FreudianSlipper

Bumping this up to find out if anyone has used the Advanced Check in service recently in New Orleans? I'm looking at an 8-10 hour gap between disembarking and flying home. I'm not going to rent a car and would prefer not to sit around the airport. I learned about this from the Carnival forum on this site and wanted to find out if anyone has used them as of late and if there were any issues with getting your luggage to you at the airport when it was time to be there?

Even better!

I did that when I was flying to Greece years ago. I stopped in Frankfurt and had an 8 hour layover after an already long flight. I went to the hotel attached to the airport, got a room, and took a long nap and shower. It was expensive but so much better than trying to occupy myself in the airport (or getting lost by myself in Germany).

http://www.advancecheckin.com/

This looks like a good option! I'll ask specifically about it in the New Orleans forum. Thank you!

We are doing the same thing. I think we will just end up at the airport early. I also saw someone mention that they checked with the hotel they were staying at the night before their cruise, and the hotel is allowing them to return for the afternoon and store their bags, and use the pool. We would prefer to just hang in the airport, although this reminded me that we won’t be allowed to check in bags until 4?hours prior to boarding. Better see what’s outside of security at the airport. As Alaskans, we spend a ton of extra time in airports every time we travel.

I'm also from Alaska :) so we will have the same dilemma. If I could check my bags in at the airport right away I would just do that but airlines don't allow it. There are a couple multi-airline flights (American and Alaska Air) with two stops that leave in the earlier afternoon but it requires flying all over the place and there's a risk of getting stranded due to the short layover time.

I'm sailing on The Dream out of New Orleans early next year and I'm trying to figure out my return flight after the cruise. My best option (stops, time between connections, etc) seems to be a flight that leaves New Orleans at 7 pm. I don't want to lug my bags all over the city for 8 hours so I'm wondering if there is a way to get my bags over to the airport at the time of disembarking? I'm thinking not just because of security but I'm hoping someone knows if there is a cruise port to airport bag option. My other alternative is going to be staying an extra day so I can fly out the next morning.

Thanks in advance!

Anyone stayed at Drury Inn and Suites recently? The reviews appear to be excellent but I'm looking for any recent impressions some CC members have had there. I'm also wondering about the area surrounding the hotel and whether there are any "must go" restaurants nearby?

Tender in Cayman. Dock at the other 2

Thank you!!

Grand Cayman is a tender port...so be careful with it.;)

I'm on the Dream in January going to Cozumel, Jamaica, and Cayman. Are any of these ports tender ports or will we be docking at all three?

175 days!

I tried to purchase FTTF today for my January 2019 cruise out of New Orleans and was a little surprised to discover it is already listed as "sold out." This is only my second cruise and I purchased FTTF previously about 3 months before the cruise with no problem.

My question for more experienced cruisers is whether or not more FTTF slots are likely to be opened up between now and January. If so, I'll check it daily to make sure I don't miss out. Otherwise, I guess I'll plan to get to the port as early as possible in hopes of being one of the first in line for the normal check in.

Thanks in advance for any help and advice.

Admittedly I've only gone on one Carnival Cruise (Mexican Riviera last year), so I don't have any knowledge of how things used to be, but I loved my experience. I'm booked on another cruise for January out of New Orleans and prior to booking I checked prices on Royal Caribbean, Princess, and Norwegian. RC was close in price but I really didn't have any reason to switch from Carnival so I booked with them. Now, I think if I book several cruises through them and start to notice things I enjoyed going away I'll probably have some negativity about it, much like the OP. Conversely, if I had started on another cruise line and switched to Carnival I might be disappointed but for me the determining factor is price, along with my positive prior experience. I can't miss what I never had (bathrobes, mints, etc). :)

Thanks all! I appreciate it!

We sailed last year on the Carnival Miracle and were on Deck 7 in an interior room, mid-ship. We rarely even felt the ship move except at night when we went to bed. I'm currently looking at a balcony room on The Dream next January and the only deck available is Deck 2. I think it's a cove balcony. For those who have sailed on lower decks, what's the difference in terms of motion? Does it make a difference if it's mid-ship, front or back? Obviously there are going to be some differences person to person, but just in general what do you think?

