beachbum6264

There's no question for me... 7 days and much better ports wins, hands down. We don't spend enough time in the cabin to make a balcony a must.

We love Maya Key in Roatan. Now it's a Carnival excursion, you can't book independently anymore. Wonderful snorkeling and a fabulous lunch.

I've been thinking about the Carnival credit card and wondering if there is a yearly fee for it? If so, how much?

Thanks

Thanks for reading! Wow, that must have been a while ago. My first visit there was in the early 80's and the one bridge was already there. Do you remember when they built it? :cool:/quote]

 

 

The first one was built in 1966/67. I was there when they started to build it and moved not long after it was finished. The 2nd one was sometime in the late 90's - 97/98?

I remember going fishing and then having lunch on Hog Island close to where Atlantis is now. There was only the lighthouse and a pig farm on the island then.

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Those are the bridges that go over to Paradise Island. I can remember when there was only one…..

To be continued…..

When I lived in Nassau there were no bridges and Paradise Island was called Hog Island. Quite a change.

I always enjoy your reviews. Patti does a great job with the photography.

Some ports are very strict - I've seen a pile of the rolling coolers behind a security table more than once.

NHC calls it Subtropical Storm Alberto. Rain forecast for us all weekend. Thanks Alberto.

https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCPAT1+shtml/251443.shtml

No, but you will need to take a photo ID with you, along with your S&S card to get back onto the ship. Anyone over 16 will need photo ID.

This is funny, exactly how do they monitor hundreds of people, in the deck chairs, all day, with maybe 2 or 3 pool monitors??? How about the rude and selfish people that go and put the stuff on the chairs, then leave for 2 hrs??? It is not like they have the extra staff to specifically watch and time the chair issue, silly and unrealistic. I am sure the signs are posted for the guests to actually read them and take it into consideration when they use the chairs. But totally unrealistic to think they can monitor the situation all day, every day. If you want a chair and you HAVE been watching the situation for a long time, then take the stuff to pool/towel shack and leave it there.

I've watched Carnival staff put stickers on several saved chairs. The stickers have the time written on them. If the sticker is not removed within 40 minutes they will take the stuff in the chair up to the towel bar. I've seen it happen. Not nearly often enough, but it does happen. It was either on the Miracle or the Victory. I saw her clear 4 chairs, and when I returned towels there were several bags behind the desk. This was in the Serenity Deck. I did mention how happy I was to see that on my email survey.

One more who can't see the photos.

. Meaning they would have to check every so often to check it luggage got dropped off & if the card is there yet. What have you guys experienced cruising with Carnival with getting your sail & sign card?

You don't have to check often - your cabin will be ready around 1:30 and your S&S card will be there then, if your ship is one that does it this way. You will not be able to go to your cabin before then, unless you are Diamond or Platinum or have purchased FTTF. You just use your boarding pass to purchase drinks before that, no problem.

Only way is buy FTTF. Pregnancy is not a reason for special treatment (coming from a mother of 3).

Really? Too special to follow the rules I guess.

I do not want to the the one that owns the luggage under yours when one of your cans bursts and leaks down into my luggage.

There's a reason for the MUST BE in carry-on. Don't be a jerk.

I know we can bring CANS of beverage on board.

 

Can we BRING plastic bottles of Pellegrino on board? The Cheers package will not work for us (not big drinkers) but would love to have Pellegrino with us if possible.

No. No bottles of anything:

Carnival’s Liquor and Beverage Policy states that guests are prohibited from bringing water, sodas and other non-alcoholic beverages onboard that are packaged in bottles.

Never sailed out of Galveston, but I'd look at reviews and see if they have included boarding time and go from there.

DH and I both use CPAPs - we've seen how the luggage is thrown around - no way I would put mine in a checked bag. I don't want to take a chance on having it damaged. Use a backpack instead.

