Harborfamily

Another vote for Caribbean Resort by the Ocean.  Stayed with a group of friends one night before a cruise out of Miami, and were able to enjoy the pool and super fun Tiki Bar upon arrival.  Woke the next morning and explored the boardwalk/beach area for several hours, wishing we had more time there.  Again, not a lot of amenities like you'd expect from a chain hotel,  and I'm typically a snob when it comes to that, but we really enjoyed this place and would definitely stay here again.

Thanks for your help.  I think we'll go to the MDR when we get on the ship and see what we can figure out.  

In 5 days, we'll be sailing on the Navigator (9 night SoCar); 13th cruise, but first with Royal, so very excited to experience something new!  I've done a lot of reading, but am still a little confused about the dining situation.  We're a party of 4 adults and 3 kids, ages 9-16.  We've reserved the 3 night Specialty Dining - without the kids, but I'm still puzzled about the remaining nights.  For the remaining nights, the 7 of us will most likely all eat in the MDR- via MyTime.  When I go online, I'm unable to reserve a time/s for this, as it indicates we are already booked for the Specialty Dining.  If possible, we'd like to eat at about 7:00 p.m. each night utilizing MyTime - but understand we will most likely have a wait, which is fine.  Can someone please clarify the process to choose a time in the MDR each night?  I think that once we're on the ship, we go to the MDR and reserve our time for each night that we are NOT using the Specialty Dining? Or do we just show up at the MDR around 7:00 p.m. on a night by night basis, and wait for a table of 7 to become available?  Any help is appreciated!

Thanks for the info. I just booked thru Coral Breeze for our Magic cruise (11 more days!!!). My friends are going to go out snorkeling while I explore a little. Do you recall about how far it is to the Split from where you are dropped off on the Caye? Do anything fun when you were there? Thanks!

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We'll be on the Valor in 2 days! It was great to wake up, have a cup of coffee, and read the Fun Times. Thank you so much for posting!!!!!

We've stayed in both. My husband LOVES the spa- he enjoys the Thalassotherapy pool and steam/sauna-type rooms. If we don't stay in a spa room, I purchase the weekly pass for him so he can "be with my spa people" as he says! I, on the other hand don't really care for the spa- especially if I'm sailing in the Caribbean where it's warm/hot; I don't want to pay extra to be warm/hot - but that's just me! I LOVE the Lido location! On the other hand, I did enjoy the "private" glass elevator that leads from the spa area to the Serenity deck- very close to our room. The slippers, upgraded toiletries, etc.. didn't matter a whole lot to me. Although, to be honest, I have my spa slippers at work and wear them around on a daily basis :) I guess it just depends on your personal preferences. If you are a "spa person" and feel you'd use the amenities, then it's probably worth it. If it's important to you to be more centrally located and closer to the lido pool, Marketplace, etc... then Lido deck is probably the place for you. Either way, I don't think you can go wrong.

I have searched the Carnival website high and low for information regarding Luggage Express, to no avail. I know that it only applies to certain airlines, and I'd like to have this info. before I book airfare, since we will probably catch a late return flight back to Seattle upon debarkation and would like to not have to worry about our luggage. Has anyone used this recently from Port Canaveral to MCO or is it no longer being offered?

Thanks for your review! I know absolutely zippo about this ship & "accidentally" booked it today for a September 5 day Journeys cruise to the Bahamas - w/a girlffriend. Super excited - never sailed this class before and looking forward to it!

I'm on a Live cruise, not Journey's cruise. I'm so excited, I don't even know what I'm talking about!

Thanks for your review! I know absolutely zippo about this ship & "accidentally" booked it today for a September 5 day Journeys cruise to the Bahamas - w/a girlffriend. Super excited - never sailed this class before and looking forward to it!

We just booked the Carnival Magic aft staterooms 6507 & 6474 on deck 6 today for the March 25, 2017 sailing. The aft staterooms on deck 7 were already all sold. I too had a concern about any noise from the lounge below deck 6. Sailed a previous time above a bar/lounge and the music was Boom-Boom-Boom until 2 am. Any feedback please? ;)

Looks like you booked 2 aft-balconies. On our Breeze cruise in January, I stayed in room 6460, an extended balcony, which would be right around the corner from the rooms you've booked. I read soooooo much feedback about how noisy it would be, how I would hear the passengers on the promenade below, how the smoke would be a problem, since I was port-side, etc... I was directly above the Comedy Club, as you will be too. Honestly, it was the best room I have ever stayed in. There were zero passengers on the promenade below me - they were much further down, mid-ship. I could not hear the club below even one time. I did, however, hear what I think was the bass from the dance club a couple of times, but it was very faint. This location was extremely convenient for me & the room was amazing. My only complaint was the exhaust smell that I occasionally experienced. But it was not enough to ruin my experience - in fact, I booked this same deck/location for our upcoming Magic cruise. Just goes to show that different people can stay in the exact same location and have completely different experiences!

Thank you

Will probably just book from home then now. Already get $100 obc and can pick the room. Appreciate the responses!

 

Cheers

While on the Breeze in January, we booked our next cruise. You are able to pick your own room. We got the $100 OBC for booking this future cruise on board, as well as a $50 promotional OBC (which honestly, I didn't see on the website right before we booked, so it was a nice surprise).

