airlink diva

I know when they first started his program and close friend and I were sailing together and sharing a cabin. She wanted the cheers package, But I didn't. Was told we both had to purchase it since in the same cabin,she couldn't by herself. I don't drink enough or was attempting for the cost and she couldn't get the package.

I just booked a cruise for late this year and this is the first time I will do my time dining. Now I sailed solo on Carnival several times and so far never had a bad table. In fact still friends with one table group from a few years back.

But on this sailing, I'm doing the Chef's table one night and two nights in the steak house. I also know on my long tour day in Belize, I will do like I did before, just grab something out of the Lido and call it a night. So with those remaining three days, just going do my time and depending on my mood either eat alone or might join.

Thanks for the intel! Just booked the Dream for the December 2nd sailing!!

I will admit at one time during my travels, I never purchased or consider buying travel insurance. But when I took an extended trip in South America solo, I weight the pros and cons and decided to purchased. I didn't have to use it which was a blessing.

Ironic that today three years ago a close friend of mine was in Panama and the driver lost control of the mini van and they went off a cliff. Two people in the van died with the remaining having various sorts of injuries.

This is where travel insurance came into play. My friend was in the hospital in Panama for a period of time. When leaving had to stay in hotel for a day or two. She had insurance and from the hospital stay, having a translator, helping with the hotel (including the staff meeting her and looking after her), and 1001 other things that came up.

That small amount took care of a major issue while there were some with her with no insurance and luckly my travel group raised money to help.

A fall, food poisoning, car accident, in the blink of an eye that wonderful trip can become a nightmare.

Get travel insurance

I did a tour with Airboat Express in Mobile bay during 45th July week. The pricing is reasonable, the guides were excellent. I'm planning to do this again and suggest this to others who head to Mobile

This is just me, I found going to the Thermal Spa late afternoon early evening is a great time.

I would go around 4:15 p.m. and stay until around 7:15 p.m. 99% had the place to myself to relax and enjoy. Some of my fave moments was enjoying the spa area like it was my own private spa.

Thanks for the intel!

Hi everyone!

Got some first timers sailing end of April on the 5 day Triumph.

My friend's hubby is a beer drinker (which I am not) and I know seeing people with beer buckets. He drinks mainly Bud and if anyone off the ship recent can tell me how much is a bucket. How many in a bucket? Do they run specials?

Also if anyone have a scan 5 day Fun Times, would be helpful!

http://www.cruisemapper.com/wiki/719-carnival-cruise-alcohol-drink-prices

Thanks for the intel, helping a co worker on the pricing!

My parents want to enjoy the steakhouse and Japanese dining.

They are sailing on the June 28th Jewel.

Which nights are the best? They want to enjoy captain night in the dining room

My parents and nephew are sailing on June 28(?). I will check back for the scanned info later this week.

Any suggestions, will be helpful!

Hate to hear coming out of dry dock things were not so shiny!

No, you cannot pre-register for Splash Academy. Registration is held during embarkation prior to sail-away (although I am sure you can also go at a later time). Enjoy!

Thanks! They are not going to like this, but will let them know!

My parents are sailing on NCL this summer to Alaska with my nephew.

On Carnival they were able to pre-register for the children programs. Are they able to do so with kid's crew on NCL? Where is the option to do so? They are fully paid for and went on the site today and didn't locate it.

Please let me know if so and how to.

Been off of Cruise Critic for awhile and just came on.

So sorry to hear this. I had the pleasure of meeting Judy and her husband on a Maasdam sailing. Both were so warm and kind and greeted me like we been friends for years.

My prayers are with the family during this time.

Last year I spent 10 days in Peru. Five of those days were in Lima.

I used two different private tours and each were excellent and would book with both in a heartbeat and suggested them to others.

My first private tour was the Peruivan Local Friend Private Day Tours. I did the 8 hour walking tour. The husband and wife Sandra and Alonso were my guides. I wanted a true local vibe and they gave it to me. We spent the bulk of the time downtown enjoying the buildings, the local stores, a pisco sour, the markets and great lunch at a small eatry.

The following day I used Haku tours for a shanty town and cemetery tour with lunch.

The local marker where Edwin took me was great. The people were nice and proud of their items. The shanty town portion was an eye opener on how the majority of the people in Lima live. No worries about being harm. The people were nice and while they don't have much, the warmth was amazing.

We next went to lunch at a local place which was packed. The fish was fresh off the boat and so good. The chica was yummy.

The second part was the cemetery tour. This is a must if you can do it! One of Edwin other guides joined us since he was knowledgeable about the cemetery. I love the fact able to take photos without being rushed.

Both of these tours were reasonable price and every attention to details and my request were met. Both do tours with both people who fly in and with cruises.

You can't go wrong with either one!

What is interesting is how much cruising will cease to appeal to vacationers as they diminish what is offered.

 

The days of 'most' cruisers being on something of a liberal budget are gone.

