Shipbound

My wife had an allergic reaction to the soap, nothing major, uncomfortable like a sun burn. She took some allergy medication and was fine the next day. Since then we always brought our own soap though.

 

 

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I always bring my own soap it is bath size so it lasts the whole cruise. I had a reaction to ivy soap of all things, hives.

Gary

Take the price of the beer you want then multiply by 4. Then subtract the two dollars and multiply x 1.15 to give you price with tip. If you are in US port there may well be sales tax too. So yes if you like a beer that is a bit lower priced you will save on that too. Coors light would be 23 dollars minus 2 equals 21 x 15 percent tip equals 24.15 for the bucket total .

When docked in Miami you pay a tax.

Since I go solo most of the time the price is a big factor. I'm going April 5 on the Liberty the cruise fare is 1041.00 taxes and gratuities on deck 7.

Gary

People always say there is always something to do while on a cruise. I don't always find a lot going on. I walk myself to death sometimes looking for something. I don't get into the pools because I am handicapped enough that I could not climb the ladder.(wish it was handicapped accessible).what do you find to do other than the casino? Where does everyone go after the theater is over?I read the fun times but it seems like so much is all at the same time and once it is over,what then. What am I missing out on I want to have as much fun as possible. Maybe it is because I go solo most of the time??

There is no question going solo is not for everybody you have to keep yourself occupied and if you introverted it is more difficult. I go solo most of the time also but I talk to everybody.

Gary

Yeah. I just saw on their website that they no longer go to South Beach, Miami Beach hotels, or Miami International Airport hotels. But they still go to downtown Miami hotels.:D

That is a is bummer because last year in March I used go shuttle($24.15 including tip) It took about 1.5 hours. This year I am using go shuttle also but in April so hopefully it will not take as long. SAS transportation is a good service I use it going from POM to FLL.

Gary

We are flying in the day before the cruise, and staying at the Intercontinental in Miami.

 

Is there a shuttle that will take us from the Ft. Lauderdale airport, or do we need to do taxis.

 

We are not renting a car.....

 

Thanks Everyone!!!!!:D

That is really a good question because last year I flew to FLL and was staying in south beach before the cruise but SAS transportation would not go to the hotel from FLL. I do not know if it was because the hotel was in South Beach or all hotels in general.

Gary

April 5, 2014 for me and spending 2 days pre-cruise in South beach.

Gary

Not sure I like the line... "The contract ticket makes no express guarantee for safe passage, a seaworthy vessel, adequate and wholesome food, and sanitary and safe living conditions" :(

When guests click ok they agree to it, and you are agreeing to a legal document I think Carnival's lawyers covered their bases on this one.

It was in the baggage claim area. We used it and it was great but our flight landed a little after 8 am. I am very concerned about your flight landing time, especially with you having a connecting flight. I am not sure that the kiosk is still open at that time.

I agree with you that is cutting it close, they probably will not get their luggage until 2:40 or later and POM is about 15 minutes or so from MIA with a correcting flight everything has be on schedule and it still will be tight. I wish them luck!!!!!

All I know is that I was very disturbed about a recent video of a girl at the hot tubs that was having some kind of altercation with another passenger, and all the security officers seemed to have just started day 1 training, no clue what to do. And after a very long time when she was led away, she ended up throwing the person escorting her into the pool.

 

I am scared now to sail Carnival.

I've been on 31 cruises with CCL and I have never had an altercation with anyone besides all the altercations that I witnessed alcohol was involved. I cruise solo all the time granted I am male. Females that cruise have to be specially careful and be aware of your surroundings and use good judgment and if you feel that something is not right report the issue to the purser and make sure in incident is documented. Just go a cruise and have fun!!!!

The price has since doubled from last year and now they limit the drinks. It's not as simple as it once was, sadly. :(

You are correct there is a limit on the drinks whether it is a standard or premium package so I guess you would look at the math and ask the question will you make out if you buy the package or pay as you go. That is what I would do, I will guess if you buy either package you'll break even. Since Carnival is a business they will not loose $$$$$. The house always makes out.

Gary

Yes, I know. We knew when booking that this was going to be an issue. But Carnival has always been very accommodating so hoped it wouldn't be a problem. My hubby LOVES to eat his breakfast out on the balcony so I figure I can go to lido and get him some fresh scrambled eggs at the omelet station and will probably bring our own homemade bread so he can still enjoy that too. No more room service breakfasts :( but he can still enjoy on balcony.

You may want to check with carnival about bringing your home made bread on the ship it may or may not be an issue .It is good that you thought of that because commercial bread has a lot of salt it most people don't know that.

Gary

Interested as well. Just booked another cruise today. Husband has just been dx. with kidney failure and can have NO added salt. Going to contact Carnival on Monday and see what arrangements need to be made. I'll let you know what I find out.

Sorry to hear about your husband the no salt added may not be a problem in the MDR but at the buffet on the lido and if he is that sensitive to salt I would keep away from the food It has tons of salt added to the food. I watch my salt intake also and I can taste the salt in the food on the lido deck.

Gary

Hi all, just wondering if the price we payed for our 7 day cruise eastern caribbean, oceanview cabin (6a main deck) for 3 people on march, is about right or too high?

 

For the 3 of us we paid $1507 with out taxes.

 

 

 

 

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$1507 for three during March sounds pretty good to me if it includes port costs.

