Melcoug

Can anyone who has sailed Mardi Gras recently confirm what time all aboard is? I know the ship is in port from 7-3, but I was wondering what the all aboard time is since that's earlier than the port departure time.  Just trying to figure out what we can realistically do in port on our own in the given time. 

Thanks!

Outside of Alchemy's drinks, I've become a huge fan of the espressotini in the dining room. Alchemy will make you one as well, but you've got to bring them the espresso and a couple coffee beans for garnish. So good!

Just did this last weekend. Three of us traveling, but only two of us had good rate offers. Booked one balcony and one inside to make things cheaper. I was booked in the balcony with the friend who had a good rate, but the other friend who was booked solo in the inside wanted to be in the balcony. 

Once onboard, we made a "reservation" for Guest Services through the Hub app so we didn't have to wait in line. I got a key for the inside and the other friend got a key for the balcony. Guest services didn't care and neither did the room stewards. You'll need to carry around two cards, but "room key" has different printing on it so it's easy to tell apart from your sign and sail card. 

On 10/4/2021 at 2:48 PM, klfhngr said:

Do you recall on which nights?! Sorry for the questions!

Our ship did the reverse itinerary with a PV stop first. 80s was on Monday and a lot of people did dress up.  White party was Wednesday. First elegant on Sunday with the second on Thursday. 

On 9/28/2021 at 3:55 PM, klfhngr said:

I'm on the Oct 23 sailing and we were told 9:00 AM

Scheduled time you arrive in port is different than the earliest debark time.  We arrived in port at 9, but the earliest anyone got off was 9:25. We were in the first group called who wasn't carrying off all our luggage and were off the ship and in the parking garage about 11.  

I wanted to note my experience from our cruise last week. In response to all the comments about leaving valuables...of course not 🙄. My carry ons do not always have valuables in them. I keep those in my purse or a small bag with me, but we did drop off the boogie boards we carried on board because they are rather large and can't be checked. 

It was not problem leaving them on the patio before the 1:30 stateroom availability time. Patio floors are mopped roughly every other day and it was done the last day of the cruise. 

As for other passengers walking around that area, we never saw anyone walking by other than other cabana passengers or a few crew members. 

Highly recommend the cabana rooms. I don't think I'll sail on a Vista class ship without one. You do give up a bit of privacy but the patios were lovely and the Havana pool area and crew are fantastic. We barely needed to leave deck 5.

We have a Havana Cabana booked on Panorama as well.  I haven't done it before, but this was my plan for at least the carryons without any valuables. I'm sure we can't be the only ones who have had this plan!

2 hours ago, Shayhooper said:

I sailed on the 8/21 Panorama cruise and haven't received my post cruise survey.  I am the primary on the booking but somehow my husband received his and I have received mine. 

This has happened to me before. I'm always the primary and do EVERYTHING related to the cruise and Carnival sends the survey to my husband and not me. I guess if they don't actually want feedback, that's a good address to use. 😡

53 minutes ago, sharon&family said:

  I really wanted to book me and my husband something just by ourselves.  Can we do that and have our daughter stay on the ship with another family member?

There is nothing in Carnival's published COVID protocols that says those traveling with an unvaccinated child can't book non-bubble tours for themselves. Hopefully, you can get official confirmation.

13 minutes ago, Host Carolyn said:

Locals need the money desperately but too many tourists  defying mask rules and passengers roaming Mahogany Bay drink in hand not masking up because they are "drinking"

I understand why they didn't, but had cruise lines restarted with 100% vaccinated, I think it would have been better for all these ports relying on tourist dollars.  

9 hours ago, ontheweb said:

You highlighted the problem when you wrote "it would be easy to leave the port area". How would they possibly monitor everyone to keep them from leaving that area?

The same way they monitor everyone coming into the port area? Logistically, it seems like it wouldn't be impossible. 

I'm not complaining. Bubble tours would be a source of revenue for Carnival and I definitely want cruise line to survive.  But it appears to be slim pickings for bubble tours and utilizing the port area would be an option for families when the bubble tours sell out.

Given that Camp Ocean will be closed and going ashore will be so restrictive, I think my friend should cancel.  They still want to go, but it looks like their under 12-year-old will have a bummer of a cruise. 😔 

21 hours ago, sharon&family said:

One at a Sol y Mar Beach Club, and another at turquoise Bay.  Does anyone have any recommendations as to which one is best?  

We went to Sol y Mar several years ago on a stop at Mahogany Bay several years ago. I had wanted to go to West Bay, but our guide talked us into Sol y Mar saying it was less crowded. It was okay. The water was calm and good for little ones, plus the bathrooms were clean. Nothing spectacular about it though. 

