AngAndBoys

There is also no Serenity on Triumph. I've sailed both ships and been very happy on both. The Magic is newer and has more amenities, but that Triumph has Guy's and you can get steakhouse selections in MDR for $20. I think it's a great ship for shorter cruises. I don't really miss the extras when I sail her, but I don't care much about surcharge restaurants, ropes and water slides. On sea days, I want my lounger in the sun and I'm a happy cruiser.

Here at Port Tampa Bay there is a separate check in line for FTTF and another for Priority Guests (Diamond/Platinum/Suites). Additionally only the aforementioned "priority" guests sit in the lounge and the FTTF guests sit with the zone number guests too.

 

As for the boarding order there is a clearly defined order that is strictly enforced as follows:

 

Wedding Guests

Diamond

Platinum

Suites

FTTF

Special Needs (Ambulatory)

Number Zones

This is how its done in Galveston as well.

Agreed.

 

But, that would then have more people board before the P&D. Drama time!

 

I can hear it now in the terminal, "If Uncle Fester wouldn't have died, I'd already have my plate at the buffet."

:D

:p

It appears to have nothing to do with Carnival's casino operations at all. They are just getting a steady stream of new customers from the other casino. No worries.

I've been on Getaway and Magic. I like them both. I would probably flip a coin in your shoes. Honestly, they have plusses and minuses that make them equal out. If you are going on price, you have to factor in the $900 savings for UBP. Me, I'm going on Magic in 2 days, got Escape booked for next August. It was quite a bit more than I'm paying for Magic, but with 2 cabins, 1 getting UBP and UDP in the other, it helped. Also, I booked a few months ago and have gotten a price drop of 300 per cabin since then, so keep watching. The way NCL keeps pissing people off, they may have to pay us to go before long. :p

she is saying that you have no values by taking your kids to a party they would not otherwise qualify to be at...it is becoming clearer and clearer to me why I spend less and less time on this site...I hope most people on this site have a better personality than their online persona

They would have to or someone would have killed them and they wouldn't be posting here, right? :D

I've done the surf and turf on Triumph. I thought it was definitely better than the regular steak, but not as good as what I had at the steakhouse n Mgic a few years ago. I would do it again. Fwiw.

 

Unless you were off the Triumph on Saturday then you missed what I saw. There were a flock of them, dressed alike, standing at the final door passage before you left the terminal. They were even past the desk where you pay the duty.

 

They were aggressive in slowing people down and asking a second time. This was early, as we were in the first twenty people or so off the ship.

 

We cruised the Triumph three times last year and the Magic once and didn't see them standing at the doors.

 

 

.

Well that is bad news. I was on Triumph beginning of May and it was one lady out there asking. I got off early too. Gawd, maybe they hired more people to pay. What do you think the odds are the revenue collected even covers the salaries of the people they hired? Such an ill conceived venture. I think I'm going to complain to my state rep.

I doubt it would stop someone from cruising from Galveston, but it definitely could leave a bad taste in their mouth. I could definitely see people preferring other ports of the rate and cost of travel is identical or near identical.

 

It isn't so much the money as it seems minor. More the inconvenience and the principal of the thing. I don't live in Texas, I just took a cruise and I'm on my way home. Why do I need to pay money to Texas for the mere privilege of taking my purchases home?

Agree, it is an insult to people who have kindly visited our state and spent some of their vacation dollars here. It makes us look like we're trying to gouge our tourists. It's total BS.

Do they have the authority to search bags? Do the have a blanket warrant? I know customs can search your car at the Mexican border. But, that's federal. Does the state have this authority?

I have no idea what they CAN do, I just know right now there is someone standing at the terminal exit asking if you have booze or cigs and directing you to a line if you say yes. They aren't that aggressive with it.

Dont think the girls family would want this information made public. None of our business

I don't know, JH offered very public condolences to the family on his blog. Honestly, I would hope that the family would feel some comfort from knowing that others care for their loss. His blog post brought tears. I always feel so sad for those left behind. I hope they are comforted, not upset by his post.

Are they collecting or trying to collect the tax from non-Texas residents as well?

Yes, everyone, but bear in mind, they have no way to know what's in your bag, so they really are relying on the honor system to collect. I think it's crappy and takes away from tourism promotion in my state' I don't appreciate it at all.

The question is concerning because most of us have traveled a long way to get on board and here's another parent seemingly unable to manage their own children for 30 minutes.

