Naomi John

20 hours ago, LHARTWICK said:

For both our DEC 2021 and APR 2022 cruises, we were allowed to drop off our luggage quickly then head to our muster station check-in.  We are Platinum.  

So you were not able to go to the rooms before 1:30 PM?

Is it hard to get a taxi back to the port?

As of June 2018, (when we last sailed, we arrived at the port at 9am), they will not allow you to enter to check in until 10AM.  We parked at the port and when we got off the elevators, we were escorted, (literally), outside.

Not wrong. Just different. I do not know if this was either her second or 6th cruise, but it just depends on your Teen.

Yes!!! I know they have a family board on CC, but most of it is for the under 12, (OK under 7), age group. Having a child who has been through the camps from age 6 to, most recently, 16, this is the best advise for the 12-17 age groups. Maybe Cruise Critic could create a forum just for teens?

Hi everyone,

 

We just got back from the Carnival Breeze Western Caribbean itinerary (June 24 sailing). I'm going to post some more later on our experiences but I wanted to get this out there first.

 

If you have teens/tweens that are in the Circle C age group, get them to go the first night to the mixer/orientation above all else. Don't go swimming and figure you'll "catch up" later. Our kids (14 and 12) found a group of eight or so right away and they spent the whole cruise together as a group. Those friend groups are formed that first night and it's a lot tougher to join in later on. I first caught this on this board and was glad I did, otherwise our kids might have missed out on one of the best experiences of their lives.

 

Our kids mainly used Circle C as a place to meet and hang out. They participated in about 0.3 organized activities. Other kids may have done more but ours just hung out with their friends.

 

Our daughter turns 15 in July and before the cruise really wanted to be in Club O2 - she just finished her freshman year of high school and didn't want to hang out with "middle schoolers". Once she got into her friend group (which had middle schoolers), there was zero talk of jumping up to Club O2. So if you have a child who is on the cusp of joining Club O2, have them give Circle C a chance first.

 

We had a good mix of family time and friends time with Circle C. Generally we ate breakfast and dinner together and were together on excursion days. Otherwise the kids hung out with their friends from late morning to around 5, then from 7:30 to when they got too tired to stay up. This left my wife and I free to do whatever around the ship without feeling guilty we were ignoring our kids.

We recently sailed out of NOLA. I have to give kudos to the Port Of NOLA Parking Porters. Upon our arrival to embark, Lamar, one of the Porters, received our bags, tagged them as priority, noted on our boarding pass of the number of bags, and then personally escorted us to a really nice parking space, (third floor, near the elevators).

When we debarked, our car battery was dead. We could neither access our vehicle, nor access the battery. The Porters within the Port of NOLA parking were extreamely helpful. At first, they gave us the number to the nearest

Pop-A-Lock. We called. while we were waiting, a couple of the porters came to check on us, saying they called a gay who sould help. If I could remember his name, I would state it, but one Porter assisted my husband of unlocking our hood from the outside. He also had a "jumper box", once the hood was open and he was able to get our car started.

Although I researched and considered other parking areas, I will spend the extra money to always park at the Port of NOLA.

As of our June 3, 2018 sailing, if you choose to park at the port, they will not allow you to enter the embarkation area until 10AM.

You may park, enter the elevators, and go to the first floor, but if it is before 10AM, you will have to wait outside.

If you see a chef's table menu, please post. Thanks

Are the room dates swipe or key pad?

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If you can, please post the menu for the Chef's Table.

When we sailed in January one year, my daughter was 2 weeks from age 9, the younger groups are divided 2-5, 6-8, 9-11. I asked if she could be with the 9 year olds, and the counselor said yes. As you are cruising in October, (not a month for large family cruises), it wouldn't hurt to ask. The worst thing is they say is no. And that statement of allowing them down is not always the case. 18 year olds, still in highschool, are unable to participate in Club o2.

Anyone have a recent menu?

Its been stated only 30 cabins total for FTTF depending on how many plats and diamonds are boarding.

(Really any more would defeat the purpose of waiting)

I hate to debunk this, but on the FB page of my up coming cruise, there are more than 50 cabins with FTTF. A poll was done because someone also stated they only sell 50 FTTF cabins total, our cruise was up to 55 the last time I checked.

I cannot believe people are paying almost $90 for this perk.

It doesn't work like that. Pick the time you intend to arrive so that Staggered Check in works as it's designed. If you don't need to pick a time but can get an early one and need it, then pick it. If you don't, it doesn't open it up for a non Priority customer. I have tested this out myself with my mom before she was able to get FTTF. The earlier time did not show for her even when I selected a later time essentially "freeing up" my previous slot. So I went back and and chose my original time again. I'm guessing Carnival has it set up intentionally like this to prevent what you say to do from happening and have a larger group than they can handle show up all at once like the pre Staggered check in days.

Did not know that. Great research.

I have a reason for getting Cheers, but if I post it, someone at Carnival might see it. I will say I do not have to purchase any other drink package.

Have to select a check in time. Think of it as a computer glitch. You can choose a later time and arrive first thing in the morning.

I pick a later time so another can pick an early time, knowing I can check in anytime. It's me, just being nice.

Sailed on her in 2013 and did a review. Not the same ports, but maybe an idea of the ship.

Excellent information. Thanks to all.

just to get through the pop-ups in the article.

In my Signature I have a review of Elation from 2011. I know there have been changes since, but if helps??

I'm also interested in answers. Mine are not 18, but in a seperate cabin. Any information would be helpful.

Taking suggestions to heart. It's our Teen's 10th or 11th cruise, and been on the ships since age 6. Now an elder teen in their own stateroom. Love the suggestions. Keep them coming as it's a first for us.

I hope y'all know if you don't need, want, care for, "the gift", one can go to guest services and ask for a different one.

my 14 year old and 16 year old want to be in the same club. guess that is not happening.

The two teen clubs are usually right next to each other. If the 14 year old is close to 15, they may let it pass.

It is a really easy way of transportation and great way to see the city. The line has expanded. Here is the website for all the information. http://www.norta.com/.