Jana

2 hours ago, Director97 said:

It’s basic math. If it sails on the 16th for 8 nights, it returns to port on the 24th. It then sails again on the 24th for 6 nights.  It then returns to port on March 2nd. And guess what...sails again that night for 8 more days.  

 

Why was this confusing?? 🤷🏼‍♂️

Your explanation wasn't confusing, just unnecessarily rude.

I stayed at Fortune House Hotel in Brickell.  The "rooms" are actually apartments, with a bedroom, living room and kitchen.  There is a tiny furnished balcony.  The price was very reasonable (~$169) and the location was perfect (right across the street from The Four Seasons).  The hotel and my room were immaculate, the staff fantastic.  I didn't cook,  but made ample use of the microwave, fridge and coffee pot.  It's walking distance to anything you want in Brickell, including City Center, Mary Brickell Village and the free train.

I loved my stay there and wouldn't hesitate to stay there again.  Uber to the port was about $10.  Some of the rooms might have port views; I had a city view with some view of the bay from my balcony.

Look them up online, it might be perfect for your needs.

Jana

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I cruise both lines extensively and find them to be very similar.  I am retired, living on a small fixed income, usually travel solo so for me, I don't care what ship, what line or even what itinerary... it's all about the cost. 

That said, here's my comparison.  I find that the food quality, venues and availability is better on Carnival with the exception of the buffet, which hands down goes to Royal.  Decor on Royal is more staid and genteel; on Carnival it can be a bit over the top (but I like that sometimes!).  Ship-sponsored activities are similar but Royal gets the prize for self-generated action, with the climbing walls, Flo-Rider, ice skating rink etc.  I've only been on ships as big as Voyager class so I'm not as familiar with flying, zip lines, trampolines etc.  Carnival's beds are 100X more comfy than Royal's.  Staff is very similar, they aim to please and generally do.  Shopping is almost identical.  Carnival's casinos are slightly better.  Royal wins in entertainment and production shows, but Carnival has a nightly comedy show.  Carnival wins for kids' programs. 

In any event, as someone else mentioned, the passenger base going to Cuba is not going to be the party-hearty college crowd.  Which ship are you considering?  Three ships are being added this year, right now it's just Paradise.  Another Fantasy-class and two larger ships will join the itinerary after March of this year.  All are great choices.

Come back and let us know what you decide!

Jana

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13 hours ago, Merion_Mom said:

I never feel hassled by the crew onboard. 

But they all know you, and know they'd better not!

3 hours ago, F27TW said:

 

Ooh, now that was b*tchy !

Yes.  Yes it was.

11 hours ago, gerif said:

Agree with all of the above. If you do not sail, you do not get points. Had you chosen to get insurance, you would be out nothing, but that was your choice. 

Was that bit of snark really necessary???

DEFINITELY!  Going through the Kiel canal is calming and charming; entering the river at St. Petersburg is astonishing (it's RUSSIA!) and historic, and winding through the little islands en route to Helsinki and Stockholm alone make the balcony worth it.  It's an expensive cruise; don't short yourself of some of the joy for $600.  Get the balcony!

How was work?

Maybe the question should be "How bad was work?"

jj

Thanks for such a detailed review. It's discouraging about the waiter in the MDR pushing drinks on you just because you have the Cheers package. Though I suspect we have different views on T, I plan on wearing shirts too when I go on my cruise in January. I'll be interested also by the reactions one way or the other.

Maybe not...

So far, the reactions to my T***p shirt have been mostly positive... A few thumbs up, and then one guy wanted to take a picture of it...

 

On the other hand, a professor looking guy poked his wife and pointed. When she looked, her nose wrinkled in disgust, like someone was holding a cat turd under her nose...

 

Sent from my Space Phone 9169.1

OMG is that the "thug life" T from another review? Oh, LOL!!!

I prefer these selections to the hamburger joint...I can get a hamburger anywhere - tuna poke is harder to come by.

Where I live, a great burger is hard to come by. I love Guy's. My local Fred Meyer (Kroger's) occasionally offers poke at its butcher counter. OMG. Yum.

jj

Hi James,

I can't thank you enough for this; it's kept me occupied and hungry for more for days. I'm going solo on Magic (same itinerary as yours) at the end of this month, same trip as Rio Negro (waving hi!). It's my first time on that ship so all of your commentary and photos are meaningful to me.

