petesweet

I've tried posting this on the Florida Departures page, but got no response & we're leaving today for the Allure, so I'm hoping someone here can help! Has anyone used Park N Go who can clear up my confusion? On their website (offairportparking.com/portevg) I was able to reserve a spot at their Port Everglades location for $6.99 a day. NO pre-payment required - the site just gave me a confirmation to print out and bring with me. But, in my research of them, I came across their company another way (bookparkngo.com) and that site required a pre-payment and the rate was $7.99 a day. I know it was the same company because the address of the lot was the same. So, does anyone have an experience with making just a reservation with them and not pre-paying?? I'd hate to find out when I get there that I have to pay $12 a day because they conveniently don't have my reservation!

They are a wonderful company, and I use them every time I need to park at that port. Just book on their website and print out the confirmation. You pay (the lower amount) as you leave.

Happy sails.:)

Kathy

OBC for booking next cruise while onboard current cruise -

I think it's $75 for 6-day (or less?), $100 For 7+ days, and $200 for 12-day or longer.

 

I'm sure about the $75 for 6 day & $100 for 7 day, but I'm not positive if the $200 is for 12 or 14+ days.

Thanks for this and all the other responses. I do know that for our 14-day upcoming Pride cruise, I got $200, but I could not find out what is available for shorter cruises.

Happy sails.:)

Kathy

Regarding a post above about solo supplements not being charged on "most" Fantasy cruises, I wish this were so but it is not. I looked at the list and could only find a few Fantasy Cruises where they were offering this but I'd sure love to be proven wrong on that.

You are so right, and I apologize for the misinformation. I went back to my source; and while I see dozens of "0" in the single supplement column, when I checked the actual dates, there were some missing.

The dates I came up with are April 14 and 19 as well as May 11, 21, and 31. That's as far as the list goes. Guess I have been lucky that all the ones we showed an interest in were in that category. I need to be careful not to assume they all are when we make our next reservation.

May we all get one of these neat deals in the future!!:D

Kathy

One other difference:

NCL's "Meet and Mingle" must be set up by a member of the roll call. At this very nice gathering, a number of the ship's officers will join the group and answer questions. Nice snacks are provided.

RCCL handles your "Meet and Greet" automatically if at least 25 people sign up on the website. They send invitations to your stateroom. A member of the activities staff is in charge, and there are drawings for prizes. Nice snacks provided also.

Kathy

Some practical points:

1. When you first board an NCL ship, there is (I understand) a room where you can store your hand luggage if your cabin is not open yet. I say "I understand" because I've never had to use it.

2. When you first board, you have the choice of going to a regular dining room for lunch rather than the crowded, noisy, and hectic buffet. (Depends on what time you board, of course.) This is a very nice feature that I take advantage of every NCL cruise.

Happy sails.:)

Kathy

By the way, Gabrielle, are you aware that many (most? all?) of the Charleston Fantasy cruises have a ZERO solo supplement charge? Three of us women friends sailed awhile back and each had a cabin to ourselves.

I realize married couples would (probably) want to share a cabin; however, why not book two cabins side-by-side and enjoy a suite (sort of)? At least you would have two bathrooms.

No downsides to this offer.:)

Happy sails.

Kathy

(Oh, and another thing - for anyone traveling with an individual with a handicap placard, there is free parking at the port.)

If I book my next Carnival cruise while onboard, what kind of benefit do I get?

I searched the Carnival site and FAQs and got hundreds (not an exaggeration) of nonresponsive categories.

I would not book Easy Saver or Early Saver - just a regular booking of the cheapest interior cabins. I'm trying to decide if it is worth it to tie up my money (three cabins).

Thanks for sharing your experiences.

Kathy

Any suggestions for Nassau? Anything that you thought was fun/interesting.

 

My lake still has 2 feet of ice on it..... I'm ready for some sun and HEAT!

Gabrielle

I know what you mean! I'm originally from Duluth.

