Jamericannn

We are sailing the Sunshine in May and I was wondering if anyone knew of a rental car company close to the Carnival pier. We have never cruised to PR before (lived there, but have never cruised there). I was thinking that maybe there was a company closer than taking a cab to the airport to pick up a car. I posted on the San Juan board, but have gotten no answers.

I stayed at the Sheraton across the street from where the ship docks. There is a Hertz in the lobby of the Sheraton. This is literally across the street from where the ship docks. price is very reasonable too.

Welcome to the Lido family. You will love it. The Lido balconies go fast. Even 7 months out you are lucky you got one.

Coworker sailed her in October and had a great time. Please post pics when you return.

It also depends on the broad.

Lol. Funny.

Amen.

OP: If you want to work for a "state" in general and a "state university" medical school in particular, you're looking on the wrong coast. Even with the higher housing costs, state employment in California (both salaries and especially benefits/retirement) are unmatched anywhere else in the US. And the med schools? UCLA, UCSF, et al. Need I say more?

You are right about the California schools. I communicate with a few of them when our students goes their to do electives. They are in high demand even for students to go there for a month.

> I have been looking @ Island Homes Down in the Florida Keys

 

Congratulations, when did you win the lottery? ;)

 

To the OP: I did the reverse. I'm a Florida native now living in Wyoming and you couldn't pay me enough to move back to the heat and humidity. Yes, I miss the street vendors selling ripe mangos and empanadas de guayaba but not enough to go back to sweating through my clothes in minutes and gasping whenever I had to go outside. (Except the Keys, if I had unlimited money I'd move there like a shot.) But as someone else said, I am me and you are you and I would not tell you to do or not do something.

 

But I would lay money the job is going to be your stumbling point. If you (and your wife) are really serious about this move, I would start job hunting IMMEDIATELY. It could well take 5-10 years to find a suitable job in an area you would want to live. If you happen to get offered a great job in the first few months of your search, yes, you will have a panicky few months getting the old house sold and moving but you are young, you will survive.

 

I would also recommend taking a couple of weeks to drive around central and south Florida to pin down where you would and would not want to live. Also start watching Florida real estate sites so you can get a solid idea of what housing is going to cost you in different areas.

 

BTW, I know the NE climate sucks for anyone who needs sun - I spent my teen years in the NYC suburbs. But Wyoming would give you plenty of sun. It might be -30F outside but nine days out of ten, we have bright sunshine. ;) No nearby cruise ships, though.

Hey Mamasilvia - I have started my search already. I have family members in Ft. Lauderdale, Pompano Beach and Tampa. Two things I don't like about Florida are the heat and hurricanes. Everywhere have pros and cons. I have aunts, uncles and a sister who moved from NY to Florida and every time they come up north for the winter they wonder how I deal with it every year. A pool and the car AC will help with the heat. I am not someone who work outdoors unless it's for my gardening or something I chose to do on my time so I can work my way around the heat. The ability to come out on your back porch everyday of the year sounds very welcoming to me.

I have an aunt who has been in real estate for over 20 years and she knows the are SF area well. I would ask her for ideas and also do my research

Alas, that cruise did not happen. We cancelled it long before it occurred. Thanks for reminding me it was there though. It has seriously been 970 days since my last cruise. Wow, I did not realize it had been that long.

 

Don't pity me too much though, 95 days and counting.

Ok. Got you

I did not see where you said what ship, since those cabins are only on a few ships I did not include them... now if THISE were for $70 then in a heartbeat!!

Glory. They are not offering the Scenic Oceanviews for upgrade; only the regular Oceanviews on main deck

Is that the date of your cruise?

Yep. The one in my signature. Those rooms are really nice. Frontal view as you sail. Floor to ceiling windows. 230 square feet

I did some more thinking and they do have the 6Js, but those are almost always full so that could be why. Also when looking at the available upgrades like when they do a free 2 category upgrade, I haven't seen those as on option. Maybe because they have been sold out. It's always up to a 6C.

I just checked and 9197 is available for the cruise on 4/22

Must be nice to be retired! So jealous. Lol. :)

I am jealous of the cruise days too but I am not jealous of not being retired :)

It is ZERO! Zero cruises in the last 12 months. I personally blame my wife and her need for fiscal responsibility. Yep, I know you will be reading this. This zero is your fault.

 

Pity me cruise critics, pity my soul!

I won't pity you because your signature said you sailed in March

What categories are your cabins in?

4G and 6C. The upgrade was offered to 4G

Can I quadruple LIKE this post???? This kid is definitely not the brightest bulb on the Christmas tree.

Can I like it on the quintile scale?

Just because it's the same ship, doesn't mean both sailings are eligible for upgrades. Each sailing is its own and it doesn't have anything to do with you being paid in full or not.

I booked both under the same criteria. I was more puzzled by the reps answer as to why no upgrades. Thought it was a lesson for future bookings but turns out the rep was giving me the wrong information. Maybe she is new.

Are these 2 future cruises on the same ship and date?

Same ship different cruises. The earlier date is the one that is already paid off

By travel agent, do you mean a Carnival PVP? Or a local TA?

 

I booked directly on the website for our first ever cruise, which sails this Sunday, but if we enjoy ourselves and want to book another cruise in the future, what are the other benefits to a TA? Or TA vs. PVP?

Carnival PVP

It's always been my understanding that it's the final payment date that is controlling, not that payment has been made in full. I would call back and talk to a different rep.

So I called back and was told by another agent that the reason why no upgrade was offered for the other room is because there are no upgrades for that category. Conflicting information.

Book with a travel agent. Sooooo much easier all the way around, not to mention the free flights I earn. I've used a PVP and done it myself. Agency is king.

Do travel agents offer the upgrades too?

I have two future cruise booked and one was fully paid for but the other is not. Carnival offered upgrade for the one that is still not paid for but no upgrades for the one that's fully paid for. They were both booked under the same ES conditions. One rep say they could not offer discount for the one fully paid for. Next time I will leave $1 until final payment so I can qualify for upgrade.

What are some of the booking lessons you have learned?

Because my wife passed away early this year it has been fewer cruises than normal, only 54 days.

I want to be like you when I grow up

Jamericannn, you made the right choice! We are addicted to Lido and it would have to be a suite or balcony on Lido for $70 to get my attention! ;)

Exactly why I stay put. #LidoLovers

Except there are no OV cabins on lido... only inside or balcony. I would stay on lido...

There are ocean views at the very front on Lido. Floor to ceiling windows. Referee to as "Scenic Oceanviews". More expensive than regular ocean views. They did not give me those choices as part of upgrade. Only main.

Thanks guys. I will stay put. I would have jumped on it for sure if it was on the Lido deck.

What would you do?

I have an inside stateroom on the Lido deck. Carnival just emailed me to upgrade to an oceanview on the main deck for an additional $70. I chose the interior on the lido because I will not be in my room very much and I love the lido (close to stuff). The $70 fee is not much but then I would be giving up my Lido.... What would you do?