Joules1111

I think I have used the website you are referring to, where TAs compete for your cruise booking. I've used it several times with no issue.

On our last cruise we got the same price we would have gotten booking directly with the cruise line + $275 cabin credit + prepaid gratuities for two people in the cabin + dinner for two at Central Park.

It is not a blind booking site so you will know the name of the travel agency before you book and can check reviews before you buy.

In addition, we had proof of all of the perks but didn't need them as everything showed up on our account.

I brought on cartons of orange juice the last time I cruised. Under the limit in both size and quantity.

The security people said I couldn't bring it on. They seemed unaware of the rules (I don't think they are Carnival employees).

I had a copy of the policy and once I showed it to them they were ok with my OJ.

I would recommend that everyone taking drinks onboard should have a copy of the Carnival policy in their carryon.

you can purchase them at the gift shop. in my all of my previous cruises, the gift shop had snacks like pringles, pretzels and other goodies.

On our last cruise on the Splendor we went looking for chips/snacks in the gift shop and they didn't have any. :(

Subscribing because we have recently had a very bad Carnival cruise and my husband is now gung-ho for RCl. :)

Nevermind.

I found the announcement that the passenger had died to be tacky both in the fact that they made a ship-wide announcement and in the way they told us.

I did the same last night but only found Cozumel menu and Western Caribbean menu. Apparently the menu changes each night with different entrees depending on what port your at. I'm doing a western Caribbean cruise next month but could only find Cozumel and the Western Caribbean menus. I'm guessing the Western Caribbean menu is for sea days.

 

Still looking for Belize, Mahogany bay and Grand Cayman

 

I did see some plates that sounded good but desert menu is VERY weak IMO.

I can go up to Lido buffet after dinner and raid the desert line or go to the chocolate bar.

Not Splendor specifically but it is the American table. I hope this helps.

http://www.zydecocruiser.net/menus/aNew/index.htm

I understand the CD (part of the entertainment staff) is saying they will get this (btw ask the Hotel Director for a more accurate picture) but I realize i am just a random internet person So I guess you will have to wait to find out for sure. I'm not going to go into details. I try to update people here with the information I have (which whether you believe it or not is very reliable ) but I am not in a position to detail who it comes from (not wanting any trouble).

It is all very confusing. I found this old article online where the (possibly former?) Hotel Director says the Splendor is getting the full 2.0.

http://www.beyondships2.com/carnival-splendor-hotel-director.html

Based on other information I've heard it is just getting spruced up for it's future Asian clientele (possibly toning down the pink).

I guess I will FINALLY know the answer when I board her at the end of March. :)

This thread is really fantastic. Thank you so much for letting us all live vicariously through you.

I'm glad I could help people out with the Amazon tip. :) I get so much great advice here on cruises so it's nice to give a little tiny something back.

Hi Buddy. I tried calling AMEX about the offer and even though the customer service rep was able to bring up the deal She said it was only for some online accts or if it was emailed to you

 

We don't have a online acct w them and didn't get a email so guess were SOL

 

She adviced getting a online acct to perhaps receive future offers :eek:

It's a good idea to sign up for an online account. You can then check your balance, charges, etcetera, online. Add to that the bonus of getting the special deals (like the Carnival one) and it seems like it would be worth the 5 minutes of time.

I recently got an AmEx offer where if I spent $60 on Amazon I get $15 off (so 25% off). I bought a gift card and added it to my account so I can make purchases over time, but still get the offer.

And you might find that when you sign up you already HAVE the Carnival offer.

BTW, Mine is actually Spend $250, get $75 back.

I have to plead ignorance to what pb&j is, but that isn't important. The room service menu is comprehensive from what I understand. I hope you get the answers you are after.

Peanut butter and jelly sandwich. [emoji1]

First of all, I think you will have a wonderful time and make some great memories with your kids. Some of my favorite memories have been solo trips with my son (easier, because there is one, of course).

Take it easy on the kids and yourself. You are there to relax and have fun. When I travel with my kid I always make sure to have boxes of cereal, fruit, and drinks in the room. Have quiet time or naps every day. And let people help you when they offer. :)

Here is a sample letter to take your kids out of the County from the State Department, if that helps:

http://photos.state.gov/libraries/unitedkingdom/164203/cons-acs/sample_letter_of_consent_to_travel.pdf

I just did this with my family (husband and 4.5 year old). We had a great time. Not sure of the name of the beach. They pick you up by boat and take you there. There is a bathroom/changing area, bar, restaurant, lots of beach chairs, and two water trampolines. Also a small playground (two swings, slide).

We got the included food, but it wasn't great. It was some rice and peas and chicken (one serving per person). I would skip that option and just go out of pocket to get more choices.

The beach is great for younger kids. Some waves, but nothing crazy. We felt very comfortable with him in the water playing with friends while we watched. If you have kids, take some sand toys for castle building (also a great way for them to make friends). Try out the water trampoline, it is a lot of fun.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you have questions.

If there was a kids section I can see no problem. I am not so sure I would have the dining experience I planned if there were young children misbehaving at the next table. Sure, some parents would think their child’s behavior normal, while other patrons are thinking they are the family from hell. It is not unusual for the dad to give mom the evil eye and she ends up taking the child out.

There isn't a children's section of Cagney's because NCL allows children to dine there and in fact provides them with a specialty resturaunt kids menu. We won't be taking him into the spa, because he isn't allowed there.

We will be dining early with our son as that's when he eats, and we hope we will be out of there before romantic dinner time. And I thought it went without saying that if he acts up (cries, shouts, gets belligerant) we will remove him.

However, the idea that a child may ruin, simply by his age, another diner's experience is ridiculous. My husband and I have had nice dinners out and had them ruined by kids and adults alike. At one place a drunk couple had a loud, raunch argument within earshot, at another a couple having a romantic dinner grossed us out when a much younger woman fed her much older date lobster, baby bird style. Ewwww.

On our first cruise with our son he was 2 and we ate in the main dining room with him every night and didn't make it through to dessert until the 5th night. We could sense when he was getting near cranky and removed him prior to that - if that meant we had to grab cookies at the buffet for dessert than so be it.

On the last night the elderly couple seated across from us motioned me over and said that he had been extremely well behaved, that he reminded them of their grandson, and that I was an excellent mom. I beemed at that - as I was always conscious of my son's behaviour and the effect it might have on others.

So, yes, we will be dining in Cagney's (and Le Bistron and Moderno's) with our 3 year old. Because it is allowed, and because we are responsible enough to make sure that our nice dinner doesn't ruin anyone else's. If you feel the need to ask to be moved, don't worry, we won't mind. And if you stick around you might just be surprised.

Because some children enjoy dressing up and eating out at a nice restaurant. Some children enjoy trying new foods. Some children behave totally appropriate in specialty restaurants.

 

 

Some parents really like to spend as much time with their children while they are young because they grow up so fast.

 

 

Children are passengers same as everyone else on the ship. They deserve more than chicken nuggets, mac and cheese and hot dogs if they so choose.

Thank you! You said this beautifully. We will be taking our 3 year old to Cagney's, Moderno, and La Bistro. He likes to eat sushi, spicy food, fancy food as well as chicken nuggets and hot dogs.