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On a $385 cruise it will be MUCH cheaper if you purchase insurance through someone other than the cruise line, like at insuremytrip.com

If you have children, it will be even less since I've been able to get kids free.

Remember when buying the cruiseline insurance, they are looking out for the cruise line's interest, not yours, if you need to file a claim.

There are some policies other than through the cruise line that will reimburse you for a reason. Cancelling for any reason is huge, why would you cancel for no reason? If it's work or school, definitely look into a third party insurance. Also keep in mind that you'll need to get insurance within 10-15 days if you want to have pre-existing conditions met. That's something you may not find with the cruiseline's insurance.

Tonight’s towel animal, an Eskimo?

 

a monkey?

I was just at the port on 6/17 for a Splendor cruise. They started boarding at about 11:00 a.m. I had Zone 2 and boarded about 11:15 a.m., dropped off our bags in our cabin and were drinking a DOD before Noon ... why spend money on FTTF?

I would save the $400, a balcony guarantee is not worth that price. Even if you could pick your balcony, I'd hold out until about a month before and keep watching prices. Make a decision by then, because eventually Carnival will start calling people for upsells and then you will find there will be no balconies anywhere.

I have yet to pay for anything while going through customs, nor have I ever seen anyone pay.

I declare everything, and our last trip I was the only adult and brought back 8 bottles of liquor and 2 cartons of cigarettes and the agent didn't even bat an eye. This was in New York, I had the same experience in San Juan and Miami.

It might be possible to do it only if you arrive early and are able to disembark early (before 8:30am). Once you clear customs, get a cab and race to the airport, be sure to get a porter to take someone in your party to get the luggage inspected, while they do that you can check in at the airline and wait over by the luggage drop off area (a separate area you leave your luggage after agriculture inspection).

Most people find the delay in agriculture inspection and/or at the airport. Our delay was caused by customs taking their sweet ol' time clearing everyone off the ship. We must've waited at least an hour from the time we got off the ship until we were in a cab on our way to the airport.

I think it's supposed to be a puppy/dog. I only know that because on our cruise last week we went to the towel folding demonstration and that was one of the animals they had us construct.

I'm more surprised that they charge for the gym activities, but whatever.

I just cruised on Carnival and they have upcharges for gym activities, like Tour-de-Spin classes and yoga and pilates ($12 per class). Other activities, inlcuding use of gym equipment, was free.

I did it!! I tried my TA again, and though she told me that since the aft balcony is a lower price than my mini-suite they probably couldn't do it on their system, since they can't give a refund after final payment. When I told her I didn't want a refund, I just wanted an aft balcony, she explained that to NCL, and finally they did it! I realize the room is smaller, but I've always wanted to try an aft balcony so its worth it.

 

Moral: Try, try again...

 

Christina:)

Which deck? Decks 9 and 12 have the largest aft balconies, followed by deck 11. Decks 13 and 14 have the smallest balcony and are also prone to hearing music late at night from the aft deck party on 15.

The lobster was laughable on the Breakaway in November. Actually, the lobster looked more like crawfish, it wasn't worth giving up a night of specialty dining to go to the buffet. On the other hand, the lobster upcharge at Le Bistro is wonderful!!

Back in November we missed out on Great Stirrup Cay due to winds and ended up docking a day early in Nassau.

Sounds like they had the same problem. There were no tropical storms for us in November, so even a little wind must halt all stops to GSC.

Enjoying your review! We had a spa cabin on the Splendor, although I received the room for free, I don't think I'd pay to use the TH pool and aroma rooms. Although nice, and the TH pool made my skin lovely and soft, I spent maybe 1/2 hour in the pool and a 1/2 hour in a heated lounger every other day. I did take the 1 free Yoga class but missed out on rebooking another free one.

Anyway, looking forward to more of your review and of the Bahamas!

We made it to Tea Time once during our Splendor cruise last week.

They give you small pots of hot water and hand you a box of assorted teas to choose from (the same box and choices from the buffet).

I usually drink coffee, but was not offered coffee.

