JerseyGirlJen

I'm very sorry you and your wife had to go through this. I would be very upset, and 20% is not enough.

Carnival is the one who last had the bag in their possession, wherever it was delivered/lost, etc. it was delivered to the wrong room, then it is their fault (and the guests in the room are oblivious idiots).

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I'd choose Starboard, then you'll have the FQ in your side when you dock.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

No smoking on Serenity. There are only a few designated areas on the ship to smoke....Casino, areas of Deck 5 & 11. There are a few more places to, but rooms and balconies are not one of them.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I did feel more confused on this ship vs. the Freedom. I was always going in the wrong direction once I got on the Lido.

I think what confused me is that they have the 4 bars/restaurants in the four corners in deck, and they all look similar.

Just remember that Guys Burgers and Blue Iguana Cantina (the food places) are (naturally) right outside the buffet, which is going Aft. If I just paid attention to that from Day 1 and used them as landmarks it would have been easier for me. [emoji16]

The Casino stunk to high heaven so I avoided that like the Plague, but took advantage of Deck 5 which wraps fully around the ship so it's easy enough to avoid.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Hi! Can you confirm that it's is still possible to walk through the port to the mall? I know a few years ago that access was blocked, but maybe it was only temporary.

I can confirm that I walked through the mall to the Port a few weeks ago. It was very simple. I stayed at Hilton Riverside, which is connected to the mall via an escalator to the right of the hotel check in desk. (If you're staying at Hilton take the escalator up, and continue to walk. you will eventually come to an escalator going down. There is good signage. At the bottom of that escalator, go through the door on the right, and you're in the mall. Walk down that hallway and go right. You're now in the main mall hallway. Go all the way to the end, take the escalator up. Again, go all the way to the far end of that hallway (only one way to walk so you'll see where you need to go). At the end of that hallway go up again and go all the way to the end of the hallway. You will pass the food court. You'll see glass doors leading to outside on your left as your get near the end of the hallway. Go out those doors and look right. You'll see your ship. Follow the outside path all the way there, you'll go around a corner or two. Then you'll see the big staircase everyone talks about. Walk on down and the Porters are under the covered area. I tipped them $5 for my two bags and everything got to my room accordingly.

I hope this helps!

PS- I had a river view room and did see some folks walking right down Julia Street with luggage. But, there are no sidewalks. The mall floor was very smooth and easy to wheel the bags.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Boy, are you ever right. I live in Michigan and would never sail from certain states or certain cities for that matter. Put it this way, I'm from Michigan as well and I'd never sail from Detroit, St Louis, Chicago, Atlanta, (all in theory, there aren't any) and we had this issue out of New Orleans as well ........ They have different "attitudes" like you said .......

Me too, me too. I'm from NJ and less than a 45 min drive to either Bayonne or New York, but I'd rather pay extra for hotel and flights to go out of Florida (and recently NOLA--great experience on the Dream nice people) than to cruise from here.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

11:30 is the earliest time you can arrive at the Port. You're not getting on the ship at that time. You have to go through the boarding process once you arrive, then you get on board. It takes maybe 30 minutes until you're on board, as long as everything is moving as it should.

Drop your bags with the Porters, only carry on a small carry on bag. Maybe you'll be on board at 12, walk around a bit (which is why you don't want all your luggage), then go to lunch about 1. Your room should be ready by the time you're done.

The earlier you get on the earlier the fun begins!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

It's free everyday during lunch

I never knew that, thank you [emoji4]

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Following, going on the Magic next year!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I just got off the Dream a couple weeks ago. Go to Pasta Bella, it's FREE on embarkation day [emoji16] You can find it above the Lido buffet. You fill out a form choosing your pasta type and what sauce, veggies, etc you'd like added to your meal. They bring it to your table a few minutes later.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I just returned from the Dream in NOLA. I took Uber from the airport to Hilton Riverside. Was $25 for Uber to the hotel. I cruised solo and walked to the Port through the Riverwalk Outlet Mall, which is connected to the hotel. Was easy enough. (I had 2 suitcases that I piggybacked with luggage straps, and a small carry on bag.) I had a River view room and did see people walking Julia street to the Hilton as they were disembarking the ships.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Just got off the Dream last week. I had a great time. Was My first time on a Dream class ship. (I cruised the Freedom twice before, and this was cruise #3.)

Never felt crowded, and there were always deck chairs available, including on the Serenity Deck!

Plenty to do, shows were great. Many food options. My first time experiencing Guys burgers and Blue Iguana, both very good. Really enjoyed Blue Iguana at breakfast.

Next cruise is the Magic on May '19.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

It's something you have to keep an eye on. I've had my choice change a few times. Just make sure it's set a few days before you sail.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Wrap then in Clear packing tape so they don't tear, then I staple them.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Just got off the Dream 2 days ago. Great ship, you won't be disappointed.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

If I were going with someone I would probably drive so the driving could be shared. But you'll also have to pay to park at your hotel and the port while you're cruising.

You could rent a car from home and maybe there is a car rental place near the port to drop it off? Then do another one way rental to drive home? Then you don't have to pay for parking the port. You could drop it off once you check into your hotel as it's a very walkable city and has the streetcar.

Amtrak may be another option?

As far as getting to/from airport if you fly in, from what I see most places near the port don't have a shuttle and a lot of people taxi or Uber. Your ship can shuttle you directly to the airport post cruise.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I've told this story here and there on this subject. 3 weeks before my first cruise I had a minor outpatient procedure done under sedation. For 2 weeks afterwards I was dizzy, queasy, and unable to keep my balance. Turned out I had an allergic reaction to the sedation anesthesia. I told my Doctor I was cruising, and that I was concerned because I was having these issues on top of my normal carsick/seasick issues. My Doctor prescribed me Meclazine, the same dosage as the OTC Bonine , BUT with instruction to take a pill every 6 hours.

It worked wonders, even in the 15' seas we encountered. My friends all joke that if you look at me the wrong way I'll throw up, so for those pills to work really says something.

See if your Dr can write you the RX. You get a lot more pills than in a box of Bonine and it's typically less expensive.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Head into the Ironbound section of Newark for the best Portuguese food in your life. Tons of Portuguese restaurants that are phenomenal! Forno's of Spain, Iberia Peninsula, Spain, are all great. Spanish Pavillion is just over the bridge in Harrison. Also excellent.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

When I was in my 20's and early 30's I didn't bother getting it, because, well, we're invincible at that age, right? [emoji6]. Now that I'm older, wiser, and in my 40's I get the insurance along with medical coverage. A friend got injured on a shore excursion a few months ago and ended up in an ER in Aruba. Point is, you never know and always better to be safe than sorry.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Glad you had a great time and got to relax and recharge! Solo travel is so peaceful. I travel solo very often, It's so refreshing and relaxing. It's interesting how many people cannot function on their own. Smh. I get asked a lot of questions too, most people are nice, others can be rude or ASSuming. In any event, Welcome to the club and glad you enjoyed yourself!!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I would drive the day before. Besides getting to start your vacation a day sooner, I always keep in mind what if something happens and you can't get there the day of, or you're seriously delayed and stressed you'll miss the ship? (Meaning, massive traffic incident due to unforeseen circumstances...accident, construction, other emergency).

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Another great Nicole review! I just finished reading your Paradise review the other day!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

15 days [emoji924]☀️[emoji228][emoji41].

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Looking forward to reading your review!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Sorry you had such a rough week, Lack of sleep is awful.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums