mtsnd1900

At Port Canaveral, we always stay at either Marriot Residence Inn Cape Canaveral, or Country Inn and Suites by Carlson. They both are in the same parking lot, offer free parking and shuttle to/from port. Also, a free breakfast which you can also grab when you return. In the parking lot is a Hertz rental car agency, so if we have people who fly in (as we used to do before moving to NC), we tell them to get a Hertz car from MCO. There is also a RaceTrac store right there to pick up wine if you need it. Hotel is right near the port.

 

 

TIP: find out the shuttle policy. We had it one time where they opened up the shuttle reservation window a few days before check in, so when we arrived without knowing this we were told we would be on a late shuttle. (We had this fixed and went on one before the first scheduled shuttle, as they were very accommodating)

Did I read that correctly - NCL Charges the corking fee at embarkation? do they stand there at the x-ray scanners and see who has it and then charge them the fee right there at the service desk? In the past with other lines, we had always just put a bottle or two in carry on, and opened it up on board either in our room with our own bottle opener (no fee paid), or in the restaurant and had a fee applied. We have the UBP on the upcoming cruise, so if I am going to pay $15per bottle, I will just leave them at home.

Glitch in the system - I have fixed it and received the confirmation emails.

was able to make all dinner reservations, as well as reservations for AFTER MIDNIGHT and FOR THE RECORD.

 

Other entertainment options are:

Wine Lovers The Musical - $23.54pp 2/27/17 and 3/2/17 at 12:30

Do You Love Wine? Do You Love Comedy? Then we have the show for you! Hailed as “A great evening out” by the New York Post, Wine Lovers – the world’s first The Wine Tasting Musical – brings laughs and libation aboard. Join us for Wine Lovers in the Supper Club, where you taste six sensational wines and enjoy a lovely lunch, all while watching a hilarious musical comedy about the joys of wine and love.

 

Supper Club Cabaret - $35.34 on 3/1/17 at 5:15PM

Enjoy the ambiance in the Supper Club, our intimate theater experience featuring a variety of musical entertainment.

 

No Burn the Floor...

No Oh What a Night....

unless that is the Cabaret????

Book as far out as possible, and use a reputable travel agent who will offer you room credit in addition to what ever NCL is offering.

1. A good agency will have blocked out rooms that offer perks (room credit) as well as group pricing (which, if the group pricing is higher then the market pricing, you will get market pricing and then slid into the group to get the ammenity room credit.)

2. best selection of rooms

3. prices go up, you are protected. prices go down, you can call your agent and request a rebooking.

4. if within your final payment window, depends on the cruise line policy and will possibly get an upgrade out of it.

Question.. My upcoming cruise (25FEB) was just released a few minutes ago. it lets me get Burn up the Floor no problem.. if i try to add in FOR THE RECORD, it just drops me and does not add anything to the cart. is it a glitch or are they sold out? i litterally was refreshing the screen the second they popped up.. it will NOT add any of the 4 For the Record shows to the cart. i do have 4 people, including 2 kids. have tried with and without the kids.

1. Agents will always be able to get a better deal - a good agency has group inventory on all/most sailings. Pricing is compared with the daily FIT rate / best rate / and the group rate.

 

2. these group spaces have amenity points that can be transferred to clients (the room credit you mention), something that booking directly will not afford you the opportunity of.

 

3. Agents also can kick back part of a commission when they have a good client, or throw them a bottle of wine, or a dinner or something nice.

 

4. An agent should not charge a "change fee" or cancellation fee. It may be in the fine print, and that is to protect the agent against clients who continuously call and make bookings, and changes, and then cancel at the last minute. For an easy guest, these are typically waived.

 

5. Message me if I can help you in any way or refer you to a great agent if you are in need of one!

1. Do not book it with NCL when you are ready to book, find a trusted agent who can provide you additional perks and assist you and your needs. Message me for additional details and a great reference on a POC (guaranteed lowest rates, group amenities).

 

2. Peak places are typically void of the 3/4 for free (ex. Bermuda and Alaska), though they may appear for the first or last few weeks of the seasons.

 

3. NCLs best promotions appear to be behind them - Alcohol package w/o paying the fees can only be had when booking into a group (see #1); The prices go up and the free amenities are things that are not that great (internet anyone? beats arcade credit... I am waiting to see casino credit as a perk some day.)

 

4. The current promotion will be extended thru next month.

 

Book ASAP, with a trusted agent, and keep eyes on promotions. Can always rebook at new rates and promotions. Make sure the agent does not have a change fee.

Harvest Caye all the food is free and the booze as well if you have the UBP I asked this when I called and booked my cruise.

