AmberMarie

At Hanauma Bay, they make every beach-goer watch a 20 minute video about respecting the reef before they snorkel or explore. They have to sign out to prove attendance.

It would be interesting to see how this concept could work as part of the check-in process. The muster drill could perhaps be shorter and more of just everyone walking to where they WOULD be standing and less talking from the staff.

My first cruises we all had to wear our life jackets as well, and that was pretty uncomfortable- we feel thankful not to do that.

I just close my eyes or stare at ceiling listening to directions in my happy place. Reminding myself I'm on vacation and get over it. Taking deep breaths and finding Jesus in my heart to ease my irritation at the stragglers or the adult-children heckling the staff.

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We like to kick off our cruise and go on the first night. It's never been busy that night. We usually choose one more night, I think the last elegant night. We don't usually go to MDR anymore-- we like the buffet, burgers, pizza and then going out to dinner at steakhouse a couple nights.

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Most of the tables for two are an inch away from each other (not that there's anything wrong with that). Only one time did we get a booth (and we didn't ask for anything special)-- back in 2007 on Conquest. We were happy with it, but did notice it was right next to kitchen door and waiter's station, so maybe it wasn't always sat.

If you want a more intimate setting, definitely do the steakhouse. We love it there and usually go more than once.

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hehehe

The over the door shoe organizer was a life saver for the cruise I went on with two other girls for my bachelorette party. Three gals in an inside cabin created very little space. :)

I have also used the canvas shelves that hang in the closet.

Our first cruise was RCCL, but I bet CCL does something similar-- we felt like we "had" to go to this shopping meeting on the first day. I think we even bought a coupon book or something? Then we did scavenger hunt type things to get little stones and stuff for free at stores. It was an interesting way to get us to explore, but we skipped it every time after that.

I get more annoyed with obnoxious and attention-seeking passengers during muster drills that take it upon themselves to turn the rest of us into an audience for their unfunny jokes-- completely distracting everyone around them from the actual drill taking place.

I consider myself a pretty tolerant person, but this annoys the dickens out of me. I have to use self-control not to use my teacher voice on them.

I love my water shoes, because they don't look like water shoes. :)

Mine are adidas, and they have a great selection of men's as well. http://www.adidasoutdoor.com/mens-water-shoes/

We have cruised for 11 years only, but barely notice the cuts. We love love love Guy's and the steakhouse-- for the most part, we stopped going to the MDR after our 3rd cruise I think.

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As a teacher, I can say (from experience) that a balance of humor definitely makes people of all ages pay attention and soak in info better.

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We sail out of Galveston-- we like to get it, and we are kinda glad we can't use it on the first night because it makes the total bill cheaper. We also always have Steakhouse dinner the first night to kick off and celebrate our vacation, and they usually have a free bottle of wine that night anyway.

Speaking of Cheers.... I can't remember, is it normal not to be able to see that I bought the Cheers package anywhere in my booking info on the Carnival website?

I don't shop Old Navy too much these days, but I went on to randomly check for some long comfy dresses for an upcoming Vegas trip. They have a TON of stuff on sale, with additional promotion until 2pm central (or something like that, you may want to check).... I bought work out tights, a long striped shirt, a long maxi dress, a short t-shirt dress (that I think can be falled up with tights and boots), and some sweatpants for my husband... All for $65... Use coupon code NOW and they take 35% off some items (this is until about 2), then everything else I got was sale/clearance. Also free shipping at 50 dollars.

I love that they offer tall stuff, although at 5'10" I still ordered regular on a couple things because the reviews said that even tall girls had to wear heels with the tall dresses. I'm a flats/flip flops on vacation type of gal.

We are heading on the 4 day Sensation on 3/9, 2 adults 2 teenagers. Trying to figure out if the drink package for the adults and kids are worth it.

 

For the Cheers package for the adults, are there any restrictions, bottled/can/non draft beers are eligible, correct? How about buckets of beer? We drink more beer than we do hard stuff.

 

What about restrictions for the kids?

 

Gary

We were also worried about not having buckets on our first CHEERS cruise, but if you plan to chill in one spot a while, they figure you out pretty quickly it seems. We also tipped each time, though, since we were with the same fellow and he was doing a great job on checking on us-- and it was pretty busy on the serenity deck.

