mikesyl27

Yes, they do. On some ships they have Lido Deck towel animal pool take over. 

I don't smoke but I cant believe how many people make such a big deal about smokers on cruises. I know it's a dirty habit but for crying out loud altready, get over it. Ships have designated smoking areas that can usually be easily avoided and just about every casino in America has smokers in it. I mean people act like they're going to go into cardiac arrest but just getting a whif of a Marlboro and go into convulsions. These people are more of a nuisance than the smokers and should, in my opinion, just stay home. People whining about the smokers, people whining about the drinkers, people whining aboiut kids, about this, about that ....... Just stay home as the cruise doesn't just belong to you .

People with COPD (asthma, emphysema or other lung illnesses) have just as much right to go out in this world and enjoy it, including cruises. Without the fear of rude people with a bad habit.

Besides who in their right mind would like to have not only smoke in their face or their germs as well.

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Thank you everyone!

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Good Evening Cruisers,

We decided to book our next cruise on the Carnival Magic in a Spa Cabin. Is there any benefit to booking spa services before the cruise vs on cruise day? Looking for the best bang for the buck and to see what other cruisers have done.

Call Carnival. Maybe they are moving another ship in to replace this one. Many of the ships are being rerouted at that time. Forget the TA and go straight to the source- Carnival. Many of their Associates know more than the TA.

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My husband did, they didn't even check the bottles. Recommend to carry on though.

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That would be sweet, for the 1st time we got a spa balcony in Oct.

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Go to cruisedeckplans.com they have all the detailed plans of all cruise ships plus photos and videos of cabins, public places from past cruisers. I now use this site to choose my cabin. It might help you decide.

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I came from Michigan and we called it pop. When I moved to Fl, I asked a friend for a pop. She looked at me funny and ask why would I want pot. After when I explained, she told me never call it pop cause it's to close to pot. So asking the wrong person you might just get pot. So I conformed, been calling it soda ever since.

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I would recommend a balcony cabin for the fact it probably give you more room plus you can go into the balcony during naps and bed time for quality time with hubby.

I would do your homework on the ports to see what you all can do. I wouldn't do to many land excursions.

Grab some cereal from the breakfast before leaving for port.

Bring some juice boxes for port as well.

Talk to your cruise rep if the ship has strollars and a pack and play.

Load up a tablet with their favorite movies. Bring their favorite books.

Lastly carry on all the children's things, meds, and change of clothing.

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On the last sea day they have a thing called the "Chocolate Extravaganza " on the Lido deck. Dont miss it and arrive early. Lines get long. Usually from 11-12.

Also there is a wonderful cooking demo in the Steakhouse that gives you samples.

Both are included in the price of your cruise. Look for them in your "Fun Times"

Enjoy your cruise!!

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Hey All

 

Anyone have some advice on the best price for getting from the Orlando Airport to Port Canavaral in Orlando and then back when we return to the airport?

 

Cause to rent a car for $350 to just sit there unused for 3 to 4 days seems useless.

By the way what Cruiseline? Because if it is Disney they have their own transportation for the Cruises.

Either way Enjoy your Cruise/ Disney trip.

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1. Viewing at the very front of the ship with a restaurant.

2. A deep Infinity pool on the aft with over the edge hot tubs and palm trees for enforced adults only.

3. Vista suites

4. Larger cabins that would sleep up to 10 people.

5. An Aquarium that is as tall as the atrium in the lobby with tropical fish.

6. A separate pool for kids and families only oppitsit of Serenity.

7. A total non smoking area in the casinos. Separated from the smoking with a clear glass wall waterfall.

8. Better shops that the everyday "Joe" can afford.

9. Different land excursions.

10. More visible security.

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We always respected what the crew and staff do on these ships, but now they have our upmost respect. Wow!!!

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Hello Cruisers!

 

We are recently off the Sunshine. We did an 8 day Eastern Caribbean and had a wonderful time! I'm going to give a very comprehensive trip report. I've written a small novel so if you like lots of detail I've got it for you. I have dozens of photos too.

 

I'll be honest right up front, there were a number of little issues, particularly service issues. If you are looking for a lot of Carnival cheerleading, you may be in the wrong place. I'm going to tell you the good and the bad. I'm just giving my honest opinion and you can take it or leave it. Your experience may be totally different.

 

In spite of small lapses here and there, I never let such things ruin my vacation. Stuff happens. No vacation is perfect. It's OK. We had a wonderful time and I hope that will also come through in my review.

 

So we started planning a vacation with some extended family members last fall. About 12 of us booked the Sunshine last October. We had looked for cruises out of either Port Canaveral or Tampa because that gave us many more options than the itineraires we can get out of our home port of Galveston; and because my niece and her husband, who were going to cruise with us, live in Tampa. We looked at all the available options on the cruise lines that sail from PortCanaveral and Tampa and settled on the Sunshine.

 

Unfortunately half of our group eventually backed out. We were bummed but that's what happens when you try to get lots of people to agree on anything I guess.

