CoconutJD

11 hurricanes hit land from 1950 to 2009.. Not sure I would classify that as very active. Either way, its not like they pop up on you, if there is a storm there will be plenty of time for adjustments.

Is that any land? Or just the U.S.?

Do you mean that if I had booked a rate like Early Saver, that is normally eligible for price drops- that they are not allowed to claim a price drop 30 days out?

No... what I'm saying is you won't find any rates that allow for price drops so close to the sailing date. You have to book like 5 months out to get Early Saver, and then you can claim price drops until 2 days before sailing.

Any rate you book now will be within the final payment period, and won't be eligible for price drops.

Here's some stats from NOAA if anyone's curious.

http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/tcfaq/E17.html

I've never booked a guarantee, but if you're booking a cruise 30 days out, you won't get price drops of any kind. Early Saver bookings disappear about 5 months prior to the cruise.

If you find a price you're happy with, book it, and don't bother looking at prices after that.

Can't help with the other guarantee stuff.

I have to agree with you..that's why I decided to pick up where he left off...just wanted to know if you guys wanted me to start from the beginning, or just keep going from here...

 

I have decided to start from the beginning....there were a few priceless tidbits he failed to mention....

 

AND THE SAGA CONTINUES!

 

For those of you who read Tim Dorsey, it is BLATANTLY OBVIOUS that my sweet husband is Serge! So in this scenario, I suppose I am a cross between Coleman and Sharon! (not so sure I like that, but I guess I have Tim Dorsey to thank for that, right)? :)

Does he do tours? Mr. Lawn's Florida Experience? :D

You can file a claim through the BBB against any business, not just the ones who pay their "protection fee".

Considering the tough bracket the US is in(group G) and their poor play against the Ukraine and Mexico recently, the United States has an extremely low chance of getting to the next round, let alone the World Cup finals.

The first post was semi-misleading. The June 16 game is the USA's first first-round matchup. The finals aren't until mid-July.

I have an app on my iPad for NBC sports that allows me to watch the games but I seriously doubt that the internet service on the ship will have enough bandwidth to handle streaming live TV. My NHL Game Center app allows me to listen to the radio broadcast, so my plan is to do that for games that aren't available on the TV. I have a big speaker that attaches to the iPad and will welcome other Ranger fans to join in on a listening party. Again, only if the bandwidth allows clear connections.

The problem with the ship's connection isn't necessarily bandwidth (although it's limited, and depends on how many people are using it), but latency. Latency doesn't affect streaming as much, as you're just pulling data, not sending multiple requests and waiting for responses.

Technically, I think the 16 yo needs to be within 3 cabins of you and not on another deck. http://www.carnival.com/Funville/forums/t/241258.aspx

 

Also:

 

"When traveling with a minor and both parents/legal guardians are not cruising, we strongly recommend bringing an original signed letter from the absent parent/legal guardian authorizing the minor to travel with you. This will expedite processing by the Department of Homeland Security. Please note that a notarized letter to this effect is required if debarking with children in Mexico."

According to the document posted at this link, if it's a non-family member under the age of 20, they must be in the same room as an adult over the age of 25.

I think they might be here when they have them: http://www.carnival.com/cruise-deals-classic/pack-and-go.aspx

Did your buddy cancel through Carnival? You will likely have to pay a single supplement in order to cruise, unless you can find someone to take their place.

I guess I worded that wrong. If you book any way other than ES, you cannot turn in forms for price reduction like you can with ES. All you can do is book your cruise at a given price, then when the final payment is due, if it's less, you pay less. If it hasn't dropped or went up, you pay the price that was listed when you booked the cruise.

This is not true. If you are not booked ES, you can re-price your cruise all the way up until the final payment date. You cannot use the ES form for this, but you can get price drops or take advantage of a better sale as long as you are before final payment date.

If you pony up for the internet, and are eligible, you might be able to watch them online. I think it's nbcsports.com. I did this with some of the olympic events in Sochi (not on the ship, mind you, but at home).

There must be something in the water in Florida that makes people hilarious.... this review is in the vein of Barry, Tim Dorsey, Elmore Leonard.

My hat is off to you, Lawn-guy. :D

Having only done YTD, the biggest drawback is you may have to wait for a table (our longest wait was never more than 10 minutes, on "elegant" night). But I like it since I don't have to be on a schedule when I'm on vacation.

I haven't looked at the Alchemy Bar menu, but any alcoholic drink that's under $10 should be included in the cheers program.

5 days. Bahamas and Grand Turk.

While not a "short" cruise, a 5-day kinda falls inbetween. On the 3-day cruises, you see people trying to get as much in as possible :P But on the longer cruises, while people still have a good time, it's not the constant party atmosphere. You might see a little of both on a 5-day.

Another option is to look for a potential upgrade. Since it seems prices went down pretty considerably, if you can find a higher category room around the price you paid, you might be able to upgrade for next to nothing.

Regular nights in the MDR, I will usually wear some nice comfy linen pants and either a polo or a button-down hawaiian shirt (usually an understated print, not a real loud one).

My wife will wear a casual-type dress or maybe a maxi skirt and casual-type shirt.

If you're not booked ES, and you are after final payment date, do NOT look at rates. It will only disappoint you.

He could buy himself a nice watch with that.

I was in Hollywood Beach, Florida last weekend and saw they are building a Margaritaville Hotel and Resort there. Same franchise?

I think the hotels/resorts are a different franchise.

If you use a credit card at M in Grand Turk, it is subject to international fees?

More than likely, if your CC company charges them. There are plenty of cards that don't charge the foreign transaction fees.

There's plenty of resources out there. Just google "cruise packing list" and you'll get tons of ideas. I've taken stuff from different lists in the past and made my own.