mpdog42

Folks,

Its called the Texas Shakedown(Stealing):evilsmile:

As much as I love Texas, Vote with Your pocketbook and Cruise out of a Liquor Friendly Port!!:)

Mike

mpdog42

Yea....that must be the problem....???? I guess the Belize Cruisers are putting all the bags in different zones!?! Exactly what are the "Belize Cruises"???

No....this port is a mess in so many ways. I understand that it is extremely convenient for the Texas people, but if New Orleans can handle the cruisers, then I don't see any reason why Galveston can't get their act together.

I also don't like the car rental situation there. The price is off the charts getting a car from Houston or vice versa.

It's a shame....because I really do love the Breeze.

Glad you had a great cruise!

Don't care for the alcohol Shakedown either...And I not a Texas Resident!!

We did a cruise on the Conquest a few years ago and that 30 min or so, standing in the broiling heat was something I still have not forgotten. Does anyone have any hints for how to make it through without breaking a sweat?? LOL!! :D

Do you hide somewhere and come out only at the very last moment? !! :evilsmile:

I am a bit older and have a hard time standing for long periods of time. My back starts to hurt SO badly!

First of All, Nobody likes to go to Muster Drill but its one of those things that if you want to Cruise you have to put up with. As said before on CC, Cruising has its Pluses and Minuses....One of them is Muster Drill, or waiting to get On/Off the Ship, Expensive Booze, Chair Hogs,:mad: etc. Pluses are Good Food, Getting a chance to see Different ports, Meeting new people, etc....Its all part of a trade off.

Get a note from your Doctor, Call Special needs or Contact them on Board and I am sure they will assist you.:D

So, in your opinion, is their strategy to constantly woo new cruisers primarily, with perhaps little interest in retaining those new cruisers for more than two or three cruises? In other words, do you think Carnival prefers a high turnover when it comes to customers?

Yes!!!!

Hi,

Try Galveston Express. I have used them over Three times now and enjoyed their service.:)

Good Luck!!

