heatherbelle

I am looking for a good hotel with cheap or free parking close to the action of Miami for 2 nights. We will be arriving on a late flight from the UK.

I did originally look at the airport hotels, but feel it would be nicer to be closer to everything. There are three of us my DS will be 16 and we will be there in late July before heading to WDW.

Other than the port I am not familiar with the area at all, as in the past only cruised out of the port straight from flying into MIA.

Also any tips on the best things to see or do in Miami gratefully received. Sadly no cruise this time.

Majorca port schedule for 2016 only looked at mid July Agust shows the following ships. Allure and Adventure.

Gibraltar is showing Anthem and Adventure

Port for Rome isn't showing anything yet for RCL, but does show Princess ships, coral, Emerald and Caribbean on select dates.

Sorry if this has already been posted I foud this info whilst trying to find a Carnival ship.

11/07/16 constellation Gibraltar

06/09/16 eclipse Gibraltar

10/09 Silouette Gibraltar

24/09 Equinox Gibraltar

14/10 Silouette Gibraltar

29/07 Equinox Mallorca

I have only searched mid July to the end of August and lots of other ports have no details.

It might be of interest to those looking at trannies.

I have been tracking prices on 3 Med cruise in July August next year, when the 123go over came back, all three cruises had price increased, ranging from $800 to $1000. The same cabins were available before the offer and now, so it's not cabin sales that pushed the price up.

You have cabins above you, so no noise from above. I enjoyed deck 8, I can't remember my cabin number, but it was 4 doors down from the bridge nice and peaceful, apart from kids banging their balcony doors and doors across the hall:eek:

Great exciting news to report. I have this morning received a survey from Carnival cruise lines asking for my views on various departure ports and ports of call in the Med in the next two years.

Departure ports mentioned in the survey were, Athens, Rome, Barcelona.

Cruise lengths requested were ranging from 7 to 12 nights, how interested would you be etc.

Exciting ports of call suggested, Istanbul, Malta, Crete, Dubrovnik, Rhodes, as well as the same old boring ones, Rome, Livorno, Marseilles, Majorca, Barcelona.

I also put in my notes to drop Crete and add Dubrovnik and Split instead to one of the 12 day itineraries mentioned. Some Greek Islands are like Caribbean Islands seen one seen them all after a while. I am based in Europe so I have been to the boring ports mentioned above many times, plus all of the major lines offer those ports. Carnival needs to offer something different. No mention of Venice at all, so this survey is obviously for the Vista. Months of cruise were May to September, which months would you cruise in?

How likely are you to cruise in the next two years? Which suggests Vista.

I took screen shots, but unable to post here, sorry, but they can be found elsewhere.

I am lucky enough to have been on both. The Sunshine in the Med last year when it had a few teething problems (which it no longer has) and the Breeze this summer.

I felt they were both as equally enjoyable. The Breeze is bigger, which makes all public areas on the ship bigger for example larger kids clubs, casino, showroom. It has a few extras, thrill theatre and a separate disco, but that's it.

I would happily sail on either ship again, but next time we are going to try a different line. The ships were so similar that there was nothing new to discover, which is part of the enjoyment for us.

For me the deal breaker is all about ports, I choose a cruise to see the ports, now if cash comes into the equation and it's $1800 then I wouldn't be asking, I'd be booking. :D. That $1800 will go a long way towards another cruise, because yes you will be booking another one after this one, it's very addictive. Your kids will love it.

If you can book early saver book that rate and keep checking for price reductions and claim them. There were lots of price drops on both the Sunshine and Breeze this August.:D

Just an dad, when you step on board any ship on your first day you will think it's a zoo and what have I let myself into. By later that evening the crowds will have dispersed. Also book faster to the fun worth every penny.

Yes the Sunshine has a ropes course, no thrill theatre and you're not missing anything there.

Nice review, I was on your sailing with you. I couldn't believe the queues at Miami, we arrived around 12 and I had purchased FTTF, thank goodness. When I looked overboard around 2.00 pm there were lines right past the cruise terminal outside to the other side of the road. Someone said they were late letting people onboard due to an immigration issue, whether that is true or not I don't know. I did wonder if it was always like that as I have never cruised out of Miami before. Venice certainly was a lot more organised last year.

