cio541

Has anyone been to St. Thomas since it reopened? Specifically how is St. John? Deciding on an excursion for two weeks from now

We leave for our second time on Glory in 14 days! We love her!

We have chef's table booked on our upcoming cruise. I sure hope they do not do it on elegant night however! Hoping for the new menu as we did it two years ago.

Nope. Pretty sure we won’t be going to St Thomas or San Juan, but I don’t care. They honestly aren’t my favorite ports anyway. I’ll go wherever the ship takes me with a smile on my face the whole time.

Thats how we are feeling, they will take us somewhere on our Back to Back, just hoping its not the same thing both weeks, however will survive. We don't go till end of January so that should give them some time to get some of the ports back up

We are going here on the Splendor in 2019 and was unsure of logistics from airport to ship pre and post cruise so following.

We went on this one way back in 09. Being from Oregon our flight was short and we arrived reasonably early in the day (noonish) being one to save $$ and looking for a little adventure I learned there was a "free bus" that you could take to the train station and then for like $5 all day pass you could ride the train all the way to Long Beach. Looked it up and discovered that there was a train station two blocks from our hotel, and figured we could hoof it. It was an adventure, and I had to figure out what color train line we had to be on (if memory serves we had to take one color and then switch to another, crossing the street to catch other) It worked perfectly. Once you get to long beach they have these red buses that are free (or at least did then) and we wandered around the city on them all afternoon :)

I am less worried about the depth you went, my guess would be at least 30 feet. Your right you should have had some basic clear your mask, this is where your weights are etc. Heck most places do some sort of instructions with fully certified diver. I am more considered that he did not keep a better watch on her, and kept her from going out so far on that cliff. While she has more ability in the water (from what I have seen) than most, he did not know that, and she should have never been there.

Not your fault in any way.

While most places would provide a DM just for her, one DM who controlled the dive for all three of you would have been good :)

Sorry about the fire coral, nasty stuff! The reason we always wear our full suits lol.

As for Bas Hart, I know that competition on the island is fierce, and he can be crusty, but we love him and his other DM. They also take photos and email them to you.

Before you know it your daughter is gonna be old enough to be fully certified, and she will probably have a life time love :) (or move to Aruba to be a dive instructor lol)

Happy diving!

Whew. I was sitting on the edge of my seat waiting to see your reply and thoughts.

 

 

Thanks for being proud of us.

 

 

So we should have had a DM with us? Is this a requirement by PADI? Is this something that we should check when booking our next DSD? I want to be in the know on what to look for.

 

 

I looked him up and according to his #, he is an open water instructor and EFR instructor (which was not renewed since Dec 2013). :o

 

According to PADI, DSD can go down 12 meters (which is 40 feet correct?). That's what I have always been told by various instructors/dive masters both here and in the Caribbean and it's also what I read on the PAID site. The only information I have ever found about kids diving is the bubblemaker class/student can only go down 6' and that the "Seal Team" member is more advanced in skills and practices other skills, such as photography, buoyancy, environmental awareness and so on. It does allow them to go down 12 feet (which is why he covered his arse and said that's all we went down).

 

 

I have heard and read about stories and how these places can be a little "relaxed" and allow things to go on that is not supposed to. But I had a lot of problems finding anyone that would break the rules back when I was trying to find something we all could do. Or, maybe they just said that (as this place did too) and then once we would get there, things might have been different. I'm not sure.

 

 

Yes, I definitely made sure with every place I contacted that I was going from a shallow/off beach site with easy entry and I wanted to make sure there wasn't much of a current and maybe a protected bay area. Each place I contacted I requested where they would be taking me and did some online research about the place. That was one of the reasons I picked this dive shop, because of it being one of the easiest places to scuba for us (according to everything I had read online about it and what others had said).

