Roadtripster

PIE is too far away from the Port of Tampa to walk.

Best is definitely Uber/Lyft. They drop you right at the entrance. 

Just curious how it works when your cabin has 2 different levels of VIFP. 

One being Platinum and the other Gold. I am assuming with priority embarkation you both get to board together. But what about the Priority/Diamond Party. Is the Platinum person the only one that can attend?

I remember we had just arrived in St. Martin and docked. We were told we were not allowed to disembark and that we would be leaving shortly. They were wanting to get out of the path and ahead of a hurricane. Next thing I knew, we were backing up and leaving.

1. See what week I can go

2. Check for price deals at a port I can get to, no certain cruiseline

3. Doesn't matter where it sails in the caribbean, since I have been to them all

4. Book it

5. Wait, wait, wait!

We always step at the same time, the same foot onto the ship at the same time and give each other a kiss. Then we say............ Vacation Baaaaaaaaaaaaby! LOL

I also take a pic of my first drink as I am lounging on the pool chair. Also, some time during the cruise, I am thinking of that perfect picture to take that represents something that happened on that trip.

I just have what I call my "cruise box". Several different outfits, anything new I have bought, sandals, dress shoes, regular dresses and dressier ones too, etc. I really don't wear this type of clothing here at home. If I would need something like that, I head to the box.

Hi everyone! We are going on our very first cruise next month (LOTS, 7 day Western Carribbean out of Galveston)--to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary. I love seeing everyone's dresses, as it's helped me to choose a formal gown for our trip and I thought I would share a picture of it here.

 

I'm also taking a long sleeved, knee length Navy lace sheath dress for the second formal night (I suppose some might consider that semi-formal but I think it will be sufficient).

 

I also have a question. I realize Tuxedos are not required. My husband has several suits for church, so he may wear his black suit and a coordinating tie to match me. A jacket for men is required for formal nights in the MDR, right?

A jacket is not required in the MDR for formal nights. Many men just wear a nice button up shirt and tie. Mine included. LOL

Simple things like.....

A blue drink

A floppy sun hat

Sunglasses

Camera

A banana

Some eating an ice cream cone

Thank you! It is just a 4 day cruise, so if there is a price drop (which I doubt), I will just need to pay $200 more to get it. Thanks for the info!

Correct. When I readjust, I have never even needed to pay right then and there on the phone. I check later online on the "manage my cruise" and see when the due date is for the newly adjusted deposit.

Just know that IF any of you who book this special rate decide at a later date to change ANYTHING on your booking,,,, (even if it's just to get a price drop),,, you will be REQUIRED to pay the original amount of deposit ($250 per person) in full. If you don't pay, they will cancel the entire cruise for you.

 

When you call in, they may or may not tell you about this requirement.

 

How can this be?

When you call in for a price drop or anything else that changes your booking,,,, your new booking change also changes to the new Terms and Conditions of the new booking.

This info will be in the fine print. It may or may not be shouted out.

I just had this happen on a recent booking. I booked with the special deposit and knew if I had an adjustment that I would need to pay the balance of the deposit. Even though the representative never told me that, I knew it. I just checked the date the money was due and paid it.

As far as the $49 deposit deal, I just booked one for three people, the deposit is for $49 each. I paid that deposit and will keep searching for deals to pop up later and work out the payment for it then. I'm just happy now, that I know I have the cabin I want and can adjust it later if need be.

PS. I like the bottom one the best (halter neck, boy shorts )

I second that! The shorts look really cute on you!

We always decorate our door to some kind of theme for us. Just have a good time doing it and never have a problem with it. Actually, this time on the cruise I think we have narrowed down our theme to be Gilligans Island. Its fun trying to come up with decorating ideas and helps with the countdowning of the days.

I am a less the people, the better type person. I usually will cruise with my SO. We have treated a friend of ours on her first cruise and now another. Luckily she is one who is good with doing things on her own.

I love taking vacations by myself. Some of my best ones have been just me. From traveling Europe, to hiking the Grand Canyon and cruising. With my work schedule I love the solitude. On a cruise, I don't want to make friends and chit chat and learn things from them. I want to be left alone and vege out. My SO and friend are the ones that are people persons. They know once I find a lounge chair on deck, that is where I will be all day. They come and go as they please throughout the day and check up on me. We meet up for dinner and usually my SO and I will do our thing afterwards and our friend goes and does what she wants.

