ilovetexas

Can someone please help me out? I need a recent Fun Times that shows what time the Welcome Aboard Show is. I'm taking my mom and sister on the Breeze in a few weeks and it's my sister's first cruise. I haven't gone to a Welcome Aboard Show in years but I don't want her to miss out. I requested Steakhouse reservations at 6:30 but they came back at 7:30. I'm pretty sure there is only the one show that night and that would put us eating dinner during it.

I can reschedule the dinner if it interferes. Thanks in advance if anyone has one to post.

We used Bernard's in May of this year and enjoyed our day a great deal. We're all the stops our favorites? No. But the guide was great, the drinks were great, and we enjoyed this stop on St Maarten far more than our previous one. I felt as though I learned more about the island.

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It has been sold out for my 8 day Vista cruise next May. I logged in today just to see and it is available again...for $79.99.

Hey, good for them if they can get it. My husband is SO cranky waiting to get on a ship, I might just pay it so I can shorten the time I have to listen to him gripe! :D

Darn! I'm getting on Jade this Saturday and was hoping to pick some up. Great stuff!

NCL Dawn has last min discounted cabins with 0% SSup for their 1/24/16 7 day cruise out of New Orleans.

349 interior, 409 oceanview, 599 balcony, 749 mini suite.

I saw that, what a crazy great deal! If my husband wasn't flying to Chicago for business next week, I'd be on the Dawn in a heartbeat. Leaving two teenage boys at home by themselves sounded like a bad plan to me. :(

Wow! Well done!!!!! This is an amazing review. All the photos and details are beyond helpful. The way you organized the information made it really easy to asorb and follow along with you. I feel like I've was there!! :)

 

Thank you so much for sharing all your insights. This makes me feel even more excited about my upcoming cruise aboard the Sunshine in April.

 

I have a few questions if you happen to still be monitoring this thread.

 

It sounds like you didn't make it to the spa or the gym - but if you did, please share your thoughts. I really enjoy the heated loungers and I'm wondering if they can be reserved or if it's first come first serve.

 

When you watched the Dive in Movie - how was the sound? I would imagine it would be hard to hear in an open setting like that. But, you said you enjoyed it and didn't feel too distracted, so I wonder.

 

I think you mentioned a few small Cuban themed lunch items that were available at the Havana bar. Was there a charge for those items? And, did you say that seating for lunch was open? Does that mean I can gather lunch items from the Lido Marketplace and take my meal to the Havana bar area to sit and enjoy it? I'd like that if it's acceptable.

 

Thanks again - the review is truly top notch :)

I can answer your question about the spa, I stayed in a spa cabin. The heated loungers are first come, first served. I don't think the cruise I was on was very crowded but I never found the spa area crowded at all.

Thanks! Just curious...how do you know the vendor is Blue Water Safaris?

Compare the pics on Carnival's site and on Blue Water Safari's site. It's printed on the side of the catamaran pictured on CCLs site.

Hey there, I'm the one that started answering you over on the Disney board. I'll break down reasons for Breeze here.

Breeze was my husband's favorite ship, and he doesn't typically prefer Carnival. Based on how much he liked it, we have Sunshine booked this spring. I've been on Sunshine solo and LOVED it even more than the Breeze. But, that's a story for another time.

Food is FAR better than Disney. I realize food is subjective but seriously - Guy's Burgers (free), the Blue Iguana Cantina (free), Cucina del Capitano (free at lunch), plus Ji Ji, Bonsai Sushi and the Steak House all at reasonable prices. Plus, of course the Main Dining Room and Lido Deck. Oh, I forgot about the pizza and ice cream, which is also free. And the deli. And Tandoor. I could go on and on. On my two Disney cruises I had trouble finding anything even vaguely interesting to eat.

Breeze has two BIG waterslides that are as good as, if not better than, the AquaDuck on DCL. There is a ropes course that looks fun but I never seem to make it back there to play on it. Kids and adults seem to like it.

There's a 3D theater that shows a few different things during the course of the cruise. It's one of those where the seats move and you get splashed with water, or have bubbles floating around, etc. I get motion-sick just thinking about it, but most people like them. I don't remember how much it cost but I don't remember it being too much.

They show movies on deck on the big screen at night.

One of my sons loves the kids clubs on Carnival. Prefers them over Disney. My other kids won't go to kid's clubs on any line so their opinions don't really add value.