Mike mpdog42

Wednesday Curaçao day 5: we didn't have to get up early because the boat was going to arrive in the early afternoon. So we slept in a little watched a movie on TV and played a little bit of pinochle. After that we went out on the lido deck to get something to eat and we caught it just right. They were still serving breakfast on half of the buffet and lunch on the other side, so we had the best of both worlds. We grabbed a little of everything, but mostly breakfast. After eating we went back to the cabin to prepare to get off the ship in Curaçao. We had booked a tour on the Internet with Irie tours consisting of a five hour tour west end beach and island tour for $75 each. It seemed a little expensive at the time, but was well worth it. We arrived in Curaçao at 1:00pm and our tour was scheduled to begin at 2:00pm, but we were asked via email to checkin 10 minutes early. As we departed the boat there were some young women standing there with Irie shirts on so we asked about our tour and they said our names were on their list, but we needed to go out to the roundabout and meet our driver. As we were leaving the secure area just outside there were a couple of guys selling weed and offered us some. Of course we turned them down and went on our way. As we were waiting for our tour we weren't too far from the guys selling weed so we watched as they approached people offering their product. We arrived about 15 minutes before our checkin looking around for our guide. There weren't any distinctive Irie vans near the roundabout where we were instructed to meet. I began to get a little nervous until a group of five showed up for the same tour. A guy selling tours offered to call and check what was going on so I gave him the phone number and he was kind enough to call. He then told me he got a hold of them and they were on their way, but they had to stop at a hotel to pickup another passenger. They finally arrived around 2:00pm and the driver was very apologetic so then we all seven of us loaded up in the van and took off and we were on our way. As we were going through the city to our destination the driver mentioned some highlights on our way to the beach. The first beach was a beautiful little bay that we had to walk down some stairs until we got to the beach. The sand was beautiful and the water was a wonderful turquoise color. We grabbed a couple of loungers put our stuff down and headed for the water with our snorkels. When we entered the water visibility was good so we started swimming towards some rocks on the side of the cove. We we got there we found a few fish that were pretty. We swam around the rocks for a while seeing some nice fish but not very big. I got out of the water and headed over to the loungers. I'm not sure if we were supposed to pay for the loungers, but we were only there one hour and nobody said anything so we used them without any cost. I pulled ours up into the shade so we didn't get too hot. Another couple obviously from Europe parked there loungers next to ours. I say they were European because he had on a speedo swimsuit. They swam for a little bit and the came back to the loungers and the woman sat down and removed bikini top. I looked over at her and I was pretty shocked. I was trying to get my wife's attention just to let her see something you don't see every day in the United States, but she was busy. After a little while she put her top back on and they loaded up their stuff and left. When our time was up we headed back up the stairs to the air conditioned van took a couple of pictures and the headed down the road. The next stop was a National Park where we went into a cave down by the water on the Atlantic side where the water wasn't nearly as pretty as the Carribean side, it was dark green almost black. After the cave we walked up to a lookout point that was beautiful and took some pictures of the ocean. We walked back to the van and loaded back up and headed down the road. The next stop was another beach that had some sea turtles swimming by a dock and a whole school of thin long small fish. It looked as if it could of easily been 1000 or more. After checking that out we drove to one more beach called Willywood that was very picturesque and the sun was starting to set. We walked along the beach and took a few pictures, but decided we wouldn't get in the water. Everybody in our group seemed anxious to get going again. After leaving Willywood we stopped in a place where there were flamingos out looking for food. The water they were in was both fresh and salt and they were looking for shrimp to eat and that is why they are pink, because they eat a lot of shrimp. After seeing the Flamingos we headed into town. When we reached the town he started up the tour narration as we headed to the ship. When we reached the ship it was 7:00pm so our excursion lasted 5 hours. We both felt it was well worth the money. After getting on the ship we quickly showered, dressed and went down to the dining room. This night was the night that had the menu that isn't available on any of the seven day or shorter cruises. Because this was an eight day cruise I figured the extra menu would be at the end, but no it was tonight. We sat down and both ordered the Beef Wellington and it was delicious. After dinner we wandered around for a while and then headed to bed.

You know you took a couple of hits off that joint!!!:D

Again, an assumption is made that when you don't "embrace the tradition of tipping" that you don't do it. Why should I be considered the "enemy" when others don't "tip". I have worked on and off in the "service" industry (I was young once) and totally understand the issue. But sales clerks don't get tipped, nor do bus drivers, I don't think those that clean a hotel room get tipped, we don't tip those who provide services online we don't tip our mailman.

 

If industries that historically rely on tips continue to pay their help based on potential tipping that is "tradition" not necessity...they are the ones who need to change their mind set, not me. I am not going to be held captive...I tip because I "want" to not because I "have" to.

Everytime somebody brings up Tipping on CC,i always remember that nobody tips Security!!..(Smile)

I enjoyed Nassau. The vendors are extremely pushy, but a firm no gets them to stop. We went to the public beach on paradise island, it was only like $4 for the cab ride. The beach was clean and the water was wonderful. I have read that Nassau is not the safest place, so that might make people want to stay on the ship. I have not been to Freeport.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Exactly, From a Crime Standpoint Just Read the US State Dept Website and I quote:CRIME: The criminal threat level for New Providence Island (includes Nassau and Paradise Island) is rated as critical by the Department of State. Crime in Grand Bahama has increased this past year. Criminal activity on the outlying family islands does occur, but to a much lesser degree than on New Providence or Grand Bahama.

Armed robbery and sexual assault are major criminal threats facing U.S. citizens in New Providence. The U.S. Embassy has received multiple reports indicating tourists have been robbed at gunpoint or knifepoint in tourist locations in the downtown areas of Nassau; several of these incidents occurred during daylight hours. The U.S. Embassy has received reports of sexual assaults in tourist areas as well. The Bahamas has one of the highest incidences of sexual assault in the Caribbean, according to 2012 United Nations report.

Remember if Cruise Ships would stop going there, The Government of the Bahamas would start cracking down on this stuff.