I would never be able to just go with any ole friend. I know who I would be able to handle a vacation with and that list is very small. LOL

As for family members, never. LOL

Check the carnival fare view@ carnival.com/BookingEngine/FareViewer

 

If you are booked in early saver then you can get any rate you would have qualified. (i.e. you can't get an senior rate if you are not a senior, but you can get the past guest if you have sailed Carnival before.)

I go there too and that is the price I was thinking I was going to get the reduction to, but it ended up being more. So Im confused how he took more off than what I was seeing.

I called Carnival to get a price reduction on my cruise. Which they gladly adjusted for me. But, to my surprise, it was waayyy more than I was figuring. I have no clue how he got to that pricing, as that is not what I was seeing. LOL

I went to make a mock booking and that price is much higher than the one I have. My question is....

In the future, is there anyway/place to go to and see if I could still get my price adjusted? If the website booking is showing a higher price than mine now, am I to assume I am probably at the lowest price I will get to? If I see the mock pricing has gone down, do you think I should still go ahead and call Carnival and see if there is a change in mine?

What items in the buffet do you eat? Do you prefer to serve yourself in the buffet and get what you want than to be served in the MDR?

 

I don't find the choices in the MDR vs the buffet to be that much different. One is self serve and the other is sit down service by waiters.

Not much. I usually don't find anything there to eat either. Gaining weight on a cruise is definitely not a problem for me.

Not a pizza/italian fan, not pasta, most meats are a no go, no seafood. Doesn't leave much. LOL

There really is not a reason to eat at the buffet. If you don't like the menu, just order from the "Everyday" menu which offers basic items such as flat iron steak, grilled chicken, salmon, and pork chops. The buffet is ok but the MDR does have a better menu with plenty of choices. It is also not necessary to dress up. Have fun.:cool:

Well, in my case, eating off the of "Everyday" menu, doesnt work for me. I wouldn't toch the flat iron steak, grilled chicken, salmon or the pork chops.

I usually will go to the buffet before MDR and eat there and then when in the MDR sit and have a drink while others are eating and then get dessert at dessert time. IF not that way, then I sit and have a drink while they eat and have dessert first and then head to the buffet. Works either way for me.

Never tried just going in for dessert. I guess you can just say no thank you to the entrees and place your order for dessert.

I flew into St. Lucia and they made my EX change out of camo shorts in the airport before going thru customs etc....

None. I loose weight. I am active and eat way more than I do at home (and better) which keeps my metabolism up. I'm a picky eater, so there isnt much on the ship I will choose from.

I have been on the teeter totter of this question for some time. At first, it was hands down an ATW cruise. Then I started to read about the shorter trips and personalized areas. Then I got to thinking, what is it about the ATW cruise I am wanting out of it. For me, I am totally different than most people. I want to be away from home and family and friends for the 3 months. I want the experience of being on a ship for 3 months. I am not into the entertainment on the ship, so the boredom never sets in for me. I figured after I get my "taste" of the world, I will go back to the areas I loved the most. I have been around the world pretty extensively already, so for me, its the ship aspect of it just as much as all the different ports. So, definitely an ATW cruise vote for me.

Love the dress. I just discovered Venus from my daughter. I not only love the clothes, I love the price. I ordered quite a few things for my trip to Vegas. I will also be using them on my next cruise.

That almost sounds exactly like me. LOL Headed to Vegas and crusing and love Venus and their pricing. Always on the site waiting for the next price drop.

PS: OP - Love the dress too! Looks fabulous on you.

Isn't that the truth! Plus, everyone's feet are totally different.

Guess thats the business to be in!!

 

Different strokes for different folks.:) I guess the shoe people love

all of us because we buy all different styles;)

I only own and pack sandals and high heels. I don't even own a pair of "flats". I have no idea what I would wear "flats" with. I only pack dresses as that is just one piece of clothing to bother with for "one outfit", instead of like a blouse and slacks.

I have been on a few rocky cruises, but have never had a problem wearing the heels. Shoot, I even had a lady one time want to buy a pair I had on right then and there.

I will check into all the different airlines mentioned. I have just begun to skim the surface of what flights cost now, even though my date is so far away. I was just trying to get a ballpark idea so I can figure out finances. I know I have lots of research to do and hopefully can come up with the best solution.

Good ideas everyone. But, I have extra traveling to do so the "cruise air" won't work. I wish it could. I have several airports around me and its usually mine that is the cheapest for a major airline. Otherwise, I have to fly smaller planes with transfers to get to the main departing city. As I mentioned, the airfare isn't posted yet as it is too far out. I am looking for July 2016. I hope I can eventually find a good airfare, otherwise I guess I have to bite the bullet to go. But, after talking it over, I think I will be booking anyway.