bguppies

We had a collapsible cooler that we got at Sam's club before our first cruise.

It lasted through 7 cruises before it started to leak a little. (we just put a towel under it each day after it was filled)

We bought some hard side coolers that look like rolling luggage for our last two cruises.

We just pack them with towels, clothes etc... then fill them once onboard.

Stewards seemed to like them better. (since they has wheels)

Bill

We did it for the first time on our last Fascination cruise 2 months ago.

Best thing Carnival has done to improve the cruising experience.

We will definitely only book cruise using this dining option after this.

Unfortunately our Fascination cruise next week, we had opted for assigned dining, due to MIL needing a gluten free diet.

But after seeing how wonderfully smooth and well run, the anytime dining was, we got home and called immediately to change to anytime dining on next week's cruise.

Even though it was more than 2 months in advance, anytime dining was already completely booked.

So apparently Carnival needs to increase the tables available to seat the amount of anytime dining requests.

(there was a line of people wanting to change to anytime dining the first couple of nights on our last cruise also.)

Clearly Carnival needs to find a better way to more accurately gauge the demand for this dining option.

Far too many cruisers have no idea about this option nor the differences between the two, until they are onboard and watching the people with anytime dining funneling into the dining room, while they wait outside for their assigned time to come.

Personally I'd just make one dining room assigned and one dining room anytime.

Bill

I tried to book a sea lion excursion directly with Blue Lagoon only to find out that they are all booked the day The Epic will be docked. Blue Lagoon mentioned that I should contact the cruise ship as many of the reservations are held thru The Epic. I did that and even booking through Epic it's completely booked. I then contacted Atlantis to do the sea lion excursion there, but the times they offer it are before our ship even docks so it's not an option.

 

I then tried booking the dolphin swim at blue lagoon (where they push your feet and you "fly" through the water) and that is also booked completely full.

 

I ended up reserving the regular dolphin encounter where you just 'hug' them because there was nothing left. I asked Blue Lagoon if I could go on a waiting list to get the sea lion excursion, but they don't take a waiting list so we're out of luck. It's a little disappointing, but I'm sure it'll still be a ton of fun, just kinda had our hearts set on the sea lion thing..... wish there was a way to still do it...

 

My advice is to book early!!!

Just so you know.

You can still go over and check out the Sea Lions in their enclosure when you finish your Dolphin Encounter....

It was pretty fun just watching them clowning in their pool between encounters... (plus they have two new pups there now)

Bill

We like to board very EARLY, as in as soon as they start the boarding process. It sounds like the excursion desk will be open then, right? Anyone know when the excursion desk officially opens? Thanks!!!

Both times we boarded the Fascination we were in zone 1 or zone 2 and both times, the excursion desk was opened before we were able to go straight there.

I would guess they open before embarkation begins, because of the cabana rentals.

Bill

It was $225 last Monday when we were there...

We were on the ship in the first hundred or so people and went straight to the shore Excursion desk.

The guy in line was renting one and when we stepped up, over half were gone and two more went to people in our roll call within 15 minutes after we got ours.

So, yeah, they go fast.....

Well worth the $225....

Bill

We are a group of 7 and thinking of going to Blue Lagoon. Our ship docks in December at 8am and leaves at 5pm. We had wanted to do the dolphin 'encounter' for myself and my 3 kids, and hubby and my parents would do either the 'observer' package or the beach day.

 

We had hoped to pretty much spend the day there, but with the times that our ship docks and leaves, it looks like we would be too late for the 8:30 ferry, so would have to take the 10:30, and then it sounds like it would be cutting it too close to take the 4pm ferry back, so would have to take the 2pm to go back. So.... if we arrived on Blue Lagoon at 11am and left at 2pm it is only 3 hours!! I am thinking it is too much $$ for us to spend (over $500...) to have the dolphin encounter and a couple of extra hours. We'd splurge for this if I knew we could spend at least 4 hours there aside from the dolphin encounter.... not sure what to do?

 

Any thoughts on this from someone who has gone?

 

I wish there were some way to get there at other times (eg. take a ferry at 9 am and leave blue lagoon at 3 pm) Am I correct in assuming there is no other (easy) way to get there?

The times for the ferries are set and the only way to get there.

Just bad timing for your docking time, if you wanted to spend the whole day there.

Bill

Hi Chelledun, We too have a port time of 12-10pm and have booked the 130 sea lion encounter. Will we have time to browse the straw market prior to catching the ferry to Blue Lagoon?

You need to be at the Ferry terminal on Paradise island at 1PM to check in for the 1:30PM ferry.

Plus a 10-15 minute cab ride after you get off the ship and walk up and through the Welcome Center, to out where the cabs are....

So, unless you literally sprint up and down the aisles of the Straw Market, I would say, you had better hit the shopping AFTER Blue Lagoon.

Bill

Where is the one in Cozumel?

