KAWS

Hi Drake,

Good afternoon (see I'm learning!). Thanks so much for this thread. It's been very helpful for me, since this will be our first time to St. Croix.

Trying to figure out what to do with our day in February. I always need to do much research because I cannot walk long distances, and uneven ground can do me in within minutes. This will be our first port, so I need to spend my energy wisely.

After reading this thread, there are a couple of things that pique my interest. Some places mentioned are Sandcastle Beach, Rhythms at Rainbow Beach and Freedom City Beach Bar. I'm thinking it's a taxi to the first and/or second or walk to the latter, but how far of a walk is it? Fifteen-twenty minutes for an able bodied soul is one thing, but for me it might be too much, so I wanted to check with you. We like the idea of a calmer, laid back atmosphere to chill out.

With that said, what we usually do when we come to a new port is a land tour. I haven't seen anything on this thread about that. Is this something that would be an interesting trip? Would the guide be taking us to out of the way places? We are very interested in the people and the culture (as opposed to history). Good food, a couple of drinks and meeting people are what interests us the most. Throw in a little authentic shopping and I'm in heaven.

Have I told you enough for you to make any suggestions for us? Thanks in advance.

Thank you! That's exactly the information I was looking for. And this is what we are going to do now. ::D This just sounds perfect for us. Thank you again!

I'd be interested in hearing more (anything) re taking a shuttle and spending the day in Altos de Chavon. We are sailing next month and still have nothing booked for any of our ports. Unheard of for me and I'm starting to panic.

Can anyone help with more info please? Is this a good way to spend the day in La Romana?

We are considering what sounds like a fab tour called East to West Island Tour with island-experiences. Very quick and friendly service and they seem quite willing to work with you re port times too. This tour is an all day for only $55 and if we can make the times work, we are going to go with them. Hope this helps.

I just talked to Carnival. The rep told me that when the set the port times, they set them according to the time that the debarkation port is. So in our case, that's Miami time. So we have a 2pm to 11:30pm port time but it translates to 3pm to 12:30am ISLAND time. Weird weird.

We don't usually book through the cruise line for excursions, but I'm thinking for this port, the best bet would be to find something that Carnival is offering for the evening as opposed to walking aimlessly around Aruba.

I asked the rep why they would have such strange port times. He said southern ports are further away plus our cruise put Grand Turk in as a first port (useless port IMO) then DR, so to get from DR to Aruba it takes a long time so that's why we wouldn't get in till 2pm ship time. Just never had a port time that was an evening one like this before.

Long story, but my point is that perhaps you're looking at the same thing as we are which is to book something the cruise line is offering for Aruba.

Deleted. I got my ports messed up. Sorry.

Do you get your dividends by way of a cheque (check)? Or does it go into your stock account? Because I haven't seen any dividends for years.

For those who follow the stock market and stock market options.

I have a cruise coming up in February.

What I am thinking about is selling an in the money put for December expiration. That way I buy a hundred shares of CCL stock at a small discount.

 

Apply for the $100 obc with December brokerage statement.

 

Collect the January and April Dividends.

 

Then sell an in the money call to get a small bonus on the sell price.

 

There is risk to my strategy, especially with CCL reporting earnings in Dec.

 

Thought I'd share, any thoughts?

WHAT dividends? I haven't seen any dividends for years. And that seems like an awful lot of work to get a 100 OBC. Just get yourself a good TA and you can get the same.

And if you booked this cruise through a TA, an open booking will automatically go to that TA unless you SPECIFY that you don't want it to. That way you can choose whatever TA you want. But if you like the TA that you have (and hopefully that's the case), then just let them hold your booking and then book it when you get home so that they can also give you whatever TA gift they are offering.

My TA answers me the way I ask. So if I call her, she gives me the price that way. If I email, then she emails me her quote. It's never an issue. She's amazing in so many ways. I'd get a new TA.

Just got notifcation that a GS price dropped from $1,654 to $1,269pp on our 5 day Liberty Cruise.

 

 

We live in Canada. We need to either drive, or fly to our ports. This is an extra cost for gas, hotels, flights, etc etc. We paid $579 for our X.. great price. But, I'm spending $1,400 in gas, meals, hotels to drive to our port and back home.

 

 

Opinions?

Ok here's my opinion. I'm from Canada too and have to pay the nasty prices to fly from Toronto to wherever the port is.

For a FIVE day cruise to spend $5K, TO ME, is ridiculous. The $1300 that you are going to pay for the upgrade more than covers another flight for another cruise. And I would not spend the $$ to fly from Toronto (maybe you're not though......you could be crossing the border for your flight, I don't know) but to me $5K for a five night trip is simply not worth it. With the ports included on your trip, you are not going to be getting your money's worth. If this was a 10 day trip then I'd say splurge. But an extra $650 pp for this trip is more than the total of your balcony room. And you got a D for that. I say stick with what you have and you're half way to another vacation next year.

Going on the Breeze on the 12/01/2013 sailing and I have 8 bar credit coupons left from a previous Carnival cruise. Can I use them on my upcoming cruise?

 

Also, noticed I can buy something called "Cruise Cash Bar" - what is that?

 

Thanks for help!

Good news. Looks like you'll be able to use those coupons.

