hannahsmomtoo

Hi guys. Just wondering if the teenager's IPOD will automatically connect to he ship's wifi system ? The PHONES are being left at home because I don't need the extra charges and they need a week without the phones .

But they will have their IPODS.. iPods done have a "carrier".... So i can't ask there.

I just know that they can connect their IPods and check their social media when we are in places like Starbucks ...

Sailing her for the first time in October... thanks for taking the time to do this !

According to the drydock info posted earlier, she did receive the Rotisserie and the Mongolian Wok (my favorite!) during her prior drydock.

 

To the OP, set your fears at rest. Ships routinely sail for many decades before being retired. RCCL's oldest ships, Sovereign and Monarch, are still sailing, but for Pullmantur. One of Carnival's old ships is also still sailing, complete with the whale-tail funnel (but not painted in Carnival livery), for another line in the Med.

By cruise ship standards, your ship isn't a baby by any means, but it's not a doddering old man either. :)

Also, the fact that an additional generator has been added up top means that she has been upgraded for safety and convenience reasons after the Triumph fire. You'll be in good hands.

 

One thing I love about the Fantasy-class ships, aside from more attentive service (for us) in the MDR and a more casual, laid-back feel, is the location of the Serenity area. It's in the back on the fantail, so you don't have hardly any issues with wind and you get a great view of the ship's wake curling away in the distance. It's also convenient to the Lido buffet and there are two outdoor 'wings' overlooking the Serenity deck, with tables and chairs.

On my Imagination cruise, Serenity was my favorite place to relax...and the area didn't close until midnight...as opposed to 9pm (huh? WHY?) on the Liberty and Victory. :o

Thank you... I think it was the questioning of how long a vessel can sail that had me concerned. I appreciate all the great Info from everyone !

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

Not at all. In fact, the only reason we don't sail the Fantasy class is the lack of balcony cabins. We do like the layout and the intimacy.

We booked a balcony ...?

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

Thank you all... We do plenty of active excursions in the ports ... The ship is really just a place to relax.. So it sounds perfect. I think my question was more geared towards safety of the vessel because of it's age? I will be honest .. I have NO knowledge of how long ships stay at sea ....

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

Sailing the Fascination 10/2014

We have done the Splendor, as well as the Magic the past two years.

Should I be concerned that this is an older ship ( 1994 I believe )?

Weird as my Dec 2014 excursions are listed.

I booked my October 2014 cruise in October 2013 and the excursuions ( including FTTF ) were available

maybe call and ask.... If you press the option for "need help with CCL online... " you can get to the shore excursions people.... ( little hint )

Has anyone found a list of prices for these concert excursions??

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

http://www.carnival.com/live-entertainment.aspx

supposed to range from about $40 ( no reserved seating ) up to $150 - which includes meet and greet VIP passes

since every cruise is at a different price. how do you know it is not costing you more? the first round may be at the same price or not, week later is less $

Who knows in the future

My October 2014 cruise was JUST added as a Trace Adkins "live" cruise... didnt change the price a penny....

I wouldnt expect it to...

The artist doesnt sail with you... the fly into the port ( Nassau ) in my case.. give a concert ( which does cost $$ ) and then they leave.

Doesnt effect my cruise at all , other than I can be at Atlantis longer. :D

I am not a fan of Trace Adkins - but his concert does extend my Atlantis Excursion by many hours... so its a win/win !!!

Now our ship doesnt leave Nassau until 1am!

Wonder how it is going to work at a tender port? and for elegant night?

 

The concert cruises out of Long Beach have the concerts on the day they visit Catalina, which is also Elegant night. For those not wanting to go to the concert wil the tenders still be running that late at night?

How are they going to get off the ship with all their equipment?

The Channel is a very rough stretch of water to transfer from the ship to boat.

Maybe they'll go back to Long Beach. They'd still be able to make it to Ensenada on time.

 

Catalina is only 22 miles from Long Beach and is also part of Los Angeles County. Ensenada is only 200 miles from LA.

 

CE night will probably move to Ensenada with less time spent in port there.

