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I always use cheap ones in the shower and in my stateroom. I have no idea how to find out if they are fire retardant.

I know we have been on Carnival Cruises before where the kids could participate in a talent show, but didn't know if they still did this on ships or not, or maybe not on just a 4 day. If anyone has been on one where they did, please let me know!

Thanks!

Thank you so much for your review! We go on Ecstasy in December, and can't wait! We had to take a cruise hiatus for a few years, but we are excited to be going back! Great price on Intercontinental! We once got it for about $99, 5 years ago, but on Hotwire, we just got it for $105. We will be there only Sunday night before the cruise, but we will have two rooms, my teenagers and my in-laws are cruising with us. The best part was waking up and seeing the ship!!

We plan to walk around Bayside Sunday evening. Our plan is for the boys will go parasailing in Key West. I wish we could do the Bar Crawl, but it will have to wait until we are there with no kids!!

For Cozumel, we plan to go to Paradise Beach, but, if we have a rainy day like you did, we will be happy staying on the ship. Last time I went to Paradise Beach, they didn't even have the pool yet, so it has been awhile. Is the ship still docking near Senor Frogs? If so, after the beach we may send the kids back to the ship, and go there with my in-laws. That is always a fun time.

Your review has gotten me so excited, I can't wait until next month!

Thanks again!!

4 1/2 stars, Downtown Miami

Just got The Intercontinental for $105 per room, per night on Hotwire for December 20-21.

My husband is looking to book through Coolkeywest, and think the package includes one of the trolley tours also.

It's the Dec 18th cruise (Friday). Our schools in Canada are just getting out that day, not sure about the U.S.

We are doing the 4 day right after that one, Monday, Dec 21st. I say it is what you make it out to be. You can have unruly guests on any cruise.

Thanks! Just scored be on the Verizon site!

How long does it take to receive them?

Just got 5. Thanks for the heads up!

Just bought 5!

Thanks! I know what you mean! Once on a cruise with my friends we did the Bar Hop and that was a lot of fun. With my family, we just head to Paradise Beach!

yes, key west and coz. Coz was pretty bad if you wanted to do anything near the ship. Lots of scuba and snorkeling options.

 

 

Thanks so much for taking your time to answer questions! What do you mean by "Coz was pretty bad if you wanted to do anything near the ship"? Did you just mean that you had to take a cab/taxi to go anywhere?

 

Thanks!

Unless something has changed, cool key west doesn't actually do any tours or sails. They are one of the many third party resellers of other companies tours.

 

I prefer to book direct with the company doing the service. There are often discounts for booking direct if you ask.

 

You might want to look at the offers from Sebago, Sunset Watesports or Fury to see about parasailing. I'm not sure what tour you are taking about, but both Historic Tours of America and City View offer trolley tours. I usually recommend city View since it is less expensive and stays in Old Town. It is a hop on hop off type tour.

 

If you find it more convenient to use cool key west, go ahead, but I have no personal experience with them to share.

Thank you for your reply. I couldn't find a whole lot about them when I googled them. We have used City View before and really enjoyed it for much less of a cost then the other one. Before City View, we had used the other one also. I will pass the information off to my husband, and ask him to find out who they have them parasailing with, and then maybe I will feel more comfortable about using them.

Thanks again! I really appreciate the reply!

Getting there early doesn't get you into your rooms early. You need to decide for yourselves if it is worth it to be able to drop your carry-ons in your room when you first board the ship and get to the fun. To us, it was worth every penny of the $50 to do so, since DH was walking with a cane and we didn't want to have to lug all of our stuff around until 1:30 when the cabins opened up.

Very true that it doesn't get us to the cabin early. With the cane I can understand it makes it easier. But having to pay for 2 or 3 cabins, makes me think that I might not do it. If I only had to pay for the cabin my husband and I were in, then I think I would.

FTTF is new since I cruised on Carnival last (I think). If we are only doing a 4 day, with no tenders, I am not sure it will be worth it. There are three cabins in my group, so that would be $150. Even if I had my In-Laws pay for their own, I would still have to pay for the two cabins my family has. We usually get to the ship very early, and this time since we will already be in Florida, we should be able to get there early.

Any thoughts on this?

My husband was looking into a package with Cool Key West where my teens could do parasailing, and we would all do the sightseeing tour. Just wanted to see if anyone has done this before, and if the company is decent.

Thanks!

There will be 6 of us, and we were thinking that instead of driving two cars down, and parking for two cars, it might be nicer to take a van/limo. Does anyone know of any places that they would recommend? We would be leaving from my In-law's house and I am not familiar with the area.

Also, we get back to port on Christmas Day, so I was wondering if that would be an issue.

Thanks!!

I really enjoyed your review. My husband and I are going in December with our 17 year old and 12 year old sons, and my in laws.

If anyone has access to a Scrip program for fundraising, they might have them on their list. Carnival cards were on our order form for Marching Band a few years ago.

I just looked up the Shop with Scrip web site, and yes they have Carnival Cards. It is 8% back to the school, church, etc.... For families that have their child in a private school that get a discount on their tuition, or the money goes towards their fundraising bond, that could be helpful.

Thank you it helps! I plan to book two rooms, but would like to pay the deposit after I get paid on Friday!!

What happens if you put a 24 hour hold on Thursday, and pay the deposit on Friday? Will you still get the 50% deposit?

I was so glad to see this thread! We used to cruise often, but after my son was diagnosed with Celiac we stopped. We are right now thinking about booking one for right before Christmas 2015 on Carnival. Just a short 4 day. He will be 17, and I am sure hanging with his family and grandparents won't be on the top of his list to do, but I can say when we used to cruise he was great with wanting to eat in the dinning room, and I think that is something we will urge him to do.

If we book, a few months out I will start talking to Carnival about it, and get a list for our ship of safe places and foods. I really liked reading this thread, I will make sure to visit the maitre d on the first day and let them know! I will keep following this thread!!1

Thanks for posting this thread! I am so excited, we are on the October 18th sailing, same as New2Cruising24. This is my second time on Majesty. I loved her the first time, so I expect to again!!

This time I have to try the crepes!!!

I have sooo got to try the Bar Hop in January.....I keep reading about it and everyone has such great things to say about it.....

Yes, you have to try the Bar Hop in January! But you know anything Tom puts together will be fun!! I did it in July on my girls cruise, I only wish I could do it again on this cruise, but this cruise I am a respectable mom and wife, so only a few hours at Paradise Beach for me!!

Terry