Clearwater

Need some help or guidance please.  I always wanted to visit and now that I am, I am almost dreading it or stressed out about it. 

We will be there October 21st (2024) and there will be several ships in port.  I think 4 total but someone else mentioned 7 tho cruisemapper shows 4.  

We are first in and first out.  8am arrive and 5pm departure.  

The cable car lines and mobs of people last year are worrying me.  Is it a nice day to hire a sailing charter with lunch and sail around or am I going to be missing out tremendously if I haven't been before?

Second - I am embarrased to say but I am worried that I have read in town there are thousands of steps and inclines.  Is this an exaggeration?  I have bad asthma.  I can walk for miles flat ground but uphill triggers it badly.  I don't want to be in a miserable situation and I don't want to miss out.  

Any insight, recommendations, thoughts etc ??

Also - I see busses can go up, why can't they go down??  Why must one take a donkey, steps or cable car to get down?  Just curious. 

The most recent reviews on TripAd look like service is back to stellar and food is great. Not going until May so I have time to change plans if things take a nosedive but if anyone has recent experience, please let me know. 

Does this exist?  Can anyone recommend a decent shuttle to Port Canav?  

The Columbia Restaurant has a great outdoor patio and is directly behind the arena.  It's a Tampa staple.  

Hello - Been to Sicily many times but only passed through Messina on the train/boat to cross over the strait. 

Coming in for one day on a cruise - Taormina is an option.  I love Taormina, been many times - but coming with a few others who haven't been.  Taormina is only an option for 4 hours which is rushed. 

Are there ANY wineries close by Messina with beautiful ground, lunch, tour etc??  I only know of Etna wineries. 

On 10/13/2023 at 7:26 PM, BaseballMomof4 said:

Was there in September and I HIGHLY recommend Ephesus Shuttle and the tour of Ephesus and Sirince Village.  Ephesus was amazing and the views from the Sirince Village were breathtaking.  Our lunch in the village was delicious as well and there were many lovely shops.  Emre was our guide and I also HIGHLY recommend him as your guide.  Incredibly knowledgeable, fun, great sense of humor, and just an all around credit to the industry!!

Fab Timing!  Just reached out to them.  Booked next Oct (2024) to visit and didn't have a clue what to book.  I just looked them up and this looks perfect and afforable. 

Thanks so much!  Looking forward to the cheese..... lol

Leaving on a short 4 night cruise in early September.  We aren't big main show people but we do enjoy comedy clubs on other ships.  Does the Serenade have comedians on board?

On 1/30/2023 at 10:28 AM, PrincessArlena'sDad said:

Haven't been there yet... but we're looking forward to going to De Palm Island in July!

How was it??  Was hoping for a recent review. 

Would love some recommendations - Will be in Aruba for the first time on Jan 2nd 24.  

I am looking for a private restaurant on the beach.  Daytime that rents Lounge Chairs, table, umbrella and will wait on you. And then when you are ready, you can walk up and have a nice dinner in the evening. 

We found amazing places like that in St Maarten and hoping for something similar for our 1pm-11pm stint there.  Not seeking an All Inclusive or hotel if we can prevent.  Thoughts and ideas?  TIA!

1 hour ago, Elaine5715 said:

Mardi Gras doesn't have the Thalassotherapy pool.  

So if not a T pool…. What is it? It’s in the thermal suite, it’s definitely a body of water and by the video (the ppl called it thalasotherapy) it had bubbles. Large jacuzzi? Mineral pool?  

We actually love the thermal suite. Just realized they come with so it’s a win win. Would have bought them anyways.  I think we are going to grab it. Thermal suite is close, the bars I want to be in and comedy are one floor up and casino 2 up. Will be in those areas majority of time. 
 

Thanks! 

1 minute ago, Elaine5715 said:

What is the upsell cost?  I like the MG spa but it doesn't have the fancy spa pool.  There are fewer kids.  

Approx $190 for 2 of us.  It was a free cruise from the casino so not worried about cost.  Fewer kids is a BIG sell to me. 

Next May - Memorial weekend week infact...

Currently in a balcony room 9326. Received email with lots of options.  Higher level is an option but the one that caught my eye was a Cloud 9 Cove Spa Balcony.  It's on deck 5.  Spa and edge of comedy club above on 6. 

Does going lower on the ship help or hinder?   Do cloud 9 levels have less running kids late at night?  Thinking more adults on those floors?  

Is a cove balcony worth it?    Would you keep as-is or upgrade?  Cost isn't prohibitive so want the best if possible. Thanks

Thank you - that is why I stated I was glad she didn't pass on THEIR Mother's Day.  Her passing, I believe, did fall on the US Mother's Day which made me think of it.  

Would be horrible. My mother lost a child on Mother's Day, one never recovers from those reminders. 

