BayouGirlUSA

Thanks for the comments, tips and info!   Cruise Critic never fails!

We'll be taking our first cruise out of Galveston April 2024 on Carnival Jubilee.  My question is about Port parking.  Do any of you seasoned Galveston Port cruisers recommend a time frame on booking parking at the Port?  I would like to book in advance but is there a need to worry about booking too late?  Thanks to all for any info you can give or tips. 

Ask on the Honeymoon and Wedding Board. Someone over there might know the answer.

 

 

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I had no idea about the wedding board...heading over there now. Thanks!

Given your situation with the wedding, I find it hard to believe that they wouldn't have some place you can store your carry on bags. As for a few tips, the Blue Iguana Cantina has awesome breakfast burritos and shorter lines than the main serving buffet line in the morning. Also do yourself a favor and discover Guy's Burger Joint early on the cruise because if you're like us, you'll want one every day! Hope it's a great time for all. Geaux Tigers!

 

Can you pay for Faster to the Fun ? You can get to your cabin earlier :cool:

I'm not real familiar with the Faster to the Fun but will go and research it. Thanks

Well, you know I have to take advice from my New Orleans peeps about food! Will definitely check these out. Loved the TIGERS shout out! Thanks!

Hello Carnival Cruisers!

 

I'm a seasoned cruiser but have never cruised Carnival before....I know :eek:!! So here's my question to you guys because this WHOLE thing will be new territory for me. First, i'm attending my son's wedding on the Dream in Port of New Orleans. Second, my first Carnival Cruise.

 

Here's my question....We have to board the ship early for the wedding like around 10:00 a.m. Several of us cruising and/or in the wedding party will have carry ons with us but our rooms will not be ready until normal time. The only room that will be ready will be the Bride's room. Does Carnival offer an area where carry ons can be stored prior to rooms being ready? I really don't want to be in the ceremony space with my flowery Vera Bradley bag....:D!

 

Any other tips ya'll may have....bring it on! 3...2...1....GO!

I am very interested in this thread. We will be going to SJ in October. Our flight arrives at 3:45 p.m. on October 29th which is showing excellent moon phase for the Bio Tour. We will be staying at the Caribe Hilton.

 

After doing research, I am leaning toward the motor tour vs. the kayak tour. Does anyone have recommendations on a motor tour? Also, do any of the tour operators pick up at the Caribe Hilton? With a 3:45 flight arrival, does this give us time to do this tour is we pick a late departure Bio Tour?

 

Any help you can give, will make me one happy little girl!

 

Thanks

Dang it...I was definitely going to sign up for it on my cruise in November. I just did one on Princess in March and we LOVED it! I'm so disappointed!

Liquor restrictions? Help me out here, what am I missing?

 

When you are cruising out of Houston, there is a set menu of alcohol you can purchase. I'm using this as example because I don't remember the exact liquor but it goes something like this: Let's say you can get a Pina Colado which has rum in it, but let's say you wanted a Rum Runner which would aslo have rum in it. You wouldn't be able to get the Rum Runner because it is not on the "approved" alcohol menu. It was my understanding that an "approved" alcohol menu was created by some "Houston Alcohol Police", of course, this title is completely made up but you get my drift.

 

You can ONLY order drinks from this approved alcohol menu until you are out of the channel and into the gulf. It takes a long time to get out of the channel so you are stuck with this menu.

 

I thought it was absolutely ridiculous. My group wanted martinis but we were not allowed to partake until we were out of the channel.

Can anyone give me some insight about the Crab Shack? I'll be on the Caribbean Princess in March and was wondering about this. What type of crab is served? Where is it served? Is it in the buffet? I know it's $20 per person. Thanks for the info.

 

Melanie

I absolutely LOVED the Getaway! It was fabulous....looking forward to your review.

 

Melanie

We will be on the Caribbean Princess March 6th going out of Houston. This will be a first for me out of Houston. My home port is New Orleans.

 

Thanks for the information!

Hello CCers! Happy New Year

 

I haven't sailed Princess since 2011 and will be taking a girls cruise (3 of us in a BB cabin) and I'm looking for some insight/advice for the Lotus Spa. One of our ports is Princess Cay and I'm thinking this will be the perfect time for the 3 of us to enjoy some spa services. I know there is some sort of Thermal Suite I've been reading about but I'm not getting a clear picture of what this is.

 

If we all book spa services on that port day, does the thermal suite come as lagniappe with the servces? We are looking at booking at least 2 services and I was thinking it would be nice if we could hang around the thermal suite. When is a nice time to go to the spa? I don't want to get up with the chickens to go to the spa.

 

I would really appreciate it if you could give me some advice and/or tips about the Lotus Spa and how the 3 of us can enjoy our services and take full advantage of what the spa has to offer free or pay wise. ALL information is welcome so I can decide how to proceed with our day of sheer indulgence! I'm gathering this info so I may share with the other 2 ladies.

 

3...2...1....GO!!!

