Pinache

Hi!

My husband and I are very frequent travelers.  For my parents' 70th birthdays, we are planning to take them to Amsterdam and a Norwegian cruise.  They are highly inexperienced travelers, however.   My mother is a pretty high anxiety traveler (this is her and my dad's life dream though), and has substantial mobility limitations, although is not in a wheelchair.   This means most walking will not appeal to her and is very challenging, stairs are very problematic, etc.  Excursion-wise we are looking for things she can do, as wellas are fine breaking off.

The more we can have things handled by the cruiseline, ensure transitions are smooth, and my parents (especially my mother) can be given as much information and support as possible the better.

We are looking at NCL the Haven because of their Butler service, or Viking.  Does anyone have opinions if either would meet their needs, general advice, or recommendation of other similar price point cruiselines that would be best suited for a lot of hand holding for mobility assistance and generally really not-savy travelers (we have traveled with them before, but are trying to get as much help as we can).

Thanks!

I'm just wanting more clarification on how people have fulfilled the requirement. I'm looking at an overnight cruise and wondering, did anyone do anything that wasn't just an excursion? Like go to the beach, a night club, etc.? Is it possible to do an excursion AND spend some time exploring on a US Passport?

If you've been to Cuba, I'd love to hear how it went and what you did. Thanks!

Hi!

I am interested in diving on Grand Turk but have heard some concerning things about Oasis divers, whom I believe are who Carnival goes through. Has anyone dove with them in the last few years? How was it?

Apart from them, has anyone done any diving with private companies? How was it? How was getting to/from the dive shop? I emailed Blue Water Divers and they may not be doing excursions next winter they said. I would be traveling January 2018.

Thank you!

Which dive shop does Carnival use?

What is the transportation to the shop and back look like?

I may email the excursion desk and just ask if I can get a couple of vests included with the gear that comes with the cabana.

 

I snorkeled in Cozumel because it was a wade-in area. I knew the vest would keep me afloat, but when you're a non-swimmer, it just is difficult to convince yourself that you'll be ok. I had let the tour group know and he was keeping an eye on me.

 

I'll be with a friend, DD & her new husband, so I won't be alone. There will be someone to help if I need it.

 

Someone also recently posted that if you walk ALL the way down the other direction, past the horseback riding area to the rocks that there is some very good snorkeling. But you're totally alone out there.

 

Thanks for the info.

Were you able to get lifejackets in your cabana?

I really want to do two dives. Which two ports would be best? Bf refuses to do the shark dive at Nassau, but reef or sting ray dives are ok. Most interested in dives not super deep (below 60ft) if possible.

Also, which port is best for snorkeling if not a diver?

Hi!

My family of 5 adults is looking at getting a cabana one day. Which port is the best value - location, money, amenities? Is it possible to go to the ship for lunch at any of these ports? Are there free options for chairs/shade at any of these?

Hi!

My family has decided to do a family cruise on the Carnival Conquest next January. There will be a total of 5 people, 2 cabins. My boyfriend firmly swears that he only wants to book through the cruiseline. We typically are DIYers for our travel and will research to the ends of the internet. My family will be joining us on this trip. While they need to be as frugal as possible, I am debating if its better to use a TA for them. The reason I'm considering this is supposedly a trip through a TA can be "smoother" as far as transfers from airport/hotel/cruise ship. For my family, this would give me a huge piece of mind, as I am effectively "in charge" of booking their trip.

Are there significant perks to the experience received by using a TA? Will it be cheaper for me to research transportation and hotels on my own, or book the flights on my own? Are there some things better to do on my own and some things better to do through a TA?

I have been recommended 2 different travel agents by friends. I've never used one, and never done a trip like this with my family.

Also, I recently learned about this "transfer your booking" to a TA concept. Can someone explain this? Is it a good idea? Does it cost money? Is it cost effective?

One other question - since travel agencies often have "perks": can you ask for them if they don't offer them first? What is reasonable to expect or ask for?

Thank you!!

My family and I would like to do a family cruise together. We live in different states and this would be our first time going to the Caribbean or cruising together (we have cruised separately). On the cruise would be my parents (60s), myself and my partner (30s), and my brother who is mentally handicapped but in his 20s (he has cruised Alaska before and loved it). Is there a particular cruise line/ship that would be more geared towards what we would be looking for? We don't need little kid entertainment or the young party club atmosphere either.

Thanks!