 

So it ended up being myself, my husband, our two adult children, my sister, and her husband. My sister and I booked balcony cabins next door to each other, and my kids selected a cheaper inside cabin right across the hall, all on deck six midship.

Very detailed and I learned a lot!

My husband a I have been on 8 Carnival Cruises and Sunshine this coming up March will be our 9th.

The info about the ship, food, what to do and ports was awesome. You put a lot of questions to bed for us.

We are definitely doing the Steakhouse and both other restaurants, specially during the night you didn't like the food.[emoji39]

Been looking forward to going on the Sunshine for some time now. Finally they had a week when I'm off.

We live in Florida and we know that you must use Sunscreen. But here is a little trick we discovered a while back for sunburns. Instead of using soap or body wash use Noxzema.

I dont take a trip without it. Orginally Noxzema was intended for sunburns but most people think it's just for a face wash.

Thanks again for your review.

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We have done 3 cruises on the Miracle. 2 of them were Vista suites. The first was on deck 6 starboard 6329 and our last was on deck 4 starboard 4237.

6329 balcony had a slight smaller balcony than 4237. The only problems on 6329 we found was the balcony would get dirty from the soot, but not much just makes the furniture dirty so put down towels. It had less vibration though. 4237 has a wider balcony, no problem with soot. The cabin vibrated a little more than 6329 but it wasn't a lot. I know you said your on deck 5 so I hope this answers your question.

Enjoy your cruise.

If you would like- both our cabin videos are on youtube.

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Dont see it as a problem. We both brought a bottle of wine with us 2 cruises ago. We placed them in the travel wine protectors. When going through they didn't even blink. My husband brand is not found in stores and can only be purchased in Northern California directly from the winery.

Here's an idea, create your own label. Easy to do on the computer. Chances are that they won't know all the wine names and brands there are is slim.

Just make sure you bring it on your carry on.

Enjoy your cruise.

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My husband, daughter, and I will be on the Carnival Sunshine in September. Our daughter will have just turned 3. We have a balcony room mid-ship on deck 7. I'm getting very excited about our trip!

 

I've never cruised on Carnival before, and never cruised with my husband or daughter before. I have a couple of questions about the sleeping arrangements. Our daughter is too old for a pack and play anymore (she won't stay in it, and I don't like her trying to climb out of it), so my plan is for her to sleep on the sofa bed in the room. I've only cruised in a room by myself or with 1 other person, but from pictures I've seen, it looks like they have sheets and can turn that into a bed pretty easily. (I'm not comfortable with her sleeping on a bed that pulls down from the ceiling at her age, and we don't typically sleep well with her in our bed because she squirms and kicks too much.) Is this what most people with kids in this age group do?

 

I've been reading about the option for once a day service, and that's new to me. If we select twice a day service, will they make the sofa bed back into a sofa during the day, but if we select once a day the sheets will stay out all day? Typically once a day would be fine with us, but I can see how having the sofa free during the day would be nice, especially given how little space the cruise ship rooms have.

Enjoy your cruise.

Comes with a sheet as well

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When. I read your beautiful story I cried for your loss. But then I rejoiced with your new found love. I hope you both find many more happy years to come.

Personally I would skip the decorations and have an arrangement of flowers or better roses with a bottle of champagne and chocolate covered strawberries. Bring some flameless candles.

My husband surprised me once by making an off cruise excursion "Dolphin Trainer for a day". It was 4 hrs long with lunch and is cheaper than what the dolphin experiences on cruise. There is only 4 people in your group and you spend 2 hrs with the dolphins. Don't know if you are in to that just putting it out there.

We were on the Miracle 2xs this year and it was our 3 time on her. Make sure you are located in a nice part of the MDR. Go there as soon as you board and find your table.

Lastly go to youtube and look up the Vista suites video, my husband made two of them, one on the 6th deck and the 4th deck.

Take a lot of pictures yourself and enjoy your cruise together, dont sweat the small stuff.

God Bless.

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hello there, my girlfriend and I are new to cruising and we have a 14 day Carnival Journey Cruise on the Breeze later on this year. With such a long time at sea, any tips or advice for such an incredible cruise? We are visiting Barbados and St John and Grenada and Antigua and St Lucia etc. This cruise seems to hit the most exotic ports! Very excited!

2. Use the space under your bed for your empty suitcases.

3. Arrive the day before your ship sails.

4. Plan your clothes ahead of time. See what you can mix and match.

5. Pack your pass ports, cruise documents, electronics, meds, toiletries and valuables in your carry ons. Also bring a change of clothes for dinner and bathing suits in the carry on. Even with Faster to the fun you might not see your luggage until after dinner.

6. Pre- pay the gratuities. Tip any crew member extra in cash that went out their way for you.

7. Smile at the crew and use their names. Tell them they are doing a great job. They love it. Remember they work 70 hrs a week without a day off, many are away from their families for 3 to 9 months at a time.

9. Sign up for the behind the ship tour the moment you get on the ship. Its extra $ but worth it.

10. Do the Chefs table. Its $75. pp. But it is worth it for a 7 course specifically prepared meals hosted by the ships head chef.

