k_y30

So, we have cheers, and through my job carnival gave me a promotion with $200 on board credit. Id like some ideas for what to use OBC for besides booze?

Jamaica is the only port we've ever stayed on the ship, it was fantastic having the whole ship to ourselves and we decided to stay onboard due to safety concerns. LITERALLY WITHING 1-2 hours people were flooding back to the ship talking about how unsafe they felt. People were being harassed for money for taking photos with their own cameras, being yelled at, called racist, etc. etc. All in all I would definitely skip getting off the boat there.

It depends, I've only ever sailed with Carnival and a friend of mine only ever sails RC. According to him with their drink package, not all drinks on the menu are included. For me, I love that I can basically order whatever I want. I'm pretty sure we dont get our moneys worth out of the drink package through Carnival, BUT, that feeling of an all inclusive vacation is what matters to me

Thanks for the review. I sail on her for Halloween this year. But first I sail Sunday on the Breeze!

I sailed them both and LOVED both of them, although the weather didnt hold out for my breeze sailing :/ cove balcony was amazing though!

Who has used the Hub chat ($5 fee) and what did you think?

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Edit- My mistake, I read just the app part. Never used the chat

Jamaica is a dangerous country for everyone.

This

you dont see a difference between the 2?

 

hint - if you BOUGHT the shake on the ship you would be free to share it with your daughter too....

You did buy the shake... with the cheers program

Congratulations on your upsell. It's pretty unusual to receive an upsell offer this far in advance. Enjoy your cruise.

My first (and only) upsell was from a balcony to a suite and I got the call 4-6 months (I cant remember exactly) in advance. Absolutely loved that

Honestly, Cozumel! I freaking love Cozumel port. I like that I feel totally safe there and how well-regulated the cab service is there

I walked by the IMAX sever times but im not a huge movie guy so I never checked it out, is the movie showings/times in the carnival hub app or do I have to go to the theater to see whats being showed?

No. It doesn’t matter if they are good swimmers, well behaved, whatever. If they are under 12 then they can’t be booked in Havana. And if you aren’t booked there, you aren’t welcome no matter who you are until after 7pm. Sounds blunt I know, but that’s how I am. Straight and to the point.

I'm so glad someone said it bluntly. I booked the havana and cruise during the school year precisely because I cant stand kids and the havana is the perfect sanctuary away from small children (mainly designed for couples). Nothing ruins my cruise faster than being surrounded by kids. I feel like people who want to bring their kids into the Havana area have no consideration for others.

(before someone goes through my post history and brings up my lack of caring for the MDR dress code. A- Nobody pays extra to eat in the MDR B- What I wear doesnt change the taste of someone elses food nor does it ruin their "experience" and C- Having kids around me while im trying to enjoy my, for the most part, adults only pool area will definitely negatively affect my experience)

As I remember, smoking areas=yes, lounge=no.

That's what I thought. Thanks a bunch

I know this is a longshot, but when I sailed the triumph there was a cigar/smoking lounge, does the vista have a bar you can smoke at thats NOT the casino? I always pack a bunch of stogies and never smoke them because I cant find a decent quiet place that lets me smoke. thanks a bunch

Just ice cream shakes, chocolate, strawberry, vanilla or any combination of the three, I did choco-vanilla mixed with a swirl of chocolate sauce, DH did strawberry-vanilla with a swirl of chocolate sauce, both were so good! Also, they will put booze in them if you want! You get them from the coffee bar or the shake spot next to the coffee bar, depending on which ship you are on.

Damn! The more you know, right? Well, I will definitely be taking advantage on my vista sailing!

The employees who are union employees on the ship docks, who help make the 5600 bags disappear, would be risking their very lucrative paycheck. It's time to put the "insurance" silliness to rest.

Riiiiight... I know you're being purposefully obtuse about this. What you are suggesting is absurd, what im saying is that im sure there's a handful of bags that get "lost" every sailing, maybe someone is rude to the porter, maybe they didn't tip, maybe the porter is having a bad day? Who knows. But it would be nothing for them to "lose" a bag or two and im willing to risk $5 on hoping my bag makes it onto the ship

How do I know? Because most docs will tell you that high fat/cholesterol is not a good thing. It is not rocket science!

