Laney219

RE: Adventure. According to current CD Katy, Drew will be back on March 22. 

On 1/28/2020 at 8:28 PM, stevea36 said:

Someone just posted on FB that Drew Devine has left Adventure, Katy McCullagh has come over from Serenade.

Her social media page that cannot be mentioned says she is on for 2 months. 

On 5/10/2019 at 5:04 PM, ABQrobin said:

We were just on the Vista 2 weeks ago and used the App.  You are basically "requesting a table" which is checking in.  Once it assigns you a table, it sends on the App a notice and you have 10 minutes to arrive at the restaurant to the desk.  So, you must be dressed and ready to go.  We found that by the time we did this, and then left our room and walked to the dining room, we would get the notice and Table number.  You then just show your phone to the hostess, they read the table number and off you go with a waiter just like normal.  No standing around in the hallway waiting.

 

However.... we did see lots of people who still showed up at dining room without doing this, standing around.

Also it says RIGHT ON YOUR S&S CARD - go to check in at the desk on Deck 4 by Pixels studio.  You are not supposed to go to dining room like every other ship...  you have to check in first.  Its easier just to use the App, we found out.

 

 

Thank you! very helpful! 
After you check-in via the app and have the table available, do you just go to the dining room then? 

Also, are you able to make requests via the app (specific dining team, table size)? 
TIA!

On ‎4‎/‎3‎/‎2019 at 2:26 PM, helensobol said:

 

Good Info about the coral. That might be a no go for us.  

 

I didn't have a set time to get off.  We normally get off fairly early unless my daughter is exhausted.   I aim to be off before 9am. 

 

I'm never a fan of not having an agenda getting off the ship and we leave next week.  I have read so many different reviews on Barbados and can't decide on the best thing for us.    I was debating the Boatyard and Copacabana but then I recently read awful reviews of Copa on trip advisor. 

I am planning for my trip in November. Went to Copa before, but as you said, recent reviews are not good. Please come back and share where you ended up going.

26 minutes ago, PRH said:

Shuttle was $7pp, taxi back was $5pp (there were four of us).  Plenty of taxis in the parking lot at the beach.  Beach Club is $10pp includes chair & shared umbrella.  Copacobana Day is $25pp includes chair, shared umbrella and $20 food credit.  The flying fish sandwich with fries or salad was $17.  Rum punch $5.  Prices are clearly stated for USD and Barbados dollars.  You will be charged in the local currency so be sure to use a no fee credit card—ours does not charge for currency conversion.  Enjoy!

Thanks so much. Forgive my ignorance... can you use USD to pay in cash or only BBD, hence you using a no fee CC?

1 hour ago, PRH said:

Herded into a shuttle despite our protests.  Made clear to the driver before we got in and once underway.  Worked out fine.  This time we did the food option—basically you are paying $5 for your chair and umbrella.  The flying fish sandwich was excellent as was the rum punch—delivered to your chair.  Enjoy!

Thanks for the update. Only went via a private package deal... can you tell me the prices w and wo the food option is you recall. Also what was the cost of the shuttle? Did you taxi back to the port at the end?? Appreciate your help. 

On 2/3/2019 at 3:00 PM, PRH said:

We loved the Copacobana.  The chairs and umbrella were $20pp which also included a welcome drink.  They had another deal going if you were planning to have food.  No problem getting a taxi back.

 

We went out of the terminal toward the taxi stand and when the dispatcher asked where we were going, she steered us to the shuttle—even when we asked for a taxi.  Not sure what the solution is.  We will be back there in March and returning to the Copacobana.  Maybe we need to call them directly to order a taxi for us??  Will get back with what happens.

Hey there... was hoping to hear about your trip in March!

50 minutes ago, helensobol said:

FYI  - I saw this available on Viator last week.  

 

 

Thanks.. that appears to be the same company as one review mentioned the same driver I had. Unfortunately, it is now nearly double in price ($50 vs. $30). 

1 hour ago, PRH said:

We loved the Copacobana.  The chairs and umbrella were $20pp which also included a welcome drink.  They had another deal going if you were planning to have food.  No problem getting a taxi back.

