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Can anyone recommend an excursion that would be a tour of some highlights of the island and then drop off and pick up at a nice beach? I've looked at the Carnival excursions and don't see anything similar to that. We are 2 middle aged women who will be porting in Montego Bay. Somewhat concerned about safety being just us girls but willing to book through a private individual/company if I can get first hand recommendation and experiences. We have cruised and toured with private companies before without any issues.

Any suggestions are appreciated.

Are the buses on the he main street near the docks where the shuttle boats drop guests off???

I was on a getaway last month and had $200 free play + DOU. The casino was crowded but not overwhelming. They called names for free play but it was like $100 or so. I think it was $500 the last night. We got cookies, strawberries and 1 beach towel, overall great time but personally I would choose the $500 OBC if it includes DOU, you can use the OBC in casino or wherever you want. But then again I never win drawings anyway.

For those of you who have had a massage on the beach in Progesso what did you wear during the massage? Are there changing areas?

I have priority boarding for a getaway cruise in April and I have an 11:30-12:00 check in time.

Should I arrive at the port (NOLA) earlier than 11:30?

We did a private tour booked through Tours Plaza in September and Victor was our guide. We had been to Cozumel many times and this was the best visit yet. He took us all over the island, to the tequila factory, shopping are, and to the west side (wild side) of the island where we had lunch and drinks at Coconuts. We ended up going past the 3 hours and just paid extra plus tips.

I love the extensions! Only change to face cleaning routine is I don't have to rub off mascara. Had them for several months with no problems.

Just looked at my luggage tags and boarding pass and it does have 'priority' on them. So, that's not an issue any longer.

I've read where some people say they booked a getaway cruise and there was a drinks on us card for them and one for their cabin mate. Does anyone know about this? 

CruiseMomTx how was the cruise? I am going on my first getaway cruise in April and was also told that I will have priority boarding but it doesn't show on my boarding pass. They said when I check in and the boarding pass is scanned it will tell them.

I don't know about you, but it's been my experience in New Orleans that the staff just yells at everyone to get in line and only looks at your arrival time on your boarding pass. I'm not sure if they have a special line for casino fares. I'm not able to select a check in time yet, but I will try to get an early one so getting in a special line won't be a big deal, but just in case I'd like to know.

So when my passport is scanned by security it won't reject since I've changed my name on my social security card and drivers license?

I recently married and changed my name but I have not changed my passport. If I book a cruise under my old name can I use my passport? I'm not sure if somewhere in the government world when you change your name on your social security card if it flags your passport??

Just returned from Cozumel and we had a tour with Victor. We kept him past the 3 hours minimum and could have spent the entire day if we had more time in port.

We had been to Cozumel many times and this was absolutely the best visit yet.

I don't remember who recommended them on this board but thanks!

Eduardo was prompt in responding to my email and I have reserved a tour. It will just be me and my friend. We are pretty low key, but hopefully the guide will show us a good time. I was pleasantly surprised that the private tour was within our price range, they usually run above what our budget is. Looking forward to it.

Thanks c-leg. Unfortunately there is not a role call for this cruise. Even the other page is very quiet with only a few members. I checked out ToursPlaza and I think we may use them. I've requested information. I'd really like a tour guide that will make suggestions of places to see, after all they know the island better than I do. Do their guides speak good english? We know zero Spanish. Thanks again for the recommendation.

We will be in Cozumel in a couple of weeks. We've been there several times and will not be looking for a beach/snorkel excursion.

Can someone suggest a reputable company that does full island tours?

We'd like to just see the island, history, stopping to explore, a little shopping, bars/restaurants, etc.

Do not need a private tour.

Didn't see anything through the ship that sounds like this.

Thanks for any recommendations and first hand experiences are appreciated.

There won't be any left over :D:cool::D:cool:

How does bar credit work on your sign and sail account. I purchased it using credit card rewards but I don't know where or how to look for it once I'm onboard. Will it be on my account and specified as bar credit or will there be something in my cabin I have to take to the bar??

When in September? Maybe we are traveling together! I'm on September 24.

 

Thanks for your comments above - I think our rule for this trip will be "go with the flow". :)

I will be sailing on September 6.

Also, I second the suggestion of going to Chankanaab. We went in May and had a wonderful time.

I will be on the Triumph again in September as well. I've sailed her several times, the latest being in May. I do think she is in dire need of some TLC, which she is getting in a few months. One thing that did not disappoint in May was the food, we ate often and plenty of it! The ship itself is pretty ragged, dirty, smelly and noticeably unkempt. I also didn't witness the usual ship staff cleaning and shining everything as I have in the past. I don't know if they aren't even trying since she's due for drydock or if they just couldn't keep up with the guest's trashing and nastiness. It wasn't necessarily a rowdy crowd but it was definitely different than I've encountered on previous trips, even on the Triumph. Most of the guests were rude, pushy and down right belligerent, with a "we own this ship" attitude. I've sailed from Galveston and NOLA mostly because it's within driving distance, and I'm glad there will be some different ship choices coming up. I live in Texas and I'm not a rowdy redneck, just really disappointed in the way the patrons acted on this last trip. It embarrassed me that some guests treated the staff and other guests the way they did as everyone seems to associate the ship crowd with the geographical location from which it sails. However, the ship staff are always courteous, friendly and helpful. I pretty easy to please on the ship, don't care what people wear or expect 5 star service, just hoping next month my fellow cruisers will act a little better than last time.

So really the FTTF just go right before regular boarding time, after diamond, platinum, suites?

Paying for it might get me on 30 minutes earlier at best? That still would be 2 hours after check out.

One more cruise after this one and I'll be platinum, won't have to worry about it then. :D:D

For New Orleans September cruise the earliest check in time available is 1:30 and the earliest FTTF arrival time is 12:00 noon. The online check in time was just made available a couple days ago for this cruise. The ship (Triumph) is nowhere near full, so I'm confused why the earlier check in times are not available. I've only purchased FTTF once before and didn't think it was worth it, especially this trip just going to Cozumel, but even in May when I cruised out of NOLA we were able to select an 11:30 check in time.

Has anyone else experienced this or have any idea if they don't offer the earlier check in time anymore?

The hotel check out time is 11:00, so for over 2 hours we will be homeless. We're going to be there 2 days prior to cruise so we will already have done all we want to do in NOLA.

Until recently I always used a PVP. However, she is out of the office a lot and I never really noticed an advantage of booking with her. She didn't seem to give me any more or better information than what I could find on the website and I don't feel like she went above and beyond to help me out.

If I booked a casino rate do I need to communicate with the casino or Carnival?

That's a better offer. You will be getting some house money. Since no mention of price protection, the answer is, it depends. I would call the Carnival casino department if you want more info.

 

https://www.carnival.com/cruise-deals/vifp-club/past-guest-offers-ptf/terms.aspx

Can someone give me the number to the Carnival casino department? The rate for the PTF offer I have is less than what I booked. I'm going to see if they will price match.

Is there also a taxi query in San Miguel to return to the dock or do you just grab one on the street?