Twinswithtwins

I can help. I'll be on the Victory in a few weeks. My favorite ship. Can you show me what they look like?

At Tea Time- just ask the waiter for the Veteran's Table. There will be a sign in the middle. Has always been one of the big round ones. If it fills they will start another. Nice.

Sea Day. Sometimes there is champagne and little flags. Each Cruise Director does it a little different. But it is not to be missed. Bring tissues, very patriotic. They usually gather us all on the stage for a photo. And then pass the microphone around for a few words about what you did, how long in service, etc. ALSO- look for the special Veterans Table during 3pm Tea Time. Nice to chat with other veterans. Husbands and wives of veterans also welcome at the Tea Table. Big round table- sometimes enough to fill 2 tables.

If you go before 11am you are offered the pastry basket. But if you go after 11 you get POPOVERS instead! Both choices are great.

Yes- running. Was there on MSC last week. THOUGH- many of the numbered 'Trolley Stop' signs are missing. You will still see the green metal posts with a triangle design where the # used to be before the Hurricane. Trolley still stops there. There are 3 routes (2 go to the Forts). You can Google the trolley map. BTW- spoke to the Park Ranger at El Morro- she said the smaller 'white' trolleys are no longer running. She said those were 'their' own trolleys (Park Service?). They were the ones that could take you ALL the way up that very long path to El Morro and drop you right at the door...

I was in San Juan last Wednesday on the MSC Seaside. I took the free trolley (from stop #12) to El Morro (though we only went 3 blocks before it broke down and had to wait again for another). It was hot and crowded. I'll be back in San Juan in 3 weeks (and it will be even hotter) but would like to take a taxi to both Forts and then to Parque de las Palomas (near trolley stop #9) and have the taxi wait. I won't need a 'tour' or a guide. Just don't want the hassle of hailing a taxi each time. Is there such a thing in San Juan? Do you think one of the regular taxis would take the 3 of us around for a set price? Any idea how much? From what I read the regular metered rates will add up to too much. Probably 4 hours total. Anyone have a contact there?

BTW- the Parque was SO much fun. I brought a bag of oatmeal- they love it. There is a woman selling small bags of cracked corn near the gate ($2-) if you don't bring your own. Wear long sleeves. Very fun photos. Kids love it.

I set up my own 'Key Lime Pie Crawl'. We tried 4 very different versions at 4 different places. Can share each piece if you like. Easy to print and map out. I used a Trolley map. Stopped for shops along the way.

No problem- (leaving in 3 weeks). There are 2 excursions to Tulum. Nothing for Chichen Itza or Coba.

#1- VIP Exclusive Tulum and Cenote Swim w/ Mayan Lunch in Mayan Village. It's 8 hours- starts at 12 noon. Cost is $139.99 per adult. Child is $119.99.

#2- Ancient City of Tulum. Guided Tour of Tulum then 1 1/2 hour beachtime at Tulum's beach. It is 7 hours- starts at noon. Cost is $95.99 adult. Child is $85.99.

I will ask for the experts to chime in, but I believe at many ports, the people working the screeners and security are not Carnival employees, but rather port of authority employees

 

Correct- NOT Carnival employees. I briefly worked, a few months ago, at Port Canaveral checking people in. The check-in people can work multiple cruise lines- they simply change their scarf. Not Carnival employees. So all the rants about boarding problems are directed to the wrong people... Very tough job for minimum wage! Huge turnover. I thought it would be a fun little part-time job. Not!

Love the wood tablescapes. I agree (a tiny bit) that glasses drip in the high humidity. I simply asked my waiter for a paper bar napkin to put under my water glass. Provided with a smile and there were a few napkins waiting for us every night when we were seated after the 1st night. NO big deal. That would fix the 'I don't want my silverware to touch the table' people, too. I don't understand how people won't even try to fix their own miniscule problems...

I slept on the sofa for the 1st time in March, on the Dream. Found it a bit hard the 1st night so asked our Steward if there was a pad available. He said no, but he could put a folded comforter underneath the sheet. That did make it better- next time if I 'get' the sofa I may ask for 2 comforters instead. I think that would be just perfect. Just ask when the Steward introduces himself the 1st day. FYI- The sofa stays made-up as a bed all the time.