From the FAQ :

On concert nights, the ship will set sail at 1:00AM. Guests will be allowed to enjoy the extended hours in the ports of Cozumel and Nassau, however due to the fact that Catalina is a tender port and tender operations are not available at night, guests must return to the ship as posted onboard well before 1:00AM

This is the list I found

www.carnival.com/carnivallive

It shouldn't affect it at all. It is only ~80 some-odd nautical miles between the two.

That is great to hear.

I originally was disturbed by this "change" to our cruise... but now I think it is a win/win.... for fans and no-fans alike.

That is correct.

Yes, you get to stay there a lot longer than you would before. My daughter would be ecstatic with this as we booked our cruise just because it went to Nassau and she wanted to go to Atlantis. No concerts showing for the Dream though and with our cruise in May I doubt they will have others added by then. :(

We will be very excited to stay at Atlantis longer...

Now on the flip side, I wonder if leaving Nassau at 1am makes us less likely to make HMC?

If the "Star" ( who I am uninterested in ) is performing in Nassau....

and we have NO intentions of seeing him - does that mean we can stay at Atlantis longer?

( Our port "departure time" NOW says 1am - yesterday it said 6pm )

Ive never waited until on board either...

We have our cabana booked for HMC in October ... and FTTF

Now saving up for Atlantis.

Can you book the excursion and pay for it in full using a second or third credit card that you never use? Then you could pay off the credit card as your budget permits.

 

I don't usually recommend using credit cards for financing because the interest rates are so high. You will pay interest on the full amount from day 1. But even if you booked 6 months ahead and paid it off evenly over time, the interest charges would only be about $20 on a $500 excursion.

 

A word of caution, you don't want to put this on your regular card and then pay everything off except the balance related to the excurision. That will trigger interest from day 1 on all your credit card purchases, including the ones you pay off on the regular due date.

That is a good idea.. I just ( as you mentioned ) try and avoid the card thing. I was so excited to pay in full AND get a cabana that I didnt even realize that Atlantis is almost $400 for both of us!

and I did see the other thread about booking at a nearby hotel for cheaper.. but there were also some people who posted some warnings about doing so.

No showband on our 10/2013 Magic Cruise

Also - is there a risk of the AquaAdventure selling out?

For example - I need two tickets but can only get one this payday...

Any chance they will sell out and I will be up the creek? ( no pun intended ! )

Thanks for all the responses. I guess I see it from both sides....

I just really would like to have Atlantis BOOKED....and make payments... Guess I will just save up.

Does anyone know if Carnival Gift cards can be used towards excursions BEFORE You sail? I do have a few of those...

What time is your ship scheduled to leave port? Cant answer as to whether would stay longer and take cab without that info.

Itinerary says 8-5

My teen is really looking forward to Atlantic Aquadventure in October.

BUT

It is costly -

The ship's excursion sats 830-130 That isnt much time...

Is that just when the last CARNIVAL bus will return to the ship...

( So we could stay later and take a cab )

or are they officially sailing away without us at 1:30pm after we pay them almost $400 for a 5 hour excursion?

Anyone?

I paid the cruise in full..and FTTF.

Then I paid my HMC cabana...

but Atlantis is an arm and a leg and I would like to book it and just pay each payday a little towards it...

Any idea wy that isnt allowed?

I guess maybe I should have paid for only PART of the cruise...

then paid my exursions in full and paid the cruise off last.....

That does nothing for us.

 

Hoping they will upgrade their entertainment, shows etc or thinking there are a lot of other cruise lines out there.

Taking our 3rd cruise this year with a teenager and REALLY hoping the Seuss stuff can all be avoided... I am not a downer.. but I am done with the Dr. Seuss portion of my life. Just my opinion

The closest one to the port is the Holiday Inn-Blount Island (less than a mile) but there is not much around there......only a Wendy's Hamburgers I believe. But they do offer a shuttle to the port.

 

Most all of the chain hotels around the airport will also offer shuttles to the port (which is about 10 miles away). You might get a better $$$ at one of these.

 

We have stayed twice at the Hampton Inn at the airport and liked it very much. You are in walking distance to Long Horn's Steaks, Ruby Tuesdays and Zaxby's so no car is necessary. They are also pick up from the airport and will shuttle you to the Port.

 

Check our www.tripadvisor.com for anything around the airport for Jacksonville and you may find some good deals.

 

Hope this helps!!

Very much so thank you !