medianeh

A pop up hamper from Dollar Tree that I’ll put in the closet to keep our dirty clothes in.

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Yesterday I sent an e-mail to my colleagues at School 3 to thank them for their support. Here is an edited version for all of you on Facebook and CruiseCritic.

 

My Dear Friends

 

As most of you know, on Tuesday evening I learned that my younger brother and his wife were killed in a bus accident while they were on a sightseeing tour in the Yucatan region of Mexico. As I write this, I am at 33,000 feet on my way to Cancun for anything but a Christmas vacation. I am representing my family in going to accompany their remains for their final journey home to Olympia, Washington.

 

As I reached out through social media I have been so touched by the support I received from so many of you in these past two days. Your kind words, your expressions of sympathy, and the many reminders of distant friendships have assured me that Diana and I do not walk through these troubled times alone. I need to tell you how important that is to us. Diana has been determined to try to respond to every post with at least a”like” or a quick thank you. I have not been nearly as ambitious. To all of you who have posted or messaged or reached out in some other way: please know how deeply we appreciate and need your support.

 

So as you approach and enjoy these upcoming holidays, please say an unexpected kind word someone, hug one another a little tighter, and if you can gin up the courage, dare to tell someone you love them. Make it a point to celebrate your family and friends; love them in ways that will have people asking what has gotten into you. Enjoy THESE moments, because the future is never guaranteed.

 

My life is enriched by the crossing of our paths and the sharing of some part of this journey. Thank you all for making me a better teacher, friend, parent and person.

 

Grace and Peace,

 

Sam Fritz

 

 

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As a fellow Western New Yorker, sending you my deepest condolences......

Did I miss the post about what ship and sailing dates?

My husband & I were also on that cruise. We received the email at 9 pm and living in the Baltimore area, we were able to repack quickly. The local 24 hour Walmart near the airport did a lot of business that evening. Although we didn't go where we had planned, we had a great 2 days in New York without the huge bill for a Manhattan hotel. We grabbed a quick cab ride to the far side of Central Park and a strolled through the park and back to the ship.

 

We're booked for the same cruise to Grand Turk, HNC and Freeport again this year. We now just have to wait and see.

 

Note: I grew up just outside of Niagara Falls.

We loved our NYC cruise as well. It wasn't the beaches that we wanted, but it was definitely one of the best cruises we've been on. Empty ship = no lines.

We are about 20 minutes south of Buffalo.

Thanks. Just finished boarding up and am out the door. The traffic is bumper to bumper heading north. The problem with a hurricane is if you survive the storm you then have to live without electricity, water, cell phone, cable, internet for up to several weeks depending on the damage. Not fun.....On a good note this is the first time in 13 years that I have had to evacuate for a storm. Used to live in Maine and I will take hurricanes any day over blizzards. Just re booked our trip on the magic that was suppose to depart tomorrow and will go on the Halloween trip on the 28th. It was a very smooth process. I think Carnival has done a great job and I would not want to be in their war room trying to figure all of these cruise and ports out.

I live in Buffalo where we get blizzards all the time, and I HATE it. lol

Will be moving down South in about 5 years....

Again, stay safe!

I live where the red line meets the pink line on the west coast and I am on the water!!! Scary!

I hope you have evacuated! Stay safe!

So we won't even be able to swim on the boat?

We all swam. The Pride has a retractable roof over one of the pools. They left that closed and it was warm.

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Oh and I almost forgot - for those who stayed on the cruise and didn't get off in NY. (Because we found out in NY that we weren't going to St. John) we got $250 onboard credit per person.

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I was hoping for a bit more than 25% off. I read somewhere that the last time this happened they got 25% off and $100 onboard credit per person

I was on the Pride last year when they diverted us to NYC. We weren't prepared for it at all. We found out at 10 pm the night before. We all had warm weather clothes with us. The weather in NYC was 60's. So we all bought sweatshirts and hoodies there.

