Countrygurl

2 hours ago, mouche said:

At this point, they might as well drop the testing all together, If I'm vaxed and don't test I can still bring it onboard. 

YES!!!!!  The vaccinated (me) can still spread the virus.  AND, I can test negative one minute and be exposed the next  So this testing 72 hrs prior means ZERO.  Its all a charade.  Unfortunately, those of us who love to cruise have to play the game.  I am sailing on MG on 9/3 and still have to test.  Its all so ridiculous!

On 8/17/2022 at 10:48 AM, DnD CruiserZ said:

We just scheduled Aug 31st for a Sep 3rd cruise. No issues and it appeared lots of time slots available but I was not really paying attention other than looking for the time we wanted.

Same.  Will sail MG on Sept 3.  This morning I scheduled my test with OnPoint for August 31.  

On 8/3/2020 at 7:08 PM, TNcruising02 said:

I've been looking at Mardi Gras cruises for next year.  I'm kind of interested in cruising on this ship.

I typically prefer a smaller ship.  But honestly I haven't met a ship or cruise I haven't liked!

I don't have a crystal ball but I will be pleasantly surprised if anyone is cruising before 2021 and it wouldn't surprise me at all if its not until spring of 2021. I pray I'm wrong.   A lot has to happen to get us all back out on the water. 

But while we Americans are simply inconvenienced by missing vacations, many crew members have livelihoods completely stripped away from them.  Hoping they can get back to work sooner rather than later.

I cancelled my Sept cruise in June right before the final payment was due.  Shortly thereafter Carnival cancelled the cruises thru September.  I don't regret my cancellation though.  My money isn't tied up for a year.  I can say I don't think anyone will be cruising before 2021.  Just my opinion.

 Last week I rescheduled for September 2021 on Mardi Gras.  I will tell you, if you cancel, think about rebooking soon.  There's not alot out there to choose from if you have a specific date in mind.  Good luck.

On 4/19/2020 at 12:11 PM, ronbe65 said:

At the moment we have one cruise booked for September 2020 and another one for Summer 2021. Both were booked long ago.

The first one is likely to be cancelled. 

I would not book any new cruise until the industry comes back to normal or whatever will be "normal" for post-virus cruising.

 

Happy cruising! 

Agree 100%.  I too am booked for Sept 2020.  I booked in early February never realizing how bad this would get.  My final payment is due in June and I haven't made a decision on whether or not to pay it.  I'd just go with it, and take an onboard credit if it is cancelled.  However, I am cruising with my mother who is in her late 70's, and so the decision is a bit tougher.  Right now I'm just waiting.  We'll see what May brings.  I won't cruise until I feel its safe to do so.  Some things are just more important than cruising.  Boy that was tough to say!lol

No one should want to sail until its safe.  We're not there yet.  If that means my September cruise is cancelled, so be it.  I LOVE to cruise, but lives are by far more important than my pleasure.

Stay safe folks.  We will cruise again.

18 hours ago, Joe817 said:

For the first time, my wife and I briefly mentioned about the possibility of cancelling. I'm 72(will be 73 at time of sailing) and wife is 70. Our daughter is extremely concerned, and urged us to cancel. But our sailing is not until Sept. 13. Still 6 months out. A LOT can happen between now and then. We are in a holding pattern for at least 2-3 months. Cruise is already paid in full, plus we bought FTTF. Wait and see. uggghhh.  Come on hot weather! 🙏

I'm booked in September as well.  I'm traveling with my mother who is in her late seventies and an aunt who is in her early seventies.  I'm not concerned at all.  We have 6 months.  So much can happen between now and then.  I think if it is still an issue by then, we will have no choice in the matter.

Cruised out of Port Everglades this past October.  There were four of us, but we had 2 cabins.  I had all four bottles of wine and one 12-pk of soda in my carry on.  2 of us went thru security together, the other 2 were in a different line.  No one questioned my 4 bottles of wine nor did they ask for me to open my carry on to review it or the soda.  Now I'm aware this isn't always the case as I've been on many cruises, but this was my most recent experience.

We were on the Magic this past October.  Same itinerary.  It's amazing that your observations are mine as well.  

Embarkation was extremely easy. Fast and efficient.  I had 4 bottles of wine in my carry on luggage and not one question about it.  

Service at the bars for the entire weak was SLOW SLOW SLOW.  No fault of the crew, there just wasn't enough of them.     Getting a server to take a drink order outside of the bar was non-existent.     It didn't effect my trip in any way whatsoever.  But having five CCL cruises and one RCI cruise under my belt, I'd never had this experience before.  Typically you can sit and listen to the band and someone will come along and take your drink order.  Not on the Magic.

Overall, one of my favorite ships so far.  In fact, we are scheduled for her sister ship, the Breeze, in September.  

I would say you probably have enough time.  The only thing that concerns me is that it is an international flight.  Like you, I'm not sure what the time allowance is necessary  there.  We used a car service, and for the life of me I can't remember the name, that took us from the airport to port, and back from port to airport.  Same driver and he texted us his location and ETA multiple times the morning of disembarkation.  If I can find the name, I will get back with those details.

43 minutes ago, TNcruising02 said:

I agree with this.I have cruised on many different Carnival ships and compared each of them. Had I never cruised on Carnival, I would have really liked everything about the Vista class ships. But when I compare that class to the Dream class, I prefer the Dream class. 

 

I think that new cruisers will really like the Vista class because the ships are newer and have more to offer. Having sailed twice on this class, I can't get over the bad theater set up and the comedy club setup. This will not bother new cruisers.

