kruisinkris

15 hours ago, splash_in_the_water said:

Imagine the convo in the baord room:

 

boss person: "So, have any of you thought  put  in any thought this weekend about ways to make more money?"

 

underling: "yes. So you know how we have that free room service, well, til 10 anyway?"

 

bp: "yes, the customers love it, one of the many reasons they keep coming back....you're not thinking what I think you're thinking are you?"

 

u: *grins* "precisely"

 

bp: "well now, we can't just go  charging for everything now can we, what about the people?"

 

u: "well, we could...hasn't stopped us yet"

 

 

 

Very good. Very clever writing. Made me laugh. Thanks.

2 hours ago, mjonis said:

I swear I had saved a post on a certain social  network site for this, but I may have imagined it and saw it here instead, but can't seem to find it via the search function (my search-fu may be old and rusty).

 

Not new to cruising, but first time on Vista, in a Havana Cabana.

 

What are any "secrets" or tips I should know about?

 

I vaguely recall something about the 2nd buffet line in the Lido deck and to not forget about JiJi's or something for lunch (?)

We'll be on the Jan 26th sailing if that helps any.

 

Thanks!

 

 We cruised on the Vista a year ago (January), so some things may have changed, but this is what I remember (good & bad).

Good: 

I personally liked the multiplex with the IMAX screen movies on one side and "rides" on the other side. They were only about $5 each. 

I liked Guy's Pig & Anchor BBQ  Smokehouse & the Red Frog Pub and Brewery both on deck 5.

 

I liked the fake palm trees in the Lido Marketplace (buffet)

 

Bad:

I did not like the "Seafood Shack" on the Lido deck. I was excited for fish & chips--even with a charge, but they were nasty.

 

I did not like the location of our cabin (6279..balcony, starboard side, by the multiplex). When I booked I was happy to see that there were only cabins above me, and only the "Fun Shops" below (no noise).  I thought I would have to deal with noise from the multiplex (and was prepared for it), but heard nothing from them. HOWEVER,  the Atrium (decks 4/5) magnified noise. It wasn't too bad on most nights, because they had a couple of violinists. BUT 2 nights had a DJ who played music with a STRONG BEAT....think BAM, BAM, BAM …. as loud as possible..... late into the night (early morning) It was so loud that I could hear it (and feel it) in my cabin down the hall up on deck 6. I got up, got dressed to investigate where in the h-ll it was coming from and there it was. Augh!

Also often when I went to use my balcony, I got a strong, nauseating smell of smoke so it was useless. They have a "bump out" on deck 5 on the starboard side that is one of the places smokers could go to. 

 

I also did not like how many people were on the cruise. With about 4k, it seemed really crowded (especially around the pools) and like there were lines everywhere.

 

Being that you are in a Havana Cabana, you shouldn't have the issues I did (different location & you have a nice pool, with a couple of hot tubs, that a limited amount of people will be using during the day).

 

So I think you will really enjoy your cruise.

 

This is EXTREMELY disappointing for me. One of the things I've loved about cruising is the room service, especially now that they don't allow smoking on balconies so we're booking more balconies. We'd come back from shore, my DH would head up to the buffet (yuck...I hate buffets), while I would order a BLT and a couple of juices from room service and relax on our balcony. (AHHHHH). 

Remember the mother on "A Christmas Story" where her son said she hadn't eaten a hot meal in 10 years? Well, that's a little extreme, but being a wife and mother and essentially being the one doing stuff for everyone, cruising is the one place where I can REALLY relax because of hot tubs, not having to clean/make beds ….. and …. ROOM SERVICE!!!!

 

Oh, well. I might still use room service even though a charge for it will sorely rankle my thrifty soul. But if I'm paying for it, tips will be smaller. 

 

I just thought of a plus to their new, stupid, misguided policy. Why book and pay for a balcony if I'm having to bring food down from the buffet or pay extra to enjoy it on the balcony. Maybe I'll just go back to getting an outside (window) cabin …. or even an INSIDE cabin.  How do you like THAT, Carnival??!!! (I know. They don't care. I was just venting.)

Back from our cruise. We loved the Barcelo Occidental Grand so much that my DH wants to investigate staying there.