 

 

As far as the camera...that is one thing that I wasn't worried about and I'm still not worried about and will always allow her to take the camera. This is the reason why...it's not like she is doing a DSD and this is only her second class (like us), so she has the experience. She does have several dives under her belt with classes, team and going monthly, plus vacation. She's been in the ocean since 3 years old and it's not like the ocean is new to her (as it could be for a lot of people going on vacation and trying something like this out). But, most of all, I made sure that she had her aquamission that was a class specifically on photography and diving prior to this vacation. So, although she has not been in the ocean scuba diving with her camera before now, she has taken it to her class several times and used it while diving and getting use to it along with having the class specifically for doing this. She has also used my camera, while snorkeling in the past, and she practiced with her camera off and on, during this cruise, prior to the dive as well. I feel real confident in her being able to take pictures and still know what she's doing. She was still doing all of her normal skills with removing her regulator and everything during the dive while taking pictures of herself doing it. Now the issue is going over things with her about sticking with the group closer, paying more attention to the instructor and listening for his clicks, being more aware of her surroundings and not hitting the coral, standing, or anything else (I honestly believe that even if she didn't have a camera with her, she could have easily bumped some fire coral anyhow because she still gets up close to observe things). So, hopefully this will put your mind at ease a little on her with a camera. But I will definitely conduct my own "class" with rules prior to any future dive.

 

 

We are still considering the class ourselves. But, I believe we will probably continue to just do DSD for now...at least until she turns 10 and she can start doing DSD with us. This experience was just amazing...even with the mishaps and worry from my end. It's not something I'm willing to give up on. I want to continue to practice and become more confident in getting used to the breathing under water to relieve my anxiety in the future.

 

 

I REALLY appreciate all your thoughts, advice, and everything else. You know this. And you were a big help with previous questions in the past regarding scuba. Thank you so much Robin!

 

 

 

 

 

The hubby was able to use his computer and the phone for work with no problems. Yes, there can be some lag at times and it also depended where you were at. I found it weird that it worked better in our room than up on the highest deck. But, during those few times that it had a few issues connecting (or I should say taking longer than expected) it eventually worked within minutes and then wouldn't have a problem after that.

 

 

 

 

There's no comment...try again. :)

 

 

 

 

Yea, then you would have guessed right. Of course I think I'm the one with the issue about it. No one else seemed to care that day and her dad didn't seem to think there was a problem and was so proud of her. I'm just a worry-wart I guess.

 

 

She would live in the water if you aloud her to. She has been trying to talk me into putting a pool in the back yard this summer. We had one at our old house before we sold it (before she was born) and I have been checking pricing and it seems like they have increased by about 3x. Eek! She's also requesting a "deep" pool so that she can get her own scuba gear and scuba in her own pool. Oh boy...I've created a monster. :o

 

 

 

Thank you so much. I'm glad you are enjoying it and like the style. I just tell it as it is and how it happens....the good and the bad. It is what it is.

 

 

Yea, I was proud of their dive and photo skills this time. We'll have to make this a habit from now on. The hubby REALLY enjoyed himself this time for sure. He kept talking about it and saying so.

 

 

I could have done without a few of the drama and suspense Sakari gave me this time around. :eek:

 

Thank you! Take care yourself.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for joining and I hope you enjoy it.

 

 

 

 

Oh, I was wondering. Thanks for the comments and glad you are liking it.

 

 

 

 

Thank you so much. Sorry to hear you had issues with scuba years ago. I was so afraid this was going to be an issue with Sakari as well. I'm glad she was able to do it this time. It has been a big concern of mine after reading that it sometimes just don't happen for some people. That would devastate her! Seriously!

This is an old post. She is already a certified PADI Seal now and does dives every month and has done 2 shore dives in the Caribbean already. :D Her last dive in Curacao, she dove down to 30' and was with us the entire time and only 1 instructor. (I know, not what should have happened or what PADI allows, but it's what they did with us that day...scared the crap out of me, but she did better than we did). If you are interested in reading that review, it's in my Conquest review. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2491944

That is awesome! Curacao is one of my favorite places to dive. We go with Bas Hart. As much as she obviously loves the water, diving will likely be a life long love!

Also know that most scuba places (excursions) will make her have a private dive master on all dives (meaning you pay extra) and cannot go as deep at the adults do. She will, however, have a great time

Sorry it took me so long to return. After work, I picked up Sakari from her bus stop and we immediately went to our local aquatics store to get information about scuba for her. The place is so amazing there. I can spend hours looking at everything...and actually I did. :p

 

So...I GOT HER SIGNED UP!!! She will do her first 2 classes (both classroom and the pool) starting in October. Then right after that is her "AquaMission" to become a PADI Seal and get her certificate and all that comes with it. Then she will be able to do a different "AquaMission" dive each month:

 

Creature ID Specialist

Environmental Specialist

Inner Space Specialist

Navigation Specialist

Safety Specialist

Search and Recovery Specialist

Skin Diver Specialist

Snapshot Specialist

Wreck Specialist

Night Specialist

 

She will continue to do the monthly missions and if she wants to be certified, she will be able to do that when she turns 10 years old. She is super excited and is super upset that she has to wait until next month to start. :rolleyes: They had a class starting this Friday, but they were full.

 

She has her packet, book and patches and now just needs to get her snorkel and mask. They provide the wet suit and all of the equipment...thank goodness!

 

I hope she likes it and I hope she sticks with it. That crap is E-X-P-E-N-S-I-V-E!!!

 

I was almost excited when they told me after she turns 10 and does the classes, she could actually do her open water certification dives in the Caribbean. :D That almost made me want to do it.

 

Oh, one other thing. They have you fill out a form and answer some questions (health) and I checked the "yes" to having issues with getting her ears to "pop" when coming down on a plane. So...they are making me take her to her doctor to get an exam and they have to sign off on the paperwork for her to be able to do it. :rolleyes: Now I wish I wouldn't have told them. I mean they teach you how to clear your ears. She just hasn't learn how. :(

Sorry needed to read to the bottom :) looks like this one is the one after mine. I didn't figure they would charter a Journey as they are so popular

From: Fri 25 Jan 2019

To: Sat 2 Feb 2019

8 Night Southern Caribbean

 

 

some travel agents websites still have this cruise bookable. if you search on carnival website, it is missing. I guess not everyone got the memo that this saildate is now chartered.

For the second time within a year, we have had a sailing cancel. The latest one happen to be the Sunshine in Jan 2019. They said it was now chartered. Just wondering how often this seems to happen.

Which one in January 2019? (having one booked then, haven't gotten anything but makes me nervous :)

My question about Wine Packages I wonder if anyone can answer, if you buy a wine package on the first day of a back to back is the wine usable on both legs?

From the Carnival website:

CRUISE THE VINEYARDS WINE PACKAGES

 

Purchase one of our packages and save up to 25% on a great selection of wines. Cruise the Vineyards can be purchased on board our ships (ask your dining room waiter) or by calling ‘The Fun Shops’ Department at 1-800-522-7648, 8:00am-12:00am ET. Cruise the Vineyards is not offered online.

On cruises six (6) days or less, we offer a 3-Wine Bottle Package and on cruises seven (7) days and longer, we offer a 5-Wine Bottle Package.

You may drink the wine in your stateroom or dining room only. Unconsumed wine will not be refunded but you may take home un-opened bottles.

 

3-Wine Bottle Package is sold only on cruises, six (6) days or less

Note: Wine selections and prices are subject to change. Wine package price includes a 15% gratuity (corkage fee will not apply).

Wine Package (3 bottles) - $77.00 USD

Sparkling, Barefoot, Brut Cuvee, California

White Zinfandel, Barefoot, California

Pinot Grigio, Zonin, Italy

Sauvignon Blanc, Clifford Bay, Marlborough, New Zealand

Chardonnay, Santa Carolina Valle Central, Chile

Chardonnay, Barefoot, California

Pinot Noir, Barefoot, California

Merlot McGuigan ‘Bin 3000’, Limestone Coast, Australia

Cabernet Sauvignon, Barefoot, California

Malbec, Santa Julia, Mendoza, Argentina

 

Deluxe Wine Package (3 bottles) - $97.00 USD

Prosecco, Zonin Veneto, Italy

Moscato, Castello del Poggio Pavia , Italy

Pinot Grigio, Ecco Domani, Della Venezie, Italy

Sauvignon Blanc, Kendall Jackson, California

Chardonnay, Kendall Jackson, ‘Vintner’s Reserve’, California

Pinot Noir, Layer Cake, California

Merlot, Columbia Crest, Great Estates, Columbia Valley

Cabernet Sauvignon, Hess Select, North Coast, California

Cabernet Sauvignon, Layer Cake, California.

