time and board with them.  Maybe if you call Carnival, they can tell you what boarding time is for FTTF, plats and diamond guests.  Can you post here if you find out that time?  I am interested to find out.

shof515..thank you for the information.  Ship arrival about 2pm and my embark time of 4:30pm sound about right.  I am hoping cabins will be ready and we can just go straight to our cabin with our carry on luggage.  If cabins are ready, I am considering taking all three pieces of luggage we will have with us straight to our cabin.  Then we won't have to wait for it to arrive and can unpack right away.

trudster57...see you on the 5th!  Did you get a boarding time yet?

beachbum53...yes, the check in time I have was the earliest I could pick.  I think I am more curious then anything else.  Just wondering when the Magic actually arrives at Port Everglades.  Wondering what time the terminal will open.  Since no guests have to get off the ship, won't have to deal with as many people at the terminal.  Just looking for someone that has experienced this type of embark.  

Staying at Four Points by Sheraton(near the Embassy Suites).  Is Duffy's close enough to walk from the Sheraton?  We don't have mobility issues.

We rented a golf cart and drove all around.  Parked it when we want to stop and look at something and hopped back in and off we went.  Drove through the cemetery which was very interesting.  Stopped at the beach at a little bit.  Lots of places to stop.

Webzila, I agree.  I hate getting flamed for just asking a question.

Me too. I purchase Cheers ahead of time at 51.95 plus 18%=61.30 vs. on board purchase 56.95 plus 18%=67.20.   This calculates out to $5.90 per day at 7 days equals $41.30.  Times this by two people and you have eaten up almost half of your $200.   I would use the OBC to cover gratuities also.

On May 5 these two ships are switching ports.  Magic from MIA to FLL & Conquest from FLL to MIA.  Both ships leave at 9pm on 5-5-19.  Can anyone tell me about their experience or does anyone have knowledge of how embark day will be.  I have received a 4:30pm-5pm time for arrival at FLL(Magic).  Will rooms be ready?  What time will each ship reach its new port?  My biggest question, what would be the earliest we should head over to the port.  I am going to try to get a late check out from the hotel but if lucky that will be 1pm.  I would appreciate any suggestion or thoughts as I don't know what to expect. Thanks friends!

I highly suggest the Tandor Grill.  It is located at the back of the ship where the adult pool and deli are.  It is one of the last ships that have this venue(so sad).  We ate there more than any place else on the ship.  We did try the bbq which is upstairs above lido.  I was not impressed but only my opinion.  My husband enjoyed it.  We went right when it opened for lunch and we were the first guests there.  I will report that the deli always had a line and there were so many items to pick from.  Everything that I saw others had on their plate looked really good.  My problem was that when we went to the back of the ship to enjoy the adult pool and whirlpools, I always choose Tandor for lunch.  It is just so good.  The chicken they serve is perfect.  Also, the fish was great.  I really hope you give it a chance!

Crewsweeper

This information is terrific.  I will be in Grand Turk this May and want to do an island tour.  Do you know if I have to book ahead or can I just walk up and book a tour?  I have emailed both of your suggestions and awaiting a response.  I have never been to Grand Turk so I think I want to do a tour but once I see the beach, I might not want to leave the ocean.  I am the kind of person that likes to leave my options open.  I was in Falmouth Jamaica and there was a tram tour right in the cruise terminal area that was a walk up.  I was hoping to find something like this in Grand Turk and Amber Cove.  I have not been to either so I would like to have a simple tour just to see a little bit of the area.

Hey everyone, I did call the Fairfield/Las Olas and was told they have a shuttle to the port for $10 per person. I forgot the times they told me it leaves. Does anyone know if there are fast food type of places near? I won't be arriving to the hotel until probably 7:30pm and won't want a big dinner at a restaurant but just something easy and fast. MsJersey84 did you see anything like a fast food place? Panda Express, Chipotle something along those lines? I am not even going on my cruise until next May and this thread has me so excited for my cruise. The planning of every thing is so fun. Thank you MsJesery84!!

Msjersey84....thank you for the detailed report on the Fairfield/Las Olas. It sounds like a nice place to stay and I will be keeping my reservation thanks to your report. I wanted a hotel that was nice and had some place to walk to in the evening and next morning. We are flying in and don't want to rent a car.