32 minutes ago, madamerkf said:

It will say bubble tour. You are also not automatically going to be able to sail with them. You have to apply for and be given an exemption. All the kids programs are also closed. 

Yes, our friends are very aware. They have 5 people in 2 cabins and only one is under 12, so I think their chances or being granted the exemption are good.  

1 hour ago, BlerkOne said:

No for Amber Cove when we were there. Just bubble tour(s).

Thank you.

56 minutes ago, 1025cruise said:

As Amber Cove and Mahogany Bay are not private islands, bubble tours are required.

Since each of those ports of call has access-controlled, cruise line developed port areas it's not clear from Carnival's wording if they are included or not.  I get they aren't private island by a traditional definition. However, Carnival's website specifically says "private ports of call" not private islands. It seems like staying within the port-controlled area could effectively be a "private port of call", the only real difference being that it would be easy to leave the port area and take part in independent excursions. It would be nice to let kids off to enjoy the pool or beach, but then they would need to monitor everyone leaving. That's why I was asking for the the experience of those who have recently been.  

**Asking for a friend we are traveling with, my kids are fully vaxxed.**

Carnival's website is not clear regarding exactly which ports unvaccinated kids may leave the ship if not on a Bubble Tour. The Covid-19 protocols page states that unvaccinated may go ashore on their own when stopping in private ports of call "like Half Moon Cay and Princess Cays". Does anyone know if the cruise developed port areas right off the piers at Amber Cove or Mahogany Bay are open to unvaccinated kids under 12? Since both areas are restricted to ship passengers, it seems like not difference between the port area and the outdoor areas of the ship.

If anyone has sailed recently to either and can confirm yay/nay it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

On 3/14/2019 at 8:04 PM, Jembeccatoo said:

Many of the Specialty restaurants are à la carte, socost would depend on what you order. With the package, you are able to order as many apps and desserts as you like, but any additional entrees after the first would be charged.

The fee you paid at booking is the gratuity.

I had no idea you could order additional apps/desserts with the SDP!  I generally enjoy the apps more than the entrees.

We did the Blue Hole last Fall.  The water was on the chilly side, but once you were wet, it wasn't too bad.  

I don't know if you can hang out and swim.  Probably, if it isn't too crowded.  When we were there, they were filming for the Netflix movie, Like Father, so between the production crew and all of the cruise passengers, the parking lot was packed and they were pushing people through.  

We went river tubing afterward, which was super fun as well.  

As a military family, when I purchase travel insurance, I verify that changes in military orders is stated within the terms for cancelation. The military can revoke leave and deploy members without much notice, so it's never a good idea to plan an expensive trip without it.

I don't think this is case of a company being heartless. It's business. There are plenty of policies available for purchase who do offer this coverage for members of the military. Always read the fine print.

I know it's a tough lesson learned for the entire family when they are already sad about an unexpected deployment.

I've done Fury Catamarans during an excursion with another line a couple of times. Food on the beach was an additional charge. We only drank beers from the bar which were free, but we did tip the bartenders with some small bills that we had on hand. I think you could order mixed drinks, but I believe that was extra.

We sailed Glory in Nov and just got off of the Magic on Sat. The kids enjoyed the Magic more for the Sports Square activities. My husband and I are Alchemy regulars and Alchemy felt completely different on the Magic since it's right next to the live music in Ocean Plaza. It made it difficult to have conversations with the Alchemy bartenders and customers, plus it was insanely busy some nights. My husband loved the music in the Glory Atrium from the Glorious Bandsters. I can't speak to crowds since Glory was over Thanksgiving and Magic was during Spring Break, so both were crowded. Embarkation was smooth for both ships as well. I think Magic has a leg up on Glory, especially if sailing with kids, but I wouldn't hesitate to sail Glory again.

Just got off Magic on Sat. We stayed on Eastern time for the entire cruise. It was still dark out when we left the ship in Costa Maya!

Some Carnival ships have cabins that will sleep 5, others do not. I think Pride only has 4 person cabins. In his case, 2 cabins will be likely be needed. The 3rd person in one cabin will probably be discounted over the regular fare, while the remaining 4 will cost the full fare. It would be cheaper the put 4 in one cabin and the third child in the other family's cabin if cost is the main concern.

Another option is to sail on a ship with 5 person cabins.

He should just go online and do a mock booking to figure out the cost difference or speak with a cruise agent.

I believe the Paradise Beach confusion is because it costs $3 to enter Paradise Beach. If you want to use the water toys, it's $18 for a pass, or $21 total.

We only get the water pass for our kids.

Magnets did not work on Glory.

I've done a 4 day with my kids. It is a different crowd from a 7 day, but it wasn't anything too out of control. I think you'll be fine.