rufflesmom

If you are not a strong swimmer cozumel is not the place for snorkeling. The current is very strong.

You can do the online check anytime after booking. That is where you choose check-in time. Not sure how early that shows up though. I did mine 5-6 months out.

I have sailed with passport and have sailed with DL/BC and have to say that I never found this statement to be true.

You clearly have not sailed from Galveston. Last year they scanned our passports before we went thru security. Then they wrote "key" on our boarding pass. After we got thru security and went up to the check-in area, we saw 2 different lines. Someone looked at our boarding pass and directed us to the much, much shorter line. When we got to the front of the line I asked someone what the difference in the 2 lines was. We were in the line for people with passports, all we had to was get our room key. The other line, which was waaaay longer, was for people with BC & DL. He said they had to look closely at each BC and it took so much more time. It would have taken us 4-5 times longer to check in using the BC line. We went thru the line, got our room keys and were on the ship within 15 mins. That was the first time they had that at Galveston (and we have sailed out of Galveston exclusively for about 4-5 cruises) and it was great.

If you have more than 2 people in a spa balcony cabin the first 2 passengers listed get the spa services. I am booked in a spa balcony with 3 other ladies and that is what our booking said. It also said not transferable to any other person.

I have done this. Called carnival and had no problem.

I use clear vinyl luggage tags that I got from cruise critic. They are inexpensive and can be used over again.

I think I have figured out at least some of the confusion between staggered check-in and staggered boarding. I just looked at my booking. When you go to pick a check-in time it says under that "setup embarkation time."

People who have sailed out of Galveston are saying it is being enforced. I will find out in October.

All I can say is that I work in a hospital and we can literally save someones life and they will still complain about the food and expect us to compensate them somehow so perhaps I am a bit jaded when it comes to "customer service."

If you deal with people who expect to be compensated like that then you should be more understanding. You really did come across as heartless. You didn't say how old your boys are but that could have been an opportunity to teach them a lesson that sometimes things happen to disrupt your plans but there are other people worse off than yourselves.

I have only considered buying it once. I am booked on the Breeze in Oct with my sister's and niece. 4 people, 3 different states, all doing online check-in at different times. I was concerned about us getting different check-in times (leaving from Galveston). We were able to coordinate check-in times so don't need FTTF. For me the only benefit was all 4 of us checking in together. I know some people have different priorities and that is fine with me.

My right leg from the knee down is full of titanium due to fractures and subsequent surgery. I have flown quite a few times and it has never beeped. Same with cruises. The last time I flew I beeped but it was my bra hooks. I guess the answer is, it depends on what type of material was used.

I have been on the Magic twice, both times with ATD. Both times got to the dining room by 6 and didn't wait more than 15 mins. ATD is not for everyone. I am not a carnival cheerleader, I just like ATD. We first experienced it on NCL as freestyle dining. I just know that the later I go the longer the wait.

My DIL works for the federal reserve bank and travels to Wash DC frequently with other people. Since my DH is an UBER driver in St Louis she decided to try UBER one time. No more taxis for her. They will no longer use taxis in Wash DC. You might have to wait 1-2 hrs for a taxi whereas an UBER ride will come very quickly. You will actually know approx how long it will take the UBER driver to get to you. Also with UBER you don't pay in cash. Your account is tied to a bank account so when the ride is over your account is debited.

Last year in May we had to show photo ID and sign and sail card to get back on the pier in Roatan, Honduras. It was the local authorities doing it not Carnival. We normally take DL and S+S card into port with us but it really is just personal preference.

Did a cruise with my sister's, 3 women in a cabin. There is not plenty of space in the bathroom with 3 women. We took one, worked great. We hung it on a closet door. We are going again in October with our niece. With 4 women we will have one again. But I am going to buy the command brand hooks to hang them with.

I save 1 prescription bottle for each drug I take, including OTC. I take enough of each to cover the days I will be gone, plus a few extra days. When I get on the ship I put everything in pill boxes and toss the bottles before disembarking. I take 4 prescription meds plus vitamin d supplements so it adds up to quite a few pills.

I don't want to take any chances with drugs. I will be slightly inconvenienced by taking those bottles.

I did 3 women in a balcony before with my sister's. We did fine. We are booked in Oct for 4 women in a spa balcony on the Breeze. We will see but I don't foresee any problems. None of us are high maintenance and don't stress over stuff.

We did a cruise with my sisters and their husbands. We did not link our bookings but we did have anytime dining. The first night we went to the dining room and asked to be seated together. No problem. They linked us after that but we did not eat together every evening. Shouldn't be any problem for you. Everyone eats where they want to.

Just read the liquor policy. It says embarckation only.

I would pick Magic. Been on her twice, love her. Would be on her in Oct but she moved. Also for the ports.

You should only have to print out for the added person. I just checked my booking, each person has a separate pass.

Reviews are based on one person's opinion. What one person considers crowded another person won't. Same with the service, food etc. Don't rely too much on reviews. And don't let those reviews affect your enjoyment either. My experience has been if you go with an attitude of expecting to enjoy it you will.

Just asked DH, he is an Uber driver. He said UberX would probably be tight. Should go for XL.

We usually sail out of Galveston. We alway get a drink upon boarding.

I prepay some things and not others. We add gratuities when booking, we choose to consider it part of the cost of cruising. Sometimes we book excursions in advance sometimes we don't. WARNING to those in the "don't prepay" camp. I am booked on a cruise in Oct with my sisters. I paid my share last Sept, in full, one year ahead because of financial reasons. Some of us have to plan ahead and budget for cruises. To those who don't I am very happy for you. But please understand that not everyone is in the same financial position. I sense an air smugness/superiority from those who don't pay ahead. Neither way is right or wrong, just different.