hpreece

Embarkation is always smooth at the Port of New Orleans. From the time that we drop off our bags, to the time that we are boarding the ship is usually 45 minutes. This time, we we in and finished with lunch by 12:15 and made our way to our four person inside cabin. The cabin had a king size bed and two bunks, one bunk on each of the walls. Quite small but we're hardly in the cabin anyway. The last cruise that I went on, I booked an ocean view cabin and only remember looking out the tiny window once...I won't do that again. All of the luggage arrived individually but were all there by 2:00. I like to put everything away and not have luggage laying around, which worked out great. Once everything was put away, the luggage was easily stored under the bed. There were three different closets, one had about 20 hangers another had a shelf and 10 hangers and the other had the safe and shelves. The drawers around the vanity were hard to open and close so we didn't use them much.

People who usually complain that the food on a cruise is awful are usually to ones who only order one dish and look around at everybody else's selections. Not me, I'm the one who orders at least 5 things each dinner. On the first night, it was no different, I had one of my favorite Carnival dishes, escargot and about five other things. Also keep in mind that the portions are often small and are things I'm not sure that I will like. This is the first of my excuses to eating so much. A second excuse is that you do a lot of walking while on a cruise, I often prefer to take the steps instead of the elevators. After dinner the embarkation night, I was tired after three nights in New Orleans, so I decided to stay in and get rested up. I was awake and watching the sun rise by 6:30am on day #2. I planned to have breakfast before watching the sun rise but the breakfast buffet or the dining room weren't serving yet, so I walked and went back to the cabinet and got ready and then had breakfast around 9am. Once I ate breakfast, I scoped out my favorite spot, on a lounge chair, facing the ocean, feeling sporadic sprays from the ocean. By this time I was ready to accept that this cruise would be one for relaxation and I'm wouldn't be scheduling this vacation around the daily itinerary nor did I read it at all on some days...this was a huge change from my other cruises during which I felt like I needed to take advantage of every dance class, liquor tasting, cocktail party, etc. By noon, everyone around me had packed up and I assume headed to lunch. I never had to worry about finding a lounge chair because people always seemed to be in the move and didn't lounge much. That's my experience on shorter cruises (less than 7 day cruises) that people stay busy, the night clubs and shows stay crowded. Which kind of makes it nicer for those of us trying to find tranquility.

Dinner at night #2 was formal night, people on this cruise were dressed the least formal than I've ever been experienced. Lobster tail...order several ;)

Day #3 we stopped off at Progreso Mexico. From the pier, we caught the free clean shuttle bus to town. Even though my daughter insisted on taking the $35 all inclusive beach tour, I insisted on sticking with my plan. After we got out of the bus, we stuck around for free wifi for a few minutes and then made our way by foot, further into town and closer to the beach. It was about a 5 minute walk but after fighting off all of the hecklers it took about 10 minutes until we reached the beach. We sat down at a set of tables and chairs, which were free because I ordered drinks (margaritas 2 for 5). Then we got massages which were $15 for each of the four of us for an hour. It was my first massage ever and I didn't like it. I had burns all over me.

Day#4 we stopped off in Cozumel, took a taxi for $14 to Paradise Beach. This was our fourth time in Cozumel and second time to Paradise Beach. It's a $2.00 entry fee per person and an extra $12.00 if you want to use the water toys and kayaks. Despite there being two other ships in port that day, it wasn't very crowded at Paradise Beach. I think most people book the over priced ship offered excursions or go to Mr. Sancho's which is where the taxi drivers usually try to talk you into going (I think they get a kick back when they bring people there). Leaving PB there is always plenty of taxis outside. The food and drinks are a bit overpriced so to spend the minimum $10 that they ask you to spend, it's not very difficult. They charge an extra 20% gratuity if you pay with a credit card, so bring plenty of cash. We made it back to the pier area, shopped for about an hour and still had about an hour before the ship took off. We always complain that we're not at port long enough but by the time we get to the cabin, we're always ready for a nap. This night, I barely ate anything at dinner and experienced my first bout of motion sickness of this cruise...not to fret, I spent $8+ at the gift shop on some motion-sickness pills.

Day#5 I planned to spend the day sun bathing but it started to rain so I moved to the 21+ Serenity area (the best hidden secret of the ship) I asked the towel attendant to move one of the padded lounge chairs to the covered area. There were only two jacuzzis in the Serenity area but one was broken and the water was green the whole time so the one that stayed open was always over crowded.

Debarkation: smooth. They started closing the buffet early though...so eat early even if you have a late zone.

This was my eighth cruise and I learned a long time ago that there is no such thing as a bad cruise. There were a few disappointments like the sushi bar being replaced but still listed in the maps as a sushi bar...I was really looking forward to sushi too! The basketball goal and several of the jacuzzis were broken. How can they operate and up keep a huge ship but not be able to fix a jacuzzi or the basketball goal?

I will be very interested with your comments on the Prytania.

It would be great if you could ask for a peek at their newly renovated King Suite which is our room next year. Have a great vacation. :)

I'm waiting on my room to be cleaned for an early check in. Sitting in the courtyard and this is an open door (room 123)...I don't think it's the king suite but you can call and ask...

Good call, It doesnt have a pool, but what it lacks in features it makes up for with LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION.

 

And the free parking turns one vacation into two.

I like your thinking ;) who needs a pool in NOLA anyways?

I will be very interested with your comments on the Prytania.

It would be great if you could ask for a peek at their newly renovated King Suite which is our room next year. Have a great vacation. :)

Thanks! We have the room with the loft which has two queen beds...

We are too. :D

Me three! This Saturday and Sunday at Prytania Park Hotel. The last time that we cruised from NOLA we stayed at Quality Inn in Grenta who also offered a park and cruise package. I do not recommend Quality Inn, rude staff and the rooms are hit and miss as far as condition, some have been remodeled and some have not.

NEVER take the Hop on/ Hop Shuttle. We took it when we were in Jamaica last week. It was horrible. We were left at the market for 2.5 hours and everytime we asked when they were coming back to get us, they just kept saying soon. Also to use it you have to use your Sail & Sign Account and it's just bad all around service. When we got back on the ship there were about 90+ people that complained about the service and we all got our money back. TOTAL RIP OFF...

Yikes! If 90+people all got money back I'm hoping that they have corrected the problem by the time that I decided whether or not to use them in April.

Thanks,

Heather

I logged on Carnival's site and was just browsing several weeks ago. Every since there has been an agent calling and emailing every other day. I told my husband "she's harassing me to the point that I'm just going to have to cruise"...;)

To help sort ship or port photographs.

 

Take a close up photo of the Cruise Compass which will show date, port etc. as soon as you receive it. This will nicely divide photos to help with future identification.

That's an awesome idea! Thanks for sharing.

We just booked the Holiday Inn Express BWI West near Arundel Mills mall. Through the hotel direct we found they offered up to 21 days of parking, shuttle to and from the port, and breakfast. Our rate was only $99 per night.

 

It seems a little farther from the port but it got better ratings than the Sleep and Comfort Inn and the Holiday Inn Express that is near Camden Yards.

When will you be staying there? I'm curious to hear your review...

As a cruiser of 20+ voyages mainly in the Caribbean, my wife and I were discussing where we would prefer NOT to get off the ship. We pretty much settled on Tortola as somewhat blah with the assertive hawkers bothering us and not much to do. A HAL Captain told us that Grand Turk was not a great place either. Wondering what others are thinking? Nassau? Ocho Rios?

I loved Grand Turk! Free lounge chairs without the "drink pushers" and Margaritaville..all a short walk within view of the ship.

-Heather