grandmato4

So where in walking distance (don't mind a good walk) from the CP would you locals go to watch the Superbowl and enjoy some good food and drinks?

Every cruise is different. All depends on supply and demand. Last minute can have some good bargains but one does have to be flexible and not care where your cabin is located nor have your heart set on a particular itinerary. I don't think there is a "best" time in terms of 6 weeks or 2 weeks before sailing because they all vary so much. On several of our cruises the best price was a year or more before sailing. Others were 6 months before sailing. Others best prices I saw were 4 weeks before sailing so for our crusies it really has varied a lot.

Some crusielines do flash promotions after final payment that are for new bookings only and can only be purchased through TA's. Generally the best prices will come through TA's that can discount prices and/or give other perks.

Would you care to elaborate on that, Velvet? I read everything I could find about Ruby's public rooms on the Princess website, as well as Emerald, Crown, Golden, and Grand. None of those five ships have stage theaters for concerts, operas, and dance shows if I am not missing anything. I just read Princess has two movie theaters - one in, one out. But Princess claims on a different webpage to have "lavish" entertainment productions. There is nothing lavish about a first-run movie. So does Princess have live productions, or just music and dancing in the lounges?

The Princess Theater is where the Ruby's lavish production shows are held. Depending upon the entertainment for the evening sometimes the comedians, or other entertainers may perform there. At other times the comedians or other entertainers may perform in the Explorer's lounge or Club Fusion.

I few minutes ago Priceline accepted a bid of $65 in San Pedro 3-1/2 stars and got Crown Plaza for 2/5/2011. :)

Welcome to CC.:) Yes, as written in Carnival's policy you are allowed to wear nice shorts or nice jeans and polos on non-formal nights.

Please ignor those that feel it necessary to attempt to impose their own personal views about dress code upon others here on cc. The only rules that count are those of the cruiseline and they're fine with what your guys might wish to wear. And you'll find that the majority of those on your cruise will also be just fine with your choice too.;) Hope you enjoy your Carnival cruise!:)

Cash. For preplanned excursions we know the exact amount we will need before leaving the ship for the excursion and allow for an extra tip for a great excursion. We've gotten pretty good at estimately how much we will spend while in port and only take a bit over that estimate. Any other purchases we might make while in port beyond excursions are almost always from small vendors that do require a cash transaction and we always take smaller bills to be able to make exact change. We're not taking into port with us what we would consider any large amount of money and honestly we are cash people at home so no different for us in the Caribbean than what we do in our everyday lives at home. The larger shops in port will almost always accept credit cards but unless we're purchasing something with a high cost, which is rare when we're cruising, we prefer not to use our credit cards while on port stops. We do often take one credit card on shore with us just in case but in our last 5 cruises I think it was used only twice.

Good point and excellent reminder!! I've told the vendors this before.....One of the things they should tell you is to take them out of the small plastic bag as soon as you get back on board.

 

Essentially they put them in a bag for you for ease of carrying but it backfires if you keep them in the bag for a few days. Remember anything organic will slowly start to produce gasses if kept enclosed so let them out hang them in your room on board and every day will be like you're ont he Spice Isle;)

Thanks for that tip as I could have easily not given it a thought and just left them in the bag until we returned home.:)

Thank You Sooooooo much for posting the Pater's !!!! Looking forward to the menu's. Glad to hear you had such a great cruise !:)

Just had to say loving every word of this thread as it helps pass the time until its our turn in 16 weeks!!:) Thanks!

Thanks to all for sharing their insights of the people of Grenada. I enjoy reading all that you care to share. The disadvantage to cruising is in the fact that one has such a short time to spend enjoying and learning about the ports the day that one visits a new port. On the other hand we've always found that if we take the time to learn more about the country and its people before hand it makes for a much more enjoyable and wonderful time when we are able to visit, even for a short time. :)

Still working on the info for the spices as saw the request a bit late. Scuba Chick and I have underestimated a tad on the necklaces. To be honest it's a while since I bought so I was way out with my recollection of what I paid.