11. Dont miss the comedy shows.

12. Make sure you have a balcony. For that long of a cruise I would go crazy if I didn't have one.

13. Bring a highlighter, sticky note pad, sharpie, and envelopes.

14. Bring magnets. Very strong ones. (Available on Amazon). They are useful for everything.

15. Take lots of pictures!!!!![emoji16]

16. Have fun!

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We will be arriving at Long Beach the night before.

*So far you did the right thing arriving in Long Beach the nigh before. For the flight you might have some suckers for the take off and landing. The idea of packing a tablet with their favorite movies might help on the plane as well.

Should we bring strollers?

*Bring a stroller by all means. We took our 18 month old on our first cruise and she fell asleep after a full day of fun. Unfortunately we did not bring a stroller so between my husband and I we had to carry her. It was very uncomfortable for both her and us mainly because it was hot.

* if they are not potty trained try to get them to be before you sail. Water is the greatest way to get your kids to sleep for naps and bedtime.

*Talk to both children about the ship (even if they are young) show them pictures from the Carnival sight, Cruise Critic, or the web. Go to the library or book store to read (age appropriate) books on cruising or ships.

we are taking a 6pm Flight back home from Lax.

*My biggest advice to you is DONT arrive at LAX to early! It is the worst laid out airport ever!!!!! My husband and I arrived early after our cruise for our 6pm fight. When we got there we found out that we could not check in our luggage until 4 hrs prior to our fight. Then we had no where to go, place to see and no place to eat because all of that is after their TSA security check, plus our luggage would not fit through the TSA scanners. It was the longest day of our lives. I could not imagine doing this with 2 young ones. Instead rent a car for the day, find something to do nearby with the kids then arrive at the airport within the luggage drop off time. Believe me it's what I would do if we went again.

* Mostly just wing it, you know your kids better than anyone.

Enjoy and take plenty of pictures.

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I’m just wondering what most people do, bring ther soft drinks with them or pay the outrageous price of $10 for a 6 pack. Thoughts?

1. Even though we got FTTF we still have to lug the drinks on the ship. You can't place them in your luggage.

2. Getting the Bottomless Bubbles has become way to expensive. Started out at $25. pp now it's at $69. pp + tips every time we get it.

3. Now we get the soda from the Fun Shops. Ya $10.00 is a little steep but the benefits out way the price. We buy 1 case of water, 2-6 pack of soda 1 for him and one for me. It lasts the whole 7 day trip. Ya, it does cost us $24. but we have found it's better than paying $3.00 every time we want a soda from the bar or paying the large price for the BBS.

Hope this helps.

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Hi

Thinking about taking a Caribbean Cruise, in September, my 87 year old mum and 13 year old granddaughter may also be coming.

Any advice on what the sea will be like then i.e. calm or a bit choppy as my mum has sea sickness before and it's now putting her off.

Also not sure whether to have inside or balcony cabins, myself and partner always have a balcony but this is going to be costly with my mum and granddaughter, , who wants a cabin between them, so we are not looking at a family cabin.

we will be flying from the united kingdom , which of course adds to the expense.

Will the weather be hot ? as I enjoy the sun and relaxing by the pool.

 

Any advice etc greatly appreciated

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Hi

Thinking about taking a Caribbean Cruise, in September, my 87 year old mum and 13 year old granddaughter may also be coming.

Any advice on what the sea will be like then i.e. calm or a bit choppy as my mum has sea sickness before and it's now putting her off.

Also not sure whether to have inside or balcony cabins, myself and partner always have a balcony but this is going to be costly with my mum and granddaughter, , who wants a cabin between them, so we are not looking at a family cabin.

we will be flying from the united kingdom , which of course adds to the expense.

Will the weather be hot ? as I enjoy the sun and relaxing by the pool.

 

Any advice etc greatly appreciated

Hurricane season is slated June 1 through November 30th. But the peak season with the strongest storms are late August through early October. They might not just impact your cruise but your stay in Orlando.

My advice to you to cruise early November, early December or January. If you want to get the best prices that is what I would advise. Besides lower prices on hotels and Disney tickets (if that is what you are going to do) at those times. Besides it goes into our dry season.

The hotel you had chosen is a nice one straight shot to Epcot (WDW) with a lot of restaurants around. Sorry not in walking distance.

Epcot at that time will be having their Food and Wine Festival ( from August 30- Novemeber 15) and if you go in Early November or early December Disney decorates to the 9s for Christmas with their special holiday events.

Hope this helps.

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Cruises to the Caribbean in late June or early July are really going at a relatively cheap price. I take it that this is because of the risk of hurricanes. Or not? Would you book a cruise to the Caribbean in late June?

But there is always that weird one that pops up, like the Sub Tropical one we had in May. Never came to anything but a lot of rain. We had a weird winter this year as well, very dry and cold. That would mean the tropical waters are not warm enough to feed a hurricane yet.

We are going on a Western Caribbean Cruise at the end of June.

But I do have to agree with the others it is very hot and humid at this time of the year.

Hope this helps and puts your mind at ease.

Enjoy your cruise[emoji2]!

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