skittl1321

IMHO:

Just another reason...GET THAT PASSPORT!

They had a passport for the child.

That power snorkeling looked scary! When I swim, I know how much breath it takes to get back to the surface. With something like that I'd be scared I'd misjudge. I'm going to stick to scuba diving.

How were their ears going deep that fast?

(Great review! Really enjoying it.)

When you say family, what ages are you talking about (and how big of a group)?

Personally, the Chef's table is one of my best experiences on Carnival. But I think it would be a difficult family event, because while they are great about accomodating food preferences, it is a 'foodie' experience that many people won't appreciate or want to spend that money on. (For the record- I do not drink, and thought the event was worth $70 without wine; if you do drink, wine was plentiful). Teens might enjoy it, but I don't think it is an event for kids: they may allow them, but as it is an intimate event for 12 passengers, who all sit together, I think I would have not enjoyed the night with kids unless they were truly unique children who could handle a 3+ hour gourmet dinner. In the steakhouse, children are seated at another table, and not something I take issue with unless they are actually misbehaving.

If it's a lot of family, with picky eaters: go for the steakhouse. If it is a group of say 4 adventurous eater adults: go for chef's table.

Thanks for the photos! Looks like the steps might be a little easier than the ones at Chankanaab.

I don't know how hard the ones at Chankanaab are, but the steps at Money weren't very easy.... however, there are multiple options, including a pier that has a ladder you can climb up/down.

We loved Money Bar. It was the entire reason we chose to go back to Cozumel.

We didn't get to see any pier runners in Cozumel. The line was still hundreds long when sail away (not all aboard) time came. People just slowly ambled on...

There may have been a runner who was like an hour or two late, but we gave up and went to dinner.

A question for mitsugirley....will be cruising first time to Cozumel? So it's between Chankanaab or Playa Mia. It's gonna be my sis and I. She can't swim but I really want to snorkel. I read ur review but can u clarify about the dolphin excursion. Is the water deep for the swim with dolphins. I don't want to waste money when my sis too scared to go them. I just want a WOW factor. Also I heard about the Money Bar Park? Do u know anything about that. Please help...thanks in advance.

 

 

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My trip to Money Bar is probably my favorite day cruising, or a close second to Antigua. That said- I wouldn't go with a non-swimmer. The currents make it so it isn't easy snorkeling (it isn't hard either...) and the beach isn't much- trucked in sand with some loungers, no beach entry to the water. A non-swimmer probably wouldn't enjoy it there.

Wait, does Gambee have another cruise review going? Did I miss something? I know he's going on the Breakaway soon (I think August). What did I miss? Or are you reading the Allure one? Fill me in! :eek:

He's off the breakaway already!!!

Who knows. Maybe you can pick your own time if you want? I'm a newbie, so I'm unsure.

Carnival doesn't let you pick your own time to get off the ship, but I guess they can't really tell if you've left later, so I supposed you could hang out and not leave for a bit... They do a self-disembarkation where you carry off your own bags so you don't have to pack at all the night before, but those people get off the ship first. You can't stay late if you carry your own bags.

There isn't much point to staying late though- you are kicked out of your rooms, and have to wait in public areas, but services are generally shut down. You can get breakfast on the Lido, but that is about it.

I had to get one last shot of the Lion Fish on the way back. I believe it's usually rare to see these. I think I read that they are normally not in the Caribbean, but have been migrating that way lately. People do not like them and boy can they put a hurting on you. I was thinking about a thread for Great Stirrup Cay and residents in the Caribbean where trying to get rid of them whenever they found one.

Unfortunately it is becoming less rare :(

They are an invasive species and their presence is killing off many of the native fish to the Carribean. In the Pacific/Indian Ocean they have predators that keep their population in balance, they are taking over much of the Carribean because nothing exists there to do the same.

It is very unfortunate. I'm surprised you've only seen one or two.

(The other downside, like you mentioned, is that their venom is poisonous to humans. Apparently they could kill a young child!)

Love all the photos! LFK looks fabulous!!!

Carnival has a 24/7 Room service Menu,

Just FYI- that menu is out of date. Most of the sandwiches are still available, but there have been some changes (for example, roast beef and brie is now with cheddar instead!)

I

I DID NOT know that you can order ANYTHING by adding it on the menu. That's the first I had heard of that before.

Not anything, just anything that is on the normal room service menu can also be delivered at breakfast. Of course, for some reason you didn't have a menu. That's so sad :( A new cruiser wouldn't know to ask for it (though a cruise critic one most likely would have found it on the boards before sailing, but I guess it just depends how obsessive you are. I know I could not wait for my room service BLT my first cruise, I had read about them so much.)

 

Can someone please tell me what these are for? Thank you.

 

Those are the crew's life rafts.

. What's this on the deck? There was a towel animal explosion over night.

Isn't that the coolest thing. The first time I saw a picture I was thinking "are you kidding me, chair hogs?" Then I realized it was a towel animal zoo.

We rarely go up to the pool, so I've never seen it in person.

