3dogsrule

I have to agree with the others, I ate there one night (on the Dream) and liked it so well I immediately booked it again for two nights later. I got the filet both times; the first time it was cooked flawlessly and had great flavor, the second time it was just slightly overcooked but still tasty. The chef took great pride in his food and came around both nights talking to people to make sure they were happy. It was a lovely room, staff was very attentive, it was well worth the money to me.

Enjoy!

I was in a balcony on Deck 8 a couple weeks ago. Had my cabin air on full-cold, and it was ok to me. I'm hot natured, I would have preferred the room to have been another degree or two cooler, but I'd say it was around 74 or so. MDR felt (to me) about the same, maybe a degree cooler. I never got cold personally, but I thought it was slightly cooler than my room.

Couldn't resist sharing a few more pix!

My BF being swarmed...

And by the way, JustMe, the snorkeling was great! They gave us a few big Milkbone dog biscuits, which we broke into little pieces and fed the fish with. They'd absolutely swarm you when you do that, my BF even got bit by a fish trying to be the first one to the treat. I learned to hide the biscuit in my hand as the fish would come up and try to eat it while I was holding it! There were so many fish that a lot of people were just standing in the water watching the fish swim around them. Get there early to get a choice seat. Food was pretty good, and the drinks were strong. Beautiful beach. Have a great time!

I took it, I think we paid around $10 per person/each way with a tip, the actual fee may have been $8. It was an open air bus, nice ride, great beach. Sorry, I don't know of any cheaper way to get there.

I've only done one solo, on Carnival, but I picked YTD because I was also 100% about R&R and not wanting to keep a time schedule. Additionally, I wanted to relax over the meal, and not have to do a lot of small talk with strangers. I was always able to get a table by myself with no wait, but of course, you've seen how tight the two-tops are so you're not really by yourself. But still, I was left alone for the most part and thoroughly enjoyed the dining experience.

It may come down more to if you would enjoy eating alone, or would prefer to dine with others. Of course with YTD you can request to dine with others, but you may have a wait involved (waiting on a table to get filled, more people slows down the course progression, etc); just depends on how much time you want to devote to the dining experience.

Good luck, and enjoy your cruise, I'm envious!! :D

Is it ridiculous to take something like this as a carry on? I don't know how hard it will be to get it through security or to roll it around until I can get to my room. Would there be a place I can leave it until my room is ready? We plan to get on late - only a couple of hours before we are scheduled to leave port, if that would matter.

Sounds like everyone has answered your questions well, but thought I'd pipe in too, just using different words. :D I've always had to carry my own drinks in NOLA too, so it's not ridiculous at all. If you're getting on late, chances are very good that your room will be ready and you can go directly to it. If not, I recommend going to the main dining room for lunch; it'll be nice and calm, and you can set your luggage off to the side while you have a peaceful lunch. One of the MDRs is always open for lunch on embarkation day.

and 2) about data and my phone - I have gathered the importance of turning off my smart phone data services in order to avoid any data fees that will be incurred while my phone tries to connect to the ship's wifi. It sounds like the ship's wifi is automatically on, so that my phone will connect - and I will be charged - if I am in a mode that allows data usage at all. My question is, when does the ship's wifi kick in? Can I be on my phone until we pull away, or do I need to have the data turned off the moment I walk onto the ship? My husband's phone has unlimited data - can he keep it on all the time, or will we get charged somehow from NCL? I've read all I can on the topic, but some of the language is confusing and I don't want to make assumptions and then get smacked with a huge bill from the ship or from my carrier.

As others said, you won't be connected to the ship's wifi unless you set up an account and actively log on. Not sure what kind of smart phone you have, but for my iPhone, I turn wifi off (to save battery life since I won't need wifi), make sure Data Roaming is off, and that's about it for me. I want to be able to receive phone calls and texts. If you don't want to get calls/texts, airplane mode is a great option. I've had pretty good luck with getting email through the cell towers all the way down the Mississippi. But once you're off the land cell towers and only have Cellular at Sea as your provider, your phone shouldn't download any email etc as long as you don't have any data roaming services turned on your phone.

When I get into a port, I usually turn my wifi on and look for any free signals (rare but sometimes it happens!) so I can get on Facebook and make my friends jealous.

Enjoy your first cruise! Be warned, it's quite addictive!!

Definitely varies. I was starboard and faced the port in Cozumel, but didn't in Progreso.

I keep looking at this excursion and this is something I've been confused about. It does look like there are 2 of them and the Adults Only Rocky Shores version must be very new because there is only 1 review for it on Carnival's site (5 star by the way).

