hunan6

planning a family cruise for summer of 2020 out of Canaveral or Everglades, Thoughts on booking new LNG ship or the Magic. I know the new ship will be crowded, but apparently so is the Magic. We like big and active ships (our last cruise was RC Oasis, and we loved it). Also, ports do not matter so much; we will probably like anywhere they go. Also, does anyone know when to expect Carnival to offer cruises on the new ship?

Just want to send some further support. The irony of your husband having served to protect the liberty of this buffoon to treat you this way. I am also struck by the irony of this person judging you, when you were a model of humility and peacefulness about it. How sad that this happened to you. I am a teacher, and this makes me glad I get to go in and try to open the minds of young people as a way of combatting this sort of ignorance. I will share this story with my students and discuss it. Thanks for sharing.

After looking further, I will get a bit more specific. I would start by contacting the rental companies in rock sound listed at the bottom of the second link in my previous post. See if they will bring a car to you at princess cays. The rainbow inn, which I recommended, is 90 minutes north, so probably too far. Still, Eleuthera is great to explore. You are probably within reach of the town of Governors Harbour, and there will be cool places to stop on the way to and from.

I will post two links here. I do not want to break any link rules on CC, so hopefully they don't get redacted. The first is to a thread from trip advisor on renting cars in Eleuthera. The second is to a site with further info about it. Bear in mind that you will be in the southern part of the island. It is a very long, narrow island. Be sure to find a company close to where you will be. I cannot recommend one specifically as it has been a long time since I have done this, but the trip advisor link has some specific recs. Again, I highly recommend the rainbow inn for lunch, if you find their website, they also have some rental recs. You could email the rainbow, tell them you are coming from a cruise ship to get lunch, and would they suggest a particular company.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g147428-i1135-k7560462-Best_car_rental-Eleuthera_Out_Islands_Bahamas.html

https://www.eleuthera-map.com/rental-cars.htm

Happy travels!

One more vote for park port canaveral. Paid ahead of time online. Very efficient, saved about 50% off terminal price. I have also stayed at the residence inn and done their park, stay, and cruise deal. That was great also. Very nice hotel.

looking to book Aruba based cruise for summer 2020, and I have a few questions.

1. Anyone have an idea when those cruises will be released?

2. 2019, they are sailing the Magic out of Lauderdale. Will that ship still have that itinerary in 2020?

Thanks.

If you are adventurous, rent a car and see Eleuthera (the island Princess Cays is a part of). It is gorgeous, safe, and uncrowded. There are many stretches of empty public beach. Catch lunch at the Rainbow Inn. Check out some videos people have posted online. It is a special place, and a shame more passengers don't travel outside PC to see it,

Columbus Cove all the way. I was on a very full oasis cruise. Columbus Cove uncrowded and peaceful all day. Buffet lines manageable. Shaded. Sandy bottom/not rocky. Nice view of the ship. As others have said cabanas are in a roped off section, but Columbus Cove is in fact opened to all. Drawbacks if any--more shaded/less sunny than other side of peninsula. Also, no waves if that's what you like,

If you are taking public buses, which I highly recommend, you could coordinate the horseshoe bay visit around a stop in Hamilton. You could certainly find something there.

We heard little to no outside noise from elevators, stairs, hallway, or Central Park. Also, the location was great for accessing various locations on the ship. I would definitely book them again. I hope,you enjoy them as much as we did.

Sorry for hopping on so late. I lived for a while in Jamaica. Contrary to what a PP said, you won't die if you get off the ship. You will likely be nowhere near gang violence, much of which is contained to particular neighborhoods in Kingston. I spent much time in those, and managed to not die. Jamaica is a glorious country, populated by amazing people with a wonderful culture. Get off the ship and meet some of them. Exercise some common sense, and you should be fine.

Agreed on Columbus Cove for Labadee if you want a beach day. When you get off the ship, take the complimentary water taxi straight there. It is uncrowded, and there is a lunch buffet right there that I should also less crowded than other options. Note--there is no water taxi back to the ship.

