traylynn

Hi I am also getting married in St. Thomas and just left the island checking out locations. It is pretty hot, is your dress lite. We are arriving by cruise ship as well. Where are you getting married at? Good Luck.

We will be on this Sunday and I'll try to bring them back.

 

My understanding is the first sea day and St Kitts are the elegant nights.

Hi WIFamily- Thanks so much.... I am getting married in July and would love to see the fun times to plan events for the week. Thanks so much.

Have a great time

Hello All- Can any recent cruisers on the Fascination share the Fun Times and what day was formal night.

Thanks

Great review. Do have a copy of the fun times you can share? When was formal night?

Best

I asked my PVP if we could arrange for all guest to sit together for the Sea Day Brunch. Our wedding is the day before and sea day. It is open to all that are cruising. Any thoughts

Scavenger Hunt sounds great!!!! Not sure mygroup will be interested. Trivia games are awesome.

Hi All-

So I posted a few weeks ago about how the hurricanes changed my wedding plans. The most significant change is our guest list has dropped and we rescheduled from December to July. Which is fine.

What are you doing for guest activities?

I don't want to overload folks, because it is their vacation, but at least plan some meet up times on the ship. We also will have a free cocktail party that will not be disclosed until cruise per Carnival rules.

Everyone is flying into Puerto Rico and we are off for a 7 day cruise on the Fascination.

Friday(5pm to 8pm) - Dinner planned for those that have arrived. (Question do we pay the tab)

Dancing after dinner for those that want to continue

Saturday - 7pm-9:30- Welcome Party at hotel. (Thinking of adding a Party Bus for later that night) Thoughts

Sunday - Cruise day... I know there are folks arriving that day. Do people normally plan excursions for guest? Any thoughts.

Monday- Wedding day- It is also formal night. The wedding will be held on the island and than a reception after and we head back to the ship. I am thinking that already makes for a long day.

We are a fairly young group, I don't want to over plan or schedule events.

Hello Bride Sisters

We had to move our wedding from December 2017 to July 2018. With that being said, no big deal, you just scrap plan A and now we are currently on plan B. Before Carnival cancelled we had 40 guest paid and booked. Now our list has grown by 25 almost just because of the new date. I have to purchase new favors etc because the other favors had our original wedding date. We have no control of Mother Nature, just gotta roll with it.

I have sent out new save dates, but not sure if I need new invitations, everything is on our wedding website. Any thoughts?

We are getting married on the beach, but I have learned that our reception venue has now listed as a Carnival Excursion, I know it is a large place, but I truly booked for the privacy. So I am not sure what to expect. I will be flying down to check the location out, that is extremely important to me. My other option is to look at a new island completely.

I made little travel suitcase that I will be mailing once everyone is completely paid (new guest) they will include a letter, cruise luggage tags, what to pack list for a cruise, coffee from the island, lotion from bath and body works, and kate apsen suitcase luggage tags.

I'm not sure if the hotel will distribute welcome bags as guest check in or should I have them distributed on the ship.

I don't want to schedule to many activities, but this will be a first cruise for many. Thinking about just listing some optional events throughout the cruise.

I am struggling with events. Guest will be arriving to San Juan, Puerto Rico. I assume a few folks will be arriving on Thursday no events scheduled.

Friday dinner (on your own) at local restaurant 5pm and dancing at 10pm local bar all optional events. (we will provide transportation)

Saturday- Welcome party at hotel patio 7pm (food and drinks provided)

Sunday- Board ship (I feel like I should plan a sail away something, but not sure)

Monday- Wedding Day

Yes Carnival offered a full refund and asistance with flights. I am looking at rescheduling in July 2018. My prayer is St. Thomas is ready for weddings by July. We had 43 guest paid and our list has dropped considerably.

Ohhh noooo, What are your alternate plans, if you have any.

We were scheduled for December 18, we got notice yesterday cruise cancelled till Feb 2018, If anyone is interested in 45 Yeti's with palms trees and December 18, 2017 let me know.

