barefoot cruiser

Quiet roll call.

Everyone excited!

Booked solo.  Let's create some great holiday memories.

Curious, has anyone gone through the short cruise testing at Port Canaveral?  I would love to know how it worked and what to expect. Still hoping to get one before i leave home, but they are a little scarce in my area at the moment.

Also was your email confirmation super generic....as in " thank you for registering, once you arrive follow directions at the Port....No confirmation number or anything of that sort?

I will add, don't make that your only plan in your thoughts.  I wanted to use the Port Canaveral  option as my second option in case CVS canceled....and when I tried to book "no availability for that day".  Hoping my CVS appointment comes through, but will book Walgreens also as option 2

just off the Freedom in December.  staff there is fantastic.  yes they definitely have spiked 🙂

1 hour ago, MeganGC1983 said:

Debarking didn’t start until after 8:15… but the new customs thing is super easy. Walked right off with the bags and into a Lyft. Headed to the airport now and back to reality

The customs thing surprised me on the Freedom last month...I was in shock at how easy that was!

I just booked the Liberty last night for Feb 28.  Came here to boost the excitement...THX!!

I just got off the Freedom in Dec (before the crazy on that ship), my favorite drink was the sangria swirl made with pina colada - of course I didn't figure that out until the last day.

Lord I don't know how you are making 15 each day!

Looking forward to the rest!

11 hours ago, bluebelle2010 said:

I will definitely be visiting the coffee bar! 🙂  I've never been on MSC before so it will be a new experience for me to be on a totally unfamiliar cruise line. I'm looking forward to the change. This cruise goes from Miami to San Juan, Puerto Rico first, which I'm thinking may not be a great stop due to the earthquakes that have hit there recently.  The next stops are Philipsburg, St. Maarten, St. John's Antigua and Barbuda.   I haven't been to any of these locations, so hopefully we will still be able to stop there.  This is a specialty cruise that will have a health related focus with lots of guest speakers on board for nutrition, exercise, etc., so hopefully the speakers will not be cancelling!  Thanks for the good advice and also the reminder about the Airborne!!  

January was my first time on MSC.  I had mixed feelings.  I am sure you have read up a bit on the MSC board, so you will be prepared for some of the differences.  I was fighting getting sick the whole time I was on ship (coming from the NorthEast and having so many friends and neighbors with it, not totally surprising), so I think some of my mixed feelings were underlying not feeling 100%.  I had connected with a lot of people via a social media group, as well as the roll call on cruise critic, so had a "group" that I hung out with most nights.  I had a lot of fun, despite not feeling 100%.  I had an inside cabin and found it plenty big enough (how often are you in there), and had a wonderful room steward who made me feel very welcomed and taken care of.  For what ever reason, I had the hardest time navigating this ship.... i was forever going the wrong direction or on the wrong side (after 9 cruises, I found this very amusing, i have never had such issues 🤣).  The pizza and pasta are definitely high points in the buffet area (this from someone who is not a pizza fan 😮).  Something to note, you can order a la carte at the sushi restaurant which has an amazing view and not have to do the tasting menu.  You can also order sushi here when it switches over to the disco later in the night.

Do stop back and let us know how it goes...and start taking Airborne now!

3 hours ago, bluebelle2010 said:

It looks like I may be solo cruising as my cruise mate is concerned about the Corona Virus and is likely cancelling.  Anyone else going on the MSC Divina out of Miami on 2/21/2020?  Also, anyone have any opinions they'd like to share on air flight or cruise travel during this time?  I'd be interested to see how others feel in that not a lot is known at this point about the virus.  I feel that if I am in general good health and follow safety precautions in regards to hand washing, etc., I should be OK (*fingers crossed*) 🙂

 

 

I just went solo on the Divina a month ago.  say hi to mel"Sid" at the coffee bar.

