leight

Just booked Navigator and am so excited. Sailed her in 2003 - it was just a few months into her inaugural year and fell in love with the ship- our first cruise and it was amazing. Took our kids on a 5day cruise in 2009 and enjoyed it again.  This will be my third cruise on her and am very happy that I got such a good price and will be sharing the experience with my sister. We were looking at cheap cruises on Carnival because we are on a strict budget, but I found a comparable price for a 4 night cruise on Navigator so I booked it. Can't wait to see the refresh and enjoy the ship again.

Thanks for the review! Just booked tonite for a girls getaway with my sister. Very excited. Did you have any issues having to wait for a table with the MTD? I chose early but am wondering if I should switch it. It's her first cruise and I know we want to see all of the shows.

Just love your reviews! We have a cruise on the Elation in Nov with friends to celebrate a birthday. But I have so enjoyed your reviews that while my sister asked me to plan something just for the two of us, I think I have settled on a 4 day cruise on Carnival Liberty in Feb 2020. Just waiting for my new work schedule to be assigned for the next year at the end of may before we book. Always been a loyal Royal Caribbean devotee, but for a inexpensive getaway for my sister and I to relax, it sounds like we can still have a blast on Carnival. Going back to read your other reviews, having a great time obsessing and planning! Thanks 

We did two interiors run of the ship for our first family cruise- kids were 7 & 9. We were hooked, and have always been assigned side by side rooms- even when we haven't picked our own room. Gives more room for 3 females to get ready, and only issue we ever had is that our girls wanted to be with me because I like to get room service coffee and hot cocoa with a Continental breakfast in the AM. As they got older we let them sleep in one room and we slept in the other- we were right next door. It made family vacations so much easier having the two rooms. Usually it's less then $100 total to have two rooms vs a larger room that accommodates 4. And very often it's less expensive.

50 minutes ago, Surrealistic said:

I think you will be disappointed.  Things like ice skating, dodge cars, ifly, and North star don't exist on any Carnival ship.  Personally, a lounge chair & the ocean are all I need to be entertained, but if all the bells and whistles are important to you & your sister, spend the $ &  go on a larger RC ship. 

We haven't been on the Oasis or higher class ships. Been on Voyager class 3 times and twice on Freedom. What I really enjoy are the shows, in particular the ice show but the production shows were a draw for me on RCI.We won't be doing any of the physical activities like climbing walls or flowrider- my husband always did that while I relaxed. I like the goofy game shows and wine tastings, towel animal class or behind the scene tours, are they available on Carnival? Just some things to break up the day because we wont be doing excursions.

This will be my sisters first cruise and we need to keep costs low. I usually cruise RCI larger ships- love the games, activities and shows. Only did one Carnival cruise- a spring break booze cruise on Elation 7 years ago. I don't think it's a fair comparison, so trying to be positive and get advice on best bang for the buck. We plan to go Jan or Feb 2020 and I live in FL so we are thinking either Liberty out of port Canaveral (much more convenient) or Victory or Conquest out of Miami. Am I right to exclude the Paradise out of  Tampa because it's similiar to the Elation? We plan to do an interior room and no excursions so the activities on board and shows are pretty important. That was the biggest disappointment- the activities on elation seemed lame and the shows featured the same 3 singers and it seemed so much less professional then the RCI shows which I have always enjoyed. Which would you recommend and why? This is an important trip- first time my sister and I are going away alone together since we met- I was adopted and found my family - so we have only become close these past 5 yrs.-looking to really bond during this cruise. Thanks!

She's a first time cruiser. This will be a short getaway in Jan/feb just the two of us. I've only been on one Carnival cruise, one of the smaller ships for a quick weekend getaway with hubby 7 years ago. We weren't impressed with the activities or shows. We do love RCI- especially the mega ships - love walking around the promenade, using the ice skating rink, seeing the shows. We also enjoyed lots of the games that RCI has done and didn't see them on the Carnival Elation.  Price is a major factor- she's coming from AZ to FL, so we are looking to keep it under $500 each which seems very doable for a 4 night cruise . I'm looking at either RCI navigator, Independance or Mariner vs Carnival Liberty or Paradise. Any thoughts or recommendations? Itinerary isn't as important- we don't plan to do excursions just relax without the kids and husbands. Price, activities like games(not bingo) and shows are the main consideration. It seems like RCI is $100 more for each for us- can anyone sell me on  Carnival?