Gary

If you google "spring break 2014" it will give you a list of schools around the country & when their spring breaks are. Some sites even list the the of students enrolled in each school. Have fun

I have cruised many times during March 15-22 and those dates have always been the most busiest with the college crowd and when I was younger that is when I had the most fun, it was one big party.

Gary

Worst experience was not being able to just dance with real music (current top 40) on the lido deck parties. To me, the entertainment staff seemed to be holding a late night group dance aerobics class on speed. Truly, it seemed to me they had way too many energy drinks or something. I probably sound grumpy, but am really not and just wanted to have fun. We left feeling disappointed.

 

 

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You are not sounding grumpy CCL entertainment use to have some of the best bands during the nineties and early 2000. To put it simply CCL does not want to pay the entertainers and probably their Health care so the hire DJ's and a couple of guitar players that play on the lido deck but according to john the beard's are relooking at the entertainment section and what will come out of this that is the million dollar question.

Carnival snubbing long-time past guests is nothing new. I've almost become numb to it.

 

I go on another cruise line to feel like a valued returning guest. I go on CCL for the low fares and relaxed party atmosphere.

 

That being said, if they DO offer me a free cruise I'll be there with bells on. ;)

 

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Every thing you said I agree with CCL does have the lowest cruise fares at sea especially for me because I go solo most of the time. I am a Diamond if you look at the " perks" Diamond guests get not one perk will cause Carnival is loose money maybe with the exception of the one time cabin up grade to an outside cabin. I know for a fact that a first or second time guest(s) are more likely to get an cabin up grade then me. This April will be my 32nd with CCL and I only remember twice going from an inside cabin to a outside cabin. I did e-mail my PVP an basically said the same thing. So I'll see what happens if anything.

Gary

I was looking at the deck plans of various ships and was shocked to see the layout of the public areas on the Spirit Class ships. Dance and Comedy Club on Riveria next to cabins!! Two level promenade level, atrium in middle of the ship. What are your thoughts on these ships?

I went on the Spirit when it first came out, I did not like the layout of the Lido deck and there is no bar on the promenade deck, however I have not been on any other spirit class ships so I do not know if the layout is the same.Sometimes the design of the public areas are redesigned when another ship is built. An example is when the Destiny came out in 1996 the Bar was right in front of the exit (mid-ship)leading to the lido deck it was a terrible design but all the other destiny class ships the bar was moved to the side of the ship.

Gary

We are planning one now and here is the info from carnival

 

 

Premium

Includes all Spirits up to $10.00, a choice of 3 Premium Specialty Cocktails, Red Wine, White Wine, Sparkling

Wine, Domestic and International Beers, Sodas, Regular Coffee and Tea. Spirits available include but not limited to:

Johnnie Walker Black, Grey Goose Vodka, Bombay Sapphire, Patron Silver and Bacardi Rum

(Available to groups of up to 500 guests)

1 Hour 1.5 Hours 2 Hours 2.5 Hours 3 Hours

Per Guest $22.00 $33.00 $44.00 $55.00 $65.00

 

Standard

Includes a choice of 3 Specialty Cocktails, Red Wine, White Wine, Sparkling Wine, Domestic and

International Beers, Sodas, Regular Coffee and Tea

1 Hour 1.5 Hours 2 Hours 2.5 Hours 3 Hours

Per Guest $16.00 $24.00 $32.00 $40.00 $48.00

March of 2012 I went to the meet and greet we paid 14.00 dollars for one hour unlimited drinks no matter what you wanted. So the prices have gone plus there is a limit to the number of drinks. I would think the domestic and international beers are 12oz not 16oz or higher such as Foster's

Gary

We are cruising on the Freedom on Feb 3rd. Just wondering if anyone has any suggestions on things we HAVE to bring. I know sun screen! lol

What do you guys always bring??

Thanks!

Kari:)

I always bring my insurance card, cruise trip insurance documents if you took it out, and everything else that was mentioned.

I believe ship always stays on the same schedule. It is set from where ever the cruise originates from.

You are correct you always go by ship time while in port no matter what time zone you are in believe me it makes life easier and missing the ship is a real drag. The CD will tell you when to set watches forward or backward if needed.

Gary

I'll be on the Breeze on 26 April. I hope that the Spring Break will be finished!

I've cruised my times in March and the second week( March 15) is the busiest for the college crowd. This year I will be on the Liberty April 5-12 there will be children on the ship and maybe college kids but I think the busiest time in April will be the week before, Easter week, and the week after. I'll just have to see when I get on the ship.

Gary

So you think I should have called it pathetic instead of pretty pathetic?

 

Does have a few good things going for it such as laundry and faster to get on and off but not enough to make me want to reach diamond.

I've been cruising with CCL since 1992. In April it will be my 32nd cruise and during those 31 cruises I've had one or two upgrades(going from an inside cabin to an outside cabin). I am Diamond and the only so called perks that use are the priory embarkation and debarkation. The laundry perk I also use . You would think that when you reach Diamond you would get an upgrade now and then. However I do realize that CCL does not have to us anything for being repeat cruisers so I guess it could be worse and I should be pleased for what CCL does give me.

Gary

Sweet...are you on the April 6 W. Caribbean cruise ? ;-)

I am on the Liberty 4/5/2014.

Gary

Empress mid-ship.

I am on the Empress mid-ship also in April, two decks up to the Lido and two decks down where the fun is.

Gary