DaNana

Thank you! What were the logistics of your travel plans (if you don't mind)? We're thinking about flying into HOU instead of IAH the day before and staying overnight in Galveston. I'm guessing its either a shuttle or rental car from Houston to Galveston?

This is the BIG difference between FLL and Galveston, getting to the ship and probably $200 round trip. If you stay in Houston, get the hotel to take you back to the airport to meet the ship's transfer to the ship. It will be colder in/out of Galveston and you run the chance of fog. Loved the NOS when we were on here in the Med. We did this itinerary in March 2011 and loved it so much we are doing it again on NOS next year. :)

This string is full of delayed ships in Galveston because of fog. I'm sure this will be the case here also. Glad you got out on time!

You don't say when you are flying/cruising. Someone posted about getting fog into Houston on Princess I believe. They were delayed quite a while. If that happens you will miss this flight. :eek:

Would encourage you to look back through some of the posts about getting to Galveston from Houston airports. Unless you are coming a short trip into Houston and will arrive early in the morning of the cruise, come a day ahead. The trip to Galveston takes some time and about $100 or so for a transport. I just read where someone paid $100 for a taxi plus tip from the Houston pier to the airport. Personally I liked staying in Galveston. Would direct you to www.tripadvisor.com for ideas and costs on where to stay. There is lots to do in Galveston. Remember the beach is not Florida or Southern CA. Our next trip we are thinking of renting a car and leaving it at the hotel where there is free parking.

Enjoy your trip!

We used to buy the crappy souvenirs. But now we buy nothing. But we lie to avoid problems in customs. The time we claimed nothing, they questioned our kids on how many times they have cruised. When they heard, they let us pass. Better to falsely claim a tshirt and some crap then to get questioned.

 

I only buy what we consume on the ship and in the ports.

My sister and husband bought an expensive ring on board ship. The company was out of NY and said duty would not apply. They were told to not declare. That was not good and that is not what happened. They were detained and quizzed. It was so bad they text their friends and said Declare it is easier! They did not have to pay but customs was not nice. I will always declare what I bought on the ship for sure! The ship has to report it

Thanks for posting pictures! Add these to the other poster and we will have a really great visual! I loved the Vision!

I don't usually order exotic sounding drinks in a bar and most restaurants put their drink prices on the menu.

 

The difference here is paying a lot of money for the plan and then ordering a drink thinking it is included to find out after the fact that it isn't and having to pay even more. I don't feel like asking the price every single time i order a drink. I have had the package already and didn't need to worry about the limit. I knew ahead of time which top shelf liquors were not included.

 

Thanks to the person who posted the price list. I had only seen one of them for the beers. I wonder if the beers that were previously excluded above $6.25 will now be included.

 

And for the record ... I'm a SHE.

The Champagne Bar had a menu with prices as did the wine bar the last 2 cruises we have been on.

Loved the Vision! Enjoying your great pictures! :)

OP and satxdiver can check out what NOS will look like after the refurb. There will be a flowrider and a lot more! ;)

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1923511

Have not been on Carnival Magic but have been on NOS and have another cruise out of Galveston next November. I'm really excited to see the upgrades she will have! Don't know where you are coming from, but Galveston is not like getting to a port in FL from the airport. So worth it, just not the same and higher cost. Whatever you decide, enjoy!;)

I like the more inclusive and seemingly better options! A little more something for everyone.

One of the best kinds of upgrade! Congratulations!

This is not extortion. It's called reading the fine print on the purchase contract. We have never had an issue with art we purchased on board.

 

You should call them and ask for an update on the status of the delivery.

Agree!

My DH bought art in May when we were in the Mediterranean. We didn't get it until about a month ago. He kept in contact with them. They kept promising. He told them he was going to ask for a refund and that did get them moving a little. They offered to send a free piece which was a litho framed. We got our art eventually. DH has agreed to never buy from Art on Royal as they have some sort of issue in getting things shipped. They do it eventually but does take a LOT of time!

We still use Park West and have been to several land auctions. We are always content with what we buy. We also buy from local artists. We buy because we want the piece, not thinking we are going to turn around and sell it.

Certainly not trying to create problems for myself.....hence my question. Just wanted to take advantage of the beverage credit for the dinner.....but this is only possible if I book prior to boarding. So, in order to not create problems, I will just forget this and book my dinner once onboard. Thank you for your thoughts.

Is the $30 a deal breaker for all those perks? Really? :confused: Call the TA and see if they can book it for you...

Not sure if you are talking about the zipline or the dip. My DH at the time we went weighed about 270 pounds. He was SCARED to death of any height 2 steps off the ground. :eek: I had to stand behind him and PUSH him off. He did all stations and says he never has to do it again. Victor's group was VERY Accommodating to him. Paid a big tip for all they did.

No one on the beaches care how big, little or how much you have on.;)

There is another feed with 24 responses about Belize and cave tubing.

