Towel Critter

My favorite things on the chocolate "extravaganza" are the apple jello cubes. Seriously. Those things rock. I'm not so keen on the chocolate fountain. Chocolate fountains have always seemed unsanitary to me. I mean, the chocolate circulates through the air continuously, picking up sneezes, dust motes, whatever is in the air. I'm not a germaphobe by any stretch of the imagination, but they seem questionable to me, whether on a ship or elsewhere. But that's just me. I know a lot of folks enjoy them and that's fine. To each his/her own.

I have a noise meter app on my device, used it to make a decible level reading on the Celebrity Connie, provided it to "mgmt" and the noise level was reduced for balance of my cruise. I sent the reading to my email so I could send it to the US federal govt health department.

 

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I would like to know what agency you sent this information to.

 

I don't know of any US federal agency that would regulate or care about the music level on a cruise ship.

Since the ships are most of the time in international waters, I don't think the U.S. government would have any jurisdiction over music or anything else, docked at a U.S. port... maybe. They probably have bigger fish to fry anyway.

We've never made an effort to be early or late. It mostly depends on the port(whether we fly into the port city, or fly into a nearby city and transfer to the port) and which flights times are most practical for us and the cheapest. We've been among the first 500 or so to board and among the last 50 or so to board. I don't remember there being a huge difference in lines, except for the time we boarded at 3:45, when there were NO lines, not enough difference to stick permanently in my memory and inspire me to make an effort to board at a certain time anyway. We get there when we get there, and as long as we do get there I'm good with whatever time we board.

Lol, there is an amazing mindset out there now a days.

 

 

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I have complained about a few Carnival changes/cutbacks, but complaining about having to ask for straws really does seem a bit extreme. I think this thread will give us a pretty good idea of who enjoys Carnival, but occasionally dislikes something they do, and those who have an agenda and bash for the sake of bashing.

Our last cruise, in November, we arrived at the port of Miami at 3:30, boarded the Glory about 3:45, and sailed about 4:30. This was not by choice. We had a flight connection run an hour and a half late due to mechanical problems. There were still people boarding the ship behind us, quite a few actually. I was amazed, having always believed it cannot be done. We were rushing around like fools. The folks behind were as calm as they could be, like they've done it a hundred times. I'm quite sure the last stragglers boarded after 4:00.

"Straw Gate."

We've stayed near the atrium, on the higher decks, and never had an issue. I actually like this location, as you don't feel cut off from everything. You may hear music (faintly), but is that so bad? Actually, I don't remember ever hearing music with the door closed.

Taking the grand kids to Cozumel in December and my 7 year old told me all she wanted to do was go to the beach and find seashells. Probably been there at least 20 times but have no idea which beach would be the best for a 7 year old to find seashells. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Grandpa can't dissapoint his little sweetie. Thanks for any help.

The best beach for seashells, coral, sponges, etc... would be El Mirador beach. It is on the opposite side of the island from San Miguel, but a fairly short taxi ride. The beach is rugged in many spots with blow holes and a natural arch, but there are some sandy areas. We were just there about three weeks ago and I was amazed how the beach was strown with shells, sponges, and coral. You wouldn't be able to take the sponges back on the ship. They smell. But pieces of white coral are relatively clean as are some of the shells.

Getting on the ship today!! Hawaii here I come.

Don't let all those "blue hairs" run you over. :rolleyes:

Burgers are like pizza... like all food, really, some will love Guys and some will not. I think all the comments on Guy's burgers on CC, positive and negative, bears that out. Me, I like the GF burgers AND the Pizza Pirate pizza. Others not so much it seems. It's all in what we are familiar with and have enjoyed in the past. I do like Guy's a lot. I'm not sure I'd say they are the best I've had, but they are close enough. I've seen others claim them to be "gross." I'm not sure I get that, unless one prefers a fast food type burger. It's possible they just got a bad burger, I guess.

That's true of all the Mayan ruins excursions worth visiting - this one seemingly with the shortest drive-time among those. So if visiting ancient sites is your thing, Tulum seems like the best bang for your buck, time-wise.