 

Not the case. I was in a meeting with NCL when they did the public release of information on this port and the presenter, attempting to avoid the question, came out and said that the individual vendors at the port would be charging you and that there are zero options for complimentary beverages or food there. I was waiting for him to tell us there was a fee for the chairs, but the didn't come out.

 

It also appeared as though anyone who wanted to do an excursion had to book it with the cruise line as there was no way out of the port to meet up with anyone, and no one could come there.

 

I will find the ppt slide for reference when time permits.

Work with a trusted travel agent

 

Have the agent put a TEMP HOLD down on a room on the last day of the sale. This will give them 24HRS -48HRS to put the deposit down.

 

if sale extends, can let the TEMP HOLD get released, and they have a few more weeks to get the deposit ready.

 

If sale does not extend, they are at least locked in for a day or two, and usually they can bump it another day or so. They will be coded as having booked at the time of the HOLD.

 

Hope this helps. Message me for assistance!

My wife and I are avid Kayakers and considering going on a kayak excursion on our upcoming cruise to Canada. We will be in Saint John in mid October. Will it be to cold to kayak, or is the water warm enough that if we are not wearing wetsuits that we will be okay in the (unlikely) event we dump? Other option is to walk the city. First time at the port. Thank you!

https://www.massport.com/port-of-boston/cruiseport-boston/cruiseport-boston-faqs/

http://www.insuremytrip.com

bring up the web page, then call the company directly and go over it with them as you buy it.

Channin Bodden is the best!

http://www.channinboddentours.com/

Will pick you up at the port, guide around the island, go to Dannys Moneky and Sloth habitat, his own private beach area, out on the reef snorkeling off his new boat, up to the vistas, the list goes on. Need a private guide, Call Channin!

I loved the Sunshine - great staff, easy to navigate. Had a lido deck balcony room, just off the pool area - best location and highly recommend. In the AM, would go get breakfast and bring back to room.

 

Staff was great, accommodated our group of 14 rooms and helped with the dining.

 

Excellent shows, especially the comedy shows (Get there early). Best live entertainment I have seen in a long time (all pubs / areas had live entertainment at night.) Karaoke was great, as was the live band playing it.

 

Red Frog is huge, fun times.

 

Waterslides were fun, splash area good for kids. Pool deck gets crowded.

 

Loved it - booked again, to Canada this fall.

Charleston - go to the city a day or two ahead of time. Great walking, historical city.

 

Port - city, industry, and historical people are all still fighting. The terminal is rudimentary, though quick.

 

Ship - Carnivals second oldest ship. Can ask for a refrigerator for your room, they have some loaners. don't expect the Vista with top notch entertainment and impeccable carpets - the ship is fun, but needs a rehab.

Different ships, different names. Bottom line - 24HR pizza.

 

Pizza Pirate

 

Tossing dough is an age-old art passed down the generations. Lucky for you, someone passed us the secret to the perfect pie. While aboard, this is the place that will shiver your timbers and warm you to the bone, 24 hours a day, with a Margherita, Funghi, Prosciutto, Pepperoni or Quatttro Formaggi pizza served with a delicious Caesar salad. Savvy? Then it’s the pirates’ life for you!

https://www.carnival.com/cruise-food/pizza-pirate

Pizzeria del Capitano

 

 

 

If the Lido Deck is the center of fun, Pizzeria del Capitano is good taste central. We’ve taken the Italian mojo of Cucina del Capitano and extended its delicious skills to pizza. Featuring piping hot slices right out of the oven, with your choice of toppings, Pizzeria del Capitano is the good kind of cheesy — the best reason to stop in for a taste of our hand-tossed specialties made with fresh mozzarella. Oh and did we mention, this place rolls out pizzas and Caesar salad 24 hours a day?

https://www.carnival.com/cruise-food/pizzeria-del-capitano

 

Older Thread: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2164320

 

Older thead: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1786977

go with early dining, or any time dining. or specialty dining.

1. what ship?

2. what (not really) "free at sea" promotion do you want

3. how many days?

4. sailing from where?

5. type of balcony - NOT ALL ARE CREATED EQUAL! (lovely view of a lifeboat?)

6. past guest? Military? other incentive?

 

Send me a PM and I can assist you in securing the best price.

Investment, no

Expendable cash and see something you like, perhaps

use the internet to find land-based galleries and see what their price is

 

http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2013/09/27/guide-to-cruise-ship-art-auctions.html

 

don't get caught up in the moment

don't fall for the salesman's pitch - if using the words 'retirement portfolio", "investment", “unique and collectable” or "appraises for 3x the sales price", they are scamming. Also, the shills in the crowd who are there to just drive up the price. (If they win, you can still buy it at your highest price because we happen to have 2, imagine that.)

