sk8rmomof3

The ship's medical center is equipped to deal with tummy aches, and other viruses...scrapes, bruises, sprains, cuts, etc. They are not equipped to do surgery or set broken bones or any major medical procedure. You should be in good health when you cruise. Yes...stuff can and does happen, but it makes no sense to put yourself in the middle of the ocean, if you have ongoing medical issues that require specialists!

Good to know! My son likes to break bones. He better not on the trip! I was happy to see they don't allow anyone over 24 weeks pregnant to cruise with them. As a labor and delivery nurse I was curious about this! I'm not about to delivery any babies on my vacation! (Of course I would if the need was there....but good to know it wouldn't be the case!)

As a nurse, I'm curious as to the medical center. I'd love to just go down there and see how it is. Do they charge your insurance for everything? Obviously getting flighted off the boat would require extra fees, but if you are dehydrated and need some IV fluid, they charge your insurance? Hopefully we won't be needing any medical services! (We don't drink so no hang overs or anything. My 9 yr old son tends to be my "weak link" medically so lets hope he is ok! He's usually my carsick kid (Im bringing a patch for him) but he is also very small so excessive vomiting is detrimental to him and fluid replacement would be important. What about broken bones? Can they do x-rays and set the bone for until the cruise is over? Just curious but totally not planning on using this service! ( But then again, who plans a medical emergency?!)

We did the zip/bob sled combo & it was one time down, they may sell different pkgs that include more & they sold extra ride tokens there ( I do not remember the price but I do remember it being pretty pricey)

 

 

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I would love the ziplining and looked in to it, but I have a 6 year old who would NOT want to do that portion! I don't think she is tall enough anyways. I've considered changing excursions to a tubing one, but again, not sure with the 6 year old!

Do you have to sign up for the price protection to get the drops? Was that extra money to sign up? And I prepaid the entire cruise already, so would I still be eligible for drops?

I have kids ages 6,9, and 13. They are excited for the kids clubs but not quite sure how these work. My kids don't know any details about our cruise (When, where, what ship), but they know there are the clubs on all ships. They watched YouTube videos that show X-Box games and things like that. I really don't want to put them in there for them to play video games all day! Do they have scheduled activities they take them on and keep them active? Or is it more of like a daycare, drop them off and they are in the room the whole time? I saw theres an outside playground, but other than that, do they do adventures and keep them active? I want the kids to get the most out of this trip and meet other kids and experience a lot. Playing video games is not my idea of cruising. Any insight as to what they do??? Thanks in advance!

There was still the buffet lunch last April when we went. It was delicious!

When I booked ours the other night through Carnival, it made it sound like there is a bus ready to take you. I thought it was included. If you go to excursions on the website and click on "more detail" it says the bus picks you up and drops you off (no mention of it being extra). So I'm not quite sure. it might already be planned for you.

I have only used it once, and found it worth the money. I tried for my cruise on the Conquest in May, but it's already sold out. Nice to know they open it up closed, I just keep checking each day.

We are on the same cruise as you in May!!!!

I booked the sea turtle farm excursion that includes lunch....through Carnival.

#1- Is the lunch good?

#2- How far away from the port is it, and is the bus ride included and pre-set up?

#3- It's all included? Snorkeling/waterslide/etc ( I know we have to pay for pictures)....

I've heard wonderful reviews and this is going to be the highlight of the trip. I just like to have all the information and know what to expect!

I'm undecided on excursions in Ocho Rios. I initially wanted to do the bobsled. I have 3 kids ages 6, 9, and 13. My husband and I did the alpine coaster in Haiti last year and it was AMAZING. However, it was unlimited rides and only $39. I see with Carnival the bobsled alpine coaster in Ocho Rios is $59 and only a one ride (so I understand???). I have also heard of Dunn River Falls and it was suggested to go tubing. I am torn now......would I get more out of going tubing over the alpine coaster? I know there is a pool at the top of the bobsledding that we can do, but I want the most for our money. However, we can go tubing in the rivers at home.....so would it really be much different? I'm scared that the 6 yr old wouldn't like the tubing since she'd have to be in her own tube. However, everyone has said don't miss out on Dunn River. BUT I feel you can river anywhere, but can only alpine coaster in certain places. HELP! Which would you do and why?

