skrufy

1 hour ago, ChuckF said:

Pack extra hangers and at least one multi-outlet adapter. 

Forget the hangers, save the luggage space. Ask your cabin steward for hangers. Agree with the adapter, don’t bring one with a circuit breaker, it will be confiscated.

Try to get same check in time for both parties. If you can’t get the same time you will have to check in with the latest check in time to stay together.

My suggestions are, after you board, go get the mandatory  muster drill out of the way. Then go have lunch. After lunch, if luggage is in your cabin, unpack. Next take an hour and walk the ship get the layout. Enjoy sail away. The last thing is don’t try to do everything there is to do on the ship, you will never do it all, Pick out things you would like to do each morning from the daily planner. One more thought, pack a change of cloths in your carry on. Luggage sometimes arrives late. First night dinner is super casual. Last, Last honest. Have a great 1st cruise.

44 minutes ago, Onlyoneash said:

I had the same question/concern. Because of the disabilty transportation we have to arrange from the airport, we have no choice but to arrive at 11:30 am. But our “assigned” arrival time is not until 1 pm. That is why I assume guest services told us to get embarkation supervisor? We have everything properly noted in our account, but I’m worried about wandering around the port with a handicapped child trying to find this supervisor if I’m not allowed inside until my assigned time. 

There is always Carnival personal right outside the terminal doors. 

Go up to the first Carnival employee outside the terminal and explain to he or her your situation. 

Also if and when you go to Half Moon Cay, you cannot use the drink package. It’s not set up on the island.

Java Blue

We have flown from Orlando to Miami and to New Orleans the same day as cruise. Had no choice, we do arrive at least a day prior to the cruise. If you must fly same day book a non stop to arrive as early as you can. There’s very little room for delays. Rather be in the cruise city early eating breakfast, than stuck on an airplane. It is very nervous 

I see you are from Sweden, on vacation? Theres two routes you can take, The FL Turnpike ( toll Rd ) or I-95. I-95 is always a disaster ready to happen, can back up at any time of the day. If you want to save some toll costs, take I-95 to Ft Pierce then switch over to the turnpike the turnpike is less used than I-95. The mad rush to board the ships occurs in the morning, before noon. After noon you should move right along. Last, l would leave no later than 6am, it’s a 5 hr. drive. This gives you a small window to stop for fuel and maybe a snack. Good luck, hope all goes well.

Any info on this area would be greatly appreciated, looking at staying 1 night before and 1day after cruise. our cruise. Specifically, safety, restaurants and shopping close by. 

9 hours ago, Cruisecontroler said:

Thank you, but hubby just took over decisions...went with a travel agent.  Whew.... We'll be staying in the airport area.

A popular area by MIA is the Blue Lagoon area. Hotels are so expensive these days, expect to pay at a minimum $200.00 and up for a decent hotel.  

Arrive for a 10:30-11:00 check in hopefully on board by 11:00-11:30. Go directly to cabin, drop off carry on luggage. Next head to the muster station, get it out of the way. Lido deck here we come. Lunch, a Guys burger and a cold drink or two, or three. Relax and people watch for a while. Around 2pm head back to the cabin, unpack luggage, say hello to the staff, then get off my feet for a few minutes. Back up to Lido for sail away and photo taking. Love watching ship leaving port. Next grab a snack to hold over to dinner. Now it’s time to wander the ship to get the layout. Dinner around 7pm, hit the casino and some entertainment before calling it a day. A hectic day but a day I enjoy so much.

Pizza is still available. It’s called the Pizza Piratestation. The size is a four slice pie, personal size. I bring toppings from the buffet for mine.

17 hours ago, staceyglow said:

We love ocean view cabins.  The actual cabin is more spacious than a balcony.

 

We have had balcony cabins before and found that we really don't spend as much time out there as we think we will.

We also love OVs over balcony’s for the same reason as stacyglow. Our preference is the Riviera deck. Deck two is the main deck that could generate noise

We arrive at approximately 11:00 am for all our cruises since turning platinum. Our routine is check in, go to our cabin, drop off carry ones then go directly to the assigned muster station. Then down to lunch and a few cold drinks to celebrate the start of vacation.

7 hours ago, missholly24 said:

Haha hopefully its anchored! Im already overthinking and wondering if we will have to push off random people/kids from the beach. 🤣🤣🤣

Here’s a bana selling on the internet

Check FLL for later flights. It’s a 1/2hr-45 min drive and a shared shuttle for about $15.00 pp

We are in the same situation. Have cruised Carnival for 20 years also. This coming January we will try Holland America on a themed cruise.

Thanks for all the reply’s. The draft beer in the Dutch Cafe and Lido bar will work just fine.

For you Nieuw Statendam cruisers. Does the ship have draft beer stations?

Agree with the above post. We try to book flights around 1pm. We never rush off the ship. Have a leisurely breakfast in the MDR and then go relax in the Java Blue area and have a cup of coffee or two. At around 9-9:30am head down grab our luggage and on our way to the airport.

We did the airboat ride out of MIA a few years ago. Enjoyed it very much. We also had to wait on line for about 20 min. to board the airboat. The one we took had gators roaming the property free. The boat ride was about 45 min. long with a gator show at the end.  Arrived at MIA just about 2pm. 

Not many people mention this. Tampa is prone to fog. You could be waiting outside the bay until the fog lifts. The Tampa Bay bridge was hit by a ship. Since it was repaired, they are very cautious going under it in foggy conditions. Try to have a backup plan if possible. 

What about an identifying tag for his waist or bracelet with cruise info on it. If he gets separated or lost  instruct him to show it to a crew member.

Thanks for the date