CaityMarie

So before anyone gets on me about how their sister's cousin's friend's grandmother died from getting Gastric Bypass surgery, you're wasting your time, I know the risk, my doctor has the lowest mortality rate in the country and I feel safe getting this surgery. I'm not lazy for getting this surgery, I'm sick and tired of only losing 10 pounds and not a pound more and then giving up and gaining even more weight than I lost. Not to get into the details I'm dedicated and as a reward about 2 years out I'm planning a cruise to commemorate getting to my goal (cause I will, I have faith) and to enjoy life. So my question is this:

 

Are there many sugar free options? Also the Guy Burger Join, does it do Protein (lettuce wrapped) burgers? And what are the free drinks Carnival offers? I noticed they took away juice... so it's water and milk? coffee? Any other suggestions as to what other food options a person who has had Bariatric surgery should have?

 

 

Again I know the risks, and I figured at the rate my health is declining whilst I am somewhat overweight, I might as well take the chance of trying to make a healthier change. And it'll make walking on my treadmill a hell of a lot easier! :D

Hi, I haven't cruised yet, but I've noticed that the Carnival ships have a "special diets" section under the dining options. You could send an email and see what that consists of.

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271 days...carnival magic

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Well....your cruise date is coming up quickly, (as is ours!).

Not sure what you decided on, but I saw your post today and thought I'd offer this advice to consider with the rest.

 

As it's your first cruise and first experience in these ports, I'd recommend taking ship-sponsored tours in each port, based on your interests. There are likely some general "see the city and shopping areas" tours in each port that offer a good overview of each town that we always enjoyed on our first visit to any port.

They are usually short and inexpensive, and can give you some idea of where you might want to go back and spend more time. (In Mazatlan I know there is definitely a "Hop On/Hop Off" bus excursion that gives you a great overview and can usually be booked through the ship.)

 

Some claim to have saved "a ton" of money by planning tours on their own. For an experienced cruiser, that is a good way to go. This would never work out for us, as we'd never spend "a ton" of money in the first place.

Is it "worth the time and money" to book ship excursions??

I'd say on your first cruise, definitely! After you see how they work, and have a better feel for the port areas, go ahead and book one or two on your own next time!

 

This will be our 4th time in these ports (Previously with NCL and Carnival - this time on Princess) and we are still booking a couple tours through the ship simply because they are only available through the ship!

 

If you are like us, and many others here, you will have a GREAT time visiting these ports, so do and see as much as you can! This was always one of our favorite itineraries! HAVE FUN!

 

:)

Thank you for your tips. Our trip may be changing due to a family member getting deployed.

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150 😆

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We are booked January 7

Sorry double post

I just pulled this from google. We are probably going to just bring some with us so we don't have to wait in lines to exchange and we can just enjoy our vacation.

Caity

172 days

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hopefully it will work on the miracle but if not try the facebook messenger call feature that might work better. i'm guessing the call feature might work on the newer ships that have a better network set up as compared to the older ships like the pride that were retro fitted with the new system. not sure if it will matter with how the internet works but in case you didn't know the miracle is a sister ship as the pride but 3 years newer. so they are the exact same ship except for the decor and slightly different 2.0 upgrades.

Good idea! I've never used the calling feature for Facebook.

Caity

it might depend on what ship you are on. i used whatsapp on the pride to keep in touch with my mother in law who was watching our kids. i had the value plan because i also needed access to the internet during the cruise. the call feature did not work on the whatsapp when i tried to call home. the chat worked fine and i could record a message and send it like a voice mail and then in return get voice mail messages back, but no calling. so i upgraded to the premium package and that also did not work with the call feature. i used the whatsapp because i have an iphone and she had an android. if you both have iphones the imessage i heard works better than the whatsapp. also if you both are on facebook the call feature might work better on the facebook messenger. just be prepared in case the whatsapp call feature doesn't work for you on the ship you are on.

We are in the same situation. She has iPhone and I have a Note 5 (currently). I forgot you could call through Facebook. We are going on the Miracle. She is also going to be watching my babies (dog & cat). I won't need real Internet, just something that I can keep in contact with her.

