You Me & the Sea

Spend some time doing nothing at all except watching the sea go by. Either from your balcony if you have one or from a quiet area on a deck somewhere. Of all the things you can do aboard a ship, this is one of the very few things you truly can not do anywhere else.

^^^^

this! Love my balcony. Often fall asleep watching the ocean and listening to nature.

I see what you mean. The only issue that I can see is that on the first night many don't stay up late because it has been a long day getting to the ship.

With one exception (cruising out of San Juan) we've driven to our ports, but we still always drive down the day before so we're not exhausted on day one. Nothing like starting your cruise/vacation energized. But then we're both retired so we have that luxury...I understand many can't do so.

We just had this very issue when we needed to change our cruise plans. We were told that all of the money paid would be a future cruise credit. And that was well over $2000!!

Nothing more NEEDED but I'd also take school ID if he has one. If not, wouldn't worry.

Not stupid at all. I don't usually packing until about 2 weeks out, but I do start mentally going over what I need and do any cruise shopping about 4 to 6 weeks out.

As many upthread have said, its not worth it. The soda is warm, often flat and you don't get a full can. Much cheaper to buy 12 pack(s) and carry on. With the way we drink soda and me being an Orange Crush lover, I plan to carry on five 12 packs...even the 2 year old will have one under his name (even though he's not allowed to drink soda LOL).

Can't beat that! My daughter is hoping for some type of upgrade for our Aug sailing.

Congrats and happy cruising!

From their website:

"Early Saver fare is backed by a unique price protection policy (only available to bookings made in USD currency) that allows you to adjust your cruise fare to the best available fare for a like category stateroom (no downgrades allowed) advertised by Carnival and available to the general public. Price protection will be subject to the prevailing Taxes, Fees and Port Expenses and/or fuel supplement if applicable. Carnival will honor your request for price protection if the reduction on the total amount paid for your booking results only from a lower cruise fare and not from the booked ancillary services, such as air, transfers, pre-paid gratuities, or Taxes, Fees and Port Expenses. Early Saver price protection does not apply to group rates, membership programs, charters, select promotional fares, travel agent rebates, or other travel agent promotions not offered by Carnival to the general public."

I definitely would with a 9 month old. Otherwise, no. We've always had suites and never felt the need.

Take the 2ish flight!

Deleted!

It's not just elevators....and it's not just disabled......it's anything that holds up others....have you ever been on the interstate when a lane is closed? How many folks stay in the "closed lane" until the last second to attempt to get into the flowing traffic....they create the bottleneck they are trying to avoid.....I think it's simply inconsideration.

That's actually the CORRECT way to merge. Most if not all DOT agencies will tell you this.

https://www.azdot.gov/media/blog/posts/2017/04/20/zipper-merge-in-the-right-situations-two-lanes-can-be-better-than-one

Stay in port, go to the gigantic pool kids area. When you get hungry, get back on ship to eat.

Cost = zero.

I often see people reply to stay in port when cruisers are traveling with children. Curious as to why? When we first started cruising we took our youngest and we NEVER stayed in port. She got to experience the islands, the culture, the food, etc. right along with us. This August will be our first cruise with our 2 year old grandson and and as we did with ours, he's coming along on our adventures too.

Edited to add: We're going to Amber Cove too and one of our "excursions" is to go to the orphanage and take much needed items. We always go off on our own and never do ships excursions, but each person's comfort level with that will be different. As is each child's interest, attention span and behavior. We're prior military so ours were well traveled from birth and learned to adjust to varying environments at early ages. Enjoy your cruise whatever you decide!

Wow! Not very appealing. Glad we have non-water based excursions planned.

Yes, as long as the porters are out and accepting luggage you can.

My deepest condolences. I lost my mom suddenly 3 months after I took her on her very first cruise. She loved it soooo much and was extremely excited about the next one we were planning. Definitely made me realize that life is indeed too short to put things off that we want to do.

I've never been to Amber Cove, but love GT. It's small, safe and the people are friendly.

Isn't it ... the mom & child booked (in name only) in 1 cabin and mom's boyfriend & nephew (in name only) in 2nd cabin.

 

Once on board ... mom & nephew in 1 cabin & mom & boyfriend in 2nd cabin. Makes more sense to me.

That's the way I read it too...

Is there a father named on the birth certificate? If not, then IMO that's the way to go. Without a 2nd parent named she bypasses the rule requiring a travel authorization letter from the non-traveling parent.

We're not quite there yet...another 48 days before we hit double digits. Enjoy your cruise!

What a wonderful expression of love!! Congratulations on your anniversary. We're coming up on our 27th in May.

No our section was held in the showtime theater, on deck 5 maybe...the upper section of the theater. In fact there were people who got there late who had to stand on the side. Everyone else had a seat but it was packed...and we had to wait a while because there were quite a few people missing so they kept calling their names to come to the drill. The people behind us had children about 6-10 years old who kept bumping my husband in the back of the head....and unfortunately their parents never said anything to them to stop...so it was annoying.

Thanks for clarifying!

When is your cruise and what do you consider budget friendly?

Following

SO much has changed...some good, some not so good. Still love cruising though! Thanks for a look back! Wonderful video.