When I did my research for Aruba day passes, I saw one for $130 pp for the RIU (through "resort for a day" and the one for the Barcelo for $84.99 pp (said was a discount from regular $99 price) through ShoreExcursioneer.. I also checked out the website for "Caribbean Day Pass" but thought the website looked a little sketchy. Well, if I had read through the review my dear friend Jamman54 posted about our Feb 2017 cruise on the Pride closer to this (11/2018) cruise date, I would have noticed that they booked through Caribbean day pass dot com & would have gotten a better rate for my group. Oh, well. Here is the link to his review (it talks about Aruba & the resort, etc starting on post #556 (pg 14/15): 

 His wife Patti takes awesome pictures. The resort was just like they show in the pictures.  There were only 2 negatives for me:

1) the taxis aren't allowed to take more than 5 people at a time & we had a group of 6. 2) It appears a lot of the palapas on the beach are reserved for certain people staying at the resort & the large palapa Jeff shows in his review didn't have enough chairs available for 6 when we got there. So if your ship arrives early, get off the ship and get over there quick. If your ship arrives a little later, be aware you might not get a lot of shade. There was shade from a building when we got there but it only stayed around a couple of hours.

Positives: 1) The beach & sea were fantastic! 2) The people working there were very helpful. 3) They have 2 very clean restrooms with easy accessibility from the beach or the pool. 3) The pool itself was wonderful! 4) While I can get a little "off put" by buffets, their breakfast buffet & their lunch buffet were both amazing! The choices were great, hot foods stayed hot, cold foods stayed cold & they kept things covered that needed to be covered.

 

Hope this is helpful.

On ‎10‎/‎18‎/‎2018 at 2:12 PM, Nashna said:

We are in Aruba on a HAL cruise for one day in January, 2019.  We are looking to spend the day relaxing on a nice resort beach.  We would enjoy having a pool and a decent restaurant.  Which one do you recommend? 

 

We're going on our cruise in 2 weeks. Aruba is one of the stops. We've currently reserved a day pass for the Barcelo Occidental Grand. I'll post how it was when we get back (about a month from now). Since your cruise isn't until January, you'll still have plenty of time to book it or something else.

Kris

Hello,

 

I am an editor here at Cruise Critic and I will be heading out a month from today to St. Maarten/Martin -- in addition to Puerto Rico, St. Thomas and St. John -- to report on how the cruise ports are doing nearly one year after Hurricanes Maria and Irma hit. I am only in each port for about three days, but would love to hear comments, questions and suggestions about your favorite shore excursions, restaurants or other special places you've come to discover on a cruise in these destinations. Look forward to reporting back.

 

Thank you!

 

I would love to find out how Little Divi Bay and Pinel Island are doing. They are my two favorite places in St Maartin. When we stopped in St Maartin while on our January cruise, it seemed that Sunset Beach in Maho was just fine......but my two favorite places were still having repairs. If you have time, please report if Little Divi Bay still has the soft sand going gradually into the ocean that they did last year before storm.

 

Thank you. :)

 

Kris

Thanks for answering my food questions. Maybe you really enjoy writing these reviews, but it's a lot of work. Do you have any idea how generous you appear by giving all your time and energy posting so that people like me can learn a thing or two, or twenty, and get a serious vicarious thrill on the Pride months before actually cruising? You and Patti are terrifically warm, generous people. Thank you.

 

Wait till you meet them in person! They are both, truly, "salt of the earth" type people..... and they like doing a lot of the things we like to do! :D

Thanks again, Jeff, to you for posting, and to Patti for taking the pictures so I could relive that wonderful cruise. And thank you for being such a fun couple. You helped to make my cruise a terrific one! ...... I'm soooo happy! :halo:

Kris

Me too...one day one day,,,,

 

Yep. They ARE! :D

Jeff, please tell Patti how impressed I am with her Panama Canal Pictures. It was like I was going through the Canal again. Her pictures are so much better than the ones I took.

I also wanted to comment about brunch during rough seas. On one of those "rough sea days" after the Canal (don't remember which one) we were just finishing up brunch when a couple of waves hit so hard that the glassware and plates on the table started sliding toward the window....fast. Luckily, one of our temporary table mates was sitting right by the window & stuck out his arm faster than the dishes and stopped them before they flew off the table.

Your friend, Krazy Kris

Jeff,

I've LOVED your review so far. I'm posting my "mini review" that I posted on our roll call as you requested. I hope you still don't mind. I know it's been a couple of days since the request, but we were out of town visiting family and their computer was weird, so I couldn't get into CC.

Thanks again to you and Patti for being new friends of ours, and I hope we see you both again soon.....and not just on a cruise. :)

Kris

I had a GREAT cruise. I love cruising because my DH doesn't make me glued to his hip, so I can flit here and there, and dance and be a little crazy while he just relaxes. It was also great having dinner with my in-laws each evening and catching up on what we did.