 

We went out of the terminal toward the taxi stand and when the dispatcher asked where we were going, she steered us to the shuttle—even when we asked for a taxi.  Not sure what the solution is.  We will be back there in March and returning to the Copacobana.  Maybe we need to call them directly to order a taxi for us??  Will get back with what happens.

Yes please come back with any information you can regarding the taxi/shuttle situation. 
The private company I found charged $30/2 people for chairs, umbrella and transportation. Waiting to hear back if they still have that same offer. If they get back to me, I will share as it may be easier for you. But everything now has the turtle snorkel attached to it. Have already done that so just want to float in the gorgeous blue water. 

On 1/30/2019 at 1:42 PM, PRH said:

Beware of “taxi” situation at port.  There were four of us wanting to go to Copacobana by taxi.  The dispatcher refused to let us into a taxi and pushed us to a shuttle van.  We had to wait for the van to fill.  The driver “forgot” to stop at copacobana and then charged us extra to go back after he dropped people at Harbor Lights and the Hilton.  He said we should have shouted-well, there is almost no signage at copacobana (lovely, btw and next to Lobster Alive).  How were WE supposed to know?  Cost us $10 pp for the shuttle and $10 total for the taxi back to the ship.

Sorry to hear about your experience. 
I went to Copacobana in Nov via private company that seems to no longer have the same deal. (transport/chairs/umbrella, etc). 
 

Going back this Nov. Was the 'taxi/shuttle' inside the gate that you got into? Do you recall how much the chair/umbrella rental was when you arrived at Copa? How easy was it to get a taxi back to the port? (And was it one that could go INSIDE the gate?). 

TIA!

33 minutes ago, PelicanLvr said:

 

No worries....They make it easy. 

 

We went to 10 ports in 10 days so I might be mixing up ports in my mind a bit.....Walk to the end of the pier to the "taxi people" and just ask.  No, there were no signs, but the folks are very friendly and easy to talk to.  Just say "HI, we want to go to Sandcastle"  I think we were directed to a desk off to the right where you bought your ticket. 

 

That "desk person" told you the "drill" and a group of 7 or 8 were put together for the short ride.  Very easy!  Tip the driver each way because you will probably not have the same driver going back.  

Thank you!

On 1/22/2019 at 9:32 AM, PelicanLvr said:

WOW....Sandy Point is SPECTACULAR!!

 

I am the OP on this thread and just returned from our cruise.  Yes Sandcastle to Sandy Point is walkable and a great one at that!

 

We took a shuttle (runs every 15 minutes) to Sandcastle Resort.  Very inexpensive...fare was (I think) $7 round-trip.  It's only  a mile or 2 from the pier.  You got a ticket for your return and the vans ran dependably when we wanted to leave around 2:30 pm.

 

Walk into the resort and you pass the front desk.  It was $10 pp and you got a wrist band and went onto the beach.  No reservation needed and we did not arrive until after 10 am.

 

Very friendly beach fellow set us up with chairs and umbrella.  Tell him you want to be in the front row and take good care of him.....he will take care good of you.  

 

After a few hours we set out to walk to Sandy point.  What a great (aka long) walk.  About two miles each way in the soft sand.  Took almost an hour each way.  It was not easy...but a good walk along a lovely empty beach.

 

WOW......What a reward to get to Sandy Point.  We have been a few places (including Australia, New Zealand Fiji, Hawaii, Tahiti) ....Sandy Point is perhaps the most beautiful beach we have ever seen!  The electric glacial blue color of the water is indescribable and the beach goes on and on!  I see why the last scene of Shawshank Redemption was filmed here.

 

Warning: There is absolutely no shade at Sandy Point.  You must bring you own.  Had read that due to turtle nests you could not plant umbrellas in the sand, but everyone there was doing it.  

 

Next Time:  Taxi to Sandy Point and set out on our walk from there.   We have a travel umbrella for some shade.

 

Even if you don't walk to it.....try to see Sandy Point.  Maybe take a taxi to Sandy Point to see it and spend the rest of the day at Sandcastle as Sandcastle is about 1/2 way between the pier and  Sandy Point.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great information. 
Was planning on going to SandCastle in Nov. Where did you pick up the shuttle? Was it clearly marked?

