sk8rmomof3

I feel like there is a sale every day I log on! Some are better than others.....

That's wierd - I was on the IOTS in 2014 and they had the freestyle machines then. Wonder why they would removed them. Big convenience not having to wait for bar service to get a coke.

Maybe it was just the ship we were on that didn't have it. Independence of the Seas

 

The walls are magnetic - so you can put the important papers they give you on the wall.

:eek::eek::eek: WOW

The lower decks are the place to be if you get seasick

 

 

 

 

Every Carnival-sponsored shore excursion I've taken has had people with signs right outside of the ship that lead you to where you're supposed to go

Thanks! We are on the 8th floor. We were on the 5th floor towards the front last year and had no problem. Hopefully this will be ok for the kids. They've never cruised before.

And you've eased my mind about the excursions. Thank you.

Part of the reason for that souvenir cup is that many of the RC ships have the Coke Freestyle dispensers and the cup has a RFID tag in it that tells the machine it is ok to dispense.

They had no freestyle machines on our ship last April. It was all servers pouring from the fountain. Maybe it's changed since then????

From reading, they are letting people switch ships for same price if they wanted. That would appease me.........I booked because we wanted at least one water slide on our ship. I can swim in a pool anywhere. You can't do waterslides on a ship anywhere. I'd be mad at first but as long as they are making it right, all is good!

Sorry, Carnival does not give you a souvenir cup. They do have some excellent cups available for sale; however you are welcome to bring your own cup. I have a cup that I love and always bring it for water.

 

If you do not bring your own cup, they provide pop for you in regular drink cups.

 

Don't forget, almost all pop on Carnival is from cans. I believe that RCCL has the freestyle machines (unless I'm mistaken).

I will bring a cup then. Thanks! I didn't know their pop is in cans. Interesting! Will they give you ice?

When I was on RC last April, (Independence of the Seas), there were no freestyle machines. You just had to go to the counters and ask a server and they would pour it from the fountain.

All of you will have to pick a check in time , prior to going to the port ,or Carnival will assign you a check in time ... Check in time is not the same as boarding time

Interesting. So I picked an 11:30 check in time. What will they do with us in the meantime after we've checked in? We don't just walk on the ship?

Just a question:

When we were on RC last year, when we signed up for our drink package on the ship, we got a free souvenir cup. We used this cup as our travel cup and it made it easier to walk around and explore and know it wouldn't spill, and it was nice for near the pool. Do they do that on Carnival? Or do you just walk up and order your drink (we only got the pop package) and they hand you a regular glass and you have to turn it in somewhere? Can we bring our own cups with lids so it's easier to wander about and sit by the pool and just refill that cup?

Thank you for information. We have 2 rooms and my family is split up (only 3 doors away) but we have kids so it would be nice to have access to both room.

I'm sure this applies to all cruise lines but I didn't know it on our first cruise on Carnival. If you see an appetizer that you really like you can have the chef make it into an entree size.

Good to know. Imagine my embarrassment last year with my husband ordering FOUR orders of escargot as his appetizer. :o

I wished I'd know that even if you book an excursion through Carnival they basically dump you off at port an expect you to figure out how to get to where you are going. I still hate that part even though I've been able to figure it out each time. It is stressful not knowing what is going on and if you are in the right place.

YIKES!!!!!!! So they don't have signs when you get off with buses to know where you are going? Our trip last year we only did one excursion and it was in Labadee Haiti which was so small there was no cars or buses. All was walking distance and you followed the signs. This time around, we have excursions at every stop, we have kids (didn't bring them last year), AND all excursions include a bus ride.......now I'm worried!

 

I also wish I had known there are better areas of the ship to book your cabin on, to avoid sea sickness.

What parts? Whenever I looked for rooms it kept asking front mid or back and to me it makes no difference! We did RC last year through my husband's work so we didn't get a choice on room. They booked it, paid for it, and we were happy with what we got because it was FREE! We were on the 5th floor front and it was just fine for us. I can't remember where we are this coming trip. I know 8th floor, I think towards the front. I guess I didn't realize it mattered! Insight please!

After trying drink packages on Carnival, NCL, and RC I prefer RC's package. With Carnival's package I don't like that everyone in the cabin over 21 has to purchase, the 15 drink limit and the price is too high and never offered on sale. I don't think the precruise purchase is a good price. My husband rarely drinks alcohol but on RC gets the Royal Refreshment package which covers basically all non alcoholic drinks. I usually only drink beer and basic cocktails so the $50 per limit drink means nothing to me. On our upcoming RC cruise I got the deluxe drink package on sale for $40.00 per day plus 18% gratuity and the refreshment package for $18 per day plus 18% gratuity.

