Rob&Bonnie

Try a different browser.  I had trouble with a browser once, can't remember if it was Firefox and I switched to Explorer or the other way around.

We looked at this last cruise with friends and found that we were better off booking on our own. We literally used the computers on the ship in front of the future cruise desk and booked.

Last order was for 5-$100 cards and had no problem. This time I was getting a message about only 2 allowed (I really only needed $300). I opted for a single $500 instead, so I'll have funds for my steakhouse visit and internet on board.

Bought my package(s) last night on line. I had a letter from guest relations, but heard that the site would allow the purchase now. Very easy, used 8 $100 cards and then paid the remaining $4 with my credit card. It shows in my cruise planner and I received email confirmation.

If I've figured this correctly, the math works out to be $720 for 2 for a 7 day cruise. So just under $52 PP/Per day (grats inclusive).

Based on advice from fellow CCers, I wrote to guest relations and confirmed they would accept our Verizon gift cards to purchase cheers on board at the pre cruise price. Well.....yesterday I was able to order Cheers on line through Carnival - it finally works!!!!

We used 8 $100 GC's, and have received email confirmation. We can also see the purchase in our on-line portfolio.

I agree with most of what you have Aquahound. Never was a fan of the WCMC, and food in the MDR is just so-so. I also enjoy the steakhouse.

As for the party atmosphere, I try to balance between being bored because there is nothing going on and the over the top party. Interestingly enough, the most drunks I've seen on a cruise was on a Princess sailing. Who'd of thought?

When I sail other lines, I miss the comedy club, but not the shows. The decor leaves A LOT to be desired on CCL. I love the Princess ships decor. And I love that some of the Princess ships have extended balconies.

We've sailed Royal, Carnival and Princess. They all have their pros and cons - and I wouldn't rule out any one of them when looking at a cruise. We are platinum on Carnival and close to Platinum on Royal, but honestly don't book for the 'perks'. We look at the itinerary and overall price. Over the last couple of years, Royal has been better that Carnival, where we had deals for a Jr Suite with PPD Gratuities and some OBC for about what we would have paid for a similar itinerary on Carnival in a balcony. We also liked the different drink packages on Royal, but alas, those are gone I hear...

We haven't been on Princess for a while, as they haven't had anything that appealed to us. Loves their ships (especially those extended balconies), just haven't found a good deal when comparing to others.

We didn't used to buy it, but we were younger and healthier then...

Now that we are older, as our our parents at home, we consider it part of the cost of our vacation (we buy it for land and cruise trips). I did have to visit the doctor last trip, but my regular insurance covered the expense so I didn't have to submit to the travel insurance.

We use squaremouth, which is similar to insure my trip.

I had booked using past guest rates for February. The rates for ES now are what I had for PG, so no change in fare. I had already paid most of the Bal due amount using Verizon Gift cards, so it was a simple switch for me :D

thanks OP! I probably would have missed this.

I get sick on planes, trains and automobiles - and I don't want to talk about boat/ships!

Best thing I have found is to start Ginger capsules (bought at GNC) a couple of days before leaving. I don't get sick on the flight, on the ship OR in the cab on an excursion. And even better - all natural and no side effects!

We like the 'Waterskiing off the aft' excursion.

And we've been known to say in a crowded elevator on sea days 'So glad we were able to get some of that great coffee in port this morning when we stopped for gas'.

I wasn't that crazy about the aft. We had one of the rooms that was smaller, and the TV in the room was at the headboard of the bed. There was no sofa, just a (1 singular) regular chair and the usual table. We aren't TV watchers, but to some people that may matter.

I HATED the vibration in the room. Yes, it is just when arriving in port, but that is usually early in the morning. On my last day of vacation we pulled into San Juan at 4 am - so much for my last day of sleeping in....

While the balcony is deeper, some of it is not usable because of the glass angle. You can put your lounger there and stick your feet under, but the glass magnifies the sun and it gets pretty warm.

We also felt like we spent the entire cruise walking hallways. It seems like everything was mid or forward ship. Including debarking at ports. Not that I didn't need the exercise, I just didn't find it all that convenient.

Thanks for the heads up! I looked this morning and there was nothing, went back after I saw your post and scored 5 $100 ones.

We've been to Coki several times and have never had a problem. It does get crowded, especially on the side closest to Coral World and the bathrooms. We venture a little further down the beach and have had plenty of room. This also depends on how many ships are in port that day, which I imagine has an impact on ALL the beaches.

