CrimsonTideGal

Post on John Healds Facebook page. Things seem to get taken care of very quickly when someone does this. I will be in the Sunshine next week.

Maybe its time to find a more accommodating hotel. Why should Carnival have to absorb a cost because a hotel can't get their act together. A GOOD hotel knows that Cruise lines fills their rooms not the other way round.

I seriously doubt that any Hotel will let you stay in a room until 2:30 without charging you another day.

What would you do if you had a red eye flight and couldn't check into your hotel until 3pm? Like someone said above, this is literally a giant floating hotel and they have way bigger of a turnaround to do. It is hectic and people complain about waiting hours at the terminal to check in so it's better for everyone if you have a check in time and know when to arrive.

A hotel would let you sit in their lobby or bar, use their pool not tell you to wait outside in the hot Florida sun. I also am concerned if this will impact hotel shuttles. Several I have used in the past did not run all day.

I hope they start building some covered,heated and cooled with seating areas for people that stayed in hotels and had to check out and have no cars.

Right, I never get why anyone fusses about the "I paid for that day" part (I do get why this change might be a bit inconvenient or anxiety-inducing, especially while you're not sure when you need to select a window, because it's coming to your port but not available to select yet or because you're not sure if it's coming before your pre-booked cruise). Do people do this with hotels? The first day I check into a hotel for a vacation, they never let me check in particularly early. I've stayed at some that you could check in at early, but usually it's not before 2pm or so. The cruise ship is a floating hotel. They have to push people off as well as get people on in one day.

 

Edit: I do think it's important they let people select times in a fair way and that's hard for cruises when implementing it near to the cruise (like saying it will roll out in January for the NO port now -- it should be true first-come, first-serve with these things, and it's a little slapdash with cruises so close-up).

So what should one do if they are flying to the port and stay overnight in a hotel. Check out time is usually 11am. I usually use the hotel shuttle to the port. What am I supposed to do for a few hours if I have a late check-in time? I have luggage to deal with, no car and am not allowed in the terminal. I guess I sit on top my luggage in the hot sun or rain for a few hours guarding my luggage until my check-in time comes. This doesn't work for me at all! I would be one very unhappy cruiser.

Belize is the type of port that is really fun if you take an excursion' date=' but there is not a lot to do at the port area itself. So the people that like to explore on their own don't have a lot to do.[/quote']

 

I agree with this. We went to Golfs Cay and had a amazing day on a very tiny island out in the middle of nowhere. Best excursion I have ever taken. Snorkeling was amazing.

Sometimes over looked on the lido is the carving station, they do an excellent roast beef and mashed taters. Not too fond of the turkey, but I have never been that fond of turkey.

 

I like the broiled Salmon. The 20.00 filet mignon is out of this world, and the Black Forest Gateau is my favorite dessert.

 

Key Lime pie is served on the Lido on the second or third day, at lunch and it is fabulous.

 

I loved the shrimp salad sandwich when lunch was in the MDR, so I guess I will have to order room service at least once on the cruise just to get it.

 

Things that aren't great??? Coffee. The sad attempt at a chocolate buffet. That has seriously gone down hill over the years.

 

And the fresh sea air does make everything taste better.:p

I agree on the roast beef and potatoes. They are awesome along with the creamy mac and cheese. Have always found this at the rotisserie on embarkation day. Also love the Deli. Be afraid of the scrambled eggs on the buffet and the instant ice tea. Love the lemonade.

Made it 3 out of 4 times.

That's a mistake?? Yikes! I always take at least 6 pairs. I cannot help myself.:)

I did too until I found a pair of gold sandals for dinners and formal and light tan sandals for everyday. Goes with anything.

Last year on the legend's transpacific everyone including the us citizens had to surrender their passports upon check in. We got a receipt and then they were returned the last day. Carnival made arrangements with the Australian govt to have the immigration authorities fly in the day before disembarkation to process all.

 

Out of maybe 20 cruises that was the only time I had to surrender my passport.

What do you use to get back on the ship? I always take my passport with me when in ports.

Log in and try looking at the the cruises under "your Cruise Deals" listed in small red letters at the top of the home page. You might find discounted ones there. If you dont find anything you like if you have time just wait they will have more sales with Holiday season starting. I have found that once you see a price under a listed sale it rarely goes down anymore until about a month before it sails unless it is sold out. I used to get lots of price drops but not in the past year.

Hampton Inn pillows are awesome. I have had neck surgery and love theirs and Carnivals. Have not bought Carnivals yet. Towels are the same though. I would love to buy and would if I knew the mattresses would be the same. The last 3 cruises the were very hard. Woke up with a back ache every morning. They put a extra comforter under the sheet and it helped some. My husband had the same problem. This was on the Sunshine(twice) and Elation. Room Steward told me they have changed and they are replacing the old ones with the new firmer ones. JH denies this. Not sure what to believe other than my pain.

IMO they should not charge a fee for babies under 18 months. Unless I am not thinking of something what could they possibly cost Carnival other than Milk which most are still on mommy milk or formula which the parents bring. The parents bring baby food anyway. Maybe a small gratuity for laundry and a crib fee.

Hey quit telling everyone about 4J's- best kept secret on the ship....we love them. If you want an extra bonus check to see if the handicap rooms are avail. 45 days out from your sail date when they release them. They are out the front of the ship on the ends, so they are triangle shaped....very large. We had one with a pole in the middle of the room- wifey didnt see the humor when I put dollar bills in my mouth!!!!!...The bathroom is very large, shower is 5 feet by 3 feet....it does have a seat that folds down but it doesn't get in the way.

