jaskie

I am pretty sure you can -- we are looking at doing it next month. We did it in 2010, but the kids want to go again, and compared to a lot of other dolphin swims in the caribbean, this one is very natural. If you have questions let me know and I will post again with answers when we get back next month.

Carnival requires everyone over 21 to buy the package even if only 1 would use it. I have 2 high functioning young adults over 21 that do not drink and even checked to see if I could get only 1. I was still told that I would be required to buy 3 packages.

The megabus only costs between 5-20 each to Fort Lauderdale, I would figure that Miami is the same. I started looking at it when it looks like it will cost less for 3 of us to ride it than to drive down for our cruise in May.

I also agree, living in Tampa there isn't any shuttles from Tampa to Miami.

On our Disney cruise a couple of years ago we ended up diverting to Miami for a medical emergency going from Cozumel to their private island. It seems one of the crew had fallen while cleaning the deck in the morning and they decided to stop in Miami quick to take them off the ship. I have never seen so many people out on their balconies at 10:00 pm at night, mainly to make calls since we were back in the US. We got to Castaway Bay about 2 hours late, but was able to stay an extra hour.

I also did a trip on the Carnival Ecstasy where I got sicker than a dog. Went down to the medical doctor, she diagnosed me with strep and gave me some heavy antibiotics. They didn't quarantine me or anything, I think she could tell I was miserable and wouldn't be venturing out until things kicked in. So sent one of the sea days sleeping all day. Two days later when we got home my daughter got the diagnosis, and then a day later our traveling partner was diagnosed. The medical facility seemed very well stocked, it looked like it had 3 beds in it. No insurance, the visit cost $95.00, which you paid before you left the facility.

It doesn't say that there were unauthorized charges, only that guest services was unwilling or unable to help limit charging on a child's card.

 

On Oasis they were able to block charges for a child but I've heard others say they had the same problem. It also was all or nothing for us, either the child had full charging privileges or none at all. I know some people had wanted to limit their kids to a set daily amount but this was not apparently an option.

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Thank you -- you are correct, I did not say anything about the charges being incorrect. I was told they could not link the "arcade account" with the "cruise account", but it was listed at the time they could. Yet when my son spent his cruise limit (because of the arcade charges) they were able to stop his charging. Again, nothing was fraudulent, just being told on one side the two accounts don't talk to each other and then turn around and they are linked. They were able to do this on the Jewel when we sailed on that ship.

Secondly, about the noise, the promenade only has the late party one night. The noise was only heard in 1 or the 2 rooms (they were connected) It was like one room was sound proofed, yet when you walk through the connecting door to the next room it sounded like the party was in the room. I NEVER asked for any funds back. I was upset that they told me no one had complained before. I can't believe with the freedom being about 5 years old and 52 cruises at least a year no one had in over 250 cruises said anything about the noise in the one room.

You might still have to drive to Tampa to catch the buses. When I see them around in Tampa there isn't any mention of them connecting to Ocala.

I want to thank the posters for these numbers. I didn't relish the drive, finding we can take the big red bus form Tampa for $5.00 each; can't pay for gas with that.

3 different bus options:

http://www.redcoachusa.com

http://www.cruiseconnection.travel/

https://us.megabus.com

You might still have to drive to Tampa to catch the buses. When I see them around in Tampa there isn't any mention of them connecting to Ocala.

I flew in a day early to Orlando for a cruise out of Port Canaveral, got a rental car, got to the hotel - walked around, etc. Next morning dropped off car and took shuttle to the port. Checking in I discovered we had missed a bag at the airport, which carried a majority of our clothing, and some information needed on the cruise. (I was cruising with 3 teenage girls so you can guess how many suit cases I had). We flew in on Delta as a standby, so they didn't track us down for the suitcase. After 10 minutes of panic, the RCCL supervisor had me call the airport to figure out where the bag was (luckily by flying in early we got on the ship at 11:00, so I could have gone to get it is needed). Delta had it, then the supervisor had their shuttle person at the airport go to pick up the bag (I was on the phone with Delta at the time so gave my blessing) and get it to me. If I would have waited until morning, no clothes. We actually ended up getting that suitcase delivered to the room before the others. ;-)

Moral - I now live in Tampa, so either taking my cruises out of Tampa or Port Orlando. Those I drive in the same day. In May we are going to Port Everglades and driving down -- it's a 3.5 to 4 hour drive and driving down the day before. DOn't want to worry about a car dying, etc...And yes I now keep better track of bags.

My son is Autistic, I have already spoken with Special services and they assured me that we can do the muster drill somewhere else. I would send them an email now just to get on their radar.

My daughter loves BB, so I know we will be hitting it.

I have only used it once, and found it worth the money. I tried for my cruise on the Conquest in May, but it's already sold out. Nice to know they open it up closed, I just keep checking each day.

