Sand_Sun_Sea73

20 hours ago, skrufy said:

We are onboard the Freedom, haven't heard any of those rampant rumors yet. Just the Bonaire and Aruba cancellations. 

I heard today (not from an official source),  that the day we were in Curacao they helicoptered in a replacement captain?   I’m really bad about listening or being able to hear all the announcements.  I usually catch bits and pieces unless I’m in the cabin.  But, supposedly that is why we left there so late.  

I wish it were half moon cay but it’s not.   BUT we are getting a stop at Amber Cove.  I’m happy with that as I haven’t been yet.  Captain did say port will be doing random testing on passengers.    

1 hour ago, firefly333 said:

Have they told you how many positives onboard freedom? 

 

Bummer, it seems to be a hot area to travel to right now. 

They have told us nothing official other than confirming there are cases on board.  Not sure if crew, guests or both.  But rumors are rampant!   We are getting $100 obc per cabin.  

33 minutes ago, my kids mama said:

Will you keep us posted?  Or start a new thread, if necessary?  Supposed to sail next week.  Leaning more and more towards cancelling. 

I will keep you posted.  Hoping to hear something else in the morning.  

IIt’s official - no Aruba tomorrow either.  Supposedly looking for alternative port to stop at.   

23 minutes ago, sanmarcosman said:

Bimini? 😞  

I would be happy with that.  Never been and it beats an 8 night cruise with 1 stop.   

It’s official - no Aruba tomorrow either.  Supposedly looking for alternative port to stop at.   

Just now, zpdw484 said:

Thanks for the info. Hopefully you can enjoy the rest of your cruise even if you miss Aruba also. 

Thank you we will.  I’m pretty easy going and will make lemonade with my lemons.  And Tito’s of course. You have to expect the unexpected on a cruise these days.   Others however,  not so much.   People are pissed.  I get that no one likes being left in the dark, myself included but I think when they do make another announcement people are going to be in an uproar.   I feel bad for the crew as people take it out on them and obviously they are not making any major decisions but are the ones left to deal with angry passengers.  

34 minutes ago, zpdw484 said:

Supposed to sail to the ABC's on royal next week. From what I can gather Carnival freedom was supposed to be in Bonaire today but marine traffic shows it clearly sailing away from Bonaire at 18 knots. Anyone know what's going on? Are the ports starting to close again? 

Yep. On board now.  We were in Curacao yesterday and left like 4 hours late.  Not a big deal. But things seemed odd somehow last night.   Then this morning captain came on and said not happening due to some positive cases on board that they are dealing with and following protocol on.  Bonaire wouldn’t have us.   Already assuming no Aruba tomorrow either.   Rumors are swirling that we are headed back early but no official notification on anything yet of course.   Also rumor that cruise director TJ has it.  He hasn’t been seen or heard from since Sunday (we boarded Saturday).  Speculation of course who knows.   Will update any official news I hear today or tomorrow.  

4 hours ago, HollyHobbie22 said:

I got an email this morning from my travel agent who said they changed the itenary to Curacao, Boniar and Amber Cove. But my Carnival hub still  says ABC islands. IDK... I really hate losing GR and Aruba plus HMC that is like a whole different cruise than I signed up for...... 

I booked through Carnival direct and actually noticed the ABC itinerary myself before I got an email from Carnival....I noticed it Wednesday night and got the email Thursday morning.   I just checked again on Carnival Hub (you had me nervous for a minute) and it still shows the ABC's.    But I'm with you, anymore changes and it will be like a whole different cruise.    I picked Freedom for the itinerary and size of ship.   I was also looking at Mardi Gras on same dates, but ultimately chose Freedom for itinerary and less capacity.    I'm thinking maybe your travel agent meant Aruba and not Amber Cove - at least I hope!

I am totally okay losing Grand Turk as we have stopped there a couple times and we will enjoy the ABC islands - however, HMC is the one I'm most bummed about.  It's perfection.  Even though the price of the cabana's has increased drastically since our last visit!!!  I think we paid $199 or maybe even $249 last time and it was up to $359 and sold out this time (before they dropped it).  I've been to Aruba for a land based trip, but B & C are new so I guess that's exciting.  Don't want to get too excited though, might change again!

Itinerary change for Christmas week cruise on Freedom (12/18 sailing).  Original itinerary included  Half Moon Cay, Grand Turk, Aruba & Bonaire.     HMC and Grand Turk are gone and Curacao added, plus one additional sea day.   It's an 8 night cruise with 4 sea days, that feels like one too many.     Must say I was looking forward to HMC with this being our first cruise in a few years.  I guess itinerary changes are the new normal. 

Thanks for taking the time to write a review.  Loved it!  I know food is subjective but what night would you say was weakest in the mdr? Trying to determine best night for steakhouse.  Doing the 8 night on the freedom christmas week.  HMC, Grand Turk, Bonaire and  Aruba. Getting cold in Chicago getting excited for a Caribbean cruise!!!

