shellster1

I just read the Liberty will be going to the Princess Caye island starting in May. I also noticed the itinerary "flipped" for my cruise on Feb 26th. I wonder if this has anything to do with the change of islands?? Geez, I sure wish we were going to the Princess island instead of Freeport, but again, I think they are starting that in May. Anyone have any other info??

Thanks for both answers!! I appreciate it. I saw the lagoon area on the map. It looks beautiful, but I wasn't aware it was currently under construction. I opted for the larger cabana, as there was only a $19 difference, and they looked a bit more private/secluded.

Plus, I noticed what looked like grass directly in front of the small cabanas. Obviously, I realize it's going to be a different type of grass, but I'm one of those freaks who can't stand to walk barefoot on grass! (Then I read the large cabanas are in front of rough sand, haha....but I can handle that a lot better.) :)

I'm wondering which cabanas on Great Stirrup Cay are closest to the water, the small ones or the large ones?? Looks like the big ones are on a different beach area. Is this beach nice? quieter? Any info would help. Thanks!

I'm considering cruising solo, and was wondering if any of these cabins offered a balcony? I can't seem to find anything on the NCL site. ?? Thanks!

I think they are (by far) the best cabins on the ship, other than the wraps. The view, the lounge chairs, the sounds of the ocean, etc...WOW. I can't believe a poster was lucky enough to get one on a GTY!! So lucky!!

I'm so sorry for your loss. The last thing you need is a lecture or education of reasons for insurance.

Regardless of reasons to purchase the insurance, remember there are always exceptions. Always. Trust me, I know this to be fact.

Give them notice now, and write a letter. Offer some proof in the letter. Although it won't help you with the airfare you need NOW...you could get a least a cruise credit in the future.

Good luck. My thoughts go out to you.

If you're looking for a quiet, (really beautiful) beach, I suggest Pillory Beach. They call it Bahio Resort now. It's FAR from a resort. This place is amazing, and practically deserted. I was there with my little boy earlier this year. There were 2 ships docked, and we were practically the only ones there. TONS of shells, plenty of shade, and space. I remember we wanted to explore, so we walked down the beach (for what seemed like miles). Finally had to turn around beaches my son got tired! Only down side it's a bit further out, but you can split the taxi cost with another couple. Also, beach chairs and food/drinks weren't super cheap, but so worth it. You can see some pics and reviews on Tripadvisor.

I never would have known about the sale! I've been trying to decide make vacation plans for (my son's) spring break, and this pops up! I just booked us on the Glory, balcony cabin, for less than what I paid for an inside 12 years ago on my very first cruise! YAY!

WHAT'S MORE....I GOT FTTF!! DOUBLE YAY! (helps when you're traveling with your seven year old. ;)

I always go to the same one, Tabyana Beach...on the West End. It's about a 20 minute drive from the pier, but I always stick to this beach for a few reasons:

1) It's a nice sized beach, with plenty on trees for shade, such beautiful trees, too! It never has felt crowded. The sand is always soft and pretty, free of seaweed so I can walk barefoot and be totally comfortable.

2) It's (so far) one of the only beaches I've been to that has clear-bottom kayaks, which my son loves.

3) They have a super fun waterside, trampoline, obstacle court that not only my little boy loves, but I love as well! It's so fun to race down the slide and fall into the water...and again, I feel safe to do so.

4) The water goes on far awhile until it gets too deep, so I'm comfortable when I snorkel with the little guy.

The facilities are nice, the people are nice, and I feel the drinks are well-priced. I've always gone to this beach through the ship excursion, and it includes a nice lunch.

It seems ridiculous to pay money for a "beach break" excursion, when all you have to do is walk off the ship, and you're at a really beautiful beach, right?? (not to mention the 20 minute bus ride)...But it's so worth it me me!

Lastly, on a personal level this beach brings back wonderful memories I have of my mom. It was her absolute favorite, even up against St. Marteen, St. Lucia, and even Tortola. Tabyana Beach is just so special. I think Roatan is a very, very special place. I cannot wait to go back!!!

WOW! I'm sooo excited now! Thank you to everyone who answered this, and thanks so much for the pictures, ideas about dressing up, and info on the parade. I appreciate it!!

Roatan! It has special meaning to me because it was my mom's favorite port. The people in Roatan are so, SO nice. Just so friendly. The beaches are beautiful, with the water so clear. I feel safe allowing my son to swim all over the place there. Plus, they have this drink called the Monkey La-La. WOW! It's the best frozen drink I've ever had!!

I am sailing with my son and DH Thanksgiving week on the Splendor. I always have signed up for my time dine in the past, but my little son really wants to experience a "real" Thanksgiving dinner, at a "big table with lots of people", like he sees on movies.