For those who've sailed on the Miracle before.... Would you recommend :

 

Red Frog Pub or The Alchemy ? And why?

Lido Buffet or Room Svc? Why?

Favorite stops in Cabo (without an organized excursion)?

 

If you've had the cheers program....

Do you tip the servers for each drink like normal?

Do we still sign for each drink ?

 

We paid for the program to avoid a surprise/additional expense post cruise but the tips may become just that. We're high tippers so I'd like to know if I should just get some gift cards to put on our account to cover the tips (unless they're included in what we paid). AND...? if they ARE included in what we paid Do we know that each server will get their tips?

I didn't spend much time in the RFP or The Alchemy but I did enjoy the sports bar and Sam's Piano Bar. I think The Alchemy seemed more laid back (and it's not a walled off bar, it's right out in the open like a lounge). RFP was usually full at night and often had live music, so that was a bonus. Don't discount sitting with a drink in the Atrium either. I had some good drinks and heard some good live music there.

Lido vs room service really depends on whether you need a wide variety of choices. The room service menu has some things on it like Philly Cheesesteak sandwiches that aren't available in the buffet. I preferred the buffet most nights.

We were in Cabo for two days. I would recommend taking a water taxi over to the beach (you can walk but it's a good 30-45 minutes), rent an umbrella and hang out for awhile. It was very relaxing, even with the occasional merchant trying to sell stuff. I ate at Captain Tony's and a place called Rock and Brew, both along the walkway as you go towards the beach. I enjoyed the food in both. As far as other things to do, there are people all along the marina asking if you want to go fishing or want to take a glass bottomed boat ride. Just pay attention to your time so you don't get back late to the ship.

Didn't do the Cheers program, sorry!

I had FTTF for my cruise on the Miracle. My room was ready right away but my luggage arrived a couple hours later, when everyone else on deck 7 appeared to be getting their luggage.

I took my very first cruise on the Carnival Miracle January 7th to the Mexican Riviera. Our itinerary included two days in Cabo and one day in Puerto Vallarta.

I had purchased FTTF and highly recommend it for anyone who isn't already diamond or platinum status. I arrived at the Long Beach terminal around 12:30 and quickly realized I could have arrived an hour or so earlier and gotten on board sooner. This was only important because by the time we were on the ship, the buffet was hopping and it was hard to find a seat. The check in and separate line for FTTF was such a relief when I saw the long lines others were having to deal with. My luggage didn't arrive until a couple hours later (which was fine, I had stayed overnight in LB and didn't need to change) but the room was ready right away and that was nice.

The biggest thing for me was just getting oriented to the ship. I had watched videos and read reviews in the months prior to my trip and that was helpful but it wasn't until probably day five that I realized which set of elevators was most advantageous for getting to my room quickly. By the time you know where you are going, the trip is over! LOL

I had an interior room on deck 7 and that was fine for me. I was hardly in my room so I didn't miss a balcony or window. I spent most of my sea day time on serenity deck with a book and when I wasn't there I was at the buffet, playing trivia or bingo, or in the casino. I have to say, trying to win a "Ship on a Stick" in trivia became a goal of mine and I wasn't quite able to do it. Next time!

Food: Chopsticks is awesome but it's only open for three hours at lunch. I'd love it if they could also open it up for dinner. At breakfast the eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns, omelets...all good stuff at but I was surprised and disappointed that the frozen waffles and pancakes they use in the buffet are the same ones you get if you have breakfast in the Main Dining Room. It seems like that is something they could make there even if it isn't feasible for the buffet. Dinner in the buffet was hit or miss for me but had more to do with my personal food tastes than whether the options were any good. I have to say Pizza Pirate was really good. I just wish they could find a way to speed up the service. The food by the pool at the grill was nothing special but worked for a quick dinner.

