Fantasy Only Questions ...

[jetskier]

You and me both, I thought for certain Calica.....what is there to do in Progresso????

 

Not too much. If you like ruins, there are several in the area. If it stays on this schedule, I am planning on going to Merida. If you take the local bus, it is only $2.50pp round trip. The buses leave every 15 minutes.

 

Dave

[Rowan555]

Not too much. If you like ruins, there are several in the area. If it stays on this schedule, I am planning on going to Merida. If you take the local bus, it is only $2.50pp round trip. The buses leave every 15 minutes.

 

Dave

 

What is there to do in Merida? I thought I read on the port board that it was an hour drive each way - is that accurate?

[Rodeomomof2]

What is there to do in Merida? I thought I read on the port board that it was an hour drive each way - is that accurate?

 

 

Yes, please tell me what there is to do and how to find it....I am going with a group of people there and they have asked me every day where are we going instead of Costa Maya and what is there to do.....I would like to be able to tell them something reasonably accurate.;)

[jackdis]

Is there a nice beach area, if we dock here? We have two small children. Thanks.

[Rowan555]

Yes, please tell me what there is to do and how to find it....I am going with a group of people there and they have asked me every day where are we going instead of Costa Maya and what is there to do.....I would like to be able to tell them something reasonably accurate.;)

 

Visit the Progresso board in the ports of call section - I'll be looking there to get some ideas just in case we end up there as well. So far I've read about two different ruins excursions as well as an all inclusive beach resort. My kids and I just finished studying about Mayan civilization, so a trip to the ruins is tempting - but it's SO hot right now, I think we may just end up at the beach. Some homeschooler I am, huh? ;)

[Rodeomomof2]

Visit the Progresso board in the ports of call section - I'll be looking there to get some ideas just in case we end up there as well. So far I've read about two different ruins excursions as well as an all inclusive beach resort. My kids and I just finished studying about Mayan civilization, so a trip to the ruins is tempting - but it's SO hot right now, I think we may just end up at the beach. Some homeschooler I am, huh? ;)

 

 

Yeah, I am reading there...but it's not real active....but thanks!

[jetskier]

What is there to do in Merida? I thought I read on the port board that it was an hour drive each way - is that accurate?

 

Merida is an older city. It has some structures dating back the 1500's when the Spanish came in. Here is a website that has a lot of information about Merida and the surrounding area. The bus I was on took 45 minutes each way. There is a shopping tour you can book through the ship. I took the local transportation and we beat them to town by a good 30 minutes.

http://www.yucatantoday.com/destinations/eng-merida.htm

 

Merida has a population of over 1 million people. It also has the lowest crime rate in Mexico. One thing about it is that it has not been commercialized for the touristas. Now if you want to go to Walmart, Costco or Sam's, they do have one there. It also has two large universities.

 

Dave

[Rodeomomof2]

Merida is an older city. It has some structures dating back the 1500's when the Spanish came in. Here is a website that has a lot of information about Merida and the surrounding area. The bus I was on took 45 minutes each way. There is a shopping tour you can book through the ship. I took the local transportation and we beat them to town by a good 30 minutes.

http://www.yucatantoday.com/destinations/eng-merida.htm

 

Merida has a population of over 1 million people. It also has the lowest crime rate in Mexico.

 

Dave

 

 

Thanks Dave, that is good to know.

[Rowan555]

It looks like there is a beach 3 blocks from the pier, so we're just going to plan to do that for the day, should we end up in Progresso on our 9-8 cruise. I'm all for a cheap, relaxing day at this point!

[mother of twins]

You and me both, I thought for certain Calica.....what is there to do in Progresso????

 

 

hey there...

just wanted to see when you were leaving on your trip...oh my!!!!!! it's cruise time...

enjoy, have fun, pack some extra crown in a spray bottle just in case..lololol

have a great time...see ya!!!!!

[amunhbuu]

We leave on the third. I was hoping for Calica over Progresso, but everything is better than work! :p

[Rowan555]

We leave on the third. I was hoping for Calica over Progresso, but everything is better than work! :p

 

I'm not assuming ANYTHING at this point. I've looked over the Progreso board and I have a plan in case we end up there - but we may end up at Calica, or somewhere else entirely. Particularly given the alternating itinerary the Fantasy has, where the ship sets sail on different days each week, it could end up rotating between Progreso and another port. We shall see!

