NHNEV2003

Carnival Panorama was announced to us on the Conquest this week.

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So basically another tipping thread where 50% of the replies tip extra, 50% of the replies don't.

Hope the original poster got the info they needed.

I find that when buying Carnival's premium internet package, the quality just simply sucks. most of the time I can check email and surf a few web pages, but the premium does not allow me to stream any type of video at all. And, Carnival has the audacity to call it Premium internet. I call it GARBAGE internet, especially with their outlandish pricing!

My experiences on Royal Caribbean ships have been that their internet is vastly superior to Carnivals and I can actually stream video or watch TV with their internet service.There are occasional when Royals Wifi goes out, but not nearly as often as Carnivals.

 

I hope one of the comments above really does indicate that Carnival plans to upgrade the current garbage internet they currently offer.

Simple solution--don't cruise Carnival.

End of problem.

We assume that there was another port in the area that had an opening and excursions were available for a few thousand people.

Maybe there was, maybe there wasn't.

My guess is the latter.......

We're on the Conquest after Thanksgiving.

We're hoping that millions of people in the Caribbean have their lives back together--hopefully families together, houses intact.

We're not worried about Guy's burgers or tacos--those things are kinda irrelevant right now.

We use both and we tip--in the app.

Someone could make a fortune selling tin foil hats to some of the people posting in this forum recently.

Totally agree--how would any of these people like to make a decision that affects tens of thousands of people?

Cancel cruises, hurricane goes in a different direction, you look like an idiot.

Don't cancel cruises, hurricane goes in a different direction, affects ships, then Carnival is just looking to make money.

They can't win, and than goodness they usually decide right--as much inconvenience as that causes.

In view of the fact that no ship can enter Galveston, I suspect the answer is zero.

(y)(y)

Royal Caribbean has not announced to passengers scheduled to embark on Liberty of Seas on Sunday what they plan to do (though the captain has told passengers aboard the ship), so it isn't Carnival; it is the industry and specifically is this very economical price-point that we all benefit from. That's the reality of this business: You don't cancel until you're absolutely sure the conditions are going to require it. The airlines are the same: When I was traveling for business, the airlines would very regularly wait until the absolute last minute to make irrevocable decisions that are going to cost them loads of money. How many times did I sleep on the floor of a terminal because, by the time the airline decided that they weren't going to be able to get out that night, the airport hotel was already full?

(y)(y) Very True--Not good for travelers, but the cruiselines, airlines, et al, do the best they can under very trying circumstances.

We've been to HMC three times and have rented a cabana twice.

While relatively expensive, we felt it was worth it.

It gives you some privacy, a fan, floats, a shower, and snacks.

We would do it again if we get back to HMC.

Just curious, but do many people actually want the late dining or do most of the people who get it just stuck into it by default when both early and anytime dining are full?

 

We eat very late at home but on the ship it seems if you had the late seating you would miss a lot of the evenings activities.

 

I don't understand why they even have the "early" or "late" seatings. Why not just have it all be "anytime". I would hate it if I got stuck with late dining.

 

 

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We prefer late dining. When we get back from excursions, we don't want to have to rush to get ready and get to the dining room.

On sea days, we usually get something light late in the afternoon to hold us over.

We still have time after dinner to roam the ship, see the late show, or whatever.

We've done it twice--from each dock. It picks you up right near the ship in both places.

You are directed where to go and it's a short walk once you're off the ship.

We've never had a problem getting drinks--inside or outside.

We get coffee, bagels,etc delivered every morning. Always tip $3.00.

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Miami Vice

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Just an fyi--iced tea is free in the dining rooms.

I agree with the above (other than the Nationwide info--do not have info on that plan). I've gotten Travel Safe Classic Plus for our last five cruises.

The Cancel For Any Reason coverage is a key for us.

It's easy on that site to compare coverages and prices.

They are flying from Boston...there is no reason to fly into Hobby and have to change planes somewhere along the way when they can fly direct to IAH.

Southwest flies non-stop, direct from/ to Boston, to/ from Hobby. I just did it last week.

I believe JetBlue services that lane as well from Boston.

The thing with Uber is you cannot book ahead of time. You have to book when you are ready.

 

How long depends on time of day and location.

 

When we used it we were in downtown Miami Hotel and received an acknowledgement in less then one minute and driver there within minutes.

 

Keith

Just an fyi---for Lyft you can book in advance--you set up a pickup time and the window is 15 minutes. We set it up this past December to be picked up between 4:00-4:15AM--driver was there right on time.

Also with Lyft, you can add the gratuity onto your credit card--Uber drivers must get cash for gratuity.

I've used both--just used Uber in Houston Thursday (Houston does not have Lyft yet).

Service and pricing are excellent with both Uber and Lyft--like both.

We saw Manny Oliveira on the Glory--he was funny!

Taxi both ways--very efficient.

Prices reasonable.

This past November we flew into Fort Lauderdale, took a Lyft from the airport to the Hilton Miami Airport hotel on Blue Lagoon for our one night stay (used Hilton points).

Took a Lyft from the hotel to the Port of Miami the next morning for our Carnival cruise.

Post-cruise, booked Larry's Limo from POM back to the Embassy Suites in Fort Lauderdale for a 2-night stay. (Could have used Lyft from the port--will do in the future).

We also used Lyft to get from the Embassy Suites to the FLL airport for our trip home.

We found it very easy to get from FLL to the hotel in Miami, and also easy to get to the port.

We like Lyft--Uber is fine.

We've used QLS, Larry's, and GoAirport Shuttle in the past as well--all are good.

Cruised week after Thanksgiving--a little over a month ago.

Used Lyft from Fort Lauderdale airport to Hilton Miami Hotel, used Lyft from that hotel to the Port of Miami post-cruise, and used Lyft to the airport a couple of days after staying in Fort Lauderdale a couple of extra days.

Totally happy with costs and services.

We did not use Lyft from the Port of Miami post-cruise to Fort Lauderdale 17th Street Hotel--we will in the future.

Either Uber or Lyft are fine.

I stayed at the Embassy Suites on 17th St. December 2-3, 2016. The ES is my "go to" hotel in Ft. Lauderdale because of its location and the fact that it's a Hilton property and I can use points for my stay.

 

The reason I'm posting this is there were a lot of negative comments about this hotel prior to my recent stay - dirty, dingy, moldy, bed bug ridden, stale snacks at manager's reception, poor breakfast, etc.

 

The ES in Ft. Lauderdale is definitely one of their older hotels, and I will be the first to say the rooms could use freshening and updating, but older doesn't translate into dirty. The lobby and atrium were remodeled a few years ago and I'm sure the guest rooms will be addressed in the next couple of years.

 

Yes, there was some mildew (not the same as mold) in the bathroom, but I live in a hot, humid climate and know that bathroom mildew is an ongoing issue, more so if you're near the water. No bed bugs (I checked the corners of the mattress and sheets) and clean overall. The snacks were fresh, and I watched as the attendants brought out new bags of chips, opened them there on the spot, and emptied them into the bowls. The popcorn was hot and fresh. Ditto for the breakfast in the morning. Front desk staff friendly and helpful.

 

Roz

Roz--

Totally agree with your thoughts--

We were there 12/3 & 12/4 post-cruise. We have stayed at this Embassy Suites now for the 7th straight year, and we will continue to stay here.

We have been treated extremely well here--especially by Kathleen at the front desk.

It will continue to be our hotel of choice for our South Florida cruises.

Not all people want to spend more money to cruise.

We are fine with Carnival prices and we feel we get a great vacation for our money.