TVMet

We were just there last week on Paradise and they said not to bring anything with you. It will open you up to a long customs inspection, lots of questions and just hold up the line for the people behind you trying to get to their tours. Also, as stated above it isn't like other Caribbean ports, just saw a few kids in school groups, no kids hanging around port. Any Cuban questions please ask.

It's not the Guy's burgers that I will miss on my Miracle cruise in April, it is the fries. They are awesome. I will also miss the Blue Iguana. I love the tacos and burritos there. If it wasn't for the partial Panama Canal transit I wouldn't have chosen this ship because of Guys and The Blue Iguana missing. But I am sure I will still love this cruise and will enjoy the ship too. This will be my 3rd Spirit Class ship, and out of the Carnival ships I have been on the Pride has been my favorite ship.

We are on the April 8-day Panama Canal cruise too, can't wait. We booked it over a year ago and it was almost full then (I know some cabins came open when final payment was due) but it should be a special cruise from Tampa. Always loved Spirit class before and the more relaxed less-crowded feel.

We haven't been on the Miracle for 12 years. But we are doing the 8-night Panama Canal cruise on her from Tampa in April!

Next year:

 

Vista to Galveston

Horizon to Miami

Magic to Miami

 

Royal is bringing Allure and Symphony of The Seas to Miami plus a new terminal

 

Also Miracle to Tampa (very happy to have a Spirit class doing 7 day out of Tampa again. We are booked on the 8-Day Panama Canal in April!)

Yes on Cruise Timetables dot com, great website! It all depends on the time of year, the Caribbean is busy in the winter or you can often be the only ship in port in the summer. Mid-Oct is right on the line, it would be much busier on your route in a week or two.

2 Elegant nights. Very few dressed formal at all.

Just off the same cruise. More random thoughts:

-Had a Spa cabin. Not worth it on this ship. Spa is small compared to Dream class. Always seemed crowded and they seemed to sell many day passes.

-Disappointed in lobby. Boring and will probably seem dated in a few years. Miss the wow factor and all of the people gathering there.

-Wife really loved the artwork in the staircases.

-Saw no big lines in Lido, well laid out with many other eating options.

-Ate at steakhouse twice. First and last nights. On the last night, a guy brought his young son who was obviously not feeling well and coughing. I thought back to the CC discussions about kids in the Steakhouse. I looked at the young man and could tell he was s i c k. Then without warning the kid threw up all over the floor of the Steakhouse! It next to us just as our desert was about to come out. The staff moved quickly and moved us away for desert but it sort of ruined the evening.

-Entertainment was good all around as was the entertainment staff.

-They did some things really right, like improving movement through the ship by pushing photographers out of the way. The middle of Spirit class are like an LA freeway. None of this on Vista.

-Everyone we talked to seemed to love Havana cabins.

-Never talked to anyone who thought Vista was their favorite ship. Most said Breeze (even some crew) was still their favorite.

-Didn't buy nearly as many photos with the new system. Wonder how it has impacted their sales?

-Enjoyed the sub CD Chris. Very talented.

-Spent several evenings in the Piano Bar, enjoyed it, laughing and singing.

-Got to meet Mickey Arison and eat pizza with him, so that was cool.

-Overall a good cruise and glad I got to experience Vista class. Back to Spirit class (Miracle) next year.

As a meteorologist, I agree with the Captain. Most apps are worthless in the Caribbean. The climate there is hard for the weather models that run these apps to understand. Another good source is the US National Weather Service office in San Juan, PR. http://www.weather.gov/sju/ They cover PR and the USVI. These are human meteorologists that live there, much better than a computer guessing. Don't let a chance of rain down there ruin your cruise day, it isn't like the weather in most of the US (except maybe South Florida).

Mexico doesn't have much of a weather service, but Belize does and they have a good website http://www.hydromet.gov.bz/

Sorry, bad info. It left on time yesterday.

Anyone know why the Carnival Paradise was leaving Tampa Bay at noon?

I got an e-mail about it from Carnival today. They said the Cpap and cord must be in your carry on. Ok? Packed it in my check in last year and had no problem but will put it in my carry-on this time.

Those APPS are known for having a hard time with the weather in the tropics this time of year. Rain might be for 5 mins and the 80% is right because it did rain. It isn't like forecasting the weather in the U.S. You are in the tropics, and it will probably rain on you several times, but it probably won't impact your vacation.

Ah, didn't know that. Thanks. Zzzzzzzz

Took the behind the fun tour on Dream a few years ago. They explained that the ships don't have traditional air conditioning like in our homes. They said if they did, it would take another ship being pulled behind to hold the amount of air conditioning equipment you'd need. Instead, they basically run cold water (or warm) through pipes and blow air over them. That is why it just has a colder/warmer adjustment in your cabin. You don't have much control.

So if no water is allowed now, how do I bring distilled water onboard? Have a smaller bottle of sealed distilled water I found. Leaving from Canaveral on Magic on Saturday. :)

Ah, that makes sense.

Valor and Sunshine still at Canaveral. Anyone know why? Disney & Freedom left long ago.

We've been on 15 Carnival cruises and our Sunshine cruise last June was the best. Really enjoyed the ship and the 2.0 upgrades. Trying Magic out of PC this June.

Carnival Pride is also a smaller ship and was designed for rough weather (Hawaii/Alaska). I wonder if that helped too?

I see you like conspiracies. I suggest you stick with antivaxing and chemtrails.

I am a meteorologist and an avid cruiser. There is NO WAY the Capt should have sailed anywhere close to that storm. I worked Saturday, it was well forecast and the severity was no surprise. Total negligence.

Thank You

Is there a spa Thalassotherapy pool on the Magic?

Just got off the Sunshine and the dining options are fantastic. Italian and Asian were half empty in the evening, you won't have trouble getting in. MDR was also good every night we ate there. Loved the cruise. (Don't eat Guy's too much, I did once. Too high calories)

Just got off of the Sunshine last week, it was one of our best cruises yet! No problems, great food and fun. 8 day so plenty of time to relax. Enjoy!