familycruzinnewbie

Just wondering how Chicken a la Greque and Chicken Sicilian Style compare to the Everyday menu grilled chicken. I will do Guy's burger once I am sure, but maybe on a lower fat entree night. I ordered mostly gluten free last time as I was having digestive sensitivity not sure if I will do that this time as I do tolerate it better if I make wise food choices.

We will be on the Valor so will have most of the Funship 2.0 options but will still be on the classic 8 day menu at the MDR as the American Table doesn't come into effect until the fall. I am mostly familiar with the menu - just have not ordered the healthier options. I do like chicken and fish. I'm not sure if the diet desserts are low calorie or just made with splenda or what. I create healthy options at home that taste good, but you can also end up with cardboard or a tasteless mush. Are there frozen yogurt options and are they any healthier?

Carnival offers some healthier options in the dining room and various options on the lido. Which ones are good tasting and which ones taste like crap? I like a wide variety of things, but am trying to make better choices this time.

Macros - calories are either protein, carbs or fat. So instead of saying I will eat 2000 calories, I eat a certain amount of each of them. Everyone is different, but basically it is finding the right amount of each that will cause you to lose, maintain or gain weight depending on your goals. I would either account for alcohol and log as carbs or fat. As I won't have wifi I will be doing guesses or just following something called intuitive eating - so eating what you need and knowing when you are full.

I will visit Guy's and I may have a Pig Patty. I just have to do it at a time that I can completely enjoy it and on a day that the MDR has really good low fat options. I will either had two decadent treat meals or just try to enjoy in moderation. I competed at a bodybuilding show in bikini two months ago and am at the reverse and build phase, and my metabolism is quite strong. Original plan was that cruise would be before a build/bulk but I may decide to do a show at the end of November. In which case I need to be able to take off any weight increase within a week of returning. I put on 12lbs in a week on my first cruise, very little on second but I was heavier starting - I also ate a lot of gluten free items which helped with bloating and tummy issues. Not sure if I will try to order gluten free this time (not an allergy, but have issues if I eat a lot of it, so I just vary my carb sources)

I have been tracking my eating with my fitness pal for over a year following a macro based diet. I do love food and really enjoyed all the options on past cruises. We will be on the Valor 8 day in August, which I believe will have the 2.0 restaurant options but will still be following the old menu (not American Table). As I'm guessing nutritional info does not exist, I'm just wondering about what options taste good but are healthier.

I am still debating on the one with Orient and the one without. We will have 2 teens with us - topless is fine, full on nudity not so much. I just want to make sure we will have time to enjoy Maho. I tried booking on his site but didn't pay the deposit part, just asked questions on the form page. Haven't heart anything. Do I need to pay the deposit to get a response?

We were looking for an island tour with beach and have had no luck hearing back from Royston. I've seen others mention Thenford Grey, Javin and others. Just wondering who would be fun for a family with teens and also does Javin include Brimstone Fortress as I do not see it on his list. Thanks

Thanks. From what I have read, if Carnival doesn't let you book direct with the company, they won't honour the price match :(

I am looking into Javin and Thenford Grey - any difference? Hubby is totally worried about missing the boat in port, so I haven't been able to get him to relax enough to take a boat tour. But since we have't been to St. Kitts, I don't need to leave on this first visit. We can chat Nevis if we het here again.

I haven't been able to get a reply from Royston, or Bernard for that matter. I did hear back about the jeep tour but you have to book through Carnival which is quite a bit higher than website price.

Thanks - hubby is still against it :(

We are going on the August 27 Valor to St Maarten, St Kitts, San Juan and Grand Turk. It will be hubby, and our 14 and 16 year old children.

We have never been to St Maarten or St Kitts before. I know I can post on the individual ports of call boards but I do find I get good advice on the Carnival board. I was thinking of doing the Bernard tour with Orient Beach in St Maarten but then was a little stuck on St. Kitts. Thinking either another bus tour, a jeep tour with some beach time or an ATV tour (as some places will allow 2 to a vehicle and we are all fairly light (110-140lb). Though we do have access to ATVs here so it is not a new thing. Or we could just do our own thing.

We have been to San Juan before - visited Castillo San Felipe del Morro and walked around the town, and visited the Bombonera for mallorcas. We may do San Cristobal this time or is there another suggestion - we have a 7am-2pm port time, so cannot do a lot.

We have been to Grand Turk twice and just hung at pool and beach both times. Is there anything we should try to do or just enjoy the pool/beach again.

Thanks

We live in Newfoundland so fishing is not something we would do on vacation, plus we have to do something on St Kitts itself. Should I try to convince hubby to try the ATVs or would jeeps be just as fun?

Hi we have out 14 and 16 year olds with us and it will be our first time in St. Kitts. We will be on the Carnival Valor. My 14 year old and husband are a bit afraid of heights so zip lining would probably be out. I was thinking ATVs but that also makes hubby nervous. So wanting something fun but low stress. I know its the end of August so weather could be unpredictable too,

If we do forward it would be in the 8248/49 area which is near the elevators or I could go further forward if elevator area is noisy. There are cabins above and below. Or for middle maybe 7372/73

Thoughts anyone?

Well boy is 14 and girl is 16 so somehow I think two doubles will mean hubby and I switching. For balcony - any difference between deck 7 and 8 and front, middle back. Front of course makes it easier to use showers in the spa.

Just as a update - I'd be looking at either the 4J obstructed view facing forward on 10 but I think it is under the weights in the gym. The 6K on 9 has a double sofa and I think the single sofa + pullman work better. We could also do a regular balcony on 6 (or higher if we want). Is there anything to know about the balconies which ones have things above them etc. For example our balcony on Liberty spa deck had no top so the people above could look down on us.

Hi - we have a 4 person porthole cabin booked for August 27 and we booked early saver. We have teens with us but this is our third cruise together - previous in a balcony and in a 4J accessible. It looks like things have started to move a little and I can move to a 4 person ocean view to similar to what I paid or I could pay more for balcony etc. We have crazy expenses this trip due to exchange rate. Just looking for cabin suggestions and if I move now, I am still considered early saver for any other changes or moves right? I have always booked early saver but always kept our room.

Hi bumping this up as I need to start booking things. Any suggestions or advice?

Well a few more weeks and we will know for sure.

We are spending the night post cruise. I think we will rent a car and drive to Orlando for some shopping and then to the airport the next morning. So just looking for a convenient hotel to airport and shopping (free parking, pool, possible free breakfast)

We (me, hubby and two teens) are going to Universal for a few days pre-cruise and were considering either staying there until embarkation morning or leaving the morning before and exploring/shopping for the day and staying closer to the port. If we do that latter what are your suggestions for hotels and rental cars We would probably just get a rental car the day we check out of Orlando and return it the next morning near the pier. Thanks

Thanks