smileyone

I understand your frustration with the other parents. We let our daughter take a friend each year but require they get a passport. The first time we did this, they had over a year to get it. I had to threaten to cancel the child from the cruise in order to get them to do it (3 months out). The next year I did cancel the child (a different one than the year before) because it just wasn't going to happen even though we had already paid half. Last year was another kid that we had to threaten to cancel to get some action.

But here is my take on the birth certificate.. I would require them to bring the birth certificate to you now so you can decide if it looks right. Someone that won't follow thru with a commitment to get a passport may not care whether they are providing the official certificate that customs will accept. I told them if no passport, no go. I don't want to chance getting to port with someone else's child and find out something about their birth certificate isn't acceptable then I can't cruise because I'm stuck with getting this kid back home.

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I have also cancelled a cruise booked under past guest and received a full refund.

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Is it possible to change the name under manage my cruise on carnivals site without it prompting penalty? I have called at 50 days out to change a name on a non-early saver rate, carnival said it would cost $50. I went online and changed it without incurring a fee. I don't know if that will work since yours is early saver but might be worth a try if you are going to loose a bunch of money anyways.

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Is there an excursion that is just the monkeys? Seems I am only finding them in conjunction with ziplining, which none of us want to do.

We did monkeyland and Dominican flavors tour. There was no zip lining.

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I looked back at the pictures I have, it looks like some areas of monkeyland are concrete and some is gravel.

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I didn't notice any rough terrain. It would be difficult for someone using a wheelchair or walker at that cocoa bean demonstration because the paths are dirt and somewhat of a hill. If I remember correctly, the walk into the monkey enclosure is paved or concrete and there were a few steps.

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Sorry that should have read the drive portion was a total of an hour. The stop at the cocoa bean place might have been close to an hour as well. It sure felt like it was at least an hour but the monkeys were worth it.

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It was probably an hour total from La Romana with a stop along the way at the cocoa bean demonstration. This is a picture of the back of the bus it that helps.

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Also the second shower came in very handy with two preteen girls.

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Ok thanks that helps we just wondering if a deluxe ocean view would fit us all there is 4 of us

 

 

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This is a picture of our family harbor deluxe ocean view. There were two hanging closets and one with shelves. We did ok with the space but could have booked two regular interiors for the price of deluxe ocean view and had a little more space.

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There is an area where all the taxis were. I can't remember for sure but I think we just walked thru the shopping area and came across it.

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We use this pouch from Amazon. It held three full size passports and a passport card plus three cash envelopes. My husband's swimming trunks all have this hole in the bottom of the pocket. We thread the string thru and slide the loop into the carabiner hooked to the bag. This firmly secures the bag in his pocket.

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We have been to Governors twice. We take a taxi there then walk back. When we get to jacks shack we cut across to the beach and finish the walk back to the ship. The first picture below will give you a feel for the walk back. You aren't just walking on the highway. The second picture is the view from Jacks.

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At the end of the demonstration about how to make cocoa, they spent way too much time trying to sell products with false claims about curing all kinds of diseases etc. Everything else about the excursion was great. The kids are still talking about it. Husband rates it as his favorite excursion out of seven cruises.

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It was expensive but very worth it. The kids are still talking about it months later. We arrived back to port with only 15 minutes until back on board time so I was glad it was a Carnival excursion or I would have been stressing out.

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Looking at booking family harbor interiors for our families. children range in ages 7-17.

 

 

 

Please let me know is it noisy b/c so many kids?

 

 

 

would older ones hate it or is it similar to other cruises?

 

 

 

Any other thoughts?

We stayed in cabin 2458 (I think). No real noise issue with this area except some kids running up and down hallway which seems to happen on every floor. However we would not book family harbor again. We didn't use the lounge as much as we thought we would and it was basically a teen hangout by the end of the week. I loved the colors of the room and it was great having ice cream cones nearby but for the price we paid for FH deluxe ocean view, we could have booked two regular interiors and had more space.

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I didn't realize you could walk to Governors Beach at Grand Turk. I had an excursion that went there many moons ago and really preferred it to the "free beach" but thought it was closed off to the public.

We were also on this cruise. We also went to Governors. We took a taxi there and walked back cutting through Jacks. Not a bad walk at all. We also agree the north coast keep safari was great.

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Looks like last week and this upcoming week that Mitchum hasn't been on the vista that's getting me nervous as Everyone has raved about him. Good to see you have positive reviews for the sub

 

 

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I was also disappointed when I realized Mitchum wasn't on my cruise (June 3-11) and I hadn't heard much about the Scotsman but he was great and an incredible singer. He has a ton of energy. He performed a concert of rock classics and he really had the crowd going.

Upcoming Vista; past cruises Magic, Sunshine, Fascination, Dream, Pride, Liberty, Triumph, Glory, and Fantasy

I sailed NCL Getaway last January---my first NCL cruise after 5 Carnival and 2 RCCL cruises, and I LOVED it!! You will too. I just love the Freestyle Cruising concept! No need to pack all that formal wear, and eat where ever you want when ever you want! Fabulous! And the Getaway was a fabulous ship! Coupled with the perk of a beverage package--it was a perfect vacation! What ship are you cruising? Enjoy! [emoji41]

 

 

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We will be cruising on the Escape to Bermuda. Glad to hear you have enjoyed NCL. Freestyle cruising sounds great to me.

Upcoming Vista; past cruises Magic, Sunshine, Fascination, Dream, Pride, Liberty, Triumph, Glory, and Fantasy

Thanks everyone for your responses. Can't wait for this first NCL cruise. I'm heading out on my 10th Carnival cruise next month and am ready to try something new.

Upcoming Vista; past cruises Magic, Sunshine, Fascination, Dream, Pride, Liberty, Triumph, Glory, and Fantasy

I booked a cruise for next year for four people. The deposit was $100. I've seen the cancellation fee schedule on Ncl site but wanted to clarify. Let's say I make another payment of $1000 but later need to cancel way before the final payment date, how much money would I loose. Thanks in advance for your help.

Smileyone

Upcoming Vista; past cruises Magic, Sunshine, Fascination, Dream, Pride, Liberty, Triumph, Glory, and Fantasy

I have changed a name on the carnival manage my booking site 51 days from cruise start. No charge but we did not have early saver.

Upcoming Vista; past cruises Magic, Sunshine, Fascination, Dream, Pride, Liberty, Triumph, Glory, and Fantasy

I used the DRY PAK DP-56W White/Gray 5" x 6" Smart Phone Case. I ordered it from amazon. It has a string attached to it and a hook. Both pair of my husband's swim trunks had premade holes in the bottom of a pocket. I would thread the string through the hole then put the loop of the string through the clip at the top of the case. This way it was in the pocket but also had extra security of the clip to keep it place. We put 3 passports, 1 passport card, 1 credit card, and a folded envelope of cash in it. I just left my ship cards in the backpack on the beach.

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My husband was also issued a new VIFP number for cruise this summer. When I asked about it, I was told they couldn't find any record of him. I provided his vifp number and Carnival still couldn't find it. I have all his sail and sign cards so will eventually get them credited. No clue why it happened.

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