Bers

I used to sleep with a fan also, mainly just for the sound. Cruises make this difficult and I switched to this little guy below. It has a bunch of different fan sound variations and is small enough to carry with you.

LectroFan High Fidelity White Noise Machine with International Power Adaptors for The US, UK and EU - Global Power Edition https://a.co/d/a5BYmLV

2 hours ago, klfrodo said:

I enjoy AI's as much as a cruise. Sometimes more, sometimes less.

 

My only feedback would be to double check and ask yourself, Do I really need the rental car. I say this for a few reasons and mostly due to safety. Rules of the road are different in Mexico. Rules of liability are very different. Rules of insurance are very different also. I can't say for sure in your instance but $280 looks to good to be true. Many times, the quotes you receive for a car rental in Mexico include no insurance when in fact it's mandatory. They then add the required insurance at the desk when you go to pick up the car and the price balloons above the budgeted amount. Also, where do you plan on driving to? Are there other alternatives to that destination. Refueling the car is different in Mexico also. You cannot refuel your own car and gas stations have been known to rip off tourists at the gas station by not resetting the pump to 0, etc.

The rental was really an ask from mom, and we don't plan on venturing far from home base and only with a mapped out plan. I have driven in the fast-paced chaotic countries, third world included, though TBH, it was with the military and with our own vehicle so the thought of all the details that goes along with a rental has certainly caused a bit of....contemplation, but I'll take each situation as it comes. My last trip to Tampa pulled the same insurance scam on me that you're speaking about, so I'm familiar with that nasty scene. I do appreciate the warnings. 

I certainly understand these two vacations are not complete parallels, but they're certainly similar and I thought I could help others who had the same curiosity that I did. 

40 minutes ago, aborgman said:

To make a true comparison - you'd probably have to add all the things that are included at the AI, but cost extra on a cruise.

 

Things that AI comes with a cruise does not:

 

Alcohol (including in room mini-bar restocked daily)

Wi-Fi

24-Hour Room Service

Golf greens fees

 

 

Makes perfect sense. It didn't make it into my list because these aren't things we typically use, so we could take it or leave it. 

I’ve been on several cruises, all Carnival, and they have been my only real major form of vacation that I have taken. Mainly because I wanted something where I didn’t have to do a lot of planning and I was never sure an all-inclusive resort would be enjoyable for me, fearing I’d be bored. However, my mom, who has been my vacation partner throughout, said she would like to try a resort and so we booked one for this coming January for 7 days. Because I had always been interested in the cost comparison between the “cost effective” Carnival cruises and an all-inclusive, I thought I’d share for others, too. BLUF: A Carnival cruise is, for my mother and I, the winner by a smidgen, at least my most recent one. This does not include any extras like dining, Cheers, shopping, etc, so YMMV. Really, any extras would just about put us equal to or greater than an all-inclusive. Hope this helps those who are wondering the same thing. Below are the numbers:

Cruise

-Panorama Carnival Cruise fare – 7 day – 8C Balcony (7268) – choose your own room location (after taxes/port fees/tips): $2,306

-Airfare (St. Louis to Long Beach): $908 ($454 x 2)

-Insurance (The Trip Insurance Store): $261 ($106 for myself, 44 yo – trip and medical; $155 for 73 yo mother – medical only)

-Hotel: $170

-Lyfts (to and from airport/hotel/cruise terminal): ~$210

Total: $3,855

All-Inclusive – Using Southwest Vacation Packages for the Paradisus Cancun for 7 days (prices have since the booking raised)

-Resort + flight (booking did not break this down): $3,354 ($1,677 x 2)

-Car rental: $278

-Insurance: $250 ($125 x 2 – did not ask for age, etc.)