I agree.  I did not like the theater set up on Vista.  I too prefer Dream class ships.

42 minutes ago, TNcruising02 said:

I agree with this.I have cruised on many different Carnival ships and compared each of them. Had I never cruised on Carnival, I would have really liked everything about the Vista class ships. But when I compare that class to the Dream class, I prefer the Dream class. 

 

I think that new cruisers will really like the Vista class because the ships are newer and have more to offer. Having sailed twice on this class, I can't get over the bad theater set up and the comedy club setup. This will not bother new cruisers.

I agree.  I did not like the theater set up on Vista.  I too prefer Dream class ships.

I have cruised Spirit, Conquest, Glory, Vista and Magic.  My favorite was the Magic.  (I'm in my 50s)

Planning a cruise this fall on Breeze (sister ship to Magic).  I cannot wait.

18 minutes ago, carnivaladdix120 said:

We also sailed RC last year and beginning of this year and then sailed on Victory a few weeks ago and boy did we miss Carnival! Just the overall fun atmosphere was definitely a welcome home lol We are sailing on Magic for NYE and again in May for the Blackjack tournament and haven't sailed Magic before so can't wait! Looking forward to enjoying the different options. We sailed on Vista last July and enjoyed the layout, although I kept getting lost LOL I just watched a YT video on Magic and it looks like a cross between Vista and the smaller class (Glory and Liberty?) Did you find it easy to navigate and how were the crowds in the eating areas like Lido? Just curious 🙂

Vista was too big for us.  I got turned around on the Magic at times, but overall loved the size.  Lido was busy.  Not gonna lie.  But nowhere as busy as on the Vista.  I can’t wait to sail her again.  You will enjoy her!

After cruising RCI last year, we went back to Carnival with a cruise on the Magic to St Maarten, St Kitts, San Juan and Grand Turk.  After having cruised Spirit, Conquest, Glory, Vista and RCI Adventure, I think the Magic is my new favorite ship.

While I won’t write a full review, I will say we enjoyed the size and layout of the ship.  Guys burgers and bar-be-que did not disappoint.  The other food was just ok.  Not real good, not bad.

We noticed that personal service has slacked a bit in the 2 years since we’d sailed Carnival.  While it did not in any way negatively affect our enjoyment of the cruise, basically if you wanted a drink you were going to stand at the bar for it.  Wait service in Ocean Plaza, Red Frog Pub, and atrium was non existent.  Also a noticeable lack of personal service with our room attendant.  Poor Patrick just seemed to have so many cabins to take care of, we just left him to his duties and tried not to put anything additional on him.  He gets an A+ for keeping us clean and stocked with ice.  
 

Overall a great cruise.  We enjoyed the ship and the itinerary.  Happy to be back to Carnival but will sail RCI on occasion depending on itinerary.

7 hours ago, RWolver672 said:

To best sum up what I like about cruising...EVERYTHING!  😎

SAME!!

Will be sailing the Magic in less than 10 days.  I can't wait.  I don't care about rust or if the carpets are sworn.  As long as the ship is clean and odor free, I'm a happy cruiser!

In both Curacao and Aruba, we paid the taxi driver to take us to the beach, pick us up at an appointed time, and give us a trou of the island.  It was great.

In La Romana, we did the Rui all inclusive day pass.  Food blah.  Swim up bar and beach were great.  

GT - Margaritaville!!!

Thank you.  We are booked with Bernard's Tours!

35 minutes ago, Countrygurl said:

Has anyone used Bernard's Tours for the Fabulous French and Dutch Sightseeing Tour?  If so, would you recommend it?

 

Also, I've tried to book it via the website.  But instead of letting me book the tour,  it gives me a "write a review" page.  

Sorry!  Posted on wrong forum.  I should have posted on St. Marteen forum!

Has anyone used Bernard's Tours for the Fabulous French and Dutch Sightseeing Tour?  If so, would you recommend it?

Also, I've tried to book it via the website.  But instead of letting me book the tour,  it gives me a "write a review" page.  

11 hours ago, WhyIsTheRumGone23 said:

We booked with Bernard's Tours in September and really enjoyed the tour of St. Maarten. We had an air conditioned van with a very knowledgeable driver and tour guide. She gave us the history of the island along with multiple stops for shopping, pictures and sightseeing. We would highly recommend them. They also were easy to find outside the port, just look for the large white tent and provided our own personal photographer! Rum punch, beer, soda and water were also complimentary.  

Did you book in advance?

8 minutes ago, HillBilly Bob said:

We feel the same way and have "resorted" (vbg)....to tripadvisor.com for all our excursions.  

I've been on 6 cruises and never thought about Tripadvisor!  I'm going to take a look!  Thanks!

2 hours ago, purplephenom said:

In St Maarten, take a look at Bernard's tours.  He offers them with or without beach time, and it's a full island tour where you see both sides of the island.  It's fairly easy to get in and out of the van, and drinks are provided, with lots of stops to look around, take pictures, and stretch your legs.

I've noticed they are highly recommended on the St. Maarten forum.  I'll check them out!  Thanks!

Four "older" ladies cruising to San Juan, St. Kitts, and St. Maarten (Grand Turk as well, but we've been there).  We've looked at Carnival excursions and nothing jumps out at us.  Any recommendations?  We are not interested in snorkeling or strenuous activities because we have 2 in our group who aren't physically able.  With that said, short distance walking is ok.

I know I could post on each individual port's board, but that's way too much for me to keep up with!lol