GSP-parents

DaveOKC, as someone told me it is all about real estate.  How much you want to spend for how much space.  I can't think of Signature or Neptune suites.  But I salute you.

I am a value cruiser; often going for lowly inside cabins.  But I do like accumulating frequent cruiser credits on different lines.  My query is how to find the least cost vista suite cruises that will get me the bonus points.

For instance, how would you search for the lowest priced vista suites in a 6 to 13 night round trip cruise during the first six months of 2020 from a U.S. port?

Is there a way to sort by price the "Vista Suite" prices on HAL's website.  I do not know of any easy way so I use other cruise websites.

Some cruise wholesaler websites classify the Maasdam vista suite as a "balcony" room and not as a "suite."   

I seek suggestions on how to search for the least cost cabins (i.e., suites) that will earn two Mariner Society credits per day.

We earned double credits for a “vista suite” on the Maasdam.  The Maasdam cabin was basically a balcony room.  Do all HAL balcony rooms qualify as a type of “suites?”  I am guessing not.

Most cruise booking websites let you search for inside, oceanview, balcony or suites.  In trying to identify low cost cabins that earn double credit, if I limit my search to so-called “suites”, I may not pick up balcony rooms that HAL classes as vista suites.  However, I fear that if I broaden my search to balcony room, I may get results that HAL does not consider as a vista or junior suite.

Thanks for your help.

Cruise trackers now show Viking Jupiter making 13 knots from Piraeus to next port of Heraklion, as per its schedule.  Apparently damage to ship not affecting schedule.  All good.

Cruise trackers now show Viking Jupiter making 13 knots from Piraeus to next port of Heraklion, as per its schedule.  Apparently damage to ship not affecting schedule.  Nerves can stand down.

I have always wanted to go to Trinidad and Tobago as I understood is the home of steel pan music. Now will be on HAL cruise ship calling at Scarborough on Wednesday, December 27. Are there any places (bars, restaurants, cultural centers) that I should look to inorder to experience steel pan music from its source?

Thank you for any suggestions.

We are on the Montreal to Boston cruise leaving August 5. What were the temperature ranges? I saw your sea day pictures of a couple on the deck in long sleaves and with a lap blanket. We live in New Orleans and I am in shorts and t-shirts for well over half the year, so I do not have a perspective on expected temperature ranges in early August along our cruise stops.

We arrived in Fort Lauderdale on Holland America in December and had a 9:30 am flight. We were self-assist and because of our early flight, we got a low disembarking group number. We departed the ship at 7:30 and at 7:50 were through customs and outside the terminal, and at 8:25 were through security and at the gate at the airport.

Rather than spending the money on FTTF, consider purchasing TSA pre-check so that you can get through security faster at the airport. TSA-precheck is $85/person for five years. Shorter line and no need to remove shoes, etc. Alternatively, you can get TSA-Global Entry. This gets the TSA airport benefits and adds in expedited processing (shorter line) through Customs. It is $100/person for five years.

You need to allow some processing time to acquire TSA-pre or Global Entry.

I find the unknown waits through security at the airport are the greatest risks and therefore the causes of the most travelor anxiety. After a cruise, don't need to reintroduce stress on the way home.

AIM1, we are on the next Dream sailing on Feb. 12 (not counting this week's sailing from the Bahamas to New Orleans). Your posts with videos and pictures of the upgrade process are wonderful. They help us to dream the Dream.

I am amazed at all they can accomlish in two weeks. I am sure some work gets done on the two days travel over and the two days travel back--but still only about 10 days actually in the Bahamas.

I scanned the thread that you have started. Seems that you are a bit of a Dry Dock Whisperer. That is great. Please keep sharing your scoops to what is going on in the Bahamas with the Dream.

Cheers.

I am looking for all opportunities to get to the next VIFP level. On Carnival's website, it says: "CCL may, from time to time, offer opportunities to earn extra VIFP Points through participation in different promotions, contests or sweepstakes."

Has anyone every gotten extra VIFP Points by a promotion, contest or sweepstake? If so, how did you become aware of the promotion? I want to participate and earn extra VIFP Points.

We brought coffee, jerk sauce, spices, Sangster's rum cream and souvenir jamaica soccer shirts for the kids next door at the MegaMart in Montego Bay. MegaMart is Jamaica's version of Sam's, however, unlike Sams you do not need a membership to shop there. Their pricing is for the local population, not tourists, so therefore very reasonable.

MegaMart in Montego Bay is off W. Green Avenue in Montego Bay and is less than 2 miles from the port. However, getting there is not pedestrian friendly, along busy streets with few sidewalks. We got a cab but the fare, negotiated by the person who arranges cabs at the port, was way too expensive. That is one thing that I dislike about the MoBay cruise port. No easy way to negotiate your own cab fares.

But MegaMart is a fun place to visit to see where the locals shop and what they buy.

Hello,

Enjoy your suggestions of excursions. It is our first trip on same journey at the end of August. So suggestions of port activities is good.

What temperatures are you finding? I am in New Orleans, so I may need a coat if it is less than 80!

Thanks.

I think it might be fun to dress like an officer for a couple evenings on my next cruise. I am thinking of a white epaulette shirt, shoulder boards, white pants, white athletic shoes; maybe also a simple name tag. This is just to go to main dining room, casino, bars--no interest in trying to get in crew only areas. Any issues with pranking as a cruise ship officer?

Its all about the fun.

We are arriving on Carnival Dream in Montego Bay. I would like to do the Flavors of Jamaica--a Culinary Delight tour in Falmouth. The tour has good reviews on Trip Advisor.

First, does anyone know what a driver/taxi would be from the Port to Falmouth to back?

Does anyone have any other experience with this tour?

Thanks.