Engineerstar

I would like to know about where home away from home is and the cost please. Thank you!!!

Subscribing

Sorry, no idea... we only ate there that once and i wasn't wearing a watch most of the cruise, so times are kind of a guess... lol

 

 

Checked my FUNTIMES (yes i keep them) it was open 12-6

Hello, so sorry for your upsetting "issues". I admire your patience & attitude!

We will be doing the same itinerary in 2.5 weeks. I'd gladly pay you $25 for a photo copy of the Fun Times. Just let me know.

Sam

I'm not familiar with the 2 companies you mentioned. We went to Grand Turk in July 2013 (and again in July 2015). We used Blue Water Divers. They were great, they are from Ohio, and have been on the island for 35 years! They take you to 2 different snorkel areas, including "the wall". I'm not sure which area has better sting ray viewing, but you could email them to inquire. It was really nice and relaxing. There were only 6 people on board (including my family of 4). So there wasn't tons of people around. And the cost was about $50/pp, so reasonable. They got great reviews on trip advisor, that's how I chose them. We are going back on another cruise this summer and will definitely use them again!

Thank you.

We were in GT in August of last year and did our snorkeling excursion through White Sands. I can HIGHLY recommend them! The price was great and there wasn't a ton of people on our excursion like there was with the Carnival groups. They are great with communicating via email.

 

We got the opportunity to pet a nurse shark and also play with the Stingrays, not to mention getting the opportunity to snorkel at The Wall. That was simply breath-taking.

 

White Sands is just a quick walk from the port. Their property is adjacent to Margaritaville.

 

I hope you enjoy your time in GT and would love to see pics!

Sounds like White Sands is best.

Thank you for the information!

WILL BE VERY INTERESTED IN YOUR "MIAMI NOTES". My family and I are going down the day before the cruise to sight see. Would love to know some "Don't Miss Things"!

Thank you for writing!

Anyone else?

Thanks to everyone who has replied so far!!! Would love to hear a couple more responses:<)

Great information! Thank you all !

Hello, I want to say I have spent many hours trying to determine which company in GRAND TURK offers the best service with a minimum # of customers per boat. In particular, we would like to see as many stingrays as possible. Watching videos it appears to be "hit or miss". Either there are MANY rays or just 1 or 2. One person noted that the rays come out more in the afternoon than in the morning--is that true??

It appears the top 2 noted on Cruise Critic and other sites is Crystal Sea Adventures and White Sands. Also, some book through Viator. Does anyone know which company is associated with Viator?

Finally, please take time to respond with your vote for our BEST EXCURSION through which company. Thank you for your time!

We are booked with White Sands in Grand Turk due to the terrific reviews they get. Several reviews mention how well they do with novices. They have been very easy to deal with so far. They also limit the size of the group to no more than 10 or so while the Carnival excursions can have up to 40 on a boat.

Hello cruzeluver!

We are going to Grand Turk in July. We want to see the most stingrays possible without a lot of people on board. How was your experience with White Sands? Would you recommend them?

Thank you!

Sam

This is our first cruise (my husband and I) I don't know what to say or do at this point.

Welcome and congratulations!!

I went on my first cruise 2.5 years ago and had NO IDEA what to expect, nor what to do. It was beyond my wildest expectations. Since returning, people view me as a cruising professional just because of everything I have learned from this board. This place is loaded with golden information and the people here are WONDERFUL. So don't be shy about asking something. I would suggest you type in the ship name in the search box and see what others say about the ship. Review the things they liked and disliked. If you also search through past reviews, you can probably find the FUN TIMES which list almost all the activities on the ship.

Again, welcome and we look forward to hearing more about your plans:<)

Another CC Member recently posted that Ms. Breeze is relocating in 2016. I copied it below.

breeze WILL be based out of galveston. liberty is moving there too.

Carnival will further bolster its leadership position in Galveston, repositioning Carnival Breeze and Carnival Liberty to Texas in 2016, joining Carnival Freedom which arrives in Galveston this Saturday. Carnival Breeze and Carnival Liberty will replace Carnival Magic and Carnival Triumph, respectively, in Galveston. Details on new homeports for Carnival Magic and Carnival Triumph, as well as year-round departures from San Juan, will be provided over the coming weeks. - See more at: http://carnival-news.com/2015/02/12/....6YESEv1l.dpuf

Just got our Carnival FunPoints credit card, and just wondered about others' experience with it. When you redeem points towards the cost of your cruise(or other travel) are there specific amounts you have to redeem, or can it be any amount you choose? Thanks.

