MermaidMommy03

Good morning, 

We have never had FTTF and would like some help. 
We just rebooked our canceled cruise and now we have two rooms instead of 1. If we can’t find FTTF for both cabins can we still all board together? I have my 2 kids in one cabin and my husband and youngest in another cabin. Even if we board at a later time! And once we board could the kids come change and hang in our room right when we board? 
 

thanks 

Thanks everyone for the input! It’s such a hard choice, especially for an indecisive person like me! 

Happy Hump Day, 

So what would you pick I would love some input, raves and rants on these ships please! 
Summer Cruise for a family of 5 (2 adults, 13yr, 10yr and 6yr old)
We don’t have to pay for flights because we live in central Florida. We don’t mind visiting the same port again. We are pretty laid back and just enjoy the cruise and we usually explore on our own. 
Carnival Horizon: 8 day cruise 

Miami, 2 sea days, Aruba, Bonaire, La Romana, Amber Cove, sea day 
$400 more
One room: Family Harbor Suite Mid ship deck 1 
We have been to Amber Cove.  

 
Carnival Magic: 8 day cruise

 (we have been on the breeze)

Miami, 2 sea days, St Marteen, St Kitt, San Juan,  Grand Turk, sea day  

$400 cheaper 
2 rooms: One porthole and one door down a ocean view. Front of the ship.. like first rooms on the 1st deck.
We have been to Grand Turk and PR

Thank you!

Happy Sunday! Long please bare with me..
       I am hoping to get some opinions on weekend cruises. My husband and I haven’t been on a vacation alone in 12 years. We have 3 kiddos (12, 10, 6) and in the past we haven’t had family close by to babysit, plus my son has multiple medical conditions and we use to be in and out of the hospital. Well my son is doing 💯 better. No hospital stays in 3 years!!!! 
A friend and my dad have offered to babysit the kids so we can get a weekend getaway for my birthday. Up in
Now we could just fly somewhere but I would love to take a solo cruise but I hear horrible things about weekend cruises. 
Here are my options. 
A. 3 day cruise on the Liberty (Friday-Monday) 

Port Canaveral and overnight in Nassau. We have been to Nassau and didn’t really enjoy it But hey kid free we can go back to the ship.. enjoy the pool. Maybe walk to the beach in Nassau. 
This option we have me only miss one day of work and I would only have to worry about school pick up for my youngest for one day as well. We have never been on the Liberty so that would be new. 
B. 4 day on the Elation (Thursday-Monday)

Port Carnaveral, Nassau, Freeport. We have never been to Freeport. We have been on the elation and even though it’s a smaller ship and older it does hold a dear place in our heart. This one I would have to worry about 2 pickup days for my youngest and one drop off day. 
C.Just take a flight somewhere or stay local in Fl? 

thanks 😊 

Hi all... another question for you!! 

Has anyone used walkie talkies to communicate with your children? 

We are traveling with our children and my two oldest will have privileges to sign themselves out of camp. We already have rules on meeting spots but I still  want to be able to communicate with them.

I know about the HUB but I am afraid of them miss placing their phones. 

7 hours ago, RandomUser123 said:

Maybe I am missing something and do not understand but what is the point of buying cruise cash bar if whatever I buy without having cruise cash bar will just get charged to my room anyways. If I get cruise cash bar does that give me a discount on drinks?

My thoughts exactly! I thought I would give me a discount or some benefit... I guess I will just put cash on my ss or just get the cheers 

19 minutes ago, Joebucks said:

It's $840 for two people for a week. That's 84 $10 drinks. If your total tab is going to be near or exceed that, then Cheers is the way to go. You say you can drink more than 5 specialty drinks a day, but can you EVERY day? It sounds like 40% of your daily drinks are wine. That you could bring.

 

Personally, I find the cruise cash option to be pointless. In most scenarios, you're either 1.) Limiting yourself 2.) Spending more than you would have otherwise 3.) Watching your budget closely. In the end, what is the point? It's not refundable, but you can get around that. If you're going to pay as you go, just pay it. AARP gift cards can still be used without cruise cash.

Thank you! I wasn’t sure if there was an advantage to the “bar cash” or not. I used to be able to drink more than 5 drinks a day but now I really don’t think I will. I would probably force myself if I got cheers though. 