Mpdog42

Don't Gold Cards get Priority Boarding with MSC?:DI am also a Carnival Platinum and am Looking at MSC, I read your Questions and would also be interested in Hearing some Answers from some MSC Cruisers. Why would MSC use a French Bank, Did you read that on the Board?

Michael

mpdog42

My husband and I were in MoBay on Dec. 21. We have been there before but not on a cruise ship. We had no problems the entire day. The picture is the terminal that you walk through. Security didn't stop us except on the way back and they only wanted to see our cruise ship card.

 

 

We walked all the way through and outside the gate and went to the street and easily got a cab to head to Doctor's Cave Beach. The charge was $20 for the 2 of us. On the way back the charge was $14. Before leaving the beach we went into a gift shop that was right beside the beach to grab a few quick things. The Hip Strip looked very crowded and we opted not to go there. We never felt afraid but just kept our guard up and used common sense.

What Happened to your Dream Review??????????????

Mike

There are several reasons that I would like to go to Cuba:

 

1) I should be allowed to travel anywhere I want without restrictions placed on me by my government. I do not care if I am supporting a dictatorship. Our government has supported and continues to support monarchies, dictatorships, and oligarchies throughout the world. Freedom of movement is a human right.

 

2) Any interaction between different cultures and societies is a positive experience. I want to find out first-hand what life is like there now. Of course, I am getting only a slice of life there but talking to other people has to dispel stereotypes and myths.

 

3) The world is slowly but surely becoming more homogeneous. The same restaurants will be found in all counties. Languages are disappearing everyday. We are all watching the same movies and using the same phones. A unique way of life will disappear in Cuba in a few decades. We must go now![/Q

 

 

 

Well you have till the 20th of Jan to get all your Cruising done to Cuba, because the New Administration is Going to Cancel Obama Executive Order regarding Cuba which means

 

No More Cruises from American Ports to Cuba

No More Direct Flights to Cuba from US

 

This is Not a Opinion, It is Stone Cold Fact..

Michael

Being a Native Missourian, I wasn't sure I had heard of Maldin, so I looked it up. You are the Gateway to the Boot Hill....Cool!!...I haven't seen any negative or Critical post about your Review???? Did they get deleated by CC:confused:

All The Best

Michael

I would never turn my booking over to a TA.

 

1. TA's get paid commission as a percentage of the booking, so they do not have incentive to act on your behalf in cases where their commission might be reduced and extra work might be involved, such as when a price drop occurs and I try to grab that price drop.

 

2. Carnival mans their phones 24/7. Most TAs do not. If I have a problem and I need help, Carnival will not speak to me if my booking was made by a TA. Who covers for your TA when they are not working? They get time off and take vacations too. If I book with my PVP, I keep the ability to Call Carnival's 800 number if I need something. That won't work if I book with a TA.

 

3. What happens to your money if the TA goes out of business and doesn't pay Carnival what you gave them toward the price of your cruise? You may be left with an unpaid balance that you thought you had already paid. What happens if the TA does not forward your payment timely and your booking gets cancelled because payment wasn't received by final payment date? You've lost the price you locked in and may have to pay a higher fare to rebook. Why take the risk of involving a third party?

 

If you do choose to book through a TA, be sure you know who you're booking with and that they are a good match for your needs. Ask about the above scenarios before booking with them, and it can't hurt to get their responses in writing.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2438515

 

I hope you find the method that works best for you and that you're comfortable with. I have a very good PVP, and anytime I need something she knows right who to go to at Carnival to get what I need. She has personal business relationships with other Carnival employees which benefits me. She helps me get better cabins than what I can see showing online. She takes care of getting my shareholder credits applied. She's assisted me with getting onboard credit for new customer referrals. She's even called me just before my cruises to wish me Bon Voyage. Even if I book a free cruise casino offer, she helps me with it even though she doesn't get booking credit, but only customer service credit. She's been handling my bookings for years and I'm very satisfied with the services she provides. I make sure she knows that and always give her great references on my Carnival surveys, and I throw business her way in exchange for the great service she gives me.