I couldn't find any Carnival staff to ask how to bypass the queue outside to get onboard quickly we queued around 15 mins out in the heat before getting to the terminal door. Once they saw we had FTTF we were straight through and onboard in around 15 mins. The hall was packed to the gills.

I never saw any discarded food around the ship, we were on deck 11. Some people are gross, it makes you wonder what their homes are like. Personally I did not care for San Juan.

I was considering that cruise. However after hearing about the large crowds I decided against it. Hotel prices plus air will be higher and Venice is crowded enough in July without the extra crowds of locals from the main land too. I am still considering it, but with it being a 14 night cruise it means we would need to fly in the same day and not experience Venice, which I love.

I will stick to the fireworks at Disney this year. However saying that i would imagine it's a wonderful sight. You might be better taking a tour from the ship as the locals will know hoe to navigate the crowds.

On June 26, Voyager of the Seas will sail a six-night cruise from Beijing (Tianjin) to its new homeport of Hong Kong, where the ship will offer 22 sailings through October 2015 for international vacationers. The three- to 10-night sailings visit Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, as well as destinations

I found this on the web using google.

I wish we could find out soon, because reward flights will start appearing soon for August.

I have just sent RCL Asia a face message.

On DCL they use face recognition software too to try and match all of the photos. I love DCL, but my credit card loves Carnival more.

I wish they would start to issue some more info regarding the Vista.

Well... Spoiler alert...

 

I think Princess must have relinquished all editorial control as it was typical ITV junk and did NOTHING to portray Princess cruises as the quality, elegant and refined cruise line we've done 13 cruises on.

 

A mixture of old, stuck-up, old, moaning, old, boring, old, annoying, old, over familiar, old, pompous, old, opinionated, old. Did I mention OLD?

 

As for the annoying woman who washes her own underwear and hangs it in the shower... Get a life: you're on holiday, buy more underwear. Oh and get over yourself, mushrooms do not make the holiday! And did she really have a food fight with the Captain on one cruise? And as for planning where to stand in the atrium to get free drinks...:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

 

The production was well photographed and only spoiled by the not at all amusing voiceover by "comedian" John Thomson.

 

If you do manage to see it, turn the volume down, don't expect to see your favorite cruise line but DO NOT show it to your non-cruising friends in the hope to convert them!

 

I would go as far as saying Princess may have a lot more cancellations than new bookings as a result of it!

 

Just my 2c worth... I'll get my coat!

I couldn't agree more. I have never cruised on Princess, but from all the trip reports I have read I wasn't expecting this.

If I cruised outside of school hols it would have put me off ever cruising on Princess.

Can I also add that the majority of us Brits are nothing like the moaning minnie vet.

Poor Princess this programme will do nothing for them.

I would go. Yes the ports are exhausting, yes you are on a mega ship with far more to do than you will cover in a week. But you will have a fantastic time.

Do you homework regarding private tours to save time and your legs and you can do it all.

We have cruised twice in the med, for us we did all of the ports and stayed up late on the ship to enjoy all that it offered. You can sleep when you get home.

The ports the Allure is going to are well organised and will easily cope with a ship that size. When I checked it out it was the only ship in port that day (for July). I was looking because I wanted to do a B2B on another ship, but nothing tied up.

Marseilles is a horrible port, the port charge €15 each to bus you into town, public transport is a good 2 mile walk. The actual town of Marseilles is lovely.

Livorno, a long walk to public transport, and a charge for the bus. Marjoca you can walk to the bus stop that will take you into town or to the water park. Not a fan of Marjoca because I have been lots of times being a Brit.

Barcelona, get a hop on hop off bus or head to the Olympic port area. I love Barcelona so much to do.

Anyone know where the Legend is in July early August 2015?

I had a quote from a US TA, and I could have the 123 two options $200 from Celeb, plus $700 from him. This was based on a cruise costing over $8000. It might be worth getting quotes from US TA's, they can book cruises for us Brits.

