vince5251

Any chance that you remember which nights were the elegant nights for your trip?  We head out on the 8 night Southern in July and would like to book dining.  I called Carnival yesterday to get specific dates and was told that there are "4" elegant nights and was given each date.  I assumed he was confused and clarified, but he again told me the same.  I haven't cruised since before Covid, but I am pretty certain that there aren't four elegant nights on our 8-day cruise.

 

Can you share what specific trips you booked in Bonaire and DR?

I saw on the Carnival Facebook page were someone had recently booked what they said was a fantastic beach excursion; I tried to get back to it to research, and couldn't.  Always my luck!

 

I appreciate any help!

Thanks teknoge3k. I didn't receive a notice of your reply, so I just found this.  I do appreciate your help.

 

DW and I are booked to sail on the Magic out of Miami on August 1st.  This itinerary is reversed from previous sailings we have done.  As such, we are not certain which nights would be the "formal" nights on the ship and we are hoping for some assistance so that we can plan out restaurant reservations.

 The itinerary is as follows: DAY (1) Miami;  (2) @sea;  (3) @sea;  (4) Aruba;  (5)Curacao;  (6) La Romana,DR;  (7) Amber Cove,DR;  (8) @sea.

Any assistance from the well traveled masses is greatly appreciated.

Thanks nhraformula and CruiserBruce.  I will be looking at your recommendations immediately.

 

DW and I are planning on  sailing out of Fort Lauderdale in July 19.  We have always stayed at a location that seems to be running down with time and are looking for recommendations on a nice hotel, relative proximity to the beaches, and shuttle service to/from the airport/cruise terminal. 

 

We truly appreciate any help you can provide - Thanks - Vince5251

I am intrigued by a summer itinerary offered on the MSC Armonia  that includes a couple of days to Havana, Cuba.  My DW and I have been on approx. 11 cruises between RC and Carnival.  We have always had an easy time in gathering information on the ship, activities, reviews, COMPARISON SHOPPING (between rooms, categories, ships, lines, etc.), but attempting to do such with MSC is very frustrating.  Even speaking with the TA (not associated with MSC) is of no use, because she states that they face the same roadblocks without any personal information to go from.

 

Can someone please tell me how:

 

- they best gathered SUFFICIENT information on the line/ship to make a decision?  I am going through past comments, but not getting the best feeling for the line at this time.

 

- the categories/levels work?  We are not accustomed to such a system having only traveled RC and Carnival and this just seems to be bothersome at best.  Recommendations on best level/category?  I'm not looking for the "cream-of-the-crop", just wanting to be able to cruise comfortably, have what we like, and not feel like we are third-class passengers in the process.

 

-  how the ship, amenities, entertainment, offerings compare to the BIG THREE? 

 

- they felt overall after having sailed on the Armonia ( or / MSC ) in general?  Likes, dislikes, overall impression, recommendations on booking categories, etc?

 

I really do appreciate any and all input.  I am hoping to book something sooner-rather-than-later, but feel that I might end up going back to the tried-and-true of RC or Carnival because MSC makes  procedures more difficult than necessary.

 

Thanks in Advance - Vince 5251

Thanks for this d-train.

 

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Thanks moondog. Any clue if they run any specials o ce onboard?

 

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We leave out in nine days. I have tried to buy the photo package from the Carnival website, but the only package listed is one of five photos and a canvas. Anyone know how to to prepurchase Carnivals full photo package? Is this cheaper to prepurchase or better offerings on ship ? I appreciate the help!

 

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Helena- Loving the review. We're on Vista three weeks from tomorrow, so this is perfect. You have a beautiful family and you cannot see that they're raised right. My son would have been giving me looks and eye rolls because he KNOWS I would say something to that group of kids. Following. . .

 

 

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Hey bud, quit being so hard on yourself. It's not what she would have wanted from what you've described. I lost my brother to brain cancer a little over 8 years ago. All-around best guy in the world. I took a long time to get things settled in my head as to why him and not me. Sometimes it still doesn't make sense, but I KNOW that he would not want me beating myself up for it. I'm pretty sure that my brother "brought" me the woman that I'm now married to (long suffering story on many fronts here), and if she was everything that you say she would want you to get on with your life, enjoy life, and re-find a "ying". Now carry-on soldier.

Pics are courtesy of a two year old Motorola Droid turbo II... The humor comes from a crazy and not so well adjusted childhood...

 

Sent from my Space Phone 9169...

You're sense of humor is killing me and bound to get me in some trouble here. I had an appointment for a haircut but it's running behind about an hour. Having nothing better to do, I don't reschedule but sit here reading this and laughing out loud. The stylist finally asked if I was laughing at her? I had to explain. If I end up with a jacked-up head - it's on you!

 

I'm giving my kids the same well-adjusted childhood . . .wish them luck. Lol

 

 

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I've just started following your review. One problem here already . . . You haven't even boarded the ship yet and I've already gained 10 pounds from all of your food and drinks! I wish you and your waistband much luck these 8 days. Last year's 7-day netted me a gain of 17 lbs that I'm still trying to shed before our upcoming cruise. Sounds like you will have a blast no matter the weather . . .Good for you! ENJOY!

