lesters

Well we are back from a great trip to the ABC’s – as always after learning so much from everyone on here I am back to tell our tale and hopefully provide some help to you along the way! I always like to start these reviews with a big about us – helps you understand our perspective on things 😊 This was our 7th cruise with Carnival, first time cruising without our daughter!! DH and I are in our late 40’s and love to travel – All inclusives to Mexico and Cuba, Vegas, NYC, Disney, Europe … we want to see it all! I am going to break my thoughts into the bigger categories, rather than a day-by-day situation, and try to post some pictures along the way as well – which will be a first.

Our trip home was super uneventful - which is nice for a travel day! Our debarkation was delayed a bit as police came aboard and made some arrests apparently - saw on a FB group post pictures. We had taken the last zone tags available - 27 - as our flight was not until 2:30 from Fort Lauderdale. Enjoyed a breakfast and then hung out for a bit before being called at the end - off the ship and in an uber by 9:45 am. Walked through the line at customs for Canadian Passport holders - but it also had American's using a birth certificate so it was a bit slower than those able to use the facial recognition. We noticed too late that at the far far rightest lane there was a Global Entry/Trusted Traveler lane. Not sure if our Nexus could have been used there or not but will ask next time before commiting to a line. As noted, we were in an Uber by 9:45 - we called for it and it arrived in less than 10 minutes. I had pre=booked one for 11:00 as I wasn't sure what time we'd be off by so was able to cancel and rebook very easily. Arrived at the airport 10:40 am and had to wait for the WestJet counter to open - it opens 3 hours before a flight. It was another jam packed flight but left on time with no issues. Customs in Toronto was quick with our Nexus and we had no issues using the ArriveCan app - which is now on its way out anyways. I never found it to be any sort of big deal to complete at all. Another 4 hour layover in Toronto and we were on our way back to Saskatoon. Any questions please go ahead and ask. I will be working on a proper review of our trip and will share a link as requested too.

Time for some updates and info while DH dives in Bonaire and I have some down time 😄 The ship is full we have witnessed super long lines for comedy so not going to that. But it’s been no wait to get tables at MDR. Casino continues to be busy but no problem finding a spot at a table or machine. I likely won’t be anywhere near a kids club as this is our first cruise on our own for the person that asked. Loving a quiet morning on board while most have gone ashore. Heading out myself after lunch to explore So on for a bit for any other questions

We have not made it there yet. It’s typically one of our fav hangouts. It sounded good when we walked by. If I we make it I will update!

Nope we have Cookie it’s a Premier cruise so I think extra busy in the casino

We arrived at 12:30 early for our booked arrival of 1:30-2:00 as we couldn’t get a later check out in our hotel. We arrived got in the early arrival line and just kept walking until we were on board less than an hour all in. We took an Uber from Miami Beach. It was $35 I think. And worked well. We were able to go to our rooms - which we did after the muster We ate at Pig and Anchor. It was good and not busy. I’m doing what I can to avoid too many people but the casino is what it is. I think I prefer a regular balcony but it’s good. Not much movement at all which is good for DH as he can get motion sick. Seeing the water zip by is at times not great for him from because of that. Like the landscape in a car. I don’t wKt to jinx it but not at all. We are near yen family harbour area so that might help. But have not noticed anywhere else

Yes Steakhouse did offer the free wine or 1/2 priced bottle I am on the value plan to keep in touch with home and it’s working great!! Yes - ABCs a bucket list for sure!

No Havana - we are in a Cove Balcony for the first time. Usually have a regular balcony I saw the salad bar but wasn’t hungry so didn’t have anything but it looked great

Hello from the Serenity Deck on Sea Dau number 2 where the chair hogs are out in full force smh oh well I have a lounger and will enjoy some morning sun. While I wait for DH to wake up I thought I would post some initial thoughts and answer a question or two. We are loving the ship. Enjoyed the steakhouse first night and elegant last night. Food has been great. We have not even stopped at the lido deck yet lol so no idea about the buffet. And I won’t set food in there if I can all cruise. Line up for the comedy club was huge so haven’t gone there yet. Enjoyed the sports bar last night for the packers game. The casino has been packed as well. Drink service has been super slow in there which might not be a bad thing lol. I will do my best to pop back and answer questions

It was $107 with a tip because we hit surge pricing - extra $38 FFS. Would have been $55

We are here in Miami Beach!!!! I couldn’t get the site to load yesterday for some reason when I wanted to post. Oh well. Checked bags arrived with no issues. We took an Uber from Fort Lauderdale to our hotel in Miami Beach. That was an a frustration as the driver couldn’t find us - his GPS kept taking him to the spot a level above us and he didn’t speak English so communication was a challenge. But we arrived at the Courtyard Inn and had a an amazing evening walking along Ocean Drive having amazing food and some drinks!! Boarding the Horizon today so any posts will move over to Carnivals board. But will post here our return back to Saskatoon!

We are on board a very full WestJet flight to Fort Lauderdale. Overhead space is packed. Happy we were zone 2 with Silver status to get our on board with no issues. Almost go time!!