MsJersey84...I have been waiting to ask someone who has stayed at the Fairfield/Las Olas. How was your stay, was the hotel in an area that we could take a walk, and what was the area like? I have it booked for our over night stay next May. We will be arriving at 6:30pm on Saturday night and not boarding the ship until at earliest 3pm on Sunday(ship doesn't leave until 9pm Sunday night). I am trying to find out if the Fairfield would be a nice place to spend the evening on Saturday and have something to walk to on Sunday until we can get on our ship. What do you think?

Thanks everyone for your helpful responses. I think I will find out more about boarding times once I can actually pick my boarding time but that won't be for a few months. I have booked a hotel one block up from Las Olas Street(Fairfield Inn by Marriott) and thought we could wander around down there until time to check out of the hotel(hopefully can get a late check out). I also have my eye on a hotel in Dania Beach(Springhill Suites) but not sure if this location has much to see and walk to. Since we are going to be in Ft Lauderdale for the morning and into the afternoon, I want to have a little something to do. Does anyone have thoughts on the two hotels I have my eye on?

One cruise, hubby and I walked around and found ourselves in a grocery store in Cozumel. It was interesting just to see how different items are sold/displayed versus in the US. We had a good time being the simple folks we are. That was a very cheap port day for us! Another time, we watched a man with a suitcase on the ground at the exit of a store stuffing it with toothpaste. He had more boxes of toothpaste then I could count. I still can't figure out where or what he was doing with so many tubes of toothpaste. I wanted to stop and make a suggestion that if he took the tubes out of the boxes, he would fit way more into the suitcase. There is a Jack for every Jill.

slightlysilly...my suggestion is to have a small snack and hold your hunger for the ship!! My husband always wants to have breakfast on embark day and I tell him that I am holding off(maybe a muffin or toast) and saving myself for lunch. Going on Carnival Splendor in November and I will be holding my hunger until I get on the ship and head straight to the Tandoor.

Tantsee, the only thing that comes to mind for me is that the money you saved taking a red eye flight would be spent on an extra night hotel if you choose to take that route. Maybe if you get a good nights sleep the night before you leave and rest on the plane(no reading, watching movies but just closing your eyes and resting), you may arrive at 8am not feeling too tired. Also, the excitement of the vacation will probably give you a pep in your step. Go to your hotel and maybe you will get lucky with an early check in. Being from Vegas as I am and knowing that cash is king, a little cash to the front desk clerk may just seal the deal.

SethCruise...I meant to type that I am 5'3'' not five inches +3 inches tall. Also, in Cozumel hubby and I have went to Money Bar Beach Club via a quick taxi ride. If you like to snorkel, I think it is great. No charge to use their area although we have always ordered drinks and chips/salsa, etc. They have steps down into the water and the very minute you put your masked face into the water you can see the fish. It is not a place if you want a sandy beach but they have loungers, swings and tables with umbrellas. We have spent hours there enjoying Cozumel.

SethCruise, I highly suggest the stingray city tour in Grand Cayman. It is amazing. How often does one get on a boat, ride out to a sand bar(feels like one is in the middle of the ocean), hop off said boat, stand in water that is not over ones head(I'm only 5"3") and sting rays are swimming all around. As a matter of fact, the last time I did this I was in a spot where I was on my knees and my head was above water. If you like being in the ocean, it is incredible and so much fun. I have picked up a tour once at the cruise port and also booked one on line(not through the cruise line). I felt extremely safe and never once doubted my decision to book outside of the cruise line. Roatan, I suggest Victor Boden Tours. Very good price, I felt safe with my driver and hope you give them a try. Next time I am in Roatan, I want to do their tour that offers ziplining.

Badfinger...boy are you correct about having to add airfare to the cost of the cruise! I am from Vegas and don't want to only cruise the Mexican Rivera. I have a Magic cruise in May 2019 from FLL booked and have already paid for my airfare and booked a hotel. It seems to be a little less money to book way in advance for airfare and a hotel for the night before. I do love cruising from Galveston. Three hour flight from Vegas, over night at the Drury near Hobby and shuttle to the port in the morning. It has always been a lot of fun even with a few problems that pop up(fog!!).