But guess what else is meaningful? For the first time I have reserved my pre-cruise hotel stay in Brickell instead of the usual airport motel or a SoBe classic. I wanted to do it and by God, I am doing it, without any knowledge of the area at all. I am staying right across the street from Four Seasons (you grabbed a shot of my hotel in your photo stream); without you, I NEVER would have known about Saturday happy hour there. And your photos of the general area have me beyond excited... nothing where I live is over two stories tall! Your view of the inside of the MetroMover helped me too since I use a mobility scooter and I could see the space available for me.

Needless to say, I'll be following this to the end, enjoying your journey with you. I don't drink much but your photos and descriptions almost make me wish I did. Thank you SOOOO much!

jj

PS: I knew exactly what your pendant was when I saw it because I have one too. I read your Vista review to find out who. She was lucky to have you.

PS#2: It's been four years. It will take at least another year, maybe two, before you will be able to allow yourself to feel any joy again. But you will.

If they were to cancel the Premier at this point, its probably past the final payment and would lose their money they paid for the cruise.

Exactly. I wasn't calling you out, Kingston13, I just had recent experience --Friday-- with this exact scenario.

From what I am reading you booked under Premier. You will likely be able to rebook the new offer but you will lose the premier benefits/perks.

Um, I don't think so.

I'm on a Premier cruise (my first!) and the price for my cabin category has dropped. I called and asked if I could get an OBC and was told no, that "there is no price protection" on casino rates after final payment.

JJ

Love late seating and no problem seeing shows before or after.

 

It does allow one to eat a snack after a day ashore and time for a nap, if desired. Also better for avoiding kids, geriatrics, and other cranky types.

>>GASP!<< GERIATRICS??? You talkin' to me, Bub???

That's a 1A, not a 4A.

OMG! What's a 4A? EDIT! Never mind, I found it. Sorry OP! Sheesh.

An OV is definitely bigger. A 4A is a narrow room with one twin bed and a drop-down Pullman and no window. I think it's a wonderful deal at $16 a day. When I have an OV room I love being low and closer to the sea.

Come back and tell us what you decide!

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I had a Lido balcony on Glory. Best location I've ever had!

I don't remember what hotel it is, but there is one almost right across the street from the port that will store your luggage for a small fee. (We did this in 2017, so I do not remember the exact fee, but it was small.)

 

We explored one of the forts before taking a cab to the airport. With the amount of time you have, you may be able to explore a few of them.

Sheraton Old San Juan. You can probably call them to see if they still offer this service.

jj

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If you move to a balcony on the port side you'll be above the smoking section, so take that into consideration.

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If you download say 100.00 to your machine and only spend 55.00, the remaining 45.00 will go back onto your card as "free play"

Thank you! Kwokpot had me worried for a minute!

jj

If I remember correctly you have to play whatever you transfer into a particular machine. so for example, they loaded $500 into your players account. You go to a slot machine a transfer $100 to that machine. You would have to play that $100 until that is used up;however; you can cash out whatever winnings you have at each session. So. for example, you loaded $100 in a machine. You play a $5 spin. You win $10 on that spin. You can cash out $10, get a ticket for it, and in the machine would be the remaining $95 that you have you play out.

Usually when I play with casino money every so often I'll cash out whatever winnings I have. Then I can see what cash I have remaining that I have to play out. This way I KEEP the winnings rather than give it back. I keep a mental count and cash out every $10- $20 accumulated winnings or right after I hit a bonus jackpot. That's how I play on land based casinos when I'm playing with THEIR money.

I do the same thing, but if I pull $100 into my machine and want to -or, in some cases, HAVE to-- leave while I still have $45 in free play, I want to make sure that it goes back into my separated S&S "bank." Are you saying it won't?

jj

Yes, even if you win 25 cents, you can cash that part out. It keeps it seperate.

That's awesome, just like my local does it with "free play." OK, I got all of my questions answered thanks to you!

jj

Yes, it goes back into your account.

Thank you, Elaine. And I can cash out my winnings, right?

Nope and we've been working with the same PVP for 7 years. You would think Carnival would allow each PVP to send an amenity or do something for long standing clients as an incentive...but no.

This.

I haven't done it yet, but I have thought of booking with my PVP so she gets the points and then turning it over to a travel agent (who would get the commission) and maybe I'd get something extra. I travel solo too and it's really expensive to pay for two. Just FYI, Royal Caribbean only charges ONE deposit and gives you double points as a solo (triple if you're in a suite higher than a junior suite). Those are some nice perks.