Yup. It was not the relaxing lounge experience I had hoped

We are through to the lounge in Pearson Great stay at the Westin Airport would go back there again. Hopped on the shuttle to the airport at 7:30 and less than an hour later we were through bag drop, security and US Customs. Having Nexus was very helpful. There were some lines but nothing crazy. Hanging out in the very subpar lounge in Terminal 3. If we didn’t have passes I would be so mad if I’d paid for this spot. It’s crowded, way too bright, loud and they make you pay for tomato juice for a Bloody Mary and sparkling wine for a mimosa??!! That is a first with all my travels and airport lounge visits. Oh well. It’s a free breakfast and coffee. 1 hour until boarding!

Well we arrived in Toronto. We were delayed by almost 3 hours out of Saskatoon because of fog 🤦‍♀️ When we finally arrived in TO there was a giant line up for folks dealing with connections but as we are overnighting it here no problem for us. Bags arrived quickly and no issues at all at Pearson!

And we are off!!!! Waiting to board our flight to Toronto. In typical fashion no line ups at the Saskatoon airport. It’s a full flight to Toronto this morning as well! Now all my fingers and toes are crossed that our checked bags are at the other end of this flight 😝

LOL Long story why the Tigers but it has to do with finally having cable as a young person and watching them win with Sparky 🙂 its been a very rough season(s) LOL NOT a chance with the Lions - we are an NFL house not CFL, but not the Lions. We are split between the Packers (DH) and the Steelers (me) LOL

We are officially 2 sleeps away from holidays beginning!! We are starting our adventure with a night in Toronto and a Blue Jays game. Staying at the Westin Airport and on my Bonvoy app I have already checked us in - requesting an early check in as well! Hopefully by the time we land our room will be ready and waiting for us. We are finishing up our Verifly stuff over the next day as well to speed up boarding - will share how that works out as well.

Hey everyone! We are arriving on Friday to Miami for cruise on Saturday. Spending the night and the morning in South Beach before boarding the Horizon. Looking at the weather it is not looking great for wandering around as I had hoped for the evening and morning. First time in Miami - is this weather like other tropical locations, showing thunderstorms and a bit of rain but it typically just happens for a short time and then its hot and humid the remainder of the day??? Or are we in for grey, humid, hot, wet weather? Trying to figure out what to pack for Friday evening and Saturday before we board. Thanks everyone!

OP I also am happy this popped up from March 🙂 I am taking my parents on a cruise in February with my DH and I - on the Magic and a similar itenary. Dad had a stroke 4 years ago and sounds similar to your dad. He walks with a cane but I am worried about some of the longer pier walks and was unsure about tender process. I will be sure to call Carnival's assistance line before we go to ensure we are all set! This trip will be huge for my mom especially who really needs some fun as she is dad's caregiver round the clock - not that he needs a lot but her freedom and their life plan flipped on a dime after his stroke. So this trip is going to be huge to show dad what he can still do and a chance for my mom to relax and have some fun - while we provide some of that assistance on board!

A bit more about us and this trip - sailing on the Horizon will be myself and my DH. First time just us - leaving our daughter home this trip. She starting her second year of University so not a great time for her to miss. This will be our 7th Carnival cruise, 8th total. Since travel started to open back up we’ve been to Mexico twice and once to Vegas. We do love to travel and we have been super careful on those other trips and stayed healthy on them all. Hoping our past practices will help us out on this one as well. We are fully vaxed and boosted. We will be taking our masks and will pop them on as situations arise that make us feel they are warranted. This approach has worked and fingers crossed it continues to. As noted earlier we are staying one night in Toronto and one. One night in Miami (South Beach) before we sail. It will be our first time sailing out of Miami. I am super excited to check out South Beach and some Miami Vice vibes. For the cruise we staying in a Cove Balcony cabin for the first time - always have sailed in a regular balcony so looking forward to trying it as well. We are on the Any Time dining and have booked a few specialty restaurants - the steakhouse and JiJis. Starting on my packing tonight!! Getting so excited 😆

Hey fellow Canuck’s we are I. The final days of preparation and packing for our cruise to the ABCs! I will do my best to post a fairly live account of travel from Saskatoon via Toronto to Fort Lauderdale with an Uber to Miami 😎 and then boarding Carnival’s Horizon for an 8 day adventure! This is our first cruise post well you know what. We are flying to Pearson on WestJet, spending the night going to a Jays game (psst we are Tigers fans but will enjoy it anyway] getting up the next day and flying to Fort Lauderdale then heading to South Beach for the evening and morning before boarding. Why all the stops? Well for one we always fly in at least one day ahead. And two we are travelling on WJ companion flights and you can’t code share on those, so it’s taking an overnight in TO to make it work. But hey it’s holidays and an adventure! Hoping for smooth sailing / flying with no issues or delays that we heard about over the summer months.

Unless you are on a Disney cruise. They have them

The Miracle was our first Carnival cruise - after our first cruise on Disney - and our DD loved it. Now this was a number of years ago... but the ship is a great size. Not so giant that its overwhelming and not too small that you are missing out on amenities. Going to the shows was always a highlight - I know they can be hit or miss but she always loved them. She also liked playing bingo with us LOL - did that on both Carnival and Disney with her LOL Waterslides and the pool / splash areas were fun too. I always have said that I think a cruise is the best family vacation. There is so much to do together and on your own - when she is in kids club you can get some me time! Being open to going with the flow was the biggest thing that I learned in travelling with little(r) ones.

Thanks this is what I had hoped too - that our rooms should be ready by then so carrying on our selves is not a big deal.