cruizinator

We were on the Freedom three times on that cruise.

 

And we enjoyed them more than any of the cruises we have taken.

 

WHY will Carnival Not do that?

 

They take cruises 30 miles from Venezuela when they go to Aruba, Bonaire, Curcao.

 

We did that one in June going again at Christmas.

 

WHY not PANAMA?

And the Freedom did not enter the locks. You got off....rode the train...saw the locks, then to the Pacific and then rode a ferry through the Miraflora Lock

 

Anyone know?[/quote

 

Good question. I would think Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao...are more popular with MOST cruisers than Panama or Venezuela. Carnival is porting where they can make the most $$$.

I would prefer other ports too...but I think we're in the minority.:(

We've sailed 6 times on the Spirit. Twice to Alaska & 4 to Mexico. Did our very first cruise on her.

The blue line is about a 10 minute walk to the square. From there it's 2-3 blocks to the cathedral, then another 2-3 blocks to the Mercado. Pulmonia back to the water taxi was $6 (there are two water taxi stands, you want the one closest to the cruise terminal). The water taxi only makes one stop so as mentioned, when it stops, get out.

 

Was there last February and Victor's was all but closed down. Don't know why, it was always our favorite spot. But then we found Lety's, ....the best.

 

 

Use google maps and you can get a good overview of the area.

Porky,

Sad to hear about Victor's..we always went there. So... we're gonna try Letys in January and take your word..that it's the best!;)

It's a good deal of you're not picky about your cabin location. One big positive is that you could end up with a free upgrade, but I wouldn't hold my breath for one.

 

Before you allow Carnival to assign your cabin at a discounted rate, make sure that you'll be OK with the worst cabin on the entire ship, next to the night club, in front of the elevators, adjacent to a smoky casino, or farthest from everything. A lot of people book a "guaranteed" cabin and then they come here to complain about what a crappy cabin they were assigned.

A lot more cruisers...should pay close attention to what "Tapi" says. I always choose my own cabin. I don't want any "surprises".:eek:

Thank you so much! I would love to go both! Does the blue line go to the centro market? Also is the bus cheaper than a poluma and mostly other travelers? We sail the January 2 sailing

Pugster,

The blue line goes to the old Plaza Machado. Really a beautiful spot. From there its about 6 blocks to the Central market. When you get out to the street..at the cruise dock...you'll see a blue arch..which is the entrance to the "Blue Line". Also... there should be some gringo tourist aides..that pass out maps, brochures, info...etc.

The bus is about 10 pesos per person. A pulmonia is about 40-60 pesos(depending on your negotiating skills) total for the ride to the Golden Zone...but you get there faster and your hair looks like it:eek:!

We sail on January 31.

My wife and I are going on the carnival miracle in January 2016 and we aren't planning on doing an excursion in Mazatlan. We want to follow the blue line into old Mazatlan and then go to the beach. Should we go to the golden zone or stone island? I loved going to Dairy Queen when I went 12 years ago and I believe that's at the start of the golden zone but would skip that if stone island is a better beach

Pugster.

My wife and I usually catch a bus in front of the central market. Take the "sabalo centro" bus to the dairy queen. When you're finished there..catch the same bus south. Most people get off at the central market...but stay on ..and it will take you past the cruise ship entrance. You then can get off near the entrance to the boat to Stone island.

We go north to the Golden Zone every time and we usually make it to Stone Island about 1:00pm. Much better beach at Stone Island and some GREAT food at Victor's or Lety's(right next door) restaurants.

We're also going on the Miracle in January.

Here are two videos I posted on my YouTube channel of my aft mini suite, 9278 on the Sun. They were taken in May in Alaska. One is a cabin review, and the other is just a look of the view (what a view!) from the balcony. I did get a chance to tour 9076 as well during a cabin crawl and it IS spectacular, but the aft mini is pretty darn spectacular too! No worries by the way, on the condition of the ship or the excellence of the crew. Unless things have changed dramatically since May, both are excellent! :D

 

 

Bob,

Hope life is being good to you. We sure had a great cruise on the Sun in May.....didn't we? Wonderful ship & crew. Met so many wonderful people..just an amazing cruise. You take care...would be a pleasure to sail with you again!

Ralph

Kinda irritated that the mini suites we paid over 1500 pp for are now down to less than 1100 pp one week out. Tried to get an upgrade a couple weeks ago when suites were the same price as mini suites. No luck since she said we had to pay the going rate from our original booking. Oh well guess that's the chance u take when you decide to plan ahead or wait for last minute. Now I don't know what I will plan to do for our next trip

Sometimes you pay more....it's part of the "game". If you watch the prices after your final payment...it'll drive you crazy. Just go on your cruise with a positive attitude...a big smile...and have a wonderful time!

Like most have said..they are more similar than different. I used to sail on CCL only..but CCL doesn't always have the lowest prices. I just returned from a 10 day Alaskan cruise on the Sun. I paid $2270 total(for 2) for an 8th deck balcony of my choosing. The same balcony cabin on the Carnival Legend..would have cost me $3300...for an 8 day cruise. I enjoy CCL..but not for $1100 more..and 2 days less. I sailed on the NCL Pearl last May..and the Legend was $1200 more.I thoroughly enjoyed both NCL cruises..and saved a lot of money in the process.

[quote name=cruisinpips;

I hear the same things and sadly' date=' most of the stuck up snobs who talk bad about Carnival, have never even been on one of their ships, so I mostly choose to ignore their ignorance in the matter....[/quote]

So true...I know two travel agents that hate Carnival..even though they've never been on Carnival. They advise their customers to "try a more civilized cruise line". One that doesn't have a "ghetto" reputation.

