Dearabby_84

We've stayed on the 2nd deck with ocean view on Glory and Vista, I loved them both! More space, than a regular inside, and we were in the middle of the ship, didn't have any noise and did not feel any ship movement. Only issue was elevator waits, weren't terrible though, I just found we had to plan a little better. Getting off the ship was a breeze though! If it were right at the end of the ship I'd be a little worried though!

We aren't big drinkers, but enjoy a few. First cruise we didn't get it and I was constantly looking at our bar tab on the tv in our room. Next 2 cruises, we bought the package and it was so nice not to worry about our drinks. It also includes powerade, coffee, milkshakes, pop, bottled water, juices, etc. Even if our beverage bill didn't reach the amount we paid for Cheers, it was still worth it, because we didn't spend anytime worrying about drink costs and we also tried new liquors, that we never would have tried due to $$$.

We used resort for a day on our cruise stop in Cozumel, stayed at the Iberostar for the day. It was easy, paid a deposit at booking, took a cab from the pier and the rest I paid at the resort. It was super inexpensive compared to the cruise options.

Our first cruise (7 day) our onboard expenses ended up reaching over $1200, we pre-paid grass, but we hadn't purchased a drink package, bought a lot of photos and did a couple specialty restaurants. It was the drinks that did us in really. We had already pre-paid all excursions.

Second one, we pre-did grats, excursions and drink package and our expenses hit $303 way cheaper! I bought some photos and we did the steakhouse twice!

Omgosh!!! Interesting boarding story!

So last week we were scheduled for our cruise and chose the late boarding time that I love so much! We drove 6 hours to the port and I then realized I forgotten a piece of ID. Had I chosen the earlier time, we would have realized I was missing my ID at check in and my husband could have brought it to me and we could have boarded.

Instead no cruise, no boarding, no refund and lesson learned remember ALL of your ID and in the event that something is amiss, an earlier boarding time gives you more time to work with!!!

(y):ship:

We tipped $1 for every order (2 drinks, me and DH) while using our Cheers package and we have no complaints about the service, our service was quick and often checking in, we received really good pours and were happy with the service! I did have people at the bar comment to me that since I had cheers I had already paid a gratuity the 15% at purchase, so I shouldn't be tipping more --- I just smiled, thanked them for their thoughts and introduced myself and kept on tipping :)

If the service was lacking I would absolutely not tip extra though!

I really appreciate the comparisons that you noted, we're cruising the RCCL-Anthem next year and was wondering how it will compare to my previous sailings all of which have been with CCL.

We prefer to choose the later times, usually choose 1-1:30. Our first cruise, we selected the earliest time available and the line ups were huge, it took a while to get through. So for the last several we've gone with the later check in and we breezed through, because the lineups are less congested!

Granted, we're not getting to benefit the perks earlier like some folks, eating aboard, swimming, touring the ship, we much prefer this way though!

My husband is a picky steak guy, only really enjoys them at Ruth Chris or the Keg.

We found the steakhouse on the Glory (Emerald?) to be very comparable to the Ruth Chris in Miami the night before our embarkation. Fantastic meal! Ambiance, service, meal, all awesome!

We found the steakhouse on Magic to be good, but not outstanding, it could have just been an off night though and in the grand scheme of things, not at all bad!

On the Sunshine, we really enjoyed it, excellent service, we were able to pick very good cuts and the meal was fantastic! Absolutely comparable!

Having said all of that, bang for your buck, you can't go wrong with the Carnival Steakhouses. Also they have promos where sometimes you can score a free or discounted bottle of wine!

I've been on both! I found the Magic to be better for my kiddos having the water/splash place, the kids club had more stuff and the ropes course (I don't remember seeing the ropes on glory, I could be wrong though). Also I preferred the Magic because it was a little newer, less wear on the ship as a whole. I found the Glory had a really good itinerary and the staff was awesome! The Emerald Steakhouse was better than the Prime one on Magic. Pools, buffet, casino I found that both were comparable! Having said that, I think both ships are enjoyable and you'll have a great time either way! Happy Cruising!

Ship - Carnival Magic

Deck - Empress Deck 7

Stateroom # - 7217

Stateroom Category – 4E Inside

Starboard or Port Side -

Quiet Stateroom? Yes only noise we heard was from neighbours

Was stateroom a connecting stateroom? No

Any specific problems with this cabin? We found it difficult being so close to the front of the ship in terms of movement. When we went to sleep at night the rocking was very strong.

Any other comments? One really cool benefit of being so near the front was that there was an exit to the front of the ship and a very private deck that wasn't utilized much and had great views!

We were on the Glory in November and it was a good cruise! The food wasn't fantastic, but by no means awful and I am a foodie! You'll have a great time!

I LOVED Deck 2! It was quiet, there was very little foot traffic in the hallway as it was only people staying there for the most part and whenever porting it was a very easy few steps down and only 1 floor up to the lobby. Elevators did not take along, minus embarkation and debarkation as they were very busy then.

I felt very little movement as opposed to my cousin who was in a suite on 7th Deck near aft, who was sick from movement. I'm really happy with our decision!