We ended up getting 50% off a future cruise bc even though our itinerary changed from Caribbean to NYC and St. John, we never made it to St. John. We stayed in NYC for 2 days, and then sailed up and down the coast from NY to Baltimore.

By the time we disembarked in Baltimore, there was only 700 passengers onboard.

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Ummm I'm not sure how I feel about this.

It's not a bad cruise. We had this same thing happen to us last year. Hopefully they also dock in NYC at Pier 66. We did and were like 6 blocks from Times Square. We had a ball.

Don't feel bad - we drove from NY to Baltimore and cruised back up to NY. LOL

You do have the option to cancel for a full refund.

Just wondering, still awaiting news about Pride on Sunday but if we end up not going to Grand Turk, Half Moon and Freeport, do you think the odds would be us going to be Bermuda instead?

Hard to say......

Hurricane Jose is now moving up that way as a hurricane as well.

Are they adamant that they aren't cancelling the cruise, or are they adamant that they haven't cancelled the cruise. I wouldn't trust the word of any Carnival employee who is guaranteeing days in advance that a cruise absolutely positively will not be cancelled - even in perfect weather, much less in a situation like this. Anything could happen: The ship could have an engine fire and lose power, having nothing to do with the storm. We've seen that happen recently.

I agree. Due to hurricane Sandy, our 2012 Pride cruise was cancelled AFTER we were on the ship. Carnival was going to sail, but the coast guard closed the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay.

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Think she's going north?

By the looks of two hurricanes in the Atlantic, not really a way around. Right?

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That Matthew trip, while NY was disappointing, turned out to be the best cruise I've been on. Ship was empty, no lines, and great weather just cruising up and down the coast. Not to mention credit and half off like you said. Best Cruise Ever!

It honestly was one of my favorite so far. LOL

Yeah, I'll be seriously ticked off if I end up in New York.

You're telling me. We drove from NY down to Baltimore, and sailed up to NY. lmao. We made the best of it, and had an awesome time in Little Italy and Times Square.

Not to mention, we all got $250 pp onboard credit, we upgraded our cabin (free) from a 4k to an extended balcony on the 7th floor. By the time we sailed back down to Baltimore, there was only 700 people onboard. We had the ship to ourselves. In addition, we got 50% off a future cruise (which we are going on in March 2018).

In 2012 we were on the Pride when Hurricane Sandy hit, and the coast guard closed the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. We were literally on the ship, had lunch (and my mother was unpacked), and they canceled our cruise.

But I did learn my lesson. I will never ever book another cruise during hurricane season.

Twice bitten. lol

So if it goes to Florida then us out of Baltimore, on Sunday, shouldn't be affected too greatly right?

We were on this same itinerary when Matthew hit. Because the hurricane was south, we went North. Don't be surprised if you do a NYC, St. John. We didn't find out until 10 pm the night before. (we were already in Baltimore by that point).

Hello. I'm new here and we are going on our first cruise next Sunday the 10th, out of Baltimore. I've never paid much attention to hurricanes so don't know much about them. Should we be concerned? We are supposed to go to Grand Turk, Half Moon Cay and Freeport.

We had that same itinerary last year when Matthew hit. However, we were diverted north to New York City and stayed there for two days, then sailed up and down the Atlantic from NY to Maryland several times.

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Feeling for those who have cruises booked. Our Pride cruise in 2012 wasn't canceled until after we were already on the ship (and had lunch!) because of Hurricane Sandy.

It definitely was a let down, but at least we were safe and able to rebook.

We are cruising this coming Sunday out of Galveston and it looks like a new disturbance is off the coast of Africa and could become Hurricane Harvey before next week.

I am hoping that if it does go into the Caribbean (we are supposed to go to Cozumel' date=' Roatan and Belize) that we will be routed up to Key West and the Bahamas.

I am wondering when the itineary change would be announced? When we board the ship or thru and email prior?