 

We have had 2 sailings with these rooms.....Awesome. In 2 cruises I have probably seen 10 people on the front viewing deck....we have been on Lido both times, very nice to walk out over the wings- great views, great photo opportunities down the side of the ship.

I booked a 4J HC room 2 months ago and don't sail until January. I did so knowing I could be changed if it is needed and am ok with that. So far I still have it and was never asked if I actually needed a HC room. It and one other end HC was the only 2 4J's left. This is on deck 6 on the Sunshine. My PVP booked it for us.

Thanks so much!

 

We were hoping to go to Maho to see the planes come in but I've heard we probably don't want to spend your entire day there - any ideas for after we see the planes?

 

Would love to have a driver for the day if we could find one that was reasonable but I haven't been able to find anything so far. This would probably be our only stop that we would actually "do" something.

You will want to be on Maho Beach in the early afternoon. Most of the really big planes come in between 12 to 4 Island time. Around 2 seemed to be the best time.

I'm excited to see the return of a big sail away party. I took a really long break between cruises, and my last one was my husband's first cruise. I dragged him up to Lido after muster drill expecting there to be a big party like there always used to be...and found nothing. We just got some fruity drinks and headed to Serenity to watch from the back of the ship. Nice, but not what I was used to from past cruises.

What was it like before?

Try this site for hotel and transfers.

https://www.goportcanaveral.com/

Just looking at a live satellite picture of the Liberty and there is smoke coming from one side of the whale tail, but that usually happens when they start an engine up. Hopefully that is the case.

 

Kimm

Can you post a link to see it.

Thank You! I know it is hit or miss on air conditioning problems on this ship. Was worried because it is so far forward.

I cant seem to find any reviews on this cabin. Has anyone had this one? It is a HC all the way forward. Odd shaped cabin so the beds cannot be separated. Was wondering if the room stays cool enough. I cannot tolerate a hot room at night. If you have had this one would love to hear from you.

I wonder how he compares to Matt Mitchum and Eversen? I have a hard time believing anyone is better than those two. They set the bar extremely high in my book. Maybe I'll have the chance to see for myself one day.

Or Jamie D?

I refused a free upgrade from an OV to a balcony on Carnival for that very reason. I will not sail in a balcony on a Carnival ship anymore that doesn't have sliding glass doors. Not worth the aggravation to me.

I have wondered why they don't put sliding doors on the balconies and doors on the showers instead of those awful curtains. We all know what its like to get attacked by the shower curtain sticking to you while you are trying to take a shower. Not to mention it would keep the water off the floor. Slamming the cabin door is also a problem.

Been on Fascination 4 times. Stayed on Riviera 3 of those and Main the other. Stayed in that room or one close by in the 60s in a Ocean View cant remember exact number. Best Ocean view we have had because we had rough waves one day and the waves slapped the window several times. It was so cool! Fun to watch. This is normal on this deck at the front of the ship so dont panic. Enjoy it!

We love this ship and I bet you will also. Embarkation lunch on the Rotisserie they always serve roast beef, mashed potatoes and mac and cheese that is delicious.

Have fun I wish I were joining you. I have to wait until January.

They must have changed the rules regarding booking HC cabins, you used to be able to book them and would get a message indicating you would be moved if you didn't need it and another party did. BUT not all 4J's are HC's.............the corner ones usually are (but not always) but the middle ones are not. I have 9201 booked on the Breeze, it's a 4J non-HC cabin.

 

I have one of those lovely Grand Scenic cabins booked on my upcoming 9/26 Glory cruise; I had to book it 17 months ago, I'm excited it's finally close!

I just booked A 4J on the Sunshine a week ago and it is a HC room. My PVP did it for me no questions asked. I did it knowing I could be taken out and that they would have to give me as good if not better room. If they don't they owe me some money back. I really don't get why they put in HC rooms all the way to the front of the ship. Seems inconvenient for someone with mobility issues. I was never even asked if I needed it. I will gladly give it up if I need to but if not I am going to enjoy it.

Been on the Dream once and Sunshine 2 times with the 3rd coming up on January. Loved the Dream and had a cove balcony. Loved the tile work on this ship. Does not have as many food options as the Sunshine. Never felt crowded at all.

The Sunshine has its good and bad points. It has everything the Dream has and more on a smaller ship. It can feel very crowded on sea days. The buffet food was not so good and I usually like them. They have several pay extra restaurants to chose from. They are well worth it. You can eat at the Italian one for free for lunch. JiJis is wonderful. It is Asian. Both cost $15 pp extra. They also have a sushi restaurant that you pay for what you order. Very reasonable. Steak House is like all the rest of the ships. $35pp.

The bright and sometimes gaudy decor on Carnival ships is toned way down on Sunshine. This seems to be the way Carnival is going with the new ones.

The biggest complaint I had with Sunshine after already spending 17 days on her is the cabins. My 11 day cruise I had a Riviera interior. It was a very big room. Biggest I have ever had on a ship but it had no furniture. All it had was a king bed, one night stand and a stool for the desk. I could have put another full size bed in there it was that big. It had no fridge either. Some do and some don't on it. Why they could not have put a chair in there in beyond me. I have a bad back and I need a chair with a back to sit in. Took a few days but after some pestering I got one. Had air conditioning issues also. The mattresses on both cruises on this ship were hard. I have always loved Carnivals beds but these were different. Heard several people complaining. Steward told me they have changed the brand and are phasing them in as the old ones wear out. My second trip on Sunshine was better. Better buffet food. Had a balcony with a fridge.

Jamie D is the best thing about Sunshine. By far the best CD we have ever had.

Both ships are good. Sunshine has better ports in my opinion. I had no complaints about the Dream but both ships are fun.