No to both questions. You can't set up your casino account until the casino opens after sailing. You have to use your sail and sign card in a slot machine to set up your casino account. That account is called your players bank. Once that account is set up, then you can transfer money from your sail and sign account to your players bank. You will have to play some slots before you can cash out.

I looked into the players club a bit more after my post so i think i have it figured out.

Appreciate all the help!

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Cover the gratuities, the use the rest of the credits to buy casino credits.

Play a little.

Cash out your casino credits.

Once onboard you can apply your gift cards to your account. Your gratuities and any other spending apply against the total account. When ready you can go to the casino and set up a casino account if you haven’t already. Go to any slot machine and it gives you very easy instructions to do this. Transfer the amount af $ you want to cash out from your sail and sign account to your casino account. Then you can cash out your casino account. Take your sail and sign card to the casino cashier and they will give you your cash. It doesn’t matter if it was refundable or not.

Thank you both!

Is there a service fee associated with cashing out via the casino?

I have not set up a casino account, but sounds like something I can do in advance?

Apologies if this has been asked before, but my search came up empty.

Upon coming sailing I have $200 OBC from a friends and family certificate (I think that is what it was called?!). That $200 is going to the gratuities... I purchased gift cards to cover the rest of the gratuities. ($200).

There was an unexpected price drop (WOO-HOO!), so now I have another $275 in OBC.

Ideally, I want to use the gift cards to cover part of the gratuities still and then get as much of the OBC credit refunded (if possible).

So... the first question... is either of the OBC credits refundable? (or do I just have to wait to see on board?).

If one is, can the gift cards 'trump' the OBC when being applied to the account? I do not sail Carnival often, so rather not hold onto the gift cards.

My excursions are booked already... paid w/ gift cards LOL.

TIA!

Couple more reviews!! Still high marks

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They are playing, and they’re great! Sorry about the angle, I twisted in my lounger to get a shot as soon as I read your comment [emoji16]

 

 

 

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I almost always book directly with wherever I am staying. My hotel chain of choice is Marriott, however we have stayed at Reunion before and really enjoyed it, so decided we wanted 1600 sq ft to run around in before we are in our cozy 182 sq ft balcony cabin on Oasis [emoji6].

The answer to your question is, we booked directly with Reunion.

 

 

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I decided last minute that I’m gonna see the headliner.

 

I’ve seen it before, but he’s fun.

 

 

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So apparently, the door next to my cabin leads to an outdoor crew area.

 

So there was some kind of major party back there. I actually called a second time because I could hear the

music (feel the music?) through my headphones. The second time, they didn’t really want to do anything about it because it was set to end at 2:30 (I had called at 2:15) and they pretty much said just bear with it for another 15 more minutes.

 

First major black mark for the cruise. The internet thing was frustrating but this takes the cake. At least the IT guy made some attempts to rectify my situation.

 

Here is EXACTLY why i don’t do guarantees. I would have never willingly chose this spot, though my worry was about kitchen noise which i didn’t get at all. Didn’t dawn on me I was next to a crew recreational area that didn’t appear as anything on the deck plan. Looking at the deck plan, you would think that its the ship’s hull to the right of me.

 

 

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Please do -that would be great, thanks :)

I just went into the shore excursions again and someone posted a review.

Rated it 5 stars.

I am going to do it. I sail in Nov. If you don't hear from me by Dec, message back LOL

 

Love and Marriage Show. Standard question but still fun. The “audition” seems to be the same. Best kiss for newlyweds and the Tarzan Jane scene for the middle couple and of course , longest married.

 

 

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Day 2 seems early for this. Also seems like a lot to do!! Hopefully the last days will be just a fun!

I too am enjoying your live blog

This is new.

 

 

Dad joke off. Cruise Director vs Comedian. Mike won.

 

This was refreshing. Something different

 

 

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I almost ended up being the only one attending the solo/singles lunch today.

 

 

This is on the menu

 

 

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All ready to head out. I got a couple stops to make. One to get cash just in case and coffee.

 

For the last 2 cruises, I’ve brought coffee with me on cruises. I bring my french press and wait until absolute last minute to buy coffee because once grounded, it starts to degrade quicker. Coffee across the 4 cruise lines I’ve been on have had horrendous coffee, but then again, i’m a coffee snob.

 

 

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Well when i dont have the drink package at least.

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