Luv2Cruiise

I am looking to buy a Selfie stick that has a remote if possible that will fit a larger type cell phone or camera, can anyone recommend a good one? My cell phone is about the size of a Galaxy Note. Thanks

7 days until we are on this ship and 1st time leaving from Tampa port. Loved the video's May I ask what type of selfie stick you are using and how you are taking video? I want to buy a selfie stick but not sure which to buy. Thanks for sharing the video's, enjoyed them.

7 (y) <3 :ship: :ship: :tropical-drink::tropical-drink:

This same thing happened to me the week before christmas when I was in a busy Victoria Secret store shopping. I was able to trace my steps back. Anyway, a few days after that shopping day I got an alert from my bank saying my account was withdrawn over $700 and I knew that was wrong because I had more then that in the bank. So I checked online and sure enough it was overdrawn, as I started looking through charges I see one for $800 that I didn't make so I called the bank and told them I didn't make that purchase. Well they told me it was my bank card that was used, funny thing is, I NEVER use my bank card for anything so I assumed it was my hubby's that got hit. Nope it was mine. Anyway, whomever got my number used a pocket skimmer while I was in the mall and they were close enough to get the number. They only got my bank card number and not any cc numbers which is strange. Come to find out after the 1st charge, they tried 2 more times the following 2 days and by then couldn't use it. We found out the charges were for a Skii shop located in Vermont an they were buying Skii equipment, I live no where near Vermont and have never been there. 1st time this has EVER happened to me so now im leary.

Can anyone tell me were to get a really god RFID thing for my cards? Thanks

For OP, sorry your trip on Freedom wasn't good, been on her once and loved it! Hope I love the one we are going on next week.

Right now only 5 states are issuing EDLs and an EDL is easy to spot- it has Enhanced across the top and a US flag on the front. They generally cost more than the standard license. To the best of my knowledge no background check is done when issuing a passport, although they do check to make sure that you aren't on the list of owing back child support. A passport is issued to verify that you are a citizen of the US, nothing more, nothing less. That's why travelers need to apply for TSA pre-check, Nexus, Sentri, Global Entry, etc. so a check can be done to allow those travelers to be cleared faster at security checkpoints. You do not need anything but your passport to enter Canada and the only other thing you might possibly need when visiting any other country is a visa.

Thanks for the info, I guess our state doesn't have the EDL's as of yet, I have to renew mine this year so i'll ask about the EDL at that point. So I guess at some point all states will issue the EDL because of the new requirement? I can imagine that would be pretty costly to do on each and every person applying for passports, thats a lot of people lol.

I am all for stronger border security, too many things are happening in our country and something has to be done to insure the safety of our country. Its a scary place we are in now, it seems traveling by cruise ship is safer because you don't ever hear of anything happening to them or while on board, not to say that it couldn't/wouldn't happen at some point. I hope it never does!

I don't think that any us of know the extent that the U.S. Government goes through before issuing a passport. I personally only know that background checks for NEXUS and Global Entry is quite comprehensive.

 

In terms of entering Canada, IMO, some of their laws are extremely confusing. For instance, if you have had a DUI, you technically cannot enter the country..... however, in many cases, if you pay $200 (U.S.) you can get a temporary pass to enter the country.

Yeah who knows with our world the way it is today, The Nexus only pertains to Canada right? What I was asking is do we need anything besides our passport to enter canada while on a cruise.

Lastlt how do we know if our license is an EDL? I cheched the non compliant list and ours is not on there. Thanks

There is only one lane going into Canada near where I live but no, if they did have a Nexus lane I do not think that I would not be eligible to use it. That's the thing, issuing a passport doesn't involve a background check, it just verifies a person's citizenship (although some checks are done because some people cannot have a passport and that information has to be available somewhere). It doesn't mean the person doesn't have a record or is on any type of no travel list. It just means that they have provided proof that the holder is a citizen of the US. TSA Pre-check, Global Entry, and Nexus are all programs where the traveler is able to provide their personal information and a background check is run on them to ensure that they are a "trusted traveler" which reduces their wait time when entering.

]I just assumed that background checks were done on everyone that gets a Passport here in the states but your saying they don't? Wow I thought that was the norm when getting a passport after 9/11, learn something new everyday. They ask a lot of things on the form is why I assumed it was done when we applied. And Canada does it when people of that country apply for a Passport/Nexus card?

We have never been to canada but will probably go when we go on a cruise to alaska.Can you use the EDL and passport when entering canada and how do you know if your license is an actual EDL, Does it say it on it someplace or you just check the site that gives what states already have them?

