Kristin1112

I'm guessing a lot of people don't even know the hop exists. We did it a couple of weeks ago and even with four ships in port, there were only thirteen people on the hop, and two of them were on a land vacation and had taken the ferry over from the mainland.

 

Even with a handful of cruisers who hired private drivers and ended up at the same bars, none were crowded. I found it to be a fun and relaxing way to spend the day. We're already planning to do it again next time we end up in Cozumel.

Here to report you were correct....although Coconuts WAS quite crowded *and we had only about 13 on our hop*. Very fun day and we'd do it again next time around!

So NCL offered you a significant upgrade but you wanted money instead? Seems they were pretty generous? Can you still get CCL for the dates and destinations you booked with NCL?

Not trying to be snarky, but perhaps CCL is the line of choice for you. Each cruise line has it's own way of doing things. I'd take the upgrade.

It's not a "significant upgrade" in my opinion - clearly you feel otherwise. If it was a suite, I would have considered. We wanted an aft cabin, and our friends are in the cabin next to us. I did a lot of research here on CC and weighed options for both cabins. Most folks who offered opinions of both cabins say hands down the aft cabin is better, so we stayed. I also have no interest in being directly across from an elevator.

You're entitled to your opinion as am I...but contrary to you trying not to by snarky, you failed. Did you seriously suggest I should cancel this cruise and go on CCL because I didn't get the OBC? Wow.

First time booked on NCL...we've usually gone CCL and have always been able to get OBC for price drops. In some cases, nearly half of our rate back in OBC.

When I saw our NCL rate go down about $150pp I contacted my TA and NCL told them 'sorry' no OBC offered if the price drops. They did offer what they considered to be an upgrade (Aft balcony to a mid ship mini suite next to an elevator bank) and we declined. They would not offer anything else.

Next time we asked, they offered a "guaranteed" mini suite...again we declined.

Guess it is what it is with NCL.

Thanks for the comments re: the crowd factor. I did reach out to the Bar Hop folks to see if they had room for 4 and Tom responded same day with a "Yup, sure do".

With our port intensive itinerary (3 back to back) and this being the last, we worry that the day of we wont be so excited to go (had that happen before). We were just planning on staying on the ship but then you fine CC folks had to post all these fun photos of the bar hop, and well, he we are thinking about it. :D

So...our cruise is coming up in 2 weeks and there are 6 ships in port and about 25,000 cruisers. Oh joy!

Anyone been on the Bar Hop with that many people in port? Wondering how much this specific tour (or its stops) are affected by the masses??? :eek:

So yes, based on the above I did book the corner aft balcony with our friends next door.

Large price drop so I reached out to my TA and instead of OBC, NCL has offered the upgrade to the MA category mini suite.

Not sure this is really an upgrade based on the comments here...

Any thoughts, considering they're the same price? I'm inclined to stay put in the AFT but wondering other's opinions...

thanks

Kristin :confused:

Serene56 or others...

We are coming up on an NCL Caribbean sailing and currently have an AFT (B1) balcony on deck 10 - corner cabin (10317 to be exact)...just for something different, we've never done aft. Our friends are in 10319 next door.

Large price drop so I emailed my TA. Instead of price adjustment or OBC, NCL is offering an upgrade to a mini suite, category MA. Looks like this will be either on deck 11 or 12, midship, right off elevators.

Our first on NCL so have no reference. Looks like the cabin/balcony may be larger by about 30sqft to move mini suite, but really don't know if this is going to be a step up from the aft. Being right off elevator banks is questionable for us too. That said, I do understand we will have vibration on the AFT on docking.

Any thoughts/inside tips are appreciated to help decide...

(Serene, we sailed with you and had a M&G years ago!)

Thanks

Kristin :confused:

Anyone know if you can purchase this in advance or only once onboard?

And while I'm at it (albeit off topic), what about Chef's Table? On Carnival I've been able to book CT in advance but haven't found a thread here on CC addressing this.

Thanks

Thanks everyone. The list of hotels on their website is helpful.

*Waves to my fellow Vegas neighbor* I see you have a cruise coming up in 3 weeks...Jealous! :o

Wow...pretty strong opinion there, sorry you seem to have had a very bad experience. :eek: Was just giving some insight on what I know.

We have had some wonderful times on Carnival - even planned our wedding around a Carnival cruise and have no bad experience or horror stories to share.

Ok CC geniuses out there...

We're flying into FLL the night before our cruise out of POM. Why to FLL then you ask? Well...the prices and distance from Las Vegas - it will take awhile and the earliest we can get into town is nearing 7pm.

SO, we plan to stay in or around FLL since it will be late-ish by the time we get in and to the hotel - so instead of staying in MIA that night, we'll just take a shuttle to POM the next morning.

Looking for a nicer hotel with a free shuttle from the FLL airport to the hotel that has restaurants within walking distance. Another requirement is a hotel that is south of FLL, even closing in on Hollywood or North Miami so our 'pay' shuttle to POM the next morning is reasonable.

I know I'm asking a lot, but I know you CC folks have all the inside scoops :D

Any recommendations? I'm usually a Priceline girl but am also trying LMT too.

I do not recall being able to book it on Carnival ahead of time.

 

Meanee...RE booking in advance on Carnival - it's not published for pubic knowledge and not on their website. They claim that if you email John Heald (was that his name??) that'll do the trick but I never got a response that way.

You have to email the maître de at the ship's steakhouse - they also handle the reservations for CT. I've booked CT in advance multiple times on Carnival this way in addition to making a reservation for our 17 person wedding party at the steakhouse a few years back. Very efficient :D

Would be great if NCL did the same.

