Nikki Lisette

Whoa, get off the ship at the ports. Run around and let your hair down. I plan to just suck it up, spend a little money and have fun in Ensenada. I always get bargains at the port shops but then again, I catch them right before they close and I guess my extra $10 is better than nothing.

I returned from my cruise this past Monday. It's been a week already? Darn.

Anyway, I lugged my $$$$ camera around in the diaper bag/lunchbox combo for the flight to CA and during embarkation. I was naive to drag around 2 additional lenses during muster drill with the diaper bag sans the lunchbox.

Ensenada day I used the lunchpail only with an additional zoom lens and found myself constantly juggling the camera with all of my purchases. Not only that but the Baja California countryside from a dusty charter bus was not exactly ideal.

Sea day I took a break from Mr Camera and cheated on him with my iphone. I tell you, my iphone took some sexy pics in Ensenada too.

Bottom line: I'm still in search of a camera bag and I did not find anything worthwhile to shoot on this 3 day to Ensenada. Our ship was full of ppl that had "won" their way onboard through timeshare presentations. Not an unsavory group of passengers by any means but I found the camera to be a hindrance after a few hours (party cruise 100%). [emoji869][emoji13]

Just booked an Alaska trip for 2017, I know nature will find me.

Omg Zackiedawg, I think you have gas. Lol. Geez. I'm looking to streamline when I travel. And yes, you were right about the diaper bag. That's what I've chosen to take along with my son's unused, compartmentalized, insulated lunchbox. I refuse to carry my boxy camera bag another minute. Cheers to happy picture taking!

I thought the Paradise left for Miami? Is it back? That was my very first cruise, terribly rundown ship. Still had fun. Got addicted.

Can you explain the surcharge for steak and lobster? I used to have skirt steak for free. Same thing?

Any recommendations on a DIY camera bag? I hate to leave my camera at home. Thanks everyone!

Very helpful responses. I decided not to bring my camera and lenses because I'm not at all happy with my camera bag situation. I need something that holds a water bottle and 3-4 lenses and isn't a backpack. So frustrating.

I do believe that all Carnival casinos you can use cash, I only bring cash for the casino so I go not have a paper trail for my wife to see how much I lost in the casino. As for the Arcade I think it is SS.

Lol

Yes, cruising with my camera and lenses for the first time has me a little cautious. Thanks for the replies.

I do not photograph my food, lol. My family is only interested in looking at pics of food if it has a recipe to accompany it. ;)

Great advice - I'll take it all to heart. I'm really not sure if the camera will fit in the safe, I don't have a reference.

Consensus seems to be that the cameras are safe in the room during meals. Even as I'm typing this I feel guilty for thinking that our hard working stewards have time to rifle through a passenger's personal belongings.

I appreciate the feedback! [emoji4]

Unless it won't fit, put your camera in the safe.

 

 

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Ahh. Forgot about the safe! Thanks Dan! [emoji6][emoji106]

Do you guys take your cameras with you to dinner or leave them in your cabins?

I never worried about theft on any of my cruises but I also didn't have anything worth stealing.

I know this is probably a subjective and common sense question but I'm asking for personal experience here.

Thanks!

I'll admit after I had a few cruises under my belt, I stopped dressing up on Elegant Night. I was dressed "well" but it wasn't elegant or fancy. I actually changed after dinner into my "club clothes".

Bumpety bump bump - we just booked this cruise. I'm excited to be

sailing again, this time with baby in tow. :p

:D First time on the Miracle, first time for the MX riviera.

Shore Excursion Recommendations PLEASE!

I had late dining and sat at a table for 10 with 8 other people. The first night there were only 8 of us. I'd asked the maitre'd earlier if I was at a solo table and he confirmed that we were all the same age. Turns out we were all in the same field as well. They were newbies to cruising and very loud and excitable. I ate with them every night, didn't see much of them outside of the MDR.

For me the Mardi Gras menu got old fast and I'd show up to dinner having already eaten and just order the veggies. I actually preferred eating solo on the Lido.

Have fun!:)

Or take transfer to the terminal. Check in luggage. Take $10 taxi to Harbor Shops. Eat breakfast at the diner, buy water at Publix, take $10 taxi back to the terminal.

Good advice! I like that one! :D

I seriously never considered checking my luggage because for

my quick Ensenada cruises I walk my luggage onboard. Okay,

dilemma solved, thanks everyone!

BTW, the consensus over at Funville is pretty much what you

said... take the transfer to the terminal and skip the risk of

touring Fort Lauderdale and missing my cruise.

A taxi from airport to port is under $20. Getting the taxi to wait while you get your things at the store would be cheaper than the Carnival transfer per person.

 

If you have paid your final payment, you would not be able to cancel your pre cruise transfer.

 

How are you getting from port back to the airport? If by Carnival post cruise transfer, they wait until the bus is full before leaving. Cancel and take a taxi, much cheaper. There are alot of taxis waiting. The airport is very close in FLL.

Well the airport to port transfer purchased thru Carnival is only

$15/each way. That's comparable to taxi fare. I'm serious about

finding something to do.

I looked into renting a car, booking a tour, hiring a limo and the

taxi thing. I think I need to get over trying to save some money

because it's not going to happen.

Hi,:) since you need to leave the port to go shopping your best bet

is to get a cab.....there will be plenty of them because they bring

passengers to the ship that morning too. There is a Publix right

near the port on 17th Street. I would NOT walk...it is not

"Pedestrian Friendly". My other suggestion would be to cancel your

transfer with the cruiseline and get a cab from the airport to take

you to the store and then go to the ship.

I didn't know I could cancel the pre-cruise transfer! Thank you!

I really hate to ask this because I know it's been asked and answered

already but 142 pages is a lot to sift through and I can't figure out the

search engine.

My question(s):

I'm flying into FLL on an early morning flight. I bought the pre-cruise

transfer through Carnival so it's a given that once in port, I will be stuck!

I'd like to purchase some water bottles and breakfast before I board at 1pm.

Are there any markets in and around the cruise terminals that I can walk to?

I was hoping to pack/fly light since my airline charges for checked luggage,

otherwise I'd bring my snacks and water with me.

THANK YOU X100! :o

If you don't care for the opinions or discussions you could always

go directly to the source and Google "Costa Concordia" yourself.

Just saying.