SweetCheeks Cruiser

Cocoa Beach shuttle now charges you for their service when you reserve their shuttle.  I reserved them for our November Mardi Gras cruise and then returning to Walt Disney World.  Well we had to cancel our shuttle service due to the delay on the Mardi Gras. I've been trying to get my money back now from the shuttle company since July 6th.  When I called them again this week the agent just sighed and gave me the managers email address.  She said some people have had success emailing him directly but she still had a pile of refunds that hadn't been processed.  I haven't heard anything back from him yet.  Has anyone else had issues with this company?  I know in the past they didn't charge your credit card until the day of service.  I don't think I would book with them again due to this issue and it's too bad as we always had good service with them.

We just experienced using the Carnival insurance AON last November when we had to cancel a 14 day cruise a week prior to leaving.  My husband had a heart scare and Dr. thought it best that we cancel.  First I contacted my PVP because there wasn't a number anywhere for the insurance company.  PVP handled everything through Carnival and sent the cruise cancel info to AON.  She gave us their website so we could file our claim with them through PDF files.  Carnival refunded our taxes, gratuities, excursions, bottomless bubbles and flowers I had ordered for the room.  

AON waited a week after I uploaded the forms and then emailed and said the Dr. statement was not legible.  I uploaded again then waited another week and then received another email saying the Dr. statement was only showing half a page.  I double checked it, uploaded again and then didn't hear anything.  I contacted them almost a month later and they said the cruise refund was going out that day.  When I asked about the air fare they told me that since we purchased it independently from Carnival and were flying in the day before our cruise it was over their 14 day allowance between the time the cruise left and flying home.  What???? I said this was a 14 day cruise , we were flying in the day before and flying home the day of debarkation. AON said to wait and read the explanation that was coming with our cruise refund.

Cruise refund arrived but no letter explaining the airfare not being refunded.  I contacted my PVP who was flabbergasted about AON and their "14" day rule.  She contacted higher ups at Carnival and they told me to contact AON and tell them I needed it in writing why they were denying the airfare and then to send that to PVP.  I contacted AON and told them Carnival was very interested in why they were denying airfare and wanted my denial in writing.  AON put me on hold for awhile and then came back on line changing their story.  They said it wasn't denied but was being reviewed.  Amazingly I received an email from them the next day that our airfare refund was being sent that week.

Sorry so long but bottom line is sometimes you have to fight for your refund.  We did purchase it again through Carnival for our next two cruises but hopefully won't have to use it or experience the run around again if needed.

I always order some type of flower arrangement. It really uplifts the room and looks nice! Over the years have also ordered the champagne, wine and on the rocks glasses. They are nice to use at home and remind us of great cruises. We've also ordered t-shirts and last year a pretty scarf with tropical colors.

I also was hoping for someone to comment on this excursion.

Are the floors in the buffet area still real slippery? When we cruised on her a few years ago you had to walk very carefully. Supposedly the type of tile they used became slippery in the tropical climate. Just curious if they were able to fix it?

Just got off the Miracle and found out they no longer offer the Moscato unless you are in the main dining room and then it's only sold by the bottle. This was disappointing especially when using the drinks on us card earned in the casino. They supposedly ran out of White Zin a little further in the week. I know I had read posts on here about the Moscato so just wanted to give a heads up.

We also just got off the Miracle from the Feb. 10th sailing. I was so excited for the snuggle blanket and talked about it often. 3rd day of the cruise there on the bed set our platinum gift of a nice soft snuggly.......ugh Tervis cup. So disappointed, in fact earlier tonight my husband held up the cup and said you want to cuddle in the nice soft blanket! ha ha..

My favorite up to the blanket I was looking forward to has been the nightlights. Maybe I'll get my blanket another time. :)

We got our first upsell ever for our Dream cruise in March. We booked a Cove Balcony, (deck 2) and our upsell was a regular balcony on deck 9. We took that offer and paid a grand total of $54.

That's what I was hoping for a really low price. Maybe next time.

:loudcry: After 20 cruises or so we finally had our first upsell fairy call yesterday. We have an extended balcony cabin booked on the Miracle leaving Feb. 10th. Upsell fairy offered cabin 6167 a balcony suite for an upsell price of $300.00 each totaling an extra $600.00. I tried get him to lower the price but he wouldn't budge. It just wasn't worth an extra $600.00 to us. I was hoping for a really wonderful price. Any thoughts?

For some reason the website won't let me make any partial payments on my cruise. I have to call my PVP to make a payment. The website will only accept a payment in full.