If you change your mind and decide to book on board - my only advice is to do so early on in your cruise. Waiting until the last day or two like we did meant very long lines and a pretty cranky employee who was handling the bookings ;)

We discovered the Alchemy Bar one night when we had about a 20 minute wait until our pager went off. Our party of five would always arrive at 6:30, give or take a few, and we only to wait that one night. But after my first Pineapple Chipotle martini at the Alchemy Bar, I could have been totally fine waiting there EVERY night ;)

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I am (ahem) under 50 & have never had a problem with edema on land. On my first several cruises, however, my feet & ankles became so swollen, at one point I could barely walk and was pretty scared since nothing like this had ever happened to me. I tried lowering my salt intake, the lovely compression tights, elevating my feet, & finally a prescription diuretic from my doc. All to no avail. A friend, who worked on cruise ships many years ago suggested I only drink bottled water. Because I take allergy meds that make me thirsty, I drink a ton of water everyday. Needless to say, I was desperate so I spent close to $100.00 on bottled water for my last two cruises. Zero swelling. Zip. Nada. I'm a social worker, not a scientist, so I have no idea what is or isn't in the tap water on the ship. But whatever it is or isn't, I'm sensitive to it. Not implying that everyone should buy & drink bottled water if their feet swell- it's just what worked for me. And thankfully the price of bottled water has come way down.

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Our 17 y.o. has always told us that going to the teen club on the first night of the cruise is muy important b/c that's the best night to really meet who you will be hanging out with all week. After that, they basically seem to travel in packs. Ours has loved Circle C & now the teen club (Entourage?), because he's made friends from all over the world in the past 6 years & still keeps in touch with many of them.

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Pineapple Chipotle martini from the Alchemy Bar, although I'm told I can also get it in one of the bars on the Breeze, which doesn't have the Alchemy Bar. I'll be searching high and low for it in 81 days. Best. Drink. Ever. And me no-likey martinis usually. It was covered under Cheers. Also like the something-Chipotle margarita @ the Blue Iguana Tequila bar.

I just returned from the Glory yesterday, and Patron Silver is $9.95 per shot...

THANK you!!!!!!!!

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Easy choice Magic is the 2nd newest ship , Sunshine is a refurbished 25 year old small ship . Magic hands down

I've sailed all three. If I'm honest, I'd sail the Sunshine over the Magic again. I know people either love her or hate her, but I'm in the "love" category. Really enjoyed the Havana cafe/bar area, the Alchemy bar & Guys, among other things. The only thing I did miss, however on the Sunshine was the outdoor promenade. I'd sail the Magic again too, but just preferred the Sunshine!

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I was just wondering if anyone knows how much shots are and if you have the cheers package does a shot count towards your 15 per day.

I purchased Cheers on our last cruise. Shots of Patron Silver were $9.95 & each (no double-shots) counted towards the 15/day limit. Hoping there hasn't been a price increase since we're going again in January & Patron is all I drink [emoji6]

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When I sailed out of NOLA last year with a large group of friends, we arrived at the port just before 8:30 a.m., and left all our bags with the porters - no problems. We explored NOLA and had the BEST time. Didn't get back to the ship until 3:00 p.m., - which is waaaaay beyond my boarding-comfort zone. However, there were no lines at all - we walked right on. It was FANtastic!

I had roast pork for dinner. It was excellent. I slow roasted it for a few hours at low temperature to cook it thoroughly. Then I glazed it with some sweet and sour sauce and put on the broiler. Sliced it up small. Just like from a Chinese restaurant. I let them marinate overnight in soy sauce.

 

THAT is about as relevant to this thread as anything you've shared!

Pretty sure you're my hero.

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Traveling w/friends in January, but as a solo pax & trying to make a decision about Cheers. I've read that bar prices have gone up since my last cruise, and I've seen some of them posted, but I'm just not sure how current they are now, or will be when we sail. The only thing I drink on a cruise other than the occasional diet soda or Pineapple Chipotle martini (if the ship has an Alchemy bar, which the Breeze does not) is Patron Silver. On my last several cruises, it's been $9.95/shot - which obviously makes Cheers worth it (at 5 shots over the course of a day), but only IF the prices have NOT gone up. I would hate to purchase Cheers online prior to my cruise only to find out that my beloved Patron is now over $10.00/shot, especially since I can't cancel it once I board. It would be super great if Carnival could attach bar menus/drink prices, but I realize this may be challenging given the number of bars on each ship which each have specialty drinks at different prices.

Perhaps I'll wait until a few days prior to our cruise to see if anyone posts current drink prices...

Pauley, I'm so very sorry for you and the other passengers having to fly home from St. Thomas. I have been RIVETED while reading all of your updates. Safe travels to you and yours.

PAULEYDM FOR PRESIDENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you so much for your review - really enjoyed it - and for taking the time to post the Funtimes. It's KILLING me to read them, but really making me look forward to being back on the Breeze in January. Thanks again!

We absolutely loved both ships, and honestly the only thing that I would have missed on the Magic if we'd cruised the Breeze first would have been Guy's. To be honest, I just can't remember what else is missing, but if not having Guys or Blue Iguana is not going to be a deal-breaker, then I'm betting you'll have a fantastic time!

On our last Breeze cruise, we booked ES and ended up boarding with almost $700 obc. This time, I have $50 obc so far, but the price in my category is now over $400 more than what I paid, so I'm sure there will be no more drops below my original fare. Happy that I booked at such a great rate, but anyone who has had a hefty obc knows how exciting this can be. Hang in there- you never know what could happen- its just so unpeedictable.

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