AMbliss

I used a $100 e-card to purchase water prior to our cruise last month. I was able to apply the remaining balance to my account at Guest Services with no issue. I didn't try the kiosk, but can vouch for doing it this way.

Thank you! That's what I was hoping to hear.

This is not a gift card, it's an e-gift card. It's printed.

We purchased the Carnival e-gift card through Verizon for $100 value, I was afraid it wouldn't arrive in time if we had the physical gift card mailed. I'd like to order bottled water & bubbles packages, so there will be a balance remaining. Can I trust the remaining balance will still be there to use later?

Also regarding the e-gift card, are you able to apply the value through a kiosk on board, as you would a physical gift card? Tx.

A little behind learning our cabin on the Sensation will not have a mini fridge. Womp womp... We were considering buying beer ahead of time to have delivered to our room, but without the fridge it would probably sit for a couple of hours before we could get access to our room, pull out our cooler bag and fill with ice.

Should we not bother with pre-purchasing beer for delivery to the room? Or if we do and it's room temp, can it sufficiently chill in a cooler bag with ice?

Our family of 5 is in 2 cabins, currently Your Way dining. I would like to put us (both bookings) on the waitlist for early dining. Would the sysyem know to keep us together as 1 table for 5 (or larger with other passengers)?

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We chose this one for our upcoming cruise: https://viator.com/tour/nassau/nassau-shore-excursion-island-highlights-sightseeing-tour/0-16383P1/info.htm

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It's my understanding Camp Carnival is for up to age 11, and Circle C starts at age 12. Do they make exceptions? My oldest daughter is very independent but her 11yo brother, not so much. Would love for them to be together in either group if possible.

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I have a review posted, we sailed Sensation not too long after dry dock on March 13th. Not sure if I did it correctly but hopefully the link shows up :)

 

Sensation Spring Break - March 13th-18th

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2473392

 

 

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Thank you, great review and fab photos!

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Are there $5 blackjack and roulette tables? We'll be on Sensation if it varies by ship.

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I've seen some 2016 & older video tours on YouTube of the Sensation and didn't know how different it might be after recent renovations? Excited for our first cruise with the kids (12, 11 and 8).

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20 days!!

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Would anyone know the cost of this tour on the Sensation? I'll have my family of 5 but I might just do it by myself since that could be close to $500 and my kids would probably lose steam after the first hour.

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Do you being a little dish soap to clean daily in your cabin, or just rinse without soap? Glad to come across this thread, it wouldn't have occurred to me but think I'll plan to bring tumblers for our family.

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While the snorkeling near the pier at Grand Turk isn't great, I noticed it has gotten much better within the last few years if you go out further from the beach. There's been some new coral growth, particularly near the drop-off to 40 feet (the "pocket" where the dredge is), and much more fish-life than, say, three years ago. Also, along the outer safety line in about 15 ft. of water you'll find two sunken anchors and a sunken cannon.

Oddly enough, when we went to the other side of the pier (i.e., away from Margaritaville), we saw almost no fish at all.

 

I'd suggest investing in a couple of snorkeling vests (as differentiated from life vests) so your kids have the option of swimming down to look at stuff if they want to, but can inflate them for surface snorkeling and resting. I got mine on eBay for $15 or $20.

Good tip, didn't know there was such a thing!

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I should have also noted that if you do find a place to snorkel, please read up on the do's and don'ts of proper reef and sea life management. The first golden rule is touch nothing (especially with fins) and take nothing.

 

 

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Thank you for mentioning this, I'll do some research!

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I have only one overall concern when I cruise...Does the ship float? If the answer is "Yes", then I'm good.

 

 

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I wish Cruise Critic had a thumbs up for liking a post. This would get one :)

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My two older kids (12 and 11) would like to try snorkeling for the first time, and while they're great pool swimmers I'm a little worried about an open ocean. Of course they'll have life vests on... but are there good snorkeling areas on HMC, Nassau or Grand Turk that would be in more shallow water but still things to see?

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Sorry this would be my first time buying this, can you use it on board for alcohol or specialty coffee drinks etc?

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With the exception of the digital camera, we are all going tech free on our cruise. My boys are 16 and 10. I just can't wait to have time with everyone unplugged!

I love that!

It is completely a personal preference as to whether you allow electronics or not. Some families do... some don't.

 

I have a 14 year old and an 11 year old- they both have cell phones that they will be allowed to bring and use to play on, watch movies, etc. since we will have a 6 hour plane ride to Seattle from the east coast. On ship, DS will use his phone to check in with us via the HUB app. DD doesn't need it since if she's not with us, she'll be in camp. At night while we are winding down or if they are waiting for their turn to shower and get dressed - they can play games on their phones (but no internet access so they can only play games they've downloaded).

 

So our rule will be- they can use it to play games but no going on social media and not at the dinner table. This may not work for some families... but it works for us. (but my kids are old enough to sit through MDR dinner- obviously some younger kids can not so by all means, please bring something to entertain them). However; the one tip that another poster mentioned that I wish all parents would listen to, is to please bring the headphones. :D

Thank you, super helpful - and this is likely what we'd do! Our kids will be nearly 13, 11 and 8. We don't allow them to take devices into restaurants as it is, so that rule will stick on board.

Just another example of parents not parenting their kids, letting electronics do their job. Why do kids need electronics to be kept entertained while we get ready, fly in an airplane, eat supper, I could go on and on. I work in the education field and it's astonishing the difference in kids, behaviours, academics, attention spans etc over the last 10 years. We are raising electronic addicted kids. Electronics have their place but far to often they are used to keep kids busy and quiet for their parents benefit.

Appreciate your taking the time to comment; although it was unhelpful toward my OP which is more directed at those parents that DO allow their children a little tech time.

Find a middle ground you are comfortable with and go with that. You will see kids with and kids without tablets and phones. Talk to the kids and agree ahead of time on how long they can use the devices and when. If you set the rules up ahead of time, it will make it easier in the moment to remind them of the agreement. Bear in mind that there are lines and waiting (check in). MDR dinners can be long. If they are early morning risers and you want to sleep in.

 

Ask them when they might like to use their devices and work from there.

 

Have a good time!

Thank you for your helpful comments! :D

Our boys are 9, 9, and 7. We have always brought their iPads. Helps if they wake up early or while getting ready.

 

My boys LOVE their iPads/games...but when they are on a cruise...they could care less about their iPads. Too much fun to be had!

 

We also have a rule that the boys have to read with me everyday....they complain..but my sons love reading on the balcony with me in the mornings!

This is encouraging to hear your age of kids is having too much fun to care about their ipads!

We are going with our three kids. The older two have cell phones and the youngest has a tablet. They have already been told that on the ship they will not be on their electronics with the exception of using the cameras on the phone. I am not purchasing any data packages for them and have already put roaming restrictions to avoid charges. The only reason my son gets to bring the tablet is because we are driving to the port and it is at least a 7-hour drive if we do not stop.

Yep, we have a 18+ hour drive so my kids will have their devices in the car, and we can't leave them in the car for a week, so they'll have them on board with us :/. Good call on roaming restrictions. I've found even in the middle of the night when the kids are in bed, small bits of data are being used.

Our kids each have iPads for school that they play on. I would love to have them leave them at home but my son was nearly in tears when I suggested it. We have restrictions on how long they can be on their devices, so it's not like they'd be holed up in the room all day; but I'm curious if other families with school-aged kids allow them to play on their devices on the ship? (assuming using apps that don't require data). Are the in-room safes large enough to fit iPads? (Locking them from kids, not necessarily housekeeping! LOL)