johndru

We also received the survey today.  Personally, we love Labadee, and really don't want to see it become another Coco Cay.  From what I've seen in reviews, it's crowded and expensive ($1299 for a cabana?!!!).  Love Labadee for its relaxing beach day atmosphere.  Interesting that the pictures in the post above were not in my selection.  Must have been the way I answered the questions in the survey.  I do like the rum picture, though!  

Thanks for the review. I'm hoping they make many, major, improvements between now and next April when we're on her, and sailing out of Port Everglades! We're only Diamond, but will be cruising in a Grand Suite, so we'll see how things go. Last cruise on Adventure was in 2005, shortly after the Natalie Hollaway abduction. Many "missing signs" all over Aruba. We're looking forward to seeing the improvements after the refurb. I'll be checking out your posts on Periscope, too.

Thanks again! Great job!

I'm loving your review, so I've sent in an Instagram request, and would love to follow you there, as well. Have a great time!

We've done it before from Kahului to Lahaina. Went to the Old Lahaina Luau and we highly recommend it! We used a shuttle service from the port to the luau, so that we didn't have to worry about a designated driver. Not sure which shuttle service we used, but a search could help you out in that area.

 

We made it back to the ship with half an hour to spare.

 

Have fun!

We would use Gomjstrans in a minute. Great service and cost from FLL to Miami was great. Our driver was fantastic and called prior to arriving in FLL. Did not have to wait and to.ld us right where to meet for pickup. We tipped our driver very well and the fare was reasonably priced. Strongly recommend.

nope. not even Diamond yet. that will be in one more cruise but due to factors( him retiring from the Navy, new civilian job, major move) that will not happen for a couple of years.

 

but as a suite only cruiser, I am kind of ticked off at being given the hairy eyeball by many D+ when I enter the sacrosanct CL and made to feel very unwelcome. the first thing they all do is run their eyes over my person looking for that cruise pin. when they don't see any ( just got our Emerald one mid way last cruise) the next thing they do is adroitly) or not so) ask probing questions to find out our status. its like they forget that even a first time cruiser on a suite has every right to be in the lounge they co opted b/c the main D lounge( often despite being 'nicer' with better views 2/3 of the time) is too crowded or they have issues with the Concierge.

 

funnily enough, the Pinnacles all seem to lose that snobbery once they make it and become very welcoming.

 

I never wear my pin(s) and learn a long time to never look down on someone just because they do not dress the part. Thank you to your Husband for our freedom. We have built up over the last twenty years our points and enjoy our suites. At no point do either of us feel that we are entitle because of our loyalty and yes we do cruise other cruise lines.

Thanks to both Robyn and Paulette for the info on the golf simulator!
Paulette, I have no interest in the golf simulator, either . . . this was for my hubby. I'll let him know that it wasn't all that great.
Thanks!

I had asked this of Robyn, but I think I posted too late for her to check into it.

Please tell me if they still have the golf simulator, and what the rate is, please? Thanks!

We're on Freedom, also Eastern itinerary, for the first week in April!

Robyn . . . any idea if the golf simulator on Freedom is still operational? I've done a search on this board, and all I can find are posts from at least a year ago. Husband is interested in checking it out when we're on Freedom in early April.

Thanks! Enjoy the last day of your cruise.

Dru

Yeah, I noticed that. Only showing Carnival ships in port! Hopefully, they'll have Terminal 1 webcam back up and running soon. I'm hoping it's not permanent. Thanks!

Is anyone else having problems with accessing the Terminal 1 webcam in Port Canaveral? This is the one that was added during construction of Terminal 1 and looks directly at that terminal. Would really be great to see this today, since both Freedom and Quantum are on that dock. Haven't been able to get this to come up for a few days now. Any ideas?

Happy Anniversary, Robyn! My husband and I will be on Freedom for our 25th anniversary in April for the Eastern itinerary, and staying in a Grand Suite. I too would like to know what was "refreshed" in the suites, and any upgrades involved. Also, could you tell me when the conceirge contacted you thru email?

We also want to go to one of the restaurants overlooking the cruiseport in Port Canaveral (Grills, Fishlips or Rusty's) the day before our cruise. Really looking forward to your review. Have a great time!

