Nevada Jen

So fun to read.  Hawaii is my absolute favorite.  Heads up, I found the road to Hana really really boring. I would consider snorkeling in Maui and doing something else in Kauai (I can think of a ton of things but many are a pain to do from where the cruise ship docs).  We visit Kauai a lot and the snorkeling is not at all great.

Totally agree with everything you said.  Felt like having a local friend show us around his town.  This was one of my best excursion choices ever!

I didn't answer either because I wasn't completely sure but we did this cruise.  I can't imagine what you would hear.  This is a much older cruise.  I couldn't find anyone awake past 11 when we did it.  Maybe morning noise would be a bigger problem but I don't think so.  I also think it would be an amazing spot for the canal passage.  Amazing.  In fact that is probably what I would pick if I ever did it again.  Make sure you also go down to the level with the red frog pub when you are coming out of the canal and sit in the circle windows.  Its really cool to see yourself rising up.  

ETA:  just looked at that cruise, that is a fabulous price for a balcony.  Jump on it

I couldn't find the page on site that shant be named site.  But I checked in on the roll call.  I am booking the sea safari right now.  That looks perfect.  Stupid question, but how do you get on the horses?  I have a leg that doesn't have nerves in the thigh that I honestly completely forget about.  You can only tell when I run.  However, the last time I tried to get on a horse, I was shocked to find there was no way I could make those muscles work to get me up.  I am going to work specfically on that leg but is there like a platform or assistance if I can't pull it off?  I will find you over on the roll call.

We are on the Carnival Panorama leaving December 21.  Christmas Day is PV, so I want to make sure I have something planned that day.  I am all for a nice hotel for the day but it seems like unless you book through the ship you can only "book" a couple of days in advance at most and that is only if the hotel is not full.  I feel like the hotels will likely be full at Christmas. Plus, we are staying in the Havana area on the cruise, so I feel like we will get plenty to pool/relaxation time. 

I laughed outloud at your getting on the ship photo.  And then cringed when you took the time to explain because really no explanation necessary. I remember the constant stress of wondering when my daughter was going to blow her top.  Its exhausting.  Looks like everyone had fun!

Great review.  Did your kids hang out in the Havana area?  One of the reasons I booked it is I thought my son might enjoy less crazy around the pool.  I have not read many reviews where people with teens stayed in a Havana cabin.

Thank you.  So glad I clicked through.  They actually have an ATV tour they will let kids drive on.  That was very high on my son's list.  Now I just need to figure out the other ports!

IF you are flying, upgrade them to first class.  Get them FFTF.  That makes the cruise feel special because it seems like they are getting special treatment.

Use respite to care for your family member and take a cruise to recharge.  Caring for a sick family member is important but so is caring for yourself and you do need a break from the constant stress.  If your family member gets medicaid talk to their worker about needing a break and how you can plan for it.  Respite hours are covered under medicaid.  You might be surprised how easy it is.  

For what it is worth, I have noticed teens at dinner and in the evening/night tend to be more dressed up than the average cruiser on both cruises we went on.  My guess is they are dressing to impress ;)

The trick is make sure you download them TO YOUR KINDLE and OPEN them when you have wifi.  A lot of times you are reading from the cloud on the fire without realizing it. Turn it on airplane mode and you should be fine without internet access.  Test it at home first to be sure.

Ooo.  Who did you use for the private excursion mazatlan?  That sounds perfect!

All good ideas.  Are any of the horse back rides in any of those three places more exciting than others?  I have been on some great trial rides and some that were so boring I wanted to take out a book and read as we walked.  Where would be the best place to ride.  And yeah, that swooping down motion of zip lines does me in for the entire day.  I swear it is an ear thing and not an old lady thing!

I should have said adventurous but not willing to do zip lines!  I can't even swing on a child's swing without getting sick.  Good to hear about the safety stuff. We live in AZ so we hear some pretty scary stories about Mexico from our community (admittedly, a different part of Mexico).  I am hoping others have ideas.  I want him to have a fun trip.  Our last cruise was panama canal and the stops were the best part for him.

