rjrpar

What is the infatuation with cruise ship wages/tip allocation? Just pay the suggested and enjoy your cruise

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Rented from hertz. They have a place close to the dock area. Cost about $100 for the day. Will post more important issues after our trip.

Thanks, sounds like a good idea for cost and flexibility, but we are a little concerned about driving on our own. Would appreciate your feedback upon return.

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We rented a Jeep for next week, will we be able to drive around the island/ French side.

We are in St. Martin next month and would like to tour the island, particularly the French side. Can you provide any details on your Jeep rental. We would prefer to take a taxi to visit several beaches but I’m not sure that is feasible in St. M. Thanks in advance

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Parking in Baltimore is very easy, just used it this past week

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Agree with personal responsibility. Unfortunately too many people in this country(and probably other countries) do not think this way.

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First, let me say this is written from the view of someone that has been sailing Carnival since the 90’s. So, I may have seen things others haven’t noticed. That being said, ANY time on a cruise is better than sitting behind my desk at work!

 

 

 

The Ship: Pride is starting to show some wear and tear for sure. Someone on board mentioned she’s due into dry dock soon. She could use it in spots. Overall, cleaner and in better shape 5han we saw her in Oct of 16. But, we noticed there are fewer staff to keep things shiny and new looking. For example, when we first started sailing, the balcony glass was always clean. This week, they cleaned it once in port. But, the room was always clean and Nolito took great care of us.

 

The Entertainment: more cutbacks over the years have seen the dance team cut down to 7 people total. It used to be 7 of each (man and woman). The shows were still good. One of the dancers seemed to over exaggerate the moves and one was very natural. The singers were good (save one male singer that strained every song).

 

There was a very good band in Red Frog Pub. Beasts of the East. We enjoyed a cold frosty in there each evening.

 

There was also a string trio that performed in the Atrium bar. Very good and quite beautiful. During one trivia session, the question was about Roy Orbison’s Pretty Woman. As the song was played, the trio came walking by in their formals...timing is everything!

 

Food: This is where I really have to mark them down. David’s Steak House as always was very good. But, that’s what the main dining room used to be like. Carnival’s choice to go to the American Table menu was not a good one IMHO. The selections were not very wide and I was surprised to see so few fish selections. The one night I chose Swordfish, it came from the grill, was about a 1/4 inch thick and was over cooked and dry. The Prime rib looked more like a slice of roast beef. The wait staff has been reduced so wait times were much longer. The wait staff always does a great job, they are just spread too thin.

 

 

 

Like I said, we enjoyed the cruise overall and will return. But, I feel like Carnival has gone from Marriott to Holiday Inn Express. It’s many little things that long time cruisers notice and tend to stack up...table clothes only on formal night. Dress codes that are rarely enforced(I know that’s an ongoing argument). The little basket of toiletries you used to get. General cleanliness of public areas (I saw a pile of French fries on the floor that weren’t cleaned up for over an hour.). BUT, rest assured, those photographers are still in your face at dinner time!

 

 

 

Anyway, just my thoughts. I’m sure there will be others that agree or disagree. It’s what keeps things interesting.

We were on this same cruise and the review is very accurate. The Pride really needs a complete makeover, things are both worn and dirty. Great comedians

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Wow. A lot of hateful and judgmental comments here. Does anyone here even know anyone that is Jamaican?? I know many Jamaicans quit well. I’ve had several stay in my home. We spend our summers on Mackinac Island at the same Resort for the last 20 years. The majority of the employees are from Jamaica. They spend the summer here working. Many have become part of our family. I have never met such beautiful, caring, unselfish, loving people in all my life. And yes, we know them quite well. My children were attached to them and would cry when we left the island. Our son had his wedding on the island and they were all there. My daughter was badly injured one night and we had our son take her bike back to the Resort while she was getting stitches in her forehead. He told a Jamaican friend what had happened. Several hours later after midnight we came back and there they all were waiting to make sure she was ok. They had all brought gifts to her. She got an oversized Jamaica t-shirt, a Jamaican flag, a stuffed animal..... and oh how they doted on her.

I’m disgusted that people on here call them ugly. If we have tourists in the USA do we warn them not to go to the South side of Chicago?? Or downtown Detroit? Seriously! Our country has crime too! But to make a general statement about all Jamaican people saying they are ugly is completely judgmental and hateful. Those who make these generalized statements are truly the ugly ones. My Jamaican family is far far better then many people on here.

STOP THE HATE!!

 

 

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No one is saying that the majority of Jamaican people are bad but let’s look at the facts; the murder rate in Jamaica is one of the highest in the world and drug usage is rampant on the island. As they say, you are entitled to your opinions but not to your own facts.

