lovingCCL

I have been on 3 cruises (4th is in March). I have always booked online. During this time, I have had two upsell. The first was a call for our cruise on the Victory. I upgraded to a suite versus a regular balcony because it was my daughters' 18th birthday. I just received an email this week, upselling me to a balcony from an interior for $140.

I just got the up-sell email yesterday. My sister and I had an inside Lido cabin booked in March. We were able to upgrade to a balcony on the panorama deck for only $140 total. This made my day. I have always had a balcony in the past and was dreading the thought of not having one this sailing.

We were on the Victory last year. It was a good ship (the MDR staff and room steward were my favorites of all my cruises) but there was no steakhouse, Guy's Burgers or Blue Iguana. They do have steakhouse options on the menu for an additional cost in the MDR. Just know that this ship is fun (as I think all Carnival ships are) but a bit older without any 2.0 upgrades.

Thanks so much for the answers all. We decided to fly straight to Miami so this question is now moot. :)

So does Chakanaab have snorkeling equipment to rent or do you need to bring your own?

What is the best way to fly into Ft. Lauderdale and sail out of Miami? We will fly in the day before the embarcation. Is there a particular hotel where we can stay and get a shuttle the next day to port of Miami? I want a reasonable hotel that is very clean. Anyone have a suggestion on how to do this best?

We will be coming in a day early and have a rental car. I know the port is right by the airport. Can I drop off my Budget rental there and if so is there a shuttle to the port terminal?

Thanks so much!

Of these three beach resorts, which has the best beach? Does anyone know?

I just took my daughter's on a 5 day cruise in January. They LOVED it and were so sad to get off after 5 days. Definitely I would go with Liberty.

Does this beach have umbrellas available?

What are you looking for? What do you like to do? What parts of the world are you interested in?

 

Our favorites are the ports with the best snorkeling, because we are snorkelers. Key West was hands down the best for us in that regard. After that, in order of preference for snorkeling, were Nassau, St John, Belize, Aruba, Cozumel and Bonaire.

 

For local cultural/historical interest, our favorites were San Juan, Nassau, and the Panama Canal. For beachy relaxation, Roatan (Mahogany Bay) and Cozumel. We have sailed eastern, western, southern Caribbean itineraries, and Bahamas, and have not been to a "bad" port. We, too, have a long list of other parts of the world we want to sail to...

 

If you have a list of ports you want to visit, find a cruise you can afford at a time you can sail that calls at the greatest number of ports on your list, and go! Knock off as many as you can, and then do it again! What fun to have the world open to you!

 

And don't forget that sea days are a wonderful thing, too!

I am interested in the best beaches with the clearest water. In that regards, my fave so far is Half Moon Cay.

And you are def right...sea days rock! :-)

I think I have caught the cruising bug. I cruised this year on the Victory and go in Sep. on the Freedom. I have one booked for next year from San Juan on the Valor. That being said, when I go to schedule my next cruise, what port is a can't miss and why? I have so many ports that I want to go to currently so I would like to narrow my preferences. :)

I just got an OBC of $170 (that's almost $400 total now) for my Sep. 6th Freedom sailing. LOVE the early saver. :)

How thoughtful you are!! I think on embarkation day, have flowers delivered to the cabin, so she will have them all week to enjoy. Then, every nite have something special delivered to the cabin for before you go to dinner. Cake one nite, Champagne another, Chocolate covered strawberries, cheese plate, these are just some examples. I would give her a certificate for the spa, inside a nice card, but in the card, you need to write a LONG explanation of everything you love and appreciate about her. Maybe remind her of something funny that happened 40yrs ago, or even the day you got engaged. Tell her how beautiful she is to you. Women love that more than gifts.

 

Stef

I really like this idea. In the card I would have a list of 49 reasons why you are happy she is your wife such as why you love her, memories of her etc.

My sister is a bit addicted to spray tanning and asked me if the spa offered this service on board. I would assume no but just wanted to be sure for her.

I must say that I am now worried that I might have been a slammer on my previous cruises. I don't think I was but I honestly cannot swear to it because I wasn't aware this was a "thing". I definitely will be aware in the future. However, I do have an idea for someone who might not be comfortable writing a note or speaking to the offenders in person. Download a white noise app for your smart phone and have white noise playing beside your head all night (I have done this in hotel rooms where I had loud neighbors and it works great for me to drown out annoying sounds).

Would the price quoted here include visiting anything else such as Mountaintop or Drake's Seat? Thanks so much!

We got to the port around 12:30pm and were directed to the terminal to get our sail and sign cards and check in. It went very quickly and we were onboard by 1pm.

I am going on this cruise next November and I am confused. Do you board at the normal time as w/ any other cruise but just don't leave port until 10 p.m.?

I am booked on my 3rd cruise this September on the Freedom. I wanted to purchase a FTTF but they are all sold out. Will they release any more closer to the sailing? Also, if can't get FTTF what is the best time to get to the terminal in order to get on the ship the fastest? Thanks in advance for any info!