Bathrooms at Coki were redone in the last couple of years and are very nice. We've always had good service there, though the servers tend to squabble among themselves about who their customers are. It's very competitive!

We've never encountered drugs around us in the main beach area.

ehfl - those of us who have been lucky enough to encounter some not so nice people who feel entitled to help themselves to our belongings.

I have the medium bag. It's big enough for what we carry to the beach (towels, sunscreen, kindle), without being too big and bulky.

Kyss bag users:

What size did you get? I've always wanted one and I am seriously considering getting one for our next vacation...

I use a KYSS bag, which has a chain and lock to secure the bag to something. I have used in on board ship - mostly for those times when I go to the restroom, into the pool, etc. I have my ship card and e reader with me on deck usually, and want it to be there when I get back.

I also use it when on the beach. While I realize that someone could cut through the bag if they were determined, my bag is not the quick grab and run one and hopefully not the 1st pick for a thief.

GreenGuyJ

We were on the Emotions 2 - it was great.

We took a catamaran on Martinique (not this sailing) that was one of the best excursions ever. For whoever was looking:

The Martinique trip was booked through Kata Mambo, http://kata-mambo.com/lire/nos-catamarans-2.html. They coordinated the 5 catamarans that we had for the group, including the Emotions and Emotions 2.

The ladies name is Marie. Her email address is Kata-mambo@orange.fr

The crew was awesome. And we had a school of dolphins with us for quite a while - you could see them swimming and jumping like they were leading us - I was lying on the trampoline area looking through the net to watch them.

Kim - I think you presented a fair review of your experience. And I agree with most of your review. I think the lines are more alike than different, and each ship and sailing can also bring a different experience.

To you 'doubters', I can say that I have sailed with the OP in the past (Splendour 2014), and her reviews are typically very detailed and honest.

The Martinique trip was booked through Kata Mambo, http://kata-mambo.com/lire/nos-catamarans-2.html. They coordinated the 5 catamarans that we had for the group, including the Emotions and Emotions 2.

The ladies name is Marie. Her email address is Kata-mambo@orange.fr

There is some information posted at http://www.martinique.org/node/4145/ASCMAR972V5007X5/detail/sainte-anne/emotions-2. Of course it is in french, so I have no idea what it says lol. I sent a message to the group I went with to see if anyone has information for you.

Also - http://viddas.wix.com/emotions2/sortie-martinique

We took a catamaran sail in Martinique last November that was one of the best excursions we've ever been on. The name of the cat was the Emotions, there was also the Emotions 2. One of our group was able to put the trip together, which involved 5 cats by the time we were done.

The biggest problem with booking private excursions in Martinique is the language. We had a hard time as none of us spoke french. I know the Emotions 2 has a page on a popular social media site that is not allowed here - but even that is in french.

If you speak the language, or can find a way to communicate with them, I can't tell you how much fun it was.

We've sailed with Princess, Royal and Carnival - and we've seen good and bad on both. You just can't control the other passengers, and sometimes you just aren't lucky.

We've typically had great service on Carnival, and have met some great people on those cruises. I'm not crazy about the MDR food or the shows. I do like the pizza and the comedy club, and I like the relaxed atmosphere. Pretty much every ship I've been on has had the aft pool an adult only pool. We've found there is more going on during the day on Carnival, so if you like to stay on the ship or have multiple sea days there is always something to entertain you. Concerts or trivia on the screen at the main pool, etc.

I like Royal's food and shows better. Again, service has been mostly great -though on our last cruise when we asked for wine glasses the waiter went over to a table with people eating and asked them if they were using their glasses and tried to give us those instead of fresh ones. Not so much, thanks... We also met one of the drunkest people we have ever met on a Royal ship - who would have thought?

Princess was also a good experience for us. I love their ships, but I don't love their prices. Service and food were both great. We discovered my time dining on Princess, which was good because it was the same sailing we had the absolute rudest and unpleasant dinner companions we've ever had on a cruise.

We are Platinum on both Royal and Carnival and tend to choose the best itinerary at the best price. Our next 2 cruises are on Royal, who had the best overall value when we booked. After that, who knows. We wouldn't rule any of the lines out - they all have something to offer.

Yes - we were eating lunch when I said to DH - that looks like the kes****'s. He looked and said that is because it was. There 2 sons grew up with ours and they played hockey together for years.

Small world....