BoomerHouston

We also did what JMAE did, but we didn't get our luggage delivered any faster :(. It was an advantage to check in early, but I really wanted my luggage delivered before the Drill.

 

Our tag's did say FTTF. IMHO, thing's depend on the ship and the port.

Hey Plant! Hope you enjoyed your Magic Cruise! We dropped our luggage which also had FTF on the room tags with the porters in Galveston, who added the orange tape (With additional FASTER TO THE FUN identifiers) to all bags loaded with our luggage and we got our luggage within two hours. It might be the orange tape in Galveston.

Hope you enjoyed your cruise!

-Boomer

Hello! We are doing the 4 night Triumph cruise 12/26. This will be our 4th cruise. My daughters are 12 and 9 and enjoy a few kids club activities. We also have an exchange student who is 17. I'd love for her to have some kids her age to hang out with but do the teens actually do the teen club activities? Since I've never cruised with a teen I have no idea.

thanks!

Nicole

From what I have seen, they may go the first day to meet other people their age and see if it is right for them. Very few go back at that age. You might have more kids with yours being a Christmas cruise. I would suggest that you join the roll call for your cruise and allow them to connect prior to the cruise and possibly meet at a "meet and greet". We recently had a huge CC roll call on our MAGIC CRUISE and quite a few people made it to the meet and greet where the teens could meet other teens and the parents could meet each other as well (always a good idea..)

Even if they can "hang" with one other person for the cruise, it would be a success! Good luck.

-Boomer

Thanks, I was not aware of a port of call board sorry. Thanks for the info and we're more beach, and adventurous type of people any suggestions?

We are going CAVE TUBING next week in Belize! Will write the review on vivtours when we get back. I have heard great things about Little French Key in Roatan and we are doing independent Chankanaab in Cozumel

Seeya when we get back..............

-Boomer

We have shopped at Mega many times always paid with US dollars.

So check out uncle YOU TUBE... search: MEGA store in Cozumel

at least three decent videos posted here with a brief glimpse at the tequila offerings and it does look like they take dollars; bring small bills and your conversion chart to make sure you are paying the correct price; I am sure that the pricetags will be in pesos but it looks like they will take dollars by some of the discussions in one of the posts....

Thanks for the posts.

-Boomer

i like my tequila at room temp and not chilled so i can't help you with that aspect. i only drink resposado tequila as i think it tastes the best. the anejo tequila i have tried i didn't like it as much as resposado. if you like patron you should also try cabo wabo, and sauza tres generaciones. both are very good high dollar tequila both a little cheaper than patron like in the $45 range. but in the mid range $25 range sauza hornitos or quevo 1800 are also very good. and if you are in mexico give sauza hacienda a try my favorite it is very smooth and cheep around $19.

The sauza hacianda is now on my short list. Thanks.

-Boomer

Which ports would these be?

 

gary

Gary,

Meant to state; Exclusively leased ports by Carnival

-Boomer

Thanks for all the excellent responses! I will have to search out the MEGA store and check it out while others are at the beach...after a brief currency exchange.

Thanks Luddite!

I am making a brief list of your brands and will sample if possible. Keep the responses coming! I will check back after our cruise in 2 WEEKS and let you know of my purchases...

Thanks All!

-Boomer

When i was in cozumel i purchased La pinta tequila.....man, wish i could buy that in the states. Cost me $25 for 750ml Anyone knows another tequila that taste the same?

Was this a flavored tequila?

Boomer

I usually go to a major grocery store. Never seen samples there, but if you know what you want, probably your best price. According to their website, there is a Soriana in Coz. Website shows prices in pesos. They usually have a local store special; picked up a bunch of Cuervo Familia for like $12-14 bucks per litre in Puerto Vallarta. They had probably 15 cases and were pushing it pretty hard. Look in the gift box section also. Grabbed 4 bottles of Hornitos each with 2 tequila shot glasses for about $15/l.

 

Not big on flavored tequilas, but we did have some peach flavored at a distillery outside of Mazatlan, I thought it would be good poured over some ice cream.

