Barba21885

Very very nicely done!!!

If you are female and are going to use driver's license and birth certificate....do you have to show proof of name change?  Concerned for fellow cruiser who has been married/divorced twice...so she will need to bring proof of her name change on appropriate license/divorce papers.  

Have been to a couple of the beaches.  Didn't like Junkaroo or whatever.  Best beach by far that we loved was Cabbage Beach,  It is right next the RUI on Paradise Island.  It is a public beach but we never have had any issues.  There are chair rentals and once took a memorable banana boat ride there.  Taxi will take you for about $10 to the path to the beach.  I agree with previous posters...you will not be disappointed with Cabbage Beach but you will with Junkkaroo.  

Book a night at Days Inn or Beachsides....I know Beachsides has cruise parking.  One night there  may be cheaper than parking at the port.  That is really stupid that they charge that much.

1 hour ago, FOPMan said:

In the past, they’ve delivered either to the pier or your cabin. I’m not sure the status with Covid-19- the ship may want to restrict access. At the end of the cruise, you leave it where you picked it up. Getting it ashore means you have it all the way through boarding, which can be an advantage.

 

Be forewarned: Downtown Nassau is not wheels-friendly. Jitneys/cabs may or may not be interested or capable of accommodating your chair.

 

Safe travels!

I was just in Nassau this month.  They have torn down the previous check in point and the walk from the ship to the point of entry is at least 2 football fields with no where to sit or rest.  This time I am going to be smart and have a wheelchair to get to that point and can push it myself once I am there.  Have taken a transport wheelchair before and never had a problem with finding a taxi to take it but will probably stay in the shops area anyway.  There aren't many shops open and the straw market is gone but I am taking my sister on this cruise and it will be her first time to see Nassau.  Thanks so much for the suggestions and response!!!!!

I sail on the Sunrise on Sept 25 and learned from my last cruise two weeks ago I will need a wheelchair in Nassau.  Has anyone rented from Carnival's preferred vendor scootaround.com and if they deliver directly to the port or the cabin and how that went for you.

Oh hell, don't tell anyone about this spot!!!!!  Less known the better.

8 hours ago, ZoeyVictoria said:

I was on the Magic August 12 and would like to add a tip.  There is a wonderful, peaceful place to sit (on a sofa, in the shade) on Deck 11 aft.

If you have any mobility issues...even minor...I want to caution you about the very very long walk from the ship to Nassau proper.  I have been to Nassau several time s.  The little port housing is no longer there.  We had to walk from the far end of the ship in the second or third slip to the long walk towards where the port house used to be...then walk the length of the ship again to get to the border check in.   I have had back surgery and probably need to have my knees replaced.  I am slightluy overweight but that is not what prevented me from making the walk.  As long as I can sit down every 30-40 feet I am ok.  THERE IS NO WHERE TO SIT OR REST ANYWHERE.  A security guard saw we were in distress and after waiting for 30 minutes a golf cart came and took us the rest of the way.  We had to wait at least another 30 minutes to get someone who took us back to our ship.  I don't know why they don't have benches or seating somewhere along this long walk....there used to be benches under the canopies along the walk.  PLEASE if you have any mobility issues...see if security can call for someone to transport you or be more proactive than me and rent yourself a wheelchair.  Most of it is just solid concrete with no covering.  Almost ruined my entire trip.

We an 1130 show up time....the other posters are correct.  I think EVERYONE had a show up time.  We all herded into the chairs and waited and waited.  I personally attributed it to being the second time Magic went out could be just Carnival.

My big complaint however, is the lack of benches or respite seating from the point of riding the escalator up until you get to the gang plank.  It must be a football field long and there is NO WHERE for those of us with bad backs, bad knees or conditions that making walking more than 50 feet at a time difficult.  My husband and I thought we could make it but as soon as we got to the gangplank...finally....we were hurting so bad that the Carnival hosts let us use their chairs.  We should have asked for a wheelchair and my DH and me would have switched off.  I am surprised that no one has fallen out during this very long walk (probably length of a football field) that for some of us is difficult.   They offered us a wheelchair but after 15 minutes of waiting before entering the gang plank we decided not to wait for a wheelchair anymore.