 

 

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You did not ask about this and I have not seen it addressed in the replies, but having been a single dad of three myself you either need to have a court order allowing you to travel out of the country with the kids, a notarized statement from bio-mom granting permission for the travel (to include all of the travel specifics - dates, locationa), or a death certificate for bio-mom. Even if you have full- legal custody, you can be denied boarding. I am in and I similar situation and got a court order allowing for travel. Easiest/least expensive solution in my case. Enjoy the cruise!

 

 

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And I'm just getting excited because my final payment is coming due. Only something a cruise payment can do for you. Warped, but once you've got the bug...

 

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StellaRose -

 

If you go to your local drivers' license bureau, you can purchase a photo id that is state issued just like a driver's license. We did that for each of our kids upon recommendation and always kept them with us. At the license bureau, I we took both the birth certificate and passport for each child, but I'm sure that you only needed the birth certificate. The cost was only about $10-15 each, but well worth it. The id looks just like what they would receive if they had a learner's permit (beginner driver's permit) issued. They were very young when we did, so I don't believe that the age is of concern - but each state might vary.

Sea and Me- We are in Ohio. Although we had passports for each of our three kids, we went to our local BMV (bureau of motor Vehicles) or license bureau and got each a photo ID. I believe that it was advice that I saw on Cruise Critic. Each was only a matter of about $10. we were happy to have them with

us and not carry to actual passports, although I always

carried a copy of each. I do not believe there was a minimum age here but each state will vary I'm sure.

 

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I hate typing on phones... As I was saying, you will want to contact the Carnival Customer Service ahead of time. they have an fleet-wide program that is designed to meet your needs. I would advise in favor of the set dining time... I think in the long run it will be less stressful for all. Enjoy your cruise.

 

 

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You will want to contact Carnival'

 

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I want to know how I can sign my ex up for their

next cruise... ;-)

 

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As suggested above, UberX or Lyft - good for 2-3 passengers and bags - for about $35 for the car is a good option; taxi on the same run will be closer to $70 :eek:

 

Your other option is to stay in the FLL area and then use the shuttles to get to POM the next morning - www.sunny.org has lots of FLL area tourist and hotel info.

 

 

 

JohinDC - you mention using "the shuttles" to get to POM the next morning; would you happen to know which would be best suited for eight (8) traveling from a Dania Beach hotel (Dania Beach is situated between FLL and Miami - approx. 23 miles from the POM). I found one (QLS Xportation) that quoted us 145 each way without tip. I have been told that we should be able to find something cheaper, but I have no clue where to begin - we are Uber, Lift, etc. virgins (so much so that I just had to ask my kid the names of the companies as I didn't know them!

 

Any help and information is greatly appreciated! Vince5251

I would appreciate any sharing of information/experience with transportation from Fort Lauderdale (Dania Beach hotel) to the Miami cruise port terminal. My family will be traveling for a cruise departure from the Miami port, but since there are eight (8) of us traveling, it was cheaper for us to fly into the Fort Lauderdale Airport, stay nearby at a hotel in the Dania Beach are which is just south of Ft. Lauderdale, and situated between Ft. Laud. and Miami (approx 23 miles from port). If anyone has any experience it gaining transportation for a group this size, what that transportation was, and an approximate cost each way is greatly appreciated. - Vince5251

I would appreciate any sharing of information/experience with transportation from Fort Lauderdale (Dania Beach hotel) to the Miami cruise port terminal.

 

My family will be traveling for a cruise departure from the Miami port, but since there are eight (8) of us traveling, it was cheaper for us to fly into the Fort Lauderdale Airport, stay nearby at a hotel in the Dania Beach are which is just south of Ft. Lauderdale, and situated between Ft. Laud. and Miami (approx 23 miles from port).

 

If anyone has any experience it gaining transportation for a group this size, what that transportation was, and an approximate cost each way is greatly appreciated. - Vince5251

Hello, everyone!

 

My deployment to NY/NJ finally ended - longer than I expected, but it was all good. I met an amazing amount of people, and I saw some AMAZING sights in the big city...thanks to all of you and your suggestions, I went to not one, but TWO Broadway shows: "Wicked", which was phenomenal, as well as "Once" - which was poignant and resonating. And I got be on a Broadway stage. Hee.

 

So...spent a week here in Florida for Spring Break; they've all gone back to KC, but here I sit...grounded, still, due to sinus/ear issues, but hopeful, as I see an ENT tomorrow and hope to get some final answers on why I can't seem to regulate the pressure/fluid in my left ear.

 

While I'm here...and I have peace and quiet and no children and no work...I thought I would finally - FINALLY - get caught back up on my EPIC review.

 

Thank you for being so patient! I will post a few posts and then try to go back and make sure all questions, comments, etc were addressed. Thanks to everyone who covered this thread in my absence and helped others with their questions - you all ROCK!

 

So...without further ado...let's get back to it!!!

 

 

Your timing could not have been better! Between finalizing everything for out upcoming cruise and taking care of work and family, I finally finish up GAMBEE's awsome review yesterday morning! Between the two of you, I could not be more excited to be heading out next month. I am sooooooo glad that you returned and are providing me more interesting reading between now and sail.

 

Sorry to hear about the ear/sinus' still. Living in Dayton, Ohio, or as we call it Sinus Valley, I truly understand. I wish I could help with a remedy or solution, but only time seems to work for me - netti pots do seem to help. I double up on the packets of solution to start.

 

Take care and I hope you feel better soon. Again, WELCOME BACK! You were truly missed!!!!

Not really its been long enough

 

Nice to see that some people have something nice to say about everything!:rolleyes: