jwalk03

Is there any shade at Castaway Cay, and how hard is it to get beach chairs?

 

How does the food work, is there a restaurant or do they come around to take orders and feed you on the beach? Thanks!

There is lots of shade if you want it. There are plenty of beach chairs for everyone. There is drink service on the beach. Food is served in 2 different locations on the island, one near the family beach, and 1 at the adults only beach. It is buffet style, not a sit down restraunt. I thought the food was very good. There are also self service fountain drinks & ice cream machines just like on the ship.

We just got back from cruising to Cabo for NYE...we are also HRC collectors/visitors so we were excited and surprised to see a HRC that we didn't know was there. However we just received a reply from Hard Rock International when we tried to get credit showing we visited the Cabo location on our Hard Rock profile (nerdy right?) and they informed us that they do NOT have an official Hard Rock Cafe in Cabo San Lucas, that it is an infringing unauthorized location that is not sanctioned or affiliated with Hard Rock therefore operating and using the HRC name illegally. Really surprised to find this out, since they had all of the normal decor and even merchandise just like every other HRC we have been to. Just an FYI!

Yeah, the reason it has all the offical signage and decor is becuase it use to be an authorized franchise location. There was a dispute between the Mexico franchise holder and Hard Rock Corporate that was taken to court, with HR winning and stripping the Mexico Franchise Holder of their rights to operate a licensed franchise.

All of the other Mexico locations have closed except for Cancun & Cabo, which the former franchise holder continues to operate illegally.

So I know it won't count as an offical credit on my rewards tracker (I am a nerd too!, lol) It still counts as a visit for me personally, and I can still add a Cabo Shot Glass to my collection. Do you know what merchandise they had available, if any? Just curious since it cant get the offical stuff through the Hard Rock Corporate suppliers anymore I'm sure.

The ships are basically the same, but Conquest class and both have 2.0 upgrades. (One thing though is that Conquest does not have a Serenity Area, while Liberty does.)

I have not been on the GT, DR, ARU, CUR cruise yet (its on my to do list), but I have been on the Southern route out of San Juan and it is AMAZING! Everyday its a new island that is totally different from the one before it. The crystal clear water in Barbados, The Pitons in St. Lucia, the rolling hills and stunning beaches of St. Kitts, every single island is AWESOME. St. Thomas is a great port of call on most cruises, and to be honest it was my least favorite port on this cruise, not becuase I don't like it. Simply becuase all of these stops are wonderful. If you are looking for beaches that will knock your socks off you will not do better than this cruise. period.

All that said, it is port intensive, 6 ports in 7 days is a lot. So if you are the type that just likes to lay on the ship by the pool with an umbrella drink this prolly isn't the best choice. I was very tired at the end of this trip last year when we took it, but I would still do it again in a heartbeat, just leave yourself a day or 2 after the cruise before you have to go back to work. (Especially if you can swing staying in San Juan for an extra day or 2, its well worth the time as well.)

But the vast majority of the Fantasy class ships only sail 3,4,5 day cruises. So they are not directly competing with the newer Carnival ships that sail the 6-8 day cruises. Also these shorter cruises that are done on the Fantasy class ships are cash cows comparativly. The per day rates are almost always higher than longer cruises, and the on board spending is higher as well.

The Hard Rock Cafe is open along with a new restaurant, Rock & Brew, on the marina side in the same plaza. It's related to Kiss. Gene Simmons was here for the grand opening a week ago.

 

The beaches are much narrower than before the hurricane, it will take time to re-generate. All beach activities are back in swing, Tabascos is open. Fishing is definitely available, some days are better than others. My husband went two days ago and caught a marlin, but there were no dorado or tuna in site, whereas the day before, that's all anyone caught.

 

There is still evidence of damage which will take time, but life is good here in paradise. Puerto Paraiso Mall looks like a bomb went off inside one half, but the Luxury Avenue section was untouched.

THANK YOU very much for the response! Can't wait to visit Cabo for the first time in April!!

As long as your son doesnt act underage, he will be fine.

As others have mentioned, the content ias VERY adult, but no worse than any 16 year old has heard from friends in school. (or older siblings) So as long as you are comfortable being in that setting with your son, go for it.

Add "splitting time with Parks and Cruise" to your list. :)

I have to agree with this. I think a lot of people that do the 3/4 Day Disney Dream cruises combine that with 3 or 4 days at the park either before or after.

Looks like Carnival will send its first Carnival ships to Amber Cove in the DR starting in October 2015.

Calls will be included on some of the following ship's itineraries from 10/15- 4/16:

Breeze, Victory, Glory, Splendor, Conquest, Sunshine, Valor, Fantasy

I'm pretty excited for this new port! Can't wait to visit.

You can request unseasoned fries as well.

I was dissapointed that the Freedom's RFP didn't serve pub food.. not sure if that is something they could add in the future or not.

 

I will recommend the Adult Pub trivia contest if they are still doing it. The team winner each night got a choice of the 131 once tube o beer or the fishbowl drink... we never missed it and won 6 nights in a row... much better than a ship on a stick and the game was a lot of fun.

Addiding food would be very unlikely. There is no kitchen to cook in near the RFP on Freedom.

This is probably going to sound like a dumb question, but I've never been on DCL. With the Rotational Dining, how do you know which dining room to go to each night?

You get tickets in your cabin when you board that tell you which restaraunt you are assigned to each night of the cruise. Its also on your Key to the World Card.

You sit at the same table # in all the dining rooms, and your waitstaff follows you as well.

The Fantasy class ships do not have sports bars or Big Screens pool side, but there are bars with tvs, and the college football championship will be on im sure since its on ESPN. It will not be available in cabin since Carnival does not offer ESPN in cabins.

Anyone know if the Hard Rock Cafe in Cabo has re-opened post hurricane? I am going to Cabo in April and really want to add another HRC to my visit list, but I am unsure if it is operaing again. There hasnt been a new tripadvisor review of it since September.

I really am excited for a new port in the DR. I hope Carnival finished this pier soon, and adds it to some Carnival ship's sooner rather than later. Though looks like it will be at least 2016.

Its REALLY REALLY great to see Carnival offering unique choices!! I cant swing any of these becuase I already have a destination wedding, week in Cabo, and a Disney cruise booked for next year, but I hope they continue to offer great unique choices like this.

My daughter is not old enough to be in school yet, but I will most def pull her out of school for family trips when she is. We love to travel together, and to me there are wonderful learning opportunities to be had. School work can always be made up.

No Casino while docked in Mexico. Sorry.

I really wish more ships did overnights, or at least LATE departures. I would really like to see more of the nightlife in some ports.

That Banana soft serve is the BEST!

I had like 3 cones of it at Castaway Cay!

Thanks for the review!

Did you happen to notice in Cabo if the Hard Rock Cafe there is still open? Or re-opened post hurricane I guess?

I am going in a couple of months and really want to add a new Hard Rock Cafe to my collection, but Im not sure if it is still operating. There hasnt been a new tripadvisor review on it since September.

THANKS!

Hey all, we are flying in day before our cruise and were wondering if there is a TEQUILA plant that has a tour...

 

Thanks for any help.

Tequila is only manufactured in Mexico. You would have to go there for a Tequila tour.

Lido Buffet first. Im always starving by this time of day!

Then to the cabin to check it out and drop off carry ons.

Then its off to find a lounger, and take in some sun.

Cuba!

I think we are still a long way from this. I thought for sure ending the embargo would be a bigger issue for Obama at some point, but not so. I think even if the embargo ended tommorow, it would take several years to develop into a strong cruise port (or several ports given its size.)

Thanks for the reply. I am really hoping for Doc. My 2.5 year old would love seeing her! She really enjoyed Mickey & Minnie last cruise, but there wasn't any Doc last time. So I was pretty excited when I saw the Disney Jr. Meet & Greet listed, as I don't remember this being on the Dream last year.