[jetskier]

I'm not assuming ANYTHING at this point. I've looked over the Progreso board and I have a plan in case we end up there - but we may end up at Calica, or somewhere else entirely. Particularly given the alternating itinerary the Fantasy has, where the ship sets sail on different days each week, it could end up rotating between Progreso and another port. We shall see!

 

I have been on a sailing where they reversed the port. We were not told until we were onboard. So instead of Progreso the first port day, you could do Cozumel and then Progreso for the second port day.

 

For my Sept 17th sailing, it looks like that might become the case. The Ecstasy is in Progreso on the 19th but there is no ship there for the 20th. So if they move us to Cozumel on the 19th instead, we could go to Progreso on the 20th.

 

Dave

[cheshyrkat]

In New Orleans you must get off the ship during "self assist" and processs through customs and imigration. You do NOT have to bring your luggage with you. Leave everything in your cabin IF you are going to have the same cabin on the second voyage. During your first voyage ASK the for VIP check-in for the second voyage? It doesn't hurt to "ask". Spend the day in New Orleans. The Riverwalk is only a few steps from the terminal. Return after lunch and check-in for your second cruise. Your first Sign & Sail account will have been terminated and you must establish a second one. Lines can get long after 1:00PM. Of course if you are VIP -- NO PROBLEM. ;)

 

Thanks for the quick response! We definitely do have the same cabin for both sailings. If I asked for VIP check in for the 2nd sailing, who would I have to ask? I am very familiar with NOLA, but I don't know whether or not we are going to want to do anything there. We've kind of done a lot of it already and it'll just depend on what kind of mood we're in. Is it required that we leave the terminal entirely? If we do not care to do anything in NOLA, then what? Is it possible to just re-board and hang out on the ship during the day? Thanks!!

[Rowan555]

Thanks for the quick response! We definitely do have the same cabin for both sailings. If I asked for VIP check in for the 2nd sailing, who would I have to ask? I am very familiar with NOLA, but I don't know whether or not we are going to want to do anything there. We've kind of done a lot of it already and it'll just depend on what kind of mood we're in. Is it required that we leave the terminal entirely? If we do not care to do anything in NOLA, then what? Is it possible to just re-board and hang out on the ship during the day? Thanks!!

 

I think all you HAVE to do is return to the terminal, get your new sail and sign card, and get back on the ship.

[cheshyrkat]

That's what I was kind of wondering. Of course we may be interested in getting some beignets or something, but I don't want to make any elaborate plans.

 

Though I do agree, there are some really great attractions that are not far at all from the port for those who are so inclined! The Aquarium is right there, and if you hop a cab you could zip down to the French Market or even just go hang out by the river side on the other side of the Riverwalk. I always found that relaxing. And there is Pat O's on the river in Jackson Brewery for the obligatory Hurricane!

[Rowan555]

That's what I was kind of wondering. Of course we may be interested in getting some beignets or something, but I don't want to make any elaborate plans.

 

Though I do agree, there are some really great attractions that are not far at all from the port for those who are so inclined! The Aquarium is right there, and if you hop a cab you could zip down to the French Market or even just go hang out by the river side on the other side of the Riverwalk. I always found that relaxing. And there is Pat O's on the river in Jackson Brewery for the obligatory Hurricane!

 

We're going on the Natchez tomorrow for a steamboat cruise for 2 hours on the Mississippi. I told the kids it will be a good "appetizer" before our Fantasy cruise in 15 days ;) It's a homeschool field trip I put together and there are 30 of us going. If only I could convince all of them to go on a REAL cruise...

[tripletmomplus1]

Will they let my 8 year old daughter and I do a duet for the Talent Show? Please let me know before I ask her. We would like to sing Part of Their World from the Little Mermaid. :)

[rangerdog]

Robert, I see in your signature that you will also be on another cruise in Jan. 08. We will be sailing on the Fantasy on Jan. 3rd. I would love to meet you. Will you be working then?? You've been so helpful on this thread! Thanks.

 

Thanks to everyone who answered my questions. You are the BEST!!

[nolaAlive]

I think they might rotate the alternate port. Currently Holiday has alternating ports with Cozumel, so it has certainly been done.

 

Looking at the Christmas Eve cruise, I don't think the reversing of port stops would work.

[cheshyrkat]

We're going on the Natchez tomorrow for a steamboat cruise for 2 hours on the Mississippi. I told the kids it will be a good "appetizer" before our Fantasy cruise in 15 days ;) It's a homeschool field trip I put together and there are 30 of us going. If only I could convince all of them to go on a REAL cruise...