We arrived about 3:15 and by then most of the goodies were either taken or after they went the first round at 3:00 never came back. I got the last macaroon and my daughter got the last chococlate macaroon but would have moved the fruit dessert. We did get cucumber sandwiches.

The Tea Time was in the aft dining room in the large tables to 10 people in the center windows. People arrived as late as 3:30, but when we left at 3:40 mostly everyone else was gone (except a small group that arrived at 3:30).

It was ok, something to do to break up the day, it worked for us since we were looking for something to do after spending the afternoon on Lido in the sun. Afterwards, we went back to the cabin and took a nap. :)

What a find last week on the Splendor!

We were walking the main street in Nassau, just returning from the Straw Market which was a complete waste of time. A woman asked us if we wanted designer handbags. I knew they were knock-offs but decided to look myself. She took us to a second story "store" where I was in knock-off heaven! I decided on a beautiful, fully authentic looking white Tory Burch gold chain crossbody and my DD chose a black Michael Korrs crossbody. We paid about $30 each for both.

I can't wait to go back to Nassau and stop here again. Are there other knock-off stores? This was kinda sketchy, I saw the sign I think it was called "The handbag store", then you walk up a flight of steps, nod at the security guard, and walk into a room filled with many many bags.

I thought the prices and "knock-off" quality was suburb, better than Canal Street. They had watches and sunglasses too but I only had enough money to purchase a bag for myself and DD but would love to go back!

Booked the Destiny for 2 people, 5 days, for about $399 each in an aft-wrap. Older DD wanted to join us, so I had to move to Liberty 7 Day (Destiny had no availability for three people in my cabin category). No problem, no change fee, selected Liberty's pack and go rate at $399 per person for interior on deck 10. :) THEN, three weeks before we were to sail got a phone call from the upsell fairy with an offer (and accepted) Deck 8 balcony for extra $100 total. :D NICE DEAL! :)

Best deal was last week: Carnival Splendor, 2 people, free cruise offer. 8-days interior SPA cabin for $288 TOTAL! We rolled out of bed at home and to the port, no need to buy airfare! We had "upgraded amenities" and spa access the entire time! :D

Next cruise in 2015: $176 per person, 4 nights Bahamas in January, it's the only cruise out of Florida that will be away on my daughter's 18th birthday without having to take too much time off from school and college classes hadn't started yet. :) I am also able to get free flights to Florida! Win-win again!

Instead of connecting to "Carnival-WiFi," you can join the hidden network "crewwifi" and have unlimited complimentary access to most airline websites and many domestic banking websites.

The crewwifi waspassword protected, at least it was last week on the Splendor.

I don't trust the "free wifi" at stores/restaurants thoughout the Caribbean, it's not safe if you are doing banking, etc. Also, I did not find anyplace in Nassau that had a strong signal. Like I said, at the free wifi inside the port in Nassau, my daughter was able to connect and upload pictures on her iPhone but I had a very weak signal on my Droid HD.

I never did get to the rotisserie during out cruise on the Splendor last week but I did have someone ask me where it was. Another person near me said they never heard of it and I pointed them to the aft of the ship. (we were already on deck 9 or 10).

The Rotisserie is back behind everything in the aft, just above the deli, another eating I perferred over the buffet- hardly anyone knows it is back there.

Just be sure she takes an aft elevator up to deck 10 for the rotisserie. If she takes the atrium elevators to deck 10, there are a few obstacles, such as a large lip in the door to outside as well as a tight turn and 4 steps up and over to deck 10 deck by the tables and hot tubs.. I don't think it's passable in a wheelchair or scooter.

If you are looking to get onto Carnival.com on your cruise you can use any computer and do anything on that site for FREE.

I had some down time on my recent cruise one evening and pulled out my Kindle and was looking at future cruises on Carnival's website.

No minutes and no connection is needed.

Trying to see which nights to skip the MDR and get a specialty restaurant. Here's the entrees that caught my eye.

 

If you've had them, please rate as 3, 2, 1

3= don't miss this one, it's great!