I LOVE the Spirit Class ships. I fell in love with their layout when I cruised on the Carnival Spirit back in 2008. It was reaffirmed when I cruised on the Carnival Legend in 2013 and again on this repo/canal cruise on the Pride. My next cruise will be on the sister ship the Carnival Miracle later this year and I've already booked a journey cruise again on the Pride (not thrilled about cruising out of Baltimore, but thrilled about being on the Pride again).

I LOVED the itinerary. First time going through the Panama Canal locks, and first time in Limon and Bonaire. I like Aruba and LOVE Cozumel and St Marteen.

Staff on the ship were great, food was great (as usual), the CD was very visible, energetic and approachable, and while evening entertainment wasn't always perfect, there was a lot going on during the day.

What really helps to make a cruise extra special for me, though, are the people I meet. So here's some thanks: Thanks to Ginger, our OP, who organized a special rate for us at the Bay Harbor Hotel, who kept the roll call up to date, and who contacted a shuttle company to get all of us to the port and organized at least one port excursion. That's a lot of work and she's not a travel agent or someone who got any financial rewards from arranging all of this....and she even had some health issues during the cruise. It was great meeting you, you are a truly lovely lady inside and out and I hope you're feeling better.

Thanks to everyone who recommended the Best Western (very nice hotel) and the Timbuktu restaurant in Baltimore. The crab cakes at the Timbuktu were awesome!

Thanks to Brenda, who gave up her intimate 10 person tour in Limon, and instead had about 35 people she was keeping track of, and who got more than she was looking for when my dear, never been sea sick before husband, got deathly sea sick fishing in Aruba. We're taking patches, etc, etc on our next cruise "just in case" and no more small boats for him (unless the sea is "glass")

Thanks to Vicky and Chris who organized the slot pulls and LCR on board. I had a blast and was "soo happy". (pronounced "sew happy", like on "Robin Hood, Men in Tights".)

It was so great meeting and hanging around with our new friends Patti and Jeff.

It was wonderful meeting Al and Linda, Julie and Edith, Norma and sisters Teresa and Paula, Brenda and Bill, Lisa and Dennie, Dave and Erin, Crystal and Charley, Shella and Butch Kevin and Penny, Jerry (ie: Manuel) and Linda, Tina and Donna, Barb and Diane, Tracy and Bob.... and geeze, I think I'm forgetting some people...must be "sometimers", oh! wish I could have spent more time with Angie and John. I was quite a shock to get acquainted with Patrick, only to find out he lives in the same town we do, and Angie is who spearheads their cruises. I also don't know if Jean, Sally, Kenny & Joseph are on CC, but I sure liked all of you. If I missed anyone, I'm sorry. I ended up forgetting a few names.

It sure was nice to have others around who liked LCR, cards, dancing, and just having fun.

BTW, I really WAS hypnotized. I've been hypnotized before (and didn't like it), so was a little apprehensive and only went on stage because my DBIL & DSIL kind of pushed, but this time it was a very pleasant experience.

Kris

[FONT="Arial Black"]I'm putting in my "2 cents worth", too.

We sailed on the Sunshine in Nov of 2014 for the ports it visited. I have to admit, I wasn't super thrilled about the ship itself ([SIZE="3"]before we got on).[/SIZE]

And there were some things I still didn't care for: 1) Only 3 hot tubs (which were always crowded) and the 2 pools, especially the Serenity pool were very small. I normally like to use the pools and hot tubs, but didn't do that much this cruise, because of how small and crowded they were. In fact the whole area around the pool felt crowded and it really bottle necked where Guy's burgers and the Cantina area were.

And, yes, the location for the comedy club was weird and small (so we didn't see any comedians this trip)

And I wasn't too crazy about lining up to get a reservation/ticket/pager for YTD.

BUT

There were some GOOD things, too....dare I say GREAT things!

The line for YTD was by the Taste Bar, the Alchemy Bar, the Ocean Plaza and close by the Red Frog Pub. They'd tell us about how long the dinner wait was, we'd get a snack from the Taste Bar, and then enjoy the entertainment in Ocean Plaza and the Red Frog Pub. I LOVED the Red Frog Pub and wished we'd have spent more time there.

I also loved sitting back in the Havana Bar area.

So while I didn't do some of the things I'd normally expect I would be doing on a cruise, I did different things, and it was still AWESOME!
[SIZE="4"]
And, go figure, I'd like to sail on her again....just for the Red Frog Pub location and the Havana Bar.[/SIZE]
As many have already posted here, A CRUISE IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT!!![/FONT]

Do you remember how much the umbrellas were?

 

And what times the tour was offered?

 

thanks

I have decided to go on my first solo cruise next year for Spring Break or the week before Easter. My hubby and I (both teachers) have breaks on different weeks this next year so I am going to go on my own. I actually have a split break so I can choose either of these time frames.

