caribbean dreams

Very frustrating- have no desire to spend day in the heat-- would have loved to just spend the day in the islands-- we are looking into a private boat to at least go snorkeling -- but would only do this if we could get 4 others--we will be there last day of the year 12/31- from Princess Coral....

If this doesn't work out, then we will just go to petting zoo? by the port.

 

The private Rosario Islands tours are 2 hours too long, for the hours that Princess will be in port.

It's not a petting zoo, there are a few birds in cages, bunnies, monkeys in the trees, flamingos are in a fenced area, Peacocks are roaming around but they really won't let you touch them. Occasionally a parrot will fly down to your table. Just don't want you to thnk its a petting zoo (like we have here in the states) then get dissapointed. Hope you have a great trip Cartagena is a beautiful city.

We just walked to the backside of the zoo area and found a guide, there will be many waiting, we payed $20pp for the entire day and he took us wherever we wanted to go. We ended up stopping to see the fort, shopping, toured old town square, a few churches, drug him to have lunch with us, he even drove us to the store so we could get soda to bring back on the ship...lol made it back in time to relax out by the flamingos and have a few drinks.

I was just thinking of posting this question, as well. I'm not sure if our ship will have Columbian Pesos to sell us, and we'd rather not buy a bunch just for a taxi. Plus I've read somewhere that the taxis at the port would rather take you on a half day tour, than a point to point ride since they'd earn more the first way.

Just got back from Cartagena, we used American money everywhere...taxi, shopping, lunch in town, street vendors etc.... Ship does not have pesos for exchange, you will be fine with American money. Have a great time, it's a beautiful place!

We are planning to visit just the Gatun old and new locks 12/15 and would like to know if anyone has used Robtad's or My Friend Mario pretty recently.

 

Any other referrals to private guides also appreciated.

Last month 5 of us took one of Marios private tours, it was just a few dollars more then the group tour. We weren't sure exactly what we wanted to see or do....hands down it ended up to be the best tour we have ever taken in 20 cruises, from the canal to the old Army barracks, Captain Morgan's fort, to seeing sloths, monkeys and toucan, one of my friends wanted fresh pineapple and the next thing we knew, we were pulling up to the Rangers station with a platter waiting for us. For the small amount of time we had while our cruise ship was in port, we felt we had plenty of time at each stop with no rush. The tour guide was great and so was the driver...I can't even say enough great things about Them.....we had a truly AMAZING day!!

We just picked up 3 singles out of Long Beach for $184pp, it was cheaper to book seperately then 3 in one cabin so now we all have our own cabins..all in a row:)

That would depend on if you booked early saver, either way there will be a fee.

One thing I wonder is if you get off your ship, find an independent tour to Pasion, how would they know you are on a Carnival ship ? What if you said I just flew in. I really do not think they would question you, and would be happy to take your money. When we are in Cozumel in Oct I am going to check this out and ask a tour operator straight out.

Because they are picking you up at the cruise port maybe?:D;);)

I don't think they will let you book independent anymore when Carnival is docked. I talked to Leo who works for the tour company and told me that no outside vendors were allowed in anymore when Carnival is in town . At least that's what he told me as we had booked a jeep tour there with him the first time we went and i said something like can we do the jeeps And he said no not anymore

 

 

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I was just in Cozumel 2 months ago and there was plenty of excursion venders outside the pier area.

There's been a lot of cheers threads, I've even made one, I figured if we could get all the FAQ in one place, we could help keep questions from being answered all day every day over and over. I've pulled these questions from existing threads from users, including myself. Answers confirmed by Carnival before posting (as of 2/18/2012). If I missed anything, please PM me, or ask, and I have no problem calling carnival to find out their answer and adding it to the list.

 

FAQ:

 

QUESTION: How much will I pay for Cheers?

A: You will pay $49.40USD For EVERY person in your cabin who is over 21 years old, EACH night you are on a cruise.

This means even if your cabin mate doesn't drink, you will still pay for them to be on the cheers program. Keep in mind that you do NOT pay for Disembarkment day, and you can sign up on the second day on board, paying for only that day through the last day, but you will be charged for each drink you order before you signed up separately.

 

EXAMPLE #1: You and your wife are cruising on the Freedom, on a 6 night cruise, and sign up for Cheers on the first day. You will pay $592.80 for the program. ($494 if you sign up on the second day)

EXAMPLE #2: You sail with your 19 year old daughter on a 6 night cruise, and sign up you pay $296.40. ($247.00 if you sign up on the second day)

 

am.

Good information but the prices have changed on most ships, may want to up date. Also, the program can not be used on private islands anymore.

UPDATE May 19, 2013: The “Cheers” Bar program pricing was changed on some ships. There are also some changes in the Carnival’s policy – the “Cheers” package can not be used at private islands anymore (Half Moon Cay or CocoCay/Little Stirrup Cay). The new Carnival Cheers program price is US$49,95 plus 15% gratuity, which is $57,45 per person per day, or US$402 for a 7-day cruise.

