LOVINCRUIZIN

We just did that itinerary - as well as an 8 day B2B before it.

Grand Turk is easy - just step off and have a blast. The beach is beautifu and Margaritaville is right there and a lot o fun.

Nassau - first time I would recommend Atlantis. It is pricey, but a place you might like to say you visited!

Jamaica - I used Liberty Travel and booked a private excursion. Visit the Blue Hole/Secret Falls. A LOT less crowded than Dunn's River Falls, and excursion is cheaper booked that way.

Most importantly...don;t stress it - just HAVE FUN!!!

Here's the thing: The cruise ship will be .... nicer ..... than the ferry boat.

I am 100% certain about this.

:rolleyes: :D

CONTINUED

Having just done a B2B on the Breeze, I can say that while it was nice not to have to pack inbetween, the kids were bored the second week, even with the amenities on the Breeze. I think a cruise-line switch will fix that.

I think Getaway is the ship that caught my eye. Any comments or suggestions?

If not NCL, we may do a RCCL for the other week. I still want to do a Carnival to take advantage of the casino offer (who can refuse a free cruise!). RCCL would give the kids an ice rink (which they have been missing), rock wall and flow rider.

Just wondering what your thoughts are :)

If you have some flexibility, look at Dec. 12-19 on NCL. The price is half of what you're looking at. The promos are off the charts right now as well. If you wait a month or two to book you may be able to get 3rd and 4th passenger for free. It's worth a look.

Hello - I was looking at your signature line and see you have considerable sailings on NCL. As you can see from mine, I have never sailed them, but am strongly considering it for December 2015. With the Carnival casino offers, it is hard to "breakaway" (pun intended lol) from Carnival, but I think it's time. We are considering B2B (sort of), like taking a Carnival or RC for a week, then transfering the same day as debarkation to a NCL ship for another week. Love the simplicity of a true B2B, but think this is a second-best alternative

"Because first, I hated the old Carnival Destiny, and when they tried to spray perfume on a turd by renaming it Sunshine and adding more cabins, it became one of the most crowded ships at sea"

HAHAHAHAHAHA :eek: :D

Hi everybody. This is my first time posting. I'm not sure I'm posting where I'm supposed to be posting but I'm going to ask my question anyway. The last cruise I was on was in 2003 so I might be out of date. We are light to moderate drinkers of alcohol but we wouldn't mind the odd glass of wine or gin and tonic or cocktail by the pool. We are cruising on the Liberty of the Seas on Jan 17 and I want to know if we should purchase a drink package or not. I'm going to purchase a non-alcoholic drink package for each of us for sure.

Sadie - thanks for clarifying - you are correct. As a non-drinker anyway, I wouldn;t have a drink outside the casino anyway. And, that is where I spend a lot of time on vord anyway!

Shovelingsnow - I would NOT purchase a drink package in your situation. You would be better off just paying for the occassional drinks you want.

Certainly something to consider, but I don't think the amenities, especially for teens, would be as attractive on a smaller, or high end ship.

My vote is still the nice RCCL itinerary.

I think it was in Belize that we bought Blue Mountain Coffee. If you are buying something for friends and relatives who drink coffee, this will certainly be appreciated, it's great quality coffee.

Good coffee in Jamaica also

We just did this, and I am doing it again in April. I considered the car rental, but didn;t want the responsibility! We took a limo ($125) from FLL to MIami, and they stopped at a convenience store where we purchased cases of soda/water at a good price.

Not sure what line you are taking, but my friend purchased rum, soda and cases of water directly through carnival online at a reasonable price and they were in her cabin when we arrived.

I am solo in April, so thinking about checking out the shuttle vans as a cheaper alternative.

Our trip was under a half hour - so not a bad way to go.

HAVE FUN!

We did a Sounthern itinerary last year on an older RCCL ship. The itinerary you privide looks awesome, and is hard to come by. Although I am on a Carnival stint lately (great casino perks), I would choose the RCCL option.

HAVE A GREAT CRUISE, no matter what you decide!!!

When gambling, by the second day we usually "earn" free drinks, so the beverage package is never a consideratoin for us. We are essentially paying for the drinks anyway, but feels like you are getting something for nothing:D

I just wanted to add my encouragement -- go, try it, I have had a few solo cruises and will do another one any time my DH can't or won't join me. I actually prefer solo over traveling with friends. Especially after my last trip without DH, with girlfriends :eek: :)

 

I agree with the advice to have a fixed dining time and table.