There was a passenger not accounted for which delayed our boarding on the 12th until about 1pm. We were there since 10:30am so it was long but I was expecting that. Getting there early assured we were seated and thru customs and comfortable until onboard. But some of the staff were a little rude as they used a PA system that could be heard throughout. If they were talking only to Diamond level upstairs we heard it as if they were talking to us. Very confusing and one lady was very rude telling people to sit down,didn't tell you you can get up. She wasn't talking to me or mine, but I felt like smacking her for being rude to others instead of nicely explaining what was happening.

I was on the cruise and disembarked on the 17th. We got online for self carry at 7:30...big mistake. Be there before 7am. People were cutting in line because there was only one person on the floor directing them.should have been several directing people l e coming off the stairs and elevators. Once we got into the customs area it was very quick but took over an hour to get there. The custom officer was a little difficult because my 15yr old only had a birth certificate. He wanted a photo id. He said next time bring a school id....I kept my mouth shut but wanted to say that the school id isn't official her birth certificate is, but i was good. He was rude about it...even asked for.my marriage certificate since her name is the same as my married name but i was single when she was born. I pointed out we had the same names now, and my birth date matched what was listed on her birth certificate but he was scary rude about the questions.

I stayed at the Hyatt last week. My suggestion if you go with the Hyatt is to book a specific room type in the tower...the Lanai wings are old, dated and in need of tlc.the resort itself offered a lot to do but we got stuck in the old wing and it wasn't worth it at all. I would have preferred a cheaper 2.5 star with free breakfast internet, and parking because it was only one nite for sleeping. Front desk didn't want to help at allt because we booked via priceline. Shower had mold, broken toilet cannistertop and peeling paint. Stairs were decrepit. Very different from main building.

Well, since it is complimentary, there is no bill to sign. Tips, if desired, are given in cash. You can get small bills from Guest Services, or just bring some with you.

That helps me be prepared, thanks!

Is the tip included? Can it be charged the room? I have two teen girls that. Ant wait for room service, and want to be prepared.

Thank you! We are with a group of about 30+ people so changing plans would have been tough.

To make the cruise arrival more enjoyable please arrive between 12 and 3 pm. Is this message normal? Or bad tidings for the embarkation process? We have arrangements to parkngo at 9:30 and planned to be at the port by 10:30. Should we not do this?

Thank you! Was getting nervous when my husband was going thru yelp reviews.

Ok, thanks. I can't believe it's nearly been a decade since our last RCCL cruise.

Last time we cruised I remember being able to order the same food from dining room for room service. It sounds like that has changed, is that right?

With spring break, I waited until this week for departure to finish booking my hotel... Had a cancellatble reservation for la Quinta for $179 but it was much further away. Won the Hyatt Regency for $197. Is it a good win? What restaurants are recommended nearby?

Priceline 4star bid for $197 for 3/11-12 got Hyatt Regency Pier 66. Thoughts? Friends are staying at embassy suites and Renaissance but they had points to use. We will be nearby to meet for dinner, right?

I meant do I need to buy luggage tags myself. The cruise documents were printed but because I got a message that my ink was low, I chose not to print the luggage tags...now it is showing they are unavailable because we are too close to sailing. But if the porters can provide them to us that will work fine!

Thanks!

Didn't print out tags as I was low on ink...and missed the opportunity ...( didn't realize that they went away :rolleyes:. I think I read that we will be able to get them at the port, is that true? What do I need to look out for? Or is it cheaper to get something from Walmart? Thanks....

I have a 15yr old daughter going with us in March so I took this very seriously... She averages 8k texts a month( do teens actually TALK anymore?

Our cell provider is Verizon. They have an international option that works for cruises. $40 a phone per month (prorated by time used so for a week cruise $10 per phone) Unlimited incoming texts, 125 outgoing texts daily and a small amount of minutes and data daily. There is a larger plan for $80 and a pay per text plan. I plan to activate the plan the day before and put us all into no data mode so we don't incur overages. I have also told my teen it is only 50 texts a day so she doesn't go over! For our family of four, this seems the most practical, considering how all options seem subject to limitations of the reception of the phones or Wilkie talkie or how slow data works.

Trying to see if it even makes sense to get a hotel room to relax and get to the port early. Inexpensive but clean, and best shuttle to PORT w/parking at hotel. Thank you!

What about if you went with a travel agent? Five families just booked a cruise on independence for 3/2016 can we ask for the sales?