 

Thanks,

 

BayouGirl (Melanie)

My daughter and family had a standard balcony for 4. There were two twin beds and beds 3 and 4 came out of the ceiling when it was time for bed. As noted the bottom beds had to remain in twin bed configuration. Beds 3 and 4 were parallel to the beds on the floor. Could have actually been right above them. The room was very tight when the beds were down. Steward put them up during the day which helped as it was cave like with them down. Small chair near the slider and desk with a desk chair.

 

The app doesn't connect to the internet - more like the ships intranet. So no charges to use it and no facebook or eonline or cnn.

 

Thanks that's great!

 

Thanks for all of the information! As usual Cruise Critic Readers pull through and do an awesome job. I was glad about the single outlet reminder. Yes, with 3 women in the room, it will be a new set of challenges. I love the shoe hanger tip. I've never needed it before but I think it may come in handy for this cruise! NCL definitely has Princess beat on the size of the shower. I'm not looking forward to the shower size...NCL spoiled me BAD!

 

We talked to the Travel Agent and it does sound like the bunk will come out of the ceiling. That makes me feel better than a roll-away. The 3 of us are so easy going that I'm sure we'll all take turns if for some reason the bunk would be uncomfortable. It wouldn't be nice for one person to be uncomfortable for the duration of the cruise.

 

TimesPrince...welcome onboard!

 

Once again, thanks to all for contributing!

1. No help

2. The normal shampoo & soap. I take my own shampoo. DH is fine with what is provided.

3. There's a blow dryer but you can take your own if you wish.

4. No charge for room service except for a pizza.

5. Both Anytime & Traditional Dining have the same dress code. At this point, something you would wear to a nice restaurant is absolutely fine.

We like the flexibility of Anytime dining. You can call the DINE Line in the morning and make Anytime reservations if you wish.

6. Since you are use to great seafood, don't think you'd like Crab Shack on the ship. Crown Grill is never a bad choice for steak.

7. For entertainment also consider the bars/lounges. Crooner's normally has a good piano entertainer.

8. No help

9. Princess Cays is nice beach day. There's no charge for anything (buffet included) except for drinks you order. If you have the All Inclusive Beverage Package it is honored there. We always enjoy going to the Banana Beach Bar.

10. Freeport. Not much help! We've never been there on a Princess cruise.

Did take a Carnival with a port stop in Freeport. The cruise terminal area now has a Senor Frog's and a few vendors so it's better than it was. We took a taxi ($5) into town where there's a decent looking beach. It began raining so we didn't hang around to check it out.

 

Look forward to having a fun cruise with your friends. :)

LuLu

 

Lulu, thanks for the information! I giggled a bit at "since you are used to great seafood" and we are! Sometimes we are stubborn though and will still try some seafood and then think "what were we thinking"! :eek: LOL!

Princess is offering an excursion to a Private All Inclusive Beach Getaway for $69.95 pp. in Freeport, Bahama. Would anyone know which resort this excursion is affiliated? Also, do you think $69.95 pp a good price for this?

 

Thanks for any information.

 

BayouGirlUSA

If you have a Smartphone Princess now has an app called Princess Messenger for messaging on the ship - I recommend downloading it ahead of time. Won't work until you are onboard but it's great. You can view the Patter, message your friends (works way better than walkie talkies) and see your charges. Uses the ships system so no charnges. Only downside is that there is no notifications for messages - you have to keep checking and sometimes the messages don't come in a timely manner. but all in all well worth the money - oh yeah - it's free :)

 

For formal nights - I always suggest wearing what you would be comfortable in if you were going to a really nice restaurant.

 

Your other questions appeared to have been answered. Enjoy Girls week - Key West is a blast!!!!

 

Corinda, NOW, that is some good information right there! I did not know about the app and I LOVE that idea!

 

I love your answer about Formal Night!

 

I've already reserved our excursion for Key West; we're very excited!

 

Thanks!

 

BayouGirlUSA (Melanie)

Wife has thick hair and hates the blow dryer.

 

She also ates the Shampoo/Conditioner, I on the other hand love it.

 

Not a fan of the breakfast sandwich the egg was always over cooked and dry.

 

GUT2407, I'm thinking in our all girls' cabin that our home products will be there with us! I think it's a girl thing! Thanks for responding.

 

BayouGirlUSA

I have been is balconies on a couple of different ships and the bunk is usually hidden in the ceiling. It is lowered by the steward as needed.

The wall mounted bunks (I call them "head bangers") are in the way, horrible and prevent putting the beds in a queen configuration. All the ones I have seen have been in inside and ocean view cabins.

 

 

This is what I have pictured in my head (I realize this could be dangerous) but, I picture two twin beds with a nightstand between the two beds. The bunk comes down from out of the ceiling with the ladder coming down in between the two twin beds and in front of the nightstand.

 

Is this a fair assessment?

 

BayouGirlUSA (Melanie)

Great information here thanks BaypuGirlUSA for posting this thread and everyone who's answered. I'm absorbing so much wisdom from cruise critic

 

I have been a member of Cruise Critic since 2009 and it's a wealth of information! It has been my go-to source since we began cruising in 2010!

