smarks

We called the diamond desk and were told to booked the cheapest OV and then got to pick our balcony on the Lido deck. We booked while on a cruise. There were some restrictions on the type of balconies. Then if you are watching for a price drop, you watch for the OV since that is what you paid for. Happy Sailing.

We are doing a b2b for Christmas and New Years. Boarding for the New Years cruise is on New Years Eve. Do you think they will have elegant night on boarding day? Anyone ever boarded on NYE? I know it is usually the first full sea day. Just curious. Thanks

I see Miracle now has a 14-day partial Panama Canal transit/Journeys on the schedule for early December 2018. We're going to take a good look at that one. ;)

I'm looking also. Love the itinerary and I love the Miracle. Haven't sailed on her since 2006. So glad she is coming back to Tampa.

I was on the same cruise, I posted a video for the first day on Cape C. The weather was the worst enemy of this cruise that sailed on Oct 22. Here is the video

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Nice video. Thanks for sharing.

cruisinpsychzRN, thanks for taking the time to post a review. I will be trying her out in Dec.

As several have mentioned, not too many more people dress formally on "throwback formal night" than you see on any elegant night. On the other hand I have 4 tuxedos -- bought them on Ebay for about $25 each -- and wear one on the cruise. Here's an old fashioned one.

 

And you look mighty handsome in it. Beautiful picture.

OK tux is out suit or shirt and slacks back in:)

I like your sense of humor.

Sandra

I have been on two now and didn't see anything much different than any other cruise. Most women had on a nice dress, dress slacks with nice tops and men in anything from a suit to a pair of dress slacks and a dress shirt. The party is nice but I didn't see any formals or tuxes. I'm not saying there weren't any. I just didn't notice any.

It's not a secret. Most people should be responsible and buy travel insurance when cruising, especially if they can't afford to eat the price of the cruise and related expenses. There's too much that can go wrong (travel to / from port, lost baggage, medical, emergency evac, etc.).

 

The people that cheap out over a hundred or so bucks and don't buy it are real quick to call out the cruise line as inhuman and evil when something goes wrong and they're not covered. They deserve no sympathy for their whines.

 

That being said, I wish good things for our fellow cruise aficionados that are wresting with what to do over the next couple of days.

Insurance is no good in this case unless you can't make it to port. My daughters flight was canceled and she is having to drive. We are driving to a state that has been evacuated, out of gas, hotels closed or full and highways have been reversed. Insurance doesn't pay for that stuff. We may get to Port Canaveral and then the cruise is delayed for a day. No hotels available. Insurance is no good. I have it though and wouldn't leave home without it. Stay safe everybody.

I understand that in normal conditions Carnival keeps the money if you cancel, but it is my understanding that "right now" with conditions being what they are, Carnival is allowing booked guests to cancel with no penalty, thus my question about canceling versus trying to get there but failing.

Unless Carnival cancels you get nothing. I called today and asked about my 6 year old great grand daughter who is refusing to go because someone in school told her she was going to die. I asked if I could get the money back on her. There are 5 of us going. They said no that we would forfet her fair but could get port charges back. She's not going. Carnival at this point is not concerned. We're leaving on the Valor on Sat. if we make it down there ok.

Thanks for the review. Very nice pictures. We are sailing on her for a b2b Christmas and then again in Feb. How would you rate the American Table? I'm not really looking forward to it. Thanks again.

Close to a million local residents being evacuated and 3,000 not to be denied Carnival passengers headed into the jaws of the hurricane. No wonder they love baseball hats in the dining room.

Yeah, something just doesn't feel right about leaving out of GA. on Fri. to a place that is being evacuated. Everybody leaving and we are going. Go figure.

No one has posted the PC port cam yet so here it is for your viewing pleasure.

 

http://www.portcanaveralwebcam.com/

Thank You for the link. I think it will come in handy in a day or so.