2= it's OK, nothing special

1= avoid

 

Fillet of tilapia

Sweet and sour shrimp

Lobster tail - 3

Prime rib - 3

Jerked pork loin - 1

Braised short ribs - 2

Grilled pork steak

Grilled jumbo tiger shrimps - 3

Martini braised basa fillet

Chateaubriand - 3

Fillet of mahi mahi

Panko crusted jumbo shrimp - 1

Just got back from the Splendor. Chateaubriand, jumbo tiger shrimp, lobster tail, and prime rib were delicious!!

The braised short ribs: I couldnt tell which was the short ribs and which was the filet minon. I didn't care for either one.

The Jerked pork loin was WAY TOOO SPICY! I couldn't even eat it.

The Panko jumbo shrimp are awful, and the shrimp looks "fake".

Calls last week for us were $1.99 a minute to the US. The minutes add up quickly and it might be less expensive to just pay for online minutes as you go.

I would leave your laptop at home and just use Carnival's Internet Computer Room to log in and leave payment. You can do this at any time 24/7 so as you can spend your time in Cozumel without having to look for free wifi.

I just got back from Grand Turk and Nassau and I had 4 places that I could have gotten free wifi, I tried and was never able to connect to any of the free wifi although my daughter was able to on her iphone in Nassau. Just saying, free wifi may be available, but the strength was very poor.

On the Splendor in a spa cabin and they only toiletries were the Elemins Shampoo, Conditioner, Body Wash and they weren't replenished daily. In the "shell" the only freebie in there was some sort of toothpaste, that's about it.

We brought all sorts of non-alcoholic refreshments with us.

Soda bottles (that way they seal and can be put back in the mini--fridge, as opposed to cans). We bring coke, diet coke, sprite, dr. pepper, ginger ale.

Water bottles (for our tours in port or beach days). I find that I don't necessarily need a case, but I budget a water bottle per person per port day.

Starbucks Iced Caappuccino bottles - yum, we like to drink these over ice in the morning or after a long tour day, more refreshing than hot coffee on board and cheaper than ordering one at the Coffee Bar onboard.

Red Bull - my DH likes to drink these to get a quicker step in his day.

If I were to book an interior (in fact I have one tomorrow), we booked the spa deck (well, it's a spa cabin) because I am just steps to the outdoors, as opposed to multiple decks down from the outdoors. I would book Panorama or Lido and work my way down from there, looking for an interior close to elevators.

I don't think I would book Main or Riviera, just because I've been down there in an oceanview and you either had to walk far to an a small group of elevators or walk up a couple of flights of steps to get to deck 5 where the interior action is. That was not my cup of tea.

I'd much rather be on a deck that has the main glass atrium elevators, any deck would be good and only a cabin that is the CLOSEST to any elevator, even if it is aft.

I have an Android and I just spoke to Verizon last week. We leave tomorrow.

Verizon told me to go to SETTINGS, the MOBILE NETWORK, the click off DATA ENABLED - then click on AIRPLANE MODE, then when you are looking for wifi, click WIFI ON. No sense having wifi on during sea days because it will just run down your battery. Doing this, I will be able to use the alarm on my phone and well as take pictures. When I get in to port and can find WiFi, I can post and upload pictures to Facebook and Instagram, check emails, go to websites, etc.

My DD has an iPhone and she too needs to disable data and click airplane mode.

Thanks so much for all your helpful posts! Booking an inside cabin would make it cheaper and easier for me and my boys to cruise more, however, having a balcony makes the vacation better ... so it is quality vs. quantity. LOL! Having an autistic child ... and having a balcony ... well this will be my first time with a balcony but I have a feeling once I do it this way there will be no turning back to any other way.

You and your family are going to love the aft! You and/or your sons can sit and lounge out there away from the crowds up in Lido! I love having an aft-facing balcony just so I have my own lounger, then I order room service lunch and just hang out there with a good book/magazine and some music and then come in and out of my air conditioned cabin.

Enjoy your cruise, your deck 6 is fine, save the $20 on 2 drinks of the day!