Cruzin'Kris

I decided to go ahead and pre-pay for parking at the cruise terminal parking. Earliest check in I could get is 12:30 so I’m hoping traffic won’t be too bad. I’ll try to remember to update our experience when we get back. We set sail April 7 [emoji4]

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We drove from Atlanta in early Dec. Did not have any traffic. We arrived at Port around 12 and was on board by 1. Longest wait was in front of terminal as cars were unloading luggage.

Hank

 

 

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Yay! That’s good news! Thank you!

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I've cruised out of Mobile 3 or 4 times and in my opinion the traffic is still a nightmare. We drive from further away so we stay at a park and cruise hotel that shuttles us to and from. I know there are several downtown parking lots that might be an option. You might contact the Mobile Chamber of Commerce for more info.

Thank you for your response. I’m wishing now I would have booked a hotel the night before but I have already purchased tickets to see a comedy show the night before we depart so I have no choice but to drive down the morning of.

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Anyone?! Lol

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One thing to look out for is that policies vary on which particular sports or activities can be considered "dangerous" and are excluded. For example, policies may exclude ziplining, or water sports, or cycling, or they may allow cycling but not race cycling or stunt cycling, or they may allow snorkelling but not scuba diving, or allow scuba diving to 30 feet but not below, or not allow snorkelling or scuba diving. Make sure you know what's offered,

Thank you! I never thought about that. But I did decide not to do any excursions that would be considered “dangerous” bc my boys are boys and anything can happen and I’d rather be safe than sorry.

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Sorry for my poor communication. I meant to say that medical risks for youngsters typically is much different than young adults or older adults.

 

 

 

Most older adults die from cancer, heart disease, diabetes, or stoke. If one is concerned about pre-existing condition waivers, it is older adults who tend to suffer from conditions in which prior evidence exists.

 

 

 

In contrast most youngsters have not yet faced these types of maladies, and if they require medical care abroad, it is most likely due to accidents. And, most accidents (unless automobile/pedestrian collisions) are not the type that will bankrupt one.

 

 

 

If concerned about trip cancellation, youngsters are unlikely to have a prexisting condition that obviates coverage.

 

 

 

So, perhaps you don't have to worry about trip insurance for your kids, just charge their non-reimbursable expenses on a suitable credit card. For older adults, it may pay to purchase separate trip insurance that covers pre-existing conditions and has a high benefit for foreign medical care.

 

 

 

Hope that explains it. :)

Thank you for clarifying. :)

My biggest concern is one of my boys having an accident on the ship, playing at the water park or even on the inflatables at the beach club that we are going to. Especially Since this happened on a past vacation in Florida. I’ve had a long talk with my boys about being more aware of their actions and to use their heads! I discussed all of my concerns with the gentleman I spoke with before I purchased the travel/medical. I believe the policy I purchased is a great one for our needs. No one expects to have an accident on vacation but I would rather be over prepared than not prepared at all! I never even considered purchasing travel on my previous cruise but with my kids going this time, it gives me peace of mind to have this extra coverage. I’m also extremely grateful for all of you on CC to help with my concerns and questions! This is a great forum for support!

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I have read all of the old threads regarding this so I’m looking for updated information. We leave for our cruise in April, Yay! We are driving down the morning of, we are only 4 1/2 hours away. I’ve read that the lines are horrific to get into the cruise parking terminal. So looking for suggestions on whether this has gotten better or if it’s less chaotic to park at a close by garage and walk the few blocks?

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We are headed to our first cruise in less than two weeks now....(Yes, we are counting down!! :))

 

 

 

We are only about a 4.5 hour drive to Mobile, so we are naturally going to drive. In all the advise we are receiving from cruise savvy friends and from everyone here, I'm hearing both sides as to whether to go down the night before or the day of the cruise.

 

 

 

We have already reserved our boarding time for 1:00.

 

 

 

We are trying to decide whether to go down the night before "just in case" or just leave at 0-dark-early to get there "in enough time"..........

 

 

 

PHEW....to many decisions! :o

 

 

 

We looked on the Carnival Mobile website and saw there is a covered parking lot for about $18 a day.

 

 

 

If we did do the parking lot at the dock, is it hard to get in? Will there be plenty of spots, or will we arrive and panic with no spot?

 

 

 

The hotels are going to cost around $200 (with junk fees and tax) to stay the night before just to park with them.....looks like the parking lot is cheaper....

 

 

 

So, what say you Cruise Critic experienced cruisers??!!!!

 

 

 

Everyone's advise on all my concerns have all been so good and I appreciate everyone's experiences! Thank you!

I’m curious as to what you decided to do for parking on your cruise? [emoji4]

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We stayed at the Wyndham by Wingate.