When passengers need to worry about every dime they are spending including in order to eat, see a show, and most any entertainment, they may find cruising is no longer appealing in the way it is now. A large number of cruisers cruise today because it is the most affordable way to get to interesting places, have a vacation, enjoy sun and fun in the Caribbean.

 

Many who cruise could not dream of flying to one of the Caribbean islands, staying at a resort, paying resort fees, buying all meals, tipping even minimally, paying for every little thing. Cruising allow many more the ability to have a vacation they may soon not be able to enjoy if the trend continues in the direction many of us envision.

 

That could mean lots of empty cabins.

I so agree!

Last year I was looking at the option of sailing with HAL on a South American segment. Since I mainly go solo, I know the pricing is going to be slightly higher,but even with an inside cabin, I was priced out.

Instead, I was able to do 10 days in Peru at a more reasonable rate.

Would love to do another 14 day cruise on HAL, but once again, priced out and looking at either Peru (found a great round trip for under $400!) or Chile.

As for the case of al carte cruise, I sadly see this also happening. It will get to the point just paying for the cabin and port fees and anything else either a bundle package prior to sailing or offered once boarding. If you forgo this, having to swipe to dine at any dining, to the shows.

It should behttp://www.seattleexpress.com.

I know it's old,but the info is still current and helpful

Our first day there was Sunday... huge crowds!

Friday in Ollantaytambo, huge crowds! It was much better on Saturday. I would say that the mornings of any day are always better because it takes the daytrippers a while to get there.

I made sure to visit during a hump time before the summer. I went at a time suggested by someone who lived in Peru for a few years and they suggest going between rainy and summer which is the busy time

May I suggest late April, early May?

You are going during the fall, rainy season is over and fewer crowds.

Also from a friend who lived in Peru for a year, suggested going on a Sunday. Fewer people visit on that day during the fall.

I went April 28,2013 which was the last Sunday of the month.

It was amazing with great weather. I dressed in layers and didn't need my jacket.

Also there was fewer people and on many of my photos, near empty of people which made excellent photo ops.

Overall I had a great time and will visit again this time of year.

Now the only down side was during the rainy season earlier, part of the railway was covered with mud and instead of catching the train in Cusco, had to be bussed to the next stop.

Hope this helps!

I hope this works!

http://www2.snapfish.com/snapfish/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=11584919007/a=56332881_56332881/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/

Don't know why the photos won't come up,but click the link to view

I say the bar hop!

I was solo on the Cozumel bar hop. But I was in the mind set of having fun regardless!

There was about 20 of us with a hostess and driver.

By the third stop, most of us were enjoying ourselves and sat at either at large tables,the bar or tables group together. The group that I was with was welcoming and we had a blast.

By the last stop, everyone was very happy :D:D!

I have to warn you that the Playa Bonita drink was STRONG :D!

But besides the drinking, we had a great time. At the first bar, the beach is where turtles were hatching and we all got a chance to assist the newborns into the water. At another stop, a man made all the ladies grasshoppers that were so cute. The shrimp at the Rasta bar was great and the nachos at Playa Bonita was huge and fed quite a few of us.

It was great for photo ops because the crowds are not as large on this side of the island.

Overall, I would do it again in a heartbeat. We had two couple who didn't drink and they had a great time.

The only downside of it Carnival didn't make any more money off of me from my fave drinks because that was enough with the hop.

I spent under $50, not including tips. Each bar had specials on some drinks and I brought two drinks at two of the bars and enjoyed the shots at the others. I also purchased food at one bar and gave some money to the guy who brought the table nachos.

If I can, I will post the photos for you. But I don't have photobucket and see if I can another way.

So glad that your day on Easter Island was a good one. I recall last year the horrid conditions of the tendering.

Also I made note of several of the places you visited to place on my to do list.

I know last year when visiting Pitcarin that it was limited due to illness(?) by the people living there and none came onboard. I hope this time the visit is alot better.

Enjoying the trip!

Enjoying the trip so far and can't wait for more!

I was on the Westerdam a few years back when the ship was turned around to help a sinking yacht. The yacht was over 60% in the water when arriving. The HAL crew got the three men off in time because when returning back to the ship, the yacht was 90% covered.

Hate to hear that a crew member was robbed in Callao district. When I visited Lima last year, told to either sit on my purse or place it on the floor under my legs while traveling through this area. While I visited many parts of Lima, this was one area did not.

I can't wait for your Easter Island segment because I'm looking at visiting in either 2015 or 2016.

I so understand how you are feeling!

That happen to me this summer on my last cruise.

I never received a call before and the one time I didn't have the phone on, the call came.

I tried calling the person back right away and went straight to voicemail. By the time he got back to me, too late.

Been on several Carnival cruises and this was the first time.

I've been checking every few days because I knew it was that time of the year for Bill and Mary Ann world cruise!

So many of us enjoy the wonderful reports you write.

I want to thank you because this is something that's done out of the kindness of your heart!

I hope one of these days can take such a wonderful trip. Until then, I will sail along with you!

Thanks!