birdy

We'll be getting off as you are getting on! Check you Manage tab because we got an e-mail that they are doing staggered check-in. The earliest slot without FTTF was 1 PM.

Just got the e-mail that Carnival is now implementing staggered check-in, beginning at 1 pm, at least for our February 19 cruise. Thought I would give those who have not gotten the e-mail a chance to check their Manage tab so they can get a good time slot. Maybe they are doing this to encourage FTTF for San Juan since all I've read on here is that it is not worth it.

There is now staggered check-in (at least beginning Feb. 19) in San Juan with the earliest time being 1 pm. I know because I just got the e-mail from Carnival and had to choose my check in under the Manage tab.

Paradise Beach with their blowup water toys and floating mats in Cozumel. We have also done the dune buggy excursion which would require 2 buggy's that are standard. You snorkel, visit a light house, and visit a tequila factory. It was so awesome we did it twice. We've only been to Progreso once. We took the $2 narrated bus around town, then headed to the beach for cheep massages and henna tattoos.

Welcome back!! I was beginning to worry I wouldn't have the end of your review (It would be like not being able to finish a good book!)

Stinger-pr, your killing me!!! I'm dying to see more pictures. My family group of six will be on the Fascination in February and we are loving your review.

We never use the ships tours. I do all my research here on CC and the people here have never steered me wrong with their recommendations for tour operators.

Putting in my two cents :)

Grand Cayman - Stingray tour with Captain Marvin (did this 3x)

Cozumel - Dune Buggy and Tequila tour (2x with the same guide)

Belize - Cave tubing with Buts up (2x)

Roatan - Ziplining with Pirates of the Caribbean (3x)

They were all fantastic, with small groups and great guides.

Congratulations for getting your wife to cruise. I booked a non-refundable for our first cruise and told husband he had to go :) Four years later we took our kids when they were 13 and 9. They had been to Disney the year before and when asked they loved cruising more. Cozumel and Paradise Beach were their firsts and they loved it. We now cruise with SIL, 2 nephews, and our kids (Well, just one now because son is in college). The memories we have made in the last 7 years are priceless. We talk about them all the time. Here to you for taking the opportunity to make those memories.

I heard about Vigie Beach here and my group of six will be there in February. Can't wait!

My kids were 8 and 13 when they began cruising and they enjoyed the ability to go in and out of the kids club. Every year since they cruised with their cousins and would just hang with them. The older they became, the more they hung with us :) They are now 17 and 20 and still love cruising. No one will call and chew you out. Enjoy your cruise. The memories you make with them will last forever.

Stinger-pr - I haven't been able to find an answer to my questions anywhere can you help?

What would the base cost of a taxi from the airport to Avenida Universidad for 6 people? I understand that there is extra for bags and for coming into the airport late at night.

Thank you for your help.

double digits!!! 98!

We loved her! She had the best wait staff ever. I would also go on her again in a heartbeat.

Having been to both, we enjoyed both! Progresso we took the $2 double decker bus around town. It was narrated and fun. We headed to the beach. We had 6 of us and negotiated massages for all at $15 pp (best massage I've had yet!). Vendors were a little pushy but no thank you worked. We did get henna tattoos for the kids and SIL cheap. Very cheap silver and rope hammocks. Costa Maya again a beach day. Took a taxi, plopped down on the beach near the Harbor Master. Nice relaxing day with lots of places to shop in an open air market down the street.

Stinger-pr,

Please don't flame but how strict were they in the adult comedy show? Our daughter will be two months shy of 18, traveling with us, her aunt and both male cousins who are over 18. We've been on ships that did not card and one that did during the adult comedy show. Just wondered if you saw them carding on the Freedom.

We also sailed on the Freedom last year with a group of 9. Never was able to make the connection to our waitstaff that we had on cruises. They seemed to be very rushed. Our best waitstaff was the Triumph. We still talk about them.

Say it isn't so!! We are on her in February and as much talk as there was here about table cloths, I HATE having water rings from my glass all over the table. I also like the old menu much better than the American table. Hate the bread basket, loved the individual rolls.

The name of the tour company in St. Lucia is dophindiveadventure. Can't say enough good things about them. Tour included drinks and lunch.

Gamblingrandma, how much was your tour. I looked at their website but there wasn't any prices for the tour.

Thanks,

Thanks for the info. We board the Freedom Saturday, can't wait!

Me too!!! :) I started to worry when I read about the time change. Then I realized the original post was from 2012. Duh moment for me. I'm still on her this Saturday!

We love Pirates of the Caribbean. We have used them twice before and will again in 11 days!!! They are in Roatan. You will be rushed for time in Belize. We are just doing the cave tubing there. BTW Pirates use gravity breaking with two safety lines. Some use manual breaking where you have to wear gloves and squeeze the cable to slow yourself down.

We had done it twice. The first time was Hacienda Antigua and the second I can't remember the name but was not impressed with it. We asked our dune buggy guide if he could take us back to Hacienda Antigua. We love the "love potion" blue citrus tequila. The owner was really funny and we got to taste the tequila.

Great idea about the matching mag strips. Last time my mag card was too old and wouldn't work.

Thank you papa bear!

Can anyone tell me if the safe on the Freedom is the magnetic strip type or the number combination.

Thanks,