I agree that it must be new, it wasn't available for my December cruise 'cause I sure would have picked it! But I honestly don't remember seeing any kids on the "Select Retreat"; if there were any, they were awfully quiet. But the setup wasn't geared toward kids for sure, no inflatables or anything 'kid-like' for them to do. I agree with the book early, I was torn about spending that much and about a month pre-cruise I went ahead and bit the bullet, and got the very last spot. Looks like the Adult place has a swimming pool if that's important, the Select house did not. But it was a very nice gentle slope into the water, and the sand wasn't as "deep" and hard to walk through like I've experienced at Nachi. Select didn't have wifi, if you're wanting to post pictures on your Facebook to make all your friends jealous. :p

Whatever you do, enjoy yourself!

I'm thinking that the "adults only" is different than the one Spaniel Lover reviewed. I've done the one that SL did, and it was wonderful, very relaxing. But Carnival calls that "A Select Retreat", and the other one "Rocky Shores", and the pictures are different. Looks like they may be in two different locations.

But to answer the OP, I haven't done the Adults Only version, but I did do the "Select Retreat" one. Yeah, it was more expensive than what I've normally done in Cozumel (Nachi), but it was exactly what I was looking for: a very small gathering of low-key people, my lounge chair was just a few steps from the beach, and I wanted for nothing, food and drinks were brought to me before I even asked. Very relaxing experience.

Try Vitalchek dot com for a certified copy of the BC, they do expedited service and will mail it to wherever you are...

So how did it go? We will be there in March and thinking about going into Merida. Did you take the public bus or the AP bus? What did you take in while you were there? Did you have any issues with the language barrier?

 

Thanks!

I made it, took the AP bus and walked around the square. I guess I was a little surprised at how hustling/bustling it was. I knew it was a big city, but I guess I didn't expect it to feel like walking around downtown Chicago or NYC...but it did. Every once in a while I'd have to "pull over" up against a storefront and survey the area, pick a target and fight the crowd to get there. I did walk through several stores but nothing piqued my interest; mostly what I saw where clothes/shoes, and returning a wrong size would have been a booger. :D I ate lunch near the square, and did have to ask a police officer for directions back to the bus station; in both cases language was a barrier but with pointing and smiles we got through it.

The bus ride to Merida was pleasant, and I enjoyed seeing the area between Progreso and Merida. But the bus ride back was less than pleasant. I sat in the very front right behind the driver, and we left the station with a few empty seats. But the driver stopped at every busstop along the way to the port, and pretty soon I had butts in my face and felt a smidge claustraphobic with all the standing passengers packed in like sardines. There was a solid (non-see-through) divider behind the driver, and the lady in the window seat had the curtain pulled, so I couldn't see anything but butts and backpacks for some time.

Overall I'm glad I went, but I don't see wanting to go back again, especially not as a solo. I always felt safe (except when I got too close to the sidewalk edge, cars zooming past me), and there was some facinating architecture to behold. But it wasn't the shopping jackpot I'd hoped for.

I'm not sure about snorkeling in Progreso, but Nachi offers snorkeling excursions. They'll come around while you're there and offer it, along with other stuff.

I absolutely love cruising. Been only about 5 times, so far. I've always had my partner to travel with, but looks like I may be cruising solo in the future. I'm very independent, but travelling so far away, for a week, sounds a little frightening. Not to mention, I don't like the higher prices just because I'll be one. Any suggestions to make this situation more enticing and less scary?:confused:

First off, break down which part(s) is/are scary to you. Dining alone? Going into ports alone? Having sea days with nobody to hang with? Once you break it down, there is a solution to pretty much any scary part.

I just completed my first solo, and I'm totally hooked. I have a group (BF and a bunch of other couples) that I normally cruise with, but I hope I can work in a solo each year now that I've tried one. It was soooooo relaxing it and it was total freedom. I joined my roll call and had a fun meet & greet, and had a few familiar faces to say hi to throughout the cruise. I dined alone because I wanted to enjoy my meal and not have to do the "where are you from" talk. One night I was feeling kinda social, so (on Carnival) I went to a martini event, and made several friends, including a very cool lady from Houston who became my BFF for the night. I guess that's the thing about traveling solo: it's your choice. If you don't want to spend a lot of time alone, you won't have to. Join your roll call, or even just strike up a conversation with someone at a bar or waiting for a show to start, or choose a set-time dining with others, and you'll have peeps to hang with. Or, if you're feeling like having me-time, you can take a book to the Lido deck and relax all day long.

If you're very independent as you say, I think you'll have an awesome time and become hooked to solo cruising like a lot of other people. :D

Good luck, and keep us posted!

Great info, Pacific and OvertheHill, thanks!

I know enough Spanish to order a beer and find a bathroom; did you find that many/any shop owners knew much English? I've got a small fistful of pesos and some Christmas shopping to knock out!

Boy I'd love this information too. I've 'virtually' walked around the square using Google Earth; there looks to be a ton of stores and shops and architecturally interesting buildings. I'll be there in a couple of weeks, exploring Merida by myself, and would love to know a good lunch spot.

Thanks Pat. I had already planned to have a drink in Egon's honor since it's my first solo and he was my inspiration, but I'll be sure to toast your dad too. If he reminds you of Egon, then I'm sure he was a helluva man.

Ohhh Pat, I'm so sorry. Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Thanks for the tip, Janet, I might very well do that. :D

So far the hardest pre-solo-cruise part has been not having anyone to get excited with. Since I've thus far only cruised with friends/BF, I've always had others to talk to about excursions, or ship activities, etc. While everyone is happy for me to get to go solo, they can't share my level of excitement, and they get tired of listening to me babble about what I'm going to do (so I try hard not to babble!). And to me, that's a good chunk of the fun, the anticipation (especially since it lasts so much longer than the cruise itself). Do you other solos find that too, that you miss having others to get giddy with? Or have you learned to just talk to yourself, or to contain your giddiness? 'Cause right now I'm just 17 days from sailaway and I can't freaking wait!!!! :D:D:D

If you're sailing solo check your roll call board. I had the greatest time hanging out with my roll call buddies.

Glad you had a wonderful time! I've got my first solo coming up, and have little doubt I'll enjoy the heck out of it! Only bummer is that my roll call decided to move to Facebook. I'm too paranoid/overly cautious to let a bunch of strangers know my name, where I live, all about my life, etc., and that I'll be traveling alone, so I didn't join them. But I'm sure I'll make friends, if and when I want. :p

I fear the solo-cruise addiction!!

LOL KJ, I totally understand what you mean by a hound on Tramadol! Hope your pup is healed up good as new soon, and enjoy your cruise!!

Here is the schedule Falkcor posted last month:

Sunday, November 17, 2013

GLORY

MIAMI, FL

Monday, November 18, 2013

IMAGINATION

MIAMI, FL

Saturday, November 16, 2013

PARADISE

TAMPA, FL

Sunday, November 17, 2013

LEGEND

TAMPA, FL

Thursday, November 21, 2013

FANTASY

FREEPORT, BAHAMAS (POC)

Sunday, November 24, 2013

FREEDOM

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL

Monday, November 25, 2013

FASCINATION

JACKSONVILLE, FL

Sunday, November 24, 2013

SUNSHINE

NEW ORLEANS, LA

Monday, November 25, 2013

ELATION

NEW ORLEANS, LA

Sunday, November 24, 2013

VALOR

SAN JUAN, PR

Saturday, November 30, 2013

LIBERTY

MIAMI, FL

Sunday, December 01, 2013

CONQUEST

MIAMI, FL

Sunday, December 01, 2013

MIRACLE

LONG BEACH, CA

Monday, December 02, 2013

INSPIRATION

LONG BEACH, CA

Saturday, December 07, 2013

BREEZE

MIAMI, FL

Sunday, December 08, 2013

VICTORY

MIAMI, FL

Friday, December 06, 2013

SPLENDOR

PT. CANAVERAL, FL (POC)

Saturday, December 07, 2013

DREAM

PT. CANAVERAL, FL

Sunday, December 08, 2013

SENSATION

PT. CANAVERAL, FL

Saturday, December 07, 2013

TRIUMPH

GALVESTON, TX

Sunday, December 08, 2013

MAGIC

GALVESTON, TX

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

PRIDE

PT. CANAVERAL, FL (POC)

Thursday, December 12, 2013

ECSTASY

PT. CANAVERAL, FL

Sunday November 24, 2013

SPIRIT

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

No idea when the decorations come down.

I've booked it too, got the last slot, will be there Dec 9th, can't wait! Mine was $119. Have been to Nachi several times, last time noticed the menu was reduced and the food wasn't quite as good. By the time I pay $55 for Nachi and around $30 for round trip taxi, this was only $35 more, it sounds like it'll be worth the splurge. Hope so!!

Congrats on the balcony, Kim! I think you'll enjoy it. My only problem with balcony cabins are that I don't sleep as well...but only because my eyes spring open as soon as I see daylight, and I can't wait to sit out on the balcony while my BF continues to sleep. First cruise with a balcony leaving out of NOLA, I spotted dolphins the first sea morning within minutes of rolling out of bed: I was hooked. Most of my best sunrise/sunset pictures have been taken off our balcony. I'm sure we spend more time in our cabin that you guys do, but while you're there, it's SO relaxing!

Once I was wanting to surprise a travelmate and hide what kind of cabin we had, so I slipped the check-in person a note along with my passport (unbeknownst to my travelmates) saying "please don't say what kind of cabin we have, it's a suprise". She smiled and quietly put my note aside and was cool about the whole thing. This was for a suite, but I don't remember them ever saying anything about having a balcony. Still, might consider it just to ensure the surprise lasts until you open the door. :D

Have a great cruise, can't wait to read the review!