Both of those places would require a taxi ride. If the tour returns you promptly by 1, it would be possible to do a visit to either, but it wouldn't leave you much time to relax and then get back to the shop by 5. I recommend hitting great bay beach right there in phillipsburg. There are watercraft to rent, the beach is nice, and I think you can parasail. If you want to sit on the beach, I recommend the holland house hotel. Young can rent an umbrella and chairs, and get four beers, all for about $25. You can also use their showers and bathrooms. It is right next to the water taxi back to the ship. Again, you might be able to squeeze in Orient or Maho, but if not, Great Bay is an easy alternative.

I second the well wishes for your health. I too look forward to your recap.

What's the temperature like during the day in Central Park? If it's one of those days when it's roasting on the pool deck, will it be just as bad in Central Park, or do they have some sort of ventilation?

 

This will be mid-September, so I'm assuming it'll still be crazy hot (although I've only cruised in Sept once).

It definitely can get hot in CP. It is offset by breezes though, especially when the ship is moving, I was surprised at this. Also, there is plenty of shade to be found which helps if you want to sit down for a bit.

Does anyone pictures of Park Cafe on Oasis, especially the inside? Yes I did try google first. And Flickr.

I had the same difficulty before I cruised. I am pretty sure that Gambee has some on his review of oasis. I don't know if I can put links here or not, but it is cruisewithgambee.com. I believe you can also find YouTube vids of park cafe. Another suggestion is looking for Allure pics. It is exactly the same. If you have any questions about the layout, let me know.

Thanks for the review. We are sailing Liberty in June. It's always nice to hear good things. You say you couldn't feel the crowds. Does this include lines for the Buffett, Guy's, and other food options?

Oasis.

American here who used to live in Jamaica. I drove nearly everywhere on that island by myself and (gasp) survived! Negril is gorgeous, and the cliffs and beach are worth the trip. Ricks is not the only place to see them, I would say venturing on your own depends on your experience traveling. I highly doubt you will be a victim of murder, robbery, petty larceny, insider trading, or whatever other hysterical fears people might have. Do these happen? Yes, but odds are they will not. Jamaica is a much different place than it was in the 1970s. Today, most of its problems with violent crime are centered in Kingston, and they are Jamaican on Jamaican. As with most anywhere, use some common sense. Don't flash cash and stay on well travelled roads.

We are also from NC & will be going on the Oasis but not till 4/15/18(too long)

We will be driving down also I was woundering if you took I 95 down all the way or did you get on 295 & go around Jacksonville.

P.S have a great time

On our June trip with a three car caravan, one car did 295 and two stayed on 95. It made no difference time wise as there was no traffic on Sunday morning,

Sailed on Oasis this summer (basically same ship as Allure) with two teens. We all loved it. Shows, food, and activities were all great. That being said, as soon as I got home, I booked carnival. The reason being is the type of food we prefer. I really enjoy grab and go options. Although the options on Royal are good, such as Park Cafe, it seems that carnival has many more such offerings. The pizza, Asian, burger, and BBQ options on Carnival look and sound fantastic. The pizza on royal (sorrentos) was good (not great), and the burgers were atrocious. In fact, the burgers were the only thing on the ship I did not care for. Also attractive for traveling with teens is carnival's hub app (I think that's what it's called). There is no cheap or easy way to stay in touch on royal without buying internet for everyone. Still, should you choose Allure, you and the kids should love it. It was a great experience. We saved more than fifty percent on what we paid on a comparable Disney cruise, and found royal to be on par with disney.

Used park port canaveral in June. I can't say enough good about the experience. I booked ahead of time on their website. I saved over fifty percent of the price of the port. It was fast, and they were very friendly, I will use them every time in the future,

I agree that the best quiet spot is deck five aft. On lido deck aft on each side are some chairs that are set back from the crowds. There are people around but many, myself included, found it to be a great shaded nap spot.

To echo others, water and ice will be readily available.

Fun to do in Boston...sit down in Beantown Pub overlooking Granary Burial Ground. Drink a Sam Adams while looking at Sam Adams.

Have not done those particular tours, but I have explored Eleuthera extensively as part of a college class. It is a relatively unspoiled, undeveloped tropical paradise. I believe it will be well worth your while to take it in. It has a rich culture, and amazing people. There are many empty, gorgeous beaches. There is also great food. Definitely a great spot to get away from the private resort and take in an island. I actually just booked a cruise headed for princess cays so I can do just that. My plan is to rent a car and drive/tour myself. Have fun.