I think following safety protocols, maybe Airborne to up your vitamin count.  Avoid touching things like banisters unless need to, railings, slot machines...and elbows to push buttons😂

I think caution is always good,that said, at this point they are screening pretty heavily, so unless I was in the Asian areas I would feel safe with a little more stringently following protocols.  Where are you going?  My concern would more be ports being cancelled because of the health scare, so mentally deciding you would be okay with not going to ports ahead of time might be a good prep.

Most of all remember,have a great time!

 I was on the Divina Jan 12-17

I ended up snorkeling in the cove between the lighthouse and the ship, on the lighthouse end (Lighthouse Beach).  There were some fish to see, but you needed to have patience...I will post a few pics i have, when I download them.  That said, the water was a bit murky, so there may have been more.  Admittedly I stayed here because I liked the beach chairs 🙂

A fellow cruiser told me after she snorkeled with me there, she walked past the lighthouse and wrapped around and went farther up that beach (Sunset Beach) and saw much more and didn't want to get out at 4:30 when the lifeguard was going away.

At one point I took the trek around the other direction to the other side of the island ( Bimini Beach) and snorkeled there, and highly recommend not bothering there as all i saw was grass and very few fish of interest.

I will say I really wanted to go into the crew beach, because it looked like a great place to snorkel 🙂  , but I didn't.

I packed a shortie wetsuit, because I have been a little cold sensitive as of late.  I snorkeled without the first time, after that I used the suit.  I had also used it in Costa maya and was very happy i had brought it as an option 🙂

As for food, all the food trucks had hamburgers, hot dogs and fries.  They also had veggie salad, and brownies.  I did not go to the buffet, so i can't speak to that.

We were wonderfully surprised in that we were only scheduled until 4 or 6 (depending when you looked at the schedule, but day of they decided we could stay until 11.  We were able to see both the Junkanoo parade (8:30) and the lighthouse shows (with beach party between)(9 &10PM).  it was a whole bunch of fun!  I will say the one issue was that the parade was at 8:30, so if you had late dining, you needed to adjust accordingly.

Thanks I am going to answer here and also on that one.

I ended up snorkeling in the cove between the lighthouse and the ship, on the lighthouse end (Lighthouse Beach).  There were some fish to see, but you needed to have patience...I will post a few pics i have, when I download them.  That said, the water was a bit murky, so there may have been more.  Admittedly i stayed here because I liked the beach chairs 🙂

A fellow cruiser told me after she snorkeled with me there, she walked past the lighthouse and wrapped around and went farther up that beach (Sunset Beach) and saw much more and didn't want to get out at 4:30 when the lifeguard was going away.

At one point I took the trek around the other direction to the other side of the island ( Bimini Beach) and snorkeled there, and highly recommend not bothering there as all i saw was grass and very few fish of interest.

I will say I really wanted to go into the crew beach, because it looked like a great place to snorkel 🙂  , but I didn't.

Melissa

I am 6 days away from my cruise.  My nerves are up, I think because it is a new cruiseline for me, so don't know what to expect in a few areas.  But hey it will be a cruise, if I don't like my dinner mates, I can go eat in the buffet or ask to switch tables. Not sure why this makes me nervous, I have never had an issue, I have always had great tablemates!

At least the snow threat for my flight looks minimal!

Melissa

You can do this!  I went to do a solo cruise for my 40th and last minute a friend joined me. But I did do an 8 day solo on Carnival Freedom a few years later.  I loved it.  Do you travel by yourself on land?  I actually find it easier on a cruise.  I am a people person so make friends easy, but I loved having quiet time when I wanted and not being responsible for others agenda.  Be active on your roll call and there may be others you connect with.  I ended up doing a beach day with a couple from my roll call.  It is new so it's scary, but you can do it.  Soon after my solo cruise, I went and lived on a 4 cabin catamaran for a week solo, loved every minute!

You can do this!

BTW:  leaving on a solo cruise on MSC Divina next Sunday, cant wait!

Melissa

Any one have any info on snorkeling at Ocean Cay?  Lots to see from the beach?  And since the whole island is beach, which beach 😂.   What are people seeing?  I have my own equipment, and just want to go and enjoy.