Any doctor that tells you "fat and cholesterol" isnt a good thing is working on completely outdated science (which really, there was never really any "science" involved with demonizing fat to begin with, it was all a slam campaign by the sugar industry in the 50's). Furthermore, dietary cholesterol has almost zero impact on blood cholesterol levels, you could literally eat a half dozen eggs a day and see almost no impact on your cholesterol blood levels. The real issue is not cholesterol, its small-dense LDL cholesterol which is created when you consume sugar with cholesterol and fat. Anyway, im not an expert but if you want to understand the science behind it, youtube Dr. Rhonda Patrick, she's an expert on diet and anti-aging and she's pretty much one of the most intelligent people in the world when it comes to how your diet affects your body.

I have the same issue so I know what you're referring to. My saturated fat allowance is only 10 grams per day. Let then know your dietary needs and they will handle it. If dining in the mdr They will go over the menu with you the night Before and make changes to the dish accordingly. As for the other places to eat we will just have to wing it. There is a website you can use to see the nutritional value. Google fat secret. Not sure if im allowed to list the web address. Good luck and have a great time on your cruise.

I know its none of my business, but I have to ask, what kind of medical condition would limit a person to 10g of saturated fat a day?

I loved the breeze, its my favorite ship so far. I really like the dining options on the breeze and the decor. It NEVER felt crowded and there was always something fun to do

I spent a week on the breeze with the cheers program and missed out of these shakes! Where do you get them ?! Are they smoothies (fruit etc?) or ice cream shakes? Or is there options ?

"work for free or nearly free"? How much do you make if you think 6 figures is "nearly free"? Besides, the guys working the cruise ships work about 5 hours doing bags and get paid for a full 8 hours, and Saturday/Sunday (familiar days for embarkation?) are premium rate days.

I agree with you but I also agree with the other guys point of "ensuring your bags make it onto the ship". I don't mind throwing the guy a $5 as "insurance" that my bags make it onto the ship, but I do think it's a scam. You know who I DON'T tip? The bus guys. I somehow wind up with the same bus driver every time and I'm a pretty recognizable guy and that guy begs for handouts from everyone but he knows by now not to even look at me for at tip. No way I'm tipping after I pay $100 to park my vehicle with a $30 surcharge for 5 minute bus ride to the cruise terminal.

First , it's not just a Carnival port. NCL, RCCL, and others dock there.

Regarding the port complex itself, yes it's a contained typical port shopping are similar to Puerta Maya or the new International Pier in Cozumel, with the exceptionthat there's a pool at Costa Maya.

 

For public beaches nearby along the malecon, Blue Kay would have the fewest hawkers of wares as it's the furthest north of the main malecon strip. On the south end of the strip, NoHoch Kay, an A.I. through Island Marketing, used to keep these folks away. Not sure if new ownership continues that policy. I would assume, although I haven't been there, that the old owner of NoHoch kay's new place, Blue Reef, would shoo hawkers away.

 

The two AI's south of the malecon, Maya Chan and Almaplena, do not allow vendors.

 

In general though, I've found the lounger hawkers trying to get you to stop at their beach club to be much more annoying than any of the few trinkets vendors walking around. The latter generally don't get in your face and a simple "No, Gracias" sends them on their way.

 

Snorkeling along the main malecon is not good. There are some sea life to be seen around Blue Kay, but not vibrant. The southern beaches are not iron shore so beach snorkeling isn't good there either. here is excellent off shore snorkeling if you do an excursion or charter. Best shore snorkeling is via the ships' excursions which head north of the port to more iron shore at Uvea Beach. But that facility is exclusive to ship excursions.

Best write up ever! Thank you

I hope the photos helped give you a feel for some of the things at the port area (five minute walk) at Costa Maya.

 

Keith

Definitely does! Helps so much more than anything else i've found!

Man, this port area is SOOOOO nice

Snip

Looks awesome! Thank you so much for the great insight

I don't care for Jamaica. I find the locals too pushy.

 

I like Grand Cayman and if you like beaches and snorkeling great opportunities there plus at the tender drop off plenty of places to have lunch and/or drinks.

 

I like Costa Maya for the area at the pier. It is nicely done with a beautiful pool and places to eat and shop.

 

Keith

Is the pier area nicer than the one at Cozumel? Cozumel seems to be the nicest port area we've been to. Thanks for the great reply btw !