livingis2me

I just wanted to give my report of my most recent experience. We booked a night at Comfort Suites Paradise Island to get access to Atlantis Aquaventure for day in port. I did the trick where I used points to cover the cost of the reservation for four. It was 12,000 Choice points. I purchased these points for about $80 during a points sale with Choice. We made the reservation about a month in advance. We understood that it would be another $200 plus in fees for the 4 of us. We figured $280ish plus cab fare was a great price for 4 of us to get to spend the day in the water park. When we went to check into comfort suites, we were quickly informed that Atlantis no longer gives wrist bands to guests until after 3 pm on check in day, no matter how busy the park was. Previously I had read that was a possibility on busy days, but never actually enforced. On Monday 9/23/2024, a slow day in port (only the Mardi Gras and the Elation), we were told by the staff at Comfort Suites that this is now always enforced. Luckily, we were able to log into my reservation and cancel the reservation online since it was only 9 am. The 4 of us still had our hearts set on Aquaventure and went over to Atlantis to purchase admission for the day. It was $660 for the 4 of us. The staff at Atlantis did confirm that Comfort Suites guests were definitely not allowed to enter the park before 3 pm on their check in day, even if the reservation was made well in advance. They said this was a newer policy. That day at the park was nice. Not crowded at all. No more than a 10 minute wait for anything. Most slides were walk on. Plenty of empty loungers with umbrellas along the pool areas So bottom line: the Comfort suites trick no longer works. At least for the time being. I wouldn’t risk it. Ron

Fantastic! Thank you for your help

Thank you! Just to clarify, when you say gift card, are you talking about the e-gift card on your phone that you are adding at the kiosks or a physical plastic gift card?

Thank you for the insight! If anybody does have experience adding them at a kiosk or if they had to add another form of payment, please let me know. Thanks!

I have 2 $500 e-gift cards ($1000) from AARP that I plan to use for my onboard expenses on the Mardi Gras. If I put these on my portfolio when I get onboard, will I also have to put down a credit card or cash? Will this pay for gratuities, specialty dining, drinks and shops? How do I put them into my portfolio? Do the kiosks accept e-gift cards or will I need to visit guest services? My apologies if these questions have been answered many times over. Thanks! Ron

How do you use these gift cards to book a cruise? I’m online and I’d like to use a gift card, but the only options to make it down payment say credit card, or PayPal. thanks Ron

I definitely did the mock booking. The new deal would be over $400 more for the cruise in a breezy balcony that we’d planned to book. With the total price and then the $300 fuel surcharge (4 people/5 nights). I’m looking at pricing that is almost as much as the Carnival Celebration or Mardi Gras 7 night cruise for the same sail dates. As a lifelong JB fan (RIP) and a Tampa resident, I was really wanting to do this cruise. But MSC Or Carnival really have better pricing on some really nice ships.

I was hoping to call in to make a Reservation for the Islander in September today. I didn’t want to book online because I wanted to choose my own cabin. Yesterday I received an email stating this buy one get 3 passengers was good until 2/12. Today I call to find out that corporate decided to end the promotion early and today it’s back to the usual buy one get one. I guess I’ll spend my cruise $ elsewhere. I’m bummed out because I was kind of excited to try Margaritaville

$550 taxes and fee for 4. Today the buy 1 get three free sale seems to be over. So 4 will cost significantly more. Hopefully it returns. I was going to book it when I had time to make a call in to reservations because I wanted to choose my own cabin. Unfortunately, it looks like I waited too long. Ron

I’ve just boarded for a 4 night. Hola! Is open for lunch Ron

Hi, Is there a way to choose your actual stateroom number? I’m finding the booking process to be a bit different than from what I’ve experienced with other cruise lines thanks, Ron

Ok then…. Thank you for the reply. Enjoy the rest of your cruise!

😎 thank you

Hi. Were you starboard? Forward or aft? I’m trying to find out I’d notice any smells from the smoking areas on starboard deck 8. thanks Ron

Hello! I’m booked in a deck 9 starboard balcony (Jr suite area) for our upcoming cruise. It is my understanding that deck 8 starboard is a smoking area. Has anyone here been in those balconies? Specifically a little aft of the hump. If so, did you smell smoke from below? thanks, Ron

Thank you