attran99

Going to spend some time in Key West following a cruise.

Does anyone have any recommendations on where we can stay?

A beachfront resort is nice, but not necessary.  We do enjoy modernized hotels with great service.

Thanks!

We have this same issue.

We arrive at 5AM and don't want to make our way to the Port until about 10AM.

We also need to stop a pick up some wine before we board.

Not from FL and first time departing from MIA.

What's the most convenient store to hit with a good variety on the way to the cruise terminal from MIA airport?

Thanks!

Thank you, @BoozinCroozin!

Maybe we’ll meander out for a hotel breakfast closer to the Port.  It’s our first time departing from Miami.

Piggybacking off of this one.

We are arriving at 5AM and have about 5 hours to kill before we board our ship.

What’s the best way to spend our time and ensure that our luggage will be taken care of, too?

There are actually a plethora of reviews of the Fascination if you use the search function or click on the Carnival Fascination link at the top of the Carnival Board page.  No need to start a new thread. There are actually a plethora of reviews of the Fascination if you use the search function or click on the Carnival Fascination link at the top of the Carnival Board page.  No need to start a new thread. 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search/?q=carnival fascination

So happy to hear you had an amazing time with them! It sounds like they are still doing a fabulous job and I can still highly recommend them! :)

All thanks to your great review! Your advice is spot on for each stop in the Caribbean.

Thank you so much for this review. We will be headed for cave tubbing with this company for spring break. I know that many people don't like the time spent traveling the the site, but I don't want this to be another trip to Belize where my son won't get off the ship. If I don't book something, we will just go to the port to look at the shops and he will stay on ship. Thank you so much for taking time to offer this review.

Teffany Brandon :):):)

We hope you have a great as a time as we did. I would be happy to repeat this excursion the next time we find ourselves in Belize.

Thank you for the review. We haven't been to Belize in years and wanted to try something different and I think this is it!

Sounds like a good time! I'll have to add it to our list

I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

Freeport has beautiful beaches!!! You can go to Banana Bay and hang out there on Fortune Beach or go to one of the clubs on Taino Beach if you like to party. Gold Rock is the most beautiful but you have to rent a car or take a tour.

Thanks so much! There's so little activity on this board...it was nice of you to chime in.

Using the search function for Freeport gave me inconclusive results. It’s our first time in Freeport. We’re looking for either an all-inclusive beach club or the most beautiful beach in the Freeport area. Please give us your recs for the area...we are not interested in staying on the ship for the day.

Thanks!

From the research I have done, you don’t want to go if it has been raining. Water levels can get high and dangerous currents. Even good swimmers need to be pulled by the guides in these conditions.

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Very helpful...thanks!

Not at all! Everyone wears a life jacket and you are basically floating along - or walking through the river bed - depending on the water depth.

Thanks so much!

Thanks so much!

This my be a stupid question...do you have to be a good swimmer for this adventure? My husband is great...me, not so much. I am also slightly terrified of heights, but I know my husband would really enjoy the 27 falls experience. It looks like a lot of fun.

Thanks!

This may be a stupid question...what does the rental cost include? Thanks!

They cost about $22 each.

I'm curious what Panorama's code will be.

How about a scenic view at the front of the ship?

Thanks! That's really something to consider since we've never had that view before.

OP, since you mentioned cove balconies I'm assuming you're sailing on Dream class or newer. If this is the case, here is something to bear in mind. There is a wide promenade on these ships that blocks your view of the ocean when looking straight down from the regular balconies. For this reason, we prefer a cove balcony on the newer ships with the wide promenade. You mentioned enjoying the wake, which makes me think this semi-blocked view might be an issue for you. It was for us when we booked the Dream and was not expecting it. We have since booked a cove balcony twice and really enjoyed them, even though you have to take an elevator to get anywhere. The cove balconies are slightly larger and it is nice being so close to the water and having more privacy than you have with the regular balconies. I wouldn't rule out cove balconies, if you really enjoy the ocean. You can almost "shake hands" with the flying fish! :-)

Thanks for your view on the cove balconies! I think I'm a bit cautious because these are on the lower decks. We've always been on deck 6 or higher during our travels. But I do really enjoy the way you explained the cove balconies. Super helpful!

Also, which ship will you be on? We had an aft balcony once and never again. No breeze and very little shade. The way the stern is sloped, there is very little privacy on your balcony from those who are above you.

BTW, we love the Cove balconies and the extended balconies on the Spirit class ships. Also, some of the L-shaped cabins on some of the ships have longer balconies. :)

We've had AFT on Fascination and Magic. Both times we had the highest AFT balcony right below the Lido deck. We had the Lido deck lip as shade both times and found our balcony super comfortable to hang out in day or night.

The L-shaped balconies are sold out on the Panorama ship...that was my first back-up to AFT.

Thanks for the note!

Most of the time no, it really does not matter because when coming into ports, you never know for sure which direction the ship will pull into the dock or (if tendering) which side of the ship will be facing the port. If we knew what itinerary your're sailing, maybe we could be more specific based on past experience.

We're actually on the inaugural voyage for Panorama has she departs Long Beach for the first time. It's a 3 day romp to Ensenada. I'm surprising the husband because he said he wanted to try the new ship out when it arrived.

Then assuming your ship has no extended balconies such as on the Pride, and you don’t want to pay for a suite, you will have to slum it with a regular balcony (we actually prefer it to aft depending on the ship).

Thanks! Part of me probably knew that this was the inevitable answer. But being we've never had a balcony anywhere else, does it matter which side of the ship or where the balcony is?

We have an lshaped balcony booked, it's not directly aft but very close and I've heard they are longer balconies

Very helpful! Thanks...but alas, these are sold out, too.

Love your write-up! Can't wait to see what happens next.

We've had oceanviews and then went straight to the AFT-balcony where the wake of the ship is just stunning. On our next voyage, the AFT balconies are all sold out. What's a viable replacement?

I don't think I can handle a cove balcony...I'm not game to be on a lower deck. And I'm not baller enough to spring for a Suite.

Thanks!