Shiraz, Peter Lehmann, ‘Weighbridge’, South Australia

Malbec, Catena, Mendoza, Argentina

 

Premium Wine Package (3 bottles) - $114.00 USD

Sparkling, Domaine Chandon, Brut, California

Conundrum, By Caymus, California

Pinot Gris, J, California

Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon, Cape Mentelle, Australia

Fume Blanc, Ferrari-Carano, Sonoma

Chardonnay, Le Crema, Monterey

Pouilly-Fuisse, Bouchard, Burgundy

Pinot Noir, Cherry Tart, California

Merlot, Kendall Jackson Vintner’s Reserve, California

Cabernet Sauvignon, Avant, Kendall-Jackson, California

Cabernet Sauvignon, J. Lohr, Paso Robles, California

Chianti Classico Riserva, Melini, Tuscany

Shiraz, Yangarra , McLaren Vale, Australia

Terrazas, Malbec Reserva, Mendoza, Argentina

 

5-Wine Bottle Package is sold on cruises, seven (7) days and longer

Note: Wine selections and prices are subject to change. Wine package price includes a 15% gratuity (corkage fee will not apply).

Wine Package (5 bottles) - $131.00 USD

Sparkling, Barefoot, Brut Cuvee, California

White Zinfandel, Barefoot, California

Pinot Grigio, Zonin, Italy

Sauvignon Blanc, Clifford Bay, Marlborough, New Zealand

Chardonnay, Santa Carolina Valle Central, Chile

Chardonnay, Barefoot, California

Pinot Noir, Barefoot, California

Merlot McGuigan ‘Bin 3000’, Limestone Coast, Australia

Cabernet Sauvignon, Barefoot, California

Malbec, Santa Julia, Mendoza, Argentina

 

Deluxe Wine Package (5 bottles) - $153.00 USD

Prosecco, Zonin Veneto, Italy

Moscato, Castello del Poggio Pavia , Italy

Pinot Grigio, Ecco Domani, Della Venezie, Italy

Sauvignon Blanc, Kendall Jackson, California

Chardonnay, Kendall Jackson, ‘Vintner’s Reserve’, California

Pinot Noir, Layer Cake, California

Merlot, Columbia Crest, Great Estates, Columbia Valley

Cabernet Sauvignon, Hess Select, North Coast, California

Cabernet Sauvignon, Layer Cake, California.

Shiraz, Peter Lehmann, ‘Weighbridge’, South Australia

Malbec, Catena, Mendoza, Argentina

 

Premium Wine Package (5 bottles)- $193.00 USD

Sparkling, Domaine Chandon, Brut, California

Conundrum, By Caymus, California

Pinot Gris, J, California

Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon, Cape Mentelle, Australia

Fume Blanc, Ferrari-Carano, Sonoma

Chardonnay, Le Crema, Monterey

Pouilly-Fuisse, Bouchard, Burgundy

Pinot Noir, Cherry Tart, California

Merlot, Kendall Jackson Vintner’s Reserve, California

Cabernet Sauvignon, Avant, Kendall-Jackson, California

Cabernet Sauvignon, J. Lohr, Paso Robles, California

Chianti Classico Riserva, Melini, Tuscany

Shiraz, Yangarra , McLaren Vale, Australia

Terrazas, Malbec Reserva, Mendoza, Argentina

 

 

 

 

It can be shared between devices but only one connection at a time. I would have to sign out on my tablet to sign in on my computer or let my husband sign in. Only one device at a time per plan

We just recently (Feb 2016) stayed in a Scenic Ocean view room on the Glory. We loved it. We watched pier runners in St. Marteen to four ships :) it was grand. We loved it so much I booked the Grand Scenic Room on our Splendor Oct 22 sailing :) will be nice to have even more windows.

Hi all,

 

Just booked an Alaskan cruise for the first time. It's the Carnival Legend out of Seattle. I have a few questions and I greatly appreciate any guidance.

 

1. What are the top 5 things you would bring on an Alaskan cruise?

2. Can anyone recommend a safe, but inexpensive, hotel near Seatac?

3. Did you pack the same amount of dress clothes for an Alaskan cruise ( I can't see packing a formal dress and suit when we are packing cold weather and rain gear)

4. Are there any "must do" excursions? I am mobility limited but my DH is very adventurous.

 

Any advice is welcomed. Thank you!!!

Know you can hit rain and it can still be cold. Bring a rain coat, and a sweatshirt or sweater for evenings. Bring a hat. I spent a lot of time on balcony watching scenery go by, my ears got cold if not wearing a hat. Bring binoculars, bring your camera!!!

We did the longer bus/train into the yukon in Skagway. It was wonderful, but a long day. There is a shorter train ride, scenery is beautiful.