Kathy

While on the ship:

DO enjoy the afternoon tea on sea days. Very lovely (unless they have very loud music).

DO NOT order pancakes in the MDR. They are heavy and tough.:(

Enjoy the Fantasy.:)

Kathy

If it looks like a scam and sounds like a scam, it probaby is a scam

And yet I wonder how many people ignored (and lost) the legitimate free cruise offer from Carnival. I probably would be one of them had I not read so much about it on Cruise Critic.

Kathy

I don't know if you could call it a SCAM, but it is definitely misleading. I got one yesterday, and I immediately did two things:

1. I checked my VIFP account, and there was no free cruise listed.

2. I did a search for the company that sent this out and learned it was a time share presentation.

It's a shame they picked up on Carnival's wonderful free cruise offers. Maybe both of us will eventually get one of those.:D

Happy sails.

Kathy

I grew up going to the neighborhood pool at the park and also have been in many hot tubs at friends houses and at some resorts. My skin haven't fallen off, I have not gotten any diseases or infections. I'm glad I don't go through life worrying about what might happen if I do such and such a thing! Geeze!

There is a big difference between "worrying" and just not wanting to participate. BIG DIFFERENCE.

And as for the poster who said "what you don't know can't hurt you" - it's more a matter of not liking what you DO KNOW.

For those who love the pools and hot tubs, just be happy there are so many of us you don't have to fight off.

Kathy

One of my favorite quotes:

 

Fear doesn't keep you from dying, it keeps you from living.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

I'm not afraid - just find it disgusting. I have a great immune system and would probably never get sick. That's not the reason I avoid public water holes of any kind.:)

Happy sails.

Kathy

Last summer on the Grandeur in the Solarium while I was having a snack, I watched a guy literally 'take a bath' in the hot tub. He was alone in it and there were lots of people around, but he washed his arm pits, scrubbed his hair, then went under water and came up washing his face. :eek:

 

I don't go in the hot tubs to begin with but after watching that... I definately will never go in!

 

I guess he didn't need to shower that night!

The bathing is bad but doesn't bother me nearly as much as using the hot tub for a toilet. You won't find me in one!!

Kathy :eek:

It would be nice to have some background.

You didn't clarify the cost difference, if you had cruised before, or if this was your "once in a lifetime" cruise.

This is what I was going to say. Your cruise history would be helpful.

That said, I have a very slanted outlook. I have never cruised with a balcony and have no wish to (even with Diamond discount), so that would not enter into my consideration. On the other hand, I absolutely LOVE Oasis and Allure. I would make that choice on a heartbeat.:)

Happy sails.

Kathy

"MY WIFE'S BIRTHDAY The waiter's came over and sang her Happy Birthday in about 5 different lang."

__________________

As I recall, the song comes in about five different keys as well (all at the same time, of course).:D We would laugh every time we heard the waiters sing!!

Kathy

This has been a great review (and the two beautiful girls didn't hurt!!). Thanks.

I didn't think you would mind my sharing part of your wisdom on my Carnival Pride roll call board. I gave you credit. Now your fame has spread. Here's what I wrote:

"With a tip of the hat to Caneguy on the RCCL board, let's all benefit from his great wisdom. I'm sure he won't mind. :D Kathy

"Perhaps the most important part of pre-cruise planning is the anticipation of the increased calories consumed on a daily basis above what we eat while not on a cruise. So most people diet in anticipation of the increase weight gain. WRONG!!! What do marathon runners do prior to running in a marathon? Right, they run more to train themselves for the demand that a marathon places on the body. SO, what someone should really do is start to eat more every day starting about two weeks prior to departure to acclimate the gastrointestinal track for the increased demand placed on the digestive system while on a cruise!"

It will be interesting to see how this will work for those with special dietary needs.

Kathy

Once the prices settle down, you will definitely find me on this new ship. HOWEVER, you will not see any of my money going for special meals or entertainment. I've never felt the need for those things in order to enjoy a cruise.

Happy sails.:)

Kathy

I really would like to see that poll and the responses, but I don't see it. Can someone direct me to it?