Just checked your dates on PL - Express Deals, and a 3 star for Cocoa Beach, it's $134. I'm pretty sure this is the Hilton Cocoa Beach Oceanfront, since the description is the same as when we booked. However, even if it isn't, there are only 3- 3* hotels for this area on PL - Hilton, Doubletree, and Sheraton Four Points. When we booked, we really wanted the Sheraton Four Points, but we're perfectly happy with the Hilton! If you use HW, the International Palms is rated a 3*, so you run the risk of getting that hotel . . . that's a risk we weren't willing to take!

Good Luck with your search!

Also, check the Bed Bug Registry (google it). Of the hotels we were researching, this was the only one that was on the registry with a bad review! Scary!

We got the Hilton Cocoa Beach Oceanfront for $104/nt for 2 nts., 3 rooms for April 3rd thru the 5th on Priceline. International Palms is rated a 2.5 star on PL, so if you're looking for a 3 star, this one won't pull into the mix.

We had FTTF for our Miracle cruise to Hawaii in January of this year. We travelled with another couple, who also had FTTF. We both got to the check in counter at the same time, but they were done much sooner than we were. There is a "special line" for FTTF, so you'll want to look for that. As has been said in earlier posts, this port is very disorganized. We stood at the check in window for over 20 minutes because they couldn't find our sign and sail cards! They had to be re-printed! It was so frustrating because our friends had to wait for us to get done, and it took forever. When we went through the door into the second check in area, I told the Carnival rep that this definitely wasn't "faster" or "fun".

You're also supposed to get your luggage before anyone else. I had two bags and so did my husband. We got all of our bags, with the exception of my second bag. That one finally showed up around 8 p.m., and that was after I had called to inquire about its whereabouts.

If you're going on a Hawaii cruise, the only port you'll need FTTF is in Kona. Due to high seas, we missed that port, so we didn't need it for tender priority anyway.

Finally, you're supposed to get priority disembarkation, but that was disorganized, as well. We had an early flight, and we made it just in time.

All in all, I would say that FTTF is only advantageous if you have multiple tender ports, and you want to get to your cabin early. Weigh your options carefully. I don't think it was much of an advantage in Long Beach, or on the Hawaii cruise.

We've been on Independence (a year ago last March), and are scheduled to go on Freedom next April. Because Indy is based in Europe half the year, the shops are more geared towards European tastes. Not a big deal, but if you're looking for souvenirs, you won't find a lot.

Also, Freedom is due to go into dry dock next January, and I do believe one of the changes will be Portofino's will be gone and replaced with a Giovanni's Table. You may want to do a search on this board for the changes being made to Freedom during the upcoming dry dock.

We had a great time on Indy, and are looking forward to Freedom next year. I think you'll be happy with either choice!

Happy Cruising!

We were just on Miracle in January to Hawaii, and were in 7198 (port side) - same cabin, opposite side of the ship. The bump outs didn't bother us when looking towards the back of the ship, nor did the life boats below. We found this to be a great location, as it was just a short jaunt (maybe 5 cabins?) from the elevator lobby, and only 2 decks below the Lido deck. We used the stairs to get up to the buffet, and was really convenient to run up and refill our water bottles, or get a quick cup of coffee/tea.

Thanks for the great review and pics, Mike! Although it's been over a year since you posted this, it was still very informative and time relevant, and really helped to give me an idea of the different areas on the ship.

Like Madmack, we will also be on the Jan 18th sailing of Miracle to Hawaii. We've been on both Pride and Spirit, so we have an idea of how the ship is laid out. Nice to see it from your eyes, though.

Moncton is a beautiful place. I was there several Septembers ago for business, and really enjoyed it.

Happy New Year!

 

Dru

Is this your first Philip Stein watch? If so, do yourself a favor, and go on the Philip Stein website first and do a little research. In order to retain your warranty, you must have your batteries (yes, there are two - one for each watch face) replaced by a certified Philip Stein jeweler. Make sure that you have one relatively close to your home base.

I've had my Philip Stein for over 6 years, and I LOVE it, but I didn't do my research ahead of time, and have had to travel as far as Stockton, CA (3 hour drive from Reno) just to have the batteries replaced. I've even had them replaced in San Antonio, TX when we were visiting friends.

I got my Philip Stein on Grand Cayman at Island Companies, Ltd. It's on a side street off the "main drag". Enjoy your watch!

I'm getting a kick out of your review. We were on Indy on the March 16th sailing - the previous 8 day sailing to yours. We loved the Freedom class ship, which was our first time on this class. Our only issue was that this ship was set up for European cruisers, so from what I understand, the shops are not set up the same as other Freedom class ships. We did like the ship, though.