Victor Bodden in Roatan has zip line, not a huge down the side of a mountain but several stations at various heights. Fun and a petting zoo also. Offers great deals for all day. We actually went with another couple off our roll call and had a fab time. Ate at a local place, went shopping and to the beach!

We are usually Holiday Inn and up people. Over Labor Day we were in Montrose, CO and stayed in a motel that turned out to be great! I would encourage you to check out TripAdvisor about this motel. I saw 125 reviews with only 27 poor or worse. Sometimes you find a jewel where you least expect it! ;)

I'm trying to find out if any hotels in Galveston will pick you up from Hobby. There is only two of us and the lowest I can find for transportation is $130. I paid $45 for Orlando airport to Coco Beach, which is the same distance as Hobby to Galveston.

 

Is so silly they don't have better transport.

Silly for Houston or Galveston to not have better transport? This is really not any different than getting from LAX to San Pedro or Rome to the port. This is an hour or so drive from Hobby. We will be taking our second cruise from here next November. There used to be a hotel in Houston that would give you a ride and had a price. The OP here has a good idea! There are a number of others who have rented a car, left it at a hotel in Galveston that has free parking and returned to the airport. This one makes the most sense to me.

Remember this is TX a BIG state and not Florida... Just sayin! ;)

Are you saying Royal is removing the Ixtapa Lounge to put in the

 

panoramic ocean view staterooms with floor-to-ceiling windows

Here is a link to information about this:

http://media.royalcaribbean.com/content/shared_assets/pdf/decks/NV/2014-may/nv_deck12_v2014_may.pdf

Navigator hasn't been in TX previously. Out of NOLA and the Mediterranean most recently. We were on her in the Med this last May and liked her so much we are going next November 2014 out of Galveston! We have been on Voyager out of Galveston and believe it will be even better on Navigator after her refurb. There really are some great reviews of her on CC boards. Just know most folks are out here to help! ;) Enjoy your cruise on Navigator! :D

But, 3 or 4 days on the Enchantment are not long, and if a emergency does happen it will take at leasts 1-2 days to get home depending where the ship is, if the dreaded text or phone call comes. I would hope you have a plan/insurance to pay for the emergency flight home, it might be kinda expensive. Do not forget the PP as well a must for flying.

A Friend was recently celebrating with her oldest daughter and family when word came her youngest daughter was found dead. She tried to get out of St. Thomas, which proved to be futile. She returned to FL and flew home from there. She could not be guaranteed getting out quick from there. Other friends were vacationing in Aruba this summer when the husband drowned due to an under current. They had to wait for their return flight to get home. I had no idea of this until now.

I would want to know, even if I wasn't able to get home.

No as I don't see any better benefits as we get thru the Caesar's loyalty program. My better half is a D member in total rewards and gets free rooms, free buffets, usage of the Diamond club , 20% discount on purchases in Caesar's owned establishment, tickets to select shows, etc. We frequent Atlantic City and earned tier and comp points in the 4 AC casinos. As and example, we are planning a week in Las Vegas in July and can get room for $180 at Caesar's, plus no resort fees.

 

I haven't received any e-mails and can someone tell me if the Borgata hotel & resorts is part of the M-Life program?

Borgata - no. Belagio, Aria, Vadara. MGM, Mandalay Bay, Mirage, Monte Carlo, New York New York, Luxor, & Excaliber for sure.

The benefits seem pretty good, but not sure if you aren't gaming. We will see next month.

I am a Sapphire M-Life member and a Diamond C&A member. I called to have them linked which M-Life did. I have to show proof of Diamond status when we get to Vegas to actually upgrade my M-Life online. We booked 5 nights with a really good discount.

 

For those of you who are on FB, you can actually earn points on the casino game called myVegas that you can use for discounts at M-Life resorts. You can earn discounts for buffets, shows, rooms, drinks, etc.

 

DW & I have enough for a free weekday room, free companion ticket at Love, bogo free ticket for 4 day monorail pass and more. If you are going to Vegas and are on FB, check it out.

I'm surprised by your note that you have to show proof when you get to Vegas. The M-Life staff contacted RCI and confirmed our Diamond status. We actually got a better room deal online at MGB than through M-Life. Hoping to get some great perks when we get there!

Keep us posted about your adventure!:)

This is about a company not associated with the cruise lines. I wonder if so many people are getting private excursions, that is why these are cancelling for not enough people. We had one in May cancel but it seemed from the towns people the road was washed out.

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=5523

Some interesting information here. I know we are saving quite a bit on the hotel. Upgrades are always "if available" and that is why we book the room we want and if we get upgraded from there, bonus! There are some other perks with making reservations, shows, etc. Not earth breaking but hey, nice at least for a few extras.

Will the program continue in 2014? I don't know but once we registered with M-Life, it seems like it will.

I actually enjoy the MGM and they have some great shopping along with some shows I want to see. Free parking and it will be a nice quick trip. Not a cruise but nice!;)