Sorry to hear about your wedding.

We are booked for our cruise wedding next year December. Our cruise returns Christmas Eve. I am wondering what folks give for wedding favors, my orginally idea would not work because you can't take liquor back onto the ship. We are getting married in St. Thomas. I really am thinking about lotto tickets or giving plates. Any thoughts, I would love to hear everyone's thoughts.

Hi All- Congrats to all. I am a 2017 December bride. So excited.

Thank you very much for sharing. That gives me an idea for budgeting.

and now that I see that it is really hard to read.... i'm going to type it out which was what I was avoiding... and put up my like 5th post in a row (SORRY!)

 

Package

Ultimate cruise ship wedding package at 30 guests (+2 extra guests @ 150 each)...11295

Transportation

Additional transportation cost (ship to beach to villa to ship $30pp x 26)... 780

bridal party transportation from beach to ceremony.... 80

extra car cost from ship to courthouse to ceremony... 125

Upgrades

Magen's bay beach site fee.... 100

magen's bay beach pp fee ($4x32)... 128

food upgrade ($15 pp).... 480

Cake upgrade... 98

Cake stand upgrade... 25

2nd steel drum player for cocktail hour... 250

Arch for ceremony... 250

Refunds for packages

Photographer refund... 800

bouquet and boutonniere refund.... 85

 

Grand total for Island Bliss Weddings..... $12,726

 

Hope this helps

Congrats on your wedding!!!! I am wanting to know if you didn't mind sharing your budget or break down of cost. I am still a year out or so, and I really haven't planned much. Your wedding is exactly what I am wanting to plan for mine except maybe having a reception at Mahogany Run. I feel like Villa Botanica. I appreciate any information you are able to provide or you can email me at director@kidazzlekidz.com.

Hey Everyone!

 

I have been so busy catching up with work the past few weeks that even going on CC was completely cut out of my life. I want to do a review on my wedding because I know that a lot of people are using the same wedding planner that I did, and Villa Botanica is getting to be a popular choice. I will start this review tonight or tomorrow morning but I wanted to just lay the basics right now...

 

We were on the Carnival Liberty doing the exotic eastern cruise (Half Moon Cay, St. Thomas, Puerto Rico, and Grand Turk)

 

We Were married on April 1 on St. Thomas when we were in port from 8am to 6pm

 

Ceremony location: Magen's Bay

Reception Location: Villa Botanica

Wedding Planner: Janelle from Island Bliss weddings

Photographer: Elisha Orin

 

Can't wait to get all the nitty gritty details on here. We had a very fun, stressful, entertaining, and memorable day (with some surprises) and I wouldn't change it for anything! Well I wish I had a picture of my real cake (spoiler :D).

Hi, Did Enterprise charge you a one way drop off fee? How did you book your reservation? What did you put down for pick up and drop off location? We would like to do the same thing. Thanks Patricia

We picked up at Hobby and were going to return to Hobby, but called Enterprise the next morning and stated our plans changed and we dropped it off. No extra charges

was it on a Saturday ? i have called and they said we cant ??? i have heard other people doing it where is the loophole?

No it was a Wednesday night at 10pm.

Thanks for your review ....... is there music by the bar area to listen to & are taxis waiting to take you back to the ship?

Yes there was music in bar area, the attendant will call you a taxi, but there were a few taxis waiting.

Tip... If you go with a couple... Say you are all together cause they will charge $16 per couple.

We're debating on this. Would you mind answering a few questions:

Is the water a gradual entry / clean / rock free?

Did they have the trampoline in the water?

Thanks!

Yes no rocks... Clean

There was a large raft that could hold maybe 10 people. I didn't see a raft, They do have jetski, paddleboat, and fishing. I don't remember a trapoline in the water.

We arrived last week Saturday around 930ish. We presented our confirmation letter and we were escorted to select a place for the day. Carlos was our server and he was outstanding.

Lunch was not offered until around 1130ish, but the drinks start the moment you arrive.

The Food- I am in Austin,TX so I had mixed feelings about the food. But it was ok, somethings I didn't care for. I am a very picky eater.

There are other servers that come around and ask if you want a massage or rent any water toys. I got a massage for 30 min for $40, I paid her $75 she was AWESOME!!!!!!

When you arrive they take your picture and right before you leave they offer it to you for $12, we love the picture so we purchased it.

If you are looking for a few hours of peace and quiet this is the place for you.

We rented a car from Enterprise last week, the cost was $44 bucks plus tax. We rented from Hobby Airport drove to Galveston. We stayed at the Tremont, when we checked in and got settled, we drove the car back over to Enterprise and took a cab back to the Tremont.

We called the next morning and informed them and they said no problem.

Great review. Just curious, how long did you guys stay at Nachi? We are thinking about booking this cruise for April and thinking about going to Nachi.

Hi Kak8jr- We were there from 9:30am to 2:30pm. Someone gave a tip in another review to tip the waiter in the beginning and we gave him $10 and $10 before we left. He was always available and kept the food and drinks coming. We had a great time. They don't start the food until noonish, so make sure you eat breakfast before leaving the ship or have room service delivered.

We flew into Hobby, rented a car from Enterprise for $44 returned it around 10pm to the Galveston location. (SAME DAY...NO PROBLEMS)

We stayed at the Tremont for one night prior to boarding. Room Rate $104.00

We boarded the Triumph on 1/9/14 and had the best time ever. We are a 40ish couple and we like to have fun. The fun ship is that.. FUN SHIP

I did purchase FTTF and had no problem and I HIGHLY recommend it, if you can stag one.

This was my boyfriends first cruise and he loved it, despite all the news headlines.

The ship appeared to be in great condition, I never saw anything out of the ordinary or just disgusting. The staff and crew worked extremely hard to make sure all was well. The Chief Engineer was everywhere around the ship.

The were several lively groups on board Visible Changes, Bridal group, all of Divine Texas. Truly where was never a dull moment.

Food was great I like that they offer a main menu and a everyday menu. Guy's Burgers well I ate 2 in one day:D Blue Catina:D. I never went to the buffet. Seaday Brunch PORK CHOPS ALL THE WAY!!!!!

Activities- Were well organized.

Entertainment- Was great, being from Austin, I enjoyed the live music.

Drinks- Miami Vice- (GAPEARL'S Recommendation)

Spa-As a HR Mgr, I like to ask tons of questions. I went to spa and asked where to you get your training etc... LADIES SAVE YOUR MONEY STAY AWAY FROM THE SPA- I only went because boyfriend surprised me and he didn't know. Basically he wasted $149 for a rubbed down not a massage.

Cozumel- We went to Nachi Cocum- AWESOME!!!!! I did have a proper massage there for $40

Room-We had a balcony room deck 10- Room 1006 Super Fab. Our room was next to secret door and we had no problems. Easy access to everything.

One small incident- There was a couple on our deck, the husband was in a wheelchair, and he refused a handicap room.They had major trouble getting his wheelchair and scooter into the room. The steward went to get help to left him. He was so drunk and talking crazy the stewards left him on the floor in the doorway. As we were walking by I noticed the wheelchair in the doorway and it appeared he had fallen out of it. We asked if we could help, so boyfriend picked him up and put him back in the wheelchair. The entire time he proceeded to tell us how his wife was no good and worthless etc. On one night he was so drunk running into folks with his scooter could not find his room, so we took him back to the room, when wife opened the door she stated.. I was hoping he went overboard.:eek:

The morning we were leaving he had no idea who we were :confused: as his wife thanked us for all our help.

Overall we had a fantastic time. Having trouble loading pictures.

Thanks for the review, can't wait to hear more.

Can't wait to read the rest of your review. We are on this cruise 1/9