Eli_6

Ok...so snorkeling at MB doesn't sound like it is that great. Anyone been (recently) to Half Moon Bay to snorkel? We went 15 years ago on an NCL cruise (took a cab) and it was amazing snorkeling...BUT that was 15 years ago.

I sail Carnival primarily because it is kid friendly without being the price of chartering a yacht (ahem, Disney). I do think the atmosphere is fun, though. Comedy club, deck parties, etc.

Some of you get way too worked up over really silly things...

You know, if you see a post you disagree with or think is pointless, you can just keep scrolling...

It is pretty random when they post schedules and it varies from port-to-port and even year-to-year. With that said, from NOLA, I would only book a 7 or more day cruise because on the shorter cruises you really get a pretty party/rowdy crowd.

Hubs doesn't drink much so I would have to drink for two so I am probably better off just setting aside $400 for my drinks.

@hapytobehr and @sunonfire Thank you for your responses! Do yall know if the snorkeling from that beach is any good? I read one review on the "Jolly Roger" catamaran tour that said the snorkeling from the "free beach" near the port was better than the snorkeling on that excursion so it made me assume there was at least SOME snorkeling. But I wasn't sure if there was a reef out the reviewer was being sarcastic.

You definitely need to call because I do recall someone complaining on this board at one point for "upgrading" and loosing their OBC. I don't think this is what normally happens, but I think it can.

Mods - Please don't move this to the Roatan board. This *IS* a Carnival related question because Carnival owns the port and only Carnival cruise ships dock there. What I am wondering is if there is enough to do in the port area and via the magic chair lift to the Mahogany Bay Beach that we can just stay in the area and not bother getting a cab to another area (like West Bay beach or Half Moon Bay). I am mainly wanting to just snorkel from the beach and have a few drinks. Is the shore snorkeling from Mahogany Bay beach any good? If we stay in the area, I may also try to zip line in the area. On the Roatan board, it seems like most of the people on there recommending going to West Bay beach and doing a resort day pass are coming in on NCL, RCL, etc. and that port is not as nice. Thus, I am wondering if there is any reason to even pay the money to do this if coming in on Carnival at the better port where everything is sort of an extension of the ship.

Can you snorkel form the shore at the beach near the ship port? Is it any good? What is there to do in the area if you simply don't leave the port area?

If you don't mind my asking, how much does the transportation from the resort cost?

I would like to know the answer to this, too. Was amazing 15 years ago.

Thank you to everyone who posted a response on this thread. I was really torn on whether to book one of these two exact tours because of the long bus ride, but this thread made me do it! Can't wait!

4 at the aft in the middle of the ship with the doors opening towards the aft balcony rooms.

A bad dancer contest. Informational sessions that give the history/interesting facts about each port of call on sea days--beyond them just trying to sell excursions. A crazy hat contest.

And bring back the hairy chest contest. Or do a bikini contest for men.

The horse races they do on Journey's cruises!

Yes, that is true and a valid point.

Maybe the points guy is used to airline food. In comparison to that, it seems pretty good.

That makes the trip a ton more stressful and basically requires my husband to take off an additional 1-2 extra days from work. And I have already paid in full for the cruise. IAH is HORRIBLE right now because it is under construction. Took us two hours AFTER we debarked our plane to get picked up last time...mainly because there was such bad traffic in the pick up areas.

How to survive if you fall off a cruise ship in the middle of the ocean, according to a survival expert (msn.com) Since this seems to be a particular problem with Carnival ships, thought I would share: 1. Don't panic. Try not to take in water into your lungs by gasping when you first hit the water. 2. Try to find anything that floats to hold on to. 3. Try to find something to make a signal so you are more visible to rescuers. Like arranging a bunch of trash around you.

Actually, setting aside $400 for drinks, $200 for Chef's table and another $200-300 for a couple of excursions may be the best bet. I just don't want to go too crazy on this trip. On our recent European cruise (and the time before and after) we ended up spending A LOT more money than I had anticipated. I wasn't really paying attention to it and when I got home and my credit card bills came in, I was like "Err mah gawd."

It's Galveston to the same 3 ports every boat out of Galveston goes to over and over and over again. Only reason doing the cruise is we live 90 minutes away and Havana.

Full supportive of traveling with babies, but please don't put baby in pool or anywhere where the water can be re-circulated even if in a swim diaper. I see people doing that it and it is a good way to cause the spread of noro.

I always head the rule was if you were staying in the same room with them (i.e. my gold Mom could board if in the same room with me as a platinum) or if they were under 18 because I think children have to board with parents.