 

BayouGirlUSA (Melanie)

Jasperdo, thanks for the pics! That's great information. I sure hope someone comes through with a balcony cabin picture with a bunk. *Crossing fingers*

Fishywood, thanks so much for the information opposite gender perspective and all! It was great info.

 

We have never been to Freeport either. I know Princess offers an all-inclusive resort/beach day excursion for $69.99 but I don't know how to go about finding out which resort it is so I can go and take a peek at it online.

Thank you so much ReedPrincess! Exactly what I was hoping for in the information department. I can always count on cruise critic!

 

BayouGirl

Hello Out There in Cruise World!

 

I will be cruising on March 6th on the Caribbean Princess out of Houston with 2 of my best girlfriends and I need a Princess Refresher Course.

 

I've sailed Princess twice, once to Alaska onboard the Golden Princess and once to the Mexican Riviera onboard the Sapphire Princess. We thoroughly enjoyed both of our cruises with Princess. Our last 6 or so cruises have been with Norwegian and we have enjoyed those as well. It's very hard to compare apples to apples with cruise lines together with a particular itinerary. Norwegian fits us quite nicely when we sail out of New Orleans, which is our home port.

 

On to my questions, I love coming to Cruise Critic for my research; you just can't go wrong...so many people willing to help with a vast knowledge of so many things. Thank you all in advance!

 

Like I said, it will be me and 2 of best girlfriends going on this cruise. All of my other cruises have been with DH; so, this will be a different animal. We have chosen Aloha Deck Cabin A338. We didn't have much choice because balcony cabins were limited this late in the game. I've never booked a cruise this close to sailing. I'm a planner!

 

1. How is bed configuration in a balcony cabin? I know there will be twin beds set up but where is this "bunk"? If anyone can describe, or even better, have a picture, that would be great!

 

2. What is provided in the shower? Shower Gel, Shampoo, Conditioner?

 

3. Blow Dryer - please refresh my memory regarding blow dryers. Can we bring our own blow dryer? What is electrical outlet situation?

 

4. Room Service - I know there have been some changes regarding room service but it may not be Princess. What is free (with tip of course) regarding room service. I'm probably most interested in breakfast items.

 

5. Formal Nights - I know this used to be a HUGE topic on the Princess Boards in years past. What is the consensus now? When are formal nights on a 7 day itinerary and what is considered formal for women? On formal nights, does this include Anytime Dining Rooms? When we cruised on Princess in the past, we did Traditional Dining; so, any thoughts or tips regarding Anytime Dining would be greatly appreciated.

 

6. Specialty Restaurants - What are the upcharges for these restaurants? Any recommendations are greatly appreciated. We're Louisiana girls and we do like our Seafood. I'm hoping the Crown Grill is a good choice, but I am looking forward to hearing what you have to say about the restaurants. Is there some sort of "Crab" restaurant onboard the Caribbean Princess? I've gone to the Princess website but I'm not seeing charges on there and this "crab" restaurant may be on one of the newest ships...I'm not sure.

 

7. Entertainment - What can we look forward to on the Caribbean Princess? Are there any "must see" shows?

 

8. Spa - Any spa tips and/or information would be great!

 

9. Princess Cay - Out of all the cruises I've taken, I've never been to a Cruise Line's Private Island before. Any information you can give on this would be wonderful. At this time, we may opt to stay on the ship for a spa day.

 

10. Freeport, Bahama - Any recommendations for a private resort beach day are welcomed.

 

I am so excited about this cruise for many different reasons. First, it will be my first just girls cruise and I can't wait to see what fun we have in store for us. Second, I can wait to go to Key West. None of us have been to Key West and this will be our "where no man has gone before"; we're all extremely excited about Key West. Last, but not least, I'm happy to board a Princess ship again. A quick comparison between Princess and Norwegian...Norwegian's food does NOT compare to Princess and Princess' entertainment does NOT compare to Norwegian's...in my humble opinion, of course! After reading Cruise Critic for many years, I know every cruise line has that one thing that attracts a person. I'm happy to just be attracted by the ambiance of cruising itself!

 

OK, all you Princess Lovers out there....BRING IT ON! Let me have it...

3, 2, 1...GO!

 

BayouGirlUSA (Melanie)

[quote name='Rutheth']We were on this same cruise. We used the iconcierge app to text and it mainly worked great. There were a few when connection had been lost and it only said sent rather than delivered.

I thought the room service menu was not good and there was no way I was paying the extra charge, especially for what was on offer! HAL and Celebrity room service menus are much better.

We ate in The free options - Savor, Taste, Tropicana and had no wait any of these options at a variety of times. Food was nice but desserts not great.

I seem to have gone on longer than I thought here so I will write my own review for those who are interested.[/QUOTE]

Hi Ruth,

I was wondering if you could tell me out of the MDRs which one of them is considered the "casual" MDR where you are allowed to wear shorts?

Thanks!