We have a Christmas Cruise planned this year for me and my 14 year old son.  Ports are PV, Cabo and Mazatlan.  Long day in PV.  Looking for ideas that might appeal to my kiddo.  We are adventurous in terms of physical activities but I do worry about personal safety (from the criminal element).  I know he would like to actually drive an ATV but not sure where that would be allowed.  Relatively safe cliff diving would be a huge plus.  Also, I really like the beach.  We are not at all into history and sight seeing or walking around town shopping.  I see lots of posts about what to do with younger kids and obviously, the drinking is an awesome activity if you are old enough but I am not seeing much that caters to teens.  Ideas?

1 hour ago, serene56 said:

you cant book the teens on another deck when the parents in the havana area.    its just not happening

 

If you call to book, they may be able to override it if you explain that an adult will be sleeping in each room but that you want to book the adults into a Havana room for access to those facilities.

If you both have iphones, yes, you can text like you are describing. Otherwise, it just won't work.  Yes, you can pay the ship for each message but I don't think that will work for communicating back and forth because you can't stop other people from texting you also and your bill will be ridiculous.  Will the other person use email?  You should be able to email back and forth.  

Don't you need the wristband/SS card sticker to get to your cabin in the Havana area? Thus, wouldn't one of the kids need the access even if they were not using the private deck area and pool?  I think that is the problem with your plan.  

We were in a Vista suite on Deck 6.  I would stay there.  Miracle is set up differently than a lot of ships.  A decent amount of things you are going to want to access are below you (show room, dining rooms, comedy club, casino)  but lido and the sports court are up.  If you are on 8, in addition to the lack of privacy people mentioned, you are going to be doing a lot of walking down stairs (and then back up to your room).  I think we were 6156 if I remember correctly.  I have zero complaints about the room.  The ship was very easy to get around compared to other ships, which as a severely directionally challenged person a very much appreciated.  There are a ton of smoking areas and the smoking kind of bothered me (and I am a smoker) but other than that I have no complaints.  If they do movies in the theater and they at all appeal to you, I highly recommend going.  It is pretty cool to be in there with the place basically empty.  I had the best nap ever!

We were on her in September also.  I really liked the ship.  They did show movies in the theater during the day.  It was actually super fun because there were like 10 people in the whole place.  I am a smoker and I found the smoking areas really annoying on this ship in that they were kind of everywhere.  Curious if its bad on your cruise or if my cruise just happened to gather all the smokers in the world.  Also, don't miss serenity.  We waited until the last day because we had a kid with us.  If I had known how much better it was in there, I would have let the kid to fend for himself!  Also, under no circumstances should you miss being on top of the ship to go under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge if you have not done it at least once.  It is super cool.

Had the same thing happen with Panorama.  It said there were no inside Havana cabins when I was trying to book for two people.  When I changed to a 3 person booking, inside Havanas became available.  My PVP couldn't override it (although he is not the sharpest tool in the shed anyway).

I think it actually depends on what countries you are going to. Different countries have different rules.  Your safest bet is to change your passport name and make a reservation in that name.  Otherwise, I would carry your passport and try to use that but have a copy of original BC.  Drivers license and marriage certificate to be safe.

Your best bet it to use the cabin key for each ship mentioned above.  Don't assume that rooms of a similar type all have a couch.  For example, on a good number of ships, the couches disappear from balcony rooms after a certain deck level.  Actually, your very best best is to call Carnival and ask for a PVP and then tell them what port and what dates and let them find you appropriate rooms.  

I definitely wasn't aware of the ASP either.  I thought my auto gratuities always went to the people on the ship.  I thought gratuities were tips.  ASP isn't tips.  I'm not sure I care but from the way Carnival describes where your tips go, I fell a bit duped.