-Lyft to airport/return home: $120

Total: $4,002

1 hour ago, peekinglemer said:

I understand what you are saying, but please think about the people that use this as a verified medical treatment.  I'm sure anyone could go a week without recreational marijuana, but for people with MS, or cancer or other illnesses, this is a lifeline.  Telling people that are dealing with life changing illnesses to "grow up" really devalues and minimizes peoples legitimate medical needs. Opioids like oxycodone are legal and WAY MORE INSIDIOUS then thc will ever be.  But because it is "legal" no one bats an eye.  All I am asking it that people keep an open mind and realize this is not a one size fits all situation.  

I think people can easily grasp where marijuana ranks in addiction/lethality/whatever compared to other drugs, but just because someone finds it useful for cancer or MS, doesn't remove the fact that it's not allowed on board. People can find another vacation if they can't do without. "Showing grace" is not about allowing misconduct, it's about the forgiveness shown after. And calling people names in your post for stating the rules is just snotty. 

11 hours ago, VentureMan_2000 said:

Where did you renew from ?  I'm guessing that could make a difference.

 

 

I shipped it from a St. Louis suburb.

I have wondered why some take longer and some are seemingly "immediate". I have a government security clearance and wonder if that comes into play....  Even for applicants with derogatory information in their background, I would think it's either a yes/no decision and not a let's-sit-on-it-for-three-months-and-think-about-it decision. 

Just an update on passport renewal times, for those that are waiting for theirs. I sent off for my expedited passport renewal on August 5 for an upcoming Panorama cruise in October, though mostly for a land based Mexico vacay in January since a passport isn't required for my cruise, and they received it Aug 9 (St. Louis to PA). On Aug 20, my status showed "Approved", and I had my passport the next day. I did not pay for priority shipping so the quick return surprised me. Less than two week turn-around surprised me even more, though! I wonder if the government is finally getting their act together...🤔🤣

Does anyone have any experience with booking a spring break time-frame cruise for 12 days (regarding the amount of kids)? I typically cruise in Jan/Feb but because Th Venzia will be out of New York, I'd like to wait till a little later so it can warm up a bit. Thoughts? 

I don't know if what he says is gospel, but there's that. 

This is the same question I am wondering, too. I have read a few places on this site where people have done just that, but the Carnival site is seriously lacking it the specifics so what if I get a clueless person checking me in and I'm denied entry? They need a list of what tests you can use other than "any over the counter test". So, not FDA approved? I ordered the free gov't tests and haven't received them yet, but assume they're FDA approved (EUA, of course because they're a joke). I would also love to hear as many tried-and-true cases of your question to give me the warm fuzzies before I get on that plane. 

5 minutes ago, kdr69 said:

If the Vaccine requirement is removed so anyone can sail why the need to upload proof of vaccination????

So they know who needs a test. Unvaxxd get tested. 

22 minutes ago, Enryon said:

It seems that this thread has become toxic. Yeah I know this post will be deleted and for some reason the mods will allow many of the toxic posts to remain. 

Let's all just try to accept that there are those that refuse to accept that covid is at the omicron stage and try to ignore them because they are the minority. Then we can move on to celebrate the great news of the return to semi-normal. You know, like when thousands and thousands died from the flu without pushing constant panic... Because we knew the reality of these crappy viruses and if we were to afraid to get it, we didn't go on cruises. 

2 minutes ago, LMaxwell said:

Which ship are you trying out 

I'm single, so I'm looking at the ships with the studios leaving the west coast to miminize hurricanes, like the Norwegian Bliss. I typically neeeeeeed the balcony but just to go on a cruise I'll try anything, for crying out loud. 😂

2 minutes ago, cruisinbeachbum said:

I was replying to the poster who said she thinks testing does more to prevent spreading than the vaccine. 

 

Not here to fight, just offered my preference if it's one or the other. 

Copy. I think many of us can agree they both have their faults. 😊

8 minutes ago, cruisinbeachbum said:

Plus the test doesn't do a ton to prevent spreading... 

And you think the vaccine does? 

This is great news. Literally went straight to the NCL website to book, and I've only ever went with Carnival. The company who originally stated they would not mandate the vaccine (Carnival) should be first in line to drop it. 