Kathy

I think the kids' teachers might enjoy reading "What I saw on spring break" being about saving stranded refugees and what that entailed, rather than any excursion in Cozumel.

Did you notice in the article it said one of the women was a schoolteacher?

Kathy

Added to say I see this has already been mentioned. How can these teachers face their classes after this publicity - that they caused?

Our family FINALLY cruised something new this month. RC Freedom. I was SO sick of the same ole same ole on Carnival. But after the first day onboard the Freedom, I missed my 'same ole, same ole' Carnival ships!

Royal Caribbean is my very favorite cruise line; however, I can understand it when someone is used to little things and those things are missing with a different line.

I have enjoyed my Carnival cruises.

Happy sails.:)

Kathy

I WAS at the reveal on Wednesday on brutally cold and windswept West 34th Street and am now looking at one of the booklets provided to us in the little shopping bag.

 

There are 7 pay places listed, the 3 spots run by celebrity chefs (Oliver, Michael's, Devinly) plus the incredible Wonderland and three of the traditional RCI pay venues, Chops , Chef's Table and Izumi. Plus JR outside of breakfast.

 

Freebies are American Icon (which will not have Cracker Barrel level food but more upscale regional US traditional goodies), Chic, Silk, Grande and Coastal Kitchen. In addition, other freebies are the Jammie, Cafe Two70, Seaplex Doghouse, Sorrentos, Cafe Promenade and JR (AM).

 

I normally am a basic conservative eater but I tried almost all the samples and they were great. I may have to get more adventurous on upcoming cruises

 

From what I can see, many of the people complaining the most seem to have the most facts wrong.

 

And the Northstar is free.

 

Unlike NCL and Princess, you can make reservations ahead of time using a tablet or computer and you can link reservations when making these arrangements with other cruisers while also reserving shows so that there are no conflicts. Very impressive procedure, one of the guides let me use a tablet to verify how sophisticated the whole set up is.

 

From what I can see, three couples traveling together can replicate TD by coordinating their dining ressies and wind up with the same result as TD. Only you can do it at either the same place every night or do a Disney-like rotation. Or different times to avoid show conflicts.

 

And nobody will force you to eat lobster or steak while riding a bumper car.:)

 

Now back to tax season.:eek:

Thank you for such a great explanation. (And I am so glad Café Promenade and Northstar are no additional charge.:))

Kathy

It seems as though many posts fall within 2 categories; 1. those complaining about increased options and/or dislike and 2. those complaining about others complaints.

 

RCL is exploring and providing new options for its current, loyal cruisers and attempting to attract adventurous, new cruisers with non-traditional cruising aspects. Those who have avoided cruising may be attracted by new amenities never before seen, or a break from long-standing cruise aspects that were not appealing to some. Loyal cruisers may scoff at the idea of a breakaway from the status quo in terms of dining and entertainment and may getaway to alternative ships and/or vacation providers. Others may bask in the radiance of a new experience and be allured by an oasis that provides a quantum leap from tradition.

 

I hope this post is not interpreted to be a complaint about those complaining about other's complaints....;)

Very clever!:)

Happy sails.

Kathy

I understand, I think I'm just a bit frustrated with the negativity of my fellow RC fans.

Everythings (not good enough) or (disappointing) or (doesn't excite me) and I'm thinking come on guys, heres a cruise line thats working hard to impress, taking chances that others aren't, and overall continuing to build new stunning ships that we all love.

 

I guess people want new, but don't want too new, or too bold. Its like theres no pleasing them.

 

Second, instead of 1 complimentary main dining room, there are now 4 complimentary dining rooms. You won't be spending more money on food if you don't want to. Thats a choice you personally make, Royal isn't forcing anyone to spend more, in fact you are getting 3 more complimentary choices.

I understand what you are saying. I'm willing to wait and give it a chance. It doesn't sound like what I will like, but Royal has always come out ahead, in my opinion.:)

Kathy