 

Think we paid an extra $50 for parking.

 

Nice hotel but they were severely late picking us back up from the terminal. So much so us and 2 other couples split the cost of another hotel van to get to our cars. The manager was a complete ASS. Wont stay there again.

Omg!! That’s an awful way to end your vacation! I hate that for you.

We are driving down the morning of so we won’t be needing a hotel but I’ll keep in mind not to ever stay there!

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We might do that. If we decide to come down the night before.

 

I did find a hotel a few blocks away with parking for $20/month without a required stay.

 

malagainn.com ?

Hi! Can you tell me where you decided to park for your cruise out of Mobile?

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Does anyone on this thread have any updated advice for parking day of? Our cruise is in April and will be driving down early that morning. Thank you!

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I'm told we can park in the Civic Center parking lot for cheap, and walk. Going in a few weeks, I'll let you guys know what we end up doing!

Hi! Can you update us all regarding the civic center parking or whichever option that you chose?

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Anyone driven in the morning of the cruise and parked off site? Looking to avoid the high cost of the deck. Not very familiar with Mobile, wanted to see if there is a long term deck- 5 nights- and uber to port... suggestions? Thanks!

Did you have any luck finding alternative parking? We leave in April for our cruise and I’ve never been to the Mobile port & hear it’s quite packed..

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Boys being boys probably excludes preexisting conditions. You might consider whetherether the credit card with which you paid for the trip offers sufficient coverage.

I’m not trying to be difficult, I just don’t understand what you mean..

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We'd recommend you contact www.TripInsuranceStore.com

 

 

 

TALK with someone there.

 

The fine print is too important in travel insurance (any insurance, actually).

 

The commission is paid by the insurer.

 

 

 

We've used Travel Insured, and had excellent service with claims, two of them large.

 

(There is another insurer offering coverage for pre-existing conditions if you already paid deposits more than 20 days ago.)

 

 

 

Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

GC

Thank you. I’ve been chatting with a gentleman from InsureMyTrip to help me find the best coverage for us. None of my boys have been hurt since last May while we were vacationing in Florida. My now 14 year old got hurt on an inflatable while playing so that made me realize how easy accidents can happen. :)

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Boys being boys probably excludes preexisting conditions. You might consider whetherether the credit card with which you paid for the trip offers sufficient coverage.

Boys being boys has nothing to do with pre-existing conditions. I don’t understand what you are trying to say..

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There are many options.

 

We use an insurance search engine which is: http://www.insuremytrip.com

 

You provide some information and it will price out policies and then provide a nice way to compare them.

 

Keith

Thank you! I will check this out!

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I am going on a 5 day with my 3 boys in April. Ages are 15, 14, & 9.

Port stops are Cozumel and Progresso.

I am mostly concerned with medical since “boys will be boys” lol What companies do you all recommend? I’ve never purchased travel/medical insurance before but I think that I most definitely should for this trip!

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Yes, there is a very nice sit down restaurant there inside the shopping area at the parking lot. Prices looked very good, also. Plus there are some nice shops there with prices 1/2 of what you pay for same items at Cozumel, etc.

Yay! That is really good to know! Having two teenagers plus a nine-year-old, all boys, they stay hungry LOL and we are doing a beach club in Cozumel so I was hoping to do a little bit of shopping in Progresso. Thank you for all of your advice!

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Do an excursion through your ship. Progreso is really the gateway to the Mayan culture and the cruise lines have some fantastic short or long excursions that are suitable for you. Progreso itself is a tiny fishing village, dirt roads, lots of poverty, very few people speak English. There really is nothing around the port, out of the long long long pier, but shops for the tourists. If you aren't doing an excursion, then you have to take the free bus down the pier to town, then get off there in town.

 

 

When we were at Progreso a year ago, we did the excursion to Uxmal ruins. It was absolutely amazing. You can also go to Chichen Itza from that port.

 

I have a little video:

 

Yes, it is a 6+ hour tour, but it was amazing and the guides were fabulous. There are others that are shorter to other places, if you want that.

Thank you for your suggestions and the video! Mayan Ruins is def on my bucket list. Just not sure the kids will agree! Lol.

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I’ve never pulled my kids out of school for a vacation. But I just booked my 2nd cruise for myself and my 3 boys for early April and they will be missing school for it. I decided the pros out weigh the cons!

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2nd Cruise and 1st time in Progresso. Cruising with 2 teenagers and a 9 yr old. I would like to walk around the port and then go to Merida. We are doing a beach day in Cozumel so I want my boys to experience the culture as much as possible in Progresso. Any suggestions on the best way to do this?

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