NauticalMom

Hi FlorrieGirl,

Google Transatlantic cruises and you should find what you want. Try travel weekly.com.

Hope this helps!

Nautical Mom

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Decided to downgrade since I'm locked into ES. Now I'll wait and see if I'm offered an upgrade, or get a price drop.

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Decided to downgrade my early saver. My PVP will not be happy, but now I can wait and see if any upgrades are offered, or I can hope for price drops. With the costly excursions we decided to save on the cabin price.

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Yes, with early saver you either completely lose your deposit or you can transfer it to another cruise with a $50 per person change fee.

Thanks for the advice! I booked Carnival in May 2015 In what people say is a great itinerary.... But now I'm wondering...

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What happens with Carnival early saver? You lose your deposit?

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How are you checking? Do you do a fake booking? Do you have to "catch" the sale? I booked an early saver, but my PVP said I need to notify her. Does that mean she's not looking out for me?

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We've only been on the Ecstasy and will go again this weekend . . Can't wait! :D But the Liberty seems intriguing based on these comments. . .

ANY ship is better than this Chicago weather! :p

That's funny! Our first cruise was on Ecstacy, then we tried NCL and got caught up in their loyalty programs, so we don't have a status on Carnival. We did book a suite this time... So we'll be among the hated.... The FTTF is a quick way to get perks but I guess I understand why the Platinums resent them. It's just like the QBot or other skip the line options at amusement parks.

Are the two rooms all on your credit card? I would think that if so they would let them board with you.

_None_ of the cruise ships are "tendered" in Nassau. They're all docked. Nassau is (one of?) the Caribbean's busiest port(s)-of-call. The day I was there on the Carnival Fantasy (Wed Jan 8, 2014), we were one of six ships in port at the same time. Don't know if that's full capacity or not, but it sure makes for some major tourist crowds in Nassau town.

Thanks! Enjoyed your video BTW... Now I'm ready to cruise!

Congratulations! That will be a date to remember for sure!

Nice video! Really enjoyed the music! Are all the ships tendered at Nassau?

We're staying at Holiday inn express near the airport . We'll be arriving about midnight. They run a free shuttle until 2am, according to the front desk. Then I called the easy express.biz and made my reservation with them. I paid up front, so I hope there will be no problems!

http://www.easyexpress.biz/

You could try this company. tel:(954)254-3087 $49 round trip for two

Take a look at their site. I booked with them for Feb 14, so I'll let you know the outcome.

Great review! We've not been on Carnival for a while, but Ecstacy was our first cruise experience!

We'll be headed out Valentine's weekend for a short cruise.

Will read your other reviews as well . . .

Appreciate the posts!

Nautical Mom

Thanks for this info, a bit more precise than what was given to me by NCL, they just said near the ship. At the moment the cost comes up as $5 per bag. We're thinking of dropping off our luggage early before we check in and exploring the Palace and the surrounding areas. We'll probably wait until about 9:30 to allow for the passengers disembarking to thin out, otherwise there'll be people everywhere. Only 78 days until our cruise.

I didn't want to say $5 per bag in case it wasn't true! We just went last year, so I'm sure it will be the same. Enjoy your cruise! :D

I've read on the NCL website and had confirmation from my NCL consultant that we can drop off and store luggage at the port from 7:30-10:00am and pick up from 11:00 - 6:00pm. I'm wondering if anyone has used this service? If so, is it easy to locate once we arrive at the port. I have emailed NCL again for further information. Any extra info would be appreciated.

Yes, it is to the right as you enter the pier, on the very end. We used them when we left the ship for the day at the end of our cruise. Very secure! I don't recall the charge.

It's a matter of personal taste. Some people buy boats, some invest in timeshares, some go to Vegas annually, some cruise often, some not so often.

It's just a matter of how often you want to cruise and how much you want to spend! We cruise for the destination, so when I go, I want to enjoy my time on the ship. Some cruise for the gambling, social encounters or relaxed atmosphere and the destination is secondary.

Now that DH is retired, we will most likely choose off-season inside cabins so that we can make the most of those years! Especially when I put him in charge of making the plans! He loves sniffing out a bargain!

It depends on your arrival date. I booked the day they started selling tickets for that date. I can't recall how far in advance they start selling them, but I learned the info on these boards so hopefully a search will show it. They do also offer discounted tickets online until those fares are sold so it does behoove you to try to get them if your plans are firm.

All set! Thanks for the inspiration!

It depends on your arrival date. I booked the day they started selling tickets for that date. I can't recall how far in advance they start selling them, but I learned the info on these boards so hopefully a search will show it. They do also offer discounted tickets online until those fares are sold so it does behoove you to try to get them if your plans are firm.

Thanks! The times are firm, but I'm so hesitant about the locations!

Enjoyed your review, Yankee123!

We took Trenitalia and went first class. Very pleasant experience.

Should I book now? What did you do?

Excellent experience and post from cpl100 YES, it is possible to do. To see and get a good sampling of Venice can be done with only about a net of a day and a half for there. You can, of course, do more there and nearby.

 

It would be nice, if possible, to do that quick, up-and-back, overnight trip without ALL of your cruise luggage. Is that possible? Check on storing that extra luggage in the Rome area. Or, ideally to arrange your flight into Venice, if that booking has been locked in, do your time there and then come down to Florence and Rome, etc. BUT, this option you are considering is a potentially, especially if you have never seen and done wonderful Venice.

 

Any other questions or reactions?

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Did a June 7-19, 2011, Celebrity Solstice cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Enjoyed great weather and a wonderful trip. Dozens of wonderful visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc., on these postings. We are now at 134,937 views for this live/blog re-cap on our first sailing with Celebrity and much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

Thanks! I've arranged a loft for the entire stay in Rome near the train station that is very reasonable, so we will leave our luggage there. I've already made the arrangements for Venice as well, but I may change the hotel. I haven't booked the train yet. Debating between the Italo and the Trenitalia.

We will be arriving in Rome on a Sunday and our ship embarks on Wednesday. We will not be going to Venice, but this is somewhere my son wants to go. Is it feasible to take the "fast" train from Rome to Venice? My plan is to do so on Monday, stay overnight in Venice, and return Tuesday evening to Rome. What is your opinion, TLCOhio?

This is like a good book that you can't put down!!! I need more...... Quickly please!!!!!:p

Patti

Agree with Patti ! This reads like a great book! What an adventure you had!:) Keep it coming!:D