Boozebabe

We've been playing MyVegas for almost three years and have enjoyed well over one thousand dollars of benefit each in the form of free rooms, free shows, free activites and most often free buffets. In March this year we took a 5-night RCI cruise for free (paid taxes of $85+/-pp.)

 

NCL and MSC have offered some cruise rewards.

 

NOW Carnival is participating. The first bunch of cruises offered were mostly west coast or from Galveston. I'll be watching.

I have a question for you since you have taken one already Are those cruises for 2 or is it for one person and the second pays? Its not very specific in the offer. I have over a million points and could get a 7 day if it were available. I have access all day to a computer to keep checking new offers. I'll start checking often. I too have redeemed many times in Vegas for some really good comps.

This past March we stayed at the Hyatt Place Convention, got a great price on valuetrips, this has quickly become my new favorite hotel for a pre cruise stay in Ft. Lauderdale. They offer a shuttle from the airport to the hotel for $2/room, a free breakfast the next day, a shuttle service from the hotel to the pier for $7/person and within walking distance to a shopping mall for last minute cruise items and within walking distance to many restaurants.

Not to mention they have nice LARGE rooms. I've stayed there before and will again in 3 weeks. I ride a scooter so all I might need is right there from 5 Guys Burgers to Outback to any number of other restaurants plus the mall for shopping AND close to the port.

I have rented from Alamo and had free shuttle from car rental return to Port Everglades. I believe most of them do. This past February we rented from enterprise and they gave me instructions to use the National shuttle.

You are assuming every cabin has a refrigerator. Many don't, and most to them do not even provide a moderate chill.

Sorry! I've been on 21 cruises and have had a fridge in every cabin. BTW we leave the outer door to the cabinet open whenever we leave the cabin. It helps cool the fridge down immensely. The cabin steward will close it but we just open it again. Thats just a tip for others.

Ah, I see. My boarding pass won't show until final payment is made in October.

When you do finally print that luggage tag the FTTF shows as a large round logo on your tag.

I know you'd prefer to get it from room service and I don't blame you. But since they won't, how about taking a few Ziploc bags or other food storage bags with you. Bring some cottage cheese, eggs or any other perishable you choose from the buffet and put them in your fridge. Then any time you choose you can have it.

I take bags with me. Sometimes dessert is more than I can eat (namely the chocolate cake from the coffee bar) and I don't think the domes keep food from getting stale so I put it in a plastic bag in the fridge.

We have stayed at Hyatt Place on 17th St and will stay again in August. Great location for dining and picking up those last minute forgotten items. And 5 minutes and you are at the ship. Their rooms are huge compared to Embassy Suites or most others.

Per ADA if the Hotel provides a shuttle for able-bodied people than it must provide accessible transportation as well. If the hotel provides it free to able bodied people than it must do the same for someone requiring accessible transportation even if it costs the hotel extra money. If the hotel charges a fee for able-bodied people than the hotel can only charge the same fee amount for someone requiring accessible transportation. You need to speak directly to hotel management and not just someone at he front desk or general reservations.

 

Supershuttle is an option as well as FLL has lots of accessible taxis that can be prearranged.

Thanks.

Any recommendations for a shuttle company for transport from FLL airport to a local hotel and from hotel to port the next day with a mobility scooter? We usually have a rental car and transport it on our own but this time we are not getting a rental car.

A airline ground crew person told me that a mobility scooter is more likely to be damaged because the individual does not affix instructions as to how to place the scooter in freewheel. Ground Crew are not allowed to ride the scooter . I was advised to tape a 8" x 11" paper with the instruction clearly stated in large type. Every time I check in the airport the gate agents as well as the ground crew comment how they wish every did this.

 

I have a Pride GoGo Elite Traveler and the following is the note that gets attached:

 

INSTRCTIONS TO OPERATE SCOOTER IN FREEWHEEL MODE.

 

Name

flight number

destination airport

 

KEY HAS BEEN REMOVED BY OWNER

 

DO NOT FORCE PUSH OR PULL THE SCOOTER AS IT CAN DAMAGE THE MOTOR

 

PLACE SCOOTER IN FREEWHEEL MODE BY PUSHING YELLOW LEVER UNDER THE SEAT ON THE REAR WHEEL SECTION FORWARD TO THE "UNLOCKED" POSTION

 

AFTER STOWING IN THE CARGO HAUL PULL THE YELLOW LEVER UNDER THE SEAT ON THE REAR WHEEL SECTION BACK TO THE "ULOCKED" POSTION"

 

THE ABOVE INSTRUCTIONS SHOULD BE DONE IN REVERSE WHEN REMOVING THE SCOOTER FROM THE CARGO HAUL. ONCE DELIVERED TO THE JETWAY PLACE THE YELLOW LEVER BACK TO THE "LOCKED" POSITION'

Thats exactly what I did the one time I took mine on a plane. I printed my instructions on fluorescent pink paper and taped it to the seat back. When I get off the scooter I fold the back down so they can't miss the note. I also have a luggage tag on my basket with all my onfo printed on it (just in case).

