CJDepew

If you're arriving the night before and staying at a hotel, can you just print everything there?

Cortrans is amazing but they stop running from the airport to the hotels around noon or so. I am not a fan of Cocoa Beach Shuttle after a couple of bad experiences with them but not sure there are many other late afternoon choices.

Following...on the Sunshine for Feb. 15th departure and have the same port time.

Thank you for your observations and review. This will be our itinerary in February. Sounds like you had a great time.

Hello...we have an afternoon arrival at MCO the day prior to our cruise. We've used Cocoa Beach Shuttle several times and have had issues with rude drivers several times. Unfortunately we arrive too late for Cortrans, because they're wonderful. Does anyone have any other suggestions?

Thanks

You never know how long the security line is going to be either. My husband and I somehow got TSA pre for both flights this year and we were through security in less than five minutes. Regular security at MCO on a weekend takes significantly longer.

Thanks I think it may have been Mr. Sanchos. Carnival doesn't offer t his anymore but I can book separately. Also might check out Nachi Cocum it looks nicer.

Sounds like Mr. Sancho's. Was there for the second time last month and it was fantastic as usual. We're from Pittsburgh as well, and it was coincidence that the Legends of Pittsburgh cruise was also there for the same day. One of my favorite ways to spend a day!

We did self debark from the Epic in 2017 and were on Cortrans' first shuttle at 8:15 and at the airport by 9. Just depends on how quickly you can get off the ship.

Have a great cruise!

Me too! Which sailing?

Southern itinerary 2/15. Don't want to wish the year away. Lots of great stuff happening but cannot wait for that one.

In case anyone wants to see photos of a mini-suite, I included them in my review.

https://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=611327

We were in 11588 last month. Some noise from above but nothing that kept me from sleeping well at night.

Looking forward to another cruise with Guy's Burgers in 2019. We cruised NCL the last two years and their burgers are kind of gross.

We are planning to go there in May. Did you think it was worth the price? The pool looks really small. Is the ocean water very blue and sandy? How about the food and drinks?

 

We appreciate your time answering our questions.

We purchased the $64 package through Shore Excursioneer and it included transportation. Well worth the price. Yes, the pool is small but not a soul was in it each time I passed by. Frankly, with such a beautiful beach, I saw no reason to even use the pool, but wanted to snap a few photos anyway.

The beach and water rivaled our visit to 7 Mile Beach on Grand Cayman. The sand soft and white, and the water was very clear and blue.

Drinks were tasty, but the lunch buffet was only so-so. My husband liked the fried fish fillets, but my burger was nasty. There was also grilled chicken, salad, hot dogs and fries.

My only suggestion would be to get loungers back from the first row. We were the first ones there that day and took chairs closest to the water, but they were also closest to the beach vendors. They do take no for an answer, but it would have been nice not to be bothered. There was resort security on the beach at all times, making sure they moved along, and the waiters were always coming by as well.

Which itinerary did you sail?

We'll be there in Feb 2019, and a couple in our group have difficulty walking distances. Are taxis readily available?

Trying to keep my sanity. Booked the Sunshine for an 8 day Southern on 02/15/2019. It's snowing like crazy in Pittsburgh again today and all I want to think about is a nice, warm day at the beach. And a Guy's burger. And maybe some of those delicious frozen adult beverages...

You're so right! Wish I would have known about CC before our first cruise. It's helped me plan the next four, without a doubt.

And I also like to maximize my payment perks. I'll be purchasing Carnival gift cards from our local grocery store chain, which kicks back ten cents per gallon for each $50 spent on gift cards. That will help pay for my diesel fuel for the Super Duty for horse show season this summer. Additionally, I'll use the Cabela's credit card to pay for those cards, so hubs can get his rewards from that card.

I have been to Aruba but not with these port hours. What time of year are you sailing, because in the winter months, you will lose your daylight long before 6 pm. This is a beautiful island worth exploring, and so I would consider some kind of island tour to see the natural highlights -- especially the undeveloped rocky (north?) coast. But if that doesn't appeal, there is a small beach not far from the pier - can't remember the name of the resort we used to access it but it didn't cost anything. You could go there early, go back to the ship to clean up and head into the town/market for evening. I loved Aruba.

Thank you. I hadn't even considered the darkness factor. We're sailing mid-February.

It's too far in advance to see excursions on our cruise for 2019, but I'm wondering if any past cruisers on this itinerary can share what sort of beach excursions are available through Carnival? The typical outside vendors appear to only offer day passes that are available from 9a-6p.

I'm not sure what kind of chair availability we'll have on Eagle beach with our arrival being so late, but it does appear that we're the only ship in port that day. That would be our other option, unless someone has other suggestions.

Thanks

Yes, just bring a bowl from the buffet...

Thanks

Can you get a bowl instead of a burrito at Blue Iguana?

Check out the Holiday Inn Westshore. Stayed there three weeks ago and it was a nice hotel. I believe they offer a park/cruise package.

Hi Everyone -

We love to research before any of our vacations but had difficulty finding up-to date Sunshine Fun Times, Menus and Kids Camp Schedules prior to our back-to-back December cruises.

 

So...we decided to collect what we could from the ship and upload it to our personal website for future cruisers. We've also have created a couple of videos. (Tips/Food etc.) Hope to make more as time permits. http://thejellybeans.net/

 

Happy Cruising!

 

-V

Your Youtube videos are fantastic! Thank you for all your hard work.

I haven't been on Carnival in a few years. I cannot find the fun ship special on them. Have they done away with it, renamed it or just took it off the menu.

If I remember correctly, they only offered the Fun Ship drink prior to sailing on embarkation day in 2016. I do know I had three of them pretty quickly on a mostly empty stomach and was shortly thereafter drunk messaging a few who couldn't sail with us from my cabin. Those things were both tasty and potent. :'):')