dlphn501
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Posts posted by dlphn501
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On 2/18/2024 at 8:12 PM, mz-s said:
Yeah so what is the use? You don't get your stateroom ready early anymore. You don't get to bypass your arrival appointment.
In your case would it be worth $100 to be able to use the priority line at guest services? Not for me, wouldn't even give it a second thought.
You also get to drop your carry-ons as soon as you board, and for me and my last sailing on Elation, that alone was worth the hundred bucks. I am also an earlier arriver - I can't sit around at home or in my hotel room just twiddling my thumbs to avoid the madness at the pier lol. I just want to get on board and get a drink and start my vacay.
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On 2/20/2024 at 8:56 PM, NV-Joe said:
Anyway, if one of you who has successfully booked one of these rooms knows the "secret sauce" to book one of these rooms... let me know.
How many people are you trying to book in one cabin? I have found that the havana cabins cater to 2 passengers, and there are very few cabins for 3 people (I have 3 in my party).
You just have to look under the class of cabin you are trying to book. I recently booked a havana cabana on Horizon for Aug 2025 - it was listed under "balcony". I was also eyeing an interior in havana, and it was all the way at the bottom of "interior". I booked online on the Carnival site. You may just have to keep scrolling down.
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22 hours ago, ninjacat123 said:
JiJi's is sooooo good at dinner!! We had the noodle lunch at JiJi's and were not that impressed. Check out dinner at JiJi's, totally worth the upcharge!
I do plan on booking at least one night at JiJi's. I am waiting until we board so I can see all the MDR menus and nighttime activities before I commit to a day and time. Fingers crossed the days and times I want do not sell out 🤞
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13 hours ago, Nic6318 said:
I agree that the shows do fill up, but I wouldn't say that you need to show up an hour before. First of all the shows are only 45 min. long. They run multiple shows one after the other. If you arrived an hour before, you would be there before the one before yours started. 😀 I would say 1/2 an hour is more reasonable.
If there are 2 or 3 shows in a row, they empty the venue before they start letting people in for the next show. If you leave after one show is over and get in line for the next, you will get seating.
The comedians repeat shows. Watch for this. It says if the show is a repeat in the app. So, some of those PG shows put on in the afternoon, might be a repeat from the previous day, and you wont necessarily get a full house.
I would say pretty much all the shows (comedy or production) put on in the theatre get filled quickly. They do the late night comedy shows there. For any show done in the main theatre, show up a little earlier still if you want good seats, otherwise, at least 1/2 hour ahead. If you come later, you will likely be sitting behind a post, if you find two seats together at all.
have a great cruise
Great tips, thanks for the info!
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I was just watching some YouTube videos about the Horizon, and the lunch option at Jiji's appears to have changed. It seems to be specific bowls with set ingredients vs create-your-own like at Cucina/Pasta Bella.
I know the adult comedy shows fill up quickly, but what about the PG and PG-13 shows? One of the videos I saw said to show up an hour early, but I didn't know if that was for the adults only or all of them.
If you have sailed on Horizon recently, could you provide some insight please??
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I did. We sail March 30th. Haven't done this excursion before, but I read wonderful things about it. We are all excited!
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I despise set dining times. I don't like to be told it's time to eat if I'm not hungry or ready for a meal. I skip more meals in the MDR due to this. It takes longer as you are waiting for the rest of the table to show up, although with a big family group, you will probably show up at the same time and/or will know to communicate to the server that so-and-so will not be attending. I never felt that anytime dining it was more or less formal/fancy/special than set dining, and I have done both. The ONLY advantage that I have experienced is the serving addressing me by name and asking if I wanted peanut butter with my chocolate melting cake after the first time I asked for it. It was a nice touch and appreciated, but it would not make me choose set dining.
The only reason I had set dining on my last cruise with it is because I cruised with my older sister who is very, very adamant that late set dining is the only way to go, and it wasn't worth the argument.
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What is a good shoe to wear for the waterfalls? I know they say closed toe and closed back. I heard others have worn water shoes, but I don't think that would be very comfortable for all the hiking and climbing that gets done.
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On 2/4/2024 at 10:18 AM, Kingsmom said:
Thank you for this. I was able to do our online check-in last night and set the boys limit at $50 each. I was stressing that it was $50 per day but this was helpful. I assume I can increase it if needed?
I would assume so.
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5 hours ago, MRVEGAS711 said:
BEWARE OF THE PIRATES COVE RESORT. It WAS a Carnival excursion, even though they went privately!
Where did it say in there the name of the resort? I didn't see it. I'm going to Freeport next Feb (on the Elation ironically, lol). I want to be sure we stay away from the right place.
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Has anyone worn a cream colored top with khaki bottoms for white night? I planned to wear a white top with khaki bottoms, and I think that would be okay, but the top I ordered came in today and it's a cream color.
I know it doesn't really matter and it's not anything that's enforced, but I would personally feel silly if no one else does that. I can just get a different top.