We normally decorate our cabin door with tropical birds/palm trees and use command strips. Our last cruise we got concerned about breaking the Carnival rules. We had brought some magnets but the door was not metal on the Magic. We actually missed our door decorations and will go back to putting them up next cruise. There were quite a few door decorations and mail slot ribbons. It is just something unique and we have had room stewards give positive comments. Don't let the negative people on the thread dictate your cruise for you! Enjoy and have fun!

We just cruised the Magic in February. The only old school reel slot machines were minimum dollar slots. (no quarter ones). I also feel I have better luck on the old school machines. Lots of times I would just play 1 credit and I did win $900.00 on one and fifteen minutes later won $300.00 on another one. DH won $800.00 on a penny machine but was betting max at $2.50 or $3.00. We did win enough this time to play all week but as your know that doesn't happen too often. We did see a few hand pays on the Wheel of Fortune machines but I thing the max on them was $5.00.

Good luck and have fun!

We were on the Magic last month and loved it except for the room. We were in the aft and the sewer smell was awful in the hallway. Occasionally could smell it in the cabin. Also we too normally pick mid ship and we could feel a lot more movement in the aft.

When we started cruising in 2006 the MDR was wonderful. They had two/three main servers assigned to a manageable amount of tables and they quickly learned your beverage and condiment preferences. When you arrived at your table your iced tea was waiting and they kept it filled throughout the meal. The last 5 years they are down to 2 servers with a large amount of tables. Beverage glasses sit empty unless you can catch the server as they hurry by. We usually go to the buffet now so we can sit in a quiet area and if we need refills on beverages, butter etc. we can quickly get it ourselves. As of wanting to be waited on that is what my super sweet husband is for and he treats me like a queen!

Thank you for posting the pictures and reviews of your Magic cruise. It sure helps others who are waiting their cruise to dream and pass the time until the actual event. I even felt a little sad as I looked at your final pictures and remember the melancholy the last day can bring on. Happy cruising!

Last cruise my white capris came back with pink stains all over them. I was able to hand wash it out. Lesson learned...don't send anything special that could get stained or shrunk. The clothes have always came back folded and I appreciate it for your basic socks, pj's and shorts.

Castello del Poggio is so good!!!! I haven't been able to find it to purchase at home. Such a bummer! :(

Initially I had a local wine shop order in the Castello for me after I discovered it on a cruise ship. Since then the local Walmart (believe it or not) not carries it. So check closely. Favorite Moscato!!

Thanks for all the replies. Still watching prices....currently the cheapest would be Southwest out of Minneapolis (no baggage fees) for about $450.00 per person. It hasn't changed much over the past couple months. We always fly in a couple days prior and will fly home on a Saturday when the ship comes back to Port. Even if we waited until Monday it still doesn't come down much.

I pack "year round" for my vacations (I take several, cruises and land). I have an 8' table set up in a room in the house I don't use often, and use that as "Packing central" - I keep things on that table that are specifically for my "next vacation" (for example, an unread magazine to put in my carry-on for the plane). I like having a place to keep my "travel things" so I dont forget them.

 

A couple weeks before the cruise/trip ... I start planning clothes, and set the actual articles of clothing on the table, arranged by day (and yes, some cruise days have several "outfits" (Gym, pool, pre-dinner, dinner, after dinner), plus the socks/boxers I need for each day. Whatever shoes I'm taking are under the table. I like to visualize what is going to be work every day. I'm also able to sometimes mix-and-match things for multiple days, tho I honestly don't do much of this.

 

I also have a nice, clear plastic "TSA APPROVED" zipper bag that is packed with all my "Liquids/Gels" -- I have separate "travel" tioletries that I ONLY use for travelling ... this way I already have "Everything" I need and will not "forget" anything. I have also bought travel-sized bottles of my favorite colognes that are always in there. On land vacations when I stay in 'NICE' hotels, I always leave a nice tip for the housekeeper with a note to LOAD ME UP on extra soaps/shampoo which I take home so by now I have a huge "selection" of stuff to bring when I travel.

 

Having my toiletries "pre-packed" has made my packing SO EASY ... it's been the BEST thing since the "Rolling carry on" was invented, LOL - seriously, this way I can literally close my suitcase the night before I leave without having to worry about packing tioletires once I finish using them the morning I'm leaving on vacation.

 

I also have a small "packing cube" stuffed with all the cables/chargers I need for my electronics - Like my toiletries, these are for TRAVEL ONLY, so I can get them in the suitcase early and not have to worry about remembering to grab them out of the wall the morning I'm leaving. So less stressful.

 

I have a ziplock filled with a variety of Nyquill, bandaids and such - NOT A LOT, a couple servings of each, so it doesn't take up a lotta room, and again, I just throw it in and don't have to worry about it.