Can't argue that. And I would NOT try to talk you out of doing the Tuluum excursion, since the site is gorgeous, historical, and more than worth seeing. I just think a cruise excursion isn't the best way to do it. Tuluum deserves a longer visit. That said, I hope you get to go. You'll love it. You'll just wish you had more time there. Perhaps you'll be inspired to spend several days at a nearby resort in the future, so you can take in Tuluum and other sites in Quintana Roo at your leisure. Cruises are great and I obviously love them. But sometimes it's nice to not be rushed. But I'm getting off subject. My apologies. Back to your regularly scheduled programming. :)

They can't even give Carnival cruises away. Lol

You must be really bored.:rolleyes:

Thing is, most modern cameras make vids, so I'm not sure this law is enforceable Would have worked back when video cameras were the size of a shoe box. :-)

 

Back to the subject. I'm not sure I would do this excursion via cruise... but that's just me. Much of the day would be spent getting there and getting back. I can easily see close to two and half hours getting there and the same getting back, with the wait, the 45 minute ferry ride, the wait, the 45 minute bus ride, and then in reverse. I dunno.

Oh..... be forewarned hat you cannot take ANY photographs or videos while in Tulum unless you "buy" a permit. Angel then threatens that you may get arrested and fined if you are caught taking a photo with your cell phone.

 

 

Was this a Carnival rule, or a local rule? I'm curious because I took lots of photos there a few years back. I was not there via a Carnival excursion, but took a taxi there from a nearby resort.

Got the blue tooth speakers on the Victory about a week and a half ago. We did a B2B, so now have four of them. lol. They sound better than I anticipated for their size, a much nicer gift, imo, than the visors were.

I can't tell you anything about the Carnival excursion, as my visit to Tuluum was during a resort stay in the area. But I can tell you that if you can make the trek to Tuluum, however you get there, it is well worth it. The ruins are majestic and awe inspiring, perched on the cliffs, high above the beach, with Iguanas lounging everywhere on the hot rocks. The beach itself is the most picturesque location I have seen in person. As someone said, it is hot, hot, hot there, but the sights make it well worth some sweat. I highly recommend Tuluum. Beautiful! My time there remains my single most favorite vacation day.

We also just got back from a B2B on the Victory, Sept.25-Oct.2. I look forward to reading your thoughts on this ship and cruise and finding out how they compare to my impressions. :-)

 

Oh and I'll never consider myself old either.

 

 

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That is the key. The minute you think yourself old, you are. It seems to me that older folks seem younger and more active in 2017 than they did at the same age in my parent's and grandparent's day. That is a good thing. You really can't stereotype older people these days, though obviously, judging from this thread, that hasn't stopped some from doing it. I find it ironic, and a bit hypocritical, that many younger folks are so closed minded.

...and someday you'll be us :D:D

And much sooner than they think.

The better question is, why would one want to start their vacation later?:confused:

There were about 4 or 5 when I was there Saturday. I can't remember the exact count.

I was there Saturday as well and there were four ships, the Victory, the Disney Dream, an NCL ship, and the Fascination. Did you notice the huge dent on the back of the Disney Dream they were working on? The captain had either backed into something or got rammed.

We just run up to lido and fill a few cups with the ice there. It fits easily into most water bottles. The ice in the ice bucket varies in size, but much of it is large and difficult to fit into thermos type bottles, like the one you pictured, and like the ones we ourselves use.

Tomorrow. :-)

Table for two for my wife and I. We've tried it the other way and still prefer each other's company to any we have experienced. Not to say that all were bad, though some were, we just really like each other's company and cruising as a couple. It always reminds me of our honeymoon, which was my first cruise. I guess you could say we'll be going on our 14th honeymoon tomorrow! :-)

I don't really have a preference, but a man named George (pronounced Hor-hey) Something-or-Other, on the Triumph several years ago, was funny and funny in an original way. He is really the only one who has made an impression on me.