Sthomp

Yes! Be sure to order with the top-shelf liquor of your choice.

How long does it take for the gift cards to show up on my account on the Carnival web site?

I used a few gift cards to pay down my balance online. I had no problem with the cards but the balance on my billing details didn’t change.

Enjoying your review!

Inspiration Sept. 1996. Ports of call we had was St thomas, St. Maarten,

Martinique, Dominica, and Barbados! 27 cruises and my absolute favorite itinerary! We had a blast!:)

Our first cruise in March of 1996 ... loved that itinerary! The Inspiration will always have a soft spot in my heart since it was our first ship!

I just purchased Guerlain Terracotta Le Parfum and it is a wonderful beachy fragrance. The listed notes are bergamot, coconut, tiaré flower, orange blossom, jasmine, ylang ylang, vanilla and musk. I would say it isn't as floral as it sounds. It's not listed, but there is a soft almond note too ... just lovely.

How was embarkation? I'm asking because I'm taking my elderly mother on her very first (and probably only) cruise, and she gets tired and flustered very easily. Would "Faster To Fun" be worth it to get her in the cabin any faster? Or was it relatively smooth and and non-stressful?

I took my mom last month for her first cruise. She can be the same as your mom, easily frustrated with lines or waiting. I tried my best to prepare her. Thankfully, this was the easiest embarkation ever! I think Miami really does a good job and my mom did not have one complaint!

Miami is using the staggered boarding times, which I found to really hold the stress down. Our time was listed as 10:30, and we actually arrived at 10:20 but we were ushered right in. No security line at all, we walked right up to the scanner. No waiting time to check in. The lady who checked us in was absolutely wonderful ... so cheerful. We were given Zone 1 and we had a seat in the waiting room and were on board by 11:30, which is not that much after the FTTF cruisers. To me, paying for FTTF would have been a waste just for boarding. I forget the actual time the cabins were ready. I believe they told us 1:00, but we were able to drop our carry-ons off before that.

I hope you and your mother have a great cruise!

BTW, BlueHerrons, thank you for posting the code for 1st time Uber users! I used your code and received $20 off the fare from FLL airport to the hotel. My cost? $6.60!

I appreciate all the info and encouragement from CC posters. I probably would not have tried Uber without it!

I just got off the Fantasy on Friday. We loved the ship, the crew, the ports. This was my 11th cruise but my mom's 1st. We found we could always find seats or loungers easily and there were not very long lines any where.

This is a very good cruise for budget cruising! Like others have said, Key West is easy to walk around and just see the sights and people watch. In Cozumel, we took a cab to Paradise Beach. Taxi was $15 each way with a $3pp for use of the pool and beach. (And I didn't hit $10 each in food/beverages exactly, but they didn't mind!). It was a nice relaxing day under the palm trees. The pool there is very nice!

Did you know that you can bring cans of soda in your carry-ons? I think it's 12 cans per person. I usually bring it on because I drink Diet Pepsi and the ship only has Coke products, but that will save you some in soda costs. Otherwise, water and tea are always available on the Lido deck, as well as juice in the mornings. There will be plenty of food choices that do not cost extra.

We enjoyed the shows very much and the comedy shows at night. Again, plenty to do that does not have additional costs.

Relax and have a great cruise! And happy anniversary!

We loved the JW Marriott Marquise! We spent two nights there last weekend and it was amazing. We felt very pampered and spoiled. The room was lovely and the halls were quiet. Hope we can stay there again.

I'm booked there for next week. Can't wait!

Thanks for the restaurant ideas. Any idea how much it might cost for Uber or taxi? I'm not sure if my mom can walk 20 minutes.

Enjoying your review! I had hoped to read some after the dry dock ... I'm sailing in a little less than a month!

We used Cocoa Beach Shuttle last October and were very pleased. We had great communication and they were right on time picking us up at the airport and the port.

Are the inflatables seen from every part of the beach? Silly question I know, but would prefer not to see them.

Excuse me for jumping in, but you will LOVE Loews! We cruised in October after 9-11 ... prices were crazy cheap because no one was traveling and I really just lucked into staying there. It's on the beach and they have a beautiful pool area. We totally loved it.

I have checked prices every time we've been in Miami after that and couldn't get anywhere close to our budget. I WILL stay there again some day!

Gazpar, do you remember who the Cruise Director is?

Did you go to the piano bar? How was it?

We did one a few years ago from Orlando hotel to Port Canavarel round trip. Remember it's not just the people , but all that luggage has to fit. We had 9 and went to 12 person van. It was great. Private van is the way to go.

Did you use Executive VIP? They did not offer us a private van, only the stretch limo.

I do not recall them being mentioned on this board. Most often suggested for private transport between MCO & PC is Executive VIP - give Michael a call. :)

I should have mentioned that we are a group of 8. Michael did get back to me quickly, but I don't think a stretch limo will work for us. (Although it does sound fun!)

Has anyone used Atlantic Transportation Group for a private shuttle in Orlando?

There were a few reviews on yelp and they were all over the place. Finding a shuttle service is confusing! :confused:

Can't really help a solo. If you fill a cab with 4 people you can usually find one for about $25/pp. and the driver hangs all day until you are ready to return.

Is $25/pp one way or round trip? thanks!

Did you actually log in to your account online to initiate the final payment? Because as far as I know, they don't automatically charge your card when the final payment date comes around.

 

If you did, and the payment never went through for whatever reason, I think this is a good example of why you shouldn't wait until the final payment date to make the payment. I just made mine tonight even though it's not due until 8/8. Would rather have another chance if the payment doesn't go through.

 

In any case, I'm happy that you were able to get the booking reinstated. Enjoy your cruise!

Yes, you can set up your final pay to be automatic. Our PVP always does this for us.

A pad of little sticky notes ... we leave messages for the room steward or on our friends' doors to let them know where to meet.

Yep, really cool when you get a chance to watch.

I agree! We watched the drill in St Thomas while we were waiting out an early morning rain before heading out to the beach.

Many of us perfume fanatics wear fragrances marketed to the opposite sex. Fragrance, itself, is gender less ... ignore the marketing and the packaging and wear what you like and what smells good. :)

To answer the OP, I love the three scents you mentioned in your original post plus the Heeley Sel Marin! I would also recommend:

Hermes Eau des Merveilles

Profumum Acqua Di Sale

Heeley Coccobello

Jo Malone Wood Sage and Sea Salt

Loving your review! It's making me so excited for our October cruise ...

Gorgeous pictures! What kind of camera did you use?

Full moon over San Diego on the Spirit February 2012