shellster1

To follow up on luggage retrieval, just notify the front desk agent upon checking in, and make sure you have your name on your luggage. They will send a runner downstairs to deliver your bags to your room. It’s so easy and convenient. [emoji4]

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Just to add to my post above, trust me you'll want your cabin vacuumed after a beach day. Even the tidiest person and/or the most private person cannot disagree: It gets everywhere! Perhaps you can dust the sand off the sheets, but not the floor. It's intolerable without at least a light cleaning.

I can relate: If I'm staying at a hotel for just a couple nights, I don't like to be bothered either. But with a cruise, it's different. Aside from the (very valid) points brought up relating to it being a security issue, it's a small room. You'll need your trash removed, dirty towels removed with clean ones replaced (as mentioned), plus the sand issue! The sand you'll bring in from the beach creates a mess that you may not realize.

I would just talk to your stateroom attendant. They are so efficient; they don't want to be in your room any longer than you want them to be in your room. :)

It's pricey, but I have to recommend the Hyatt at MCO. You literally walk off the plane, check-in and can go straight to your room. The hotel will get your luggage from the carousel. I've never had a problem with traffic to the port the next day. They offer car service to the port as well. Not cheap again, but so worth it, IMO. (especially with kid(s).

If you have paid in full then you get OBC, if not you just pay less. Carnival will talk to you ONLY if you booked directly with them (or through one of their PVP). If you booked with a TA you will need to call them. I do believe that you can get price drop adjustments no matter what you booked but it does matter how close to sailing date you can get price drops, such as Early Saver you can get adjustments until 3 days before sailing.

thank you! Very helpful. I booked on the CCL website, so I'll give them a call. :)

My sailing is a bit cheaper now, too. I'm wondering, does one have to book a certain type of rate to be able to get the difference back in an OBC? If so, how can I tell which rate I have? I don't remember! Thanks!

Thanks so much for posting these pictures, Saint Greg!!! Much appreciated!!

I apologize in advance for asking similar questions as others, but I noticed some of the posts are a bit old.... any recent info would be appreciated!

This will be my first time in NO. I'll be with my 10-year-old son. We'll be spending a couple days in town before our cruise, as well as afterward.

These 2 Riverside hotels look walkable to the CCL port. Is this the case? The Intercontinental looks really nice, and closer to the French Quarter. Would this be a good choice?

We don't have any tours planned yet. I'm thinking of a steamboat dinner/historical cruise, maybe a plantation tour, and perhaps going to see the old cemeteries. Even though the little guy is 10, he loves nice restaurants and jazz music. Obviously, I will not be taking him to any bars, but can anyone recommend a fun restaurant that plays jazz?

We're excited to visit the city. He's learning about the southern states in school. It would be great to show him some cool sites. Any ideas would be appreciated!!

It is a 1st world problem, but you came to the right place for ideas and suggestions!

So this is my 2 cents: First, I agree with many of the posters suggesting trying Europe. I have a 9-year-old and when he gets a little older, that one is certainly on my wish list.

For now though when I feel the same as you, I look at the shore excursions. I feel like there are a lot of places on these same stops that I haven't been to, and I need to explore! I also google different things to do on the islands, even if it's visiting an off the radar beach. Try to do that! You may surprise yourself at how much there is to do. :)

Awe, Saint. Gregg...is this a self-portrait? So charming!! :halo:

More people should have your mindset....its called courtesy and its refreshing....Nice Job (y)

 

Enjoy your cruise

I completely agree!! Very thoughtful of you. :)

10 Days!!!!

 

:D:D:D:D:D:D

Me, too!!! 10 days! Tomorrow we'll be doing the "single-digit dance"!

If you're man, put it in your pocket...if you're a woman...how do you carry a comb, lipstick, tissues? Bring a teeny purse....something small, for your "stuff"...and put your card in that. You're not at a convention...you don't need your cabin key around your neck!

...but if you are a mom or anyone with a need for both your hands and arms at most times, no need for "lipstick" or a "brush", and no need to worry about having your cute little purse forgotten or stolen when you set it down somewhere...you get a lanyard....and you get the absolute silliest one EVER, just to annoy people who actually make a stink about how tacky there are. :D

That is a mudslide. LOL

LOL Right? That's what I always thought.....until I tasted the Mudslides on CCL. Then I began questioning my knowledge of mixed drinks! Sometimes there is chocolate in mudslides as well...I think?

I wonder if it's the Irish cream they use that tastes....off? :confused:

Does anyone know what ingredients CCL uses for their mudslides? I love mudslides, but for some reason, it seems to me they use one ingredient (that I cannot seem to identify) which makes the drink taste....kind of...bitter or sourish? Has anyone else ever noticed it?

Another question: If I wanted a frozen drink with only ice, Bailey's, Kalua and vodka, what would that be called? Is that even a drink?

One more question a little off topic about wine: Does CCL still offer the wine packages, (like buy 5 bottles from a particular menu for a set price) or did that go away when Cheers was introduced? Thanks in advance!

I was on Yahoo just now, and saw a side ad by CCL that says:

"Give mom a gift that says, "I love you more than any other kid."

I literally laughed out loud!! :') I love that kind of humor!

Really? That would be very good news, since I was highly impressed with Great Bay. What are your favorite beaches there?

Oh me too! I thought Great Bay was so amazing the first (and second) time I was there on a cruise. Great Bay is the reason I booked a land trip....and then I discovered the rest of the island. WOW! It truly is so beautiful.

