iahawkize

I agree that there are some things that have suffered. I personally didn't like the milk Chocolates on the bed as I'm a dark chocolate fancier. The American menu in the MDR has a lot to be desired on Carnival as well as the Lido buffet. I can understand Carnival Gold level cruisers being felt left out, but on my Carnival Splendor Cruise prior to the change they had to have 2 seating's in the main Showroom to accommodate us all and it was still crowded.

This guy did a great job of giving us a nice tour all the way up to Orient Beach and he will also go over to Maho Beach so you can watch the planes fly right over you

http://bernardstours.shoreadventures.net/

Can someone please suggest a good brand that we can use on the ship? We are a group of 12 and would like to communicate when not together. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks

Good afternoon Debbie.

I can see by the Low amount of posts here on CC, tht you're not aware of the NUMEROUS discussions on this topic. I would suggest doing a search of the threads here on CC to get your answers, as many of us have rehashed this topic till we're blue in the face with the pro's and con's of walkie talkies on a ship. Did you know your cabins phone has voicemail? or just bring a magnetic whiteboard and attach it near your cabin door ( inside as you don't want it stolen) Or even use Postit notes.

It seems that CCL Corp COULD give their perks across their many different cruise lines i.e. Carnival, Princess, Holland America, Aida, Seabourne, P&O. It would encourage loyal cruisers to try different Itineraries not offered on Carnival.

Let's say that you and your significant other plan a weekend getaway.

3 nights in a 4 star hotel $400 & up w/ free breakfast

6 lunches $90 + 6 alcoholic drinks $50

6 dinners $200 + 6 alcoholic drinks $50

2 tickets to a broadway style show $150

Valet Parking $30 at the theatre & dinner

Total for the weekend $1070.

VERSUS 3 days on a cruise ship.

Average Balcony Cabin $300 p.p. port fee $100

Breakfast INCLUDED

Lunch INCLUDED

Dinner INCLUDED

Broadway Style Show INCLUDED

Cheers Package on Carnival w/ tip $58pp/day up to 15 drinks =$348

Total $1048 and you get to have more drinks!

:)does anyone know how much taxi is for two from san juan airport to royal carribbean adventure of the seas.

First Carnival has many ships with many miles on them and newer and refurbished ships that have what they call their "O2" upgrades such as The Blue Iguana Tequilla Bar, the Red Frog Rum Bar, Guys Burger Joint, Alchemy Bar, Punchliners Comedy Club, and the new Vista (coming to the USA in late 2016) is in a class all her own. Read the reviews both good and bad and remember your cruise is what you make it. Join a Roll Call and meet new friends before the cruise and get together with them onboard for a meet & greet.

FYI as you're driving, I hope you don't plan on parking at the port as it's $20/day! I use off site parking(just google them as there are many) and paid $33.00 for 5 days! It was a Valet parking and they had a free shuttle both ways!8300 NW 7th Miami just off I-95 Exit 8A southbound Right turn and then left at the light on to NW 7th It's just past the McDonalds on the right side. They have the car waiting for you when you get back. Secure lot!

ALSO if you're on Carnival purchase Faster to The Fun for $49.95 for your cabin. Your bags will be in your room after you've had lunch on the lido and you can drop off your carry on luggage as well. Priority Boarding and more.

Sotuffexecutive Her DH and I ( solo Cruise this time sigh) are on the Ecstasy 12/14 - 12/18 for the Key West, Cozumel & Sea Day cruise. Thanks for the great review. We had a really poor showing on our roll call and hope that anyone else who is on our cruise reads this review and connects with all of us on the Aft Verandah Deck at Sail-Away.

Why not just publish in the Cruise Contract Rules of the Main Dining Room (MDR)? ALSO put them on a large poster sign at the entrance. With the bottom line on the poster being. Carnival has the right to refuse service to anyone violating these rules. OF COURSE the Maitre'd and other staff needs to ENFORCE these rules (which they don't). This would also include enforcing the dress code especially on formal night.