I did see this myself, which is what prompted me to ask her about FTTF when we booked. I'm going to call the travel agent and see. She told me before there had to be an adult in each room because the kids are so young but I'll ask again. Thanks

I recently read on these boards where if you are in connecting or next door rooms that don't connect, there doesn't have to be an adult.. maybe someone can confirm that for us.

My search worked in internet explorer, and this is what I found.. Is it possible for you to put all adults in one room and kids in the other for booking, then switch how you want it when you get on board?

Please Note:

• We offer Priority Check-In at all embarkation ports.
  
• Deluxe Suite Accommodations include the following categories: CS ES GS SS VS FS HS SS OS JS OB
  
• For those guests traveling with minor children alone (without an adult) in separate staterooms that do not fall into one of the three categories above, these additional staterooms may check in through the Priority Check-In Program as well.
  
• Guests who have purchased the Faster to the Fun package do not have access to the Priority Check-In Lounge.
  
• Guests may access staterooms no earlier than 1:30pm unless a VIFP Diamond or Platinum level guest or have purchased Faster to the Fun.
  

Boarding the Ship

On most occasions, guests board the ship in the following order:

• Special functions
  
• VIFP Platinum, Diamond, Milestone and Suite guests
  
• Faster to the Fun guests
  
• Premier Casino guests
  
• Special Assistance guests
  
• Assigned Zones
  
• General Boarding (straight from check-in to boarding)
  

I'm not sure what the policy is (I always get "bad request" when I try to search Carnival's help pages.) officially, and I'm not saying this is right, but I wonder if they would even stop your family from boarding with you. I feel like I've read about and seen at Galveston port where families went through with a "they're with me."

154 and 250...

The Kiss on the Lips is so good, it's like a dessert. I always have to have one. I think there was a blue one I loved last time-- maybe Twilight Zone!

My only hesitancy with having a huge group connected with the HUB app is constantly expecting to be reachable and responsive. But, I often times like to escape the group for my own time. Use with caution! :)

Have gotten the large bottle of San Pellegrino in the steakhouse for myself as well as the large bottle of Evian to take ashore.

 

 

 

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Nice! We were told only the smaller bottles (not the large size we get as a Gold perk) :)

I should have clarified that the smaller bottle is still pretty big, if I remember correctly.

I was not aware bottled water was included great!! is this the large bottles are small ones... asking so In know in advanced for port excursions. Is there a limit on non-alcoholic items, meaning can I order two bottled watrs at a time? TIA!!!!

It's the smaller water bottle. You can order two drinks at a time if you have two sail and sign cards (at least in our experience-- I'm sure technically it is in the server/bartender's discretion).

In the mornings, I would go up and get a Rockstar for both of us (with both our cards), and they never opened it or told me both of us had to be there-- again, we may have gotten lucky. We did the same with Irish Coffees at the coffee bar, as well as mixed drinks at Serenity-- but usually at some point they had seen us both.

We also ordered a fun drink, sipped on it for about five or ten minutes, then each got a shot to add to it. This of course counts as four total drinks instead of two, but we wanted an extra kick.

If it's a large group, you will also find yourself bumping into random group members-- and if not everyone is there, they will know where so-and-so is, and so forth and so on. You will end up finding one another.

Has anyone used the Rimmel provocalips drugstore brand lip stain? I heard surprisingly good things.

I always have 1 or 2 cruises in the pipeline. Last year we did a last minute cruise in between cruises, and it was only 3 days but we had the time of our lives! Loved the last minute feeling and it satisfied the craving while waiting for the longer cruise!:ship:

#vacationgoals ;)

I so wish Galveston cruises were as inexpensive as some of the Florida cruises. I'm also a teacher which means gone are the days when my husband and I cruised during hurricane season for half the price. /sigh

Happy cruising! Last minute bookings can be addicting. :) We did a last minute booking two years ago-- one month out. Last minute decision. It was amazing because the wait was so short! :P it is nice to have a cruise on the horizon also. This is our first time to have two booked at once!

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We love Tremont in Galveston because we like to bar hop for a couple hours at the cute little bars in downtown-- play pool, listen to live bands, etc. We also enjoy the rooftop bar at our hotel when the weather is nice. But we pay the price for the Galveston hotel because it's part of our vacation experience.

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