13cheermom

Thanks so much for taking the time to share all the info. on your recent cruise. I will be sailing on the Conquest in October on a similar itinerary and also wondered if you could email me the clearer version of the Fun Times? I would greatly appreciate it, have never sailed on this ship before and really excited about trying room 7434 this time. Thanks again!

sallyschambers@embarqmail.com

Thanks so much. we also will be traveling in October, so hopefully it won't be too crowded. Overall I would just like a non-stop inexpensive flight, which right now is going to MIA. Will wait and see when Southwest posts their fares.

Okay thanks, right now airfare is cheaper for us at Miami. Southwest schedule isn't available yet since its mid Oct. But I thought transport from FLL would be more than from MIA also. Guess I'll just have to wait and see what Southwest airfare is. We always fly at least a day prior to cruise, just hadn't used this port before. :)

When leaving out of Port of Miami, do you prefer flying into Fort Lauderdale or Miami airport? And why do you prefer one over the other and are there any advantages that you've experienced? Have read a lot of people do prefer FLL, curious as to why? Thanks for any past experiences with either airport, first time leaving from this port. :)

I also got a similar offer last September for a balcony on the Sunshine on a 12-day mediterranean cruise for same amount. However I really liked the location of my regular balcony near aft and back stairway, so opted not to take it. The ocean suite location was near forward area and atrium location, (not where we like to stay). But honestly it depends on your personal preference and what your looking for as far as location on the ship. The empress level on deck 7 is our favorite location and always enclosed between other rooms for quiets rooms. Good Luck though and have a great time on your cruise, we loved the Sunshine and had a wonderful time! Great ship and great crew! Happy Sailing!

Well personally my husband and I just returned from that itinerary JFK to Barcelona and back on Delta flights, and we didn't upgrade and it was very cramped. My husband is 6' 4" and the leg room was terrible for him especially for that long of a trip (ours was non-stop). I am only 5' 4" and we are both average built but I admit it was difficult to rest comfortably in those seats. It also depends on where your seats are located, for our next trip I chose aisle seats across from one another so that we are still next to each other but have extra aisle leg room. We were really exhausted from our trip over due to lack of any sleep. Also something to consider, you never know who will be seated next to you, and that also can be an issue. Good Luck, I think you made a good choice in upgrading, I know I definitely will for any international flights from now on.

Have stayed in Embassy Suites many times over the years with family of 4. The plus side is with the suite you have comfortable sleeping for 4 rather than a regular cramped room at most hotels. Not sure if your party of 7 are adults or children included, but something to consider. Also Embassy provides a hot full breakfast rather than the traditional continental pastries and cereals that a lot of hotels provide. I have also been looking at hotels in the Miami area and feel like Embassy provides the most bang for the buck with their perks.

Totally agree we use our Carnival MC for deposits, final payments, carnival excursions, and onboard purchases. You do receive double the points for all of these expenses. Can really add up along with using it for all your daily expenses. Basically just redeemed $2000 from European cruise this fall which will basically pay for my next 7-day cruise and airfare for next fall.:D

That's a bit tight to try for the 10:15 flight here is why

you have to get off the ship, clear customs, get luggage, and catch a cab or shuttle. and make the airport an hour before flight time as recommended.

 

I am sure if everything goes well and customs has no delays someone could make it but that's a roll of the dice.

That's kind of what I thought, it seems right now that its either or with the times and with AA, because I definitely want non-stop and they are the only ones providing that right now from RDU. But thanks for the confirmation, would rather have several hours to relax at the airport than to be rushed and hurried. It's only a 2 hour flight home anyway. :D

For those of you that have previous experience with Miami cruise port and airport, earliest time to schedule departure flight from a Carnival Ship? Will be sailing on the Carnival Conquest next October, coming back to port on a Sunday, trying to schedule return flight times? Is 10:15am too early to try to make it to the airport on a Sunday? Also there is a 4:45pm, would that be better? Have always flown out of Orlando, so don't have any experience with this airport. Thanks for any helpful suggestions!:)

Hello!! We received a veggie tray, sliced fruit tray, and chips with salsa (and once the buffet opened we were able to get more salsa). We were also given two sodas per person and two of those extra large water bottles. We were also given some whole pieces of fruit.

Thanks so much for the reply! I was a little concerned with some of the recent postings about the food and wondered if they were changing the snack items. Sounds like it just might have been low supply on some cruises. Really looking forward to this port and appreciate all the information that you shared! :)

We were here at HMC last Monday, and rented a beach cabana. We had cabana #1 which worked out well for us. The only issue was that the walkway behind our cabana led directly to our cabana, so a few people would just walk through. Very soon after arriving, we took one of the lounge chairs from the beach and blocked off the walkway so people wouldn't wander in.

 

It seems this thread was started some time ago, and there is now a "Pirate Ship Bar" next to cabana #5. The music is VERY loud, and they end up having some typical cruise style contests in front of this bar in the sand, so if you want quiet, you will want to steer clear of #5, and probably #4 as well. But if you enjoy that, then by all means #5 or #4 are the ones you will want :)

 

The cabana also has it's own shower, so after coming out of the water it was nice to be able to rinse off instead of going to the "public" showers.