 

I also like to have some "new" clothes and a new pair of sneakers for each of my vacations ... so I can find things on sale, and then keep them in my designated packing area until the trip!

 

I have one "Travel day" outfit that is worn the FIRST and LAST day of the vacation - typically a comfy pair of SCOTTeVEST Convertible travel pants (LOVE ALL THE POCKETS, total of ten!) and an Under Armour performance polo. In a pinch, these convertible pants can zip-off into shorts and be used as a bathing suit if needed!! Seriously, these are the best travel item I own, and I have all the colors. when I travel "light" I can use three pairs for a week or more vacation and not use any other pants - The black ones can "dress up" nice with a shirt/tie if needed.

 

Also, I fall into the "overpacking" category with regard to shoes/clothes ... but that's what I like - When else in life can I wear FOUR outfits in one day besides on a cruise? .....I also like to have choices of various things to wear, and if some of my clothes never get worn, that's ok. I agree with other posters who said that Cruises are an ideal time to overpack because once you get it there, you don't have to repack and carry it from hotel to hotel like with some land vacations.

 

I recently bought the over-the-door shoe thing to use on cruises, didn't think i would use it but it is great for the sunscreen and aloe, both of which are too big for the bathroom cabinets on some ships. It really keeps things organized and I got one on Amazon for like $7.

 

Finally, I HATE Carnival's hangers ... the ones where 4 hangers "share" one hanger. I will only use each for TWO things MAX. Therefore ... I bring the "thin" velvet-covered hangers with me - I got 9 at the dollar store for $3. They don't take up much room and I much prefer using them to carnivals - and I hate wire hangers, which is what I think the cabin stewart gives you ... plus I like to not have to track him down the first day.

 

Maybe this helps someone, Thanks for reading my thoughts on packing - Please quote me and comment :D

 

Cheers!

 

Jeff aka Recovery Dude :)

You have some great ideas here! I also like to have some "new" outfits for travel. It adds something to that travel excitement.

I've been searching airfare for our flight to Florida in February and wondered why airfare is still so high even though oil prices are down? I don't know whether to book now and pay the going price or hope for the prices to go down. Hoping some of you experienced travelers will have some insight.

Two awesome crew members who are married are on your ship. Pedrita works in the Lido Buffet area keeping the floors, windows etc clean and her husband Allan is a drink server usually in the casino area. If you happen to befriend either one tell them Brad and Bonnie miss them. We cruised on a back to back with them two years ago and keep up on facebook. We like to take time to get to know some of the crew members and give them a smile or conversation to let them know they are doing a good job. It is interesting when they share some of their stories about demanding customers.

Anyhow, enjoy your cruise and savor that time out on the seas!

Just returned from the Sunshine on Saturday. Like a lot of other posters/reviewers this was our least favorite ship. The cabin lacked bedside tables/fridge and stayed warm even with air cranked up high. Especially noticed it at night. If you have kids they would love the water works area but I really missed having the quieter aft pool and view. The main pool was crowed with kids playing (understandable) and the serenity pool was ice cold water. The decor was pretty but not enough comfortable relaxing spots to sit like other ships offer. The your time dining is a fiasco on this ship with people standing in long lines to check in and then scoot off to another floor to wait for their table to open up. Long wait times, we avoided it by just eating at the buffet area in the evening. As we got to know some of the workers and met up with other ones we knew from past ships it became apparent this ship is also one of their least favorites due to the low staff to passenger ratio. We love cruising and have been on many other ships and are glad we went on the Sunshine but just would not pick her again. The Breeze would be much more enjoyed in my own opinion. Enjoy your planning no matter what you end up choosing!

Thanks! I was not aware that they had coffee available at the bars. That will make my husband happy.:)

Can you get soda with the drinks on us card from the casino? Also do they give you the can too or just the glass like they do with the bottomless bubbles? Thanks for any answers.

We spoiled ourselves from the beginning with a balcony and can't imagine cruising without one!

Wish list for balcony rules:

1. Don't turn on the light. It ruins the ability to see the stars and disturbs others enjoying sitting on their balcony in the dark.

2. Hold onto door when closing.

3. Don't pull your head around side to gawk at your neighbors.

4. Not a place to have arguments or loud conversations.

That being said the joys out weigh the annoyances. As others have said order room service and enjoy the start of the day on the balcony no matter what time you get up. We have coffee and danish as a "pre" breakfast.

Wine and chocolate at sail away.

Great place to view pulling into or away from ports.

Stand at railing at night in your white robe and breath in the wonderful sea air and give thanks for the opportunity to be able to afford to cruise.

Enjoy your first balcony room and happy sailing!