That's depressing. I was hoping to book another cruise while on the ship for next year. I was hoping that there would be some great incentives that you can't get just from going online. Bummer.

I don't care what people think. I'm there to have fun! And my feeling is that if I'm wearing age and weight appropriate swim wear, no one is looking at the mom of 3 kids. Now, if I was wearing a string bikini with this body......I'd be getting looks. I can't wait to try the slide!

Thank you SOOOOOO much for the information. That's exactly the kind of information I was looking for! Kind of hoping it would be one day 1. I wasn't planning on bringing stuffed animals for the kids and was hoping they'd get to make a bear day one. I'm so glad it sounded like it was worth it! My kids want to do this! I hope one of them picks the Carnival bear since it's the only place you can get it!

How exciting! When we took our cruise last year, when we boarded there was a bride and groom taking pictures in the main promenade. I took pictures of them! They must have obviously gotten on the ship first to get ready. Sooooooo cool!

Nice to know!

I know Royal Caribbean did that. I've been considering doing that for the next cruise while we are on this cruise. Is it a better deal usually?

One time down but they will sell additional rides, do not remember the price.

 

 

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That sucks it's a one time thing! In Haiti is was only $39/person for unlimited. This one for Carnival said $59.99/person and it's only once down???? Oh well! Sounds like there's plenty to do!

. So, although there is the premise that CCL is always the cheapest route, I don't think that's necessarily the case, if you do your homework.

 

 

 

I guess you just have to look for what's convenient and what will give you the biggest bang for your buck. . A vacation is a vacation, regardless of how fancy the cruise line is. It is what you make of it......

Completely agree. I didn't go for a specific cruise line when booking this upcoming trip. I looked at them all and took in to account our needs. I wanted kid friendly, I wanted a certain length of a trip, and location was a big factor. I researched them all and this time Carnival won out. And it wasn't the price. It just had more of the amenities we needed this trip. Must do homework and compare compare compare!

Here's a link to the policy:

https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2544/~/minor-guest-policy

The cabins are 5 doors away from each other. One is a balcony and the other is an interior room. Maybe this is why?

 

When I book our next cabins I'll make sure we do it with adults in one cabin and my sons in the other cabin.

Yes. That is why. I read this on their website the other day. There are age restrictions and who can be in a room alone, and according to how old they are, there are different specifications as to how far away they can be without a parent or guardian registered to the room. I believe it's right next door or directly across the hall for one age, then no more than 3 doors away for another age. I can't remember now what the ages were. I just remember reading how specific it was!

They do have two options of tickets. I believe the one only covers the zoo type part-not the snorkeling or wateslide. We paid for an ncl excursion so it wasn't an option to only do the cheaper one. However, several people there had different colored bands and could not access those areas and there was signage saying as much as well. They do have snorkel gear for you in the little hut by the lagoon.

Thank you! I wonder what our excursion includes. We pre-paid for this excursion with Carnival but I didn't see different packages for this. I hope it includes everything! The kids are going to love it!

Hi what is the mattress like on independence are they hard, I have back issues and can't sleep on a hard mattress I use memory foam at home or should I take a topper with me but that's hassle but if my back goes my cruise is ruined

 

 

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Our mattress on Independence was super comfortable. It was topped with a think foam topper that made it so comfortable!

No not advertised heavily. It would be in the activities and may be announced but not overly.

 

Hasbro game show was fun and kids would like that. Plus kids clubs are great, they will not be hurting for things to do.

 

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Awesome! Thank you!

Thank you much. Is it heavily advertised on the ship? Maybe the kids won't know it's there and won't want to participate ;) (My kids want the cruise to be a surprise. They know we are going on one, but want no details. They know about Clue from the website but have no clue what cruise line, date, locations, anything......so maybe I can get away with them not knowing of this option if it's a dud......)

Yes go to manage your booking. Edit the person whose birthday it is. There is a category for celebrations. Check the box for birthday. They will give a small cake at dinner and sing. The room Stewart will give a card with either a spa gift card or free picture coupon. Occasionally I think a bottle of champagne, but I can't remember for certain.

 

 

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Interesting to know. Thanks! I graduate with my Masters Degree while we are on the ship! WAAAAAHOOOOO! Maybe I'll get a spa gift card :p Lord knows this life long student needs a spa treatment! (And some alcohol!)