Here is some info I found for you re the cruise cash bar:

From the latest Carnival Cruise Lines news/program updatesCCL replaces fleet-wide the old Bar drinks coupons program with a freshly new "Cruise Cash" on-board credit account system by which guests can pre-pay in cash for any bar and photo services while on board any of the Carnival ships. This means no more paper bar credit coupons, although the line promises to honor the already purchased coupons through Feb 2014. These changes are already in effect. By the new "Cruise Cash" program you'll be able to pay cash and your bar/photo credits will be applied directly to your Sail & Sign (ship board) account. Cruise Cash credits are not refundable when purchased through the Bon Voyage department (prior to sailing).

Wow this video was great. You guys had a blast. Makes me excited for next March! Such wonderful family memories. :D

it was a mixed bag on last wks sailing on Breeze. I would say about a quarter of the men had suits, quarter sports jacket, quarter tie, and other just polo. Very lax for elegant nights.

Good to know. In the past hubby has always worn his tux on formal nights. But it's been a while since we've been on Carnival. Perhaps it's a bit less formal now than it used to be. But we usually wind up in a specialty restaurant because we don't want to bring an extra suitcase with all the formal wear. With this info, perhaps we can just eat in the MDR on those nights as well and with a dress shirt and a tie, he will feel right at home and not underdressed.

I forget the answer to this one. Do you need to wait till after final payment to get your stock credited? it's been a while since we sailed Carnival and I forget.

Also, don't forget that this stock credit also works for Princess and Holland America. We went on Princess last year and I forgot to submit my stock certificate. :eek: Left $100 on the table that cruise. Not going to let that happen again.

Be nice if our TA threw this package in as a gift wouldn't it? :p The package for us is almost $600 per person. I mean I can drink, but........

I believe the stateroom number is 6305 on all the Freedom class ships.

Thank you Clarea.

How can you find out which one is the "sweet" cabin for each of the ships?

To me, a gift is a gift. Be gracious and say thank you. And if you don't care for it, then share it with someone else that you think might like it.

THANK YOU so much for this guide. You have answered so many of my questions. We have been discussing (and discussing) what alternative restaurants we would try and now after reading and seeing your guide, it makes our decisions so much easier.

I sincerely thank you for all the time it took you, and for the detail that you went into. It's appreciated by so many more people than you could ever know. :D

I am traveling with a group of 5 couples, we all booked through a TA and the only perk that was offered was the soft drink service for the lead person. She turned it down because she felt if we all weren't getting it she didn't think it was fair. We only booked with this TA because this person and her husband had used her before. I really do think we have a bad TA and would never recommend her to anyone. This is my first cruise on RCI and I have never used a TA before, always did it myself and have never received OBC, upgrade or any type of perk. lol:)

I think you could have had a more generous TA. We booked 5 cabins with our friends the year before last on Royal . We all used the same TA that I usually use. She gave each cabin $175 OBC and discounted our cruise too. They were all very happy with her.

This year when we booked our 2013 cruise, my TA asked me if I was flexible on the date (we wanted March 2013) and then said if I would take a particular date, she could put me with the group rate that she had and it was a few hundred dollars in OBC. No problem and a great deal I thought!! So yes you can definitely get good perks or OBC with a good TA that specializes in cruises.

We are thinking of booking this tour and checked their website and they say the cruisers get 50% off of the transportation cost. What type of cost for transportation are we looking at per person ?

Also, if you choose to stay at the beach longer at the end do they charge you extra for that and if so what amount ?

My confirmation says $15.00 extra (for two people) for transportation on top of the Segway excursion price.

I would imagine that if you're staying longer they would charge you for a one way and then you'd have to find your own way back. But I'd email them and ask them to be sure.

I really want to do this tour but am hesitant since I had a hip replacement about 1 1/2 years ago. I have no problem climbing stairs, etc. around home, but I'm nervous about the amount of hopping on and off the Segway when you stop it.

 

How much on and off is involved? Should I pass on it? :confused: Just looking for some opinions from those who have done it.

 

Thanks!

Well I sure hope it will be ok because I had a total knee replacement done 6 weeks ago and we're signed up for March.

Juliette did get back to me. :)

She also told me about a new tour that they have (which we booked). Details below. BTW I called them today because I didn't want to leave CC info on the internet and they took my reservation and marked it "cash" and I didn't have to give them anything. Very helpful and friendly. Here's the info on the new tour for anyone that's interested (it's $69 pp):

I’d be happy to provide some information on our newest tour – Sweet Island Home. Whereas the Conquerors tour takes a historic look at Antigua and its rich heritage and is centered around the western side of the island, where you'd pass by historic attractions, landmarks and visit Fort James which has all its cannons intact, also riding through a large picnic park and two beaches, getting a real feeling of thrill and adventure while sampling local treats; the Sweet Island home tour takes a look at Island Life. You'd ride through three neighbourhoods getting a feel of the residential areas and a local celebrity home. Its narration highlights current day facts about islanders and the country on a whole with an alluring view of the ocean. This too is a lot of fun but mostly appeals to return clients who want to experience not just the tourist attractions but something a little different. The tour last 3.5 hours inclusive of orientation and transfer from your cruise ship.

Tried emailing them twice but haven't had an answer from them, so wondering if someone here can help.

I noticed there's an excursion called SWEET ISLAND HOME. There's no information about this one on their website. Does anyone have information about this one? Trying to decide between Conquerors one and this one.

Thanks in advance.