Yes thanks for the recommendation I think closely budgeting is the way to go. Maybe buying a few gift cards from AARP and putting them on the account will be better

Hello all,

   My husband and I will be sailing with our children in June. We have two separate cabins and we are debating 2 cheers packages or not. 

He is a drinker and I can drink enough to make cheers worth it but I have be going cleaning and not drinking much. I haven’t really even been drinking juices only water. But that’s being said I can def drink more than 5 specialty drinks (mimosas, few frozen drinks, a glass or two of wine with dinner, a drink with a late night show)! 

So we we were thinking about him getting cheers and me having a “cash account” to share with the kids. My kids aren’t soda drinkers but do enjoy virgin drinks and my oldest loves specialty coffees. 

So my question is how exactly does it work? I am assuming I can share because it’s cash and not a “cheers package”. Can I purchase it with AARP gift cards?? Has anyone used this instead of just having money on your regular account?? Looking for pros and/or cons of the bar cash vs cheers!? 

Any advice would be great! 

6 hours ago, PalmTree601 said:

Not much to add about the Steakhouse, but I will say that (different from Camp Ocean) in the Circle C (12-14) and Club O2 (15-17) teen clubs we've found it is very important that the teens go to the first night activity.  That's when they all meet new friends and usually end up hanging out with those same kids for the rest of the cruise.  If you miss the first night, the next day it's a bit like starting at a new school mid-year!  So just something to consider as you make your decisions.  Good luck and enjoy your cruise! 

 

Thank you!! I think my fear is my oldest (12 yr old) not going the first night. I really want her to meet some friends. And the reservation for the steakhouse probably around the meet and greet time (I am not sure what time they meet up at circle c 

5 minutes ago, mapman_2004 said:

 

Who doesn't LOVE Italian food?

Oh I know!! Only those two! My son and I will be trying the Cucina though. He can’t eat much (G-tube) But Italian is something he can have Ann’s loves 

3 minutes ago, Cruisefriends said:

They do offer steak at the MDR room also. Just letting you know the option.  

Thank you! We may do this 

6 hours ago, simplelife said:

If you want to enjoy a family dinner, why reserve an adult venue that will cost more and that, by your admission, is not what your kids most enjoy? 

 

I didn’t mean for it to sound like the kids won’t enjoy it. I mentioned the MDR because there are kids that like to eat in restaurant vs the buffets. The like the family dinners I just have never done the steakhouse. The reason we originally decided was because my oldest loves steak and they like eating in the restaurants. But now am second guessing myself. 

I don’t think they would enjoy Cucina because my husband and oldest don’t like Italian 🙈 food! 

Hello cruise experts!!

 My husband and 3 kids (12,9,5) will be on the Breeze this June. I made reservations  for the steakhouse on our first night. Now I am doubting if it’s worth it..

A. When I made the reservations I thought I would pay kids price for all 2 kids. But my oldest turns 12 the day of embarkation. 

B. My middle son has a feeding tube and can barley eat. (Not that it makes a difference it’s only $12) 

C. I have the email confirmation but the only time they had was 6:30 and I am worried the kids will miss the ice breaker at the kids club. 

D. I am reading more and more that there aren’t many children at the steakhouse.  

Does anyone have experience with children in the steakhouse? I really don’t want to go alone with my husband we are big on family dinners while on vacation. We are so busy with work and after school activities that we rarely have family.dinners. My kids love MDR dinners while on cruises. The want to go every night over the buffet but I have also never offered them to eat at the kids club.

Suggestions? Opinions?  

Just for fun! 

What is your favorite itinerary Eastern or western? 

What are some of your favorite ports!?? 

Thanks everyone for all the positive!! I can’t wait till June!!

Tell me it won’t be horrible!! 
So originally my family of 5 was going to go on the Breeze June 1st. We had a cove balcony. Well we had a situation and needed to change for the following week.... 
Well now we are Deck 1 mid ship; 3 person deluxe ocean view and one interior across the hall for 2 people. I have never been on such a low deck... deck 2 for the cove balcony was already stressing me. 
 
I am trying to see the positive:
A. I am on a cruise.
B. We saved over 3,000. 
C. We aren’t in the room the much.
D. We will have an extra bathroom (3 bathrooms actually) 

So questions: 
Has anyone ever stayed on deck one? 
I have my husband and son booked in the interior, me and my girls in the ocean view... could we move rooms? Camp out together? Could the older kids stay across the hall??

