We're on Carnival Celebration right now and dock in Nassau tomorrow. We decided to just stay on the ship. Especially since we've been to this port before.
We're looking at this one for September over the 2 you listed as by researching had better reviews:
https://www.resortpass.com/hotels/iberostar-costa-dorada
This post should answer your questions. You can go on your own without a tour as it's right by the dock:
https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2923504-monkeyland-taino-bay-puerto-plata/
Always amazes me how rude/pushy some are to get on the ship first. You're all leaving at the same time and going to the same place. It's the same with airlines. Everyone crowds near the gate to get on first and stand ready get off the plane as soon as the front wheel hits the ground.
We're new to Carnival (avid Royal cruisers) and wondering if Carnival has Black Friday deals for on-board packages etc.? We've always waited for Black Friday to add packages such as 40% off internet and such. I couldn't find a thread when searching so if anyone can attach a link or any info, that would be great.
Outstanding review! This will be our first Carnival cruise as we have been avid/loyal Royal cruisers. @VictorWI We will be sailing on Celebration 9/1/24 in same cabin (11358). Is the bed or couch closer to the balcony?
We took our clothes steamer on Symphony recently. I think it passed as it looks like a hair dryer and handle folded as well. It worked wonderfully and was very convenient:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08P456NHG?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1
Symphony 2 weeks ago out of Miami they weren't checking times. Hell, all they checked was Set Sail Pass to board. We were never asked vax status, show cards or even passports. Facially rec was used at customs disembarking so passports weren't asked for either. We were onboard within mins as well as offboard and through customs.
Appreciate your input for sure. Believe me, we are beyond grateful, blessed and lucky to even have an opportunity to sail and be able to vent a bit. Overall, we're all lovers of this lifestyle that not everyone can afford or endure.
Same boat as you as far as world traveler and ate at countless places in my 58 years. My point was the food doesn't compare to every other Royal cruise we had been on. The quality and variety/selection changes weren't like every prior cruise. I had to ask my wife if I was imagining it and she agreed that it was a disappointment on the sailing. We expected better from Royal. But like mentioned, it could have been the ship and maybe where they sourced for this itinerary.
The punches also depend on the barista and the amount of "shots" added to the coffee etc. Just off Symphony and depending on barista we had depended on punches. Sometimes, they didn't charge any extra punches. My wife would order a Grande and he would split it to 2 smaller cups so we both had a specialty coffee and only charged one punch. It was definitely not consistent.
We did try Solarium Bistro a couple of times for breakfast and lunch and was pretty much the same food selections offered in the WJ and of course we hit Sorento's and Promenade Café for snacks. Again, both were disappointing. The pizza was wafer thin and the selection at the Café was minimal and always the same. We didn't do any specialty dinning on this cruise as we have in the past. We just felt that the food that we always really enjoyed at the many "included" venues has slipped to what we considered cafeteria food. Oh...and don't get me started on the "prime rib". Pure leather. Shame as the rest of the ship is exceptional.