KroozFoolz

You would probably want to rent a vehicle to get to Busch Gardens and then get to the airport, so you could leave your luggage in the rental.

Another option is the Florida Aquarium which is right there at the cruise port. The Aquarium will hold your luggage free of charge while you are visiting the Aquarium. https://www.flaquarium.org/plan-your-visit

Once our ship was delayed getting into port on our embarkation day (due to fog). We spent several hours at the aquarium while waiting for the ship to get in. It was not something we had planned beforehand but we really enjoyed our visit there.

Sounds like the perfect sea day!

Thanks for posting! I look forward to following your posts for both cruises.

Thanks for the great trip report!

We can book either Miracle out of Tampa with stops in Cozumel, Belize, Roatan, and Grand Cayman 7 days or Conquest out of Fort Lauderdale with stops in Nassau, Half moon cay, Grand Turk, and Amber Cove 6 days. Both are Dec 16 and the prices are similar for cruise and flight.

 

We have only been on RC Indy and Freedom, but are tired of RC ports. We have never been on Carnival. I need any insight or advice to help with this decision. TIA

 

2 Adults and 2 young teens and we will have 2 rooms

If your main motivation is different ports that RC does not go to, then I suggest Conquest's itinerary - you won't go to Half Moon Cay, Grand Turk, or Amber Cove on RC. Just something to consider.

Wow, hard to believe the first week of your adventure is coming to an end already!

Looking forward to your report re "turnaround" day as that is always exciting for B2B'ers.

I bet you spent the whole day today smiling and bragging - "I don't have to pack today!"

Looking forward to following your posts - I always enjoy your reports!

Bon Voyage!

I did back in April, from LaQuinta (Hollywood) to POM.

No problems, would use them again.

Cozumel Bar Hop.

(y) This!

FYI - from the Elation debarkation flyer this past Saturday -

"Guests that have a flight departing out of Jacksonville Airport before 12:30 pm are considered early flights. Only choose Express Debarkation option (carry all your luggage off the ship) and please meet in the Cole Porter Club, Deck 9 aft, by 8 am."

I did the cable car last year via a private taxi tour arranged at the port. It was great! There was a bit of a wait to take the car up, but it provided a cultural experience as there was a small "band" playing and singing local Dominican music while you waited. Once at the top, there are interesting photo ops. There are gardens to explore as well. Also, jewelry shop inside the base of the statue; you can learn about amber and Lorimar. Definitely worth doing!

Hey!... Enjoy your cruise!:)

 

Thanks!

I will be on the 7 night sailing leaving this Saturday, May 5, my third 7 night cruise from Jacksonville, and my 6th time cruising from there. I hope they will continue to offer 7 and/or 8 night sailings from there from time to time (none showing at this time beyond the one Saturday).

I guess they have given up on building a cruise terminal on the other side of the bridge, like around Mayport?

Glad you got your driver's license back!!!

similar question should proof be within 14 days of sailing

"Applications to receive these benefits should be made at least three weeks prior to cruise departure date."

CC members have posted here of successfully applying much closer to their sail date than three weeks.

I applied via email last night and received confirmation this afternoon. The quickest I can recall personally.

LaQuinta - https://www.lq.com/en/hotels/florida/hollywood/fort-lauderdale-airport?searchCity=Ft.%20Lauderdale%20Airport&indate=06%2F01%2F2018&outdate=06%2F02%2F2018&adults=2&rooms=1&specialRates=MPR#hotel-details-link-target

People do it all the time despite it being illegal in a number of countries and not allowed into the US. If the law doesn't move one, consider the environmental impact of millions of cruise visitors taking a teaspoon or two each year.

LOL, I bring more than that back onto the ship inadvertently in my swimsuit and in my shoes.

Call RC and speak to someone re cpap machine. Extension cord and gallon of distilled water will be waiting for you in your cabin when you arrive.

I won a snorkeling excursion for two (at Grand Turk) at the shore excursion talk.

Neither of us had snorkeled before - we had a wonderful time!

Check out LaQuinta Fort Lauderdale Airport:

http://www.lq.com/bin/lq-com/roomSearch.html?sessionId=fce840ac-8469-449e-eac8-27dfb3d177c4&from=%2Fcontent%2Flq%2Flq-com%2Fen%2Fnavigation%2Ffindandbook%2Fdynamic-pages%2Fhotel-details&indate=04%2F20%2F2018&outdate=04%2F21%2F2018&location=Hollywood%2C+FL&searchType=GEO&bookingPage=address&lat=26.036387&lon=-80.160383&hotelId=985&adults=2&numChildren=0&rooms=1&specialRates=RAC&promoCode=&currencyCode=USD&searchRadius=40&smokingPreference=NSMK&searchWithReturns=false&excludeFromStart=&corridorRadius=10&searchDCity=&searchDState=&searchOCity=&searchOState=

http://www.pocruises.com/cruise-ships/arcadia/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MV_Arcadia_(2004)

Definitely do the cable car.

We did. Price is negotiable. Our guide spoke English. We told him several places we wanted to see and he suggested some as well. Very enjoyable day.

Radiance class

My experience with Terminal 6 for cruise on Rhapsody Nov 26 - Dec 3-

We used Uber from hotel to port - I agree signage was lacking - we missed the turn and had to turn around at the next terminal. No problem with check - in (as Emerald) - we were on the ship in less than 30 minutes from arrival, boarding as soon as we checked in (maybe 2 or 3 parties ahead of us in line to check in - so we never needed to be seated).

Departure went very smoothly for us. We had tags #6. We arrived in the Broadway Theater around 8:30 for a projected departure time of 8:45. Our number was called shortly after we arrived; we took an elevator down to Deck 4, took a rather circuitous route through the dining room rather than straight through the centrum (crowd control I assume, though it was not crowded at that point in time), off the ship, grabbed a porter who found and loaded up our luggage and escorted us through customs and immigration, and then found us a taxi back to our hotel in Brandon. We were back at the hotel loading our car by 9:15.