My favorites are Baie Rouge, Anse Marcel, Mullet, and Pinel....but that really is only a few! I was there most the summer of 2015 and I still wasn't able to see all the beaches. Not even close. There's almost TOO much to do there!! :)

If I was there for one weekend, I honestly don't know where I would stay. So many wonderful choices. I'm taking my son on a B2B cruise that stops in St Martin (twice), and I can't decide on where to spend those days. One day will most likely be cabbing it to Anse Marcel. The other, I'm still debating. Perhaps Mullet, but it will be a bit crowded, as usual. Even in the summer (2015) when there were no ships in port, it was crowded, but definitely not to the point to where it would be unpleasant.

If we are talking 2/3 nights in St. Martin vs, 5 to 7 night cruise then my vote is a cruise.

Definitely agree.

Oh my goodness, I was literally JUST posting about this place in another thread! Yes, Gus's Beach bar. Baie Rouge is so amazing! Probably my favorite beach in ST. Martin. I didn't feel like getting in and out of the water was a problem. I do remember some large, slick rocks on the beach but they were easy to get around. I remember it could get a little bit wavy, but I never felt my 8 year old was at risk. I remember the sand felt hotter on my feet than other beaches in St. Martin, but it was extremely soft and beautiful. I loved swimming to the right, around the big rock to the little private sandy beach. That was amazing to me!! I highly recommend this place, however, could be tricky getting a ride back to the ship. I do NOT remember taxis being readily available. You might need to make arrangments with a driver to pick you back up.

Have you been to Anse Marcel since the all inclusive RIU moved in? Oh how I used to love that beach before then!

Hi Karysa, how are you?!

Yes, I know it's a bummer about the RIU but IMO, the beach on the other side is better anyway. I remember it was less rocky. I also don't remember too many of the RIU guests venturing away from the RIU, which made it really quiet and peaceful. The upscale beach bar there, (which name escapes me at the moment) is so nice! I go back and forth all the time on my favorite St. Martin beach, but this one is in the top three. I really loved Baie Rouge. Again, the official name of the beach escapes me but I'm sure you know the one I'm talking about: You drive down a little dirt road and park in the small lot. There are 2 beach bars there that compete with one another. Both are great. They rent out old, beat up chairs and floating mats. When you venture out to swim and snorkel, if you swim to your right, you can go around the big rock to a little sandy private beach with lots of shells. I loved that!! That might be my favorite, next to Pinel, Mullet, and Anse Marsel.

My vote is St. Martin. Not only are there a zillion beautiful beaches there and tons of stuff to do, but the weather in June (IMO) is perfect. I spent most the summer of 2015 there and it barely rained whereas in the Bahamas, it's more common to experience rain in the summer months. (Although I admit either I way, the risk of bad weather remains a factor.)

Also, I agree with you: the risk you take NOT stopping at your favorite port might be too great when considering these 2 options. You know for sure the plane is going to land. (Well at least it's highly more likely to land as opposed to a missed stop, true?)

Did I mention how many amazing beaches there are in St. Martin? IMHO, Great Bay is one of my least favorites. Venture further and you will be amazed!! Have fun whatever you decide!!!! :)

I would think Orient and Simpson would be too wavy for paddle boarding, although I'm not very good! :)

I rented at Grand Case, too. There's a place right next to The Rainbow bar and grill, my personal favorite! They were wonderful!

I also believe there's a rental place at Anse Marcel, which beach I prefer over Grand Case, although both are amazing and you really can't go wrong at either!!

http://taxistmaarten.com/zones-rates/

Should be about $25 each way. Galion isn't quite as far as Orient, but almost. I would make arrangements to have your driver pick you back up when you are ready. I spent the summer of 2015 is St. Martin. I visited Galion a couple times, and there were VERY few people there.

I have a B2B booked in 3 weeks. I'm waitlisted for MTD the first week. I booked this trip about 2 months ago, I think. Anyway, my questions are:

1) The cruise is now sold out. (It's on the Fascination the week of Memorial Day.) I'm wondering if there's a chance I'll be confirmed before I leave, or do you guys think since there are only 3 weeks left, I'll find out the first day of the cruise?

2) Does anyone know how they determine who gets what time? I think Diamond and Platinum are guaranteed their preferred times, is this correct? I'm gold, so would I get preference over lower tiers, or perhaps they give preference to guests who booked the earliest? Or is it totally random?

On anther note, I booked both weeks on Carnival's website. I have 2 different reservation numbers. I called to see if I needed to "link" them, but the PVP I spoke to said no, I did not. I was hoping since I got MTD the second week, perhaps they would see I'm on a B2B and be more likely to give me MTD. ??

3) I'm traveling with my son. If we get early dining, that would be fine. Late dining would not work for him though. If I'm assigned late dining, what are my chances of having if changed once on board?

Thanks in advance!!

I read threads like this, (which by the way, are totally legitimate questions) and I always wonder to myself why it has never occurred to me to ever travel with a letter from DH:

I am happily married. My DH and I have one 9-year-old son. I've traveled alone with him more times than I can count. I've taken him out of the country (to Canada and St. Martin) by air, and we've been on several cruises. (He's gold level on Carnival.) Not once did either DH or I even think to print out some sort of letter giving me permission to take our DS without DH. Not once have I ever been questioned by anyone. Reading all these posts, I'm thinking perhaps for our upcoming cruise, I might get a notarized letter from DH just to be safe. I guess you never know!