JerseyGirlJen

Very exciting!  I did a private tour about 10 years ago in GC with the stingrays and it was fantastic.  (I can't remember the name of the company).  I'll be on the Glory in January 2023, cannot wait 🛳️

I book all my dining and spa reservations ahead of time on the website so when I get on board I can start enjoying right away.  That being said, I only carry on a small bag(s) with me (filled with necessities....Passport, $, sunblock, bathing suit, Kindle, etc.) and leave the big bags with the porters so I don't have to lug them around while waiting until the rooms to be ready.  They will get delivered to the room later.

I usually try to find a somewhat quiet spot for lunch and then walk around and see the ship.  Also, I take as many pics as I can without people in them (theaters, dining rooms, etc.).  

Once the rooms are ready I head down and freshen up, unpack, read the Fun Times (Carnival) program with all the activities and goings on that day.  Then get ready for the Muster Drill.  After Muster, head up to the upper decks for the sail away party. You can partake in the fun or enjoy watching from the other decks.  The views are beautiful as the ship is heading out of port.  After sail away many folks start getting ready for dinner.

You're just over a year away, it will go quick.  Keeping fingers crossed for you!!  I'm 659 days out, January 2023.  Can't wait to cruise again.

I'm booked for my 2nd NOLA cruise in January 2023.  For my first one I flew in the day before the cruise and got to my hotel around 11am.  I stayed at Hilton Riverside and found the streetcar stop at the hotel to be very convenient, especially when pressed for time.  

For things to do, check out Free Tours by Foot, they offer many types of tours and the tour guides get paid solely by tips, so you know they are going to do a good job.  They do cemetery tours and garden district tours, along with haunted tours, voodoo tours, and more. 

The WWII museum is an excellent attraction, but takes hours to get through so may not be the best option since you only have one day.  I walked the FQ, stopped at the French Market, the old Mint, Jackson Square, Louis Armstrong park, and walked up the waterfront.  On embarkation day I was up at 6:30 and couldn't get back to sleep 😆 once I saw the Dream had docked.  I decided to walk up to Cafe duMonde and arrived about 7:30am, and there was literally only 3 other tables there.  It was perfect because the lines wrap around the corner during the daytime.  

On my next trip I'm going to fly in on a Thursday night and arrive late, but I'll have all day Friday and Saturday, and Sunday morning for breakfast at Cafe duMonde before 🛳️🛳️🛳️.  There's so much to do I'm sure you'll have a lot of good options and will have trouble narrowing down what to do (not a bad problem to have!).  Have a great trip!  

On 4/6/2021 at 12:15 PM, BlueHerons said:

Great review!  

 

So many of us  are lucky enough to call this home!

 

We've had excellent  weather this winter and spring.

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.  I'm happy to hear you enjoyed the great weather the last few months!  Things are actually good here now too, and dare I say it, but we are actually experiencing SPRING🌸 in NJ, which hasn't happened in a long time....It usually stays cool and rainy and then, BOOM, we're hit with 90 and humid on Memorial Day.

Yes, I used the one on deck 7.   You can purchase detergent in the laundry room, or you can bring your own travel size liquid or the pods.  I prefer to do my own because I can control the heat setting on the dryer (I prefer low heat), and some things I like to hang dry.  Plus strangers touching my underwear just weirds me out 😜

You will have to make a down payment, you can apply the $450 to the balance of the new cruise.  You'll have to call Carnival though.  I don't know the answer to your "use by date" question.

John Heald posts a list, and I'm sure he's eagerly anticipating when he can post it again.  🛳️☀️🌴

3 hours ago, CruiserBruce said:

Nope...got the level room we booked. But this a fantastic place, very happy to be here.

Have a great time!!!

On 3/31/2021 at 8:49 PM, CruiserBruce said:

Been trying to check into a Waldorf all day for tomorrow...they keep telling me "they don't have a room to show me" but not to worry,  they will have a room for me when I arrive. Last time this happened, I got a very nice upgrade. But not holding my breath.

Maybe with "the situation" this past year they aren't doing the choose in advance option?  I hope you get a nice upgrade, that will be worth it!  😃☀️🛳️🍹

8 hours ago, CruiserBruce said:

You can pick your room, IF THEY OFFER a selection...which they don't always do. I am waiting to see my room assignment for a stay at a hotel that never gives a choice of rooms.