Yes, should have asked for a wheelchair at the very beginning.  Lesson learned and when I sail next month will do that.

So,,,,if you have ANY mobility problems even minor I strongly suggest that you ask for wheelchair assistance when you get to the port.  They have people that will take you all the way to the ship and you will be fast passed to checkin.  We got smart and did that when we got off the ship....we never would have made it through the long walk and stand through custom lines.  We are not big people but I have had three back surgeries in the past three years and look like I could make it but couldn.t

Don't even get me started on Nassau....that was even worse and will save it for another post.

5 hours ago, BigMomma409 said:

Haven't sailed in a few years & booked a last minute MUCH needed cruise that sails in a few days. I have a few pretty stupid questions. I promise I tried to search for the answers!

 

I take several prescription medications. Do I need to bring them all in the original bottles? I mean, I figure I do, but that's kind of a pain. I usually have them in one of those Momaw organizers.

 

Since people try their hardest to sneak on alcohol and they are looking so hard for that, are they going to give me a hard time if I try to bring on a small bottle of dish soap to wash out my insulated water bottle & metal straws? I know that's probably a pretty stupid question too, but I'm a classic overthinker 🙃 

 

I read that Carnival switched to Pepsi 🤢 Do they not have any Coke products on board at all? I know how stupid that sounded...but like can I not order a Jack and Coke at the bar?

We travel with our medications in the Sun-Sat containers. My husband has severe back pain and rheumatoid arthritis and occasionally takes Tramadol or oxy.  THOSE meds we take in the prescription bottles.  We didn't take them one cruise and he was miserable and I had him go get acupuncture at the Spa and it literally cost almost a thousand dollars so pack smartly.  Anything narcotic or near narcotic should be taken in their bottles.

On 8/5/2021 at 8:52 AM, Shayhooper said:

Be careful with Walgreens. They offer a rapid test that is an Abbott ID Now test that is NOT an antigen or PCR test. It is a NAAT test but my understanding is not all NAAT tests are PCR and they are not antigen. They also have a rapid Bimax that IS an antigen test but they are only offering that to people who have been exposed or are showing symptoms. 

Thanks for the information.  I was confused about which Walgreens testing was the one to use.  Checked with our Walgreens yesterday and they said lately the turnaround time is 4-5 days for PCR and the nearest BiMAX is three states away so it is going to be CVS for us.

I am getting a test on Tuesday for a sale date of Thursday next week.  I know I don't have to have one since we are sailing before the 14th but I am also sailing again the end of September so I want to "test " the test..... plus you never know if they decide to change things up again. 

 Does anyone know if the results come over your smart phone and if that is all we need to present?  Will they accept the rapid test?  Have tried calling Carnival but....well you know how that is going right now.

38 minutes ago, Purvis1231 said:

Personally, I can deal with mask in indoor spaces. I can skip the shows, comedy, etc. I could also skip the buffet. I enjoy the outdoor activities and watching the sea go by. 

I agree.  Am I worried about Delta...sure am.  I can go without the shows, etc.  I don't even go in that urine saturated pool.  My husband and me only need our balcony and the sea,  After months of chemo, surgeries and Covid...I will wear a mask anywhere to be able to have some serenity.

8 hours ago, mondello said:

New requirement were for Panama Canal cruise because it was not a closed loop cruise and ship returns to a new port. Does not effect your cruise.

Thank you so much for answering.  You have made me feel much better for myself but concerned for cruisers subject to this.  Stay safe!!!

We are doing a resort day at RIU Palace.  Had previously planned to go to Blue Lagoon but after reading posts, seeing pictures, I want more waves.  We have been to Cabbage Beach and loved it but we know our knees will not take the hill up and down.  Carnival doesn't have any excursions other than those listed so we went to day pass resorts and bought two day passes to RUI...easy cab ride there and back.  What I really liked is that we pay a deposit now ($29) and the balance when we get to the resort.  That way, if the weather is bad or whatever we aren't out a lot of money.