Anyone know if you can book in advance of the sailing? We've done CT on a few Carnival cruises and have always been able to book it ahead of time.

???

I would choose an aft facing balcony, one of the corner ones on decks 8 through 11. The corner ones have bigger balconies than the other afts. 8 is above some public areas, so I'd go with 9, 10, or 11. They are next to the "secret stair" area, a large alcove with side facing windows. Unless the mini suite has some fantastic bath and that is important to you, I'd go with the balcony. There are a couple aft facing minis on each deck, but they are all accessible cabins or I would have booked one.

In looking at the deck plans and the booking engine of available cabins, I don't see that the 'corners' are cabins...For example on 10, the two outermost aft facing cabins are 10317 and 10318 - but they are not in the corners.

Are these the cabins you're referring to?

Priceline bidding on:

• 2 rooms
  
• One night 05/12 only
  
• 3 1/2 star only
  
• San Juan area 8 only
  
• Starting bid $56
  
• Winning bid $77
  
• Hotel: Radisson Ambassador
  

Good luck!

We booked Sunny for our 17 person wedding cruise party in May 2010 - In fact, we're featured on his website in multiple photos - still neary 2 years later!

Yes, he plays loud music, but will tone/turn it down if you ask. He is a party and a half, and FUN! So very nice and personable too.

If you want quiet, calm, slow...Sunny is probably not for you.

Everything I read (and was told by the excursion people) was 11:30, however, the sign at the desk said noon - and they opened promptly at that time.

I would get in line ASAP upon boarding...by noon there was quite a lengthy line.

$1395 for the first 12 people, $99 for each person after that. You cannot reserve in advance unless you have a "group booking" through Carnival. If you're on HAL, you can reserve in advance so I hear but not sure of their price.

If you dont have a group booking, get to the ship as early as possible and get in line at the excursion desk promptly or you'll miss out.

My wedding party (17 of us total) were fortunate enough to get the Private Oasis cabana on 05/16. Hands down, well well worth the money! We had an amazing time...the view was to die for...and it was so nice to have the entire thing to ourselves. Everyone in our group mentioned that it was by far an amazing experience and they would all do it again in a heartbeat.

View of the rest of HMC from the Cabana...

Everyone on the Oasis staff from the bartender to the cooks and the maintenance/housekeeping folks were attentive to our every need - there was someone there just to sweep up the sand from the cabana floor, every time someone walked in. They also went into the bathrooms every time someone came out to make sure it was pristine. There was nothing out of place or dirty, and the service was stellar.

Of course we had alcohol galore too (mixed drinks, tropical fun drinks, beer...you name it). The food was delicious as well - and so much more than we could even think about eating! We had hamburgers, fish & bbq chicken, fresh fruit, tons of different salads, enough guacamole to feed a small nation and a platter of cookies/brownies etc.

The tender process was smooth, and it's a very short walk through the sand to the cabana once you get there. They have tons of towels there at the cabana, no need to bring yours from the ship. The fee includes all the food and drink you want, towels, private bathrooms (2 of them), private shower, changing room, hammock, lounge chairs both in and out of the sun, 2 large clamshells, hot tub (comfortably seats about 7 people), snorkel equipment, floats, massage table (masseuse extra), and water slide. They also had an ipod docking station and they had an ipod already hooked up and playing when we got there...Oh, and let's not forget the PRIVACY!

The bar with the grilling area behind it.

We did pay for 3 extra people, but Carnival comped mine and my (new) husband's fees. Not sure if you really have to pay the extra person charges, but they did hand us tender tickets based on the number of people. Suppose other folks could take another tender and just meet up with you there - not sure really how they know who should be there and who shouldnt, they dont give you wristbands or anything. They did ask for our pop flavor preferences and flipper sizes when we booked. I ordered flippers for everyone, but only 2 out of our group used them - we were having too much fun doing everything else!!

Bottom line...dont hesitate to book the Oasis if you can...it was by far an amazing experience!

Questions? Just ask...

hahaha....funny that's how we're remembered! :rolleyes:

We are not using the ship's services - we booked everything direct with folks on the island.

Yep - on the beach. Cant wait!!! Just keeping our fingers crossed that the rain moves out before our ceremony!

Serene..

Posting here as I know you frequent this thread...

Doubt you remember, but on the Liberty 3 years ago (August 2007) you organized a roll call/member cruise. Mark and I went, as did our friends Hank and Julie. (Maybe you remember that Mark and I were the ones to get the comp upgrade to the Penthouse suite and everyone harassed us for it???)

We had a fabulous time with you, your family, and the rest of the Liberty roll call crew.

Just wanted to leave you a note that Mark and I and Hank and Julie and a dozen other folks are headed back on the Liberty this weekend for our (Mark's and my) WEDDING cruise. We're getting married on St Thomas a week from today...

We're super excited - cant wait to hit all the familar places!

We have some fabulous memories with you and wanted you to know we're headed back...

xoxoox

Kristin and Mark

Excellent, thanks for the lay of the land!

Here is a pic of the main bar:

 

Also looks like there is another bar up behind the cabanas by the dining hall according to island map posted by hill6.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isnt that the "Private Oasis" you've marked as the bar? If so, that's not open to everyone.

Anyone know where the bars/places to buy drinks are in comparison to the cabana numbers? :D

How many folks were in your group? Was it just the 12 or did you have an extra person?

Thanks for the info...ditto on the question. Did you have more than 12 people? If so, did you tell the ship and pay for them? I've heard some people have problems with random folks swigning through during the day - how is that prevented? Do folks have wristbands or something to identify they belong there?

thanks again for the info!

Kristin