 

My question is.... which ship?? I really don't care what the itinerary is because for the most part I have been to all of the places that Carnival stops. I am not a big drinker (except for a few frozen concoctions) but would love good food choices, lots of down time to tan and read, love the Dive In movie, and am very social :D. What is your FAVORITE ship and WHY??? I have been contemplating a solo for a few years and CAN NOT WAIT FOR THIS ADVENTURE!!!!!

 

My favorite ships are the Spirit class ships. I loved both the Spirit and the Legend and am scheduled on the Pride next year.

I haven't ever done a solo cruise, but if I was, I'd look at the roll calls. Since you are very social, it would give you an idea of what the other cruisers you'd be with are like. For example: One of my favorite Carnival cruises was on the Legend a couple of years ago. CruisinpsychRN was on that cruise & she was fun. It was a really fun cruise partly because of the people.

Just my 2 cents... or 2 nickels... or... maybe (because of inflation) Quarters!

I normally think of snow as a 4 letter word but THAT LOOKED REALLY COOL! Thanks for posting the U-Tube. Looked really fun.

Was wondering what the beach situation is. If you have pictures could you post them. We go next week and I was looking so forward to relaxing on the beach this day and lately have been told of muddy waters and seagrass.

__________________I have also posted this in the ports section, there just is not much activity

 

Sorry. Haven't been there recently either. But I hope my response still helps.

We were there in 2013 and again last Nov 2014. Also went to the Tropicante. Loungers were free (w/small food purchase), they had shade & sun. Food/Drinks were reasonably priced, good, and I didn't get sick.

When we were there in 2013 the water was a little "muddy" looking & there was some sea grass. So I went in the water for just a little ways & not for long. HOWEVER, we had such a nice, relaxing time there that we deliberately booked a cruise going to Costa Maya last year just so we could go back. This last time the water was crystal clear.

What I'm trying to say is it can still be an enjoyable beach time either way (& if you don't like it, it's only $2 or $3 taxi ride each way, and they have that free swimming pool at the port).

One last thing: I noticed in your signature that it looks like you'll be going to Cozumel, too. We LOVED the soft, raked sand at Paradise Beach. I think it's now $3 to get in. No extra charge for lounges, shade, and food & drink prices also reasonable. It makes a great beach day.

I just started reading your review & it's already brought back some fond memories.

We were on the Sunshine last November (2014) and also had a spa cabin! It was up on deck 12 and on the port side, however. I loved the location except only 2 elevators went up to our deck, but that just meant a little more exercise, which isn't bad, and the inside of the cabin seemed a little shabby. But I'd book another one in a heartbeat (if I could get a good price). Don't you love how they have the lounge chair in addition to the 2 regular chairs on your balcony?

Anyway, thanks for the great pics! I feel like I'm cruising again...a trip down memory lane!

Loved your review so far. It's nice to have one with pictures. I don't have any cruises coming up until 2017, so it was nice to vicariously take a cruise through you.

You went to some of my favorite ports. I also LOVE St Kitts (you can also buy the batik at a shop downtown close to the port) and I love St Lucia so much I call it St LUCIOUS!

Thanks again for the detailed review. :D

We'll be cruising with our 7, 8, and 10 year old. I'd like to pack a couple of card games we can play.

 

Any suggestions other than UNO or a regular deck of cards?

 

 

:)

 

A few more suggestions:

 

Crazy 8, Fish, Old Maid, and one that's not a card game, but is easy to learn, pack and play: LCR (it's a dice game that even my 6 yr old grandchildren can play).

the 2 days at the park and 3rd is free only is to May 2014 but when I priced out the tickets, the difference between 2 days and 3 days is really $40 (total), so no brainer in adding one more day for the kids to do half a day.

 

so I guess I could

 

- arrive at midnight Tuesday, get the car rental (has to be from hertz)

- drive to local airport hotel and crash

- Wed: next morning check out and drive to local pharmacy to get some provisions

- get to Portofino around 9-10 and drop bags off, and get passes for UO and wander around

- back to the hotel for 4pm to check in and then dinner at city walk - check out night time at UO or just relax

- Thursday: up early for HP and whatever

- Friday: up early, back to the park for one last view; pickup car and off the FLL?

 

 

Here's my 2 cents worth:

 

I'd just follow your original plan, but leave the locked luggage with the conciere (sp?) on Friday, and enjoy yourself at the parks for a while.

 

2 years ago we flew in and out of Orlando, but took a cruise leaving out of FLL. Everyone is right about the drive. It was easy/peasy.