Carnival Legend and Carnival Miracle and then the Carnival Spirit which is now only out of Australia.

Sure miss my favorite ship...the Spirit. Loved sailing on her to Alaska..and those Mexican Riviera cruises out of San Diego. The combination of the Spirit and beautiful San Diego...wow!:)

Splendor has been spotted on the HI ports schedule. Too bad as its too big for Kauai.

 

Guys is extremely overrated and won't eat Mexican in a ship. Too many issues with that.

Will enjoy the Tandoor though.

 

Wonder how she'll get here? Maybe the larger Canal will be open? Panama Canal is on the destination drop down list.

It's looking like we're gonna get "stuck" with the Splendor. Much prefer Spirit class...but I've never had a "bad" cruise..even when I cruised on the Splendor;).

There is a charter group on the Miracle in Feb. 2017 who are going on a Caribbean cruise from Tampa.

If you want to see a post about it go to the Miracle Roll calls.

I wonder what we are gonna get to replace the Miracle? Hopefully..not the Splendor. We need a ship with Guys, Blue Iguana.....etc. We need some "love" from Carnival!

Your review regarding the crew & food...pretty much sums up my experience last year on a 10 day Alaskan cruise. Wonderful crew, decent food and a very nice ship. I have to agree on the fish & chips....they were really subpar!

Just woundering about this ships design and what one thinks about it....

I know it sounds weird..but I feel more "closed in" on the Splendor. I don't like the "flow" of the interior. Would I cruise on it again? Yes...but Spirit class is my favorite.

Good point, that is the only way I can see that they would do that. I do have to say, I would think they would put a Conquest class ship there (that has had Fun 2.0 there instead of the Splendor).

Not a fan of the Splendor..I would rather have a Spirit class.

I'm on a slightly different itinerary (10-days in early May) and there seem to be lots of cabins left (inside guarantees, a few portholes, and quite a few suites). Since there's less than a month to go, I wonder how likely it will be that the ship will sail at less than full capacity. Of course, I would love it if we sailed partly empty ;)

I'm on the same cruise as you..and I was noticing the same thing. The price of a balcony cabin(on the Sun) has gone up...since I purchased on 3-18-15. I expect a drop in prices...and like you ...the fewer people...the better.

Hello,

 

I'm writing this thread because I just got off Liberty, and boy was she special. Her itinerary was great. But the actual ship itself felt very special to me. There was just something about it that I really enjoyed. I'm actually upset that it will be moving to Galveston.

 

Does anyone else have a ship in mind that they really enjoyed? Can't really name why, you just really liked?

 

Thought I would get some cruise memories rolling tonight! :D

The Spirit...took our first cruise ever...on her. She's a "spirit class" ship...which is my favorite. Love the space..the flow..the feel of that class of ships. I was sad when she was sent to Australia ...sailed on her 6 times.

Being a warm weather lover, I just booked our first Alaska cruise for Sep.3, 2016 hoping it may be comfortable for me. How will the temperatures be, knowing this is a loaded question. I'd just appreciate some feedback from others who have sailed. We're doing a 7 day RT from Vancouver.

I've been to Alaska in September just twice. Both cruises ..had some rainy days..and some sunny days. Be prepared for cool, wet weather. Board the ship with a positive attitude.... and enjoy Alaska.

Just back from a 7 day on the Crown Princess with a stop in Mazatlan after the boycott.

 

We toured the old town in a Pulmonia and it was just beautiful. Very clean and the people were absolutely awesome. We felt totally safe (more than our stop in Hollywood)!

 

We then went to Stone Island and stayed at Lety's. The food and hospitality was amazing. Lety's family still runs the place and the food quality was there. Shrimp and grilled fish were delicious, cold beer and kindness abound.

 

I am convinced that the best port day on any cruise is a stop in Mazatlan and sitting on the beach on Stone Island.

 

Happy Cruising:D:D

We love Stone Island..been going there for 20 years. Had a lot of great food & drink at Lety's and next door at Victor's.

Speaking of Pulmonias...about 15 years ago the taxi's drivers were on strike...sooo we had to take a pulmonia...to the airport. Going down the highway at 60mph..with luggage bouncing in the back..and our hair looking like we had been electrocuted :eek:...we finally & safely arrived at the airport. We still laugh about it. Love Mazatlan!

If you spend some time in the visitor center...be sure to use one of the many telescopes available. Look up on the mountain above nugget falls...there's a good chance you'll see mountain goats on the side of the mountain. Sightings aren't guaranteed...but we've spotted them every time we've been there.

Norwegian Sun..May 8th on a 10 day.. out of Vancouver.

Does anyone know about what time She is scheduled to sail? Weather tomorrow will not be nearly as nice as when She sailed upriver.

I heard 4:00 pm...today.

As a long time Carnival cruiser...I tried NCL(Pearl) last year and found the MDR food to be a step below CCL's. However...I thought NCL's buffet was better than Carnival.

We have been on 3 northbound cruises to Alaska and our 4th booked for May 13th of this year. We had balconies in the past and also for the upcoming cruise. Personally, we wouldn't book a cruise to AK without a balcony. The scenery is spectacular for lack of proper words! Breathtaking and we have seen much wildlife on all three prior cruises.

 

Even without wildlife, the mountains and glaciers are just incredible while sipping hot cocoa or coffee on our balcony. Some cruises have been warm enough for a short sleeved shirt and an iced tea. It maybe just us, but scenery is very deeply soul warming if that makes any sense. Just our opinion. Others will have other opinions. :)

EatPrayCruise.

I agree 100% with everything you said!