 

And it's the day before, only, in my experience. Never seen them offer greater than that. Isn't that a Diamond benefit only?

I've used it in the past and I'm not Diamond, it's available even as a new member...at least it used to be.  I guess it depends on the hotel, because I have chosen 2 days in advance at least once.  I've never had a problem with it not being offered, but who knows.

It is confusing.  You definitely want to be in the "tower", otherwise you'll get the 2 floor "villa" style rooms, which won't give you that view.  I believe "high floor water view" is what you're looking for, but I'd call to clarify just in case.  I also understand that the Hilton Honors floor is floor 14, so you might have to request a port view.

If you are a Hilton Honors member and book through Hilton directly, you can choose your actual room 1-2 days prior to arrival on the app, they have a map so you can see exactly what room you'll be in. 

Marina is excellent.  I recently stayed there and posted a review here in early March-- (it's a few posts below this one if you want to read it, and has photos attached).  

I probably won't be sailing them based on that menu.  Too much work to take off half the ingredients.  I'm more simple in regards to meals.  I think Carnival has a wide variety to appeal most people, you can always doctor something up to make it more complex if you do desire.  The Watermelon sounded good but the tofu ruined it for me....same with the Jalapeño croissant...if it was a plain croissant I might've tried it.  

While I sometimes do enjoy some gourmet pizza slices (buffalo, chicken ranch, salad, etc.) I always say why ruin a great plain pizza by putting toppings on it LOL.   🤪

Login, once your'e logged in across down a bit and on the left side of the page it will say "Before you go My To Do List".  The third item down is "print documents".  Click on that and luggage tags will come up on the "pop up" next page.

Based on what Mondello said, I'd do my best to avoid if possible.

Thanks for sharing.  I'm happy to hear it's in the upswing.  I'm cruising out of there in January 2023, and it won't come soon enough.  😃

On 3/12/2021 at 2:46 AM, BoozinCroozin said:

This would be in April, the weekend before Easter. The "plan" would be to fly in Friday night. Sight see Saturday, obviously Bourbon St Saturday night for a bit, sight see a little Sunday morning before boarding (this would probably be the breakfast at Cafe du Monde. Last time I was in NO was Mardi Gras nearly 3 decades ago in college.

 

I loved my cruise out of NOLA.   I was there the weekend after Easter in 2018.  It was a comfortable weather wise during the day and a cold front came in the night before we departed so it was jeans and sweatshirts at sail away but that was fine too, I'd take that over 105 and humid🤪.  NOLA is a great city to visit....so many tours and a lot of historical things to see.  Get a Jazzypass on the RTA app because the streetcars don't make change.  You can get a 1 or 3 day ride passes for $3 and $9.  

I would do the 8 day. (I was supposed to do that exact cruise on the Magic in December, so obviously I just like that one).

8 days are my favorite, and if I can get an extra day for the same price I'd do that.  I will say that 3 ports on a 7 day cruise is also really nice for relaxing and enjoying the ship, because you get 3 full days at sea, so that would also be nice to explore the new Mardi Gras.  However, with all that said, I'd still go for the 8.  The Mardi Gras will be there at another time.

20 hours ago, Sprocket said:

I think I'm a little more stressed about our cruise than I thought because your beautiful pictures almost brought me to tears.  We are booked into this hotel for next February also in a balcony marina view room.   The room looks lovely and I'm so glad I booked it for 2 nights instead of the usual 1.

 

Thanks for posting. 

You might want to call Hilton to confirm that "marina view" is this view.  I think that "Marina view" is in the smaller 2 story villa buildings, not the tower where I stayed, but I'm not positive.  I think the technical term for the room I had is "tower water view".  However, I did hear that the villa rooms were also part of the recent renovation.  

I'm happy you enjoyed the photos.  It's so disappointing regarding the whole situation and I really hope that they can get up and running soon.  I, like many others, have resorted to reading cruise reviews that were posted years ago just to feel those cruise vibes again.  I hope your Hilton stay is fantastic and that you'll have happy sailings next year 😊

Everyone is in different situations regarding money to spend.  $1400 to one person might be pocket change, but for another it could pay their mortgage for 6 months.  For me, the best value is what works the best and makes the most sense for me at the time of booking. Perhaps a large home repair or car repair bill, or home expenses in the next 2 years (replacing appliances, etc.) might make me choose differently than a time when I'd feel more comfortable springing for a balcony.  

