scuabacruiser

Yup, that's how you do it. If I think there is a drop, I usually just call my PVP and she takes care of it. I hardly ever get one, but on our last cruise on the Dream, we got over $600 off at one time on our balcony cabin. That was nice!

Just dove in Roatan again in June. We used Mayan Divers this time. A very good outfit with small boats. We were able to use the resort after the dives and it was kick butt nice. Carnival uses them as a beach excursion with transportation, drinks and food included. If you have non divers, they would enjoy themselves while you dove. Just book the dive separate. As for your gear, you can get a cab at the port for $2 pp to carry you over the hill to the vendors.

GT is not Carnival's private island, that's Half Moon Cay. They have several shops there you can use. I'm not sure which one the ships use.

 

I too would like info about Amber Cove.

Anyone got any suggestions for diving in Amber Cove?

We've done St Thomas with Blue Island several time. They pick you up at the end of the dock. Never been disappointed. As already suggested, just let the DM know. They use small boats, 8 or less, and the DM pretty much keeps everyone together anyway.

 

Did GT once. Nice dive but the lion fish have done a number on the fish population there. The DM took care of about a dozen while on the dive. Can't remember who we used, but it was a short walk from the dock in a resort with a white block fence. They did a good job as well, and also used small boats. There was only 1 other couple with us that day.

I'm gold, but will be turning platinum on my next cruise in Sept. Will I get the perks as a platinum, such as past guest party, or get the free drink coupon, as gold?! (Doesn't really matter-going on a cruise to ALASKA!-was just curious. Thanks.

Yes, you will get both. Have fun!

Okay, you guys aren't helping my anxiety! We are booked on the inaugural cruise! Apparently I missed something important about the Sunshine's inaugural run...:( I keep telling myself that this will be over shortly with no ill effect on our cruise. I'm closing myself into Tripland where everything is sunny and perfect!

Well you know what they say, Murphy's law.

 

Sorry, I couldn't help myself. :rolleyes:

On a cruise, a gambler is going to gamble no matter what the name of the casino is. It's not like they have a choice of casinos anyway.

Forgive me if this type of question has previously been asked. We are flying into Orlando on November 20 for the Breeze sailing out of Miami on November 21. It was cheaper to do that and drive to Miami. Is it better to drive down on the 20th after the plane lands at 5pm or get up at the crack of dawn on Saturday and drive, hoping there is no traffic? We will be renting a car at Orlando airport and returning it on the 21st somewhere in Miami, possibly the airport. I need to make a hotel reservation soon so I need advice from those that have experience with the traffic conditions on Saturdays around the Miami area. I like to get to the port and board the ship early so we can enjoy every last second of vacation. I don't like to get stressed sitting traffic and start vacay on a bad note. We could just get to the port around 2 and in that case we would stay in Orlando and enjoy the evening after flying. Ugh, so many decisions. HELP?! TIA :confused:

 

Personal preference really. No, I don't think Sat traffic would be a problem. We prefer to get our driving over with and enjoy the down time in the port city, especially if you're looking at a 4 hour drive in the morning. Besides, IMO, Miami is nice if you get something on the beach.

I assume you plan to use the toll road to Miami. Traffic is much better.

In New Orleans they used to have a lounge for Platinum.

Now they have a bigger VIP area, but you go in, get your Sign and Sail card and then they told us to leave and go sit out in the chairs with everyone else.

 

Yup, that's nice. Like the pastries and beverages.

This is a list of some of the perks we received on the Dream last month as Platinum. Some were expected and some where not.

Laundry

Priority boarding/tending/disembarkation

Free liter bottle of water

Chocolates

Carnival gift, travel chess board

Free drink

BOGO blackjack tournament

Go straight to the cabin after boarding to drop off our carry on (they get P/D cabins ready 1st)

P/D party, 1st time since they changed this. It was nice with 20 to 30 v. a couple 100. That's why we quit going to them.

Priority at customer service. We were help by the 1st available rep once we stepped up to the counter.

 

It seems the spa also has perks. Not sure if this is on all ship though. They ran a special for $99 my wife wanted, but it was for Wednesday only. We were busy that day so she asked about doing it Friday. They said no it was for that day only. Then she saw my wife's s&s card. She made a call and honored her Friday request. So she took our DIL and they loved it.

Ditto!

 

Actually it is priority not guaranteed dining times.

 

As for FTTF people can pay as much as they want to board the ship behind me. However they are pay more than the people just behind them.

I think for P it is priority and for the D it is guaranteed. That said, we have always been taken care of even before P.

Is Tabyana Beach within walking distance of the cruise port in Mahogany Bay? Because really, that's probably what we're going to do...just go to the beach. I've looked at the list of excursions and there is just nothing I want to do in Roatan since I've heard the butterfly garden is closed.