Also think of Carnival. We love the Sunshine but also look at the Dream, Breeze and the brand new Vista. These are bigger and the newer ships. But I don't know where the Vista will be in February, 2017 as they haven't finished building her yet but will be sailing in 2017.

Carnival has an "Early Saver' program. This means if YOU see a lower price after you have booked a cruise, they will match that price, But you have to check prices and notify them. They do not lower your price unless you tell them its lower. Then, after the final payment date for all they issue on board credit (OBC) for the price difference. We seldom book far in advance but after our price was lowered and final payment we got $240 OBC when we did a B2B on the Glory. You must book 4-6 months ahead for the Early Saver- you can't get it if you book sooner than 4-6 months before sail date. They also have connecting cabins with a door between them. If its a balcony cabin the doors between the balconies can be opened so you have a bigger balcony.

And, your 14 & 12 year olds will have a ball on Carnival!

I agree! The Carnival Vista has the new Family Harbor Cabins & Suites.

Here is a description and link: http://www.carnival.com/cruise-ships/carnival-vista.aspx#accommodations/family

"All-new Family Harbor staterooms, with a unique nautical décor, can be found near Carnival Vista’s Family Harbor Lounge, an exclusive 24-hour spot with breakfast, snacks during the day, concierge service… plus Hasbro board games, family movies, video games and more. The benefits don't end there — your kids eat free in most specialty on board restaurants and get a free evening of Night Owls babysitting service, so you can enjoy a little alone time.

Sigh I was willing to pay for a balcony but appears all is full LOL

One last Hope for you. I'd check with Guest services just before Sail away. There may be a no show or a last minute cancellation. Never hurts to ask.

I booked my 4 day Carnival cruise thru Cruise.com and it sails in 5 weeks. I have an oceanview As of today 11/4 there are 36 unsold balconies and 25 suites.Any chance that I can get a cheap balcony upgrade. Should I call Carnival directly or wait till my TA contact calls me back? I would think that Carnival would want to sail with a full ship and offer those who booked early an upgrade thus opening up the cheaper inside cabins.

I've been searching Private Shore Excursions of the Ruins at Tulum and This one is $30 cheaper than Carnivals price. ($240 for 1-4 & $40/person extra up to 14 versus $89.99/person via Carnivals Shore Excursions ) So here's the link . https://cozumelcruiseexcursions.com/TulumMayanRuins.htm

Help! How do I do this? We are flying into our port and taking a shuttle to the ship. How does everyone bring their wine and 12 pack of soda? Check it on the flight, then carry it on to the ship? Find some way to buy it on location?

:confused:

You didn't say which cruise line you were on. Carnival just revised their policy and you can pick up a 12 pack at your first port of call. Otherwise like the other posters said have your cabbie or shuttle driver stop at the closest CVS/Walgreens/Walmart on the way to the ship

There are so many opinions on this but the key is this IS the honeymoon you never had.

1) Consider privacy a boardwalk facing room allows those across the boardwalk see into your room so you'll have to either be discreet or keep the drapes closed most of the time.

2) Consider time spent actually IN the room. If you want to have a view, great, but will you use the balcony much? If not get an oceanview. Most oceanview cabins have more square footage than a balcony cabin.

3) What kind of memories are you looking for? Ports of call & Excursions? Socializing,Dining and entertaining experiences? Get in a roll call specific to your cruise and meet new people. I've had cruise friends since I started cruising that are from all over the USA.

4) As far as drink packages consider the break even points vs by the drink ( remember you'll be on shore some days when you won't use the package till later in the day and you pay for EVERY day you're on the cruise.

Hope this helps.