14 minutes ago, klfrodo said:

The vaccines received full FDA approval back in Feb.

Full FDA Approval of a COVID-19 Vaccine: What You Should Know | Johns Hopkins Medicine

You must be thinking of Cominarty and Spikevax, which are FDA-approved. The FDA is calling these Moderna and Pfizer, but there is a distinct difference. 

I loved Salsa Salsa in Mazatlan. The place of the excursion is right on the beach and it's this beautiful open air building. You're seated at large round tables that sit multiple parties and are served endless margaritas while making red and green salsa. You're then given time after to lay out at their pool or on the beach or go into the small shops on the road. I really look forward to going back one day. 

19 hours ago, firefly333 said:

All I got is a wifi rate.  I'm wondering if those targeted havent booked in the last 2 months, or 6 months or how they were selected. 

In my case, I was already booked on a 7-dayer out of Galveston in Jan. I did notice that when I went to another computer almost immediately after, it showed different rates even with me being logged in. 

Yesterday I booked a solo rate of $230 for a interior in Sept. My PVP kept saying it was double occupancy but I told her it wasn't adding a second occupant with a mock booking, and she eventually saw the same thing. I looked later that day and it was double occupancy rates... Maybe a fluke but I gobbled it up!

Just booked a 7-day solo interior on the Panorama for Sept for $230. Never stayed in an interior but at that price, I had to. Im seeing $130 5-dayers out of Port Canaveral, also. These are solo rates - they didn't charge me double occupancy. 

I am vegan and sailed on the Splendor last year and will be on the Panorama in Jan. I told the maitre d' immediately after getting on board that I was vegan. The whole week, they had me select my meal the night before at dinner. They would bring me the menu and I would tell them what I wanted for the next evening. The selection wasn't a ton and a couple times I had to default to the Indian selection (which is still awesome), but there was always something yum. For lunch, there is the Blue Iguana Cantina which was great (make your own bowls with rice, beans, pico, etc.). The Panorama also has the Cucina del Capitano, the Captains Pasta Bar, Bonsai Teppanyaki, and sushi, all with vegan options. There's also supposedly a vegan burger floating around somewhere on the ship (I've heard at the deli) but have not tried it or throughly researched it. The buffets around the ship will have something you can eat. Bit by bit, you'll get yourself a plate full of good food. Breakfast has tons of fruit, potato wedges (which to be honest, may have butter on them but I didn't ask) with salsa, and toast with jelly. I went into the cruise concerned about the food options but realized I had nothing to worry about. To me being vegan isn't about being perfect, it's about making my best effort to do my part so, if the taters did have some butter, I'm not going to beat myself up. Hope this helps! 

Yesterday ,someone was shot in LA in a Trader Joe store.

Does that mean we should all avoid them?

There was random shooting on the streets of Toronto(of all places!)

In these violent days where anyone can be shot anywhere it seems like the best answer is to stay barricaded in your own house!

Why revert to the passive aggressive snark? No one is suggesting becoming a hermit and living in a cave. People have families and give a gosh darn about their safety. Asking questions and having all the information is the responsible thing to do.

Ber

Really ? Robbed while going/coming from the zip line? Please provide link to news story about this. I haven't heard any of it.

Have you read the info I provided in the govt web site above where Puerto Vallarta is NOT included in the warning???

I'm well aware of who is included in the warnings for OCONUS travel. It's part of my job to brief them to people. So, because your website doesn't include Puerto Vallarta, we're not allowed to talk about concerns for that area? Calm down. We're just talking it out.

Ber

Really ? Robbed while going/coming from the zip line? Please provide link to news story about this. I haven't heard any of it.

Have you read the info I provided in the govt web site above where Puerto Vallarta is NOT included in the warning???

https://www.nbcnews.com/business/travel/22-carnival-cruise-passengers-robbed-gunpoint-ship-sponsored-tour-mexico-f198368

Ber