 

Just wanting to know as soon as possible so we can make alternate excursion plans.

 

Of all the times we have cruised in hurrican season, we havent had to change ports.

 

Thank you,[/quote']

 

When our intinerary was changed, we found out the night before our sailing via an email.

We've done three.

Only one was not impacted. Our Dream cruise in 2010.

We were on the Pride out of Baltimore, when Hurricane Sandy hit. The Coast Guard closed the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, and after we were on the ship, Carnival canceled our cruise about 4 pm.

Second time was on the Pride again last year October. Hurricane Matthew. Our cruise was supposed to go to Grand Turk, Half Moon Cay, and Freeport. Our intinerary was changed to NYC and St. John. We ended up spending two days in NYC, and St. John was canceled. The other 5 days we spent sailing up and down the Atlantic from NY to Baltimore. Not an ideal itinerary since we are from NY. Basically drove from NY down to Baltimore and went back to NY for two days. Although not what we planned, we had a ton of fun! There were so many people that canceled and got off the ship in NY that we were upgraded for free to a balcony cabin for free, and Carnival gave EACH PERSON $250 in onboard credit.

Lesson learned though. No more cruises out of Baltimore in October for me!

Hello,

 

We will be sailing March 17, 2018 out of FLL port for an 8 night cruise. I am reviewing several options and trying to seek some advice from others.

 

We (2 Adults/2 kids)live in Orlando area so will be driving to port. I am contemplating driving up on the 16th for one night. I have begun my search and realize this is peak season so rates are higher.

 

1. I am undecided if I should park at port (never been to this one so not familiar). I hear it can be confusing.

 

2. Find a hotel that offers parking and shuttle to and from port.

 

3. Stay a little farther out and find better hotel rate and then use Park N Go.

 

I have found some options such as Springfield suites in Dania beach that offers a package for parking up to 14 days, free shuttle for ONLY 2 to port. The rate was $330 with tax. But I'd still pay $10 each for kids to port and then $40 on way back to hotel after cruise. I figure an Uber would be similiar cost, maybe cheaper. Plus during peak season and waiting for a shuttle may not fit into my patience scale...ha ha.

 

I see the Westin on Corporate drive is more reasonable price wise at $179 plus tax. Not sure how far away it is from port or if this is a good spot.

 

I'm not to worried about needing a lot around hotel for dinner or breakfast since we have a car.

 

I have looked at closer options and price is $300 plus. This isn't my first preference to spend so much for one night, but it is what it is.

 

The hotels I mentioned were just examples, not necessarily my first choices. I would just like some insight from more experienced with the area and possibly been in similar situation.

 

Thanks for any help

Scott

We are sailing out of FLL on March 25th, and are driving down from NY.

I couldn't find a hotel in FLL for less than $300 a night. Plus we need parking.

We ended up booking a hotel in Stuart Florida for $79 a night (and includes breakfast). We will drive the hour and a half to the port early in the morning and just park at the port for $80 (6 days).

So for a bit of driving in the morning and staying a bit farther out, I saved half the cost.

Just a thought. It at least puts you closer to Fort Lauderdale rather than driving all the way from Orlando.

That happened to me today too. I ended up calling and booking to get the $50 deposit.

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The Pride (last week) had eggs Benedict with salmon instead of ham for a couple days in the buffet.

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It is actually owned by Holland American and CCL can only use it on days HA is not.

I thought Carnival owed HAL?

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That's a big change! But an overnight in NYC sounds awesome! Did you have advanced notice so you had the right sort of clothes with you?

 

 

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We found out at 10 pm on Saturday night, for our cruise that was leaving Sunday at 4:30 pm.

I know our group had sweatshirts with us. But just wore our shorts with sweatshirts, so it was all good.

We bought clothes in NYC as well.

The weather in NYC when we were there averaged about 70 degrees. It wasn't bad at all!