I've only ever done cabins on the 7th deck (inside front + balcony aft) on Magic, which was convenient for getting places (less stairs to go up). I have a cruise booked this weekend and it's an ocean view on Deck 2 on the Glory. I'm curious to see which I will prefer. I specifically chose the 2nd deck - mid ship because I've had some sea sickness both sails and I'm hoping being mid ship and low may do the trick!

Also, being on the 7th floor with just cabins around you doesn't guarantee quiet ..... we had noisy neighbours who chose to blast NSync the entire time, all day, all night ..... special breed haha. We were up the first few nights, then bought ear plugs :cool:

Ok booked it, it is the W in Fort Lauderdale, very happy great deal! April 14-16 2017, with taxes and added trip insurance it came out to $443 about half price.

That's awesome!!! That's a beautiful hotel!!! Congrats and happy travels :)

I would check out some of the resorts it could be and see which one has a resort fee for that amount Hotwire states. I did that with my most recent Hotwire booking, I compared resort fees, number of stars and area and knew it was Trump national Doral. The resort fee on Hotwire was identical.

I booked 2 rooms for 8 people for November 19 (1 night) on Hotwire, got Trump national, after taxes and fees paid $402.87 Canadian, when I called them ( (before using Hotwire) to enquire on my price it would have been over $500 US for the same booking. Being able to pay in CAD saved me a substantial amount!!!

Good luck and hope you get a great deal!!!

My, then 9 year old and 5 year have spent time in Camp Carnival and I have nothing but great things to say! The staff were very nice to my children and I didn't have any concerns about their safety. I can't speak to Disney, but my kids loved it (Carnival)! Hope this helps :)

I had no idea about the passport rule! Then I cruised in January whilst my passport was due to expire in April. I didn't have any issues with boarding with Carnival, but I certainly did with my flights. They denied me boarding the flight on the way there (flying out of Detroit - canadian passport) and after me crying for over an hour and providing every other piece of ID possible, itineraries, names of people to vouch for me, they hesitantly let me on. I was so relieved and nerves were shot!

On the way back, I couldn't check in for our flight home, because again my passport expired within 6 mos. I ended up having to line up in a different line than the rest of the travellers I was with, I think it was an immigration line, which was very slow moving. I ended up missing my flight home, thankfully my husband and kids boarded and made it home okay. So I ended up booking a new flight on my own dime, the next morning to get home . Slept at the airport and prayed that they would let me on the plane. I ended up being able to board and made it to Detroit.

I don't blame anyone but myself and totally understand they have rules and I respect them. I will never, ever, ever travel within 6 months of passport expiry again, it was a costly mistake and incredibly stressful and it is not worth it.

We are cruising out of Miami in November. We did Priceline for 2 days before the sail and got the Sonesta Coconut Grove and for the night we debark, we booked the Trump National in Doral and will uber from the port. It's close to the airport and has a free shuttle. Also the hubs likes to golf!

That sounds really fun! We may have to try one!!!:)

If you go to the steakhouse bar, there are some higher end ones that are covered. Nice thing is, you can go to that bar, without actually dinner there too!

Thanks to all for sharing your stories! It has motivated me to make the effort to do one small kindness each day on my upcoming cruise. Just think how great the cruise would be if all 3000 of my new shipmates did the same!

That's an awesome idea!!!!!

We took a Carnival cruise in January and when we were debarking, one of our kiddos put their Nintendo case (which consisted of 2 3DS and + 20 games) :0 . It was left somewhere in the building where security was.

I called Carnival a week or so after, just to see if by chance something was turned in, they got me in touch with a Port employee, who had found it and was held it with hopes that we'd call. The gentleman mailed it to us in Canada. It so incredibly nice of them!

We also had an instance where we were able to help someone on that same cruise. A lady also sailing on the same ship was assaulted while in port. We came across her on the dock and she was crying and scared. We stayed with her until she was ready to walk, accompanied her onto to ship, took her to her room and my DH had a nice chat with her husband on how LEAVING YOUR WIFE IN A STRANGE COUNTY WITH NO MONEY is terrible idea. Then we notified Carnival security what had happened and she would need to have medical care. I gave her our name, room number and cell #, if she needed anything to call, my heart broke for her :(

I'm glad we got the chance to meet her and think of her often, I hope she's ok :(

We were there in January! It was awesome! Expensive, but awesome! We did the Royal Swim at Dolphin Discovery: We brought our own towels, which is good, because they do not provide any. They have lockers though which is good for your stuff, while your with the dolphins! Only negative was they wanted $200 USD for the CD of pictures, so I bought one picture for $45 (as we were not able to take any ourselves as it's not allowed).

GC Turtle Farm: Was really good! The kids enjoyed it and pics were way cheaper, the kids enjoyed holding the little turtles. Just a beautiful place!

We packed towels, sunscreen, water bottles, wore swim suits and outfit to cover, cash, sign and sail ..... it was very hot out :)

I love how whatever way I look, I see beautiful ocean. I find it calming and I feel zero anxiety, which for an anxious person is pretty sweet!

I also love visiting there different ports, but still coming back to the same room each night ..... Just LOVE to cruise ;)