We got off the tender and waited in the lines (like we did the day before) for the elevators. It was a mad house. I have never experienced such a crowd. I guess this is what happens when you sail at full capacity. I know we must have been standing for a good 15 minutes if not longer. The problem was, as we were standing in front of the many elevators, one would come down in a totally different area and the people would jump on it...even if they just got there. So we waited and waited. I was not about to climb 9 flights of stairs.

This is one of the reasons I like to book my room down in steerage. I much prefer to climb stairs on sea days then coming back in from the ports. Riveria deck makes coming back from port SO easy, just hop up one flight of stairs!

What's the difference between this and an ad on TV that shows a juicy flame broiled burger at Burger King that's chock full of juicy meat and trimmings? I doubt BK will put a disclaimer on a TV ad that says: "Disclaimer: you will actually get a dry mangled piece of questionable meat with a sliver of lettuce and a mushy old tomato slice".

Interestingly- those ads ONLY show what is served on the burger. They just hand select the most beautiful toppings, and carefully place everything onto one side so it 'shows' in the photo.

Loving the review! The dessert pictures look fabulous! Though I'm confused how they sell 1 cannoli- cannoli is plural! If you only get 1, they need to change the sign to cannolo.

Sorry the meal at La Cucinia was underwhelming. The appetizer menu looks so GOOD. (Actually, I feel that way about most of the places- I just want appetizers!)

Sounds like CC did a terrible job this cruise...

I agree- I have never read such a negative review of camp carnival. (I have no personal experience with it.) This is also the first time I've heard about the phones.

The waiter came out and ask if I was ready for my next lobster and I told him sure. So instead of bringing me out another lobster, they brought me an entire second plate. Yikes! I can't eat all of that. All I wanted was a lobster.

A Carnival waiter once told me that anytime you want just a part of a plate, it is easier and quicker for them to just get the entire plate. Getting a single thing really slows down the way the kitchen runs. (For example, I once wanted whatever side came with prime rib, but I don't eat that kind of meat. When he told me that- I said never mind. I didn't want to waste an entire prime rib! He offered to seperate it out for me, but I didn't want to slow him down for all his tables.)

This is an area that you can see Carnival's "service" isn't 5-star, because really high end would worry more about appearing perfect, rather than an expeditious process.

However, for the most part- it works fine, and it does get the food out to you faster. This is one reminder though of the fact they are serving thousands- meals are pre-plated, and not easily customizable.

But they will keep bringing out as many lobsters as you want!

The only room service menu that I ever seen was one for breakfast. Maybe it's because we were in an interior room? I'm not sure. We don't get all of the perks (on NCL either) in the interiors like the hot meals.

So odd. Room service is for everyone. It is a pretty limited menu, just sandwiches really. But a few are really good. And it has some desserts.

Our last cruise the menu was in the bed with the first fun times. Before that it was in a little hotel type book. Maybe they tried to make it easier to throw out in hopes people won't use the service much?

There is a strip on the floor, which I originally thought of it as just being a wire cover or something (like a threshold), but on the last day of the cruise, we found out it was a light strip and they had it on. I'm not sure why it was never on prior to this??? Anyone have any clue?

I think they are only emergency lights. They were probably on because they were testing them.

Is cheesecake not on room service anymore?

. Now I have to say, this shower would BEAT you to death. It was the most uncomfortable shower I have ever been in. I tried turning it to different settings and there was just no adjustment that would stop it pounding on you.

My dorm shower was like that in college. It was literally painful to shower, and you had to hold your hand over 'sensitive parts'. I'm convinced it was a water saving effort, because you just couldn't stay in there for a nice long shower.

That is an amazing resort! Almost entices you to do a land vacation instead of a cruise...

Um, we can't all be in the picture together? Gasp. I want family pictures of us all together. Rip offs trying to get more money out of us by making us have to buy 3 pictures of us for our cruise memories.

OMG! This is hysterical! They must have been so confused by the request.

Our last cruise our group separated into 2 lines, 3 of us in 1, and 1 in another. The three of us breezed through in seconds, the one in the other line got behind a little girl who would NOT let them take her picture- screaming and twisting herself in all kinds of positions, until finally her Mom held her, while her Dad pinned her face flat. I felt so bad for her, as clearly something about the process was setting her off- but it was hysterical watching our friend who was right behind them in line, because she had to wait for like 5 minutes for this little girl's picture to be sorted out.

Very excited to read your full review! I've loved the other ones!

Gambee I am loving your review!

I do have to agree with the person who said it is frustrating when people quote entire long posts with pictures though! Just reply to the thread in general, or delete the parts of the quote you aren't replying directly too!

Can't wait to read the rest.

Fabulous review! Thanks.

Even if the cakes are made on the ship, I wouldn't think they are made every single day. They probably just make more as they sell out. Think about it- wedding cakes often take days or possibly weeks to decorate. That cake is made WAY ahead of time. It depends on the baker if it is still good by the time it is ready to eat!

From my research, Belize is not a very good 'whatever' port.

Having been to Cozumel- it is a very easy port to do 'whatever'. Lots of things you could decide to do on the spur of the moment.