No it's not. You will need a cab ride, about 30 mins, but it's a beautiful tropical island and I enjoy the ride. I would look at using a local tour service. You will pay about the same for a cab ride as you would for their services all day.

sorry, misread.

I definitely agree with this. We had one of the deluxe oceanview rooms on the Dream. No kids, but there were three adults. I believe for four, you would have the regular twin separated/king together bed setup, the sofa will be made up in the evenings as a bed, and there is a pull-down bed. Two bathrooms - one with regular shower/toilet/sink setup, and the other with a shower/tub combo and a sink. If you are really budget conscious, this could work out well since the 3rd and 4th passengers in the same cabin are substantially less expensive.

 

http://www.carnival.com/~/media/Images/explore/staterooms/specialty/extra-bathroom-rooms.ashx

 

Otherwise, if you really want room to spread out, the connecting rooms would be the best option. Some also do an oceanview or balcony for themselves and find a much less expensive interior room directly across the hall for the kids.

We started out with connected cabins when the boys were younger. Now in their teens, we save some money and get them an interior across the hall. Just can't give up our space on a cruise and the 2nd bath is a plus.

I like to people watch so getting there early and in a crowd is fun for me. I'm on vacation and I'm not in a hurry. Beside, it's fun watching everyone getting pumped for the cruise.

I disagree with you. We southerners use the title Miss in front of a female's first name once they have reached adult hood. It doesn't matter whether the female is married or not. We do usually say the person's last name if they are older than us, if they hold a position in society that deserves our respect, or if we don't know them very well. Generally, if we prefer a title not be used when speaking to us, we tell them to just call us by our first name.

Agreed and don't get us to explain "bless your heart". No it isn't bad most of the time. On a side note, I usually hold/open the door for any female, but on a trip to a non southern destination, I was chastised more that once by the female for that.

Thanks everyone. We are pretty excited about our cruise now, not that we weren't before. I was trying to go inexpensive since we are a family of 4, but I think these upgrades are worth the money. Really pumped about having a balcony instead of a closet type room.:)

We booked an IS cabin on our 1st cruise. The next was an OV. Then a balcony. I really have to be able to see daylight or I tend to sleep the day away. Plus, it's so relaxing just watching the blue water smell that sea air. You will be hooked I'm sure. Have a great cruise.

No problem with printing a second time. :)

or third. I have printed them for our motel prior to a cruise before.

[quote name='midwestman']How sad of Carnival. The continual cost-cutting moves every year. I can remember not that long ago when all it took to be invited to the past guest party was one previous cruise. Now I read all the platinum and diamond members applauding the new restrictions on the past guest party, saying it is overcrowded now.

I would encourage you to look at your list of benefits and compare it to the benefits for Gold and Red. There is a lot there that Carnival can modify and take away. And considering all the areas Carnival has cut from over the past 5 years or so, I would like that list looks awfully cushy right now.[/quote]

Too late. When they started the program we have now, Platinum lost benefits. So everyone's choice is to continue with Carnival, leave or mix it up with other lines.

This video shows the process. You can see them pulling the bags off the xray machine

 

 

 

This shows how they load them on the ship after xray

 

 

https://youtu.be/uWn4-hqX950

Like the catch net on the last one. I know I don't need my clothes "washed" before it gets on the ship. :eek:

That is the main reason I won't get the spinner luggage, the wheels are exposed and are easy to break.

Exactly, those little wheels just can't hold up on the larger bags. I've had them fall apart going from the car to the airport. It's always the one that are being used when you are pulling it on 2 wheels. I went back the the larger heavier single pair that are recessed.

Unless you have a business reason or kids your checking on, I just have a hard time wrapping my mind around the fact that I would need to be connected to a social media page while on a cruise. I'm there to unwind with a drink around the pool or on a white sandy beach with blue water somewhere with my spouse, other family members and/or friends. But to each his own.

We tend to skip the parties. It's nice to hear from the Captain and Chief Crew members and we enjoy the free drinks. It's just hard to stop relaxing or doing what we are doing to get dressed and go. The parties can be fun, but sometimes it seem like a free for all just for the free drinks.

Yea it seems pretty funny to those not affected. haha LOL Lets joke some more.

 

Read other forums and you will see several hundred got sick and are still sick. Now what a coincidence huh? Yea maybe everyone just got the flu at one time, same day, same place who all drank and ate the same food and water.

First, sorry you got sick. But, I haven't seen one post that thought it was funny, nor questioned your sickness. The feedback I see is questioning your claims about the rest of the ship without a source to back it up. If you make a blanket claim, it's your responsibility to back it up, not ours to find your source. Without a source, you open yourself up to doubt, thus all the feedback.