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5 hours ago, Liverpoollovely said:
will you be on the Venezia or another ship?
Horizon! We've been looking forward to this for almost 400 days!!
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I haven't sailed on either of those ships, but I vote for Magic because of the extra day. And a friend of mine says that's her family's favorite Carnival ship.
There's a waterfall excursion in Amber Cove - Damajagua Falls. You can book through Carnival or through reputable 3rd party vendors that I've read about on some of these boards.
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I will be cruising over Easter with my hellacious kids 🤣
Haha, just kidding; I raised them right 🙂
I thought there might be a ton of other spring breakers at that time, but when you have kids, you tend to notice the other ones a lot less. We can ONLY cruise when school is out and the ships are loaded with kids, so we don't know any differently. And totally agree with the no responsibility (to a point) - no cooking, cleaning, etc, for a week!
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On 1/27/2024 at 7:16 AM, tonyhb12 said:
Also, for sail and sign, is there a limit I can put on my kids?
Yes. When you do your check-in, one of the things you will need to input is whether or not the kids S&S card has spending ability, and then you say how much. It is a total for the entire cruise. You can take the gc's you were going to give them for the arcade and take to customer service to have applied to your account for their spending limit.
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1 hour ago, ninjacat123 said:
@dlphn501 If you are planning on driving to the port, this is what we are doing for our Horizon cruise. Drive to Fort Lauderdale. Stay in North Beach at one of the funky retro properties there like Tropirock Hotel. Walk to dinner (2-3 blocks) to either Takato (across the street from the beach, beautiful view, great food) or to Wine + Garden (hidden garden setting, great food, great ambience) and then breakfast the next morning a couple blocks away at Village Cafe. Drive and park at the port of Miami. You could stroll hand in hand down the beach after dinner. More romance!!
Thanks for the ideas. I actually stayed in Ft. Lauderdale the last (and only) time I sailed out of Miami, but it was more about the logistics because the rest of my traveling group was flying in to FLL. And all at different times, and I wasn't playing taxi, lol. They were able to get an airport shuttle at FLL to the hotel we were staying at, and then I just drove to the port the next morning.
I am staying right by the port of Miami when we go on Horizon in a couple months. It's spring break, so I knew to start looking early and expect to shell out some $$$, but there was nothing all that great for a decent cost in FLL, and I was looking for a little more than a place to sleep and shower. It didn't cost much more to stay in Miami, and I am happy to pay it to be 30 mins to an hour closer depending on the traffic.
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20 minutes ago, ninjacat123 said:
Why are some cruises yellow highlighted? Sorry if I'm missing the explanation. Looks like a bunch of great choices. I've been on MG and yes, the food choices are awesome. I love Sunshine and since you haven't been to Bermuda, that might be worth the 9 hour drive (but you would need to incur the cost of a hotel the night before). And August in Bermuda might be better weather. Hmmmm...
The yellow ones are the ones I'm eyeing for several reasons: 1) MG in June - most nights, closest port, and new class of ship; 2) MG in Aug - same as above and cheaper; 3) Horizon in Aug - Havana Cabana is within my budget, although it's at the top, and I'm willing to splurge for it once.
I am loving the idea of Bermuda. I would need a hotel for Miami as well bc that's a little too far for my comfort to drive the day of.
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I hit submit too soon, so I am posting the entire post here:
Here is what I'm looking at:
Mardi Gras: 8 nights 6/7/25-6/15/25 PC-Aruba-Curacao (new port)-Grand Turk (new port)-PC small interior $3k
Vista: 6 nights 6/8/25-6/14/25 Port Canaveral > Celebration Key > Half Moon Cay > Amber Cove > End: Port Canaveral interior $2,600
Celebration: 8 nights 6/14/25-6/22/25 Miami-Bonaire-Aruba-Curacao (new port)-Miami premium interior $3,150
Mardi Gras: 6 nights 6/15/25-6/21/25 PC-Nassau-Amber Cove-Grand Turk (new port)-PC premium interior $2,800
Celebration: 6 nights 8/3/25-8/9/25 Miami-Celebration Key-Amber Cove-Grand Turk-Miami premium interior $2,500
Celebration: 6 nights 8/3/25-8/9/25 Miami-Celebration Key-Amber Cove-Grand Turk-Miami cove balcony $2,985
Vista: 6 nights 8/3/25-8/9/25 PC-Celebration Key-Half Moon Cay (new port)-Amber Cove-PC havana interior $2,920
Sunshine: 6 nights 8/3/25-8/9/25 Norfolk > Bermuda (new port) > Bermuda > End: Norfolk interior $2,700
Magic: 7 nights 8/3/25-8/10/25 Miami-Cozumel-Mahogany Bay-Celebration Key (all new ports) deluxe ocean view $2,800
Mardi Gras: 8 nights 8/2/25-8/10/25 PC-Aruba-Curacao (new port)-Grand Turk (new port)-Miami *midship 5372* premium interior $2,900
Horizon: 8 nights 8/2/25-8/10/25 Miami-Aruba-Bonaire-Curacao (new port)-Miami Havana cabana $4k
Our availability is fixed to June or 1st week in August. We are traveling from south Georgia, so Port Canaveral (PC) is preferred over Miami. We are an 8-night on Horizon in April of this year to Bonaire, Aruba, La Romana, and Amber Cove. Is early August less busy than June? I know June is always packed, and that is when we usually go. I'm usually with the masses of saying "always the most days", but when you really look at my choices, there are lots of variables (new ship but meh ports; new ship but shorter duration, etc).
