soulsistah007

Curious about your experience cruising at Christmas as we're considering doing so with our 2 kids. Most likely not a port intensive cruise (my husband and I did this route on the Victory pre kids and had a great time!).  Besides the Christmas dinner, any other activities that Carnival provided to give it a Christmas feel?  I assume a lot of kids on board too?

15 minutes ago, jeff92k7 said:

A TON more dates just opened for 2020 and beyond.  My PVP called me a few hours ago to help us book one in June 2020 that we have been waiting on.  About an hour ago, those dates appeared online as well.

 

Let the early booking rush commence....

Nice!! I just checked a few hours ago and there was nothing. Thanks for posting!

Enjoying your review! I was discounting the Sunshine for next cruises simply because its an older ship, but it looks beautiful! May have to reconsider

Interesting thread and really good tips as we are hoping to go on a cruise with our preschooler and infant. As far as strollers, I've read that you can rent one from Carnival when you board. Anyone have any experience with this?

Great so far! I also have family that will be on the same cruise as you so I will be following along, living their cruise through you. Have a great time!

My husband proposed to me on a cruise with Carnival and as the recipient, I would say to prepare for the unexpected.

His plan was to propose on a port day, however, on a sea day, we were in the cabin and watching the call-in trivia show. Being a trivia fan, I decided to call in and got the question right. The CD asked who I was travelling with and after I said "my boyfriend", he asked to speak to him and then, very randomly, said, "do you have anything to say to your lady?" My then bf looked at me like a deer caught in headlights and said this wasn't his plan but he wasn't going to back down from a challenge, got the ring out from his luggage bags and proposed to me while the CD was still on the phone lol. So needless to say, anyone on the ship who was watching the show heard our engagement. That night at dinner (elegant night), the crew had surprised us with a special dessert and champagne, other passengers soon figured out quickly that we were that newly engaged couple from the show and congratulated us. When we got back to our room, we were again surprised with flowers and chocolate strawberries from Carnival - super unexpected but so thoughtful. It was definitely a great yet unexpected way of being proposed to!

Ah - thanks for the great ideas! I completely forgot about the sales pitches with the spa treatments; I would have to warn her in advance. A gift card does sound perfect - I didn't know this was even an option as we're in Canada. I see that Canadians can purchase it online which is perfect.

Thanks again!

Hi!

My mom will be cruising on the Vista next May and I would like to get her a mother's day gift that she can use while she's on board. Its been a while since I've cruised so any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated!

Ideally, I would want to get her something practical that she could use - maybe a spa treatment? Or on-board credit? She is traveling with other family members so booking an excursion is out as I have no idea what they will be up to and how active they want to be. She is not a drinker so a drink package is out and I'm pretty sure she would be hesitant to use her phone so an internet package is also out.

If it was a spa treatment, what would be the easiest way to pre-book it for her or would she have to do that herself when she's on board?

Thanks

Enjoying your review and your kids are adorable!! We are also from Toronto and will be on the Magic in October with our DS who will be 2.5 at that time. That being said, what are your best tips for sailing with a kid that age? On the ship and navigating the ports? DH and I have cruised many times, but this is the first with our little one. Looking forward to the rest of your review:)

I checked CC as soon as I heard what happened was in NB. I hope Mikey and his family are safe. Such a horrible tragedy and my thoughts and prayers go to not only Mikey and his family but also to the RCMP community and their families.

As a non US citizen, I've debarked from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Port Canaveral and San Juan and again, no issues and all have been within the past 4 -5 years. Maybe something has changed recently? Maybe it depends on the port? If you are keen and need to debark on your own, tell the front desk and I'm sure it won't be a problem. Have a great cruise!

No, you can do self-assist if you are a non-US citizen. I've been on many cruises with Carnival and each and every time, I've done self assist. I don't feel comfortable leaving my bags out overnight and it's never been a problem.

just out of curiosity....what, if any, cost is there for a toddler (approx. 2 1/2)? Is it an extra "person" in the room?

Apparently, it's the same cost as a 3rd adult. There isn't a discount for kids of any ages.

I most likely will be taking my 10 month old with me next year with our extended family. I've read some reviews here of cruising with infants and toddlers and they have been extremely helpful!

You guys have no idea what expensive airfare is ! Try living in Canada.

Yes, flying from Canada is expensive but its more cost efficient to fly out of the US.

This was my favourite cruise!!! With cruise fare and air fare flying out of Buffalo, it cost each of us $1000. Totally worth it! The ports are all fantastic! Would do this again in a heartbeat!

