bobsfamily

In August on the Sunshine we had the same notice about Plat/Diamond. Upon boarding we (some of the first boarding) went to our cabin and it was ready with the SS cards in the mailbox. We went in and dropped off our luggage, the steward came by and said stay! No problem... We went and got brunch and returned about noon. The view from the cabin was fine and we had a couple of drinks before heading back out around 12:30. Hope to do the same for New Years 2024 on the Sunshine (last cruise from Charleston SC).

The "casinos"you see are places to buy lottery tickets or play online games. The casino that was near the beach has been closed for some time. I don't think there is a "full service" casino on the island at this time.

4 hours ago, AirPark said:

I'm in Bimini right now on the Elation. The original location of the free paradise beach was next to the Resort World Beach Club. Apparently that's been taken private and you are no longer allowed there without paying (Pablo's Bimini Experience?). The new free paradise beach is the one at the end of the pier next to the sewage plant. It literally stinks. People were complaining, but no other options for free. So unless you're willing to pay for one of the resorts, this destination is no longer appealing to those on a budget.

I think we might be going to casino on Bimini and try to find some lunch somewhere.... Le' Sewer beach is no go for us!

Looking at renting a cart Aug 26th. Anymore info about renting, people stealing them while out of the cart, prices?

Will be in Bimini middle of August, Any more info about golf carts would be great!

Havana bar area is a "secret"... shhhh!

anyone booked a golf cart prior to arriving? I have read where you can just get off the tram and there are people renting them there.  We will be there Aug.26th

On 11/3/2022 at 5:08 PM, phredt said:

Just got off the ship this morning. We ended up just taking a taxi to radio Beach, so no info on the golf carts other than there was no shortage of them! 

How much was the cab to/from Radio Beach (2 of us)

I see several places you can rent online prior to visiting Bimini, they are all about $90. Did you feel comfortable with just the cart from Humpty, did you have any problems returning and any problems with people trying to steal the cart?  I read some older reviews about carts being "stolen" and then rented to someone else....

Thanks!

We will be there in August, considering this or rental of a golf cart.  Carnival offers the same Resort World excursion at 3 prices, the pool area at $40, with lunch for $70 and open bar for $100. Bad reviews on the "open bar" so most likely will just get the beach/pool offer. Thanks for all the wonderful reviews!

8 hours ago, funinthesun1964 said:

I was on the Magic November of 2021 for an 8 day cruise, I tried to be friendly with the server and tipped him $5 on my first drink, he never came around to me again. This doesn't always work.

Well dang, sorry that happened. It might be hit/miss the first evening but truly we have been walking thru the casino and had a server ask what we wanted, told her we would be back later in the day.  We have seen the servers working in the dining room at breakfast and requested to sit where they were. As always things can vary, hopefully in a couple of days our experience will be wonderful!

14 hours ago, wemjam said:

Bar service can be hit or miss just so you know.  I have cruised 4 times this year and one ship it was good, and they were around pretty frequently.  Others didn't see one but maybe once an hour.

13 hours ago, funinthesun1964 said:

and of course, just when you are really thirsty, there is not a bar server to be seen anywhere around. 😞

It's amazing how a dollar (or 2) can make servers find you.  We get to know the servers and tip well, by the 2 day we have no problem getting a drink. I have seen a server at the bar getting drinks and they ask me if I am ready for another.

1 hour ago, Bevv said:

I got mine this morning (Thursday) for a Saturday cruise. It was not available at 8pm last night.

 

We got an email to fill out, was in our planner online... took no time to fill out and saves time once at the port.  We leave Sat. as well

2 hours ago, cruisemom2 said:

There is no coupon, it's just loaded on your S&S.

We don't get the Cheers thingy as we have "free" drinks from the casino so for us it is a free drink😀.

We usually spend around $100-150 in drinks outside the casino so it's really not worth it to us.

5 hours ago, ninjacat123 said:

Yay!! I hope the P/D party will be on my Sunshine Labor Day cruise!

2 weeks and we will be cruising!

"If there was an OBC or discount on the base fare to do things like carry your own bags on/off or to opt out of daily steward service, I'm sure there are people would give both up without thinking twice about it.  Both would reduce cost without materially impacting the cruise experience for many." (quoted)

I agree but as with some hotels they do have to check every 24-48 hours on the cabin.  We love to have someone clean/refresh our cabin! Labor day weekend will be our first cruise in 2 plus years(covid) and 4+ years on Carnival.  With the new cuts this might be the last on Carnival and back to other lines.  Sad as the Sunshine is a 30 minute drive from home.

On 7/24/2022 at 7:09 PM, mz-s said:

 

The problem is that's past the Ravenel bridge, which limits them to Spirit or Fantasy class. I really doubt Carnival is in the mood to operate yet another height-limited home port.

 

I think the most likely announcement is Norfolk will become a home port to replace Charleston, but they've got their own challenges (namely, parking).

I would love for them to move it to North Charleston as that makes it still a 30-40 minute drive from home! Norfolk would not work for us as we would just drive to Fla.

Maybe North Charleston will homeport Carnival....

Sent the request a couple of weeks ago for a September cruise... is a casino rate and the answer was - NO. Oh well

Sunshine is a nice ship and only 20 miles away! I wonder if next Feb. will still be masks everywhere...

19 minutes ago, roger001 said:

If the ship ever goes up the Illinois river as far as Chicago, they have had 900 murders this year in Cook County (Chicago).  So yea....gotta be careful about everywhere.....out of the tourist areas.  

Sad but funny... well not funny, just sad

As with any port remember you are NOT in the US (except for US ports) and local laws and local customs are different. Crime can be found anywhere but in/near most ports local law has made it clear to citizens that cruise guests are not to be bothered as tourist money helps the economy.  

Be aware and you should be fine...

NCL cancelled our Feb. cruise, deposit was refunded to my CC in about 10 days.

I can see where it was refunded, the card has no balance and I don't see it as a credit yet, hopefully they will just cut me a check for the amount but I guess I could just use the card for that refund amount.

On 12/3/2020 at 8:25 PM, Capitan Obvious said:

Not really good advice. You'll pay a higher tax rate now than if you hold the stocks for more than a year making your profit a long-term capital gain.

Thanks

Have RCL/NCL/CCL stocks and all are double what I bought a few months ago.  Might have to cash some in.