I don't see anywhere in her question where she insinuated she wouldn't be able to handle her children. People just show up here ready to snark. It's a legitimate question, looking for what works for other people.

OP, I haven't taken kid's that little to a muster, but I DID produce 3 in 5 years. If they are still napping, I'd make sure they get one in before the drill. I did stand next to a particularly miserable child who cried her way through the entire drill while her poor mother tried desperately to calm her. Tired and over stimulated, I'm sure. I'd also talk it up as a positive thing so they know what to expect, and what behavior you'd like to see from them. Finally, I'd tell them there will be ice cream cones as soon as it's done. I'm sure it will go just fine.

I'm FROM Texas, lived here all my life, and never even tasted Lone Star. Are y'all sure they even still sell it?

That being said, I have not even noticed a limited menu for TX waters in many cruises out of Galveston, but I just drink beer. If I get a real drink, it's usually a frozen fruity thing and I wouldn't even think to ask what kind of liquor is in it. I DO notice that they serve the beer in the smaller cans. I'd guess because they're cheaper? Anyway, the beers are cheaper because they're smaller, so at least there's that.

20 cruises, 16 on CCL, no fights. I've been on a lot of 4 day ones out of Galveston too.

I would have a serious conversation with DR as to why he feels that way and than decide what to do.

 

He might have good reasons for this decision.

Right, absolutely. And if you were the doc in this situation, would you have one of your lackies call the patient to deliver this news by way of saying you wouldn't sign off on the oxygen? That's pretty cold. As a medical professional, I am wholly disgusted with his callous treatment of these people. I stand by my assessment, whether he is right that the parents are not well enough to cruise or not, he's still a turd.

I order two packs. When i look at my booking details, it shows "My Orders".

Should it be showing there... because it isn't:rolleyes:

No, it won't be there. You should get an email receipt.

Do ships with a steakhouse have the steakhouse selections in the MDR? They do on Triumph (no steakhouse) for $20. It's just the entree upgrade, no appetizer or dessert upgrade. Steak was good, but not so good as the one I had in steakhouse on Magic. Anyway, another option if they offer it.

Yeah, that's definitely not normal. I'd try the trouble shooting suggested here then call if those don't work.

I was thinking of trying RCCL myself, then read something here from a person really unhappy about recent increases in drink prices to &14 and change for a pina colada. This got me thinking maybe I didn't need it so much. I also looked at cabins and it did not look like their OVs had couches in them. I'm still mulling it over, those are just a couple things making me think twice.

I'm traveling next month on NCL with my 17-year-old son. I booked (directly through NCL) two connecting rooms, one for each of us. The phone rep checked and double-checked that such an arrangement was kosher with NCL, as long as the rooms connected.

 

However, now that I'm trying to get my eDocs, I can only get so far in the process before it comes to a grinding halt. Specifically, since my son is a minor, and the only person on the reservation for his room, the online interface does not allow him to consent to the contract terms at the end of the online check-in process.

 

I plan to call the automation help line in the AM, but in the meantime, I'm wondering -

 

Has anyone on here been through the process of checking their kid(s) into a room of their own, with no adult assigned to the room?

I have not been through it but booked one like this and they told me at time of booking that to register I would have to call and have them do something to it so I could complete it and print my docs. I can't remember what they had to do though, sorry. I just wanted to reassure you it's normal in case you're panicking.

I'm leaving on this itinerary in 2 weeks and will be writing a COMPLETE review, including the Fun Times. Stay tuned! :)

I'm on the one right after you! Could you write fast?!:D

make sure it also gives you permission to make medical decisions. Have it notarized. Carnival does not require it, but customs may ask.

Customs definitely did ask me for it coming home. I took one of my son's friends with me a couple years ago.

I made my list of things I need to pack today...I'm afraid I'm missing something though and I can't for the life of me figure out what it is.

 

I just wish the weekend would get here already. The AC is broken at work and it was over 100 degrees in the kitchen today. :eek::( By the time I got off, I was dripping with sweat and I couldn't wait to get in my car and crank up the AC.

Hmmm, list of things I have forgotten on trips over the years....ALL of my shoes except the ones on my feet, all my money, a brush, my make up bag. On last year's cruise, about 1/4 of my clothes I forgot to put in the suitcase. I left all my underwear and bathing suit in a drawer on the ship last year too. Haha! I'm terrible at packing.

You work at a school? I'm surprised they keep it open with broken a/c.

Google permission to travel with minor form and you'll get one. Have the parents notarized it at their bank. Easy. :D