Mini cups are fine. I brought 2 boxes of them on the Dream 2 weeks ago. Had people asking where I found them on the ship. Brought a few extra to the table to share. I just packed in my suitcase.

I'm 'addicted', too. My favorite is the chocolate/caramel.

Just off the Dream last Sunday- 3 days ago. Steward introduced himself (Jono, Cove balcony 2248) and asked me if I wanted 'morning or evening'. I said I'd like both. He replied "Miss, you may not know, I used to have 26 cabins to take care of and now I have 35. I cannot do everyone." As I commiserated with him about the amount of work, he said this would probably be his last contract with Carnival...

Continued to press him a bit for 'both' and he said OK- grudgingly. Did get service 2X a day but didn't get ice a couple of days. Sigh.

So you CAN get service but expect to be 'shamed' into it.

I don't think John Heald knows about that part...

It was obvious which cabins had 'morning only' service at about 6pm- those cabins got the next day's Funtimes put in their mailboxes. Looked like 35-40% had chosen 'morning only'.

Hi everyone!

 

Thanks for all the great tips, but I am a little confused with 1...Port Times

 

We are on the Dream end of August for a B2B. Our itinerary says Cozumel 10-18. So then I checked on the port schedules for Cozumel and it is the same. So I am then assuming that the ship time will match the port time?

 

I booked an 11am tour thinking I was safe, not realising that the times can be different. Do you think I am OK?

Just off the Dream yesterday. Cozumel was 1 hour ahead of 'ship time'.

We would have missed our private excursion- 'Cooking with Josefina'. We called her quickly once we realized we were late (we docked at 10am last week- 11am Coz time- excursion started at 11) and were hoping we could catch up to the group at the open market while they were picking up the meal ingredients. We were very lucky to find out we were the only participants that day. We had her all to ourselves. Great time, great food.

So verify the local time with the tour operator. Also- Daylight Savings Time may mess things up, too. But, as of last week- Dream stayed on 'ship time' the whole time. (I've been on cruises where we changed our own clocks forward/backward to match port time. Very confusing).

Loved it- we stayed there overnight the night before our cruise on the Imagination. The audio tour was included in the price of the cabin. Beautiful ship. You toured at your own pace- took a few hours. The infirmary was the best. And the haunted pool. They also have the 'ghost' tour at night. Can't wait to do it again.

Good thing you moved. We were assigned Cabin 9145- I was happy to be on Lido- until the 1st night. Noise from the gym weights directly above could be heard until 3 AM. WHAM! BAM! Shook the ceiling. Like Godzilla was nearby... Terrible. We could hear it almost as soon as we arrived but figured it would be quiet when the gym closed. But no- Guest Services said the Crew uses the gym all night long. I didn't want to make a fuss- after all, it WAS a 'guaranteed' cabin assignment. But Guest Services OFFERED to move us when I mentioned we were in Cabin 9145. But I wouldn't expect that again.

Just off Conquest yesterday. Wanted to let you know how well the Veterans are honored on this ship. You don't see much info on the Veteran meet-ups on Cruise Critic. Conquest had 'Reserved for Veterans' tables set up during Tea Time on the sea days. On other ships the meet-ups were just squeezed in some place like 'near' the coffee shop. Tea time is the perfect place! Whoever thought of this should get an extra day off. Hopefully all the ships will go to this format. Had 2 larger tables reserved right in the center. We filled 1 1/2 the 1st sea day but only a few showed up for the 2nd tea. The stories were flying! The 2nd day there was a specially decorated 'Flag' cake for us. Veterans AND anyone traveling with them are invited. There were younger 'just out' guys, quite a few older vets and everyone in-between (men and women). Go- it's nice.

They also scheduled a Veterans Appreciation show in the main show lounge led by the cruise director. I didn't make that one because it was on a Port day- but I was told it was nicely done. They invited all the vets up on stage and played the military branch songs.

Just off Conquest yesterday- received the journal/pen. Took it down to Guest Services to see if they had anything else. Gave me a choice of the Tervis cup or the 'cosmetic' bag (not the duffel). Happy with the cup! The 'future cruise desk' was showing a larger bag- maybe for signing up for the Mastercard?