Staff: I really liked and appreciated the staff. It seemed like everybody was working hard but had a good attitude, especially housekeeping and those clearing the tables at the buffet. I played trivia and bingo several times and grew to really enjoy TJ and the rest of the "fun squad."

Ports: I have to say, if I did it over again I would pick the itinerary that gave me two days in Puerto Vallarta and one day in Cabo. For the second day in Cabo I stayed on the ship and enjoyed the view from Serenity Deck. I felt like I saw everything I needed to see in one day but with PV I felt like I didn't get to see enough. We did the Dolphin excursion on PV and had a blast. I also felt like when I walked around PV I didn't get harassed as much by vendors or people trying to get you to go on tours as I did in Cabo.

I realized pretty quickly that while I did need $1 bills I didn't need as many as I brought and next time I won't worry so much about it. I also had access to a washer and dryer (and an iron and ironing board) in the laundry room so I won't feel the need to pack as many clothes next time.

Oh on Day 6 we had to turn back to Cabo due to a medical emergency for a passenger. The announcement was made around 10 am and we were in Cabo around noon. They later announced the passenger was in stable condition but obviously couldn't give any further information.

Is there a Super Shuttle area at the port? I missed the window to secure Carnival transportation to LAX and am hoping Super Shuttle is available. I assume taxi's are also going to be around. I'm estimating the cost to be around $30-40 to LAX?

Thanks for all the info! I think we are leaning towards doing the resort excursion through Carnival rather than strike out on our own, but I do have another question before we do: The website indicates the time of the excursion is 4 hours. Does that mean the time at the resort or does that include travel time? I feel like it's worth it if I get a full four hours poolside but if it's 2.5 or 3 hours because of travel that makes me think I'd be better off purchasing a day pass somewhere on my own.

Has anyone ever been to Breathless Resort in Cabo? It's listed on Resort for a Day and I'm just wondering if anyone has positive or negative impressions.

The day pass for RIU is $99 and all you can eat and drink. You also have to factor in taxi fare. Maybe $15 each way. Your day pass will be good from 12-5pm. The Carnival resort day is $89 and has a buffet and 1 drink included. It is a 4 hour excursion and transportation is included. We are considering the RIU for our April cruise on Miracle. Hope that helps?

Yes it does, thank you! To clarify, Carnival's excursion is to RIU?

The Miracle offers a beach resort excursion in Cabo but doesn't specify which resort they take you to, and I'm wondering if anyone knows which one it is? I'd like to do a day at a resort and have thought about one called Riu. Is that the Carnival excursion destination. Does it make more sense to do that on our own than go on an excursion that might be rushed?

 

5. Our luggage arrived around 4 ish. We had three bags, one did not come until later that night. It went to the naughty room. Apparently they are taking away brand new extension cords still in the package, as well as my power strip WITHOUT a surge protector. When we picked them up on disembarkation day, he told me they are no longer allowed, even new and with no surge protector. I found that interesting because they did not take my brother and sister in laws away. I have always taken these items before. Next time I should hide it I guess (LOL).

No power strips at all?! I have a non-surge protecting one set aside specifically for my cruise next month. This is going to be a big inconvenience if we don't have enough outlets. It's my first cruise though, so perhaps what I've heard about only having one outlet in an interior room isn't true?

I'm glad I found this thread because my cruise is coming up and I prepaid gratuities but I don't want to look like a jerk to a bartender or waiter if I don't leave a tip. Do they assume you've prepaid if you don't leave anything extra? I expect to tip my steward at the end of the cruise if they do a good job, regardless of pre-paying, and I'll tip the porters, room service, and excursion guides, but it could add up to a lot of money to be double tipping people included in the gratuities.

Has anyone visited this place in Cabo? It looks like it is on the marina, which I assume is doable from the cruise pier? Food looks good and the margarita's look amazing.

Out of curiosity, does Carnival exchange dollars for pesos on board?

I'm planning to bring about 800 in pesos that I get from my bank or on board, which is about $50 US dollars. Just enough to have on hand for a few things or a meal or two but not enough that I have a bunch that I bring home.