I often go solo, and although I like a balcony, it's not always the best value for the money spent vs. the time I'll actually use it.  I much prefer to be out on the upper decks on Serenity.  

However, depending on how cruises may change (ex. masks on outside public decks), I would determine it would be a better value to spend more on my own balcony to avoid the masks.  Also, there are times when I value treating myself over dollars spent, so it's all dependent on the situation. 

Personally, $1400 for an inside isn't something I'd spend money for, (remember I go solo so I'm paying the $1400 all myself) but I would (and have) spent $2000 on an 8 day balcony.  Most often I choose an inside on deck 7 or 8, because I don't spend much time in the room anyway.

1 hour ago, JohninDC said:

Thanks!  We usually stay at the ES but will likely try the Marina on our next trip. 😎

You'll enjoy it.  They do have an Asian restaurant called Nankin (sp?), not sure if that was open, and they also have the Waterway Restaurant, but that was closed.  By the way, nice quote....I am a bagpiper and it's funny that I often compare learning to play the pipes is like golf...a good walk spoiled, LOL!!.  Thanks for the laugh 🤣

30 minutes ago, rkacruiser said:

 

The Nieuw Statendam; the Rotterdam has been sold to Fred. Olsen Cruise Line.

 

Great report and I appreciate so very much you posting it!

Thanks for clearing that up, I saw that name too but didn't try to even to decipher it...it was a nice looking ship

Hi everyone!

Since we're all SO desperate 🤪 for a review, I'm going to give a little input on my stay at Hilton Marina this past weekend.  Photos are attached!  We've had a snowy winter here in NJ, I feel like every week or so we're putting gas in the snowblower for big storms, and shoveling and cleaning the car off of at least a few inches of snow.  One Monday a few weeks ago I slipped down icy steps and thankfully wasn't badly injured, but as I was mid-flight I made sure to listen for cracks, pops, or bones breaking.  Thankfully there was none but I did twist an ankle.  Once I stood up and realized I was intact I had a mini-fit and walked into my office and immediately went on Hotwire and booked a hotel to Florida.  True story!😆

I knew I wanted to stay at the Marina because that's where I was supposed to stay for my December 2020 cruise.  Hotwire had a deal on their app for $99 a night, and I jumped on it, keeping my fingers crossed for an upgrade offer to a balcony room once I arrived.  I have a big credit from United so I figured I might as well use some of it because I bought mine and Mom's airfare on it prior to the cruise being cancelled.  The flight was cheap for EWR to Florida, at $137.  

On Thursday the 4th I worked until 2:30, then got in the car for the 20 minute drive to the off airport place that I park, Newark Airport Long Term Parking.  If anyone flying out of EWR needs a good place to park, I highly recommend them and have been using them for many years.  They recently moved to a new location, now they are on Frelinghuysen Avenue, which is the Peddie Street exit off of Rt. 78 East.  

There was a shuttle waiting right near where I parked so I jumped on that and was on my way to EWR, where I arrived in about 5-7 minutes.  Since I was only going for a few days I only packed a carryon so I went right to security since I had checked in on the United app the day before and got my boarding pass.  The security lines were shockingly short.  It's so strange to see EWR so quiet, but I was not complaining.  I was through security in a matter of a few minutes and hung out at the gate for about 40 minutes until they called us to board. It was a gusty outside so my friend Lorazampam was called on to do the trick, because high winds really do a number on my nerves ever since a I landed in very heavy winds many years ago.  My friend worked well, and I didn't think it was too bad to be honest...the pilot said the winds would dissipate very quickly after takeoff, and he was right.  It was smooth sailing from there on out.  We took off on time and landed at FLL around 7:30.  I got an Uber and waited about 15 minutes for him and then took the short ride to the hotel.  The ride was $14.03 plus tip.

As soon as I walked up to the front door to head inside at Hilton a van full of spring breakers jumped out of their van and got inside ahead of me.  It's been a couple decades since I was in college, but I was praying for a quiet room and peaceful sleep.  Once the kids got checked in I was next.  I made sure I was my usual friendly self (you get more flies with honey......) and let the front desk know that I was NOT a spring breaker and my MO for the next few days was to enjoy the pool and read a good book.  She laughed and immediately asked if I would be interested in any upgrades if they had any available (SCORE!).  I immediately said yes, and she offered me a balcony in the tower on the 7th floor for an extra $30 a night, and also scanned my Hilton Honors membership too.

