lbow2006

1 hour ago, Micah's Grandad said:

Than do not book ES. We book that way as we are confident the date will work for us but stuff does happen.

Agreed.  If there's a decent chance you may not keep the date it's probably not a good idea to book the $50 deposit sale since it's Early Saver.

I also agree with the earlier post about waiting to pay it off until closer to the due date if you do book though so that if you do have to cancel you don't lose as much.  I just booked our January 2020 cruise a few minutes ago and set the remaining money aside in savings marked for Carnival.

Also I just booked travel insurance right afterward as well.  For some particular coverage you have to book within 24 hours if you want a decent price.  🙂

We are planning a winter 2020 cruise with our boys who will be 3.5 and 6.5.

Our last cruise was on Carnival Breeze and my oldest who was 2.5 at the time absolutely loved the water park. What other good ship water parks are out there? Is that one of the best for small-ish kids?

All the shuttles pass each terminal until they have a full load of passengers. When that happens they leave the Port of Miami for the fifteen minute ride back to the Rental car Center which is located directly across from Miami International Airport. All you have to do is wave to the driver and they will stop for you. Some drivers will ask to see your car reservation before they allow you onto the shuttle. That is done because some cruise passengers are looking for free transportation back to MIA.

Perfect thank you! :)

I tried searching the board for this, but was unable to find the info. Does anyone know where at Port of Miami the Alamo shuttle back to MIA will be located when we get off the ship? Are there signs, etc?

Thanks!

I'm not sure the name of the beach (or even how good it is), but I do seem to remember seeing a posting on the Cozumel board regarding a beach that is within walking distance of the pier. Sorry, wish I could be more help.

No problem at all. Thank you! I'll see if I can find the info. :)

What was helpful? Was the post deleted?

 

I'm looking at possible excursions for our group and Dr.'s Cave Beach is one thing I was looking at. So suggestions and information would be very helpful.

 

Thanks,

Kathy

I actually accidentally posted that reply to my Montego Bay thread when it was meant for my thread on Grand Cayman. I had both open at the same time and didn't realize. Oops! :o

We were at Mo Bay last week and I don't recall seeing any busses zipping by the port where we docked. The pier in Mo Bay is not in the best area and off the main road. Trip Advisor has some information on bus service in Mo Bay and it seems that routes are limited to three and you might end up waiting a long time for a crowded bus. At $14, I think you can book a shared tour in the port for only $25pp. That may be a better option.

 

I did a google search and found some old reviews about how to get to Doctors Cave Beach. It seems that there may be some shuttles in the pier that will do the same thing. Perhaps more than a taxi or the bus, but you won't have to walk outside the cruise terminal, something I would suggest doing in Mo Bay.

Thank you I appreciate the help! That's a bummer about the bus, but I'd prefer to not walk outside the cruise terminal without my son if it's really that bad. If it were just my husband and I it would be a different story. I will just have to see what's available within the cruise port when we arrive then. Hopefully one of the shuttles will be going there. Thank you!

If you are docking at International or Puerta Maya, we recently had a great, hassle-free day with 4-year old at Park Royal. It is within walking distance of the ports. We had an umbrella stroller, walk on oceanside of the road because of bumpy sidewalk.

 

$40pp AI per adult, no charge for child under 5. You cannot leave them at childrens club under 5 but we were welcome to use child pool and buckets, spades while staying with them. Snack bars and buffet lunch and all drinks, towels included. I think the day pass hours were 11am - 5/6pm? We arrived before 11 but food and beverages were not available until 11, so it may depend on your port hours as to whether this is a good deal. It is close enough to oport if you need to go back for some reason.

 

Three swimming pools I think, we only used child pool and main pool and then took tunnel under the road for some beach time. Small sheltered cove for sea splashing and sand play.

 

If docking downtown hotel Cozumel offers day pass.

How do I know which dock we will be at? I checked Cruise Timetables to see what other ships were in port that day, but I can't seem to find where it will tell me which specific dock in Cozumel we will be using. :(

Never mind did some more searching and we will be docking at Puerta Maya. Thanks!

Thank you that helps me out! :)

Most countries outside of the US and Canada , don't require car seats. Many don't even have seatbelts.