 

My local pals tell me the necklace vendors will sell to the cruise ships at anything up to US$20 :rolleyes: as the starting price. To give you an idea they as locals actually will pay EC$20 for the necklaces so about US$7.50 so I would say if you can get them for US$10 without offending anybody that would be a great bargain.

 

Again bear in mind times are hard on the island and there is no social security so if they don't get money they don't eat. Not to say cruisers should be taken advantage of - so US$7-10 is a hard price for them to accept but fair.

Appreciate the update on the current prices for the necklaces. We may like a bargain, but when bartering in many islands/countries we always keep in mind that for many we are bartering with the price may very well make a great deal of difference in how they can take care of themselves and their families which will always be far more important then us getting a bargain;):) As I plan to purchase several necklaces and often would purchase from different vendors to spread the wealth around but since you've been kind enough to share some info with me I may decide this time if I find a vendor willing to barter a bit lower I may just purchase all from one so they at least can reap more benefit from my purchase. We'll see how it goes when we are there in person.

Look forward to hearing from you again if you should find out some approx prices on the spices. THANKS for all your help:)

I'll double check with my local sources ;) and let you know what the going rate should be. Mine have had their rejuvination bath recently and smell great but they don't look so pretty any more now they've dried out. I just love the colour of the red mace on the brown nutmegs - gorgeous. Time to get some more methinks.

Thanks again IslandStar !:) When you're checking with your Local Sources;) could you check out what a half pound of ground nutmeg or ginger or cinnamon is going for now a days? Can you tell we're really looking forward to our visit to Granada in Feb:D

They will start high and you should barter them down to about US$2-3? I think

Thanks IslandStar ! We always enjoy bartering on the islands. Have enjoyed some great times with those we've bartered with. We never try to see how "cheap" we can get something but how "fair" we can get it to both sides;) so its nice to know ahead of time what to expect. Planning to bring several spice necklaces home:)

I didn't buy one, so I can't say for sure, but since nobody else seems to be answering... They seem to sell them everywhere. I even saw girls in school uniforms who came down to the pier area after school to sell them. So I'm assuming they sell for relatively cheaply, probably somewhere in the $2-$4 range??

Thanks Scubachick ! Just looking for an approx. idea to know if I could put them on my list for a couple people we always try to bring an inexpensive unusual gift home for from our cruises. Always nice to know what I'm looking for before we even leave.:)

What price should I expect to pay for a spice necklace? Thanks !:)

I'm perfectly fine with everything you said UP to your last statement just before leaving the bus. With that particular wording you've now made me feel as if the tiip is no longer "up to me" but a ransom for getting off the bus. NOT the best way to get the best tip from me nor would you get a recommendation from me to anyone else because you just made me forgot all the other good things I may have liked about your tour and created a very poor last image which we all know that first images and last images are really what is most important as all else gets lost.

I would pay extra for a whiner free cruise- like if you whine about something you get fined and that money is spread back as a rebate to the rest of the cruisemate's!!! I get so sick of whiner's like the elevators are to slow, take the stair's people!!!!!! My GOD you are on vacation relax.

Then in tender line complaining its taking so long---dang I bet your friends scooping snow would just love to be standing here with you.

 

Rico

Best idea of this thread!!!!:D Never figured out how people can be on vacation and always be in such a hurry!!:confused:

Another I couldn't vote because there was nothing on the list that I would pay extra for on a cruise nor could I think of anything at the moment.

The more items that become a pay for fee service that have traditionally been included in the cost of a cruise the less likely we will be to cruise which I find very sad. While we don't need an entirely all inclusive cruise the basic concept of it being mostly all inclusive is part of what makes it so appealing. The more the cruiselines take that concept away the more they will continue to loose the very customers that have supported them through many years and yes, they will find other passengers to take their place but many of those people will be the same type of people we seem to see more and more of lately that have no understanding nor desire to understand that mother nature has a lot to do with cruising and there is no and can not be any guarentee that the cruise one has booked will reach all of its ports or have smooth sailing or leave port or arrive back in port on time.