I've cruised with my twin teens many times- the O2 teen excursion is usually cancelled from low enrollment. Maybe- a big maybe- they might still have it during a Spring Break cruise or during the Holidays. I think it is nice that they offer it but by the time most parents hear of it their own family plans are already made.

Pretty sure they only offer 1- you will get info the first night of teen orientation. Make sure she goes to the 1st meeting on the 1st day- they do some 'ice-breaker' games to establish friends. My kids never did many of the planned activities- just used the Club as a hang-out and meeting place. From what I have read that seems to be what most do. They did enjoy the nightly dances. Some are 'themed'. Black/white Night or Backwards Night (you wear your clothes front-to-back). See if you can track down the TEEN Funtimes before you go. Haven't seen it posted very often. It will give you an idea of their schedule.

Do you think it went down like this (name the movie)

 

Vinny: Ms. Vito, you're supposed to be some kinda expert in automobiles, is that correct? Is that correct?

Judge Haller: Would you please answer the counselor's question?

Lisa: No, I hate him.

Vinny: Your Honor, may I ask your permission to treat Ms Veto as a hostile witness?

Mona Lisa: You think I'm hostile now? Wait till you see me tonight.

Judge Haller: Do you two know each other?

Vinny: Yeah, she's my fiancée.

Judge Haller: Well, that would certainly explain the hostility.

My favorite movie of all time- My Cousin Vinny. Love the 'faucet' scene.

I recently did this. Called Carnival and asked for a new PVP. They routed me to a PVP supervisor and I had to explain why I wanted a new one. There actually was not a specific reason why I wanted the change- just felt we weren't a good match. He was very 'pushy car salesman'. And then he would argue with me about my choices. I felt uncomfortable. I wanted to change quietly but the supervisor explained that the original PVP would be notified of my request. But they gave me a GREAT replacement. She is truly a star. Makes a big difference- do it.

I bring my state's Lotto scratch-off tickets. I use this for the Christmas gift exchange 'game' we've all played, too. Easy.

But someone here on Cruise Critic is sure to find fault with that, too...

I've taken our students on multiple cruises in past years. Taking our newest on a cruise in December. Had only ever needed the J-1 visa paper and their passport.

But, for the 1st time, my exchange company, EF, is saying they must have her J-1 'reissued' showing the date of reentry. I'm to send the J-1 paper to Boston and then they send it back after they change the date. Not sure why this year is any different. They want 60 days before travel but I've been told they can rush it in 3 weeks. Check with your exchange organization to see if they need to see his J-1 before you go.

I had problems cruising with my very 1st student. Didn't know to bring the paper J-1 form with us. It was very scary. Boy- do they take that stuff seriously! The student only needs their passport to get ON the ship- it was getting her back into the USA that was a problem.

They may be asked to appear at 6:30AM the morning of debarkation so Customs can see their paperwork. Not sure why it is not on every cruise- just some of them. I think it depends on the countries visited or port of reentry?

You might ask the natural parents for a notarized letter saying you have permission to take them out of the country and make medical decisions for them. Carnival has never asked to SEE the letter- but twice have asked me if I HAD a letter.

You will get automatic emails from Carnival stating he will need an ESTA visa to board. In my research I have found that they need an ESTA only if they do not have another type of Visa- like the J-1 with multiple entries. Emails are generated when you put his passport info in. Carnival will know nothing about the J-1 student visa. Their line is 'contact the consulate'-? Doesn't apply for exchange students. They are talking about foreign nationals wanting to go on a vacation from the US.

oops

Just booked a back-to-back excursion with Captain Marvin. I have used them in the past for the stingrays. Website said they could 'combine' tours. I called them and was told which tours would work best for my ship and times. We are doing the 10am 3 stop(stingrays and 2 snorkel stops) then the Hell/Turtle/Island Tour (with a guided tour at the Turtles- said you are there 45 minutes) right after that. Said they get us back to the dock 45 minutes before last tender. Since there is always a long line for the tenders so I thought that would be fine. Call them- lady had all the ship schedules and even asked where our ship departed from to check if ship-time would be the same as Cayman-time. I will check the time difference once I get there, of course. But this seems to work with our schedule.