GarnerGirls

Can't wait to hear about your day at Pregreso and your last sea day!

Great review! Thanks for sharing! I can't wait to read more.

We are sailing on the 5 day Liberty in November.

I would like to look at a copy of the Fun Times for the 5 day western Caribbean cruise. I can't find any recent ones.

Not that I'm an over planner or anything! LOL I would just like to see what to expect as far as shows and things!

Thanks so much!

After researching and considering our time and cost I think I have figured out which cruise will work for us.

So... the question is now how do I book it? In the past I have always booked directly with the cruise line.

I have seen many sites that offer cruise deals. But it is hard to figure out the bottom line for my cruise.

I have never used a travel agent because I feel like I have to tell them everything and 'hope' the make the right arrangements. I have peace of mind just telling the cruise line directly. Are there benefits I'm not see with a travel agent?

We are wanting to do the Carnival Liberty, 5 nights, on Oct 17, 2016, 2 adults, interior/king bed, any part of the ship.... if any of that makes a difference...LOL

So what is my best bet..

Directly with cruise line, a cruise website or a travel agent?

Also, should I keep waiting or is there a chance that the prices will go down or do I chance it being sold out?

Thanks!

Thank you!!

I did not know they had tables for 2!!!! Woohoo!!!! BEST.NEWS.EVER!!!!

I also didn't know about the 'your time dining'. I need to read up on that! That might be a great option for us too!

I really appreciate you sharing your knowledge!

Looks like we are going to do the Carnival Liberty cruise since it is 5 days (hubby's choice) opposed to the 7 day cruises (my other choices).

Anyway, we went on the same route 10 years ago on the carnival Ecstasy. It was fun but the dining was really uncomfortable for us. The first night we sat at our assigned table and had an okay dinner with 6 other people (3 couples if I recall). I really hate making small talk for such a long period of time. The second night we did something else for dinner (don't recall what). The third night we went back to the main dining room and return to the table where we sat the first night. A little later 6 ladies, who were together, joined us (not the 3 couples from night 1) We tried to talk to them but they kept staring at us. It was very awkward. We ended up getting up and leaving before dessert. We did not go back the rest of the trip. It really ruined the trip for me. I just dread dinner with groups of strangers. I know some people love it, its just not for me.

Soooo... tell me about the Carnival Liberty main dining room.

Assigned times? Early or late choices, right?

Are we seated at a table with a group... like 8 or 10 people total?

Do we sit at the same table each night, with the same people?

Does the menu change each night?

Is it appetizer, soup/salad, entrée, dessert?

What if we don't eat there one night? Do we loose our table? (we want to try the steakhouse one night.)

What else should I know.... I'm really stressed about the group dining thing.

I appreciate all the replies.

Still trying to figure out exactly which cruise. LOL

I do think I'm leaning more toward a 7 night one now...

The sting ray encounter does sound amazing so I think I'm going to find one that goes there!

It has been decided that we would go on a cruise for our 25th anniversary. We are active with no health or weight restrictions.

We have also decided that we will leave the port of Galveston because it is close and we won't spend much or transportation or travel time getting there.

So, we are basically going to have to chose between 3 Carnival ships and 1 Royal Caribbean ship.

We did the Carnival Ecstasy 10 years ago. We went to Cozumel and Progreso. I booked an ATV ride with snorkeling in Cozumel and it was AWFUL!!! My husband thought he was going to drown. He ended up swimming back to shore without the group even with the 'guide' yelling at him to stay with us. We did the ruins and a rodeo in Progreso. That was fun.

So... looking at the itineraries can someone suggest fun stuff to do in each port that does not involve "relaxing on a beach" or snorkeling? He is fine with water activities, like deep sea fishing, kayaks, tubing, stingrays/dolphins. Just nothing where he has to snorkel. LOL

Also... I REALLY prefer to do excursions through the ship. We did an Atlantis excursion on a Disney cruise on our own and I worried the whole time about missing the boat. Not sure the money savings is worth the stress.

So! Here are my choices:

Carnival FREEDOM ~ 7 Nights ~ 3 Ports

Cozumel - Thinking xcaret might be okay?

Belize City - tubing Cave tour

Mahogany Bay - ???? so much water stuff!!!

Carnival BREEZE ~ 7 nights ~ 3 ports

Montego Bay - Kayak and sting ray combo

Grand Cayman - ???? so much water stuff!!!

Cozumel - Thinking xcaret might be okay?

Carnival LIBERTY ~ 5 nights ~ 2 ports

Cozumel - Thinking xcaret might be okay?

Merida/Progreso - seeing a ruin, thinking Uxmal

Royal Caribbean ~ LIBERT OF THE SEAS ~ 7 night ~ 3 ports

Cozumel - Thinking xcaret might be okay?

Grand Cayman - ???? so much water stuff!!!

Falmouth - Zipline or any suggestions?

It seems that each cruise has 1 port that basically just has beach and snorkeling stuff. Which cruise do you think would be better for us and do you have suggestions for post excursions?

Thank you soooo much! I appreciate all of your suggestions!

Yes you will be fine. Have a great cruise!

Thank you soooo much!!!!

I was thinking I could but I just needed reassurance!

We are thinking about doing a cruise for our 25th anniversary.

If we go on a 5 day cruise that is Oct 17 - 22, 2016 and my passport expires May 28, 2017. I can use it, right?

According to my math, it expires 7 months and 6 days from the day we return. So if they require 6 months I have a month to spare.

I'm thinking I can but this kind of stuff make me nervous so I wanted to double check with people who know what they are doing. I'm trying to not call the cruise line until we decide for sure what we are doing.

Thanks so much!

Well it is apparent I came to the wrong place to ask for advice.

I asked for information about cruise ships and itineraries for teens. What I got was snarky people saying my teen should not have any input into our trip, that they need to read, and I should 'decide' what gender they are. REALLY??! And to top it off people said "good one" to these snarky remarks.

I can tell when I'm unwelcome and I will take the hint and go elsewhere to do research.

We are thinking about doing a cruise this summer....with a TEEN!

I'm trying to research which cruise ship has a lot for a teen to do AND which destinations/itineraries seem to have more for teens.

We have planned nothing... lol... so I'm open to any ideas/recommendations!

We have done Disney in the past so looking for something different.

Thanks so much!