Seuss at Sea. Nobody would go with me to the Green Eggs and Ham reading or breakfast so I went to the reading and parade by myself. My teenagers are sticks in the mud! I had fun. :)

The week you are looking at cruising, the Breeze will be in Grand Turk, Dominican Republic, Curacao and Aruba on an 8 day trip.

That's my suggestion, FWIW.

You posted this on multiple boards (excellent idea) but since they pointed you to Disney over on the Carnival board, I'm going to point you back to Carnival.

We sailed on the Breeze this summer with my kids who were 15, 16 and 18 at the time. They've been sailing since they were 7, 8, and 9. Those that express a preference prefer Carnival. Even over Disney. There is nothing wrong with Disney, they just prefer Carnival. So do I. My husband didn't until the Breeze. He now says it's his favorite ship. Over the Disney Fantasy (previously his favorite), over the Celebrity Silhouette (I love that ship!), etc.

I'm not going to pontificate too much about Carnival on this board or I'll get chastised. ;) Seriously, DCL is great for kids that age but unless the characters are a big draw for your children, you can certainly get an excellent experience elsewhere. If, however, the characters are a big draw, I recommend the Disney Fantasy. Great ship!

I'll finish my answer over on the Carnival board~

We've got Chris "Donkey" Salazar on our Sunshine Journeys cruise next year. I'm not familiar with him. Have any of you sailed with him and if so, did he add to your cruise experience?

I've been to Nassau several times so last year on Sunshine (my first solo cruise!) I got off the ship early, did a little shopping and got back on while most people were just getting off. I spent the day on the Serenity deck with an iPad and a bottle of Prosecco. It was by far the best day I've ever had on a cruise!!

Please stop posting nice things about Sunshine. I like that everyone thinks she's awful...that way it won't be crowded for my Journey's cruise!

Sunshine is my favorite Carnival ship so far and I can't imagine a current ship in the fleet beating her. Maybe it was just the cruise experience, it was my first solo. No kids, no husband, no responsibilities for anyone other than myself. :D BUT, I still think it was largely the ship and while on the Breeze this past summer, I chose to book the Sunshine again.

I'm glad you enjoyed your cruise!

Join your cruise roll call and see if there are other kids that age. My daughter met kids her age that way.

I've been on several Carnival ships and Sunshine is my favorite! And yes, I've been on the Breeze, too. We are booked for a Sunshine Journey's cruise next spring and I can't wait.

I'm okay with everyone assuming it's a bad ship based on reviews...less crowded for me!

We got off the Breeze a week ago and had FTTF for our two cabins. It was our first time for both. Based on our experience, I wouldn't buy FTTF for Breeze out of Miami.

Embarkation was a MESS! Worst ever. CCL had no crowd control at all and everyone was blocking/jumping the line. Also, we got on so late (I still don't know why people were still getting OFF the ship at 11:30), all the rooms were ready within about 15 minutes of boarding the ship, anyway.

Only one tender port and it was pouring rain, so that didn't matter. We canceled our excursion as did many others. We did go ashore but timing wasn't an issue.

The FTTF guest services line did come in handy once. Otherwise, both lines seemed about the same. Occasionally, the FTTF was actually longer.

You can use FTTF for priority specialty restaurant reservations. We had already booked our steakhouse before we purchased FTTF so it didn't matter.

Disembarkation was a BREEZE! We were off the ship and through customs very quickly, even with the family in front of us giving the customs officer fits. However, there were people on our cruise without FTTF who were off the ship just 15 minutes after we were.

So...it didn't work very well for us. Not sure if it was Miami or the Breeze or just luck of the draw that trip.

I've been on several Carnival ships and the Sunshine is my favorite to date. I'm on the Breeze next month, so that may change! :D

You aren't going to know if you will like it until you experience it for yourself. As you can tell from the responses here, experienced Carnival cruisers either like it or don't.

The Serenity Deck is fabulous!! I was solo so Nassau day I was back on the ship early and most of the other passengers were on shore. I sat on the second story under the shade next to the waterfall with a bottle of Prosecco and a book. There was a country & western concert (it was George Straight or Randy Travis, I don't remember) on the big screen. I practically had the place to myself. Best day on a cruise ship....EVER!

And....Cloud 9 was great (even though the employees were not very polite) and I tried Bonsai and Ji Ji...both were very good.