Loved Your Post, but you forgot to mention that a couple of Years ago Carnival cut their Commisions to Travel Agents!!

Thanks

Mike

I doubt that the company selling these has the Copyright to make these. I suspect Carnival has to pay millions to the Copyright holder to do the Cat and the Hat.

Shame Shame

Michael

Be Carefull in Nassau. Hopefully by Next September things will improve safetywise. Check out the US State Dept Travel Warnings on Bahamas.

All The Best

Michael

I finally go my first call ever from the Upsell Fairy. I'm traveling on the Sunshine on Jan 8th. I was originally booked in an Inside 4J cabin with a front of ship walkway view. I upgraded to an Ocean Suite with a balcony. Upgrade cost a total of $400 for a 5 day cruise. I had originally booked Early Saver & got 3 different price reductions, so I think my total paid for this cruise was $1250 for two with the upgrade. Is this a good deal? I feel like it is, but just want some other opinions. I will be happy either way.

Sorry, but there has to be more to the story. Recently called my PVP about claims like this, so let check this out..... a person who has cruised only 4 Times on Carnival, get a upgrade from a 4J to a Ocean Suite for only $400.00.I have talked to Diamond Members who have never got a upsell call.

"After the Official Review The Ruling on the Field stands as BS":mad:

Michael

I don't believe I've ever had a dinner in the Lido buffet.

 

I've had maybe 3 burgers and 1 slice of pepperoni pizza on 28 Carnival cruises.

 

I love the Sea Day brunch and enjoy dinner in the MDR. Even better are my meals in the Steakhouse.

 

If and when a cruise line installs a Mickey D, Burger K, or Wendy's as the main dinner option, I will totally stop cruising that line.

Unless its Hooters, then I will start cruising that Line:D

Michael

Update:

 

Had TA called back to & talked to another Carnival rep.

Confirmed that it's military & not an ES booking, so the fee is $50.

Don't know why the $173 quoted earlier came from.

 

Both TA & Carnival rep said that the $50 fee is not for the change, since it only takes a minute, but as a deterrence to keep people from making too many changes, taking up their time. They don't know why they won't allow us to make the changes online ourselves...

Thanks For Your Service!!!!

Michael

I laughed at this one....

I am sure you would, being from the Peoples Republic, The Military Guy was just trying to explain that he has been checked out by the Government.

Do us all a favor and go and succeed!!!! I know I personaly would appreciate this kind gesture to us Deployable MidWesteners.

Michael

Most people work 8 hours a day, commute for about an hour, spend an hour fixing meals, clean their house, do their errands. Bet most of them work 12 hours a day.

 

What would ship board workers do with a 40 hour workweek. They don't clean a house, run errands, prepare their own meals, commute, etc. I'd rather keep busy then sit in a tiny room for 8 hours a day if I worked on a ship.

 

It's all relative.

And You Contacting Carnival about the Housekeeping/Cabin Steward Job Position When????

Mike

So a Taxi is cheaper? Anybody out there know how much a taxi is to Hip Strip?

Michael

Hi Guys,:)

First I have searched Jamaica Port of Call Board, Google, and I get spotty info on this Ho Ho bus. Is been said that you can use your sail and sign card to pay, but I have not been able to find a map, or pick up times from Different stops. Thanks just looking for a inexpensive way to get to hip strip!!!:D

Thanks

Michael

All names are run after the ship departs. If you have an active warrent, you get a free ride to jail when the ship returns. Or you committed a crime during the cruise. No need to worry about whether you self disembark or waiting for your group to be called!

Plus "Free Hotel" and shuttle service to your new "Hotel" Tips are not required for this Event.

Michael

Does anybody know what ships Red Frog Pubs carry Banks from Barbados. When I was on the Liberty in March, I saw a sign that Sayed they sold Banks but not on the Liberty!!

Thanks

Michael

Hi,

Stupid Question, but does anybody know How much are these on Board. Does it come with a free drink?

Need a Tervis for my Cruise, Its this or US Army!!

Thanks To Everbody:)

Mike