 

If you got the time, money, and like the piece, spend away. Some people think placing bets on a ball going around a wheel, or cards totaling 21 (because their system works!) is a sure-fire investment. Me.. I will take the free drink, and enjoy some music with money in my bank account.

 

BTW, do a google on PARK WEST SCAM, or PARK WEST LAWSUIT for more info.

 

Excellent summary here http://www.travel-golf.org/t_cruise_art_auctions_scam_fraud.htm

Thanks for posting! I am putting together a group of 25 rooms for an upcoming sailing and have some scattered questions / info requests you may be able to provide assistance on.

1. Updated / Photos of the wine list from Mondavi wine bar, specifically, what can be had with the UBP by the glass from there.

2. Soft Serve Free ice Cream available? where at.

3. Chair Hog policy being enforced?

4. Updated dailies / photos of

5. Kids centers activity sheets and overall information

 

Thank you!!!

Did you enjoy the ship, the entertainment, etc?

 

Kids club - did it offer enough for the kids?

 

Love the port, hoping they can update it in the near future though. thanks for the review.

Thank you for the review. I have been on Sunshine, loved it, and am going back on it in October from NYC to CA - looking forward to it!

 

What was your impression with the Port of Charleston? I went down for a day to take a look at it and tour the facilities - hopefully they are able to move forward with the expansion in the near future.

 

I highly encourage people to sail form Charleston, it is perhaps one of the best home ports around - with lots to do, and a reasonable cost city to spend a few days in. Unfortunately, Carnival only puts the Ecstasy there for now but I am happy to see the Sunshine making its way up the coast and home porting there for a few sailings anyway - would be great if they moved it there permanently!

 

1. DINING. We picked the Ultimate Drinks and Specialty Dinners perk. How does the Specialty Dinners/Restaurants work? It is my understanding that since I am sailing on a 7 night cruise we are entitled to 4 Specialty Restaurants. When I go and look at the menus for the Specialty Restaurants there are prices listing "al a carte". How does that work for us? Are we allotted a certain dollar amount at 4 Restaurants or is it that since we picked the Dining Option we get to go to 4 different restaurants and order whatever we want at each place? I am SO confused. I have read that I should make reservations prior to boarding for the Specialty Dining. Is this necessary? Also, in regards to the main dining room (Manhattan) since my husband and I will want to dine at a private table for 2 do I need to make reservations to do this or do we just head to the dining room when we are ready?

From what I have seen, get a certain amount of credit towards the A la Carte places.

 

2. DRINKS. Since we chose the Ultimate Drinks package I am assuming that we can have as many drinks as we want during a day as long as the drinks are under $15 each, is this correct?

Not the mini bar, drinks of the day in special cups, and auto-dispenser drinks from the wine machines (if on this boat).

3. SHOWS. Is there a flat fee for certain shows? Are the comedy shows free?

There is one dinner theater show, currently the John Hughes one - due to depart the Escapes paid theater and become a free show pretty soon. the paid replacement for the dinner theater has not been named yet. All others are free

4. ACTIVITIES. Ziplines, Ropes course, walking the plank, waterslides. Is there a fee to do these activities and if so do you know what the fee is for each.

Don't give NCL any ideas! Actually, I am sure they are looking at how to implement a fee for our convenience!

Any advice anyone can give us for this cruise? We have sailed to all of the ports before so we are familiar with the ports but we know NOTHING about the ship itself.

Read the boards, there are lots of threads on it.. We are booked for next year, looking forward to it - enjoy!

$15...

 

it was $11; They changed it to $15 right around the same time they started to charge the 18% gratuity and taxes on the plan that was originally 100% free.

 

the offer now reads: "The first two guests can enjoy a drink (who are we kidding, drinks) for the whole cruise vacation for free. That's unlimited wine, soda, beer and cocktails priced under $15. Have another, we won't tell.*"

 

Reference: https://www.ncl.com/specials-and-promotions/choice

 

and https://www.ncl.com/terms/ultimate-beverage-package

1. ALWAYS call a trusted travel agent, who have blocks of rooms that were booked last year, and the prices can be better than the daily rate.

2. I too have been tracking the NCL prices, along with all other lines.. The trend does stay the course - raise the prices, offer a great "sale." Royal is doing it with the BOGO 1/2 price. Locked in rates before the sale, and then watched them rise. 4 friends booked, prices were higher and they got room credit.

 

Bottom Line: Book early, and go through a travel agent.