ballarinamom

There was a time a long time ago when that was the case. Our daughter is emerald and close to platinum on RCl because of us. I also think when people stay in your cabin, they get some of the benefits like the cocktail party, dinner and priority debarkation when available. Things change I know but she is still emerald

So they will call multiple boarding groups at a time? We are group A-03. We've not cruised since Covid and when we last cruised we were given our boarding group when we got to the dock not during the early check in like now.

We loaded our info into Verifly and It told us when the earliest we could test. For us, since we are boostered, we can test as early as 7:00pm Wednesday night for a Sunday sail away

Galveston is one of the best ports to leave from specifically because there is so much to do right off the ship. Fisherman’s wharf is our favorite and it’s right at one of the parking lots just a couple hundred yards if that from the ship. The shrimp kisses are amazing and there’s a nice little patio to watch for dolphins

I totally agree. Lifelong Texan as well. Dallas to me is not Texas. Ft Worth Stockyards? Absolutely! Dallas proper? not so much. Austin is the capital and of course the University of Texas and Franklin’s BBQ? Sixth street for Texas Blues. Then stop at Gruene on yours way to san Antonio or vice versa. The oldest dance hall in texas is Gruene Hall. Charming little area and the Gristmill restaurant is amazing right in the river. Stop at Bucees- the largest convenient store in Texas is right at the exit. And then San Antonio with the Alamo, the Riverwalk, the Pearl…. that area is Texas for sure

Are you saying you want walking distance to the ship? Or walkable to store sand the beach with plans to take a taxi/uber to the port. They are on different sides of the island. If you want to walk to the ship, Then definitely don’t stay near the Seawall as it’s not walking distance. There are restaurants and Walgreens/cvs type places right on the Strand. The Strand is the historical district with great shops, restaurants and bars. You can walk to the port to see water, dolphins and boats. There’s a few hotels nearby. The closest would be the Harbor House. The port camera is attached to this hotel is you want an idea of how close it is. There’s also the Tremont Hotel which is still walkable but a few blocks away from the port. If you wan to stay on the beach side, that’s the seawall. Lots of hotels with convenient stores sprinkled around. But you would have to take a car to the ship and restaurants within walking distance can be hit or miss depends on where you book

Thats why I asked about using it on a cruise. We saved so much time using it internationally. Its really not that hard to set up.

we are looking forward to that as well. Our first cruise was over 30 years ago and it took over an Hour.In the heat, crammed like sardines and watching the shoreline go by since it was right at sail away LOL

LOL! I would usually do that too. But they will also be flying in internationally from study abroad finals. They havent seen each other in months and I anticipate all night chat fest. So with Jet lag, time change, wanting to see NOLA...its the perfect storm and as I said, I pick my battles. We only have them for the week before they go back to college so we want peace...LOL

Thank you!

That's my thought. Especially when they are in front of me trying to find all their paperwork and realize they left something at home. That's always my luck

Thanks. I know its not required. Just wanting to make checkin easier. In some international airports you can skip the vaccination lines if you have it. It saved us a ton of time on our last vacation.

Great News! After years of waiting in lines it just seemed to good to be true... and too easy! LOL

Its been a bit since we've been on Carnival. My parents go twice a month LOL! My dad was telling us the go into the app and request a table for lunch and they receive notification when their table is ready. Anyone have experience with this? It just seems too easy LOL

Trying to decide if we want to upload everything. It was extremely helpful when flying back to the US out of Cabo recently when exit tests were required. But for cruising. I've read that they still look at the paperwork. Trying to avoid redundancies to make the boarding process less stressful. Leaving out of NOLA if that adds anything to the conversation. THANKS!

This is our second trip out of NOLA and its definitely one of our favorites! Adding on a few days before and an early brunch at the Court of Two Sisters after debarkation is the best way to start and finish a cruise!

I get it. Its our 16th cruise. Just now we are dealing two girls who want to start working on their tans ASAP and its a whole other animal. Especially when they will be out late the night before, will want to sleep in but then look their best for pictures- its best to pick my battles. It was easier when they were younger and would just throw on a hat.....

We'll be right at Bourbon and canal and Cafe Beignet near by. The French Market is a bit too far to get there and back to the hotel for luggage. Plus TWO girls will want to be "camera ready" when they get on the ship LOL Making them go somewhere early to eat isnt going to happen. we're doing the 11:00pm cemetery tour and I'm sure some of Bourbon St after. It will be a late night/ early morning. But I think my original plan of grabbing beignets and coffee will work if they can get on before 11:30 for real food. Otherwise the Hangry girls will come out! LOL

I saw that Whatsapp is supported by even the smallest internet package. Our daughter has been in Ireland all summer and we've been pleasantly surprised and how well it works. She'll be on our cruise next week and happy to be able to use it. We have tmobile as well. If you are on the magenta plan you should at least have roaming included

Actually Im loving the story! After as many cruises as we've been on we've never seen an arrest! LOL! I think our girls can last until 11:30 for food. Its just easier to let them sleep in than try to make them get up to eat! Thanks!

We did this in the past. Two weeks before we were to leave, one in our party backed out. A friend paid $200 to transfer the reservation. If the person who backed out didnt have insurance they would be loosing the money anyway. Or if you are with a group and there is a 21 year + in that group can "add" them to your room at check in

We've cruised out of Galveston a bunch and my parents, who are here with me right now, go out about twice a month and I have only seen it once in Miami! lol

WOW!

Thanks so much for the insight! Any time you can leave out of NOLA its a good thing- looking forward to it!

We pulled a letter online that the parents of our daughter's friend signed. We didnt have it notarized but it didnt require it. Maybe you can send her one to print, sign and send a picture back just to be on the safe side