Highly recommend it!!!

Watch Carnival, as they offer single discounts on some sailings, making it very affordable.

The 'my time' dining on Carnival can be used to group singles for dinner.

When you book, follow your roll call, and you will meet plenty of singles before you ever step on board!

HAVE A GREAT TIME! I am doing this in April - can;t wait!!!

I enjoy gambling, so in the casino I always meet people and have a blast

I am a single mother and have been cruising with my kids since they are 9 months old. I always looked for beaches with some facilities, easy to get to, appealing for me, and safe for them.

In St Thomas, our favorite beach is Coki beach. We were there last week!

The beach right off the ship in St Maarten is fine.

In Tortola, have always gone to Virgin Gorda by water taxi, as the Bath are an amazing place.

Happy cruising!!!

I agree that the rules are cruiseline specific, so I would call.

I rememebr many years ago on a cruise, we received a flyer under our door offering a deep discount for anyone that wanted to stay on as a B2B.

I agree with cb.

We just did this in Jamaica.

We made solid plans on where/when to meet. I gave the cell number but told Liberty Tours that I would not be available, assured Ricardo I would meet him as planned, and everything went perfectly smooth (except the weather lol)

We were there last week and it was 80 and sunny. The water was beautiful and only a little cooler than the Caribbean ports we visited.

Hi cb at sea! We have cruised together before - don;t recall when or where, but I rememebr your name!

I usually opt for a ship excursion the first time I visit each port - it's just a comfort thing for me, as I travel solo with my two young kids. The second time, I am comfortablke enough to do it myself.

On these boards there is plenty of advice on reputable private tour companies. I have done this and had great experiences (including last week in Jamaica).

I generally agree that the cruise lines are often overbooked, and, as Bonnie said, overpriced.

RCCL "invites" you to be part of their casino rewards program. They make offers, but are significantly cheaper than Carnival. One trip I was give $850, but the next was $250, which prompted me to switch to Carnival.

I have heard great things about NCL, but so far have not had a reason to leave Carnival (even after losing for 14 days straight last week and the week before on the Breeze :mad: ).

On Breeze 2 weeks ago there were two slot jackpots over $20K each.

The way I see it, I just booked the Splendor (my favorite Carnival ship) and have to go back to get some of my money back ;)

Happy sailing and GOOK LUCK !

Hopefully the cash I bring will get me through 14 days. If I have to charge my sail and sign, hopefully it won't be very often ;)

We have never asked, in our experience it has always has been offered, no reasoning I can think of, other than $$$ outlay

 

Happy Days!

As i don't drink, I askfor specialty dining and always receive it. If you don't, someone ele will ;)

CCL does not charge a surcharge fee.

 

 

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Carnival DOES charge a fee for charging funds to your card at the tables. If you do it at the cage for slots, they don't. IF you do this a couple of times and then cash the money in, they will freeze your account.

I was on the break away last March and people were hitting all over the place saw one woman hit $4000 on a penny machine playing $.45 a spin. Also saw quite a few video poker winners I'm heading back on the breakaway in just nine days can't wait. And actually last week there was a post on FB about a woman who hit $5000 on quickhits machine on the breakaway

Good luck next week - have a great cruise:)

Good luck to whoever is going to OSJ next week. Just leave a couple winning pots for us we will be there in a little over two weeks.

haha - see you there! we also always go to this casino when we cruise. it is dark and dirty, but it's a change of scenery. last year my friend won $8K in about an half hour. It took almost an hour to pay her, but she walked away with her winnings.

I have to agree with you 100%. With two young kids, cruising is my favorite way to spend family time AND get my gambling in. If I wan't able to play various poker games, I would be furious. I am leaving next week for 14 days on the Breeze. I hope I don't experience anything like you did.

Good luck with your letter. I hope they offer you a re-do and make things right for you

Yes - I used them from a RCCL ship.

The diving was phenominal.

The staff was great and the equipment was good quality.

They have several shops, as we walked past a second one on our way back to the ship to buy T-shirts.

It was close by and very convenient.

I would not hesitate to use them again.

Happy diving!!!