UPDATE June 2013 – only Carnival Legend and Carnival Sunshine have the original prices.

Wait since when??

Looks like I'm not doing this program anymore

 

 

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I just looked at my last cruises bar bill, between 2 of us it was $531.10 and we drank quite a bit, plus we bought a bottle for the cabin $65.00 ...still cheaper if this is the new price.

Well trained staff do not need a card to tell them when to cut people off.

 

:p:rolleyes:

They were not trained in cutting people off period...card or not.

It became a game to see who could use up their drink allowance the fastest and the bartenders were encouraging it.

I am trying to confirm, bit the rumor was you will be refunded the remainder of the program, and have to buy at full price for the rest of the cruise.

From what was going on during my last cruise...no one was getting cut off, even then ones puking all over the pool deck, even the ones canon balling into the pool on top of children, even the ones with the titty bong, insisting everyone use it with them, even the ones doing the striptease during the hair chest contest (apparently they miss understood what hair was being judged):eek:...lol

I saw many people sharing a card because by 10am they had already had their daily limit. Granted, the program was very new and had just opened up for this ship...hopefully they have a handle on it now because it was reminding me of why carnival used to have such a bad reputation.

Don't get me wrong, if you are a responsible drinker, it is actually a good program but the staff really needed to be a bit more trained for the events that took place.

Somehow the cut n paste went crazy, so I'll just call me and DH

532 & 533 Caribbean dreams-- California

WOW! thats a long list, thanks for posting:)

Sooo What happens in the Whale Tale stays in the Whale Tale;):D

Unless it some how gets on YouTube, then the names are changed to protect our identity:D

I booked a cruise yesterday and I saw a new one...restricted offer...I have no idea what it was so I clicked details and it said qualifying employees of companies...you would think they would have a list of those companies somewhere. If anyone know the companies, we should add them to this list.

Until you actually become a member and have your own little unofficial title, we can not tell you what goes on here in the whale tale ;)

thank for the info

 

i am not a dessert person so no prob for me

:):)

Me either, but i did want a snack around 10pm and couldn't find any...:eek:

 

 

is there a late night buffet with desserts etc on victory?

 

no sure is they still do a have not seen anything about it lately

was on Victory in March and they did not have the late night dessert buffet, as a matter of fact...after the dinner buffet was over, not much at all was available to eat unless you ordered room service....after a few nights, eating pizza was getting old.

I carried 2 bottles of booze in a brown paper bag onto the ship....no one said a word to me & that was just after they anounced how strict they were in San Juan, of course the difference could have been that i was VIP, ws the very first person on the ship & escorted onto the ship by a Carnival rep. because they ran out of Platinum S&S cards at the counter and had to get me onto the ship to have one made for me.

Just off Victory, we docked on the Starboard side every island except Dominica.

different wind directions & other ships in port play a big factor.

either way, you will see the islands coming or going.

We'll have to do the "high five"...I'm super excited. It's my first cruise and I'm coming back from a deployment in Central Asia. Very muched needed vacation...

WOW! first cruise......your starting out right with a Southern Caribbean cruise.

I have been on many cruises and this is my very favorite.....prepare to be hooked on cruising after this one!!:)

We are also sailing on 14 March...see you on board!

We'll be passing each othr at the pier, i'll be getting off as you get on!

Have a great trip:)

I am booked for March 7th - looking for info on a reasonably priced, clean hotel in old san juan...any ideas? tx!

A few of us are staying at Hotel Milano right in the heart of of San Juan, we have stayed here a few times before & walk to the ship, for 2 people it was $97 a night, when we booked.

all of us that are staying at Milano are on the same cruise date as you, noticed you hadn't been to our roll call in a while...come by & say Hi.

We are booked and are working on flights right now. What would be the earliest return flight you would attempt? My friend just emailed and was looking at a 10:05 am, I don't think that is feasible the next one that is an ok price is 1:45pm.

 

We haven't done San Juan in a few years b/c of the airport and I think she has forgotten this fact.

 

Thoughts?

Hi Vicki, we are also booked on the same cruise, you should come loin our roll call, if you haven't already...anyway i was looking at that same early flight, I have done Southern a few times and am seriously looking at that departure time but i keep thinking about the "what Ifs" I'll probably go with the 1:45, i just hate that long wait at SJU.

We are flying in 3 days early so i don't need to hang out anywhere waiting for my flight.

I called Carnival and was told i could make the 10:05 flight if i self disembarked......but as i have learned in the past...What do the people at the other end of the phone actually know!

Maybe i'll see ya on the plane...LOL!

 

We are on Feb 7, 2010? I know you have the exact count, but my brain doesnt do those calculations all I know is 197 days til my big vacation starts

 

Atleast your in the 100's, i'm still over 200 days out......Ok, i will admit, i am going to take a cruise or 2 before this Victory cruise gets here but I don't consider them vacations, just short getaways to me.....my next "real" vacation is Victory.

You will have a great time, Southern Caribbean is sooo addicting!!!