Thanks for the info! I am not a fan of flavored either but like the SILVER or a different ANEJO. Mainly looking for a great sipping tequila with a smooth finish and willing to spend more while in Mexico than the $100 plus they are looking for here. The tequila that I was referencing was the Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia which runs $130 stateside at COSTCO liquors. Cuervo actually has about 7 brands of Tequila including 4 levels of 100% Blue Agave Tequila.

Herradura and Hornitos are also good brands and that is a bargain for a liter depending on what you are getting (reposado or anejo).

Thanks again.

-Boomer

In Cozumel, fairly near the port there is a small round shop that sells tequila. They have the absolute best flavored tequila. I love the hibiscus and vanilla. They have about 10 different flavors which they keep cold and offer samples. I am sorry that I can not remember the name of the shop but the brand is Jamaica Infused Tequilas and it is wonderful straight up right out of the freezer.

Thanks! Did you purchase from them? The reason I ask is that I have been a victim of bait and switch in past (in another port); Great sample- tasty, full flavored, and smooth finish; purchase for $40>> got home only to find something else that was equivalent to bottle of Cuervo Gold that I could have picked up for $12 at the local liquor store... blah.

-Boomer

I am a Milagro guy as far as shops in Cozumel, It is a crap shoot. Best prices I have found have tended to be in some of the little gift shops. I just start taking note of prices and then go back to where I found the best price:)

Curious, Did you find these in Playa del Carmen? Agree-Milagro Tequila Select Barrel Reserve Anejo rocks!

Thanks,

-Boomer

http://video.about.com/cocktails/Best-Tequila-Brands.htm

Paying for and getting Great Tequila in PORTS!

Let's keep this simple and share some good Tequila purchases (and stories if you like) in some of the Caribbean ports that you have visited in 2013-2014!

I am traveling during Thanksgiving and looking for some bargains in the ports that I will be traveling to and (am guessing) will most likely get the best deals in Cozumel. <Our itinerary: Roatan, Belize, Cozumel>

I love the Don Julio and Cuervo La Familia but looking to expand my palate. Would anyone like to share some treasures (Tequila- 100% Blue Agave) at bargain rates? Please use the following formula to keep it reader friendly and referable to people traveling to different ports:

Port Name-name of establishment/location- shared story

Ex: Cozumel- Blue Agave Tequila Boutique/one block in on 5a Ave Sur- good selection (see- anyone can google "where to buy tequila in Cozumel"

I am looking for 2013 stories, BRANDS, and prices please; Thanks in advance!!

FYI: I am listing this in the CARNIVAL THREAD because I would like to get locations close to the Carnival owned ports in various itineraries....

-Boomer

Well it depends on where you want to go out of. My favorite ship to date is the Carnival Magic but that's just me.

I'm with you Christmas! If Tizz can route through Houston for flights, Galveston is a hop, skip and a jump for a great Western Iternary out of Galveston on the CARNIVAL MAGIC....

-Boomer

Anyone know if I can get a bargain on:

High end Cuervo> Reserva de la Familia?

I sampled some recently and ultra smooth but at $135 local (Specs- Houston Area), too rich for my blood? Heading down to Belize, Roatan, and Cozumel in November?

Appreciate any heads up; found a shop in Cozumel (Cinco Soles) (downtown) and sent them an email; their response>> $165 US; Thanks but no thanks.. Others have said nope- just buy in Texas.

Just asking from other experiences! Thanks in Advance!

Love the Fishing off of the balconies! Now where did I put that "pocket fisherman" from back in the day.....

Hey Boomer - My daughter and I are taking the same Carnival trip to Honduras, Belize and Cozumel on July 28. We'll be sure to tell you how it went!

MinimeAdventures- Excellent! Please do.

What excursions are you planning? We are definitely doing the CAVE TUBING/ ZIPLINE combo tour in Belize but struggling with a good tour company that will get us back to the ship on time :eek: My worst fear!

