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We are 13 days away and I am very excited. This is my current situation so I can't complain but salt air and sea breezes will be wonderful. For those still following along here are the things I am doing at this point to get ready.

 

 

 

We will be driving to Port Canaveral and our original plan along was to leave very early Saturday morning to arrive at the port around 1ish. However, the closer we get, the more I think we should leave Friday afternoon. 10 hours is a long trip and it leaves you exhausted the whole first day. If we had. a sea day first that would be ok, but I don't want to so some thought needs to go into this. I realise this is probably a no brainer for most, but it would be adding a hotel stay to our already expensive trip so we will have to mull it over. That mostly means I have to spend the week reminding him of how much he doesn't enjoy long drives and that we don't want to sleep through the first day. Tha car recently got an oil change and yesterday got new front tires. I also went ahead and cleaned the interior. One less thing to worry about the week of.

 

 

 

 

 

This week I have been looking at parking and think I will go with “Lots of Honor” it is a service-disabled veteran-owned business that helps the Homes for Troops program. So I get to feel charitable and save a little money. It will cost around $75 for the week. It would be around $120 to park at the port.

 

 

 

I am getting closer to actually putting things in my suitcase. I got one out and open so I can start moving things there. While I was thinking about packing I decided I better do a swimsuit check. It is a good thing that I did. I like to wear swim shorts when we do excursions- both for comfort and for coverability and my good pair has just about had it. So I headed over to Lands End to put in an order. I got lucky and found a beautiful white cover up in the clearance tab that I can wear to the White Hot party. Bonus for me. I also doubles checked to make DH has shoes for the river tubing trip. He's not a sandles guy so I hadn't seen them in a while.

 

 

I have mentioned that we won’t purchase the wifi package, so I have been looking at where I can check in while we are gone. We have republic wireless phone service so if I can find some wifi, I can check emails and send texts back home. Looks like my easiest access, free wifi is going to be at: GC Margaritaville, Cozumel- Senor Frogs and Hard Rock, and Ocho Rios - Margaritaville. We are leaving a 21 year old at home. I am always hopeful that he will reassure me regularly that everything is fine at home, I am also always disappointed in this wish. He likes make me ask. He is a good kid and everything is always fine, however, it’s a mom’s job to worry right?

 

 

 

 

 

I have added the following to my what to do onboard list I found the suggestions during my CC reading but forgot to write who said so I can't do a shoutout.

 

The escape game- Sign up for under the big top 11;15-2;30 @headliners 4:15-6:45 Box office. I create digital breakouts for my teachers and students and I think I will enjoy this.

 

When eating at Taste have the crab cake stuffed potato skins and grouper sandwiches- thanks bostongal965.

 

 

 

On my list for next week is to download the iConcierge app - so I can have my scheduled things on my phone. Print directions to the parking place, a walking map of Cozumel, and any other stray paperwork.

 

 

 

Thursday at work I mentioned my countdown to Spring Break and my friend made fun of me for keeping track. I said I'm going on a cruise and am really excited. She said me too! I ask where to, then when leaving, and are you on the Epic? She is! How fun! I hope she is not disappointed when she finds out how unteacher like I can be when on vacay.i am in a somewhat supervisory position and am considered central office personnel. I dress up everyday and work very hard to always be professional in everything I do. On this trip I don't plan to wear anything other than swimsuits and running shorts ( not because I run, because I don't). Remember I have to meet my drink quota daily so I'm not sure how that is going to look. Oh well it is time she find out that I play just as hard as I work.

 

 

 

I've been thinking about what to do Easter Sunday. We always go to the Sonrise service at our church. So I think I have decided to get up just before sunrise and have a moment of prayer and reflection. Go back to bed for a nap, then we can take our time at breakfast, let those in a hurry get on the first tenders, then make our way to GSC peacefully.

Check for hotels that have park and stay packages. Sometimes free parking if you stay the night.

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Yes that is normal. The system just books for a certain number, it doesn’t care who those people are.

 

 

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The same thing happened to me. If you look,at your vacation summary and click that date and the restaurant you will see how many people are with you m

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Love your humor! I'm often forced into being frugal because of not being frugal! Now, I need help. Having only been on CC for 15 years, I haven't figured out how to subscribe to a thread! So If Someone Can Help, Id Be Grateful!

On the iPad, check the check mark upper right. On computer just have to find where it says subscribe.

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I've never used Uber; but I am interested in using it in Amsterdam to go from my hotel near Schipol to Zaanse Schans. I checked uber.com and their quote is €32-43 for UberX. What is Uber BLACK (besides more expensive)?

It’s the type of car. IE Mercedes. If you look at Uber website, it explains the different categories. I’ve used Uber a lot and love it. There is 100% of the time someone knows where I’m at. IF I jump in a cab who knows where I’m at. No need for cash, automatically goes to my credit card.

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Why risk it. I was flying into Miami once and rained. Sent us to Fort Meyers to wait on the ground. Than into Miami.

Why risk your whole vacation? Pick a cheap hotel and relax.

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I’m a Platinum Carnival cruiser who took his first HAL cruise on the Westerdam to Alaska with 14 family members.

 

I had read so much about HAL’s “Signature of Excellence” and how much better the experience would be, that when I boarded the ship, I was a bit underwhelmed. First, I found the ship to be a bit dark and decor to be on the gloomy side. As the cruise progressed, I couldn’t quite pinpoint what was so much better about them.