 

If you are thinking of renting a cabana, be sure to grab it right away....THEY GET BOOKED FAST!! You can always cancel if you decide you don't want it. I think they are worth the money, it was nice having our own space and somewhere to put our stuff and not have to worry about it. I wouldn't hesitate to rent one again. :)

Just wondered since you have just returned from HMC, what was the food like that was provided with the cabana? Have been hearing different accounts of what is now included. Did you have sliced fruit, veggie trays & dip, and chips?

Recently saw a photo of plates of whole apples, oranges & pears and no vegetables :confused: Thanks for any details of your recent experience!

Thanks for your reply, I remember seeing your photos in your review now! Also read others who recently visited the island, so I wondered if this was an across the board change. I know on our recent Sunshine cruise (which was in the Mediterranean) we had several days with no pineapple or watermelon, thought they must have run out. But then it returned and we had it till the end of our cruise. I realize we were on a 12-day cruise so things like that do happen, and since the food comes from the ship that could affect the snack possibilities. Also since the cabana provides beverages and food for 4 included in price, even though it will only be 2 of us, shouldn't we just tell them it is for 4 people? Seems like we kinda paid for it…. lol. Thanks for any advice!:)

I have read some reviews recently that the snacks provided in the cabana rentals have really diminished :(. Just wondered if this is an overall change or if just some cruises experienced this? Have booked one for next year and wanted to know what to expect? We were really looking forward to the cut-up fresh fruit and veggie trays for the snacks, some reported it was replaced with whole oranges and apples on a plate, with no vegetables :confused: Anyone know what the real story is? Thanks!

Just a side note also about giving up your OBC for price reduction, if you happened to book with half off deposit, you also will lose that perk. If any change is made to the original booking with different terms and conditions, you lose those options. Example: would have to pay the other half of your deposit, which would cost me another $250 for my current booking. Just depends on what is important to you, I like not having that much money tied up in my cruise since it is almost a year out from date of sailing.

No, afraid they don't call ahead. But they have always been on time within that 15-minute window. We always set our alarm on our phones so that we would hear them, they don't knock very loudly (so not to disturb other passengers). They will bring the tray in and set it down also if you allow, we usually give $2/tip per tray, it's definitely worth it!

I always call my PVP and she takes care of price adjustments for me. However any Carnival Rep. should be able to do the adjustment for you. Just make sure if you booked under 50% deposit originally or received any OBC originally that if thats not in the new price terms you stand to lose any OBC and also may have to pay the balance of your deposit to keep the booking. The new price also has to be lower than orig. price with OBC subtracted to receive new price drop. Example right now my orig. booking price with OBC would equal the new price now, so it's a wash and I will just wait and see if price drops lower since I have 344 days left to sail..lol.. But good luck with yours!

I must say you did a wonderful job producing and editing your vacation video! We too just returned from this ship on a similar 12-day itinerary and so enjoyed reliving the experience of a lifetime! I have yet to go through the thousands of photos and videos of ours yet, but now I am motivated to do so after seeing this wonderful video. Thanks so much for sharing, my husband and I both enjoyed it as well as your inspiring music selections! Must be from the same generation lol! This trip has made us want to get out and explore all parts of the world now, Happy Traveling to you and yours!

I was on the Liberty last month and did the Western itinerary (Cozumel, Belize, Roatan, Grand Cayman). It was a great cruise and I loved the Liberty. I haven't gotten around to writing a review, but I'd be happy to answer questions.

 

One thing I will say is that I booked one of the premium 8A balconies, #6481 and loved it!

Looking at booking one of these type rooms, wondered if you heard any noise from the stairways that are located right beside the rooms. Usually book a regular balcony but this type layout looks interesting especially for the larger balcony. Did you think the room felt crowded at all? Thanks for any input!:)

Just returned from international flight from JFK to Barcelona and back. Flew on Air France through CDG to Barcelona, airport was fine had no problem getting to connecting flight from Paris to Barcelona. Bags were checked all the way through no problem. The airport was clearly marked with signs (just a lot of walking) but totally easy to navigate. Everything landed in Barcelona as expected. Return flight was on straight flight on Delta to JFK, pretty easy setup as well. Now for the comfort level, I will never fly on Air France again, the most hard and uncomfortable seats ever!!! The return on Delta was like heaven compared to Air France. Also the staff on Air France was not as friendly as Delta and were very strict with their amenities onboard. Delta was more than generous with free drinks and snacks and foods the entire flight (actually too much). Didn't choose these flights, went through Carnival Air because the price was so good. But would never fly Air France willingly again. These were economy seats but still comparing apples to apples, Delta wins hands down! Oh and our flight times returning from Barcelona were at 11:40 am and we had plenty of time departing our ship at 7:30 am and shuttle to airport and checking in baggage and obtaining boarding passes for our flight.

So from what I have read this VAT tax is incurred for all charges while onboard the ship. However what about the auto gratuities billed on your sail & sign account? Can they tax that also? I do agree with previous posters that Carnival really drops the ball on this topic, of course its not in their best interest to advertise extra expenses. Actually it could hurt them in the long end for those that are money conscious!? Also is the tax also applied to cruises that originate from Venice? Thanks for any up to date info! :eek: