momof4boys

A first for us -- insect repellent with DEET.

Given the new mosquito-vectored Chikungunya virus hitting the Caribbean, we are going to take some repellent with us this time.

Yes..good post!

Flash light to go check out dark deck to stargaze, and since DH is a doctor and we travel in a large group, we have a fairly complete first aid kit including small tube of surgical glue (used 1x), ear drops for swimmers' ear (used 1x) and a couple of z packs (used 1x) besides the typical band aids, eye drops for sand in the eye, and heart burn meds.

Have fun!

Cozumel isn't exactly like going to "Beirut".

I think you will be fine with just a driver license..

Never said it was dangerous........just reporting what we had to do on July 1, 2014 in Cozumel. Good grief!

DL, state issued photo id, or passport was fine.

We would never step foot in a foreign country without our passports. I have a cousin who works at an embassy and we just take her advice. We leave our copies of our passports in our safe at home.

If an emergency occurred....accident, earthquake, whatever...we want our ticket home with us. I am sure there has been a passport stolen somewhere, but in all of our foreign land travels and cruise travels....our passports have been with us and safe.

Just back from Cozumel and we were asked for our S & S card upon leaving and returning to the ship and they carefully looked over our passports (photo id) and compared to our S & S card on the way back to the ship. The other two places, Grand Cayman and Jamaica, we visited didn't ask for photo id.

I have brought my own fan each time (mostly as a noise/snore cover) Never had a problem but I make sure the fan is clean and in good shape..

They may not have enough fans for everyone if the entire floor is hot.

Just an FYI...I had heard some say that they were hot in their rooms on the DREAM. (I always run a bit hot so I was worried) It was humid on embarkation day but by the time we got back to our rooms after dinner....it was downright chilly in our room and stayed that way the entire week. I would rather have it cold because I brought a jacket and sweater!

Happy sailing!

We loved luggage express when we flew SW from Fort Lauderdale. It was WELL worth the money to not have to drag our luggage from port to the airport. Our friends did not do it and had to lug their suitcases around for 4 hours. You can only check it in about 1 1/2 hours before (I think it is that amount of time...I'm sure someone will correct me if it is 2 1/2 hours! )

We also pay the $12.50 extra to SW for auto check in. We travel in a large group and like to sit near each other on the plane.

when you pick the phone up...it will have sort of a dial tone....after you dial....the ringing is different from a regular phone, so don't hang up!! :)

Loved the Freedom and its itinerary. Just sailed the Dream and it was ok. Really couldn't tell that it was 50 feet bigger than Freedom.....but I could tell it had a LOT more people on it.

If I had a choice between 8 nights or less...I would always pick the 8 night cruise.

LOVE Paradise Beach. We have been there three times and it just keeps getting better! Pool is fabulous and toys in ocean are fun!! We have been there over the years since our kids were 10. Two weeks ago took a 5 year old in our mix and she had a blast.

Have fun!!

The poll on this thread asks what you will do BEFORE October 9th. This is BEFORE the restrictions. Doesn't ask if people plan to break the rules after that date. Now I do think the poll could have been worded differently but at least it is not encouraging people to ignore the restrictions!

I must be having comprehension reading problems. I thought this poll was asking about what you would do now to when the rules change in October. Not how many people plan to break the rules after restrictions go into effect. Am I missing something?

I am a BIG water drinker!! I agree that the ship's water tastes ok...however, we have usually brought bottled water on the ship with us for ports and to drink on the ship.

On our 2012, we did not bring bottled water and DH's and my ankles swelled up. This past cruise we had water delivered to our room and our kids' rooms. No swelling at all this time.

I find your statement kind of interesting. Back when I was in school my PARENTS were responsible for teaching me manners, not teachers at school. Teachers were there to teach reading, writing, math, science and other subjects. Maybe that's the problem nowadays? Too many people in the educational system teaching what they feel is socially acceptable rather than sticking to what they're supposed to teach.

 

 

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Carnival Pride 7 day Mexican Riviera: September 2008

 

Carnival Inspiration 4 day Mexican Riviera: September 2013

 

Carnival Miracle 15 day Hawaii: coming October 2015

I won't get into teaching with you as I suspect you have not been in a leadership position in a classroom. However, teachers have always encouraged and taught manners...just look at some of the educational books and rules from long before you and I were born.

However, I think most districts, including private schools, and home school parents think teaching character traits of respect, loyalty, kindness, compassion, honesty, perseverance, and general manners is still important today.

Also, I would say most people don't want to see anything coming from another's mouth or nose. Hopefully you were taught that by someone.

Loved our menus from 2005 and 2006. Our food on the Freedom in 2012 was ok....but liked the earlier menus better! (Real steak any night, etc.)

On the DREAM two weeks ago, there were 2 nights that our group had some trouble deciding what to have. Flat iron steak gets old & definitely don't really cruise for meat loaf or friend chicken.

One lunch on the Lido (maybe Saturday...?) they served Veal Parmesan that was fabulous! Actually better than several main dishes we had.

Our food was served hot each night with table clothes on the tables, but quality of the food has definitely declined. I know the cost of cruising hasn't really risen but the cutbacks in food are so noticeable!

YEAH!!! Have a great trip!!

Good for you. Fine to teach your own children about your "polite society" but others may have a different version. In MY polite society people mind their own business if it is not effecting them.

Unfortunately all of the above do effect others....thus the reason for teaching! :rolleyes:

I don't really consider your sandals flip/flops. They look lovely. I wear sandals with a strap (but not with a thong between my toe) every night but formal night.

However, according to some here...my formal wear shoes with slight heels are sandals, too) I am unable to wear many closed toe shoes and need to shop carefully. The shoes I wear are great shoes and purchased in the formal area of a shoe department.

Enjoy your cruise!

This all makes me laugh. I am a third grade teacher and I have taught first grade and Special Education for years.

I have spent many hours trying to teach children that polite society doesn't want to see anything come out of their mouth or nose, if at all possible. To me that includes mucus, spit, smoke, or visible vapor. :eek:

Occasionally one has an emergency and something comes out....but then that individual sincerely apologizes and removes him/herself to correct the situation.

Yes, we all breath and exhale, but if it can be seen......it should only be because the temperature outside is below freezing!!:)

Get booking numbers and call Carnival. The largest group we have had together is for 14 at one table. It was a blast! We have also had tables for 13, 12, 11 and the last one was for 8...our smallest group.

Congratulations!!

When you get off the ship take a cab to the Comfort suites & Inn. Proceed to the check in desk. They will check you in quickly, take your CC, and direct you to the towel station and then you walk across a signed path and to get to Atlantis. It takes about 20 minutes in all. If you want a locker get in line immediately. They go quickly.

We just kept our stuff and never had a problem with it. We picked a central location near a food station and by a pool. We had a blast and it was soo much cheaper than the CCL excursion. Plus, the CCL excursion makes you take a tour of the property first.

Have fun!! The crazy river is a must!!!

My two adult sons stayed on the Lido deck room 10255 (inside) two weeks ago. They loved the convenience of being up there and did not have trouble with noise at all.

Have fun!!

Loved having water delivered to our rooms this last cruise. Was worth the x3 it would have cost us to transport it to the port. Made a killing on us, but was worth it to us. Now I just wish I could get the pop I drink delivered....not a coke fan!

Thank you! We are still in the middle of making our OOT bags and our bridal party shirts, but I'm sure I can squeeze this in...it appears that it won't be difficult to do if I can get the paper at Walmart! I'll go look tomorrow!

Best wishes for a long and happy marriage!! Happy Sailing! :)

OMG! I love that! Where did you get it? How much did it cost? And how quickly does it come in? We are getting married on the Imagination on August 3, 2014, so we are running out of time, but now I want one!

If you don't have time to have one made...make one yourself. Wal Mart or any office supply store has magnet paper. Design what you want, put the magnet paper in your printer and select print!! I have done that several times and it works GREAT!! Have fun!!

Only if I can convince DH that it's perfectly OK to let DS to go Camp Carnival. Because of our son's multiple special needs (including Asperger's), Hubby hasn't felt..confident..in the abilities of the CC staff to handle our extremely high energy kiddo who tends to have epic meltdowns when things don't go exactly the way he thinks or expects they should. For example, if they're playing a game and they're not playing it the way he THINKS they ought to (even if they are playing by the rules)...oi. Just..it can be unpleasant. So up to this point, on our cruises, he's never been to CC...just always with one of us.

I know it is scary to think about leaving your child in CC however, they seem to be especially adapt at working with special needs kids. LHP where are you??? You have such excellent posts about this issue!! The counselors are always willing to do advance "warning" about activity changes, explaining rules multiple times, and just about anything to allow a child to have fun!

Talk to the staff....they will give you a cell phone (which is always available to the parents/guardians of 5 and under kids and special needs children's parents) If your child has a serious melt down that they can't work with, they will call you.

I am a special education teacher and I had a very difficult child myself. I know that allowing your child the chance to grow and try something new is hard, but also can be very rewarding for all involved. Don't forget...it may take a couple of tries to be successful, just like it takes more than once to learn to walk or run! Here's hoping you all have a BLAST!! :)