trixiegal

I used to only sail RCCL and Disney but I tried one of Carnival's newer ships last summer and my family had a blast. Dream and Breeze are fantastic ships that are fun for families and younger couples or singles. The decor was subtle but fancy enough to feel like we were staying in a really nice Marriott or Hilton, whereas I would equate what I've heard about Princess to a Ritz Carlton.

I don't think I'd ever go on one of the older Carnival ships because I don't like gaudy or overly glitzy decor even when I'm in Vegas.

I'm excited to see the differences on my first Princess cruise in September.

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I also have 2 BCBG outlets nearby and I have to avoid going in there or I will spend too much $$$. I buy dresses from there even when I don't have an occasion coming up. They are well-made, fit nicely and very colorful so I always stand out in a crowd!

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OMG. That site is fantastic! I already have like 5 pairs on my wish list. They look fairly well-made for such a low price. And they are super trendy.

So do you feel they run big, small or true to size? I wear a 9 US and I'm tempted to get an 8 UK bc I usually wear a 40 EUR.

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I'd do the aft just to experience it but remember the promenade deck is on deck 5, so view is not straight down into the sea. I was just on a Lido deck balcony one floor below your original cabin and I loved it! Was tight for 3 of us to be out there at one time but we made it work. Loved the Breeze!

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I agree that people may notice but it's up to you whether that will bother you. I personally like really dressing up in a gown for formal night at least once and going business dressy the next night with slacks and a pretty blouse and heels. But that's on Carnival and Disney.

When I cruised on RCCL, I bought 2 gowns for both formal nights. For me it is important to consider the ship and line I'm on when choosing clothing just like I would in any environment I'm in. I don't wear the same clothes to church that I would to a party. It's always to each his own, though.

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I love wearing stiletto heels to dinner but my feet tend to swell by the middle of the cruise, so I opt for the wedge heels or slip-on wedges at that point. I can't even imagine not wearing anything with height to dinner because I'm a pear shape and I need heels to balance out the hips. ;)

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If you check on Amazon Local, you can get it for $14 or $15 pp. Any discount is a discount, especially for multiple people...

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Great questions! I am also doing one of these cruises in September.

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I just came home from a cruise so it's tight but the sale is over. Priced a nice boardwalk balcony for next summer on the Oasis for $1800 pp. I'll keep watching for another sale!

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This is really great info. I'll also be turning 40 on my first Princess cruise and still trying to decide on my dinner choice. Think I'll do the Ultimate Balcony brunch and Crown Grill for dinner. I'm a steakhouse gal. ;)

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My daughter and I are also planning this excursion in November of this year my question is approximately how much was the massage on the beach. We were also looking into Nacchi

 

 

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I didn't get one but I believe they were starting at $30. They walked around offering free foot massages, as well. Then there was a dedicated massage area under a palapa with a few beds. Looked very relaxing!

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Any info on WIFI on these beach club. The only spot I know is Royal Palms. What about the other? Please share your info.

Lots of bars have WIFI, too. Calico Jacks definitely has it but it can get slow if lots of people are on it.

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booking early is the way to go, at least for my cruise on the oasis this November. We originally booked Allure last July but switched to the Oasis in January when they had a wow sale. We got the farthest aft boardwalk balcony on deck 11 for $727pp plus taxes and fees with $150 OBC.

 

 

 

The B1 boardwalk balconys have been sold out for a couple months now and just last week the B2 balconys were going for $1600+pp. They are back down to $1327pp now.

 

 

 

BTW Tapi convinced me to book it.:)

 

 

 

Bill

How did you get that deal??? I would book in a heartbeat at that price!

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I've been on Carnival, Princess, NCL (once) and RCI (once and another one booked.) So far, my overall best experience has been with Princess. A lot of that has to do with the food. Their late night and daytime buffets are so much better. I also loved afternoon tea. And the burger cafe on the main pool deck. The Mariner of the Seas was fun, though. Just a lot of inside activities. A floating mall. I'm looking forward to the Brilliance and having more contact ( through glass) with the sea. I've only been on smaller and older Carnival ships. But their dining room food was very good. My favorite pools are on Princess! LOVE their freshwater pools and design.

Trying Princess for the first time in September. Really looking forward to it! It is a Carnival Corp brand and I've been impressed with the value for $$$. If we like it, I'll book the Med on on one of the newer Princess ships, Royal or Regal.