Any other advice or recommendations??

You all have been so amazing! Thank you for all your help! Looks like Breeze in a no brained lol 

cant wait for vacation! 

Hello! My family and I took our first family cruise last June. I had cruised when younger but my husband was afraid to cruise. Well we went on the Elation from Jacksonville and he loved it. Last year we did Half Moon cay and Bahamas (we really didnt care for the Nassau Port) . This summer he wants to go on a bigger ship. We live in central Florida and we don't mind driving to any Florida port. What would you all recommend. A family of 5, 3 children ages 12,9,6.

Carnival Horizon: Miami, Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman, Cozumel (6day) 

Carnival Breeze: Pt Canaveral, Amber Cove, St. Thomas, San Juan, Grand Turk (7 day)

Carnival Magic: Ft Lauderdale, Half Moon Cay, Grand Turk Amber Cove (6 day)

I know these ships are pretty similar although the Sky Ride on the Horizon seems like so much fun. My husband is leaning toward the Horizon but I am thinking the extra day and ports on the Breeze may be worth the little extra $$$.

If we did go with the Horizon are the Family Harbor rooms (no balcony) worth it?

This does not answer the OPs question and is unhelpful.

 

OP, according to this website, https://www.passportsandvisas.com/cruise/lines/carnival-cruises

 

Carnival Cruise Lines strongly recommends all of our guests travel with a valid passport. However, as of June 1, 2009, U.S. citizens embarking on a cruise that both originates and terminates at the same U.S. port are not required to have a passport, but will need proof of citizenship such as an original or certified copy of a birth certificate, a certificate of naturalization, a passport card, an enhanced driver’s license () as well as a government-issued photo ID. Children are also required to bring proof of citizenship, and if 16 and over, a photo ID is also required.

Thank you so much! 🙏

what? it would not be helpful to have your birth certificate, I don't know how you could possibly take it any other way. Enhanced ID is state specific, not offered in all states yet.

I live in Florida. We have an enhanced ID.

Where is your husband's birth certificate? They are easy to access on line.

If this was a quick option I would. He was born in PR and the copy we have is too old. They have a new copy and it’s very difficult to access. Between the hurricane and special documents needed it isn’t easy. My aunt has waited over 4 months for hers. It is also over $100. We could renew his passport for less but we already have the ID!

Hello all,

My family (husband and 3 young children) are traveling on a cruise in June. My children and I have our birth certificates, however my husband does not have his. I see enhanced ID listed has a valid proof of identification.

Has anyone traveled only with an enhanced ID? If so did you have any problems??

Well, if Jacksonville was closer, I would choose the Elation-the more ports, the more money to spend. But HMC is our favorite place on earth-so either 5 day would work. The Elation has the water works, and kids Carnival camp, (no matter what ship you sail on). And is your hubby a go go go kind of guy, or does he enjoy some down time? My DH loves sea days, nice lazy days to watch the waves. Have a great cruise whatever you decide. I have not sailed from Miami .But have sailed from Jacksonville a few times.

He does like to relax while on vacation.

Just playing devil’s advocate, but many times people focus on Carnival because it’s perceived as offering the best prices, and they don’t realize that there may be more affordable options.

 

We booked a cruise to Cuba on Royal Caribbean for July a few days ago. At first glance, pricing for Carnival, NCL and Royal seemed the same, until I priced it out with 4 guests in a cabin. Royal was a good $1,000 cheaper! The reason? Royal is charging $99 for the 3rd/4th guest while NCL is charging over $600! And we got that reduced pricing for our kids without any advertised sales.

 

And this is not the first time we find a killer deal during the summer by shopping around. In 2016 we were booked on a 5 night cruise in a porthole cabin on the Carnival Valor. That’s until I priced out the MSC Divina. They had a kids sail free promotion, a 2 for 1 balcony promotion, as well as a loyalty match discount. By the time it was all said and done, we had a Fantastica balcony stateroom on a 7 night cruise for considerably less money than the 5 night cruise on the Valor. And MSC matched our Carnival Platinum status and even gave us free access to the spa!

 

So I am an advocate of volunteering suggestions that may stray from the original question. A lot of times people don’t consider all of their options because they don’t even realize that they exist.

 

 

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Thank you for the advise. I will also look into RC and see what they have to offer. I think my husband and kids like Carnival for the Ice Cream and Pizza lol