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If you use the social media plan, do you have to go through the internet to get onto FB or other sites, or can you use your App from your device?

We can have 3 of us on the Social Media plan, correct? It isn't just one per cabin?

Also, I'm thinking that if you simply purchase the one day, you'll get the pop ups suggesting you upgrade to the weekly package. If you purchase the full week for $25 you likely wouldn't get the pop ups.

Looking forward to Carnival Magic getting The Hub - it just says 'coming soon'....we've awhile to go before our cruise so hoping it is set to go for when we sail.

 

Right now, I have a reservation with myself and my youngest daughter in a room (she's only 13, but already Gold on Carnival). I'm interested in buying the Cheers package. But, my older daughter (who is 23 and pregnant) may join us.

 

If I buy the Cheers package now, while I am the only adult in the room, if I add her later, will I still need to buy the Cheers package for her?

Just get a Dr. note stating she is pregnant and show it to them on the cruise and she will be exempt from paying for the Cheers program. My mom gets migraines from drinking and she got a Dr. note stating that. My dad didn't have to purchase it for her, and he got to enjoy the CHEERS program himself :)

I have two teens and we've sailed on both of these ships in the past. Loved them both, but Magic won for a re-booking for next spring. The Magic is by far my kids' favourite ship they've ever been on.

The flow rider is fun on FOTS and the sports court/mini golf. But Magic has the ropes course, a mini golf course and the waterslides. I have to say, the Carnival kids clubs have been the best ones my kids have ever been to and they have compared Princess, RCL, Norwegian and Carnival.

You'll love the Magic :)

Thanks so much! We just booked this itinerary on the Magic :)

26% seems like a lot, but in reality we already pay 12% tax here in Canada (BC) and usually tip at least 15-20% so it is right in line with a normal food and beverage bill.

I think it sounds awesome, my kind of excursion!! :D

As another poster mentioned... It is very important they go to the first meet and greet and activity... This is when they form their squads... If they skip this, it is harder as many kids have found their "people" by then... After that, they usually use the O2 club as a meeting place... And come and go doing stuff all day and night!

Couldn't agree more! They have the best time!

My son is 17 and my daughter is almost 13. They are avid teen club fans!!

For spring break, my son's only request was that we consider a cruise because it will be his last year to take part in the teen club. Lifetime friendships have been made over the past 6-7 years we've been cruising.

A couple things to note:

- make sure he goes the first night no matter what. Its when 'everyone' is new and friendships are made instantly. Once you miss that, its harder to meet everyone because the initial intros are over.

- Arcade - it is EXPENSIVE and if they have signing authority on their sign and sale card, I've seen it many times where some kids (not mine) have racked up hundreds of dollars of arcade charges :eek:

If your son wants to play games, the teen clubs have XBox and PS3 contests all the time, he can be on that a lot. And that is free....day and night.

He'll have a blast and it'll be a trip to remember if he puts himself out there to meet new people.

Happy sailing!!

Would be nice if they discounted these rooms. We use a white noise machine at night to drown out hallway sounds and it would be great for the galley noise as well.

If anyone has these rooms booked if recommend a small white noise machine...or app for your phone :)

I am also sailing August 23 and its going to be here before we know it!!

Love this new info - will be following it and adding to it in a few weeks once we're back :)

Yes, $7pp....we're at the same hotel cruising the Dream on Aug 23. I just called the concierge and he said there is no need to pre-book transportation, that there are always taxis outside - and that since the Hilton Riverside is the largest hotel in NOLA that there are many cabs that come often.

I sail on the Dream at the end of August and FTTF has been sold out for months. I had one (some) come available last weekend and snagged one! You have to check early....if they release some closer to cruise time, they will be gone by 7am PST as the east coasters are up before we are :cool:

Good luck with getting one, I'm looking forward to the little perks - although I can't say cruising without one is a 'hardship' LOL

Sorry if this has been answered before...but what is the advantage of the cruise cash/prepay vs actual cash or credit card onboard?

Wow, some people didn't take their happy pill today....

It was just a question people. :p

I find the Carnival sales are very non-sale'ish' and its best to book ES and take your price adjustments and OBC if they come. I do check often though, just to see if my price is the lowest still. So far it is, but one never knows.

Good luck! :D

We have sailed on the Magic and it was my kids favourite cruise ship so far. We're excited to sail the Dream in August - have another Cove cabin booked just like on Magic. That's the best feature of all, in my opinion [emoji41]

I wonder, if you're pregnant and can prove it (note from doctor if not considerably showing), if your husband can buy it without having to get it for both of you.

Was going to say this same thing :D

There are exceptions and if you have a medical reason for not buying the package, it is worth the $ to get a Drs note (or show your pregnant belly) for your husband to enjoy the drink package!!

Have fun!

Oh NolaZach, please come back....I've loved reading your review so far. I'm cruising on the Dream out of NOLA in August 2015 and same itinerary as you.

Hope to read more and you have the time to come back and finish :D

Thanks for the update - I'll be in 2293 in August on the Dream and can't wait.

We bring a small sound machine for when we sleep and it drowns out the hallway noise and room service deliveries. Works great! Love the location of these rooms :D

I've heard the Dream doesn't have the package yet.

When we have cruised in the past, we use our phones when in port. Most of the bars, coffee shops have wifi if you buy a beer or some beverage and some port terminals have free wifi available without purchase. We used the wifi to FaceTime our families and it worked great for keeping in touch....and it was FREE.

For keeping in touch with your kids (teens) while on the ship, we use our cabin phone and leave voice messages a LOT. The kids can access phones from anywhere on the ship, and they just dial your room number and leave a message. That way, anytime you want an update you either go to your room and check messages or see if there is a way to dial in and check them from a different phone on the ship.

We've also used a small dry erase board for in/out messages, but I find that they use the phone messaging more since they don't physically have to be in the room to leave the message for me. It works great:)

You're playing with fire if you travel without one. Yes they can deny boarding and yes, you can be denied access crossing borders.

If the other parent (father or mother) will not cooperate, you can file your OWN application at the court. You do not need a lawyer for this, judges do it all the time. They will give the other parent the courtesy to explain why they won't grant the letter and if it is not a valid reason, the judge can grant the permission themselves.

Give yourself lots of time to do this - they can rush through an emergency, but it isn't look upon positively if you leave it until the last minute. Just validates your exes opinion as to why you shouldn't be trusted taking the kids out of country.

I've been a single parent for 8 yrs and travel with my kids. I do have a letter from their dad but even when we were married and I traveled to visit my parents within the country, I had a permission letter from him just saying he was aware we were traveling.

Not worth the risk.

I have been on 8 cruises with my DD 9--never asked for any letter. It is a suggestion only if you are traveling with other peoples kids. You will NOT be denied boarding if asked and you dont have..you are allowed to travel with your own kids.

 

Think about it, how many people have kids where the father is nowhere to be found, dead, missing, jail, sperm donors, etc. Are these people really not allowed to travel with their kids? Also the letter is just a hand written note--not a court document. You can have your aunt mary write it and say its the father. It is not a legal document and means nothing.

You're playing with fire if you travel without one. Yes they can deny boarding and yes, you can be denied access crossing borders.

If the other parent (father or mother) will not cooperate, you can file your OWN application at the court. You do not need a lawyer for this, judges do it all the time. They will give the other parent the courtesy to explain why they won't grant the letter and if it is not a valid reason, the judge can grant the permission themselves.

Give yourself lots of time to do this - they can rush through an emergency, but it isn't look upon positively if you leave it until the last minute. Just validates your exes opinion as to why you shouldn't be trusted taking the kids out of country.

I've been a single parent for 8 yrs and travel with my kids. I do have a letter from their dad but even when we were married and I traveled to visit my parents within the country, I had a permission letter from him just saying he was aware we were traveling.

Not worth the risk.

I know this is an old thread...but anyone searching for JW Mariott can have an update. I just booked this on a bid on Priceline for $85/night for end of August 2015.

Looking forward to NOLA!! First time for us :)

Fantastic Review!!!

So excited to sail on the Dream in August 2015 with my two kids (11 and 16). We sailed on the Magic a couple of years ago and loved it so much, can't wait to enjoy this one. Even more so, after reading your thorough review and suggestions for the ports.

Thanks again for taking the time to write and share :D

I read somewhere that if you purchased it prior to sailing, then you had a special 'glass/cup' in your room when you boarded. If you bought on day 1 then you didn't get the glass....is this true? Has anyone had any experience with it?

Great feedback so far though....I'm definitely leaning towards it.

Hi, my kids are older (9 and 13) but from what I read they do indeed go ashore and to the beach area. They say that ALL children need to be wearing an SPF of 60+ that day, as well as a hat and tshirt so they don't get too much sun.

I'm thinking though, that if you went off ship and spent 1-2hrs on the beach (or 3-4) that you could grab your child and sign them out to bring them back to the ship with you. It wouldn't have to be for the full time AO is open on Labadee.

Have fun!