He's an amazing son.  I loved hearing how everytime he returned home he would get her groceries and her favorite foods and flowers.    As soon as she fell, he has been by her side.  Not a lot of people are so selfless.  Sometimes he can be over the top but he did me right on a cruise ages ago when I asked for help.  He is fun to follow on social media. 

I am glad she didn't pass on their Mother's Day. That would be a very bleak reminder. 

Just now, mz-s said:

 

We are unable to recommend TAs or PVPs on this site.

Ahh ok - didn't know.  

I had a PVP for years who left and the replacement was horrible so I book on my own. I think it's time to find a new great one since cruise a lot more now.  If anyone has a great one to recommend, I would love their info!

Not sure if this is common knowledge but I wanted to share anyways. 

I booked a wonderful promo for Vista NYE.  Balcony for 2, 1k Casino Cash, $250 OBC. Free Drinks for just me anywhere on ship. 

Since I booked that, my partner and I have travelled twice on Carnival so he is getting much better promotions now.  Every other time, I get the free drinks and he buys the package once on board.  We have to go to guest svcs since the bar can't do it and he can't buy it via discount before hand as it wants both of us to purchase. 

So I decided to email the casino.  I asked about him getting his own new offers and if they can apply drinks etc. 

They came back with not only free drinks for him anywhere on board but also $500 Casino cash. 

So basically we just saved quite a bit of money!! When in doubt - ask!!

8 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

Find any ship doing four night cruises and the menu should be available in the app - set it to the closest in sailing.

Thank you!! I didn't know menus were in the app.  I will explore it more.  Appreciate the tip. 

Does anyone have menus for a 4 night cruise?

I have only been on Royal twice and both times on a small, older ship - Brilliance.  Last sail was 2017.  Back then I wasn't too impressed with the Dining room food on Royal.  

We are booked for another easy 4 day out of Tampa (close to home) on Splendor. I know a 4 day is not known for foodie adventures but we love good food, I cook pretty darn amazing and so on any trip, we seek out the best if possible. 

We cruise often on Carnival and their Steakhouse and Italian restaurant is superb.  We decided to book the steakhouse and Italian on Splendor to compare and have at least two elevated meals.  May also book Sushi restaurant as I recall years ago it was nice on Royal. 

But ....  we are curious about the 4 night menus.  Incase we keep 2 nights to compare.  But this whole thread has me worried.  I watched the Ben and David video.  I respect their opinions but I wouldn't normally choose most of what they choose.  ie - fried chicken, spaghetti with tofu (blasphemous to this Sicilian).    I would however have chosen beef carpaccio, escargot, and other items they passed on.  So food is very subjective....  

My step dad has a palatte of a 5 year old and would be happy eating most of that nightly. I laugh when we cruise with my parents... he thinks the specialty restaurants are a waste of money.  My partner and I love great food and experiences so we don't mind paying. 

We are pickier I admit.  So should we try the dining room?  Should we book specialty each night to have an elevated experience for such a short trip?  

There are just two of us going (my BF and I and it's my bday weekend) for background. 

Thoughts? Input? 

56 minutes ago, audcc77 said:

I’ve been on MG 4 times.  Excellent location.   You can’t go wrong with midship on deck 9 or 10.  👍

 

Please note:

Smoking is permitted in a designated outdoor area at Bar Della Rosa on Deck 8 (starboard side, midship).

 

Therefore, you may wish to move if you’re on that side.  Not bad when sailing but possible smoke if in port. 
 

Enjoy!   
 

 

Just checked!!  Appreciate you pointing that out. Looks like the bar is on the other side and further down.  

27 minutes ago, TravelBluebird said:

 

I think you made a great choice!
 

I’m a big fan of the Mardi Gras; been on it twice. I think it is my favorite ship! Was surprised how much I liked it…insisted my husband come along with me last month and he, who has said he would NEVER like a big ship, really enjoyed it, so much that we are already booked on the Jubilee next year!

 

As for the casino you will LOVE it. The biggest casino at sea I’ve ever seen! I’m a non-smoker, and there is just a huge non-smoking area.  Smoking area looked just as big.

 

And for me, the 9th floor is the PERFECT location, and the deck I always pick on the Excel class ships. Everything you want is an easy walk down the stairs on 6, 7 (Casino!) and 8. Coffee, restaurants, pizza (I always grab some pizza after late-night gambling), Havana Bar, Summer Landing, Grand Central…it’s great. Really only need the elevators to go up to Lido deck and the sports//outdoor activity deck.

Thanks!!  Made me way more excited! Really happy to hear about the non smoking section as well!  

If there is a Cucina on board, highly recommend a night there and ordering theirs. It's divine!  Tender and a huge plate.  We loved Cucina on the Magic last week!!