I just love it when people tell me what makes a difference to ME! Thank you! :confused::rolleyes:

I personally enjoyed Jen and I don't care who the CD is. I believe Jen is telling the truth and that the ED is responsible for planning activities. You thinking that they make a difference is YOUR opinion and YOURS only. Don't speak for others.

Sorry if I ruffled your feathers. I was attempting to make a point about the responsibilities of the CD. Based on some of the comments, it appears people may not realize what the CD actually does.

"it doesn't contribute to my cruise experience"

"it is usually the entertainment staff that does a better job than the CD"

"Theyre all the same IMO"

"They could eliminate the position and I would never notice the difference"

"they simply introduce shows and tell some stale jokes"

Nobody has to care one way or the other who the CD is. With one exception, I don't. But I was trying to clear up the notion that all the CD does is make annoying announcements all day long. They are in charge of planning the entertainment (except for the few ships that have an ED) and the entertainment staff reports to them (even on the ships that do have an ED.) If they aren't running things well and don't have their staff under control, it will be very obvious. Let's face it, we've all been to restaurants, stores, etc. where the staff was poorly managed. It does impact your experience. That said, I really wish Carnival would do what Celebrity does....GET OFF THE FREAKIN' PA SYSTEM ALL DAY LONG!!!

Again, sorry if my comments came across as telling you to care about CDs. I certainly can't name more than three of the ones I've had and with one exception, I wouldn't even consider switching my cruise.

I used to think it made no difference who the CD was on a cruise. I found out it can make a HUGE difference on our February cruise on the Freedom.

 

I was disappointed in the lack of trivia/games during the day time hours on board. I contacted Carnival when I got home and was told they would talk to the CD. Yes, the CD decides what activities you will do on board.

 

I'm crossing my fingers that my up coming cruise in a couple of weeks will have more activities during the morning and early afternoon. Unfortunately, we are booked on the Freedom again and Jen Baxter is probably still there. :(

 

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I find these two quotes "amusing" since the ONLY Carnival CD that I've had a bad cruise with was Jen Baxter. That was before they created the ED position so she's just making excuses. Activity staff was late for every single activity we went to and things were horribly mismanaged. The activity staff reports to the CD and is the responsibility of the CD. Even now, with the ED position, the CD is still the management level between the staff and the ED. Here is a posting of the job description:

http://www.carnivalentertainment.com/entertainment-staff

For everyone stating the CD doesn't make a difference, yes they do! If you ever have a bad one, you'll know it. I don't cruise specifically for a CD, for the most part I don't pay a lot of attention to them. BUT, if I ever see Jen Baxter's name posted as CD of a ship, I'm booking a different one.

I spoke with Jen regarding the lack of activities. Jen said that the Entertainment Director onboard is responsible for planning the activities. She said she would pass my comments on to him.

I often bring the little ponchos but never remember to use them.

The only cruise I actually brought rain gear was to Alaska in September. It rained just about every day so I was glad I had it.

Taxis are right outside of the port, past the strange little shopping building you have to walk through. Just a couple of minutes to get to them.

I don't know how long it takes to get to Blue Lagoon. Sorry.

Breeze May 31?

FYI, John is probably right, but I have a schedule that goes thru the end of the year and it shows the fill in CD as Ralph Valente from 2/28 thru 4/11 then Jamie comes back.

Where did you get the schedule? I have asked JH a couple of times and it doesn't seem to be ready. Can you share? If you have a bootlegged copy, I promise I won't tell where I got it. ;)

Awww, crap! I'm about to take 15 and 16 year old boys cruising and this will be their first time on a balcony. WTH was I thinking?!?!?!

Hey OP, if you come back to this thread would you mind sending me the six day Fun Times, please. I just booked last night!

email: cruisecrazy415@gmail.com

Thanks!

Hey there Texas!

 

 

 

 

I guess we will have to agree to disagree on this' date=' ...............We find DCL to be overall better, but to each their own.[/color']

 

Now all that said.......we are hoping to hit Bermuda on EOS this summer. I never said I never would sail another line ;)

 

AKK

We had to cancel Bermuda this year and I was hoping to do it in 2015 but I think the graduating senior may have different ideas for her cruise! Then again, she's not paying for it. Maybe we'll end up in Bermuda after all. :D