Lol I know they're not required, but I'm not comfortable putting my son in a car without one. Hopefully we can find a taxi with seatbelts. If not I guess we'll hang at the pier. :)

Thank you! Is Sea Grapes the best section/restaurant on Seven Mile? :)

Yup looks like we will need the taxi in Cozumel, but luckily I bought an inexpensive lightweight carseat for our son for the trip awhile back so it shouldn't be too much trouble to bring. Just better not forget and leave it in the taxi, haha.

Okay, expense-wise they're not bad at all. I was just hoping to avoid the car seat, lol. Like you said that may be the best bet for Cozumel though. At least it's not a tender port! :)

I'm sorry to be posting here, but I tried posting on the ports of call boards yesterday and didn't really receive much in replies and we leave Saturday. We are on a stricter budget than usual and are trying to avoid paying much for activities while in port, but do have a toddler so we are thinking mostly beach time at places with a bathroom and food that's pay as you go unless there's an amazing AI deal somewhere, haha.

We are hoping to either use a bus or go someplace we can walk to. We will have my son's car seat with us on the ship, but are hoping to avoid carrying it off at each port. We will also be picking up an umbrella stroller after we fly in for use in ports.

To sum it up. We are looking for suggestions on where to go in each port with a toddler while avoiding taxis and high costs if possible.

We are cruising to:

Montego Bay, Jamaica - We were thinking Doctor's Cave beach via bus, but were unsure how easy the bus is to find in port and is it really $14 round trip? Also is this our best inexpensive bet with a toddler? (Is Hip Strip right by Doctor's Cave beach?)

Georgetown, Grand Cayman - Heard the bus is $2.50pp and that it can drop us off anywhere basically. Is 7 mile beach best by bus? Suggestions?

Cozumel, Mexico - Heard to go to Playa Mia or Paradise Beach, but our cruise doesn't offer a bus there and I'm reading otherwise it's taxis to get anywhere. Any other suggestions/ways around?

Thanks!

Thank you that is helpful! :)

Does Playa Mia cost to get in?

One more thing. Is there a store at the "Hip Strip" to purchase an iron Jamaica(n) patch? I collect them. And is it really right next to Doctor's Cave Beach?

Open to any suggestions. Especially those that may not require a taxi to get to, lol. A bus may be okay. :)

My husband and I were here three years ago before we had our son and did the underwater cave tour off the island. We are looking for something easy and relaxing to do with our son this time around. We will have his car seat with us, but are hoping not to take it off ship if possible.

Open to any suggestions. Especially those that may not require a taxi to get to, lol. A bus may be okay. :)

My husband and I were here three years ago before we had our son and did the snorkeling and sting ray independent tour. We are looking for something easy and relaxing to do with our son this time around. We will have his car seat with us, but are hoping not to take it off ship if possible.

We did this excursion three years ago. It's the only one I booked through Carnival vs independently due to the ferry to the mainland, etc. It was our favorite and just a really great time. We only saw one other group of people there when we went while in the caves and it was only in quick passing in opposite directions.

The height requirement is for the 2 big slides. Anyone can use the other water features like the dump bucket, water shooters, etc. There is a toddler slide as well.

Perfect that's what I was hoping. Thank you!

I've read on at least one or two threads that you can take a bus from the Montego Bay port for $14 round trip to Doctor's Cave Beach (and Hip Strip, not sure what this is?). I was just wondering is this bus easy to find at the port? We'll have our two year old with us and my husband is paranoid about being anywhere "sketchy" with him. :o

Also is Doctor's Cave Beach our best bet with a two year old? We're open to other suggestions. :)

Is the 42" height requirement accurate for the Splash Zone on Breeze? My son is 36" and I was planning on taking him in, but just saw this.

We leave next Saturday for our cruise and I'm planning to start packing tonight or tomorrow. Definitely by Sunday at the latest because we aren't wearing shorts here right now for sure so no need to wait. :)

How long is the cruise for? If it's 7 or 8 days and you can afford it I'd consider the Captain's Suite just because that price seems reasonable for those particular accomodations (though I'd probably prefer to have more people in our party who could enjoy it). I don't think I'd pay for the ocean suite unless you really think your two year old will need quiet wind down space in your cabin.

If it's the triple bowling alley I'd stick with it. If it's only double in lenght (one of the "L" shaped cabins) I would move to the extended aft. Our triple bowling alley balcony cabin on Legend was a normal balcony room with a couch, etc.