Sue Goodreds

2 hours ago, vandercapellen said:

Does FTTF help you getting on the tender to get back to the ship or just to the island?

Just to the island.  You have to wait in line like everyone else to get back to the ship.

Hi all.  We've been to Grand Turk numerous times and loved Jack's Shack.  It was too overly-crowded the past two times so we're looking to possibly branch out to somewhere else.  Does anyone have a recommendation for a place similar to Jack's?  Good food, good drinks, beachfront with beach chairs?  We prefer to frequent the locals and not chains like Margaritaville.  Any suggestions would be much appreciated.  And even more so if you could recommend taking a taxi there, or better to rent a golf cart (which we did do once before) or any tips/tricks you feel might be helpful.  Thanks so much!

Has anyone done this excursion through Carnival?  If so, what did you think of it?  There are a few different beach excursions - this one is about 20 minutes from the port and it is owned by Carnival and only cruise guests can go there.  It sounds like you spend 4 hours at the beach but there aren't many pictures.  If you went, how was the beach, the buffet, the drinks, etc.  All experiences and opinions appreciated ... Thank you!

IMO, the "Pork Pit" just down the street from the Hip Strip has the BEST jerk chicken I have ever had - and I've tried it lots of places.

Almost makes me want to cancel my March cruise.

3 hours ago, bobbismith said:

Is there another vendor to buy them from? I sail in a week and need wifi and water.

TIA, Bobbi

Allstate Rewards also sells Carnival gift cards with a 10% discount.  You do not have to have Allstate insurance but you do need to download their Drivewise app.

On 8/21/2022 at 2:44 PM, crewsweeper said:

Beached Whale.  Food and drink.  Same owners as Margaritaville franchise.  Just quieter.

Thanks crewsweeper ... good to know.  Used to love Jack's but last time it was crazy crowded.  Is Beached Whale ON the beach?  Do they have chairs available?

On 9/19/2022 at 11:24 AM, FlaMommy75 said:

I am a teacher in the Tampa area and my daughter attends a Florida University and our Spring Break is the week before your cruise. You should be fine. The week before your cruise tends to be the peak Spring Break week.

Personally, my husband and I have always enjoyed cruising Spring Break. Better chance of the Lido deck and pools being quiet in the mornings because the college kids are sleeping and we have early dining (when college kids are napping)🤣

Tampa area here, too ... Pinellas County.  Thank you for all you do for the next generation.  I understand how difficult your job can be - my daughter was a teacher

Thank you all for your replies - Much appreciated!

5 hours ago, kctwinmommy said:

 

OMG! Yes! We had been planning on driving to FL for our cruise this past April. The airfare for the 3 of us was going to be more than our entire cruise. I kept checking though, and eventually got a decent price so we were able to fly down there.

 

As far as the OP's concerns, this was our first time cruising over spring break, we've almost always done early/mid-November. The ship was pretty busy, especially around the pool on sea days, but that's always an issue. A lot of the tours were pretty full, although we never felt cramped or pushed through anything. We had a great time. I can't really think of any major complaints that we had. There were quite a few kids, not many older ones though (we went the week before Easter). Keep in mind, as others have said, spring break varies from area to area, so some have it early March, and others later in April, so you're talking almost a good 2 months with the potential of spring breakers being on your ship.

 

I say just keep it, if it's what you want and it works for you, and don't worry. Let's be real, you never know exactly what you're going to get no matter when your cruise. So just go with the flow! 😃

We usually cruise November (and January) as well.  We missed both of our "normal" cruises this past year because of my work schedule.  March was the earliest I could take off work.  We're going through cruise withdrawal.  We'll just make the best of it.  🙂

12 hours ago, kwokpot said:

What week, what ship?

Magic out of Port Canaveral, March 19, 2023

My husband and I just booked a cruise - not realizing it's Spring break.  Any opinions on how that week on a ship varies from other weeks?  We've never cruised Spring Break before.

I do not have a cruise booked at this time, 😞  so I am not able to see the actual current cost of the Cheers package.  I've searched it on Carnival's website and see two different prices ... $59.95+ and $119.00+.  That's a big difference.  Does anyone know current pricing, please?

We have a lot of OBC and are looking at "Discover Roatan - Monkeys, Sloths & Macaws" in Mahogany Bay ... and "Sharks, Rays, Barrier Reef Snorkel & Island Escape" in Belize.  Has anyone here done either?  What are your thoughts on them?  If not those, what would be your Carnival excursion suggestion for those ports?  (We do have one with bad knee/hip so no zip-lining, no cave tubing and no Ruins, please.)  Thank you for your suggestions!

My husband and I have a cruise scheduled with Carnival 1/16/21 with lots of OBC from a cancelled cruise.  We were hoping for a great all-inclusive beach day excursion (thru Carnival due to the OBC) but do not see one.  What are your thoughts on Geoff's Caye snorkeling or Rendevouz Caye snorkeling if you have been to either?  We are both a bit older with knee/hip issues so it's difficult for us to get back on a boat if there is no ladder.  Any thoughts/comments will be greatly appreciated!

On 11/18/2021 at 12:27 AM, BamaMomRollTide said:

 

How did you sign up for Casino Club?  Can you share the website or webpage?

I went to this website ... https://www.carnival.com/registration/promotions/casino    But according to the posts above, you just need to insert your card into the machines or present it at the table before playing.

34 minutes ago, Gillybob said:

The obvious question for me - are you all based in North America?  I'm a Brit and just don't get casino offer emails at all - even though I can spend hours at the craps table on cruises.  Am I missing a setting in my account?  Or is it because I'm not north America based?

Did you sign up for Carnival Players Club?

Thanks everyone for all your great answers.  I did sign up to join the Casino Club.  I leave Sunday on a cruise out of Tampa and definitely plan to drop some money to see if it gets me any offers.  Thank you again!

I keep hearing about all of the amazing Casino Rates offered through Carnival Casino Club.  On average, how much do you plan to spend per day on a ship?  Do you get better offers if you play tables vs. slots?  Any advice is welcome!

12 hours ago, Roscoe13 said:

I'll be cruising Pride from Tampa on 11/21/21 - I did not receive an email like the one above.  Is there anywhere to go directly on Carnival's website without having a link to click?  I've been looking but have not been able to find anywhere to schedule a test.

I sail 11/21/21 and I did not receive an email like that.  ???

I'll be sailing on Pride on 1/16 and haven't heard any updates yet.  I am sailing the identical itinerary 11/21 and that was changed to Costa Maya.

On 10/29/2021 at 11:11 AM, IntrepidFromDC said:

According to the bartenders at Alchemy, sports bar and casino bar,  no VX on the ship. I did see at least 5 varieties of Grey Goose though. 

THANK YOU!!!   I was hoping the answer would be different but I really appreciate you taking the time to get the answer.  Thank you so much!

14 hours ago, CarelessAndConfused said:

 

I prepay just about everything, even well over a year in advance.  I'm an extremely rational and logical person who thinks it very illogical to do so but the goblins in my head won't let me rest otherwise.

LOL   I am very much the same .... but ... I have to let the goblins run crazy for these 2 cruises because of so much OBC.

I am really enjoying your posts - thanks for taking the time to do it!  Would you know, or could you find out if Grey Goose VX Vodka is available at any of the bars on the Pride.  I know pre-covid I was able to get it at the Casino bar on other ships ... someone else had mentioned perhaps Alchemy.  I will be on Pride in 24 days (woohooo!) and am just curious.  I hope you thoroughly enjoy the rest of your cruise!  🙂