PDC55

I just got off the Dream last week. Boarding was not fun. They did not have a designated area for groups to sit like they do in Galveston (the only other port I have to compare to). Being able to sit is pretty well first come, first serve.

Great review. I can't believe we didn't run into each other in the casino. I spent a lot of time in there this cruise.

I was on this cruise with you and I agree that NO needs to work on the embarkation process. We arrived around 10:30 via cab and you're right, not a porter in site nor anyone to direct you to where you need to go. Finally found the area where they were putting the luggage through and checked in our big bags. Asked where we needed to go to check in and just got a guy pointing in the general direction on down the street. When we finally did find the area it was completely filled up with nowhere to sit. In Galveston they have a special area where the people who purchased FTTF could sit. We finally found an empty spot to stand up against the wall until we were called to board but then had to fight our way through the crowd to get there. Disembarkation on the other hand went very smooth. No lines at customs and cabs were lined up ready to go. Still didn't find a porter though.

I just returned today from a cruise that included Roatan as one of the ports of call. It was the first time I had ever been there so after researching all my excursion options I decided based on what I had read that Bodden Tours would be my best bet. I booked the Best of Roatan Private Tour and was not disappointed. With the pre cruise instructions that were emailed to me it was easy to find my contact. I will say that if you have any ailment or affliction that makes it hard to walk please take advantage of the $2 cab ride up the hill. I have bad knees and I'm pretty sure that going over that hill on foot would have ruined my day due to pain. Anyway, we met the tour Rep and after a short wait our tour guide, a young gentleman named Will drove up. He loaded us up and went over the list of things we would like to see or do. Off we went on our grand adventure. The day included a tour of the island, a trip to the grocery store, playing with monkeys, hutia and lemur, a wonderful lunch at Russell's Restaurant and the great company of Will. It poured down rain several times but Will managed to maneuver around the storms to keep us dry. Our day ended with Will dropping us off right at the pier shops. I realized after I had walked half way back to the ship that I had left my sunglasses in Will's SUV. I had counted them as lost only to look up and see Wlll running towards me with sunglasses in hand. My hero! He took great care of us and at no time did we feel rushed or unsafe. I would highly recommend Bodden Tours to anyone going to Roatan.

Great review. You should take up writing for a 2nd career. I'll be on the Dream next weekend.

From my experience on Carnival Magic, any card material (playing card, Starbucks card, etc.) will work in the receptacle to operate the lights. It doesn't have to be your Sail&Sign card.

Figured this one out when I saw that my room steward on the Magic was using a folded up two of Clubs to keep the lights on.

I always book a forward cabin, usually on the Empress deck. I haven't had any problems with AC, bathroom back ups or smells. Seems like most of those problems are with the aft cabins.

Hertz has an office at 901 Convention Center Blvd which is pretty close to the port. They are opened till 1pm on Sunday. Compare your rates picking up there or at the airport. Sometimes the airport is cheaper even with the cab fare included.

Was thinking about catching an early flight but the Saints are playing at home, will that effect how long it takes to get to the airport?

Did it on my cruise in October. Loved it. Be sure to hand anything that you do not want to get wet to the crew so that they can store it up front. You will definitely be getting wet.

Not sure what ports you are going to but I left my snorkel equipment in the car three weeks ago when I sailed on the Magic. I was able to purchase a half way decent mask and snorkel at a shop next to Captain Marvin's office across from the pier in Grand Cayman. I think it was less the $35 for the combo and I just used the tour operators flippers.

Elation is the best Fantasy class in my opinion. Most beautiful of them. Great crew and CD in April. That ship I will cruise any day over and over.

 

Can you tell I love Elation.

I totally agree. She was the first Carnival ship I sailed on and has been my favorite so far. Her decor reminds me of old time cruise ships.

Carnival still has it as an excursion. We did the one where you take the Twister boat out. I did check on doing it independently but the website stated that cruise passengers have to do it thru the ship. I guess you don't have to tell them that you are coming in on a ship. Anyway, it was a great excursion but the staff does go overboard with the sob stories in order to solicit tips. It would be my only mark against it.

It's not about privacy with these new ones. It is required for the shades to be closed by orders of the bridge. It creates some sort of glare, with them being immediately above the bridge, so it effects their vision. I've heard that they must be closed even with all the lights off.

 

We had booked one of those that you had on the Conquest, but it was converted to balconies by the time we sailed. It would've been nice to have had one of these nice unique rooms (we can get plain ordinary balconies easily on any ship), but these new floor-to-ceiling window rooms are much harder to get now.

Thanks for clearing that up for me because I was wondering what it was all about. That makes sense. I truly did enjoy the room. We had storms a couple of nights and it was neat to be able to watch the lightning without having to get wet or sit right up against a window.

I had one of the floor to ceiling window cabins on the Conquest Spa deck before they changed them out to balconies and loved it. We rarely pulled the shades because there really wasn't a way for anyone to see us unless we were standing right at the window. Looking at the deck plan on the Carnival website there doesn't look like there is any kind of walkway out front so I would think that you could leave them open if you wanted to.

I'm planning on doing this with the Twister excursion through Carnival when I cruise Oct 17th. From what I've read on the boards it looks like Carnival passengers can only do it through the cruise line. I'll be interested in the responses you get. I really do not like doing excursions through the cruise lines.

I have just finished reading several of Dan Brown's book - Angels and Demons, The Da Vinci Code, and Deception Point. All were interesting and hard to put down. I would highly recommend them.