Let me get this straight before I go into full panic attack.....this is for the 14 day cruises?  Our little four day cruise in two weeks will not be requiring testing as long as we have our vaccination cards that show we got vaccinated in April?  I didn't get any notice..but then I didn't get any notice until days after everyone else did about the minor change to Bimini.  Please calm my nerves.

We go to Orlando/Cocoa Beach whenevere we cruise (usually).  We have either rented a car and left it at the car rental in Cocoa Beach, or have used Cocoa Beach Shuttle.  In a couple of weeks we are going to spend one night at the Days Inn (very cheap, no frills, but one night only) after being dropped off by Cocoa Beach Shuttle. Cost for the two of us from MCO is $65 for the two of us.  We have always had very good luck with them.  They also will shuttle us for $6 a piece the next day to the port.  Because we are going to stay in Cocoa Beach (our happy place) for several days post-cruise, we will shuttle from port to car rental by the car rental company.  We always contact them prior to cruising but they seem to always have a shuttle bus at port on disembarking day.  We rent a car for a few days, then have CCBS take us to the airport  We have been hit with high fees in leaving a rental car in a different location...so be aware of that.  In short,  from seveal experiences, we have found CCBS very helpful.  We have stayed at several locations at Cocoa Beach and this year we are again going to stay at Beachsides....not super fancy but we only need a place to crash after spending the day the beach.

I have never spent more than $150 for the ENTIRE 7 day cruise.  I have always received Casino rates.

Oops...thats the Carnival Sunrise

Sailing on the Sunshine with my sister who is a first time cruiser.  Does anyone know the particulars of what is needed for a "Complete Health Assessment".  Both of us are vaccinated and have our cards but just wondering what all this entails.

On October 13th 2016 we took Uber from the port to Long Beach airport. It cost us a total of $15.16. Contacted Uber and was met at taxi pickup area within 10 minutes. Two of us and four pieces of luggage. Checked out other means and this was the best and most efficient.

Just got off the Imagination October 14th in oceanview room Upper Deck 66 and yes, they had a working hair dryer in the drawer.

Just got back from Imagination and was surprised that lobster is still on the menu in the dining room but now for a fee for $20. That is new to us since our last cruise July 2015. Still a bargain if you love lobster but I didn't indulge.

We did notice some lost services..ever so minor. Didn't think that the food selections were as good as before and there was very minimal activities offered during the day. Could be because we are used to 5-7 day cruises.

It was our first time without a balcony and we had a room with a large window. We did not miss the balcony at all.

We did not get off the ship in Ensenada because of personal preference. We thoroughly enjoyed Catalina. We rented a golf cart from the first kiosk we came to. They only take cash....$40 for one hour with a $40 cash deposit. We took advantage of the offer of an extra $10 donation to the island's military vets.....and we used the golf cart for 1.5 hours...plenty enough time to make stops, etc. We were refunded our full $40 deposit even though we were over by 10 minutes. There is another kiosk renting golf carts without the veteran donation....and they take credit cards but there is an upcharge for using credit cards.

Our only complaint was that the cruise director was hard to understand over the PA....and his name is Donkey....a nickname that I personally thought was pretty silly. We spent two days lounging on the deck and I never saw him...even on the Ensenada day when so many were off ship. First time a cruise director didn't come around to see those that stayed on ship and spent the entire time on the Lido.

For every other cruise I have been on I have been able to purchase my ship-shaped magnet. The Imagination did not have the ones shaped like a ship....so I had to settle for a square one. Not the end of the world...just an alteration in a tradition.

We have always had a balcony when we cruise....have had balconies on RC, Norwegian and Carnival. We just got home from being on the Carnival Dream and it was our first cove balcony. It was wonderful. You are still able to get sun but we loved being closer to water. We saw schools of dolphins (about 20-30 each time) three different times and also so flying fish. There was the rare feel of mist but not very much. For now on when we cruise....we will take the cove balcony first if available instead of the higher level ones. It was nice just to be able to walk up two levels when getting back on the ship after port, and just walking up one flight to go to the dining room. Beats waiting for the elevators!!!