WendyVF

You sure are, your room is ready as soon as you board. FYI... You may have to open some double doors to your floor that have signs on them that will tell you NOT to open. This doesn't pertain to Diamond, Platinum or FTTF. I'm thinking Suites might need to be added to that list.

 

 

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I keep my key in my hand where it can easily be seen by crew members so they don't hassle you.

We buy the really cheap ones from Wal-Mart so that we have them if we need them. If they get yucky, we trash them.

When you say wait for them to open the gates; are the gates on the street, or do you drive off the street an pull up in line to the gate?

 

Or, is a line of cars forming on the street waiting to get in? How long does the line get? Blocks long if you wait much later?

 

And, this is to drop the luggage off first, before heading to the parking - correct?

The gates are to the parking area and they're accessed directly from the street. If the gates aren't open, you get in line on the street. Sometimes they'll let you in to drop off your luggage and then route you back onto the street. One time we had to circle the area a few times as the line was too long. We got lucky and we're passing the gate when it opened and they flagged us in with the line! Once the gates are open, it doesn't usually back up onto the street. It's a huge area that they use and it's quite a maze of yellow cones and stops for various things.

Remember to put your luggage tags on. If you wait to put them on at drop off, you block the entire lane and it causes back ups.

10:30 would be a good time to get to the port. You may have to wait for them to open the gates but you'll be near the beginning of the line.

Lido is your only option for embarkation day. since you have FTTF, drop off your carry ons and head on up. It won't be too crowded yet.

Lido is great for sunbathing but like on all ships, you have to get there early to get a seat. Serenity is a quieter alternative to Lido.

I'm not sure about the secret decks but enjoyed the sun deck for morning walks.

We prefer to park at the port also for the same reasons as Jimbo. It also gives us a little more flexibility to pick a hotel based on other factors such as location or price.

Our children were like yours where they met other through the kids clubs and we only saw them at dinner. Since they have been 18, we make sure to always cruise with other families so they would know others their age and have someone to hang out with. There will be very few his age cruising during that time period. A lot of colleges start back up the week after New Year's.

If this is the only time you can travel, I'd suggest a port intensive cruise.

I like to be on the safe side, so when our kids were young, we just took them to the DMV and got an photo ID card. It's relatively cheap. Before they had passports, they sailed with that and their birth certificate.

If you're just using it to board, you could always wait to arrive at the terminal until around 1. By then the crowds would have thinned out and the cabins will be ready.

We're staying at the Embassy Suites by the airport. We cruise on 12/26 so won't be arriving until late on the 25th and figured not much would be happening downtown/inner harbor area. There were really great rates in that area but by the time you added on overnight parking, it didn't make sense.

You didn't mention if you wanted to park at the hotel. With our family of 4, we prefer to park at the port. It's a little more expensive, but worth it to us to not have to wait on shuttles and such. With the port being right off 95, we'll hop in the car and be on our way home.

We always plan to be at the port area an hour before the stated time. This gives us plenty of cushion should something go wrong. It never fails that just as we're ready to leave Mr. Sancho's, everyone in our group needs to go to the bathroom!

If we have time, we wonder in the shops at the port or grab a drink or if we've had too much fun at Sancho's, a shower and a nap before dinner!

I vote for 2 cruises. Instead of Florida, look at Charleston. It'll be a shorter drive and tack on a few days before/after and do some historical sightseeing.

Bar service in the Dining room is very hit or miss. there's been plenty of times we just run to the closest bar during dinner as the servers disappear or they've only got 1 or 2 covering the entire dining room!

We have found that a dollar or so tip the first night helps them to remember to come back frequently the following nights!

Board with a good attitude and all will be fine. Enjoy the things that are different from the other cruises you've sailed on. From experience, it's impossible not to be doing comparisons throughout the trip but don't let it ruin your vacation. You'll find some things you like better and others you don't.

We've sailed on several of the cruise lines and each have pros and cons and we keep ending up back on Carnival. It may end up not being the right fit for you but you may be surprised! Keep in mind that this is what fit your needs at the time and any day on a ship is better than being at work!

My favorite things on Carnival are the Comedy Club and the Serenity Deck.

We will be going to Half Moon Cay, Turks Island, and Nassau. While at Nassau we are planning on going to Atlantis water park. What are the best excursions and company's to use for these excursions? Carnival seems to cost as lot more and I read you do not get much time at Atlantis if you book with Carnival. Thanks

Check out the Bahamas Ports of Call page and you will find lots of information on Atlantis!

Thanks, I kind of suspected you could do this.

I researched this prior to our Dream cruise last December. At that time posters said you could get to the RCCL ship but not the Carnival and that there were stairs involved.

We ended up changing our reservation to the Embassy Suites. The ship appeared to be a short walk away but would've been very cumbersome with luggage and such. We opted for an Uber that was cheaper than a cab.

You may what to check the departures boards for more updated information.

We sailed over New Year's with a packed ship and don't recall the buffet lines being too crazy. Many times we just bypassed the midship buffet and headed to the back. We also know to avoid the buffets during peak times!

We are platinum so get all the same perks. Once you get into the parking lot line, they will direct you to a separate lane for priority folks. Unfortunately on our last 2 times out of Charleston, that line moved slower than the regular lines, one time they were having problems with the credit card machine, the other was multiple cars that had not put their luggage tags on and were doing it there and holding up the line:eek:

As the previous poster said, there is a long line for security with no priority access but it does move rather quickly. After you get through security, then its fairly quick since there's a separate line. I'd also recommend not taking beverages on board as they usually only have 2 people checking bags and it can create another backup. They are meticulous about opening everything!

Be sure you know your benefits as the people working there are not quite up to speed and will only tell you the normal rules.

I like the Omni Shoreham. It's near the National Zoo and the metro station. There are also several restaurants within walking distance.

Another area that's good for kids is the National Harbor where there are lots of stores, restaurants and even a ferry to Alexandria. It's outside of DC but there's a free bus that will take you to the Metro station.

Be careful if you do that 1 spin and be sure you don't bet more than you're willing to lose!:eek:

Since the no bottle policy has been in place, I've been able to bring bottles of water or soda back on at port stops without a problem. I haven't tried to bring a case, but a few in my beach bag haven't been a problem.

In most ports, you have to be back onboard no later than 30 minutes prior to sailing so I would definitely clarify with your tour guide what they mean by "before the ship leaves". Personally, I always plan to be back at the port area an hour before the designated onboard time to allow for any problems. I've seen very long lines to get back onboard for those that wait until the last minute.

I'd also check on the port of call board for info from others that have used this tour guide.

I'd do the Southern. Those routes aren't offered as frequently and the ports are not as crowded. The other route has fairly typical stops and you could do them just about any week on any cruise line from multiple cities.

the hotel should be able to email you a statement. If you're a member of their loyalty program, you can usually print it yourself.

If all else fails, definitely white out your account numbers and other charges. I find it best to use a black sharpie and then copy it so you can't see the numbers. All they need to see is your name and the charge.

for the ecstasy out of charleston. we leave april 20th. I am dying to know

http://s1159.photobucket.com/user/VolzCruiser/library/Ecstasy%20Funtimes?sort=9&page=1

The Breeze - for the ship and itinerary and they have the family staterooms with 2 bathrooms!