Clearwater

I realized after booking that the Sunday we are on board is Easter.  I have sailed Christmas and Halloween but wasn't sure if there were any decorations or dinner was anything different or special.  Anyone know?  I know it's not celebrated by all but I was curious. 

Thank you kindly.  Cocobeach responsed and said they are closed that day. 

So would you go to Grande Case versus Orient because of Coco closed?  Bikini beach is still open on Orient.  Wasn't sure which was better. 

Last time I went to St Maarten was December 2018 and went to Bikini Beach on Orient Bay.  I had a wonderful day and would like to do something similar on my next trip in April next month. 

We are seeking wonderful food directly on a beach.  I am torn between Orient Beach with Coco Beach or a return to Bikini

Or choose a new beach and see Grande Case and check out Captain Frenchy. 

We are looking for good french wine, champagne, some fun cocktails....

Nice beach chairs and umbrellas and small table for rent

Food - Beef Tartar, Escargot, mussels, frittes, Beef Carpaccio, some ceviches, Charcuterie etc versus a huge meal. 

Which is the best beach and best restaurant for this type of food and drink? I can't seem to find updated menus and reviews lately. Bikini website is broken, coco looks nice but tried to do a reservation and won't allow so wasn't sure. 

ALSO - in addition, if we have a cab driver back to the port after - is it allowed to ask them to stop at a french bakery?  WIll they keep the meter running or what is recommended?  Any great french bakeries close to the cruise port we can get dropped off and walk to ship?  

I am holding out for the Euro '24 schedule to be announced as I want to book a Euro cruise. I have been to Europe many times but never on a cruise and think this can be a fun way to see maybe some of the Greek Islands or Croatia possible.  My question is.... how do the laws work with gambling? 

I know you have to be in international waters to gamble when you leave a US port.  Are casinos allowed to work in EU waters?  Any weird laws where they casinos are shut down?  

Years ago, my mom won a cruise through bingo.  Then years later, she won a massive gift basket with Two Carnival robes, Two Spa towels, and a ton of other items in it.  It was a decent win. I get free cruises sent via the casino almost daily.  The odds are WAY more in your favor.  Go hit some slot machines and you too can win cruises all the time 🙂

New Menu looks great. I noticed they took the absurd chefs tableside dessert thing.  I ordered that once.  Came out on a big cutting board and looked unique but tasted subpar.  Anyways -  I booked it the steakhouse a few nights for my 8 night on the Magic in April.  The MDR wasn't impressive last Magic cruise so we are splitting a lot of time between Steakhouse and Cucina. Wish there was one more options like Sushi or JiJis. 

I am turning Platinum on my next cruise in April.  

My boyfriend is not Platinum yet.  So is he able to still board early with me?  

Also - qq:  I have a drink package so the free drinks etc aren't a biggie unless you can use it In the coffeeshop.  Does the drink work there if you have a drink package?  

Same port, Same exact dates, same promotion. Itinerary isn't as fun ( I think) because I have never sailed to Curacao nor Aruba.  The ports for Mardi Gras I have done many times over.  But I am very interested in the ship.  Conundrum!

But being the very last sailing before a dry dock can be iffy I have read over the years.  Worn out staff, worn out ship, Out of many items.  But nothing recent to back that up. 

Oooh good to know all of this info. And according to the link above, I am on the last sailing before dry dock which I didn't realize.  We booked for 12/30/23-1/7/24 as I have always wanted to do a New Years Cruise.  We are supposed to head to Aruba, Curacao & Grand Turk.   Should I keep as-is or try and change ships this far in advance? There is another sailing on the Mardi Gras with the same date I could switch to.  Or should I keep as-is?

Ahh good to know.  I live in FL so usually stick to FL ports.  But that is good they still sail there. The Italian ships are def on my radar for the future. 

I can't seem to find an itinerary with Antigua. I went years ago and loved it. I kept getting it confused with St. Kitts tho. So I just booked the Breeze with the St. Kitss itinerary thinking it was antigua to find old photos and be very wrong.  lol

Anyone have experience with either: 

Fairmont El San Juan Hotel or  Royal Sonesta San Juan
 

I am looking for a nice resort with beach access and good drinks and food.  These two look about a 30 min drive from the cruise terminal and have available passes for when I am visiting.  

I stayed at the Radisson last year and the King room was atrocious. Looked like a horror film. With that said - I just called to book for April for Country Inn. They are STOPPING all cruise and park/shuttle packages there.  That is really crappy news. Hotel said they were building another hotel and the parking lot won't be accessible. So after 4/1 - no more packages.  

I checked all the other hotels above.  Seems so expensive to have a hotel for one night and parking for most around $500.  Very price gouging. So now I may book again at the horror film hotel and try and a suite and hope it's nicer than last time. Still much more affordable than the other hotels. 

I just booked a sailing for March '23 on the Magic. How far in advance can I book the Chefs Table? I didn't see it in the specialty dining yet online.  I have always wanted to do the chefs table and want to make sure I book in advance on a at sea day. 

TIA 

3 hours ago, 1kaper said:

I believe I have read that that is one of the exceptions to Cheers.  If one has drinks everywhere the other can buy just one CHeers package. I do believe "Drinks everywhere" is essentially the casino paying Carnival for your drink package. 

 

On my cruise in March on the Magic, I had Drinks Anywhere and my significant other was able to purchase cheers for himself.  He was able to purchase at a bar.  There was some confusion and the bartender had to make a call and ask.  She was then told he could do so.  
Word of advice, wait until International Waters otherwise you spend a lot extra on taxes.  Once you hit IW, no taxes on the package apparently.   

