rogers417

Following ....as we are sailing on Harmony June 7th.....never heard of this free beer thing if so ...game changer for getting the drink package.  Can't find any confirming resources online.

We were sailing with you Kim! We have sailed mainly with RCI but this was our 8th Carnival Cruise. Kim's post reflect in my thoughts also about the ship. Without going into to detail. VISTA to us was just like Breeze, Dream, and Magic.....with LESS. Less water areas, less space. Lines were crazy at Guys & late night pizza. Public spaces just seemed smaller. Hopefully this problem is address in future builds. Crew were nice, bartenders were un-involved, no smiles, no talking, probably just overworked. We still had a blast with our party of four. Wifey played in the quest game....nuff said.

I cruise on the Vista in less than 3 weeks and I can not get excited...I don't know if it's everything going on in my life ( dad in hospital, uncle in hospital, totaled my only car in a 4 car pileup on a bridge ( not mu fault, hit from behind several times), having panic attacks and been diagnosed with ptsd from the accident, husband losing job after 21 yrs on Dec 20th.) I need some pep talk from my cc friends to get me cheered up.....Gapearl, I know you will be there with me on cruise. This is my 14th cruise since Nov 2011 and its two new ports so I should be happy happy happy. Maybe when I actually get on the boat moving it will help. Sorry guys, just needed to vent.

 

 

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You will have a blast! It going to be a fun five fast days! My group (wife & and another couple) are super friendly and can't wait to meet you and everyone on the thread. Grand Turk is a great place. Super mellow or crazy party... It has it all....(go to jacks shack down the beach). Sounds like you need a well deserved break....cya on board! Delete the negative; accentuate the positive!

Coves are great. Do it. Nice little ledge to place your drinks on as a bonus.

Leaving out of Galveston for first time next week. Usually Florida departure ports in the past. Logistic hell! Very expensive transport options to get from IAH to port. Rental car options limited. Won't do it again.

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I agree, mostly a royal cruiser here but many carnival as well. Went on sunshine over thanksgiving and honestly it's one of my favorite ships ever. Big ship feel that is easy to navigate. Havana bar, piano, and comedy club were my favorite. Staff was outstanding. Hopefully will sail on her again. Prefer sunshine over the dream class.

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We cruised on the Emerald Princess which departed from the Port of Houston (Bayport) on Sunday, December 21st. We arrived at Houston Hobby airport a day in advance and spent the night at the SpringHill Suites Hobby Airport hotel. The hotel provided a free shuttle from the hotel and also a free shuttle ride to anyplace (restaurants, stores, shopping malls, etc.) within 5 miles of the hotel. We booked a room with 2 double beds and a sofa bed for under $110 with all taxes. (This was the AAA rate).

 

 

 

On Sunday, we called Pasadena Taxi and they gave us an estimate of $50 for the trip from the hotel to the cruiseport in Baytown. They sent a minivan for the 4 of us and it was a comfortable ride. The fare, before tip, came to just under $50.

 

 

 

We found this to be an easy and economical way to spend the night prior to our cruise and get to the cruiseport the next day.

Thanks for the info. We will be staying at Springhill Suites also in a few weeks prior to our Magic Cruise. Good info about the restaurant shuttle.

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3.....this sat 11/22 on Sunshine...wasn't even planned until last Sunday. Whew

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A person asked the same question about Royal Caribbean cruise line. I will answer the same way I did them. You can use Dolphinaris without regard to which cruise you take. They have the dolphin encounter swim everything including free lunch and open bar for $69. You have to arrange your own transportation but the cab ride to and from is only $10 each way. I was able to share the cab with 4 other people so my share was only $2 each way.

 

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I agree. We have done Dolphinaris in Cozumel in 2013 and will do it again next Feb. Super easy to book online or when you get there. Very clean and professional staff. If your looking for an easy dolphin encounter this is the place. Plus your really already close to the downtown shopping area when your done.

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Boarding today my first ever cruise on a Souvereign Class ship:D

You will be pleasantly surprised as I consider myself a big ship fan only. Been on Majesty twice and had a great time. Don't get rid of her yet RCL. Have fun!

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My experience with the claim form is that it does take a little bit of time. I always get a response that the form has been received and that they will review it. I would call carnival directly and speak to an agent. Good luck

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If you make the flight you will be cc gold!

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It's all very interesting and regardless of what happens I am looking forward to our cruise next July. Have sailed on Oasis in 2010 but this time we are in a crown loft suite. With all these upcoming changes and the suite it will seem like a new ship. Very excited.mi guess that's the purpose for updates. I will however miss the "secret aft balconies" during sailaway.