Yeah that is the only one I haven't gotten yet either. (always in too big of a hurry to get to Nachi Cocum. :D)

Bill

We just get ours stamped ourselves at each port when we disembark.

(still need to get one in Cozumel though)

We tried to ask the Purser's desk on our Freedom and Inspiration cruises and were told they did not do that anymore.

All were located within a few yards of the pier or tender dock.

Bill

I'm a first time cruiser and making my decision today to sail Carnival August 27 with a stop in HMC.

 

Can you only use the hammocks if you rent the cabana? Is that also true with the outdoor shower? I'm trying to figure out why it's worth it to rent, rather than find a nice place in the sand. Do you get your own private piece of the sand with the cabana rental for a chair on the beach so you don't have to fight for a chair in a good spot? Are the areas around the cabanas very crowded?

 

I like the idea of renting a cabana with another couple so I'll look for that on the roll call post.

Thanks!

You can use a hammock if it is unoccupied.....

They are between the cabanas in the trees.

The showers on the deck of the cabanas are for the use of the cabana renters.

There are a couple of public ones on the path to the food pavillion and one by the path to the beach by the kid area.

The areas around cabana 1-5 are usually crowded. (from what I saw the day we went and the pictures I have seen posted in here.)

The higher number cabana you go (further down beach) the fewer people around you. (almost deserted by #15)

The nice things with the cabanas are the two, well padded loungers on the private deck, one with a misting fan, the other with a hose mister next to it.

Also the table in the shade, with snacks and sodas of your choice for four.

Also you get 4 sets of snorkle equipment, floats, towels, etc....

I was skeptical at first, but after the wife and I got one for just the two of us, I felt the $100 per person for us was well worth the cost.

Even better for $50 pp for a group of four.

Bill

How wheelchair-friendly is HMC? Are any of the cabanas accessible?

I have read that Cabana #1 is.... (It has a paved sidewalk to the back of the cabana from the paved walkways.)

I don't think any of the others are though.

I can let you know after we hopefully get a cabana there on Monday! :D

Bill

If you enjoy large crowds and following groups in long lines, then Chitzen Itza is the Mayan excursion for you...

(on our cruise they packed 4 LARGE busses going to Chitzen Itza and started boarding a 5th, before our group of 12 loaded up for Uxmal.)

EVERYBODY has heard of Chitzen Itza, so it is always packed.

We chose Uxmal, to avoid the crowds and were NOT disappointed.

At Uxmal, unlike at Chitzen Itza, very little is roped off.

You are able to walk up, through and on most of the area.

I think when we were there it was our group of 12 and a group of 8 or so German tourists and another small group of 4 or 5.

It is about the same distance as Chitzen Itza. (maybe slightly closer)

If you want the Disney World type of Mayan Experience, Chitzen Itza is it.

If you want to actually touch, climb and explore, I recommend Uxmal.

Bill

Anybody done the tour this year yet????

The Art Gallery of the Bahamas is a must see on any walking tour. . .

Going to stop and check it out on our next trip to Nassau.

I hate our next cruise won't be stopping in our home away from home.

Bill

I love the picture that someone uses in their signature, of the row boat floating in water so clear, it literally looks like it is floating on air.

Bill

How did this amazing thread fall so far?

I know we came back around 11PM.

I'm sure with the casino there, you shouldn't have any problem catching a cab into the wee hours.

They have taxi stands at various spots.

I'm sure you could ask when you arrive, just to be sure.

Bill

Thank you! Maybe we should just keep in simple and walk it all. Shouldn't take too long...

I'm sure the answer is here somewhere, but what if we were to decide to check out Atlantis. How would we get there and from where? Looks like everything else is pretty close to the dock, right? (ie: walking tour to Fort Fincastle & back, Senior Frogs, excursions, etc.)

The tour that is described at the begininng of this thread took my wife and I around 2 hours each time we did it this past year.

We are both around 40. (me slightly over and my wife significantly under. ;) )

We are in decent shape, but not gym rats or exercise regulary.

We had no problems with the minor uphill portion of the tour. (the majority of it is downhill after the Queen's Staricase/Fort Fincastle)

The one thing I will advise, is that it does get very hot, so bring some water with you.

This past trip to Nassau (less than a month ago) we skipped the walking tour (since we were in port a shorter time) and checked out the Ardastra Gardens and Zoo and loved the place.

The Marching Flamingo show was pretty interesting, but getting to feed the Lorry Parrots was amazing.

I had 2-3 on my hat, 2-3 on each arm and occasionaly one on my back.

MY Wife took a ton of pictures and I had a blast feeding them for 45 minutes or so.

As for Atlantis, alot of suggestions would depend on what time you will be in port.

Our first two trips we were on the Sensation and were in Nassau from 7AM until 7AM the next morning.

So we did the walking tour, first thing in the morning, right at 7AM-9 or 10AM, while it was cooler (it was still hot by 10AM), then went to the British Colonial Hilton, paid $15 each for their wonderful daypass to use their pool and beach for the day.

