jackparts

I am also cruising on the Fascination but over Thanksgiving. I have been to most of the ports before and really enjoyed them. As for the ship being small, it is. Being off the ship at 8 am, back on b4 5pm, after dinner leave not a lot of time . Sea day is a way to just relax and watch the world go by. Shows and casino and it's Midnite. I have been on large ships and for some reason felt rushed. Possibly the long lines to do things on deck are what helped to feel that way.

I think I did not make myself clear. I always look for an excursion or guide that I can prepay way with Paypal ahead of time. We plan around the recommendations of same that have been recommended by other cruisers, Trip Advisor or comments on these boards. This cruise, I have set ups with Bernards in St. Marteens and Fun Tours in St. Thomas so far. In St. Lucia, since it is Thanksgiving, we were looking for a nice quiet beach that we can just relax, eat some lunch and sodas and not worry. That is why I thought a vendor would appreciate payment early, run a tab, and when we get near the dollars paid, let me know so I can decide if we want to stay or go back to the ship. In the states, it is common to set up a tab this way( not usually in advance) and makes it easier. For 11, I would have sent to a reliable vendor, $400 so I do apologize if this is unusual for St. Kitts.

My wife insists that going to Europe or the Caribbean now needs a Visa. She saw this on Facebook so it must be true. Please, weigh in show I can show her not to worry.

Castro1n3; We, party of 11, will be visiting your island on November 23rd, Thanksgiving day via Carnival Fascination. Since the cruise has five ports, I hate to carry much cash for ports and casino. Credit card costs 3% extra and 8 years ago, found problems after we arrived home. I was wondering if there would be any vendors at the beach where I could prepay via Paypal , monies that could be used to pay for meal drinks etc? They would have their money in hand 7 months in advance. I realize this is a little odd but makes it easier for me to sit back and relax, not having to worry about money at the end of the day.

Our grandson loves arcades. Since it is something that he really enjoys, we allowed it. Bad idea. As for the $75 limit, did not find that to be true three years ago on Carnival. NCL does definitely not have a limit as our bill proves that the last two years in a row. Grandson loves arcades and we now take his card away after 4pm. Hope that the limit now is $75 per day, will save a lot of money this year and he won't be mad at me.

OP mentions that you won't be served if you are 30 minutes late in the MDR. ABSOLUTELY CORRECT!! Years ago, we sat at a large table with strangers. One couple came in 20 minutes late the first nite. They had to be given time to look over the menu. We waited. Next night, 15 minutes. I explained to them that it kept all of us longer and to please be on time. Next night, 15 minutes late and this time the waiter took our orders right away and we had our food half eaten and the waiter winked at us as he just started to serve the late comers. I do agree it takes time to get everyone seated and sometimes a little late is unavoidable but since the MDR meals are usually 90 minutes long. I agree that if you are not seated in 30 minutes, you are too late. Use the buffet.

Just a hint, nothing snarky, the all inclusive price was pretty good and our server(?) really kept us supplied with soda and lots and I do mean lots of food. Since we arrived early and were there a long time, we really made out well.

Cowboy steak somehow has more flavor then the boneless ribeye. The cowboy steak is usually a little heavier, thicker, than the standard cut of ribeye without the bone.

I thought that when your charges reached $500, they charged your credit card, not at the end of cruise? Has this changed?

I HAVEto use my phone for work while on vacation, only way I can afford to cruise. With this app, I would have to carry my phone at all times to communicate with others on the ship. Not gonna happen, need something of a vacation.

Yes I would, but only after I pay a dollar for a sheet of toilet paper.

I cannot find them locally, bought some off Ebay but found that if not used or redeemed within 30? days, some of the sellers turned into thieves and used the numbers to reserve a cruise for themselves. Waited til they had enough $$ from people like me and cancelled their cruise. The money was then put back onto the cards and then were ok to use and the seller resold them again. I did buy some on this board from people that cancelled their cruise and knew I buy gift cards. Did not save much $$ but found new friends here that I still email

I agree. Kiosks sometimes for a whole cruise do not work. Carnival does get good marks from me for Guest Services, unlike NCL which rates the lowest for me.

What are you wanting to do on this excursion? If you are looking for a beach with food and all alcohol and sodas, its hard to beat the pricing and a great time at Costa Maya, my favorite excursion arranged privately with them. Limited people so you never seem crowded and they do their best so everyone has a great time.

We too will be staying at that Marriott. Can you tell us how the breakfast or dinner was? Buffet or standard? Pricey?

sold, contact me ptsmgr1@aol.com

As a gift card junkie, I always pay for my cruise with gift cards via my TA. Once on board, I take cards to guest services as soon as there is no line. Also, you can add them by using the kiosk if the ship has any. I heard that Carnival has a limit of $500 per room. Also, do it fast as cruise lines charge your credit card as soon as the charges reach a certain point, I believe it's $500 per credit card

Seems like I always have to ask at least twice for more than the two slices I get handed. Do not know how I would act getting 4-5 slices at a time. NCL always has it self serve and I DO NOT LET IT GO TO WASTE!

I want to add gift cards to my OBC after I board. I know some of the older ships do not have this available and I have to use Guest Services. Anyone know if Fascination has the kiosks?

Krogers ahve many other brands like Turkey Hill. Wonder if TK would be involved?

I assume that smoothies are not part of the deal but my grandkids love the non alcohol soda drinks like Shirley Temple and some other cherry coke drink I can't remember. Free or extra or not available?

Passports all the way. If you may miss the ship at the last port, you cannot get back in the states without one. If you injure yourself off the ship and the ship leaves, cannot get back into the states. Yes eventually you can, but it is a lot of time and trouble.

As I have been away from Carnival for a while, Formal nite means no tee's and or jeans at MDR and you will be turned away if showing up this way and lobster is one and done or are seconds available?

Sounds like you are also doing Cozumel and Belize. I would skip either of those and do Costa Maya and Roatan. In Costa Maya we always do Maya Chan. We planned two cruise just to go there. Easy on the $$ and they treat you like family. Roatan Trips and Tours was new for us and we had a blast. They set up our day based upon what we thought we would like and offered suggestions. Fantastic tour guides!!

Anyone know which Marriott is closest to the pier or the airport?