agc291

Carnival hasnt offered promo codes for excursions in about 2+ years. The box is now there for codes given to ppl with itinerary changes.

Looks like March 2015

http://www.embarkandaway.com/carnival-drydock-schedule.html

Didn't snap any pics of him, but I did notice he had a little bit of a mustache if that helps!

No but thats ok! I dont remember much- just that i think he was from the Philippines.Thanks!

I know a lot of school kids are off Presidents week but i was looking for around the 17th which is the week after that.

 

Thanks for the feedback!

Must be nice- kids in our area dont get much. Regardless, I think Mid Feb is fine.

Today I did laundry, vacuumed and went grocery shopping. What happened to my room steward, Marlon? Where's my mocha chocolate getaway? Was it really just yesterday morning that I debarked the Carnival Conquest in Miami? Sadly, yes. DH and I had a great cruise (is there anything other than a great cruise?). This is my very lengthy, very picture heavy review. Questions are welcome!

 

We flew from NH to Orlando and then rented a car and drove to Miami to save money. Well, I thought it would save money, but DH proved that it most likely didn't between the rental car price, SunPass tolls and gas. Oh, well, it was an adventure nonetheless.

 

The day started off quite slippery as it was freezing rain in NH. Luckily, after de-icing the plane, we took off with no problems.

 

The drive lasted about 4 hours since we stopped three times.

 

We stopped at a Publix in Miami to get some frozen dinners and a 6-pack of water for the cruise. We then dropped the rental car off at the Miami Rental Car Center right next to the airport. We were going to take the People Mover into the airport and then take the free shuttle to our hotel, Element Hotel, but we spotted a cab outside and just wanted to get to the hotel after the long day of traveling. The hotel was super close and the taxi fare was only a little more than $6.

Do you have any pictures of Marlon? I am wondering if he is our first room steward we LOVED. He said to remember his name to call him Marlon Brando

But February is break for all the younger kids. Middle school and high school.

Spring Break for school aged kids is Easter. I have NEVER heard of kids being off in February.

March is spring break for college aged kids not Feb

And the actual cruises have not yet been published. Carnival has only released itineraries to April 2015, and I think that they will return to Norfolk after that.

Yes they "usually" only sail May & October... maybe they will be doing more since they will no longer be in Baltimore? It would be nice.

Check the roll call section for a cruise on your same itinerary ( the Victory does 3) and ask them if they are coming back to post or ask some that have just returned.

Here is the link for Victory roll calls

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=337

Probably best to ask this on the Florida Departures boards but I am sure it is in full swing. The spring breakers should be out of there but I am sure plenty of people are still flocking here for warm weather.

I sailed on the Destiny in a room almost all the way forward below the SPA and never heard anything. We have had 2/3 cruises and our next cruise with a room in the same location. We love it.

I will look for it in the buffet as well on my cruise on the Victory. It seems to be hit or miss. For every person that says that it was there, another 5 say they never saw it. I am very disappointed about them taking the sushi carts. We went every night it was open.

We loved Atlantis. Our itin originally had 2 days in Nassau so we booked a room direct on Atlantis' site to save money vs the excursion. We enjoyed both the waterpark and the aquarium and if we went back to Nassau we would go again.

is raw......are barely..or I would not eat it

Thats what sushi is...:rolleyes:

I am not sure about the Magic- but if they do it is for a fee at Bonsai Sushi. Unfortunately, Carnival has removed most if not all of the free sushi carts and replaced them with the Taste Bar.

See my post #13.

 

Again, that's the "problem" with east coast ports. The ship can only sail so fast. There are only so many ports within their range.

 

Yes, Carnival has a few sailings that are >7 days, but not regularly (other than a couple ships in S FL).

 

Young families and/or new budget-concious cruisers (their target demographic whether we want it to be or not) simply cannot afford the vacation time and the cost of longer cruises. Why do you think those long HAL cruises are full of octogenarians? Because they aren't working and have money!!

They do 8 day from NY that goes to the Caribbean (GT, PR, St T) so why dont you think a good 7 day itin is an option from Norfolk?

I believe it is the first full day at sea

NCL already has atleast some of theirs out. I am sure it wont be much longer.

For those of you stopping in Grand Turk over the next month or so, local Caribbean lobster is in season. Don't know if Jimmy Buffets or other beach spots (don't think Jacks Shack fools with it though)cook it up, Local Village did but they're closed. But if you head downtown you might find it at Barbies, Sandbar, or Bohio Dive Resort (it's on their dinner menu) may have it for lunch. Ask around.

Thanks for the tip! Will be there in less than a month!

Agc...we leave on the Victory in 48 days!! This is not our first Carnival cruise but it has been 5 years due to us having kids! :) What was your favorite part of the ship?? Any good tips/suggestions?? We cant wait!! We did hear she was an older ship but that doesn't bother me at all! The pics I saw were really nice! Escpecially with the new serenity deck!! Thanks for your input!

We enjoyed the Serenity area. On our sailing not a ton of people used it. We love to eat in the aft area next to the large windows overlooking the wake. So relaxing! We also liked the movies on the big screen at night! We didnt do a lot, just mostly relaxed but the ship is great and not overly crowded! You will have a great time. Let me know if you have any questions. I will be doing a review for my trip and just got a new camera so I plan on taking a lot of pictures!

I have seen a couple of posts lately with ships delayed in debarkation with stops in Belize, not sure of the validity. You arent "supposed" to book a flight out of MIA earlier than 12, some say 11:30. We just booked our flight for 11:05 and bought FTTF. We plan to self disembark as soon as possible but if you are uncomfortable about the flight I would change it.

:eek: Say what?!

 

I'm in Springfield, and there is a total wine about 10 mins away. I never thought to look for Carib, but now I'll make a point to. If not, I'm getting some next time I'm around Chantilly. Thanks for the heads-up! I'll keep an eye out for Piton too.

 

Cool to run into another NOVA'er here. Small world! :)

Indeed:cool:- I live in Manassas and work in Chantilly!

I left a comment on your other post but will comment again here. I am not sure where you are seeing bad reviews... I havent seen any negative stuff on the Victory. I went on her a couple years back and will be going again in 25 days. I have read a lot of reviews since re booking to see if things had changed and all feedback seems positive.

I have also done your itinerary on a different ship and enjoyed it very much. If you have any specific questions I would happy to answer them but as to you being happy on this ship I do not know. It is not a newer ship with the upgrades but think it is a great choice, especially for a short itinerary.

Are these new? I have seen similar bags in multiple reviews and posts for months? Were they just offered on select ships and are now fleet wide? Sorry I am not platinum so I am not sure how it works.

Check out your roll call sections for others on your sailing. They may have some excursions planned that you can join. As for the ship, we sailed the Victory for our first cruise and enjoyed it very much. We are actually booked to sail on her again in 25 days :) The ship was very easy to navigate but is an older ship without the upgrades you will find on some others. I am not sure what itinerary you are on but we have done the KW/ Coz itin on the Destiny and enjoyed it. I am sure you will have a blast.

ken mo is correct! we loved the victorys layout and actually enjoyed the ship so much we are booked on her again in a couple weeks. you will have a great time!