 

And then, my mother pointed out what made HAL a much better cruise line. And they were mostly things that I had overlooked. She mentioned the attention to detail, like the white gloved service, the fresh flowers daily throughout the ship and in the stateroom, the room service delivered in real china, the laundry delivered in a wicker basket wrapped in tissue paper with a gold foil seal, the quality of linens and toiletries, the thick throw blankets for balcony use, the lack of unnecessary loudspeaker announcements, the more intellectually stimulating activities including lecturers, the culinary center, the multi million dollar art collection throughout the ship, the extended specialty restaurant hours, the upgraded dining experiences like Le Cirque, the more proper and deliberate use of etiquette by crew members, the daily mass service, and even the brand of dinnerware at the main dining room.

 

Long story short, HAL is a far superior product than Carnival. But only if you have an eye for things like what I mentioned above, and only if you care about attention to the small details, will you notice.

 

As mentioned by another poster, it’s a much more sedate and quiet experience, where you’ll be hard pressed to find activities that invite the lively behavior that can sometimes be found on Carnival. No hairy chest contests, no loud music at the pool (or anywhere), no big screen blaring movies or music videos, no silly pool games, no bartending competitions, and no incessant announcements encouraging people to attend the next gold by the chain, $10 watch sale, or free liquor tasting. The overall experience feels much more traditional, like what cruising used to be like decades ago. The experience at the main dining room feels more like true dining, and people take dress codes more seriously. On formal nights, you don’t see as many people rushing back to their staterooms to change into their casual wear as you do on Carnival, and overall fellow passengers are a bit older and more traveled.

 

We had an absolutely fantastic time on the Westerdam, and do consider them to be a great cruise line. But we are not rushing to book another HAL cruise soon simply because we are a family raising young and very energetic kids and HAL quite doesn’t match where we are in our lives.

 

Hope this information is helpful!

 

 

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I would say HAL is “old, traditional “. Whether you like that or not is personal preference. IE. On formal night on HAL there was maybe 2-3 men NOT wearing tuxedos. On NCL(never done Carnival) there was maybe 2-3 WITH tuxedos. I’d call HAL stodgy and old school. I like the little touches. String quartet playing, quiet. But that isn’t for everyone.

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PV and Mazatlan are docks. Not too late to buy UBP?

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They usually put it in the photo book when you buy the embarkation photo.

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I rented Green Jeep in Skagway. It was great, they have a Cd you listen to and we drove up to Emerald Lake at our leisure. We than drove around town just looking, picked up what we needed at stores than returned the Jeep. You can see the White Pass RR all the way up.

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They take dollars but not a good exchange rate. And most will take credit card. I’ve never been anywhere in Mexico they won’t take dollars. Just need to know the exchange rate.

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I rented a car. Was cheap enough.

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I use Uber anywhere possible. If you go to Uber.com you can get price quotes.

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I have read nearly every thread relating to hotels but I need some help still. I have researched on Trip Advisor the hotels I thought suited us based on the recommendations in this thread. My problem is when I go to book the hotel directly there is a big discrepancy in pricing. I have always booked directly through the hotels website and not through the various booking links on TA. However, with this big of a difference I am considering it. So, do any of you go through, Trip Advisor, Hotels.com, Orbitz, etc?

Look at Hotwire. I got same hotels for much less

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I find Twitter is better to get answers or complaints. Businesses realize that in today’s world social media is king. Anytime I tweet about a company I get very fast responses. IF Not, I tweet more and more. [emoji848]

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I had it happen. Found out a side thruster went bad so had to go in dry dock. Took the 25% and enjoyed that cruise at the reduced rate.

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I have read many reviews and do not have a designated area to overnight prior to a cruise. Would appreciate some clarification of what areas to confirm a hotel and some suggestions. Not familiar with the area.

 

Looking for a 4 or 5 star hotel, shuttles would be nice, but not a must.

 

 

 

We will not have a car, some choices for dinner would be good, along with a grocery or wine shop.

 

 

 

Thank you so much.

If only one night. Go to,Hotwire and look. You can put in star level, area, breakfast, etc. I use it often for 1-2 night stays. Will save you money.

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Is there a shuttle from the ship to downtown? Cost or free?

 

 

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Our ship NCL had a free shuttle (bus) that took us to area by the tram. On another cruise wife and I walked back. It was a good hike but walked of on of my dinners.

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Depending on what you want to do just google port and excursions. IE. “Grand Caymen shore excursions “. You will find local tour guides. I have always found them either cheaper or same than ship but private.

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I found a cab downtown. Asked him his price and we went. He gave us his phone number to pick up when done. Don’t remember price but it was reasonable.

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I’ve been on both. If within 2-300 I’d go with HAL. They just have little touches that add class. IE 4 piece string quartet playing on way to dinner. Little things. I’d pay the $300 more for HAL because of this. Would never pay more for Princess if all else equal.

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Has anyone experienced problems getting off ship, when booking private tours(non cruise line)? I've heard cruise lines make you wait until "their " tours are off? Heard Celebrity wouldn't let people off ship unless on ship tour? Tour companies say this is illegal under Russian law?

I booked a hotel on one of the don't know your hotel until later. I got a "hot" price, and it was the same hotel NCL uses. Look close

I rented a Jeep from a company that included a CD tour. It was great. Easy drive. We stopped on way at a sled dog place. Can’t remember Jeep company name but if you google Jeep tour you should find it. Walked to Jeep from the ship.

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Insuremytrip.com. Gives a whole range

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McDebbie, Do you have any pictures of 12022? we are booked in that Suite in March. Any problems? Any suggestions/