I think patience is needed for 2015. There are an awful lot of new ships in the Med next year, plus the Allure, plus an extra MSC ship or too, so too many cabins and not enough passengers perhaps. I think we might see lots of lower prices, if we can hold our nerve and not hit the book button.

RCL (USA) have already started with the BOGOHP and Celebrity with an early offer of 123 go for 2015. RCL UK are offering "free flights".

I have been on the Disney Magic and Carnival Sunshine. DCL was my first cruise line. I have to confess I was dreading trying Carnival, we did it purely from a cost point of view last year. MyDH said if you don't try it we don't know. We got a balcony cabin sailing for 11 nights as oppose to an inside for 7 nights and money left over. We all loved Carnival. I think the only thing I missed was the rotating dining, which is unique to Disney. I also missed those free cakes in cove cafe:D.

I found the entertainment was better for adults on an evening, more going on. My DS loved his club. When we got back, I actually cancelled my DCL Fantasy cruise and have booked us on the Breeze for this summer. I can't help with your choice of ship, but personally I like newer ships, hence my choice of the Breeze.

I would try it and see for the money you will save flying to Florida and the increased cost of the actual cruise. The DCL Fantasy was £2350 for the three of us in a 5E aft a similar balcony cabin after a price drop on Carnival was £1750 for three of us. That saving has been put towards a stay at Disney's Yacht Club.

Have a look at the Connie sailing on 19/07/15. You also get fireworks in Venice. It will be extremely busy I suspect, but there are lots of fantastic ports on that sailing.

Are you not able to cash out at the Casino like you can do on Carnival.

We loaded our casino card with our OBC amount, played a couple of games on the slots, then took the card to the Casino desk and asked to cash it out, looking very guilty. Bingo money paid, although in dollars.

The dollars are coming with us on our next cruise to pay for trips.

Failing that it wouldn't cost that much to exchange your dollars at Sainsbury's when you came home.

I have been on both ships in the Med.

For the money Carnival offers an excellent product. I was so impressed with Carnival, that I cancelled my DCL Fantasy sailing and booked the Breeze for this summer. Saved over $1500. Disney is very nice, but with the dollars we saved it meant I could afford to stay at the Yacht Club for my land vacation.

If money was no object then of course I would cruise with DCL, lots of lovely touches everywhere, especially in the dessert department:D.

My DS whose now 15 prefers the Carnival product, but he is rather old for characters.

Have a look at Gambee's trip reports, one is the Breeze the other the Fantasy. I appreciate they are not your chosen ship, but they give an overview of both of the cruise lines and Carnival although they don't beat Disney they come pretty close when he hands out the points.

Another one here having to cross the pond.

I know one thing for sure, if the Visa does do a Med cruise we will be on it and booking at the Early Saver rate this time.

Does anyone have any info as it what happens after June 2015 in the Far East. I am looking for mid July and early August?

Depart from Rome (only because Venice won't allow the big boats), set sail for Dubrovnik, Kotor, Crete, Istanbul, Izmir, Santorini, Mykonos, Malta, Tunis, Siciliy, Naples, Sardinia, Villefrance, Gibraltar, Maderia, Canary Islands , Vigo, and back to Southampton. Departure date of 28/07/16 and balconies priced at $700 each.:D

Loving the review, only 92 days until I sail on the. Breeze, just made my final payment, so I hope you have a strong positive ending.

I too have a Spa cabin booked and I didn't know you got free scrubs, so thank you for the person who posted that info.:D

Keep it coming when you can. I am going to post a link to my cruise buddies.

I was on Carnival last year. The cruise port is miles away from the city. There were buses, but the port charged 15 euros each. There were also taxis available but I have no idea of cost to town. There is a bus stop,but it is difficult to find and quite a hike.

We arranged for a tut-tut to pick us up for 20 euros followed by a tour if Marseilles for a further 80 euros. The we got a taxi back to port which was around 22 euros.

Google Marseilles tut-tut if you are interested in that.