Detroit Donna

We have never been to Antigua so I can’t speak on that but we’ve been to St. Kitts several times. It is our favorite place to zip line. It’s the kind with the spring stop so you don’t have to brake and you never have to climb a hill or go up a lot of stairs.  And although we don’t often book excursions through the ship, we did for this.  

On 2/12/2022 at 3:29 PM, bennybear said:

I would visit the Achilleon  Palace and do some sightseeing,  perhaps beautiful Paleokastritsa and the monastery followed by lunch in town and time to wander there.  
or I would charter the Nautilus and swim and tour the island by boat.  
We’ve been to Corfu several times and have not visited the olive mill, hadn’t even heard of it.  

How do you get to the Archilleon Palace?  Also, is the fortress worth checking out?

Is there an art gallery on board?

2 hours ago, MeganGC1983 said:

I’ve read from others that you can’t “roll” the money to an all ready booked cruise. It has to be a new cruise. Just thought I’d mention that. 

I've rolled the money from the 5 cruises that have cancelled already to cruises I had already booked.

We love the porthole rooms.  The only drawback I have experienced on the Paradise when our porthole is on the 7th floor, it seems to be a major walk-thru for the staff.  Sometimes they aren't completely quiet about it.  On the other hand, we've had some fun conversations with them as well.  

We have gone with Fat Fish Adventures three times. They pick you up right outside the Hard Rock Cafe. We love it!

Getting on and off the jet ski isn't difficult. Getting off, you kinda slide into the water. Getting on, you grab onto the bar on the back of your seat and pull yourself up. It's really not that difficult. And the one time I got too confident and found myself sailing through the air and then across the water, the guide came and picked me up and took me back to my jet ski. I've never seen anyone fall off though (except me).

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I booked at Comfort Suites for the day our ship is there in October. I was able to get the military rate for $175. With taxes and fees, $251. This is for 2 adults and 2 children. We have 2 other adults going and they were able to book their own room at the military rate as well.

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We booked this cruise because my husband teaches high school and it's their spring break.

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We're trying to find out the cost of the Premium internet package on the Vista for 10 days.

Does anyone who has been on the ship for a 10-day sailing have this information?

I'm not sure about the premium price but we paid $90 for the middle one of the three packages on our 10 day in July.

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I'm on the Vista out of Athens now and we did skip Turkey. Yes, there is a VAT tax of 21%. An in-cabin movie was not charged tax (5.99) and a coke was 2.24 (gratuities?). I ordered a lobster roll at the Seafood Shack and was charged 13.80. Sorry, I don't keep receipts so not sure what the original cost was or if it was a gratuity charge. We did buy the 133.00 wine package and was charged 152.95 (the receipt said gratuities). Hope this helps a little. I guess I expect to be nickel and dimed on board and don't pay enough attention. On that note, this just forced me to look at my sign and sail account - aaahhhhhhhhhh!

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I'm following a similar post on the main board but want to ask specifically here what your experiences were like when making a reservations at the Vista steakhouse. I used the link thru Manage My Cruise to make a request a month ago. I still have not had any confirmation back. I sail in Jan. 2017 but would really like to get this in place so I can get my preferred time. I'm wondering how long those of you who may reservations prior to cruising Vista had to wait for you confirmation. If any one has a contact email for the Vista's Maitre D and would share it I would be very grateful. DH talked to a Carnival rep last week when making a payment and that person had no info on it at all. Thanks for any help! :)

I'm on the Vista now and I never received confirmation for my reservation request prior to the cruise. It was waiting for me in my cabin when I boarded though. Someone who took the same tour with us in Athens the day before embarkation, told me she requested a reservation twice and called and never received confirmation either. We ended up being sat at tables next to each other the same evening.

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On my past cruises the crew would take my bottles and I'd pick them up the last day of the cruise.

That was our case in the Caribbean but not here in Europe.

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I'm on Vista right now and we've had no problem bringing it on with us.

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You are right, but on our cruise there was a medical emergency on they way to Cozumel and we went back for a second say in Grand Cayman.

 

When i emailed them, i remembered. Fun cruise!

 

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We must've been on the same August 2015 cruise because that happened to us too.

Just saved $110 on my July 2016 Vista reservation using the Cyber Monday - Early Saver Sale. :)

 

 

I have always had severe cases of motion sickness. Even on a straight road, if I am not driving or sitting in the front seat or the middle of the back seat, I will get really sick. I have tried sea bands, meclazine, and ginger pills and none worked for me. Last year on the Epic I started taking Bonine the day before our cruise. I know you are supposed to take it every morning. On the 5th day I decided not to take it because I felt fine and I could hardly feel the ship moving so I thought it would be okay. Well that evening I had to leave the table at dinner because I was so sick. It ruined me for the whole night. Well fast forward to this cruise and I was a bit worried because I knew there would be more noticeable movement on the Valor due to it being much smaller and I don't know if it has stabilizers like the Epic does. So I decided I would just take the Bonine and hope for the best. The Valor was rocking most of the time. It was actually surprising how much it moved. But it never once bothered me! I was so happy!! And now I swear by Bonine. It is the only thing that has ever worked for me. BUT you have to take it every single morning. EVEN is you feel like you will be fine. The thing about motion sickness is that you have to prevent it from happening in the first place because once you feel sick it won't go away. Okay....moving on.

 

 

 

Next up...Cruise day 2. St. Thomas, Coki Beach, and Scuba Diving!!

I swear by Bonine too! I read a great tip to take it every night before bed so if there are side effects, you don't feel them. I knew Dramamine made me feel sleepy so wasn't sure what Bonine would do and by taking it before bed, I still don't know what it does. LOL

Loving your review BTW. My husband is from Puerto Rico so we visit there about twice a year and I look forward to it every time. We are taking this cruise on 15 Feb and your review makes me want to leave today! I told my husband about the wonderful apartment you rented and he said his mom would be upset if we stayed somewhere else. He's right and he loves her cooking anyway. Also, you were very SMART to not go to the area next to the cemetery.

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I'm currently working on putting together a cruise with a stop in Aruba for my husband and I in May. We're 26 and 27 and love getting out and really exploring the stops on our cruises. We've been on multiple cruises but have never been to Aruba.

 

Any suggestions for 20-somethings in Aruba? We're up for anything, snorkeling, beach day, tour of the island.

I recommend Trikes Aruba to everyone. We spent the entire day touring the island while driving around on a "trike". Google them, it's a blast.

received a pack & play "free" cruise letter. I know I pay taxes but do I have to pay the gratuities also or are they included in the taxes? FYI we cruised in Feb 2014 and my hubby got a "free" cruise letter on the way out- we never took them up on it though. Thinking of doing this one though, but airfare from Wisconsin might nix the deal.

Gratuities are not included. They will also advise you to get insurance because should you have to cancel, you will be charged for the full price of the cruise. Also know that a cabin on the Main deck will cost the same as the one on the Lido deck. Taxes are the same for whatever type of room you are given or upgrade to (interior, ocean view, balcony).

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Just got off the sunshine 2 days ago with closeto 7500 points. I have another cruise coming up in a month. What if anything should I look for if I call the players club? thanks.

No telling. They are very inconsistent. At least with the VIFP system we know what to expect. It's always a mystery with the players club.

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unfortunately you are right- no reasoning to their comps......I only started really gambling on my cruise last October.....only got about 1600 pts, got my drink card the last nite, and my husband got 1300pts....we started getting cruise casino offers for 40% off select and casino cash, 25 for me and 50 for him....lol.....I booked 3 cruises on this offer as prices pretty good, and just got off first of the three...got over 5500 pts so thought may get some comps.....letter the last night night was given to my room- 20%off next cruise and 50 dollars cruise cash...lol,worse than last offer if I changed the code. I called today, got to speak to a Michael, wasn't very nice or helpful...said if I got 5000 in first 5 days I would have gotten a free cruise offer(which I never expected nor tried to play for)...I was only at 4000 at that point, so I asked if any other comps available as seems should be something between 4000 in 5 days and 5500 plus in 6 days.....nope.Nada. Felt like cancelling the second cruise and go back to nlc as only min. deposit paid yet and not until Oct.

I had over 5000 in the first 5 days and totaled out with approximately 12000 and didn't received an offer for a free cruise. Maybe because I was already on a free cruise from them?

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That is great news!! I am cruising June on my 2nd free cruise courtesy of the casino, have read different things regarding the free cruise, cash and perks all at one time. I'm hoping that I get my free drinks, casino cash, and goodies just like before in addition to the cruise, wow sounds like a deal!!! Pretty much sounds like you are getting this now.

 

 

 

Did you happen to call them before you left to confirm or did they send you a package via mail ?

I never contacted them for this one since it was free from the casino and had to use their promo code anyway. Just arrived home today and was a bit stunned I didn't "earn" another free cruise. I had the most points ever from playing at the casino. I did come in 2nd place for the slot pull which got me a certificate for a seat in the ultimate slot tournament aboard the Breeze in November. If anyone is interested in buying it, I'm open to offers. It costs $500 to enter but will take less for the cert. it is transferable one time only.

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Currently on the Conquest and received free drinks and $100 when I boarded. Have since also had chocolate covered strawberries delivered and was given dinner for 2 in the steakhouse. Can't wait to see what's next. I'm on this cruise courtesy of the casino from my last cruise on the Sunshine.

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My husband has a large collection of watches and has purchased several on cruises. He will normally go into the shop as soon as they open and look around at what is available. While at each port we stop at along the way, he will browse the jewelry stores and compare prices. Most times he finds the better deal on the ship and has had no problems with any of his purchases. He has bought several watches while in ports though too. On one cruise he purchased a Tag Heuer for both of us and I wear mine every day - no problems after 2 years of wear.

I was eyeing a tanzanite ring on one cruise and while in St. Maarten, purchased a larger one for less money. I had it appraised when we returned to the states and realized I had gotten a great deal.

So watches we will purchase on the ship with no regrets but we tend to stay away from the jewels. Like everything, you just have to do your research for a major purchase.

Still in the air returning home from the Legend and yes, Punchliner's was alive and WELL! There was not a Punchliner's brunch though during our cruise. Just breakfast and lunch on both sea days.

Thanks so much for posting your review. We were on this same cruise but I missed half of it. I started feeling bad while in Barbados but that night, it really hit me. I may have met you on the Cosol Tour but we didn't make it. I got dressed and ready to go and went out and checked in for the tour and the longer I stood there shivering, the more I knew I couldn't go. So we apologized and excused ourselves and got back on the ship. I went to the medical clinic and found out I had a fever of 102.4! :eek: At this point, I had flu symptoms but still just wanted to sleep all the time. So we missed St. Luicia and then St. Kitts. That night I got more symptoms and went back to the medical clinic the morning of St. Maarten and was diagnosed with Norovirus and quarantined to my room for the rest of the cruise. :( With the flu symptoms, I could have left my room but didn't. Then with this new diagnosis, I couldn't leave my room but wanted to. :rolleyes: Anyway......

So with your review, I am able to live vicariously through you! :) In St. Kitts we were supposed to go ziplining but in St. Maarten we were going to go watch the planes on the beach too. Also, we stayed on the Lido for the New Year's countdown so it's neat seeing the pictures of the balloon drop. :)

Again, thanks so much!!