Went there a few years ago. Take the catamaran if you don't like to get bounced around and really wet on the "Twister". The food is OK (good rum punch and beer) and they had some souveniers available. They also had a tent set up if you wanted a massage ( I paid $35 for a 30 minute massage). Went in the water but it wasn't the reason we took the excursion, but we stayed close to the shade trees (a ways down from the water toys) as w'e all been out in the sun the day before.

Did you friend carry that envelope home with him and was it on his person or in his possession while going through Customs? Do you not think Customs Officers have never searched luggage for such things? :D Makes me think of the fellow who bought a costly watch in one of the islands. Didn't declare it, wore it home but forgot to discard the sales slip. Not so clever, after all. :eek:

 

He mailed them to himself while at the port!

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Brooklyn. You could have been a poster child,for many contestants on "The Biggest Loser". It all starts with your mindset and clearly that issue needs to be addressed first. Many clinical dieticians work with psychologists and tackle your issues on both fronts.

On a personal note last August I had a severe gallbladder attack and had to have a tube inserted for 6 months to drain it before they allowed me to have surgery laparoscopically. My doctor put me on a strict low fat low carbohydrate diet and in January of this last year after losing some weight they allowed me to have the surgery today I can boast that I've lost 55 pounds and it hasn't been easy I'm now back at the gym Planet Fitness which incidentally is a sponsor of the biggest loser there are no judgments by the people there and actually no scales at the gym kind of interesting. So it can be done and it won't be easy. Keep a positive attitude and your friends from previous cruises will keep you in their prayers

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I was with "Frito" On that Cruise just off Grand Cayman. Here is the picture of the boat. They used long boards with inner tubes on the outriggers to keep the boat from capsizing.

I would have the majority of the family book a hotel for themselves and your Naples group in Miami that has a free shuttle to the port and free parking while you cruise. The one sibling that will be flying into Punta Gorda can just say that they intend on touring the Miami area after the parents go on the cruise so they'll just go with to say Bon Voyage. Have a surprise party that night pre cruise at the hotel.( meet in the lobby bar area ) Those flying into MIA can work out those arrangements and let you know where you'll be staying over there.. Co-operate and delegate!

If you want a beach hotel there are some near Old San Juan in the Condado area.One even has a casino. I recommend just Taking the bus from any of those hotels to Old San juan Use the the Old San Juan trolley to tour the area as walking will take a while and you can hop on & off. If your ship doesn't leave till Saturday I recommend getting a reservation at El Barrachina Restaurante to watch the Flaminco Dancers on Friday Night. Food was good It's the home of The Piña Colada. They make them in bulk but you can ask for one made from scratch. For lunch do any of the food trucks down by the piers as they were featured on The Food Channel's show with Andrew Zimmern. The Restaurant at the Art Center is top notch as well.

More cruise ships with single cabins and common meet-up areas like NCL has.

Mine was on the TSS Carnivale in 1991 3 day to the Bahamas. Man when I see the old pictures of that ship it was TINY compared to what is out there now. We had a porthole cabin at the front of the ship and the anchor woke us up every day.

I am sure you'll be doing this but consider having a T-shirt designed for your group. Once a design is settled on have people send you the money to pay for the shirts along with the sizes they want to order. Hand them out at your sail-away Meet & Greet unless you want to mail them to them prior to the cruise so they can wear them right away..

I had an Avery Label made up for name tags with our Group name and the Carnival Logo on part of it as well. Someone who knows enough about graphics can do this for you. Bring retractable fine point Sharpies to use to put their names on the nametags. Give each member 2 or 3 so they can use them if theirs gets lost or unusable.

One group I was with made sure that we set up our Main Dining room tables close together so the participants can mingle better. Contact the Maitre'd if you don't have your TA set it up.

Their is a group coordinator available prior to the cruise who can reserve one of the lounges during the day for your "free" cocktail party. Our TA used part of her commission for that. We just got stock rum punch like we normally get at the Past Guest Parties on Carnival

Hope this helps Ken Group Organizer for "Fritos Banditos" and others