I think the Carnival drink package only works for a limited group of cruisers and would love to see Carnival rework their drink package offering so those that prefer an all inclusive experience can choose something that works for them.

Whenever I price out cruises across the 3 mentioned lines for usually 7 day cruises in balcony cabins I always add in the cost of drink packages and Carnival is almost always the more expensive "all-inclusive" cruise option. Please Carnival, you're missing the boat!😀

We are not drinkers by any means, but I do remember on RC last year, there were much more options for drink packages. We bought the cheapest one that only included pop, but then I remember several different tiers, one that was smoothies and pop, then at least 3 different levels of alcohol packages. I was shocked with Carnival only having one pop package and one alcohol package. We only got the pop one, and like last year on RC, if there is a pineapple with a margarita in it, I'll buy one the entire trip and it'll be worth it to me!

Very easy to get a cab back and forth and very safe. Just walk to the end of the pier through the shop area and there are transportation people directing cabs. They will ask you where you want to go and the rates are posted.

Will be going at end of March Paradise beach is our favorite place when stopping there....

Then to come back to the ship, are there taxis just waiting there as well? I'm not sure we'll stay there all day and may want to board the ship earlier than the rest......

We have decided this will be a beach day for us, and I have heard Paradise Beach is great and many people said the taxi is cheap. But I've always been warned don't do anything that isn't sponsored by the cruise. How do I know what is safe and what isn't? We didn't want to book an excursion this day, and just allow the kids to relax and swim in a fun beach.

Hey everyone!

 

Excited for my first cruise aboard the Carnival Sensation in September. I've read on here that you can either prepay your gratuities or have it come out of your S&S account once on board. How would I go about prepaying the gratuities? I think that would be the better option instead of having it come out of my onboard account.

 

Thanks in advance!

(Also, any other "tipping tips" would be appreciated.)

I prepaid when I booked the cruise. Paid whatever I could that day. I want no surprises at the end of the week! I think you could just call and pay now......When I booked they asked me if I wanted to prepay them. I just figure the more I pay now, the less I have to worry about or stress about later!

I have myself and 2 girls with LOOOONG thick hair. We each would use 2 of the travel size shampoos at a time. We are bringing our own just to make sure there's enough! My husband and son are bald. Maybe we'll steal their shampoo from their room. Ha ha.

I'd like to hear more about the Conquest, as that is the next Carnival ship I am looking at, going to the 8 day itinerary you went on. I'd love to do a b2b, though!! In recent years, I've only been booking on newer ships, on RCCL and NCL, and haven't cruised Carnival in several years, so I'm a little nervous about cruising an older Carnival ship. Would live to hear more about it.

 

 

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I agree. it's great to hear good reviews. 68 days and counting for us til we are on the Conquest.

Paradise Beach in Cozumel would be perfect for your group. Lots of water activities for the kids and plenty of beach umbrellas and loungers for the adults. The taxi fare is a fixed rate (under $20) and the cost to get into Paradise Beach is more than worth it.

Good to know!

Interesting. I've not heard of this program. I don't think I'd be interested, but it's interesting to know it's available. Is getting off the ship at ports a long process? We didn't wait at all on Royal Carribean. It was a fast process. Just scan your card and go.....

I am need of suggestions for excursions or activities at the following ports. Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman and Cozumel. It is 2 families and we will have 5 kids ranging from 3 years old to 15 years old. Would like excursions suggestions and also info on beaches withing walking distance from the ports or places that are a must do. Thanks in advance.

 

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That's the exact same itinerary as our trip this coming May! We booked the Sea turtle farm excursion for Grand Caymen. Sounds great for all ages. Ocho Rios we are doing the bobsled. But for your family the 3 yr old wouldn't be able to unless over 46 inches. We don't have anything planned for Cozumel. Probably a beach day for us. Just curious as to what ship and when you are going! We are May 7 on Conquest.

$95--heck that's cheaper than a visit at a Dr's office here at home without any meds!

No kidding!!!!

I can only speak to what the 13 year old will do. Lot's of hanging out, playing games, (yes video games too), various activities, etc... My son has always enjoyed it. In my signature is my trip report for our cruise on the Magic, this past November. In there, I have photos of the Circle C activities for several of the days. It will give you an idea of what things they'll do there.

Thank you. I'll check that out

Get them there the first day. I've read over and over that the kids start to form their own groups right away. It's a lot easier for your kid to be there when those bonds are forming than to show up later.

Good to know. Thank you. So they start the clubs right at boarding. Do they have an actual itinerary of events for the clubs? Or is it just you show up when you want and hang out? I just don't want them to be indoors playing video games they could do at home! Explore and experience new things!