5 weeks until solo on MSC Divina....not that I am counting.....

MSC Divina. $99/pp inside 5 day Jan 12.

With taxes $333 solo bella $354 fantastica

The balcony was only $100 more.

FWIW:  I just booked Solo on msc Divina Jan 12, the price was just too good.  Inside is running $99 for 5 day out of Miami...solo $333

I have missed cruising so much it has been over 5 years!!!😢😢😢

I had an annoying one like that for awhile, he would call at least 5 times a week to see if I was ready to book. After politely telling him i wasn't ready and would call when I was a few times. I made it a more blunt request. When he still continued to not only call but send emails...I replied with a very direct and to the point email that stated one if he continued to call me to the point of harassment I would one notify his supervisor and two take my business to another cruiseline, of which there are plenty. Amazingly enough within a week I was contacted by my new PVP. I immediately said to her that I have had a past history with a different PVP, I do not wish to continue in the same trend...I then told her how I wanted it to work, if she complied I would be glad to book with her rather than through x, y, or z. We have an understanding, my name may come up on her call list, so she calls and immediately hangs up, I see the number and ignore. She is doing what is required of her, and I am not bothered. I know that if she is clling, she has a really good deal, if she lets the phone ring more than once. She has been great, and when it was time to book my last few cruises, was awesome to work with.

When I did it some years ago...bottom level after getting luggage, turn go to the other end past the rental car desks....but that said there are always Carnival reps in Carnival logo apparel waiting to direct you.

Stayed there May 31. I thought it was nice. The water taxi is close. There is also a plaza a quick walk away that has a Starbucks and I think Panera is past that, if you don't want to have the expensive breakfast mentioned above. Transportation to the cruise port was easy and only $6, which since I was traveling solo was cheaper than a taxi. I found the staff to be friendly and helpful. I used the pool, since I checked in early, and they came around with fresh fruit at different points during my time there....there was also a icy water (lemon infused) station next to the pool, as well, as plenty of towels.

All in all a great experience and the view from the balcony was wonderful!!!

I stayed on deck 5 (on the Pride)..it is one big room, which worked for me at the time..it was great having the wall of windows looking aft. I had thought it was going to be two rooms (this was boooked very last minute and I didn't have a lot of time for research), apparently where the other Vista suites are two rooms, the ones on deck 5 are the exceptions. Enjoy your cruise, I had a aft balcony when I did Alaska, it was wonderful!!!

I have November 30th booked on the Pride out of Tampa. I am not concerned in the least. I say....Book it Danno.:o:o:o

Make sure to visit the Alchemy...I know Raymond from the Freedom just got his assignment there...he is awesome.

I seem to have hit or miss experiences with the Steakhouses. On Dream it was a nice experience, Pride it was okay, but two weeks ago on Freedom it was the best experience I have had. I also had a not so good experience on a different line. It makes me weary of going, so I let it up to my traveling companions if they want to go we go, if they don't mention it I don't.

So. I was thinking I would pay off my cruise with the exception of $1. Then if I get a price drop prior to Sept 30th would I get a reduction in form of OBC even though half of the balance was paid in cash initially? Exactly how do I get money through the casino? Is there a fee? Thanks for all of the responses so far. Good info.

 

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

If you go to the casino you can "charge" your onboard account to play the slot machines. Then you "deposit" to your sail and sign card, and leave the machine. Walk over to the cashier and tell her you would like to cash out and she will tell you what you put on your card and you will be able to receive cash...hope this is clear.

Just off Freedom...Daniel, Raymond and Adri were so much fun that I ended up staying there most nights instead of doing the shows! I will second it was slow earlier in the cruise but became busier and busier as people realized if you wanted an excellent drink this was the place to get them.

I never ordered from the menu, and all my drinks were spot on...sad thing is that I can't have them again, because I didn't download from Daniel's brain before I left the ship. I am thrilled with this 2.0 addition.