I think that has a lot to do with it. 
 

It hasn't stopped me from cruising. I have been on many CCL ships and haven't had that many issues. I have never written a bad review.  But I encountered a lot last month that really made me shake my head in disbelief. 

And I am not saying other cruise lines don't have these issues.... I am just stating what I have encountered in my past cruises and what I witnessed last month which can lead to the Walmart reference.  

2 minutes ago, Eli_6 said:

I can't stop thinking about this.  This will haunt me in my nightmares. I am really particular about my feet and totally grossed out by people with poor foot hygiene.  

It was disgusting.  But I still have PTSD from the woman in the stall. 

WHO DOES - THAT?  *barf*

1 minute ago, sthrnbll said:

So the other cruise lines don't have drunks? Asking for a friend.

Did I say that?  

I mentioned what I saw.  In a specialty restaurant, seeing someone falling on the floor, gnawing on his porkchop like a drunk moron is classless. 

I am saying out of the cruises I have been on.... and I have been on several - last month took the prize with classless people.  

I also said people seem to be more classless in general - Cruising or not.   

5 minutes ago, Abr155 said:

I've heard this several times as well - but for two different reasons.

 

Critics call it that because they are equivocating it to "people of Walmart" memes and pictures you mentioned.  These critics claim Carnival is a cheaper cruise line both to book and onboard (drink prices, etc) and labels their fleet as the "Fun Ships" inspiring party-goers/spring breakers and a less "polished" type of people to book.

 

Also heard someone mention that it's the Walmart of cruise lines because you get a "great value" for the price paid lol

 

All of this said, cruising has changed over the years for all cruise lines. The ability to book years in advance and save/make payments ensures that people from all socio-economic backgrounds can partake. So, if old school cruisers are expecting to feel like Titanic elite, move on over, because cruising is for everyone now!

 

I, truthfully, book cruises for the deals - I get the most bang for my buck. I don't cruise for luxury or elegance, I cruise for fun and to visit multiple places while only to unpack once.  When I'm looking for a more "luxurious" getaway, I don't look towards cruises - I look at resorts, etc.

 

I love Carnival for it's own reasons.  I've never experienced any of the things the second poster saw thank goodness, but I tend to sail from east coast, i.e. no Florida spring break mayhem! haha

 

Ironically - while it was late March.... 

ALL of the people mentioned above (sans mother on my 2nd post) were ALL older.  I think that is what was more shocking. 

Couple flighting in Casino - late 30's

Woman picking her feet - prob late 50's - mid 60's

Woman in restroom with door open - def middle age. 

Younger drunk guy in Cucina - youngest, so I will say maybe Spring Break but didn't look college

People arguing - also not kids

I think the younger crowd was decently behaved ironically LOL

It was vile.  But the woman with the door open pooping took the prize. 

I forgot another one....

Last day, we were in line to walk off ship.  A mother with her 2 very small daughters.  She basically screamed at them, cussed them out, kept physically hard grabbing them by their arms.  F word this, F word that.... at them. 

I mean the face tattoos were a sign. BUT - if she speaks and handles them in public, I can imagine at home.  Everyone was wide eyed watching.  Made me sad. 

I cruise typically on CCL and RC and have sailed on Celebrity.  

I think humans in general are just becoming less classier in general.  

I am booked to leave in 8 days on another CCL trip.  I admit, I have never seen the things I am going to mention below on other lines. If the casino didn't send me amazing promotions, I would probably switch. Not because I am not a CCL fan... but because the clientele is different I think.  

I was on a 6 day breeeze last month.  

Here is what I encountered:

In Italian restaurant, a guy so drunk he fell on the floor at dinner out of the booth. Held his tomahawk pork chop by the bone gnawing on it head bobbing. Then put his bowl of pasta in his lap.

On another evening in Cucina, a woman had her shoes off, her feet up on the chair next to her and she was picking her feet.  

Only ate once in dining room. Tiny tables next to us had people yelling at each other or at staff. Awful.

In casino, a man physically dragging his wife/girlfriend out while screaming at her. She was crying. Security just watched as he drug her out.  

People arguing at each other all over the ship. Didn't understand why so many angry on vacation. 

The one that wins it all…. Walked into the restroom. A woman had the door open, while taking a #2 and scrolling on her phone. I thought I was in upside down world. Didn’t make eye contact, I said something and almost threw up. She just kept scrolling on her phone.

 Just a lot of very classless people. 

I just received the normal email when you return home.  How sweet - they miss me. 

But I don't leave for 2 days.  LOL

I better not get there and they tell me I already sailed.  

🧐🧐🧐

27 minutes ago, Viajera7 said:

Yes, the casino still gives it.

Thanks - I was about to waste $20 on amazon.  I remember a few years ago I had to buy one on a ship and I moved since then and lost it.  I will use the $20 more wisely in a slot machine.  lol

Does the casino still punch a hole and give out the stretchy lanyards?  Or should I buy some on amazon before I leave? 

I booked through the website through my offers and I sail this Sunday. I do not see my OBC at all.  It is from a casino promotion so not sure if that matters??

I am in my Cruise Manager, planner - all of it and nada.  Hmmmm???

I know I have a $500 promotion. Luckily I emailed the casino for them to put it in writing when I arrive because I had an issue years ago.