I have done 2 Carnival Cruises and 2 RCL. I will never go back on the Freedom of the Seas. I had to wait over 2 hours to speak with people in Customer Service. They outright lied to me about things (saying they could not limit a child's charging privileges even though it said on the website they could, along with saying that no one had complained about the noise level on rooms in the promenade. The had a party until 11:30 one night that my kids had to cover their ears with towels, etc, in order to sleep. We had adjoining rooms and it was only one of the two rooms that was noisy.). The Jewel was smaller and we did enjoy it. We did the Paradise before a dry dock, it did need some work, but the cruise wasn't bad. I loved the cruise we did on the Ecstasy. I think every cruise line has their "snobs" and every cruise will be a good or bad experience to different people. I like to cruise, and since we can (at the moment) can only do it when school is in vacation will choose whomever I get the best deal from that has a good rating.

Though I can't specifically say for sure on your ship but for my 2016 cruises on the Pride and Vista almond and soy milks were an option in the Main Dining Room, Speciality Restaurants, and from the specialty coffee bar. The reason I know is each time I asked for Lactaid these were offered even though I insisted on lactose free cows milk.

 

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Thanks for that notice. My daughter also drinks lactose free, not soy or almond. I will see what I get from the food allergy.

We were on the Ecstasy for a 5 day cruise a few years ago. Interior room and had a roll away bed. They actually set it up along one wall (more of a 'permanent' setup). I went with my daughter (who was 17) and another friend. For us it didn't seem bad, essentially if you were in the room, you were in a bed to sit. Unless sleeping we were not in the room though. It probably was fine for us since I ended up with strep throat on the cruise, didn't do much the last two days, once I got antibiotics things were fine. And because we were in such close area, everyone ended up with it. Probably would have happened with a bigger room too.

My daughter is short though -- she is only 5'1'. I wouldn't know how it would work with someone taller. You also have to be able to like "togetherness"

My daughter doesn't like yogurt, so takes ice cream and peaches and make that for breakfast each morning. Only able to do on Carnival with the 24 hour ice cream station.

I have done an even number of carnival and RCCL. Each had their good and bad points. ALthough I will never unless it's so cheap I can't say no, Take another trip on the Freedom of the Seas. It was a ways back, but having to wait 2-3 hours in the Customer Service Line and being lied to by them it doesn't help the cruise.

One person said your first is usually your favorite. My first was a Celebrity Cruise and I am trying to find a way to get back on it.

I am now doing a Carnival Cruise after Disney. Will I not like it? Not sure, but if I see anymore Character line ups I don't know if I would handle it.

I don't think you should have any problem getting the FREE parking at ANY port in Florida. Just make sure you take your HC card with you. Something to carry the scooter is exactly what they are looking for. Parking is about $120.00 otherwise.

I know in Tampa you pay whether you have the parking pass or not. I have had to always pay there.

We had a wonderful experience with RCL on gluten free. Both of my kids are, along with being Asperger's. We also filled out the special needs form. Each night we had the matri'd stop by to check on the food. At the end of the meal we ordered the next night's meal. One night it was my daughter's birthday and they made her a special gluten free cupcake to celebrate. Our server, along with all the wait staff, were very attentive about what they could and couldn't eat.

Had the same experience at the Wind Jammer, etc. They went out of the way to make sure the cruise was special.

Penny

Thanks again for more great advice. You all wonderful! I like the idea of one parent staying in the room with the children during the muster drill. that will be huge, considering the amount of people that get crammed in spot, that sure to throw any child off.

 

Here's another off the wall questions. I know the kids from camp have to wear the bracelets with their section number on them, for emergencies of course. What to do when your children have sensory issues and FREAK out with those?? I already know that we can not put them on the wrist. Ankle MAYBE. For our gym we actually had to make them special t-shirts as opposed to the wrist bands. I understand we can't do that, but I am hoping on the ankle they will be out of sight out of mind for both boys and it won't be too big of an issue with Carnival. This is something I will mention as well. :)

 

Chris ~ Thank you for your kind responses - I too wish more people were like you. We've taken only 1 other family vacation, and have others bring me to tears. If only they knew what other went through day to day then maybe they would have SOME sort of understanding for the disabled.

 

Roz ~ You too are so kind! You are so right. We might not show too much on the outside, but those remarks, or looks or whatever, do hurt the heart. It's quite sad. My biggest gift besides my children, is teaching my older daugther (14) that people with disabilites are equal to us and to treat them no differently. When a little girl with Down's walked up to my daughter a couple of years ago in the grocery store, got in her face and waved, it brought tears to my eyes for my daughter to look at her and say Hi, how are you?? Without having my boys, I don't know that she would have done so. So many others would have ignored her and walked away, i've seen it. I hope Courtney can instill in her children one day, what we've tired to teach her for many many years.

 

Ok, so that was WAY off subject. We are SUPER excited for our first cruise with the boys and am glad to know they should be accomodiating to us as well. I did send an email off to the special needs dept this morning in regards to my concerns. :o

I have 2 kids with Autism, we did our first cruise at Christmas 2010 with Century. I am not sure about other ships, but century puts bracelets on anyone under 13 and anyone who needs more help (in case of evacuation). My sons (18) ended up on his leg, my daughter (15) wore hers as a bracelet. So at least on Century you can do it on the leg. I will fin out with RCCL send we sail in 4 weeks with them.