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The social media package is $5/day and you can access facebook, fb messenger and other major social media apps. No email or websites.

Caity

Nope no Ipods touch or anything, looks like DH's S6 would work but he'll be at home, he's not going this trip. All our tablets are slightly too old to use, plus they wouldn't be too convenient to carry around. Don't guess it'd much sense to buy new phones for the trip when we don't need new phones so we'll just skip it I guess.

 

From everything I found online there is no way to upgrade from 4.3 to 4.4 on android so I'm pretty much stuck there.

 

Will I be able to access their wifi at all on the phone so I can at least use it FB messenger with DH or will I need to bring my laptop along for that? Don't really want to use their computers since I'll likely check in right before bed each night.

Could you switch the Sims cards on the phones to bring his with you for the trip and leave yours with him?

Caity

I used the WhatsApp calling feature on my last cruise. It worked fine as well as the chat feature. This way your mom can be in constant contact with you while you are on your vacation.

Thank you so much! This will make her worry a tad bit less. We are only going to be in Port 3 of the 7 days, and it's not worth getting the cell plan for Mexico for just those days as it is expensive.

Caity

I'm going on my first cruise with my boyfriend and his family next spring. This will be my first time out of the country (aside from Canada, which is a ferry ride away). My mom is very worried about me, and I'd like to make this as easy as possible for, as she is also staying at hour house watching our dog and cat. I know that the main social media apps will work, including the WhatsApp. I just want to make sure that the calling feature on the app will also work, and not just the chat feature?

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I'd contact carnival tech support and see if they can help at all.

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You bring up a great point...which is about commercial banks. Most do a wonderful job ripping off their retail customers with various fees. They essentially charge their customers (YOU) for the right to spend/invest your money (which is the primary way that banks make a profit). We do not understand why normal folks are willing to bank with these institutions, pay their fees, deal with their lousy customer service, etc. So many years ago we started looking around for banks that helped their customers rather they simply used them as money machines. And we found that major credit unions were the way to go. So now, I have accounts with 2 different credit unions (in 2 states). They have no fee credit cards, no fees for credit card withdrawals (even outside the USA), and they even rebate most fees charged by ATM machines. One of those credit unions actually pays the members (me) at the end of the year.....essentially giving back their profits to the members. In simple terms they pay me to bank with them...not the other way round....like most commercial banks.

 

As to Wells Fargo, you might have seen that they have been in the news lately....for further ripping off huge numbers of their customers. Yet, most of those same customers will simply shrug their shoulders and continue to bank with those crooks. And to make matters worse, now that Wells Fargo got caught cheating their customers....they have fired thousands of their own employees who were simply doing the bidding of upper managment..most of who keep their jobs and get bonuses based on the crooked account creation. Chase also has a history of issues with their customers. There are entire web sites devoted to these banks and how badly they treat their customers.

Banks understand that most consumers are idiots when it comes to finance, and will put up with getting ripped off...rather then take their business elsewhere.

 

Hank

Good morning,

I really appreciate your concern about banks. I used to work for Chase and they were horrible. Yes, I do bank with Wells Fargo, and yes I know they have been in the news. I live in a small town and the bank/credit unions are very slim pickings around here. I also know that I can choose an online bank, which I also have USAA. I get great customer service from USAA, but it isn't always feasible. I enjoy banking with my local Wells Fargo, they are kind and offer amazing customer service.

However, my question on this forum was simply asking whether or not I should consider having Mexican Pesos on me for the trip. Feel free to continue your tips on this subject and refrain from talking about Wells Fargo and other specific banks.

Thank you!

Caity

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I wonder what sort of "travel card" you got from Wells Fargo??

We bank with them too but I know when I buy currency from them they never give you the rate that you get at an ATM. You can find the daily rate on the Wells foreign currency site and compare it to the Google international bank rate to see what I mean.

IF you withdraw from a foreign ATM Wells charges a 3% currency exchange fee(like many other banks)+$5 for using a foreign ATM.

For pesos we usually get them from a cambio.

For other travel currencies when I am on land for a week or more I buy some to start from Wells and then use my ATM card in the country I am visiting.

Banks make money selling you currency so don't expect to get it for "free".