 

Universal Orlando is terrific! We went there before and after our cruise. There's so much to see and do. And it's easier to get on the best rides either early in the day or later in the day. In the middle of the day it's a mad house!

 

We're going there again before a cruise in November!

 

Have fun!!

I was wondering if you can take an opened water bottle on the ship in a carry on bag or checked in bag or does all liquid have to be sealed? Do they check the wine bottles to see if they are sealed as well? Will they xray all bags, carry on or checked in? Thanks.

 

If you go on the Legend out of Tampa make sure your water bottle is still sealed or is empty. Went on the Halloween cruise. Had several sealed bottles in my carry on. NO problem with the sealed bottles.

 

Also had a half empty bottle I was drinking while we waited. Couldn't chug the last half fast enough just before going through security, so had to throw it away. Was told I couldn't just carry it...it had to go through the machines, and there was a chance an unsealed bottle could leak, so NO open bottles :(

 

All our carry ons were x-rayed.

 

I assume our checked ones were x-rayed, too. I know they've been in the past because of an experience some of our friends had.

 

Hope this helps.

I read that since there's a taste bar, that there is no sushi bar..

 

Has anyone been on the legend recently? Would it be available in the buffet or somewhere else?

 

There are a couple of things in the buffet at dinner. Can't attest to it being every night.

 

I agree with Colorado Kat.

 

I was just on the Legend's Halloween cruise & even though I personally am not big on sushi, I have friends that are, so I casually checked, and am pretty sure saw it a couple of times at the buffet. Never got to check out the taste bar. The hours were too limiting.

A friend of ours has Lupus and needs to limit her time in the sun. Are umbrellas available at Dawn Beach?

 

Ok. It's a few days since this was posted, but I still want to respond.

Here's a little more information:

 

We went there in March of this year and the chairs & umbrellas were only $5 pp (if I remember correctly...maybe it was $20 for 2 chairs & umbrella). But it was reasonable.

 

What I was impressed with, was that I asked for an extra umbrella put down by my feet (so I'd have complete shade) & the young man who helped us provided it cheerfully & without any extra cost.

 

We later went to Mr Busby's for lunch & they had a nice shaded area. And we got pizza, which wasn't bad & cost about $20, I believe, for a whole pizza.

 

I LOVED Dawn beach!!!!

Out the gate at the tender pier. Turn left, stay on same side of street as tender pier. Walk up about 2 blocks. You'll see the entrance to the water taxi, Brown Sugar Terminal for Belize Express.

 

http://www.belizewatertaxi.com/#!schedule/c22wn

 

If you reach the swing bridge you've gone too far.

 

If you want the Caye Caulker Water taxi terminal it's just beyond the swing bridge on Front Street (just keep walking on th esame street you are on. http://cayecaulkerwatertaxi.com/

 

Note these are 2 different watert axi companies but both go to CC.

 

Use the one with the best schedule for you. But I suggest getting a return no later than 1:30PM Belize, though CC taxi's 2:15P could work, if your ship's last tender is after 4PM Eastern/ship time.

 

OP, I was looking up the water taxi information and found this site:

 

http://guidetobelize.info/en/travel/belize-water-taxi-timetable-guide.shtml

 

Apparently there were 2 water taxi companies leaving Belize City for Caye Caulker, but now is only 1, and they take longer, etc.

 

I decided to post this because you'll probably want to allow more time than you would if you were thinking they ran on time.

 

Hopefully between the 3 sites you'll get the informtion you need. :)

http://www.cruisedeckplans.com/DP/Members/decks.php?ship=Carnival Legend

 

If you go to this site it will have pics of the slide! I expect to see you when we do the oldies do the slide thing!!

 

Don't recall any ht/wt restrictions. I'm sure you'll be okay.

 

Thanks! I'd REALLY like to do the "sliding with the oldies" with our group, 'cause it sounds like it'll be a lot of fun.

 

I was going to ask on our roll call, but I've already posted so much in the last couple of days, that I didn't want to be a nuisance....yet.

 

Looking forward to meeting you and Swayde.

 

Talk to you later on the roll call!

 

Me

I have a question I was going to ask on my roll call, but I'll ask here 1st.

 

Is there a height, weight limit on the slide?

 

If so, what is it?

 

My DH is tall, and I've gained weight on each of our cruises the past few years (& not gotten it off), but I'd like to try the slide if I'm not too big, or too chicken & I'm thinking if I try it, maybe he'll want to, too.

 

Thanks.

Sherri,

What a great review & great pics! I'm normally a "medium sized ship" type person, but you've pretty much got me sold on the Allure! GREAT writing style! Thanks for taking the time to share!

Kris