We are traveling with a large group of people and looking forward to the break. My son is getting a kick out of missing two days of school to go on a cruise. I keep on telling him to keep this under this hat! I of course will make plans to get his missing homework from his teachers in advance.

Take Care and have fun in July! Thanks again for the preview of the MAGIC in these ports...

-Boomer

I figure this would be a great way to meet other single parents for further cruises and to share experiences of previous journeys.

 

We are booked on

 

Star Nola TA April 21

Empress Baltic May 11

Zenith Venetian Round May 20

Epic Rome TA Oct 16

 

 

AJ

So AJ,

How was your TA crossing?

Great idea AJ,

You are so progressive and thoughtful! I posted on your two year old thread a while back. I am traveling with my 13 year old son, (14 at time of Thanksgiving sailing) with a relatively large group of married couples with kids. My son has certainly enjoyed the Camp Carnival activities in the past but we share a lot of activities together such as the ROPES COURSE (on Departure Day), meals, and some of the shows. He strangely, enough loves BINGO.

This reminds me of past cruise when my son (8 at time) was helping me cover some squares and told me 10 minutes into a game that we had won. I tried to confirm all letters and corresponding letters but he blurted out "BINGO" and our friends chimed in that we had a BINGO. Everyone moaned, like they do, when they are so close to a win. Needless to say, we were one square off, and to this day my friends reference this event (to my chagrin), as when Roy wanted to play "BONGO"!

I started our Carnival Magic thread (Thanksgiving Magic; Nov 24) to see if we can organize some group excursions to mix it up a bit. I love the group that we travel with but sometimes it's just nice to venture into new waters, so to speak. Any other single parents traveling on this itinerary?

We are booked on:

Carnival Magic; November 24, 2013 (Is it November yet?)

-Boomer/ Roy (Single Dad)

Were soda's included in the 15 drink max or were they unlimited?

Allbeal,

What is your answer on this question? Did you try. I would think that if TDK's answer is correct, one could just order a rum and coke (hold the rum); why would Carnival not want to offer this besides the obvious that they want you to buy the unlimited soda card as well. Not to mention that this would possibly encourage more drinking, rather than a person that might want to pace themselves with a nonalcoholic drink in between drinks... Just thinking out loud...

Do you know if the frozen "drinks of the day" are part of the program?

IF the DOD's are included, simple math here- Average $10 with gratuity, if you drink 5 DOD drinks a day, total= $50; this pays for itself and any additional drinks are gravy- right?

Allbeall, I read somewhere that all adults in single cabin are required to purchase to lesson the possibility of shared drinks. Was this the policy that was presented on your ship?

Thanks for bringing this topic up as our Ship will have this program when we travel next November and I have been curious to hear from someone that has used it first hand.

-Boomer

Wow, What a great idea for a thread! Glad to see that it is still going after 2 years..

(over 42,000 views as well...)

What the heck- here it goes.

Single Dad- Taking my teenage son on the cruise with me with a lot of friends (all married and with kids) so would like the opportunity to share a couple of "Thirsty Frog Reds" on board Carnival Magic for Thanksgiving 2013 with a fun crowd.

-Boomer

We brought cheap blow-up floats.

We used them in Belize to snorkel.

Boy was it nice not to have to swim.

Just plant your head in the water, kick, and enjoy!

Then we gave them to local kids.

 

:rolleyes:

BigTex,

That makes great sense. Minimum packing space, great use, provides a little more moral support for son who is not a great swimmer, unused product (clean, germ free), and at the end of the excursion- you get the satisfaction of making some local kids happy- Great Idea; Thanks for sharing :)

As far as the collapsible chair is concerned, I agree with well traveled "richfret". Why not, it is not about being cheap. Lets look at the pros and cons:

1. I know where my collapsible chair has been.

2. I can use it at any time I please in any of the lines that I may be asked to stand in

3. It is lightweight and packs away easily (talking about the small collapsible that fit in or below a backpack)

4. No worries about the comfort factor- already tried it!

5. Can use for guests in room and on balcony.

Negatives:

- Have to worry about what others may think of me

Easy decision! Bring the collapsible chair!

-Boomer