We aren't going to get the travel card at Wells Fargo. Probably Capital One.

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Trip Advisor is the best. We use it for excursions and everyday life. If you type in where you are going, it will give you the top rated excursions in the port you are visiting.

 

 

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I've been looking at Trip Advisor. It's so cool. Thanks for the tip!

Caity

I've never taken a cab in either Cabo (apparently given that the area is a bit of a Gringo magnet :D they're a bit steep by Mexican standards) or Mazatlan (I use Shanks Pony), but - depending upon your definition of 'safe' - they're fine. There might be a huge crack running the length of the windshield, racing slicks for tyres (tires) and shot suspension - but tbh it is just like grabbing a cab in any other Mexican city. For PV if you've been put off by taxis, just take a bus in PV to Downtown.

 

For the Aquarium I would definitely consider taking a cab - as you leave the cruise terminal you'll be inundated by local hawkers but my recommendation would be to seek out one of the expat tourist guides if you're still a bit wary as they should put you right. Similarly for Cabo I'd probably grab a cab. I'm sure that if you asked at the Glass Factory they'd order you a taxi for the ride back to the port.

 

I'd also take a look at Trip Advisor for both ports - generally a wealth of advice.

 

Enjoy!

I've just discovered Trip Advisor. It's awesome.

Caity

Truthfully it all depends on what you'd like to do, what your interests are and how long you're in port (an ability habler y comprender helps as well). Searching the forums here and over on Trip Advisor are also recommended. Mazatlan and PV are great for exploring on your own. In Mazatlan there are loads of (expat) tourist information guides around and it's a pleasant walk - following the blue line in the road(!) - from the cruise terminal to the historic downtown (disclaimer: Mazatlan is my favourite Mexican Riviera PoC). For PV there are always buses from Walmart to El Centro or just grab a cab.

My cousin went in her honeymoon to PV, and told us to never take a cab there, it was the scariest thing in the world to her. Are cabs safe in all three ports?

Caity

I got the travel credit card when I went to Europe in May. When I got home I discovered I was charged $5.00 for withdrawing from a non-Wells Fargo ATM. Isn't that the point of a travel card? :confused:

 

If you are going to make a big purchase your credit card will give you the best exchange rate. Just make sure they don't charge a foreign transaction fee. Capital One is one of the best.

 

Do not use the ATM'S that line the marina in Cabo. Too easy for someone to put a card scanner in those. There is a bank ATM behind the Tesoro hotel. Another safe ATM is in the casino on Marina Blvd, the main street behind the marina.

We will be researching major credit cards with the best benefits, such as Capital One. We won't go with the travel card through WF. I also used to work for Chase bank and managed the ATM and I'm good at pointing out scanners attached to ATMs. [emoji6]

Caity

Port time is precious so we get the pesos from our bank before we leave. We buy food, drinks, taxis and some shopping with the pesos. You will get about $1 less on the exchange rate compared to while in mexico but we hate to spend any time looking for a secure bank to exchange. We're get off the ship, get a taxi and are able to pay in pesos from start.

 

$1 less exchange rate on a $200 exchange isn't that much for us for the convenience. It's about $11 so I guess that's the fee we pay.

We are also going to bring a travel credit card as well, specific for the trip. But I've heard its always good to have cash.

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So far, we really want to visit The Glass Factory in Cabo. Maybe the Aquarium in Mazatlan.

Caity

I've done excursions from the cruise company as well as a private tour. I've also done research of the port on my own found interesting sights and DH and I did our own tour. You can often visit the cities tourists page and get brochures sent to you. All depends on your comfort level as long as you have fun.

That's an awesome idea. I will check out the tourist pages and see if I can get some brochures.

Caity

We bank with Wells Fargo, and we can order foreign currency, so that was my plan. When I looked on Google today, it said $100 equaled 1,960 pesos. Since this is our first time in Mexico, we will probably buy stuff. I know I'm hoping to go to The Glass Factory in Cabo.

Caity

I'm wondering if we should order Mexican Pesos for our trip and if so, how much? We are cruising on Carnival Miracle and will be porting in Cabo, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta.

Caity

224 days....my first cruise ever!

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