Out of the June dates, I like MG for 8 nights... longer, and closer port, but pricey
I've been eyeing Bermuda for a while because we have never been and don't see itineraries there much when we are able to cruise. But Norfolk is a 9 hour drive. Miami is 6 and PC is 3.
Which would you pick and/or which would completely disregard, and why?
Side note: the extra free food options on MG and Celebration are a definite bonus for us. We haven't sailed on any ship larger than Liberty until we go on Horizon in 2 months.
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Here is what I'm looking at:
Mardi Gras: 8 nights 6/7/25-6/15/25 PC-Aruba-Curacao (new port)-Grand Turk (new port)-PC small interior $3k
Vista: 6 nights 6/8/25-6/14/25 Port Canaveral > Celebration Key > Half Moon Cay > Amber Cove > End: Port Canaveral interior $2,600
Celebration: 8 nights 6/14/25-6/22/25 Miami-Bonaire-Aruba-Curacao (new port)-Miami premium interior $3,150
Mardi Gras: 6 nights 6/15/25-6/21/25 PC-Nassau-Amber Cove-Grand Turk (new port)-PC
Celebration: 6 nights 8/3/25-8/9/25 Miami-Celebration Key-Amber Cove-Grand Turk-Miami premium interior $2,500
Celebration: 6 nights 8/3/25-8/9/25 Miami-Celebration Key-Amber Cove-Grand Turk-Miami cove balcony $2,985
Vista: 6 nights 8/3/25-8/9/25 PC-Celebration Key-Half Moon Cay (new port)-Amber Cove-PC
Our availability is fixed to June or 1st week in August. We are traveling from south Georgia, so Port Canaveral (PC) is preferred over Miami. We are an 8-night on Horizon in April of this year to Bonaire, Aruba, La Romana, and Amber Cove. Is early August less busy than June? I know June is always packed, and that is when we usually go. I'm usually with the masses of saying "always the most days", but when you really look at my choices, I'm not sure the extra day(s) are necessarily worth it.
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12 hours ago, bafinegan said:
We got the earliest time for our upcoming Elation cruise (1030). Earliest I have ever seen at Jacksonville port. It also stated that final boarding is at 2pm with the ship leaving the pier at 330pm (also the earliest I have seen-used to be 430pm). Showed another post to hubbs because he always gets mad when I go to the front of the line thinking I am line jumping. The post said to go to front if you are there at your arrival time because many people are in line waiting for their appointed time (seeing as we have the earliest appointment.😁)
I had this happen in Jax in June! I just happened to hear one of the port workers say to someone "oh you have 11:00? Come through the middle." I had 11:00 so I did the same, but I felt awkward doing it 😕
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I saw this fan posted on a cruise board, and I bought 2, lol. Super compact and love that you can run it on batteries to take to the beach, etc. I have another one that I just recently purchased from Sam's Club. It's a tabletop version of my everyday pedestal fan (I'm in FL and it's hotttt 9 months out of the year), and it's 12", which is Carnival's maximum. I am bringing that one next time as well. I also have the small box fan posted above, and it works decent, but the super compact one has better air flow, and my 12" tabletop is better overall. A bit bulky for travel, but I've brought it to several hotels already. Probably going to be a PITA packing it for a cruise in a suitcase, but I'll figure out a way.
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Yep!! I turned Gold on the last night of my 5-night Elation cruise in June. My S&S card was gold and I got the extra drink the last night. Forget to get my pin though 😞
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7 hours ago, Elaine5715 said:
There is no upsell list
Right. I actually enquired with my TA about a possible "list" and how I can get on it because I really wanted a Havana cabin.
*Side note: I didn't know that Havana was a thing when I booked. Lesson learned.*
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9 hours ago, skivoodoo said:
FYI, we did not ask to be put on an upgrade list. We were content with the Havana cabana. It is my husbands birthday during the cruise, so that did increase the odds we would accept this upgrade. Not sure if that played into the offer but it was mentioned by the person that I upgraded with.👀
My guess is that when you booked the cruise, you mentioned your husband's birthday. I just did that for the birthday cruise I booked for my daughter's 18th bday next Feb, and I can see the "birthday celebration" listed in my booking. So they probably just mentioned that to you to increase THEIR odds of you accepting the offer, lol. But either way, sounds like it's a win-win 🙂
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Carnival Horizon - Jiji's and comedy clubs
in Carnival Cruise Lines
Posted
Good to know I have a good chance!