Keep in mind that the allowed size for coolers is 12x12x12. You stand a good chance of losing that if it's noticed. I've seen a large pile of those coolers on wheels off the to side at the security check point. If you drive to the port you could just take it back to your car. If not it will be left in a pile with the others - not held and returned later. With the price of those I don't think I'd chance it. Since you can't take food off the ship, and you can get a bucket of ice for at the pool, I don't really see a need.

I love that class of ship. I've been on the Miracle and the Legend (back when it sailed out of Tampa). I love the fact that there's a pool on the Serenity deck. Another plus is that you can walk all the way from front to back on every deck - not like other ships where there's a 'you can't get there from here' deck and you have to go up a deck, walk to another staircase and go back down to the other deck (usually because of the galley). I'm not a fan of the huge mega-ships, the Miracle is just about the perfect size for me. That, plus I love the Western itinerary - and it's an easy 2.5 hour drive for us! We had a great time and would book again.

Love the review, I always smile when I see your name on a new one!

How would you rate the food at Mr. Sancho's? We've been to Paradise Beach and Nachi Cocom several times and sort of looking for a new adventure for next time. I'm happy if they don't run out of rum, but for DH it's all about the food. Would he be happy there?

Most places around here (SW FL) now use paper straws. Several of the beaches have outlawed plastic straws and plastic bags are next on the chopping block. A good move - the trash people leave on the beach is ridiculous.

On our Miracle cruise (3/24) we were on the shuttle from the hotel with another couple. They had FTTF, we are Platinum. We got off the shuttle and handed our luggage to the porter. He looked at our luggage tags, one with Priority and one with the FTTF logo, ripped a couple of strips of PRIORITY tape off the roll in his hand, and put pieces on both of our luggage handles. Same tape on both.

So, has something changed since then?

Paradise Beach is nice, they have a huge pool and lots and lots of lounge chairs by the beach. $3 to get in, but another $18 for a band to be able to use the water toys - if you have children going with you they will most likely want to use them. You pay when you arrive. The beach there is fairly rocky, enter the water on the far right side, facing the water. Food and drink are good, but it does get crowded. There are always taxis lined up when you are ready to leave.

Nachi Cocom is an all inclusive and limits the number of people admitted to 130. You have to book ahead online (website) They also have a pool, and the beach is much nicer with fewer rocks. You will have your own palapa with chairs and a small table. They will call a taxi for you when you are ready to leave.

My favorite is Nachi, I like to relax, and this fits the bill.

I've been to Nachi Cocom (4 times in fact), and always had a wonderful time. I love it because they limit the number of people they admit (I think it's 120, but don't quote me). The beach is better because it's not rocky like at Paradise and several others all in the same area. If I'm going to be there for an entire day we'll do Nachi, but with the Victory itinerary we will have Cheers, so we don't stay at the beach that long. Paradise beach is $3 entry fee but they ask you to spend about $10/pp on food/drink while you're there. The band for the water toys is another $18. I like the chairs that are in the pool at PB, and the food and service has always been great.

We did this trip last October, and have it booked again for next October (DH's birthday present, again).

In Key West we docked at ***** (Outer Mole) at the Navy base. I've also seen it docked at Pier B near Mallory Square. You can see where it's scheduled to dock at this website. The short time in KW sucks, there is so much to do in such a small area. Lucky for us it's close to home!

In Cozumel we went to Paradise Beach. The time stamp on the first photo I took is 1:07. We did not rush off the ship and took our time walking through the port area. The taxi area in Puerta Maya is to the upper left of the shopping area after you exit the duty free shop. Nicely placed so you can walk past as many stores as possible!

If you have a fixed time you should ask the maitre'D on the first day so they can adjust for the entire cruise. If you have Your Time dining just ask each night.

I turned Platinum on my 10th cruise with 53 nights. I'm past the 75 now, don't think I'll ever see Diamond tho. Wonder if there will ever be anything in between - that's a huge difference.