cnee

Since we are not yet Platinum, and having done it both ways (FTTF and not), IMO - it depends on your situation. We don't normally make special reservations, so that's not a factor for us. I normally look at when we'll be arriving to the port, how many times we have to tender, and any special situations. I paid for it for our upcoming cruise on 12/30 because we will be travelling with my FIL and he generally hates to get off the ship. Since we are also taking our 12 yo and 9yo, he has made a statement that this cruise is for the kids (since he is 86 and has had a stroke it's hard for him sometimes). So I have tried to make it as easy for us as possible.

On our last cruise, I did not pay for it. We didn't have any tenders, it was just my DH and myself, and we were completely in vacation mode. Do I think it CAN be worth it? Yes. Is it always? Not really.

I hope this helps.

I have never done toll booths. Are toll roads required and how do you pay? Sorry I'm from Arizona where we don't pay toll fees.

 

Also, does anyone have information on best rental car companies to use that won't charge a fee to drop off at another location? I looked up Thrifty online and they add a $50 charge to pick up at MCO and drop off at Cape Canaveral. If that's the case then I would likely take a shuttle instead.

DON"T. DO NOT. NO! Don't rent Thrifty!!!!!!!! We rented from them in June and it was the worst experience EVER!!!! My husband and I travel quite a bit for both personal and business. I don't normally say anything about any hotel, rental car, or other customer service (since that's the business that we're in), but I have never left an establishment feeling like I'd been swindled. Everything was extra and a simple rental that was fairly inexpensive turned into a $400 car rental!

I just got off the Pride. They were serving 16oz Angry Orchard (one of my favs!). I think it was the only gluten free beer/cider offered.

When we were on a HAL ship a few years ago, the lady's name was Mama Lou (I think). She had been on the ship for a little over a year, and he staff all loved her! She joked with everyone that it truly was cheaper to do, so that's what she was doing!

I LOVE our PVP! He is truly awesome. Whenever I need something, he always answers the questions and then if he doesn't know the answer he will always find out and get back to me.

Yes, he does know that I'm on the website and I usually get a call the next day.

Calvyn mentioned it on the Morning show Saturday the 19th. Then he admitted that he had forgotten the box containing all of the entries for the Murder mystery.

We were also on this cruise. It was our 2nd time on this same ship, same itinerary, our 9th overall. This is an interesting comment about the medical...we were told that an 18 wheeler with food hadn't arrived on time and THAT'S why were late. I also am planning on writing a review, but I need to get back to work so I'll keep it brief.

The weather was beautiful, the water couldn't have been smoother sailing, and Half Moon Cay was stunning (as always). While in Grand Turk, we choose to lay around the pool at Margaritaville, and relax with a cabana (this year though it wasn't necessary, as it was quite breezy. I found Calvyn to be disorganized and the fact that he FAILED to pick up the Murder mystery answer box was a testament to that. The Service in the dining room was horribly sub-par (it took 1 hour and 10 minutes to finish dinner and that was when we got up to leave without dessert or we'd miss the show). Breakfast service was equally as slow, none of our food came out together OR hot. This was the service that we received until we said something on Wednesday to Bimal (the Dining Manager). At which point our rooms got flagged and when we walked in there was a call made and magically had more waitstaff attend to us (which wasn't the point).

I agree this is a GREAT itinerary, but it seemed there was a LOT of new staff on board. The casino had all new tables which have electronic features - mainly to help the dealers, but also to help more accurately rate the players.