Then we made the arduous :D 15 minute walk from our BCH poolside loungers, back to our cabin on the Sensation.

Showered, changed, ate dinner, then headed out and caught a cab to Atlantis.

The cab cost us $5 per person, each way. (they will wait until they fill the van up or close to it)

The Mall area (Versace, etc.) and Casino are free to visitors all day.

After 6PM (when we were there, sometimes, it is a bit later in season) the guards at the entrance to the Digs Aquarium go home and you can enter it for free.

During the day it costs $29 per person. (which to us, wouldn't be worth it. It was nice for free though)

I would strongely advise if your ship is in port late (like the Sensation and Celebration are) definitely do Atlantis in the evening.

Bill

Thanks for the link. I think we'll take a jitney to Fort Fincastle, and walk back as well. I like walking down a hill better than up it. LOL. When are you going?

The #10 Jitney runs from downtown to the Cable Beach resorts and PAST Ardastra Gardens and Fort Charlotte.

I don't think there is a jitney that runs from the pier area just a few blocks up to Fort Fincastle. (you would have to ask Scubagirl to be sure)

Other numbered jitneys run to other parts of the island.

Remember they are mass transit for the workers on the island to get to and from their jobs and homes.

The #10's route just happens to be very convienient for cruisers to get them to cable beach.

Bill

Also wondering if you arrive in port at 12 noon until 6:00 PM. Would that be enought time to do the walking tour and also do the Fort Charlotte.

The walking tour only took us about 2 hours each time we did it.

(that was with exterior only stops at the Parliament, Supreme Court and Library due to starting the tour before they opened, but extended stops at Fort Fincastle, the Queen's Staircase and the Graycliff Hotel, to tour their cigar factory.)

Unless you have a somewhat disabled member in your group slowing you down, I couldn't imagine it taking more than 3 hours tops.

Plus when you get to the British Colonial Hilton part of the tour (right near the end) you could easily catch a #10 Jitney for $1, at the McDonlad's directly across the street from the BCH, to Fort Charlotte, which is a short drive past the BCH and the free beach next door.

Bill

unofficial sticky

Nassau is boring at best, even if you do go to atlantis. I personally can't stand that many people in such a small place. There is a lot of the town we have not seen because I refuse to put my life in the hands of the drivers there Can't cross the street without puting you life on the line. They don't stop for pedistrians, and personally, i don't need that.

 

I almost lost my life last year. In fact, the doctors said I should be dead. So it is a pleasure for me just to go and do the straw markets. I have seen another country. Learned of their culture just by looking around, and walked on the land.

So you formulated your entire opinion of Nassau by going to the Straw Market?

And you think you learned of their culture by going a few feet from the Welcome Center and not actually heading into town?!?!?!:rolleyes:

That is like going to New York City and stopping at a flea market and thinking you've learned all about New York....

LOL....

My Wife and I have been twice this year and spent a grand total of $50 each time,(for both of us) for an extremely full day, that included doing a great walking tour to all the main tourist sites, meeting a bunch of wonderful people in town, as they were heading to work each time.

Getting the $15 daypasses at the British Colonial Hilton and using their pool and beach all afternoon, then taking cabs ($20 round trip for both) over to Atlantis and seeing the grounds, Casino, Mall and the Digs Aquarium for free....

Just because you are on a budget, doesn't mean you have to bury your head in the Straw Market and flee back to the ship after seeing the absolute worst parts of Nassau. (the Straw Market and Bay Street) And meeting none of the real folks in Nassau. (not the salespeople)

Bill

Ouch.......:eek:

I don't see the sense in the whole Atlantis thing myself, but I would never call someone else choice of things to do "stupid"...

To each their own.

The more people piling into Atlantis, the less crowded the rest of Nassau will be for those of us who prefer things to do in town.

The important thing is for EVERYONE to enjoy whatever choice they make in port.(as long as they feel they have gotten their money's worth..it's all good)

Bill

My first time to the Bahamas also, but I'm not interested in Atlantis. Gonna go to Cable Beach at the Wyndham, hear its great there.:)

Plus only $15 for a daypass and $1 each way on a Jitney.:D

Bill

A couple of Sensation tips.

First, if you go all the way forward on the Verandah deck in either corridor, there will be an unmarked door that leads out to a viewing deck area under the bridge.

There is also another one all the way up top on the Sun deck in front of the jogging track and mini-golf course.(right above the gym)

Second, there is a little outdoor dining area at the back of the Lido buffett on either side. (just past the Pizzeria, Deli, Bar across the back of the Red Sail buffett)

A great place to relax and watch as you arrive or leave port.

(also there is a stairway there with easy access straight up, one deck, to the aft pool area, which is never crowded. )

Just ask if you need to know which lounges have Karaoke, smoking etc...

Bill