ladygal4.4

I seriously wish I had your problem. [emoji3][emoji3]. I would choose Vista. It's the newest and most expensive, but it has a lot of the new perks most of us are dying to try

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Still with me? So, we’re finally on the van to the terminal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

When I took this picture, I did not notice the people leaving the small white tent, some with their luggage.

 

 

 

Here is a picture looking back from the terminal. You can see Fleet Landing – with the orange umbrellas – where we had our imaginary lunch. ;)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hey, the “walking people” have multiplied!

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’m guessing these are people being dropped off by shuttle or locals with some choosing to carry their luggage? Otherwise, someone please tell me where all these people came from. LOL

 

 

 

We had to wait until they all entered the terminal before we exited the van.

 

 

 

The gentleman holding the front door was helpful telling people if they had FTTF (or remember – Platinum and Diamond); to “look for Phil” when you get inside; “he has a purple tie”. So, the tie was blue, but he was easy to find in the sea of people. He then directed us around the corner to security. This time, the line on the right is the one for FTTF – with no line.

 

 

 

After Security, you get in line for your S&S card. They were very observant and grabbed the people coming from the FTTF security to get them in the FTTF check-in line. There was not a separate check in area, it was basically a separate “front of the line” line.

 

 

 

Okaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay, I'm not a line or crowd person; glad that’s done.

 

 

 

Now it’s time for a

 

 

 

****SPECIAL NEWS BULLETIN****

 

 

 

CHARLESTON has just been announced as the next port to have Staggered Check-in Times (along with Baltimore). The have given less than two weeks warning – it starts July 9th!

 

 

 

We were early birds, at the front of the line. I have NO IDEA how Carnival thinks this is going to work here. Look at what it took to get to and thru the terminal. How can you plan that around a time frame? If they don’t start parking until they are ready to start boarding the ship; how can this work? And, if you are being dropped off by a shuttle from a hotel – are they really going to start running shuttles from 10 am until 2PM for each and every hotel that does this?

 

 

 

I see total chaos ahead.

 

 

 

This change does not affect FTTF/Platinum/Diamond. I’m glad I’m turning Platinum soon.

 

 

 

Now, back to your regular programming…. ;)

 

 

 

 

 

Like most terminals; no photos are allowed. Except for one.

 

 

 

Does this look like somebody ready to go to the Ba-HAAAAAM-as!

 

 

 

 

 

 

.

Yeah. I'm very scared about this for my Seot cruise. But hopefully they'll have the worst figured out by the time I get there. The parking is the worst zoo I've ever seem

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I loved the sunshine. February with our four children. We had a joining spa balcony cabins and had a wonderful time

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

For debarkation, was it hard to get to the library? I tried self-assist a few years ago on the Fantasy and it was a nightmare of closed corridors and long lines. We did self-assist, and we still stood in line over an hour to get off the boat.

Was 7:30 a good time to show up there or should I be earlier? I'll be Driving back to Johnson City area, and hate waiting in long lines when all I want to do is go home :(

Definitely have a plan for Freeport! There is very little to do at the port. I do recommend a jet ski tour. We had a blast!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Actually it is de-alcoholized wine. Taste like wine. Not bad if you don't drink alcohol.

Now I'm curious about this! I gotta try it

A spa balcony is nice, And there is a couch inside

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Magician was the best.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Im turning gold in april also. Can i use the coupon for specialty coffee? I dont drink alcohol.

I don't drink either, so I went to the Alchemy Bar and asked for something virgin and fruity. . This one was a strawberry & mint

this one was a coconut blackberry spice

Totally off the menu drinks, but they were AMAZING!! And completely alcohol free, my kids even enjoyed tasting. Although, I was a bit selfish and only let them have a tiny sip. They were so good!!!!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Keep an eye on it during the cruise. I had over 600 dollars worth of holds...for 21.99 worth of purchases. I about freaked out, but thankfully they did all clear out.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

And you'll get the coupon for the free drink on the last night of the cruise

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The lines on the Sunshine, when we went, we're not bad at all. Keep in mind if it's a windy day, they will not open it.

Also, do the easy route first!!! It's much harder than it looks. Several kids had to be "rescued" through it when they were stuck. Which meant the guard in duty had to go through the course, have the child wrap their arm around the guard (think lifeguard rescue but in reverse) and help them with the wires.

Most of it is balancing on high wires with holding onto another wire to help you balance

The best time we found to go was around 9 am on the sea days. It was popular for a short time, but the line never got really long. I don't remember it being open much except for the morning times, since after my son did it once, he didn't want to do it again. It really requires good balance and upper body strength.

And yes! Closed toe shoes are a necessity.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Oh my. Can't wait for John to answer this one AGAIN on face book. The service can be whatever you want. Check both boxes or better yet talk to your steward and tell him exactly what you want

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Years ago when we were on Carnival Conquest, they had this "discount sale" on the last night of the cruise. These were items that might have been slightly damaged. We got a very large framed piece that we were very happy with, and still hangs in our family room to this day. The frame was a little chipped but we didn't care.

 

 

 

The last cruise I was on, I went every day to the art auctions, and I found the auctioneers as pushy as ever. To be honest, I go just to look and have a good time, and to get their 8.5" x 11" free print that they give away. What's funny is when many of these free prints end up on eBay and the seller is trying to pull a fast one by selling it for like $70.