We are going to Cozumel and Grand Cayman the middle of March and have never cruised during this time frame so I am hoping the weather will be warm and nice so I would like to know from those that have been to these places during March how the weather is/was there? WHat to wear/pack and if water on ships is warm enough to get in.

We have been to Cozumel a few times already but never to Grand Cayman, what sort of things is there to do in Grand Cayman? We usually try to find an excursion once off the ship or booked through AAA. We like to sight see, shop and pretty much anything easy to do. Have always wanted to try to snorkle but unsure how hard it is.

Thanks for your input

And you know this how?:confused:

Thats what the bank said could of happened because I never use my bank card for anything and my card hadn't been used since I got it, I always use my paypal card. The bank says this happens a lot during the holidays and in my area there had been several reports of it happening around the time it happened to me.

Anyone know if Brilliance has a Starbucks on the Promenade deck like Oasis? Can't wait to go on this ship, anyone know how warm it usually is on a March cruise? We have never cruised in March so not sure what type of clothes to pack for Cozumel and Grand Cayman?

This just recently happened to me the week before christmas at our local mall, I got an email alert from my bank saying my acct was overdrawn and I knew there was plenty of money in there. So upon checking my acct to see what had happened, it was overdrawn more then $700. I called my bank and we went through all my purchases and there was 1 for over $700 which was done online to a company in vermont, I live far away from vermont. I knew exactly where I had been shopping days before and the lines were long. Anyway, someone had a pocket skimmer and got my bank acct card number. 1st time this has ever happened to me. Luckily the bank saw they were trying to make purchases 3 more times but the card had been flagged and my acct was credited back including any and all fee's. Never found out if they caught who did it but we know they purchased expensive skii equipment. Makes me leary of ever carrying any cards with me now.

Thanks!

Happy New Year everyone! Ok so I am wondering if brilliance has now added the soda machines with the cups that have the chips in them? I received an email to save 20% off the drink package and it is now offering the cup with chip. We have never been on this ship so if anyone has been on her in Dec, Jan and can verify I would appreciate it. Trying to find out before we buy this drink package. Thanks

Ok so hubby is thinking he might want to drive rather then fly to Tampa now, and I already have a hotel booked. Is it better to leave our car at port or find a hotel that will allow us to keep it there for 5 days while on cruise? Would that be cheaper ? Never been out of Tampa port so not sure the cost per day to leave a vehicle vs at a hotel? Thoughts if you have experience doing this. Thanks

Thank you, I found another thread that had recent posts with more info, calling diff hotels for pricing. So far the cheapest i found with us having AAA is at Quality Inn Midtown Tampa on South Dale Mabry for only $119.00 which includes tax for 1 King and 2 ppl. Only downside is they said unless we are staying at the hotel after the cruise they will not provide transportation back to the airport from port :( With that being said, we will have to find a way from the port back to airport the day the cruise comes back if we choose this hotel.

I was able to get the LaQuinta Brandon/Regency using points after all and just returned from my cruise on Brilliance of the Seas. This LaQuinta is in a great location with restaurants and shopping nearby and very easy off/on I-75. It was about a $26 taxi ride from the port and the drive took about 20 minutes. We left the hotel pre-cruise at 11:00 am and were onboard and eating lunch before noon. We left the ship around 8:20 am post cruise and were back at the hotel with luggage loaded and ready to start the drive home by 9:15 am.

 

I will definitely have this hotel and location at the top of my list for pre-cruise stay next November.

Do they offer a cruise snooze package, if so what is there price range? We are flying and not driving. Also, how did you like Brilliance? We go on her in March, sure hope its warm.

3 hotels that have good cruise pkgs are:

 

Holiday Inn Express Rocky Point

Hampton Inn Rocky Point

Chase Suites Rocky Point

 

All of the above hotels are directly next to each other on Rocky Point Island...which is 5 min from Tampa Airport and a 15 min shuttle ride to the port.

 

Rocky Point overlooks Tampa Bay so the hotels have a nice waterfront view. There is a Bahama Breeze Restaurant between them so very convenient to walk over for dinner. They have entertainment on their deck each day starting at around 5pm.

It's a fun place with decent food, drinks and a Bay view.

 

All of the 3 hotels have almost an identical cruise pkg that includes an airport shuttle, free breakfast and a round trip shuttle to the port and then back to the airport or hotel after the cruise, for those that park their car.

 

I've stayed at the Holiday Inn Express Rocky Point twice pre-cruise. I was very happy with the hotel and the smoothness of the shuttle service. The Hampton and Chase Suites are next door and look just as nice. I would go with the one that offered the best deal.