Whale watching in Juneau was wonderful! It also went to the mendenhall glacier. If you can get on and off a bus I would recommend it highly.

ketchikan we just walked around so I cant tell you much there. Our cruise was only there for the morning (back onboard at noon)

We were called off ship for pliers we had with scuba gear

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I have been enjoying your review and I have been bouncing back and forth between you and phgsteelerfan 's review of this trip. I am also enjoying your hubby's comments and pictures on both reviews. It must have been cool to meet somebody from CC . There are some people I feel like "know" from reading their reviews over the years .

Me too! i have enjoyed both completely!

you usually have to be out of your room by 8 or 8:30 though, if you put your luggage out night before you go when your tags are called, usually (if all goes as planned) everyone is off ship by 10 or so

hi Barbara - Love the review, and especially since we'll be sailing Glory in February on one of the Journey cruises! And loving your pictures - you're like me - taking odd shots - carpeting and beers by the window. :D :D

 

 

 

You might want to check out http://www.ridesas.com/. Its about $15-18 pp shared ride.

We will be with you!!! We are doing any post cruise excursion (everglades) and it includes transfer to FLL where we are also flying out of as it was cheaper (especially important to Rural S. Oregon where all flights feel like a trip to the protological doc)

I totally forgot you were from So. Oregon as well till I started reading this and remembered reading your last review! We are going on the Glory 11 day next Feb, so I am looking forward to finishing this one.

So far so great!!!

but I am about our upcoming cruise. DH and I are smokers (actually DH has quit recently, and I'm working on it). Anyway, during our cruises we have never smoked in our cabins, but have on the balcony. During the last cruise, there were at least three times when we returned to our room to find an air ionizer, or whatever its called, plugged in. We asked the steward about it and was told it was because we were smoking in our cabin. We informed him we have never smoked in our cabin, but he didn't seem to care. My concern is, now with the new policy in effect, we'll get another steward who swears we're smoking in the cabin and will be charged the $250 fee. If we were doing something we shouldn't that's one thing, but I don't want to be charged for something I'm not doing nor have ever done. I'm not trying to start a debate, guess I'm just seeking a little reassurance. Thanks all!

Is it possible the steward was smelling a strong smoke smell on your clothing? I know what I can smell smoke on people's clothing sometimes, and even if they are not smoking around me I know they are a smoker. He may have mistaken one smell for smoking in room?

YEA! another Oregonian!!! Small world eh??!! :D

Yup :) the world of having to go a long was to a cruise port lol. We went one south to Mexican Riviera, and one north to Alaska, so decided to fly to the east to try the Caribbean, next one will prob go to NY and head north to Canada for a chance of pace, so your NY information was very good for me. Of course with the Caribbean you have several ways to go which is nice. We are heading on Western.

where about in oregon does your niece live? we are in southern oregon.. :D

Enjoying the review. We are also in Southern Oregon, gotta love the good old international air port where it takes twice as long and three times the price to get anywhere!

We took the Splendor for our first cruise when it was down in Long Beach, love that ship. Next one for us is out of New Orleans in September, the Dream

I have AT&T and called them this morning. There is no charge for incoming texts and 50 cents for normal outgoing texts. $1.30 for photo or video texts. They will also count against any text limits in your plan. Calls are charged at $2.50/minute. And you will be charged this rate even for checking voice mail.

You need to remember there is a difference in what ATT charges you and the bill you will get from "Cellular at Sea". It will be on your cell bill, and ATT has no say on them. They charge any time you connect to their satellite, which is any time you are at sea, or in a foreign country. My cell company will tell me what THEIR charges are, but they have ZERO control what the ships provider charges

Trying to see which nights to skip the MDR and get a specialty restaurant. Here's the entrees that caught my eye.

 

If you've had them, please rate as 3, 2, 1

3= don't miss this one, it's great!

2= it's OK, nothing special

1= avoid

 

Fillet of tilapia

Sweet and sour shrimp 3

Lobster tail 3

Prime rib 3

Jerked pork loin never had

Braised short ribs never had

Grilled pork steak never had

Grilled jumbo tiger shrimps 3

Martini braised basa fillet never had

Chateaubriand never had

Fillet of mahi mahi never had

Panko crusted jumbo shrimp 3

 

I am not a fussy eater, so if you are, don't know what to say. We do the steak house on the third night usually.

Is anyone else having problems seeing my pictures today??

Cant see most of them today