I don't have a problem with the addition of truly new concepts being charged a fee when crusing as long as along the way there were also some new concepts that didn't charge extra. Just DON"T continue the fast growing trend to charge for what was once included and paid for in the cruise cost.

Miami airport can be a zoo. Do yourself a favor and book nothing prior to noon. Yes, people make flights before that but why in the world would anyone want the stress of "what if we don't?" at the end of a wonderful vacation!

A flight between 1pm and 2 pm is best IMO for flying out of Miami ! :) Remember that airlines often change flight times after you have originally booked and more often than not it ends up being earlier than originally booked so while a flight anytime after noon should be fine we like to have that extra cushion which we DID need last Feb. We made it to the airport just fine but then spent a VERY long time waiting to check our luggage in and then had to get through security which fortunately was fairly short thank heavens!!

I'm married to a "kingfoot", "COMBOY" and any other whiney, complaining, over educated, aggravating man who thinks; "if you can't boil and eat it, you can't have it!"

 

Take a cruise/relax/go lay in the sun/go take a nap/sip a drink.....do whatever it is that men like YOU like to do.......Gawd knows, I can't or should I say I don't want to figure it out! And, I've been married to mine for a very long time.............And, I love my man, wouldn't trade him for any other....but, get over yourselves!

 

It's the reason I continue to work and purchase the things that make me happy and that includes "BINGO CARDS" on a cruiseship! Oh! Sure! He'll come along and watch me win or not (with his expressionless grin), not forgetting to remind me of the "odds" against my winning! Such a brainiac! WHO CARES! Sit down, hold on, shut up!!!!!!!

 

Sorry, I feel so much better! ;)

 

Now, all you brainiac's, (that includes my DH), try and have a good time!!!!! Life is for the living!!!! Stop counting! RELAX!!!!! :cool:

Hoping you get to sail on a hundred more cruises wizard-of-roz and enjoy EVERY single minute any way that you wish, cause you deserve it !:D Hope your DH apreciates what a gem he has! :)

I am sorry that you did not understand before your first cruise the difference between playing a game of bingo on a cruiseship and going to a bingo hall to enjoy an evening of bingo.

I don't find the prizes awarded for playing bingo on a cruise ship disturbing or a rip off. It is simply an activity where some passengers find a few minutes fun if they choose to participate. The prize to be awarded at each session is announced in the daily Patter so everyone knows before they attend what they might win should they choose to participate. Its pretty easy to see that the prizes are of a set nature and not associated with actual ticket sales. In most cases its a single game of chance and not anything similiar to an evening at a bingo hall. Of coarse it's a money maker for cruiselines as are all activities that have a price attached to them when on a cruise.

It sounds great to hear of an all inclusive cruise but in reality I don't think I'd be happy paying for so many activities that I'd never participate in so I guess I'm better off on a cruise where I can enjoy all that is inclusive and choose where I want to spend my extra money and keep my funds from being spent on activities that I neither enjoy nor want to do. ;)