By the way, if I had visitors I would strongly advise them not to go to the south side of Chicago, why? Because of the facts

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Hard to believe that Carnival has more market share than RCCL. 22% sounds high to me

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Try RCCL or cruise when most kids are in school. I agree with you and we travel on multiple cruise lines but never when schools are closed. It’s no big deal with 50 kids onboard but with a 1000 is can be annoying

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What's with the infatuation with cruise line workers' compensation?

Is Picture#6 Orient Beach?

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From the dozens of videos I've seen and conversations with friends who have sailed, this is something that they all reference. In part, different price ranges attract different clientele.

 

_______________________

Carnival Paradise - August 2015 - 5 nights

Carnival Splendor - August 2016 - 6 nights

Carnival Magic - August 2017 - 8 nights

Royal Caribbean Harmony of the Seas - August 2018 - 7 nights (booked)

Royal Caribbean Anthem of the Seas - August 2019 - 9 nights (booked)

We are loyal Royal cruisers but have been on 4 Carnival cruises. The clientele on both lines is very similar. Some on this board may not agree, guess it makes them feel better. Also, if you shop carefully, the price between the two lines is not that much different; surely not enough to attract a different clientele.

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Taxis were plentiful after you leave the pier. Water taxi to downtown was also a short walking distance. We walked into town, but I think it would be difficult for someone with mobility issues.

 

 

 

Regards,

 

Mike

Ate those taxis available to hire for a few hours to tour the island. I only remember the taxi stand where vans are available to go to certain beaches or into Phillipsburg. We will be in St. Maarten in March and would like to see the progress in the rebuilding, particularly on the French side

Thanks in advance for any info

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All day shared taxi van service from inside cruise port to the many tourist areas including Orient Beach... and available taxi vans to take back to cruise port for trip back ....

 

Can a recent cruise visitor confirm that this service is back? Thank you.

Good question. Also, we are interested in a “public” taxi to take the 4 of us on a tour of Orient, Grand Case, Marigot, etc., ending in Phillipsburg. Would expect about a 3 hour tour. Any advice?

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And while we’re at it, at the company Christmas party somebody should ask the Boss how much the janitor makes and why.

 

In both cases, I’d hope the response would be the same: None of your business.

 

 

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Amen, this discussion on tip allocation is absurd.

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yes i agree i will be getting maybe 18.00 dollars a day maybe so let the good times roll:);p(n)(n)

Agree, the tax cut is more than the media is reporting. For me it’s about $3200-3500/yr. An extra cruise!

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Some people complain about the LITTLE stuff....... I guess when you don't work you worry about everything!!

 

Why asks the same question when Carnival have FAQ.....

What is wrong with you? Btw, you seem to be the one worrying about the little stuff

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Hi,

 

My wife and I will be sailing on the Carnival Splendor in March 2018. Anyone know what shows they will have, comedians (anyone famous)?

 

prince34

Sure, and Gordon Ramsey will be doing the cooking in the MDR. You always get what you pay for!

With our cruise in May we decided to come in a couple days early driving from Michigan. We're staying a night at the Hampton Inn in Daytona shore and a night in Sonesta Inn in Fort Lauderdale. Does any one have good recommendations on good restaurants to eat in both cities. 169 Days can't come fast enough.

 

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The Rustic Inn - Ft.L

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Probably been said earlier, tipping is optional. Why is this so hard to understand

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We have done 4 February cruises from NJ and the time on the balcony was never limited as you suggested. Do the math on how far the ship travels by the 2nd morning

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Why would you want a shifty company like Uber that hires terrorists like Sayfullo Saipov?

If your driver hasn't passed a proper police & background check, please don't get in the vehicle.

You must be a cab driver

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I thought it was bad enough that Chops was $49 on our February Oasis cruise. Plus 18%? No way

And food quality has dropped like a rock in the last 5 years.

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I’m not sure which sailing it is but you don’t need a passport number for closed-loop sailings, bec you can sail without a passport on those. But I do agree that it’s not right to charge you more than double the fare.

 

Another reason to book a second person is so that you can actually bring someone if your plans change and you want to actually travel with someone else. You can’t always do that when you booked as a single, even though you paid for ‘two’.

Good info, thanks

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Thanks. I will check it out. I'm not so concerned about preexisting conditions as I am with booking the cruise to secure the rooms that I want. It's a late summer cruise and 12th deck balconies go quick.

 

 

 

Id definitely secure insurance prior to final payment but until then, I just don't see the need. Anyone else feel this way?

We always buy it at final payment. Until then you can cancel for free. Insurance costs are never refundable

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