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I opted for early assigned dining. I was wondering what it's like. Will they seat us by ourselves, or with other guests? Should I arrive early to ask for a big table? I'm so nervous about this. I just want so much for it to be perfect for him. I hope our table mates are friendly and don't mind sitting with a seven year old. I hope they like us.

Has anyone ever done this before? I just noticed The Splendor offers this for only $5 a person. I know my son will enjoy it, so we will most likely sign up for it. Just wondering anyone's opinion, where is is, (dining room, camp Carnival?) and if it's overly-crowded?? Is this a new thing? I've never seen offered it in past cruises. Thanks!!

Dear Pearle1,

I'm off-topic here, I hope that's ok.

I hope you have a wonderful cruise with your mom! I have always cruised with (just my mom) and I will never forget all the amazing times we had. I lost her earlier this year. I'm SO GRATEFUL for all the memories I have of us on those special cruise ships!

I remember the first time I upgraded us from an inside stateroom to a balcony: my mom didn't know until we got there, and the look on her face was priceless! Her jaw was on the floor. It was the BEST!! I think you made the right decision to upgrade.

I'm taking my DH on his first cruise this Thanksgiving, with out DS. We booked a spa balcony room. I imagine it'll be worth it, if only because of the little bit of extra space, the close proximity to the water slide, and I think it will be neat to be on a high deck!

Anyway, happy sailings!!

Michelle

I don't think the waterslides are open until the 1st sea day.

Oh no! Thank you for the warning!! The last ship we were on, the waterslides were open. It was a cruise out of Long Beach.

However come to think of it, it seems like I have been on other ships out of Miami in which case they were not open. Now I know to come up with a plan B for the little one just in case. Thank you again. :)

It should be wedding parties, diamond/platinum/suites and then FTTF.

 

However, suites do not get early cabin access, faster gs line, priority tenders, etc...

 

 

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The Carnival reservation agent said we would get early access to the cabin. It also says PRIORITY on our luggage tags. ??

I should call and double check this. My seven year old will freak out if we can't go directly to the watersides. LOL!

If not, looks like I'll have to slip our stateroom attendant an extra $20: That works too, if anyone doesn't have FTTF and wants to drop off bags. :)

Does anyone know the order of boarding, if there is one? For example, do the diamond and platinum guests, as well as guests who booked suites, board before FTTF? Or does it matter?

As far as tenders, priority only goes to FTTF and diamond/platinum, but not suite guests, right?

(I booked a suite for a future cruise and noticed we have priority boarding, and we did get confirmed right away as to what dining time we chose, as it was originally full.)

Also, in Miami, what time does boarding begin? Seems like it used to be around noon, but last time I cruised in March, they didn't announce boarding til 1:00.

MY DH and I are Platinum and our friends we new to sailing, we got onto the ship exactly the same time, At most ports they do a really good job of organizing and getting people boarded very quickly! We did get right into our room and our luggage was there soon after ( I do like not waiting for our luggage). But then again Our friends luggage arrived nearly as quickly as ours did!!

 

We utilize other perks of Platinum that are not part of FTTF , free laundry, free gifts and free appetizer and dessert plate delivered to the room . We very rarely have to go to the pursers desk anyway so going the the Platinum line for that doesn't really matter either, although I have seen very long lines in the regular lines sometimes.

 

Again, I really don't see a darn bit of difference and even our friends that don't purchase FTTF get on and get their luggage nearly the same time we do. I'm not sure why anyone would want to pay for it other then putting your things down in your room a little bit earlier. But hey if someone wants to pay $50 per stateroom for it then so be it, I am more then happy to share the line with them that I acquired for free. At the end of the day, we are ALL on a CRUISE VACATION....don't sweat the small stuff LOL

I have gone on cruises with my mom, who is mobile but is on 24 hour oxygen. This disability allows her the privilege of boarding airplanes first, (ahead of priority and first class passengers) and it also gives her the much appreciated expedited boarding privilege on Carnival and most other cruise lines, again, ahead of VIP's. We are quite often given dirty looks,which my mom is very sensitive to, and obviously that hurts me. In an effort to be fair to others, we always arrive at the port around 11:30, to avoid the lines anyway. I've noticed fellow passengers in the (rather short) lines are on the ship not much later. Point is, in my opinion, get to the port early if you can. (Although I would purchase the $50 priority thing if it were just me.) Problem is, I never book a cruise early and they sell out fast, I'm told. I'm going this March out of Miami without mom...just with my 6 year old. We will arrive early and stand in line. It will be interesting to see how long it takes to board! In previous times without her, I've never waited long. (Not even in Puerto Rico.)