The Hampton Inn on Airport Road. Provided free shuttle from airport to hotel(arrived at airport very quickly). Hotel very convenient with a Longhorn Steakhouse, fast food chicken place and a Ruby Tuesdays or Applebees all right in front of the hotel. Free breakfast served buffet style in the morning--very adequate and satisfying. Front desk called for taxi(Gator Taxi) which arrived within 10 minutes and right to the airport(approximately $20 + tip). Booked a Cat. 12 Suite -- great cabin with balcony. DH and I wanted a relaxing quick getaway with a no "have to do" attitude. Only went to dining room 1 night out of 4(one night stayed at Atlantis until later on, one night(sea day/formal night) took a late afternoon nap and slept right through dinner and other night decided to watch a movie late afternoon in cabin and have casual dinner on lido deck. The food was on par with the other 7 Carnival cruises taken. Quite adequate, never went hungry or to the point where we couldn't find something enjoyable. The shows were exceptionally good. The "Mambo" show was quite spectacular -- the costumes were amazing, great upbeat music. Two comedians(both did regular show and late night adult shows). They were good, your usual cruise ship comedians. As we always have -- completely enjoyed the getaway. Not in too much of a hurry to revisit Nassau/Paradise Island or Freeport. Kind of a been there/done that feeling. We had done Freeport in the past, and as done the last time visited "Our Lucaya"(20 minute taxi ride-$5/pp- from the "very unattractive, commercial" port and went to the Westin and beached it for a few hours(not very much time there). Booked a room at Comfort Suites in Paradise Island to obtain "full use" passes to the Atlantis. Took a taxi from Port in Nassau-$4/pp-to Paradise Island. Checked in/out @ Comfort Suites($184) and walked over to the Atlantis(right behind Comfort Suites). Spent the day at the Atlantis touring the "Dig", walking around the resort(very large area)--disappointed that large sections of the resort are closed--including many restaurants. Spent time on the beach, went tubing down the lazy river rapids(rented locker to store personal items), watched a wedding on the beach. Had a nice day and glad I got to see the Atlantis. It is quite a "wow" resort, but left with the attitude that I wouldn't plan a "land" vacation there. My personal feeling is that it is too large a resort -- too much of an "amusement park" atmosphere. My idea of a Caribbean land based vacation is a more intimate, laid back "islandy" resort. Debarkation -- not as bad as what I had read about. We chose self assist debarkation(carrying our own bags) I think they are improving with every cruise. A bit confusing, but all and all we departed our cabin around 8:30 a.m., and we were in line waiting for a taxi to the airport($10/pp) by 9:30a.m. We were at the airport(Jacksonville Airport -- very new, clean, attractive, friendly and convenient) by 10:00 a.m. So, as always, very glad we had a great vacation. Of course any alone and relaxing time with DH is always wonderful. I know you too will enjoy yourselves. Have a great time. Any other questions, just ask.

Glad to hear things have improved from our Oct 3rd arrival in Jacksonville for our Oct 4th cruise. Hampton Inn's shuttle from airport was not, shall we say, working efficiently on the day we arrived at the airport!:( Although later that night it did work well to take us to Walmart to pick up wine and soda to take on the cruise. Gator City taxi said they would pick us up at 11 am. but did not arrive until almost 12 noon to take us to the port. The Hampton Inn & Suites by the airport was a nice hotel with convenient restaurants when one does not have a car. Glad you enjoyed your cruise!:)

Thanks for reminding me that I needed to dig my bracelet out and use my jewelry cleaning cloth to polish a couple of the tarnished charms back to shinning gold. Looks good as new now! :D

Yes, my card is packed for our cruise to Nassau in Oct. Will the world come to an end if I don't get to DI to pick up my free charm there? Of coarse not, but so far its never been a problem wandering in and asking for a free charm and wandering back out. Time spent, not more than 3 minutes in any port while we were wandering around anyways. Can honestly say I've never stood in line nor have I ever had anyone in DI attempt to pressure me to purchase anything else when I said I was just there to get my free charm. That charm bracelet is the one single item that holds memories of all of our Caribbean (and Alaskan)cruises. Yes, its cheap and worthless to anyone else but to me its been more than worth my three minutes or less in each port for its sentimental value.:)

I would never book a flight out of Seattle before noon and would try very hard not to book one leaving prior than 1 p.m. We had a 12:40 p.m. flight last August and never sat down in a chair within the airport for even a minute as they were already boarding the plane when we arrived at the gate. Debarkment from the ship was slow to say the least, then the trip from port to airport took quite a bit of time as had to wait since boats were passing and the bridge was up, checking in our luggage at the airport took FOREVER, and the security lines were very long and slow. Hopefully, if you take that 11:20 flight things will go much quicker for you than they did for us !:)