Ok well here is my experience so far.   I saw this thread yesterday, checked my Citibank card and saw the offer.  I just booked and paid in full for a December cruise about a week ago - so I decided I would buy $500 in cruise cash, steakhouse for 2, drink package to get to just over $1000.   I am going to spend it anyway so I figured why not.

I happened to look at my Citibank account today and saw two pending charges, one for $925 and then one for $78. Now I’m curious if they’re going to consider it two different purchases even though I purchased it all at the same time. I’m not sure why carnival would split the charges like that.  So we shall see.

When I read the fine print I read it to mean $1000 in purchases. It could be interpreted either way, clear as mud is correct.  I will try to report back what happens in the next couple days, but I foresee a phone call to Citibank in my future to try to convince them otherwise.

Here's one more that shows the huge balcony

We just returned from Joy yesterday and we were in 9372.   It was perfect.  We had really great weather and loved the balcony!  You have Cagneys right below and cabins above.  I thought it would seem like a long haul to the Haven but it really wasn't that bad.   We would either take stairs down to deck 8 and go to forward elevator up to 17 or take back elevators up to 17 and cut across outside.  In inclement weather the first option would be your best bet. 

3 minutes ago, JamieLogical said:

 

Congrats! I am sailing in my first Aft Balcony (can only dream of Haven) in a little over two weeks and I am very excited about it. I think it will be worth being out of the Haven complex for you just to have that amazing view. Also, a little walking never hurts when your consuming unlimited food and alcohol. 😉

Yes that is the truth!!!  It will be nice having the 2nd bathroom too as we are taking my 20 year old.  Excited, doing the countdown!!!   Enjoy your aft, I've only done one cruise that didn't have an aft view cabin!  It's the best.

Booked for Joy 5/18 in an H7 (forward facing penthouse with balcony) and bid on the H6 (aft facing penthouse with balcony) and was awarded upgrade with a "good" bid of $630 each.   When we originally booked the cruise the H6 was over $2700 more so I'm happy with the upgrade!   I am a big fan of the aft so very happy even though I know it will be a trek to the Haven area.   Or anywhere for that matter lol.    First time on NCL - we've had aft cabins on Royal Caribbean, Carnival and HAL previously.

ANgAndBoys:

Love your Ship for brains quote. I know exactly what that is as I will have it all week since I leave on Friday for a cruise woo hoo:D

Thank you for the report. On the Westerdam next weekend, the only other dam ship I've cruised on was Eurodam back in 2010. Same itinerary, but taking my mother this time who has never been to any of the ports. Done with winter so hope to enjoy some quality beach time. Seeking out the uncrowded areas - Pillory beach in Grand Turk, sapphire beach in St. thomas and a private cabana on the quiet end of the beach at Half Moon Cay :)

Splurge - room, excursions, casino. Always do an aft. Our excursions on southern caribbean last summer were what made the cruise awesome. Budgeted $1200 for the 3 of us but we did Calabasa in Barbados, Spencer Ambrose in Barbados, Leeward in St kitts (catamaran over to Nevis). Not much to comment on casino - sometimes you win, sometimes you lose - but I only budget a certain amount I'm willing to lose, like $100 a night. Sometimes it lasts longer than others :D

Scrimp - upcharge restaurants, photos, spa, liquor packages. I've bought a photo here and there, will get a foo foo drink when I want one (but no where near enough to justify drink package) and never been to the spa!

Just returned last Sunday if you email me your address I'll mail good copies to you. It's KBRZEZNIAK and then aol.

I considered flying in the same day for our cruise that departs from San Juan next week, especially since it doesn't leave until 10pm at night. However, I reconsidered because you also have to plan for what happens if you make it, but your luggage doesn't???? If you have a buffer (by flying in the day before), you're luggage will probably show up by the time the cruise leaves the next day. If you fly in on same day, that doesn't leave much wiggle room!

I think of this because the first cruise we went on back in 2008, one of our suitcases didn't show up. Now luckily, we did fly in the day before so the airline delivered it to the hotel in the middle of the night. And let me tell you I didn't sleep a wink until it showed up! Of course, it was MY suitcase with all my clothes for the week.

It really just gives you peace of mind by flying in a day or two prior. Again, like others have said it will probably be fine - but who wants another thing to stress about???

I agree with ABC! Super fun day and they were awesome. Haven't used them on a cruise excursion, but went with them last summer when we did a land vaca to Aruba.

Can only help with ideas for Aruba and Grand Turk (Great itinerary by the way!).

In Aruba there's a company called A B C that does guided jeep tours. We did a land based vacation there last summer and did the full day tour, I believe they offer 1/2 day tours as well. If you're really adventurous, rent your own jeep. It's fairly easy to get around and you can take the jeep over to the "wild side" and explore. Also, good snorkeling to be found near Boca Catalina, Malmok. Or head to Baby Beach.

In Grand Turk I didn't see anything too appealing so we rented a golf cart through Nathan's and explored on our own. Again, easy to get around and fairly small island so you can explore on your own and check out whatever you're interested in.

We rarely do ship sponsered excursions and find making our own fun always works out better!

Well that works for me :p