I was in room 703, was right over the yachts parked next to the G-Bar and had a great view.  The room was recently renovated, had a nice roomy walk in shower, barn doors for the bathroom, the bed was super comfy, and the TV was great.  As far as the rest of the weekend went, it was very low key and absolutely nothing exciting, as I just wanted to hang out at the pool and read, maybe listen to tunes, while getting some warm sunshine.    

The hotel was requiring masks in the common areas inside (lobby, hallways), and every room had a sealed sticker that shows that no one entered the room once it was cleaned because the seal wasn't broken.  They said they disinfected the remotes, all commonly touched things like light switches, etc.  I have been bringing Lysol wipes with me on vacations for probably 15 years, so I can wipe down my accommodations on my own, and I did the same this time. 

On Friday morning I woke up and headed up to Einstein bagels for breakfast. It was busy. They definitely didn't have enough staff and I probably waited about 15 minutes after ordering for my bagel with egg and cheese.  I decided I would go elsewhere on Saturday morning. I walked back to the Hilton (maybe 10 minute walk) and got ready to head to the pool.  I loaded up my tote and made my way down, by now it was about 9:45.  The pool area was busy, there were not a lot of loungers to choose from but I did get one at the far end of the pool and stayed out there allllll daaaaaay until about 4:15.  The weather was warm, the pool area was jumpin', the G-Bar was open and I got a burger and a few cocktails throughout the day.  Since I had my burger later in the afternoon I wasn't even hungry for dinner but that evening.  I wandered around the shopping areas up 17th St. and relaxed on the balcony.  

Saturday turned out to be much better than they predicted, and I was out at the pool again at 9:15.  (When I was wandering around the evening before I grabbed some breakfast bars from the Dollar Tree and those held me over until lunch).  It was quieter overall, but still busy, and I stayed out until about 3:00 that day.  Rain was coming, and I wanted to enjoy more time on that balcony before thunderstorms arrived.  I walked around the walkway which is right on the Intracoastal, the rooms there get a nice breeze.  There was a cruise ship in Port at the dock closest to the hotel, the Rotterdam.  There was also another one much further down, I think it was a Princess ship but not sure. Was a sight for sore eyes!!   The rain came maybe around 3:30/4:00 and I ordered a pizza from Doughboys and got it about 4:45. The driver called me when he was 5 minutes away so I could meet him downstairs. Pizza was pretty good, but I will try another place in the area next time....hey, I'm from Jersey, it's in my blood to be extremely picky about my pizza.  🙃  I watched TV and pre-ordered my Uber for my ride back to the airport in the morning.  

I awoke at 5:30am, ugh...no... I want more Florida warm sunshine!  I was showered, and downstairs by about 6:25, checked out and my Uber was there shortly thereafter.  My ride was $8.98 plus tip.  I got through security at FLL just as easy as EWR, and my flight took off on time and we arrived about a half hour early.  

Overall impression:  I'll start with the flight.  United was very clean and they had a crew coming in after each flight to disinfect tray tables, etc.  I saw them waiting to get on board after we landed, so I know that they do exist.  The flight was full, which I was very happy to see that people are traveling again and the full flight didn't bother me in the least.  Hotel:  Loved it, will 100% stay there again.  The pool area was great.  Location was great as it's an easy walk up to the stores, restaurants, etc.  Staff was friendly and helpful, room was clean, a few spring breakers here or there but they were all well behaved for the most part.  G-Bar (poolside bar) food and drinks were good..I had the burger one day and got a big salad for lunch the following day...they did have staff roaming the pool deck on Saturday taking drink and food orders that they would deliver to you.  The little coffee shop/mini mart place in the lobby was busy on the few times I passed by.  They had a coffee menu, and grab and go items like drinks and yogurts, snacks, etc. They did not have housekeeping service unless you requested it.  I don't make a mess so it didn't bother me, and on Friday night I took my little trash I did have and dumped it in the trashcan in the lobby.  I'm looking forward to my next stay there, whenever that will be I don't know, but I enjoyed the tropical vibe out at the pool and location of this hotel.

I notice that whenever I log in to the Carnival website I will get an email shortly thereafter.