Enjoying the review so far. Can't wait for the rest! I really want to sail on the Breeze, but haven't made it there yet. Maybe 2016. 2015 is already full with a destination wedding in April, honeymoon in May, and Disney Cruise in October. (Thank goodness I get 4 weeks of vacation!)

I am sorry to hear that, I hope all your future trips are just fun, Fun, FUN!

 

 

 

Now that is a surprise, I thought it was free everywhere. Was it much money to buy the popcorn?

 

Fountain soda is free 24 hours a day at the machines on the pool deck. It is also free in all of the restraunts during meals. If you order a soda elsewhere on the ship there is a charge. It is also free at Castaway Cay. I dont know what the cost was becuase I never had the need to pay for one.

Carnival allows each adult to bring in a single bottle of wine. Is Disney unlimited in how much you can bring in?

 

Disney is unlimited. Whatever you can carry on your are allowed. Carnival only allows wine. On Disney you can bring any drink you like including cases of beer, bottles of liquor, etc.

Now that is a surprise to me too. It has always been my impression that Disney would be better.

 

Saying the shows on Carnival are better than Disney is CRAZY. Trust me when I say you can EASILY tell which cruise line has a larger budget for production shows. Disney wins this by a mile and a half. I will say that Disney lacks comedy shows, so Carnival does win in that one area of entertainment. But overall Disney is WAY BETTER.

As for food, that is so subjective that its difficult to compare. But I will say that I found Disney's food to be way higher quality that anything Carnival offers. I have never seen all you can eat shrimp on a Carnival Buffet, or wonderful cuts of Lamb at dinner on a Carnival ship (unless you pay extra for the Steakhouse, than maybe.)

I hope that I can find that on YouTube.

 

 

 

I was expecting that. :)

 

 

 

Now that is something I wished Carnival did! It is a royal pain going thru the galley to find your pictures. On more than one occasion we could not find the photo that we knew was taken but did want to take home. Meanwhile we could always find the photos we did not want. :(

 

 

 

I can't stand the smoke on that deck on Carnival, worse even the clubs near the casino which I might use have too much smoke for me. I wish Carnival, if they must have a casino would at-least arrange that all the air flows towards the casino to control the smoke.

 

 

 

Does not seem to hurt their business does it? :)

 

 

 

Was it the size of a port hole? I notice on the internet that there are now virtual full size windows available.

 

 

 

The price sounds right if they are well made, plus now the girls something to wear to their next birthday party and/or Halloween.

 

We bought the princess dresses before we went and packed them. You can get them MUCH cheaper than $60 at a Disney store. Especially right after Halloween.

Besides a flock of princesses running about must be very cute to see. Do they also offer fairy dresses with wings too?

 

 

 

The horror, the HORROR! That would drive me insane.

 

 

 

Interesting.

 

 

 

I hope the advice given earlier in this thread about booking just as the cruises becomes available is correct, otherwise I will not be able to justify the costs.

I will second that advise about booking the day the cruises are released. Esp if the cruise you are booking is a limited sailing like the San Diego departures for next October. I am also booked on one of these cruises. I booked the day the fares were released and paid $1800 for 3 people inside. Today the cheapest fare for the same cruise is almost $5000.

Disney isn't for everyone, and neither is Carnival. I have done cruises on both and will do cruises on both in the future. They offer 2 different products, and trying to do an apples to apples price comparison just doesn't work. That would be like comparing a Ritz Carlton to a Fairfield Inn. They just are not the same. Both can give you good vacations, but not the same vacation.

Sorry I'm not very good at quoting on this site for some reason. I couldnt get it to work from the original post. Someone want to show me how you do the cool multi quote thing?? lol

I have never been to any of these places, and would love to visit all of them. So I vote for all of them. The more choices, and different ports the BETTER!

I really really really wish the Ship in San Juan would offer more than one itinerary. While I absolutely LOVED the current itinerary, it would be awesome to alternate each week to different islands since there are just SOOOO MANY choices when you start a cruise all the way South in San Juan. Its a shame they don't visit more of those wonderful islands.