I don't have an answer but I am following this post as well as the weather channel. We are as of now heading out on Fri. morning. Not good, but that's the plan unless Carnival changes this plan.

Thanks everybody for the hotel tips and the garage being across the street. This really helps in my planning. I went to carnival.com and found a list of the hotels that offer 40% off on parking. That really helps. Thanks again for the speedy replies.

Hi everybody, I am going on the Valor on Oct. 8 and will have two kids in tow. My husband and I have decided that parking at the port may be the easiest way to go with 2 kids. Can anyone tell me how the parking is in Port Canaveral? Easy to get to, how close to the check in. We have been out of Port Canaveral many times but always use a shuttle to get to and from. So a new experience for an old time cruiser. Thanks for any info you can share.

I have booked a Journey cruise out of Tampa on the Paradise. I sure hope they get it straightened out before Dec. of next year. I went through that out of Miami on the Splendor except it was embarkation. We are Diamond also. We went to the Diamond lounge that had standing room only which was fine. After about 45 mins. we finally got our card. We were still standing. Someone came and told some of us to go to another room. We got a chair in there but then after about 5 mins. we were told to go to this hall way. Yea, we are on our way to the ship, or so I thought. We stood in the hall for over 45 mins. being pushed farther and farther back till it was so full of people you could hardly move. I'm claustrophobic, not good. I was ready to run out screaming. Finally we moved. It was a mad house. No organization, no explanation, nothing. I think I am through with Miami. Just not worth the hassle. Please Tampa, get it together. Tampa used to be a great port.

We will be cruising on the Valor in 2 weeks. Sure hope they run out of the visors. I will let you know.

The Splendor is a nice ship. Miracle, not so much.

I love both ships. I do love the layout of the Miracle better than the Splendor, but love the splendor also.

We found out the day of our cruise. We had been moved from a 4k to an 8A. Didn't know it till we got our cards. I was afraid it was one of those cabins under the lido but it turned out to be a really great balcony. Been nice to known before though.

Thanks thall17 for taking the time to post. Glad you loved the Magic. Sounds like I am going to be loving it come Christmas Eve.

It apparently is "hit or miss" whether they identify you as a B2B'er and keep the bottle.

 

I would think if you waited until quite late on the last day of the first leg, your chances would be improved. FWIW, we were successul.

 

The "failsafe" way is to make friends with someone, and then give them the cash to make the purchase for you, meet up with them at the place where purchases are delivered on the morning of disembarkation.

 

We were able to bring 2 bottles of wine on PP. Showed them the double itinerary and they waived us through.

Thank You. I will give that a try.

Doubtful. I have seen the question asked before and did a search not long ago. The vast majority of responses stated this was not possible. There were a few that said they were able but there are always exceptions.

 

We are doing a B2B in November. The first leg we have family sailing and thought about having them buy the bottle and then retrieve the morning of debark and leave it for us on the second leg.

 

I would not count on it but then again if they held the bottle until the end of the second cruise you could just take it home.

Thanks. That is what I thought but I was hoping I thought wrong. Didn't know about the wine though. Thanks again for the info.

Hi everybody, I would like to ask a question about a b2b also. If we go to the store and buy a bottle for the second leg of the cruise, will they let us pick it up and keep it for the second leg of the cruise? Thanks.

I just want to clarify that there are 2 forts. There is one (Fort Charlotte) next to Ardastra Gardens and Zoo. The other one (Fort Fincastle) is next to the Queen's Staircase.

 

Ardastra Gardens is about a mile and a half away from the port. Definitely take a taxi with 2 small children. It's a long walk for little legs. If you go to the zoo, check out the schedule on their website. They have a lorry parrot feeding that is a lot of fun for adults and kids. :)

 

The Pirate Museum is in town, very close to port.

Thank you CruisinCrow for the information. I have been to Fincastle Fort but didn't know about Fort Charlotte. Good to know there are options. I will check the schedule for the gardens. Sounds like fun for the kids. Thanks again.