Heh...I like the Natchez! Do they still play the pipe organ while they are docked? Of course I was the one who would go look at the paddlewheelers when they would dock in Baton Rouge when I used to live there. I even snuck on one of them with an elderly passenger's assistance! LOL But that's a whole nother story!

 

It's been a while since I was actually right there. But that's another thing someone could do if they had time to kill...Honestly though, I don't look forward to embarkation the first time. I've had hellish experiences for the last few sailings and well, I don't know if I want to put myself through the entire process from the back of the line twice.

 

If I was able to do VIP, that would be one thing, but I am not counting on that being an option. I will, after these cruises, only have been on a total of 6 and I don't have a suite, so I am not legitimately entitled to the VIP thing. It would be nice of them, but really...They don't really owe me any favors or anything.

[Rowan555]

Honestly though, I don't look forward to embarkation the first time. I've had hellish experiences for the last few sailings and well, I don't know if I want to put myself through the entire process from the back of the line twice.

 

If I was able to do VIP, that would be one thing, but I am not counting on that being an option. I will, after these cruises, only have been on a total of 6 and I don't have a suite, so I am not legitimately entitled to the VIP thing. It would be nice of them, but really...They don't really owe me any favors or anything.

 

 

I am almost POSITIVE that I read here recently that people on back to back cruises were escorted to the VIP area in the terminal and then allowed to get right back on the ship as soon as the ship was cleared for the guests to embark. Of course that may vary by port of embarkation.

 

If you DO choose to spend the day sightseeing, you shouldn't have any trouble boarding the ship in the afternoon. You could get your new sail and sign card as soon as you disembark, head out until 2 PM or so, then return. By then the lines shouldn't be bad at all, and you can go right to the chair area to have your photo taken for your new card and board the ship.

 

I'd love to do a back to back - but living in New Orleans, it makes more sense to spread our cruises out a bit since we can go to the port any time!

[cheshyrkat]

I am almost POSITIVE that I read here recently that people on back to back cruises were escorted to the VIP area in the terminal and then allowed to get right back on the ship as soon as the ship was cleared for the guests to embark. Of course that may vary by port of embarkation.

 

If you DO choose to spend the day sightseeing, you shouldn't have any trouble boarding the ship in the afternoon. You could get your new sail and sign card as soon as you disembark, head out until 2 PM or so, then return. By then the lines shouldn't be bad at all, and you can go right to the chair area to have your photo taken for your new card and board the ship.

 

I'd love to do a back to back - but living in New Orleans, it makes more sense to spread our cruises out a bit since we can go to the port any time!

 

Yes that's what I've heard too but I don't know if that's how its done un this case. That would be optimal and if that was the procedure we might consider getting out and about. Not, however, if we would have to stand in the lines again.

 

This is my first b2b and the first time going out of New Orleans since 1999 so I don't know how things have changed!

[jetskier]

Yes that's what I've heard too but I don't know if that's how its done un this case. That would be optimal and if that was the procedure we might consider getting out and about. Not, however, if we would have to stand in the lines again.

 

This is my first b2b and the first time going out of New Orleans since 1999 so I don't know how things have changed!

 

The biggest change is the new terminal which is a lot nicer than the one you went out of before. If they do let you in the VIP room, it is to the left after you come out of the security screening equipment. If they let you go ahead and get the S&S card before you leave the terminal, then you should not have to wait in any lines upon your return other than the security screening.

Dave

[LHP]

The biggest change is the new terminal which is a lot nicer than the one you went out of before. If they do let you in the VIP room, it is to the left after you come out of the security screening equipment. If they let you go ahead and get the S&S card before you leave the terminal, then you should not have to wait in any lines upon your return other than the security screening.

Dave

 

I LOVE the new terminal (well I guess now it is considered old) but it will be NEW to me for awhile.

 

The only improvement I would recommend is that the Carnival Rep directing people where to sit. After they get their pictures taken, no one tells them where to go sit and a lot of folks end up sitting in the VIP section that are not VIP. Then someone has to come along and ask everyone ..."are you VIP?"

 

Either the photographer needs to tell them to see the Carnival Rep ahead for seating instructions, or the Carnival Rep that is handling the seating needs to stand closer to the photo area to direct them properly.

 

There were several times that VIP folks needed a place to sit and all the chairs were taken by non-VIP (until the lady came and cleared them out).

 

That is the only bug in their system and it is just a little bug....at least it is little until this VIP needs a place to sit and all the chairs are taken by non-VIP ...then it will become a little bit bigger bug!! :)