We saw that Jeff Arpin was the cruise director during your cruise on another thread, and wondered what happened to Casey from Canada, who was our cruise director. He replaced Jeff Eaton (sp?), who was well liked, but he's off contract right now. Ironically, Jeff Arpin was our cruise director on Monarch of the Seas in 1996, along with Capt Remo as our captain! Jeff was a great cruise director "back in the day," but I can see how someone would think he's past his prime!

Thanks for sharing your memories!

I'm so glad you posted on the Royal board that you were writing this review. I love your reviews, and the pictures you include with them. BTW, congrats to Clemson on their win over LSU at the Chick-Fil-A Bowl!

 

We did the partial transit of the Panama Canal on Coral Princess (sister ship to Island Princess - gotta love the jet engines on the top of these ships!) back in April of 2007. We took a train ride from Gatun Lakes to the Pacific side of the Panama Canal, so we got to see the Mira Flores Locks, as well. I highly recommend this for your next Panama Canal cruise, if you don't end up doing a full transit. We were in a dome car on the train, so got to see everything.

 

Can't wait for the next part of your review. Good Luck in Italy!

 

Dru

I'm loving your review, and I'm so jealous that you were able to go on Monarch! Monarch was cruises 1 and 2 for my husband and myself, and will always have a special place in our hearts. If we could get a great deal, we would take it in a heartbeat, just to be able to cruise her one more time before she leaves the fleet.

 

I love your photos and the little videos you've been posting, too. Keep up the good work! Can't wait for the next installment!

OK im back! Still looking for a dress to wear at resort.

Posting pictures, tell me your fav.. So far I think I like the pink one best.

 

What I really want is picture labaled short, in a dress that would land right above my knee and so far all I can find is these short dresses that is too short for me. If anyone runs across a dress like this in a longer length, please let me know!

 

Oh and BTW I even have a silver strapy shoe that I could wear with the pink one.

 

Smoothdancer, please be very careful when ordering from this company. Although their swimsuits are great quality (I have several of their suits), their clothing line leaves a lot to be desired in terms of quality. I ordered the pink dress you're referring to and was very disappointed. It was made out of what appeared to be nylon nightgown material, and had no structure whatsoever. I ordered several other dresses from this site at the same time, and ended up sending them all back prior to my March cruise on Oasis, due to the same reason. I ended up shopping locally for my formal night dresses.

 

My advice would be to give yourself plenty of time to order, send back, and shop thru other methods, if necessary. I'd order swimsuits from them again in the future, but am very hesitant to shop their clothing line again.

Thanks, Lois, but I'm afraid that the other couple we're traveling with are a little paranoid about getting a cab that time of morning. They have a friend who lives in the Seattle area who's told them that it's difficult (impossible) to get a cab, especially that early in the morning. Karen (Seattlecruiselover) had posted something similar in this thread, so we agreed upon the Silver Cloud Stadium because not only is it close to the Amtrak station, they also have a shuttle available that will take you over there. I agree with you in that we could get a nicer hotel for less money either on Priceline or Hotwire, but I want to make sure that everyone is comfortable.

We're flying up to Seattle on 9/14, and we'll be catching the train the next morning. It's a Monday night, and the Mariners aren't in town until the following night, so I'm hoping that people in town to see the baseball game will be staying Tuesday night, and not Monday!

Have a wonderful trip!

 

Dru

I just started using the guidelines this time around. I've used Hotwire once before for a hotel in Fort Lauderdale before a cruise several years ago, but we went more by price and location, than trying for a specific hotel.

This time I did a lot of research for both my hotels in Seattle and Vancouver. I knew I wanted the Pan Pacific in Vancouver, and thanks to betterbidding, I knew the amenities to look for. Two months ago, I plugged in my dates, and there were the amenities I was looking for (it didn't mention golf nearby, nor did it state that it was a condo), so I took a chance and ended up with the Pan Pacific in Vancouver! This is a prime location for us, since we board the Carnival Spirit the next morning, and we can take the elevator down to the ship!

Your chances are better if there are a limited number of 3.5 (in the case of Seattle) hotels in the area you're looking at, and the amenities are different between hotels.

So far, I'm batting 1000, but I'm getting a little anxious waiting for the Silver Cloud Stadium to pop up!