 

 

 

All of the art is indeed art, but most of it consists of lithographs and seriographs. Occasionally they will have original oil paintings. I always get a kick out of when the auctioneer is gushing about an "original" Rembrandt or an "original" Picasso. They are "originals" in the sense they are lithographs or prints from the original plate or woodcut in the case of the Rembrandt. But as far as "original" as in "actually touched by the hands of these famous artists", uh.... no. You won't find "original" Rembrandts or Picassos on a cruise ship.

 

 

 

For anyone who is considering buying, just know that you're most likely not getting a "deal". You buy because you like it, because you're on vacation, and want the thrill of buying something you like while you're on vacation. I actually do quite like one of Park West's artists, Fanch Ledan, but I find that his stuff can be found online and on eBay (with certificate of authenticity) for FAR less than what Park West sells at.

I wish I could find the scratch/dent sales. I too like the artists, but they are just too expensive on board. I'm not looking for originals, no way I could afford those, but the free lithographs are nice

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It's been a little while, but I am pretty sure (95%) that you embark and disembark the Sunshine on the Lobby Deck (deck 3) while at Port Canaveral (home port). The Carnival ship home ports typically have a covered ramped gangway leading up from the port terminal building to the lowest level deck of the atrium. However, boarding at ports of call are on a lower deck directly level with the dock or tender ship.

Yes, it's 3. They will send you to deck 4, liquid lounge, to wait. But it will be deck three when they call your number.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I just checked prices on the cruise I booked last week, and they're up 40 dollars.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I doubt it will. The new boats seem to be more expensive for a long time. If you really want that boat, book now with the early saver rate and watch for price drops

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Send it my way!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

So CC basically has no way of getting in touch with you in the child is ready to leave or if there's a problem? I loved having the phone on Disney...when the kids were done, they would tell the counselors and they'd send a message to be picked up.

This is wrong. If they do need to get in touch with you, they will page overhead for you to contact guest services. They will do this only for emergency needs...if your child is sick/hurt or you've forgotten to pick them up and they're closing.

The phone is for 2-5 year old class. If you think your child will be fussy or unhappy and you really need one, get there early the first day. They can run out of them if there are a lot of kids on board.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Just try it. If it gets filled with messages you didn't put, then you'll know it didn't work.

I too let my kids sign out of camp...but with very strict rules about where they are allowed and not allowed. Pools were strictly off limits without an adult's presence. Getting a burger or taco was fine, but there wasn't much more that we would let them do. They didn't need to be running around in the shops or casino, playing with the elevators, or hide 'n go seek in the lounge. The sports area was too windy to enjoy so that just left the lido deck. For the evening movies, it was a great place to be, but during the day a kid would find it boring. So all in all, they just stayed at camp [emoji4]

It helped to talk about our activities in the morning, for example: I'm doing breakfast, the some trivia time etc.

We did plan a family lunch time, and found an area in the lido that we could normally get seats, so the boys would just come at the time appropriate.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Same here, our kids begged to go play. But we still enjoyed a lot of family time in the pools/water slides etc. and of course the time together in port. Most kids don't like "relaxing" and getting a tan. Neither do they want to do a 2 hour meal. So if they go for a few hours, do more adult activities. Then get them out to watch a movie or see a show in the evening.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm curious how ordering the night before works with any time dining. Do you let them know what time you plan on eating?

Sorry it's taken me a while to respond. I don't let them know, but I could tell some nights the more difficult the changes to be made to my plate, the longer it would take for the food to arrive. Was this a big deal? Definitely not.

In reality, the only thing that was obviously kept warm waiting for me some nights was my Warm Chocolate Melting Cake. The nights that I was served quickly, it would be more of a pudding consistency...with the 'cakiness' just around the edges. The longer meals it would be more cakey throughout. But that dessert is so rich, I don't really care if it's pudding'ish or cakey. The taste was completely unaffected.

It depends on your version of the snacks. I bring Chex mix, chips, and cookies that I can eat since I have a gluten allergy.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I want to say 4.95 and 6.95?? But don't hold me to it. I do know that whatever you choose, you can overpour and be charged a higher price. I was walking by the station and heard someone complain to the staff that they had a higher price on the SnS card.

And the machine won't operate until 9 am.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I've been on 7 cruises all with Carnival but never knew the answer to this. Is gratuities mandatory or can you put cash in envelopes and give it to who you want? I always add the gratuities when I book a cruise. I heard some people really don't tip the staff. I thought it would be on your sail and sign card regardless and you can't remove them and you must pay grats.

No not mandatory, just highly encouraged. If you want to do cash only, then remove the tips that will be auto-added to your account towards the end of the cruise, and then with your cash just give it to whoever you want. Carnival does not demand that you tip, other lines (I've heard) make it really hard to remove the tips..like you have had to have a bad experience etc...

The problem with that is, it just isn't the room steward who takes care of you. And it's not just the person who serves you the food.

Donkey, my last cruise director, reminded everyone about the whole tips thing is...there are a lot of people behind the scenes that benefit from tips that you don't see....like the cooks, dishwashers, laundry people etc...

But again, tipping is a personal (and cultural) thing. I hope you don't get flamed/burned for asking a question, it seemed like a genuine question, but people can get nasty very quickly on these threads.