onebzemom

I've been doing a lot of reading and saving lots of information.

I'm looking for anyone who recently cruised on the Carnival Magic with a infant.

Camp Carnival question. I've read you can take your child in the morning between 8-10 to play, but you need to be there. This is great. Also, from 10pm - 2am. Although we don't stay up late enough for this one. Our evenings usually end around 11 or so.

Somewhere I read they provided babysitting for other times. But I can't find it even when doing a search. I'm wanting day care for dinner during formal night at 6pm and for a show afterwards. Is this possible and how much?

What about port days? Not sure if I will being doing this, but just in case. Leaving the ship and walking around while she sleeps??? Just gathering options right now.

Any other suggestions when cruising on the Magic would be great.

thanks a lot!

We will be on the Magic for Spring Break with our daughter, son in law, their one year old and my parents. We all plan to share in the babysitting. We have three balcony cabins (our first balconies) with one connecting door.

I understand from other posts babysitting is available. Which is good. I believe the cost is $6.00 an hour. I also read we can take her to Camp Carnival in the morning for special playtime.

We will be bringing a small stroller, a small blow up pool for bath time in the shower and disposable drink cups. Plus a few other items that were suggested.

I would appreciate any suggestions and/or shared experiences , especially if you have been on the Magic, that might help us with this cruise. I'm compiling a list.

Thank you!

I'm trying to find out if any hotels in Galveston will pick you up from Hobby. There is only two of us and the lowest I can find for transportation is $130. I paid $45 for Orlando airport to Coco Beach, which is the same distance as Hobby to Galveston.

 

Is so silly they don't have better transport.

I feel I called every hotel in Galveston. I did the Priceline/Hotwire hotel search and did call everyone on the list. There was only one hotel that provided a shuttle from the airport when you chose amenities . It was the Inn at the Waterpark. I called them and they said they did not provide a shuttle. That hotel was $139 a night. Our party did not want to pay that much. But, I was thinking if they provided a shuttle it would be worth the extra money and we would have a really nice hotel. A key word my husband picked up on, it didn't say 'free'. It said free breakfast, internet and parking. So I decided not to pay $139 and then have to pay for the shuttle especially not knowing how much the shuttle would be.

We are a group of seven. Trying to get to the port in Galveston for our Spring Break cruise has been a pain. Because there is seven in our group we have to hire the bigger van which costs more money. We also wanted the convenience of being able to get to a store and have dinner. We will be traveling with a one year old and my parents who are not up to lots of walking. We thought about hiring a van to Galveston, taking a taxi to the port, and taxi to dinner and taxi to store to get last minute items.

So, here is what we are doing:

We are renting a car at the airport. Still working on a hotel. Looks like it will be in Texas City just because it will be so much less money for three rooms.

We will be returning the car to Budget at Sears in the Mall in Texas City. Budget will take us to the cruise terminal for an extra $50.00.

After the cruise we are to call them when we get through customs. They will pick us up at the cruise terminal for an extra $50.00. They will take us to Sears at the Mall again and we will fill out the paperwork.

Part of our group will be leaving that day at 1pm. We now have a car to do and go as we please. The rest of us are staying one night in Houston. Since we won't be able to check in, we still have a car to go and do. We will return the car to the airport when we leave the next day.

Total cost $275.00

I realize it's not much cheaper than hiring a van each way, but now at least we have some independence. And won't be stuck not being able to check into our hotel.

This is what will work best for our situation. Maybe not for everyone.

But if anyone has any suggestions or comments.........

After reading negative posts about nothing at La Romana, we decided to walk around the port. There are public bathrooms there and a duty free shop called Dufry. If you walk to the right, there are shuttles to take you to the following places:

For $5.00 pp about a 10 min ride

There is a map given to passengers that lists the following places

Central Park (has a local flea market)

La Romana Social Club

City Hall

Santa Rosa Church

Eduardo's Art Gallery

Dinorah Pharmacy

Shiskabab Restaurant

Celulares and Mas

Quezada Money Exchange

Fed Ex

Police Station

Bibi Leon Art

Jumbo Superstore (like a Walmart)

Central Romana Medical Center

Canela Medical Center

DomHam Burgers and Grill

Maria Ventura Real Estate

Orense Plaza Hipermarket

Alondra Pizzeria

Julia Restaurant

Almacenes Iberia Megastore

or for $7.00 take a shuttle to

Water Fountain

Mercadito Mini Market

Bibi Leon ARt

Jenny Polanco Fashion

Art Gallery

Everett Designs

Le Boulangerie Bakery

Onnos Bar and Tapas

Ampitheater

Amber Museum

Montecristo Cigar Lounge

Regional Archeology Museum

Saint Estabuslao Church

Papa Jacks

La Piazzeta Restaurant

Dye Fore Pro Shop

Swimming Pool

19th Hole Bar

Our group went on the $5.00 shuttle. We shopped at the local flea market. Larimar is a blue stone supposedly mined in DR exclusively. They were selling necklaces, rings, and bracelets. The prices vary so shop around before you buy. There was Mary Juana (dried wood chips found in the area) that you mix rum, wine, and honey in a glass booze bottle. It was referred to as the fountain of youth. We were told this mixture needs to soak for three days before consuming and will cure anything and is an aphrodisiac. This is sold with the liquor or just the bark chips.

 

We ate at the Shishkabab Restaurant. It was an enjoyable lunch. We shopped at Jumbo for hot sauce and the local rum.

 

If you would like to take a taxi, then go to the left away from the people standing in line for the shuttles.

 

We had planned on going to Dreams, but the weather was cloudy and rained at times. We had fun exploring the area.

 

Hope this post helps as we could not find much info about this new port.

Great information. Thank you

Yes, lots of negitive posts. We want to hire a taxi right off the ship and tour the island. Then get dropped off at a beach. But couldn't get much information on what there is to see. Also, reading about safety makes us a bit concerned. I just hate going somewhere new and only seeing a beach. I would like to see as much of the country as possible.

So, my questions would be, do you think safety is an issue? Did you take a shuttle? Taking the $7.00 ride, would it give us enough to see the area? Does it stop at different places or just drive by? I wouldn't mind shopping/eating where the locals do. It would be perfect if you could get off and get on later on a different shuttle. That's why we were thinking of just taking a taxi and doing what we want. From your list, there were enough places to check out and still have some time at a beach.

Thank you to everyone. Just the information I needed! I have been price checking and even if we were to break even (rental vs shuttle), it is better that we have the freedom to travel how we want. My parents have never been to FLL or MIA, so it will be nice to do a little sight seeing. Also, we plan on spending a day in the Everglades after cruise as we head back to FLL.

Now, I need to get a good price.

:) thanks, again. denise

We are flying into FLL and spending the night. Our NCL cruise will be out of the Port of Miami. We are thinking of picking up our rental car at the airport, but would like to drop it off near the cruise terminal. After the cruise, we want to pick up another car and head back to FLL for our next cruise.

Anyone know if there is a rental site close to the terminal?

Thank you in advance.

I've never bid on Priceline before. This really intrests me. We'll be cruising out of Long Beach in Jan 09. How far in advance or how close to the departing date should I start bidding?