Back to topic, I'm unusual in that my first and early cruises were with RCCL and Disney but I was wowed when I switched to Carnival. Disney has best service but didn't like their food, RCCL have huge ships but I felt overlooked by rude and pretentious staff bc they're overcrowded. Carnival was fun for us because of laid-back and family-friendly atmosphere with awesome port stops. Dream and Breeze never felt too crowded and staff greets you by name after first day. Food is pretty good with lots of choices and my teens were impressed with activities and clubs. I'm not a loyalist so I plan on trying any line that interests me if $ is right. Will not overpay like I feel I did on RCCL.

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Posted on the other thread, too. $1750 for 3 in a Lido balcony cabin (8E) on the Breeze in July. With all grats, port chgs and taxes came to $650 pp for 6 day cruise. Less than what I was going to pay for an 8c on deck 8 thanks to my awesome PVP. Learned it does payoff to call in!

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Good point!

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Greetings

 

 

 

Travel from St Augustine to Miami should take you south on I-95. You will be no where near Orlando. Orlando is in the center of the state over 60 miles from the coast. There is construction from Melbourne south to Ft Pierce, but while the speed limits are slightly reduced there are seldom big delays. Traffic from Ft Pierce southward is usually pretty good until you hit West Palm Beach. Even Palm Beach county traffic isn't too bad, the tie ups usually occur in Broward/Dade. You are looking at a 300 mile trip but you should be able to easily do it in 5 hours.

 

 

 

Good Sailing

 

Tom

I was basing my reply on going through Orlando if the OP wanted to take the turnpike down to Miami, which many think is faster than going 95 S all the way down. YMMV

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I don't know what rental car co. you booked but be aware you may have to wait in line for an hour or more for your car. I booked Dollar a few weeks ago and I waited in a really long line after arriving at the MIA airport from POM. Cut into our day, which wasn't a big deal bc we didn't leave until after 5. We've been to Miami too many times to count because we lived in Florida for several years. However, it can make a difference if you have an excursion planned.

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Just stayed at the Sleep Inn Dania and it was convenient and next to a Walgreen's we ended up going to twice for last-minute items. Also across from a good Mexican restaurant.

We took MJS Transportation to POM for the 2nd time in less than a year and I highly recommend them. $13pp in brand new Mercedes shuttle vans. They were organized and early to pick us up. No hassles and great service.

Gomjstrans.com

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We stopped in St. A last year on our way to Orlando, which is 2 hours south on 95. Nice area with great outlet malls. Miami is another 3-4 hours away from Orlando depending on traffic on 95 or the Turnpike. So you're looking at at least total of 5-6 hours. I'd leave by 5 am if you must stay overnight there to bypass the rush hour traffic in Orlando. Otherwise, I agree with other posters to stay further south.

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Do you by any chance have a photo of Rosanna? We had a Rosanna on our Elation cruise and she was the best server we ever had. Also, what DR was ATD in?

We do! I swear we felt like she was family after knowing her for only four days! She had a wonderful spirit and was such an amazing lady to me and my two teens. We were in the Sapphire dining room for ATD.

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I used to think the same thing as some of these responses about Carnival until I actually sailed on the Dream and Breeze. I was extremely impressed and actually prefer those ships to the older RCCL ships I've been on. Decor is open, airy and spacious. Spa areas and adult-only decks are very well-appointed and relaxing. There are tons of fee-free dining options that are actually very good and a high energy cruise staff, especially the Cruise Directors who tend to be very interactive with guests. The ports are great, especially the Western and Southern Carib ports. Best of all, due to tons of sales and specials you can cruise for more than 50% off RCCL's ships. I actually paid $650 pp with everything included (taxes, port chg, grats) for a Lido balcony deck. I know RCCL would've been more than double that price on a ship like Explorer of the Seas bc I paid more back in 2007. Not worth it to me for snooty service, a tiny ice rink I won't use and crowded Promenade.

Now granted, I'm sure the Oasis class ships blow any Carnival ship out of the water because of the awesome amenities and attractions. I plan on trying one of those in the next few years. But I'm sticking to Carnival for value for a really nice summer family cruise.

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I buy the majority of my clothes both formal and general day to day on Ruelala, Ideeli or HauteLook. I love the bargain sites!!

Me, too! I also like Beyond the Rack and Gilt for awesome designer deals.

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Just got off the Breeze last weekend and I can honestly say she's one of the best ships I've ever been on. Awesome service from our steward who kept my balcony room immaculate the entire cruise, too many amenities to try in 6 days and the absolute best CD, Matt. I can't wait to go back on her for an 8-day southern Carib and I am not the type of person who goes on the same ship or even to a hotel more than once.

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Had to look in my closet for some of my smaller dresses to remember the label names. I had a lot of Laundry dresses, they tend to fit great on petite sizes.

http://www.laundrybyshellisegal.com/collections_rsvp.asp?f=guest

Also, check out shopstyle.com for tons of ideas.

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