From past experience I think some fridges have worked better than others. They are in an enclosed cabinet that has but a few slots to let the hot air out. We always open that door when we are leaving our cabin and that helps it cool better. But if the cabin steward comes in he/she will close that door. Try leaving the door open to help it cool better.

Renaissance on 17th St. I think the water taxi is right behind it. And its about 5 minutes to the ships the day of your cruise in a cab.

In the past we always rented a car for that day before the cruise but now I am using a scooter and need a shuttle company that can accommodate 2 adults and one scooter. We need transportation from FLL to hotel on 17th St. then from hotel to ship at Port Everglades. Any recommendations?

We stayed there last year. Funky old hotel. The tile work in he hallyways is very cool. A very neat hotel. The RiverWalk is beautiful. There is a park at the end and a restaurant/bar. And of course just sitting out front and people watching is fun.

I have never seen that offer. I always check mine. I think it depends on which type of Amex card you have....Gold, Platinum, etc. and who sponsors your card if any, such as Delta. I am a retailer and and had no idea how many different kinds iof just Visa cards there are until I started accepting them. On any given month my statement shows that we accepted over 30 different types of credit cards.

So everyone who has an Amex card is not receiving this offer.

Your offer sounds great. I have no idea what criteria they use for these offers. My hubby usually runs about $1500 of his money in slots not counting the wins that he recycles and I spend about $2000- $2500 not counting winning money at the tables and we have never gotten a bounce back offer. We cruise with Carnival at least once every 12 months, sometimes more often. Only casino offers we get are for some free ply which is usually $50 each. I have heard from a few people that they get much better offers from NCL and that is starting to sway us into jumping ship so to speak. We can get a comparable cabin for about $100 more per person but we will get free drinks the entire cruise and the extra dining package. Its worth it to try it at least once.

We rented a golf cart in KW and drove all over the place. We got a map and hit the road. Its been years since we ported at Freeport but I think there is not much at the port. We took a cab to Port Lucaya and used the beach there and shopped. In Nassau once we swam with the dolphins, shopped and went to the casino at Atlantis. Theres a beach within walking distance of the ships. Make a right after you go thru the buildings and leave the port area at Nassau. Good luck. I love impromptu trips. Sometimes they are the best.

You can get them in pretty much any bakery around here.

The most ordinary food tastes 100X better on a cruise ship.:rolleyes:

There is an elevator that goes from the lounge on 17 up to 18 where the restraint is. It is the semicircular area on the wall between the lounge and the pool.

Thanks. I knew someone would come to my rescue.

We are seriously considering a Haven Suite on the Escape. Looking at the deck plans it doesn't appear there is elevator access to the restaurant from deck 17. I use a scooter and not sure if there is a way, other than the staircase, up to the restaurant. I'm sure someone has the knowledge of this situation. I wouldn't want to book a Haven Suite and not be able to use the restaurant.

I saw a new item designed for lost pets but could definitely be used by a human. Its a button type clip that clips on a dog collar/ or in a humans pocket. It is used in conjunction with your cell phone and it tracks the button/clip thru GPS. I don't have a pet but thought it would be a wonderful system to track kids etc. Its about the size of a quarter. It's called TrackeR. Just Google it I think its about $30.

I need to ride a scooter which I bring my own on cruises. What is right at the port area without leaving there. I think we were there once many years ago but have forgotten whats available to do.

I may have ports confused but doesn't Costa Maya have a pool right at the port area? Kind of similar to Grand Turk?

I've been looking at cruises that do go to Costa Maya because we want a different view for a change. We've been on 20 cruises and are tired of the same itineraries. There are very few places we have not been to and want a new experience.

Slightly off topic but heres my 2 cents worth. If the budget will allow, I would look into purchasing your own. If its something you will need in the future it will be worth it. In January my friend rented from Special Needs At Sea. The scooter wasn't there when we got to the rooms. After at least a half dozen phone calls they finally delivered another one about 10 minutes before we sailed. They claim it WAS placed in the cabin. That was a tense few hours to say the least. Anyway that rental was almost $300. including insurance for a 7 day cruise. Two of those rentals would buy that scooter at home. So my advice again is if you can afford it buy your own. I have my own and have sailed and flown with it with absolutely NO PROBLEMS.

Not sure why you need the wheelchair if you plan on using a scooter. If you have the scooter from home why waste money renting one?

That's an understatement.

 

 

 

Ruby is Cincinnati based. But I thought Merlot is national.

 

Comparing the Carnival steakhouses to...let's say Outback or Texas Roadhouse. I'm hoping Carnival is more than a couple of steps above those two national chains.

I've had the ribeye on a couple Carnival ships and loved it. The whole experience is way above the main dining room on the ship. I have had a filet at Rubys and would compare the atmosphere and quality to the Carnival steakhouse. I live relatively close to Eddie Merlots in Cincy but have only had appies there so can't compare but again the atmosphere is comparable. Outback and TRH aren't even in the running to compare. They are more than a few steps below.