Hello Rose,

My DS just asked me to research info concerning her credit card & how to maximize her points. I cut and pasted a lot of info and emailed it to her. I'll be more than happy to email it to you if you like. Below is a portion of what I sent her:

Also, I think I recall reading that you can get double points when using it at certain businesses like Lowe's. I believe you get double points when using it at vacation spots like a hotel. Someone can correct me on this if I am wrong.

Sorry for the big letters and bold color---I couldn't change it when I was cut and pasting.

You actually get MORE BANG FOR YOUR BUCK by applying points to your statement balance...it took me 5 years to figure this out as I always used my points for OBC's.

When you redeem your points towards a Carnival transaction of at least $1,500, your redemption rate is 1.5% - i.e., those 100,000 points are now worth $1,500. If you redeem those same points towards a transaction under $1,500, the redemption rate is only 1%.

The best rate of return on the Carnival card is to redeem points towards a transaction of at least $1,500. And you can do partial redemption - if your S&S bill was for $1,700, and you have 20,000 points, you can redeem those points towards a $300 statement credit against that $1,700 transaction. Those same points are only worth $200 against a $1,400 transaction.

Wait for the $1,500 transaction to redeem points! And don't cash in for OBC - redeem against the purchase after the fact instead, you have six months after the transaction date to redeem them.

I will have about $1600 due for final payment. I have at least 20,000 "points" on my Carnival card. As I understand it, if I pay the balance weigh my carnival card I get 2 for 1 points. So, do I pay using the card then when I get my card call them and ask for the 20,000 to be applied afterward or do I call Carnival and tell them I want to apply the 20,000 to the balance and pay for the rest with my card right when I make my final payment? Trying to figure out how to get the most bang for my buck.

Make the final payment with your card and get the 3,200 points. That'll give you about 23,200 points. Then go online and apply the points as a partial redemption to that transaction. (You can use the 3,200 points you just earned on the transaction, and turn around and apply them to the same transaction as a reward.) That should give you a $348 statement credit. Best use of your points on this card!

It's a 4 Star Hotel near airport. Just check it out on Trip Advisor or Google.

We just got 3 rooms @ $120 each at EB Hotel thru Last Minute Travel. I believe my sister said it was free parking and $5 per day while on cruise. Let us know what you decide.

Congrats!!!! We just got 3 rooms at $120 each at EB Hotel thru Last Minute Travel.

Enjoy! Would love to hear your review after your stay.

Sam

We just booked at EB Hotel for July 2015 for $120 per room thru Last Minute Travel. My sister did the actual booking. I think they said parking was free and $5 per day while on cruise. You can call this Hotel to confirm parking info.

Hello Lisa,

My family is sailing Ms. Breeze July 18, 2015 and we just got a great deal thru betterbidding site for the EB Hotel. It looks fabulous, too. Enjoy your cruise! Let us know what you decide.

Sam

I've got tons of pics but I really don't want to do a huge review so ask away :)

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Could you email me the Fun Times please?

samcatoe@hotmail

We are sailing July 18, 2015. Thank you!!!!

What is the best place to zipline in San Juan? I will be there Christmas day and the Carnival excursions are all booked! Help! My boys will be devastated!!!

Did you zip line? If so, how was it?

Sam

Hello Jimbo,

I'm excited about your review.

Can you tell me who you used for transportation to

the Port? Also, how was the Holiday Inn rooms? Thank you!

Sam

I just booked online with Premier for an upcoming cruise and it looks as though Global is their secure "mirror" site. I found it quick and easy to submit and from a Sunday morning to a Sunday morning (7-days) it charged

 

Quoted Rate: $63.00 Tax

Airport Fees: $1.50

Customer Service Fee: $5.49

Total Parking Fees: $69.99

 

The address given in my emailed confirmation does appear to be the covered garage.

 

Premier Cruise Parking Port of Miami

1415 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, FL, 33132

Front Desk/Shuttle:

305-220-2686

The Parking Garage is located behind 1400 Biscayne Center

 

Will let you all know how our experience goes.

 

P.S. The confirmation listed directions to the garage from various roadways.

PLEASE LET US KNOW HOW EVERYTHING TURNS OUT!!! THANK YOU!!!

Sam