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Met him on Liberty a few years ago. Class act, set in his ways, polite, and open to talking with his fellow cruisers. Congrats !

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Great info everyone , we just got of Freedom last

Sunday and stayed in an owners suite center hump. We did book a crown loft sea view for Oasis next year. Kind of on the bubble as the owners suite was so open and big. However the c.l suite has two bathrooms and there is four of us (wife, two teenage daughters, and myself ). Thoughts??

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Have done the jet ski twice and will again next Monday. Once it was

Rough and bumpy and the next was smooth as ice. Good time

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Been there with my girls. Common sense goes a long way outside the gates. Forgot if you can post you tube vids here but here is a great one from the JoCo cruise showing the difference. If the link does not work just search you tube for joco cruise Jamaica.

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Sailed both...check out the Breeze...spa rooms are really cool not to mention the Spa itself. Yes the Breeze does not flow all that well compared to RCI ships but you will still like it. Food was equal. We really enjoyed the Tandor poolside restaurant on Breeze not to mention guys Burgar joint. Quick getaway? I would go for Carnival save RCI for the important trips where you want that little extra touch.

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That's a tough choice as having sailed twice on Breeze and once on Freedom. Freedom next month for us again but that's another topic. Anyways first the departure ports. I really enjoy Port Canaveral better than Miami. Fishlips restuarant right there on the channel in P.C. Is always fun the day before sailing...watch the ships leave really gets the cruise anticipation popping. however, Miami is happening as we all know but expensive. Only thing I hate about P.C. Is the logistics of getting there, rental cars, etc. Miami has a close port.

Entertainment, I would go with Freedom. I feel there is more to activities on RCI . Don't get me wrong, our first time on breeze was excellent as it was ll new to us. We had a blast. More pools on RCI than breeze but no huge water park if that is your thing. Food was equal for us. I like the breeze port of calls better with the cruise you are comparing. Price will be cheaper on carnival but I felt more crowded on carnival breeze than on freedom. Carnival breeze lido deck food area (main room) not outside by guys burger joint) is sooooooo crowded we just avoided it all together. Ok I'm ranting it's a tough call but I'm leaning towards freedom...

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Lololol...I have this room for our 07/13/14 eastern cruise on freedom. We have had a grand suite in the past but this is the first time in an owners suite. I picked it due the direct center hump location. Plus it's. Super close to the concierge lounge. We can't wait!

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We want to use our phones for pictures and be sure that we don't get any cell or data charges when we're on our cruise. We both have the Iphone 5. Will just turning of cell data and data roaming do it or do we also need put it in airplane mode?

No worries... Airplane mode will do the trick. It's the only thing I do to my phone while at sea.....never any problems. Enjoy!

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H ...we have done both of these ships with our daughters. Both ships are great but I think you will find Allure a step up. Pools are bigger and plentiful, not to mention the flowrider, rock wall, ice rink. Breeze does have the ropes course and water slides. Shows were put together better on Allure but the hasbro game show is fun on the Breeze. It's a win win situation.......but if I had to do them again ......I would go with the RCI. Have fun!

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those of you switching out your original staterooms, are you losing any OBC you may have had.?

Yes I lost my $300 OBC's that was with the "wow" booking of our Owners Suite on Freedom of the Seas for July 13th. However I am being refunded $3200.00. Holy smokes!!!!! I have same room and everything. Only thing is that all my excursion and extras have to be re-booked. Not a big deal. Make the call! Btw.. Called the regular reservation number and also called the crown and anchor number at the same time. C&A wait was shorter, just FYI.

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I'm also cruising out of port canaveral soon - and renting a car for the first time to drive over from mco night before.

 

For those that have done the rental car (we are using budget), how long does it typically take to drop off car and get back to port?

 

Also - what time do you recommend dropping off party w bags? I like to board early but don't want to leave my friends there too early while I return car!

 

Thanks!!

 

 

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Hi Peggy, for time of leaving port (curbside) to Budget, and shuttle back.....?I would say anywhere between 15-30 mins. It all depends if the return shuttle is at Budget or if you have to wait a few mins. I am an early arrive person too. 10:30am if our usual time.

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My tip is for after the cruise. Don't wait in line for the rental shuttles. You will only arrive with large group and long wait. I have always gotten right off the ship and grabbed a taxi to the rental agency. It is well worth the 10-15 dollar taxi ride.

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