Personally, I would choose the Breeze....all of those ports are amazing! Plus I've never been on the Breeze so that would be a fun experience. Now, my last cruise was on the Freedom but before the upgrades. With that itinerary, and from reading reviews, Dominican doesn't seem like a great port as you are docked right in the middle of La Romana and there isn't much to do. Curacao and Aruba looked like okay ports but nothing too exciting/unique to do there. For me, ports are the sole reason why I cruise so that weighs more than the ship.

Then we went to find our room. I let the kids pick our room this trip. They loved it... and I thought it was a great idea... they picked:

 

1234:cool:

 

Hey. They thought it was easiest to remember and I quite agree!

 

And here's where my pics might come in handy for all those out there wondering how we get 5 in a room. I only wish now, I had intended on doing a review because I might have been a bit more thorough in my pictures when it comes to how we keep everything organized. Let's not forget, that 5 in a room, also means 5 peoples' belongings!

 

 

 

The upper Pullman of course came down, and we also had a rollaway. (pics of that to come) but I will say that the first morning we folded it up to make more walking room, and the rest of the week this was done for us, and he only let it out at night.

 

And here is our door, we always try to do something to make it "ours"

 

LOL....how your kids picked the room is adorably cute! It is indeed easy to remember. Also love how you decorate your door....what a great family activity! Looking forward to the rest of your review :)

Thanks for taking the time to post this review! I especially appreciate all the tips for bringing a 10 month old (the stroller and the play time on sea days). I would like to do a cruise next year when my little one will be 10 months old as well (currently he's still in the oven lol). As far as eating goes, what items did your son eat throughout the trip? Did you ever bring him to the MDR or did you rotate with your in laws in terms of watching him during dinner? Also, since he's so young, did you take any extra precautions with cleaning his hands....any concerns about him getting sick on board? Thanks!

Friday, 11/15

Day 1- Miami/Embarkation

 

I was up early at 7:30 am, showered and packed and was out at 8:45 am. I grabbed a bagel with cream cheese on the way out and had a smoothie drink I bought at Publix yesterday to go with it. I cranked up the Daddy Yankee in the car and headed for Miami. I was so pumped up and ready. Traffic was ridiculous but I kept jamming, excited for my upcoming weekend. I got the car back right on time and took the free shuttle from the airport to the Port of Miami. I made it around 10:45 am.

 

Hey Kim! Love that you have another review...they are very entertaining!! Question for you: There's a free shuttle from the Miami airport to the port of Miami? Wish I had known that...would have saved me some money! Do you know how often it runs and where it picks up passengers from? Thanks :)

Good for you for booking on your own!!

I'd recommend the Liberty - you get an additional port and it's a great itinerary. San Juan would be the best place to do a tour and the rest you could do beaches. It's very easy and economical to do beaches on your own at these ports. Your boys would probably get a kick out of Maho Beach in St. Maarten (where the planes land and depart very close to the beach). They would definitely love Grand Turk - beach right where the boat docks and there's a Margaritaville pool with a flow rider machine they can have fun with.

do they also take any currency? I have some leftover euros that I would love to get rid of!!

 

Camelia

I'm not sure about Euro's but I have used Canadian currency to make payments on board so maybe it's a possibility. I was also able to exchange Canadian money for US (instead of getting cash from the ATM and racking up service charge and exchange rate fees) so maybe you can do the same with Euros.

Wow! Another fantastic review from you! I'm sad that it's over lol.

Can I ask you how much the map was on the Breeze? Was it purchased from the Fun Shops? What a great idea!

Now, I cant wait until March to read your review of the Valor. It's my favourite itinerary for any Carnival ship and that was our best cruise when it was offered on the Victory. Looking forward to reading all about your adventures there. Until then, hope you and your family have a safe and happy holiday season! :)

I hope you and GF continue to cruise more often so you can post more cruise reviews!! I can't tell you how many times I laughed out loud reading this....great job!!

Aww so sweet!! Congratulations to you and your wife!! :)

I remember your previous review and you had awesome shots! Congrats on your achievements! Normally, I don't follow reviews unless its for a ship and itinerary I'll be on soon but I love your photos and your writing style so I'll be tuned in!! :-)

Latanya looks great in her dress! Will she be popping in to do guest posts? I love when couples chime in with their own thoughts.

Loving your review so far! I have to ask, what does Mitchell do when you, Tracy, and Arielle are together? He only seems to show up at dinner lol.