 

**** Not all of the Tampa cruise hotels offer the round trip shuttle. It's an added bonus as the return trip is $25 -$30 in Taxi fare from the port to TIA....

 

The downtown Tampa hotels will put you closer to the port but you will pay considerably more $$. They also do not offer an airport shuttle so figure at least $30 and up from Tampa Airport to the downtown area.

 

I'm a Tampa Bay area resident now and would suggest to avoid any hotels in the Stadium and Fairgrounds area. It's solely my opinion, but kind of a shady areas.

 

✈✈✈✈ I've made an 11:30 am flight out of Tampa. We did the self-assist debark and we're at the airport by 9:20. That was in perfect weather conditions with no delays. I believe that the cruise lines recommend flights from Tampa noon or after. I wouldn't be comfortable with anything before 11:30.

 

 

 

 

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Thanks for this info, this is what I was looking for!! :)

We are leaving in March from Tampa and have never been to this port and wanted to know if anyone has any knowledge of decent priced packages that would include 1 nights hotel stay, transportation to and from the airport on day of arrival and transportation from hotel to cruise port then back to airport on cruise return date? We don't need parking as we are not driving.

On our last trip we used Go Port Canaveral but they do not operate in the Tampa area. Ive looked on the boards here and see some old threads that are several years old and i have also used google. Thanks for the help :)

It's probably too late to get coverage for pre-existing conditions unless you get Nationwide or CSA . Insure my trip has both.

I found what I was looking for on the Insurance thread so thats what I'm going with :) Thanks

One of the things we especially appreciated was all of their patience answering questions when we were just starting out with travel insurance.

We had questions galore, and no doubt asked the same questions a few times. There was so much to learn and absorb, and it could all make a huge difference.

 

And sure enough, we had a reasonably large claim for the *first* trip that we insured with them. So it was a very good thing that we got it "right".

 

Do also at least consider MedJetAssist.

We have their annual policy, which thus covers us for assorted business trips and trips to friends/family.

This coverage kicks in only after one is admitted to a hospital as an inpatient, at least 150 miles from home.

At that point, YOU can request to be medevac'd to the hospital of YOUR choice, without being dependent upon beancounters or needing for the local medical staff to be willing to declare themselves not able to provide suitable care.

Is the MedJetAssist expensive and also used stateside? Thanks

Ask all of these questions, such as "still time to get pre-exist..." with someone at Trip Insurance Store.

 

We know of one policy that would work, and we had to use it once instead of the Travel Insured policies we usually get from them. We made a deposit, and then decided we probably wouldn't actually take that cruise. But we never cancelled.And we hadn't started any travel insurance, either. About a year later, we decided we DID want to take that cruise after all, and we had been holding a great location on the ship.

 

So Steve recommended CSA insurance.

That can be purchased as late as within 24 hours of final payment (defined very specifically!).

The main problem would be for someone wanting CFAR coverage, as that would be much more expensive purchased late from CSA vs. purchased within 21 days of initial payment from Travel Insured.

 

But Steve et al., would be the best to ask.

And we ALWAYS recommend dealing with them by phone, so they can make other suggestions or ask questions to clarify one's needs, which isn't possible when selecting coverage online.

CSA Freestyle is one quote they gave for our Sept cruise since we missed the timeframe after our deposit was made and then they sent a quote for the Global Alert Preferred and Plus quotes for our March trip, still reading through everything but will have to call to understand everything. good to know they are highly recommended!

Wow, great thread! We normally get our insurance through AAA which uses Allianz but after some research here I decided to price shop and I just got done having a 2 hour chat with Deanna and she sent me some quotes, very nice to deal with and very patient. Now to just figure out the best quote to use, I think I will use this company from here on out. I gave the gal the quote from AAA's Ins and it was higher. I need to call and talk to a live person to help me decide, so much to read through and compare. :eek: I want to make the right choice in Ins. I still have time to get pre-exist for March cruise but not sure about Sept cruise since deposit was made in May?

It's hard to answer because every AAA contracts with a different insurer -- AAA of NoCal may offer a different insurer and plan that AAA of SoCal and so forth. So without knowing exactly what insurer they're using it's impossible to answer your questions about cost and coverage.

Its through Allianz

We always book our travel with our AAA TA and normally get the insurance through them, I am just curious if insurance someplace else is cheaper or comparable? I'm not sure how the insurance works with credit cards because we are new to the cc world lol, I paid the deposit using a credit card. We have a trip booked for March 2017 and also Sept 17 and I have not gotten any insurance for either trip yet, Any help and recommendations/advice would be appreciated. Thanks

Do they have the new machines now? Thanks