slimbyspring

We were on her the week after you, and I returned home very sick as well (pretty certain Covid).  Its definitely the risk you take.  Overall we had a great trip though, and I didn't start feeling bad until Sunday night!  I agree with many of your thoughts - showing age, CD was just ok - Grand Turk was cancelled for us because of wind so we went to Nassau the last day.  We hadn't been there for over 10 years so we did get off and walk around (much improved port). 

19 hours ago, IntrepidFromDC said:

The other change I noticed is more marketing for the "local shops" between the pier and Jack's Shack.  There are still a number of unused beachside buildings in the locals shopping area and more of them have moved to the shore. I hope someone opens something along that stretch that is more like Jack's Shack used to be. Going there now for the first time,  you wouldn't know what you're missing. You wouldn't even know Topher even existed. 😶

Do you know if "buckets" of beer are available at Jack's?  We plan to go there Monday but I am hesitant due to the change in owners - we loved the old Jack's Shack.  

Just wanted to say thanks for the recap!  I copied and pasted it to save for our planning 🙂 I really enjoyed your trip report!  We are still debating cruise/land or land only but your review was very helpful with tips!

2 hours ago, ninjacat123 said:

So bummer….just found out Carnival modified our Amalfi excursion to just driving around Naples because of weather. We canceled and will go get some pizza on our own. I guess that means we have to visit Amalfi in the future 😁👍

Our biggest debate is if we should cruise or just do Italy as a land trip - it’s hard to decide!  We love cruising but afraid we will feel rushed because it will be our first time in Italy!  We are also leaning toward NCL (normally carnival loyal) because of the fewer sea days…oh the decisions!

I am a lurker most of the time, but loving your review!  We are looking at different cruise lines for a European cruise for 2025 (our 30th anniversary) - the Miracle just came out with some sailings so we will decide in the next couple weeks!   I am anxious to see your ports/excursions for them!

We have 5 adults and trying to figure out the best way to get from West Palm Beach to Miami port.  Is there a shuttle?  Renting a car is obviously an option but I assume we would need to return it to MIA airport and then uber from airport to terminal?  Just trying to figure out logistics and if it is worth the added savings.

We are booked in the havanna area on the Vista Dec 2024. We booked it because we loved the Panorama.  It will be our first havanna rooms so we are looking forward to them!  Sounds like she will be updated some before 2024!

Curious on ship...would you recommend it since a new and different ship or should we "jump" ship to RCL and do new ports (spring 2025...and cheaper I might add).  We will get gold "status" in 2024 so I would like to stay loyal but some of RCL ports look interesting.

Curious if anyone has recommendations for 5 people near MIA airport for a pre-cruise hotel.  We don't arrive until 11PM the night before so we just want somewhere to sleep before embarking.  

Help in deciding between 2 cruises for NYE 2024/2025.  

It will be the cruise we turn Platinum 🙂 

Itinerary for each:

Dream - 8 day out of Galveston: Key West (it's been 20 years since we have been), Freeport, Nassau, and HMC

Celebration - 7 day out of Miami: San Juan, St Thomas and Amber Cove

I like the idea of 8 days (but not sure about all the Bahama ports, what's good in Nassau) - we have been on the Breeze so I assume Dream is similar.  But the newer boat also seems appealing. 

Cost is virtually the same for both cruises but you get an extra day.   

15 hours ago, kona_wahine said:

Thanks for the review. We will be on Feb 18. Looking forward to the trip. Got a SUPER deal, didn’t plan on a cruise, couldn’t pass it up. Have an excursion in Cabo as we’ve never been but just going to enjoy the ship in Maz and PV. 

We are on the 2/18 cruise as well - we have never been to any of the ports!  Looking forward to it...we also got a great deal!

Curious on the snorkeling in Cabo - was it a Carnival excursion?  Did you see many fish?  I had read snorkeling wasn't great anywhere so I have booked it anywhere, but if good, I would definitely be interested!  We go in February and excited to do this cruise!

Thank you so much for the review!   I have read along all week 🙂  We are going on the Panorama on 2/11-2/18 (Superbowl, V-day, and my birthday!) - very excited to do a west coast cruise!  Safe travels home.

We are debating expanding our cruising to Europe - curious on good and bad of it in general?  Do you feel like you get a good "taste" of the country by spending a couple port days (i.e. Spain, etc)?  I have traveled to a few European countries but only one of the family who has been across the pond.  I understand the flight is more expensive obviously.  Just more curious on ports/excursions.  Specifically, this one on the Pride:

4 hours ago, Saint Greg said:

Checked in and got my boarding pass.

 

 

Have you ever had issues with Spirit?  We are debating using them for a cruise coming up but I have heard horror stories about cancellations.

16 hours ago, Hlitner said:

If you have never been to PV, than we have a very basic suggestion which assumes you are physically able to stroll (no hurry) a little more than a mile.  Take a taxi (you can use a taxi from within the port or walk outside and get a local taxi) into town (about 3 miles) and ask the driver to drop you by the Rosita Hotel (everyone knows this place).  You than start walking along the water on the Malecon.  You can admire the various sculptures you encounter, browse shops, stop for a drink/food, etc.  The area is very safe (just take normal precautions against pick pockets) and there will be plenty of other folks around (both gringos and Mexicans).  As you get near the small river (Rio Cujale) you can explore the small island, the nearby flea market, etc.  Cross the pedestrian bridge (over the Rio Cujale) and you will enter the Romantic Zone (Old Town) where you can continue walking, exploring, eating, drinking, shopping.  There are lots of eating venue (on and off the beach) where you can enjoy some lunch before heading back to the port for your excursion.  You would want to grab a taxi (back to the port) by 2pm (at the latest) which will get you back to the port in time to meet your excursion.    This particular self walking tour does also give you an opportunity if you want to stop along the beach (in the Romantic Zone).  There are bars/restaurants that have chairs, loungers, etc. on the beach where you can relax with a drink or lunch.  If you want to dip your feet in the sea, bring along a towel and you can just grab a spot on the beach and take a dip (the best swimming area is on the south side of the Romantic Zone past the pier.

 

Hank

Thanks for the suggestions!  Saving this for our trip 🙂

Curious what others have done before Rhythm of the Night.  We get to PV at 9AM and excursion meets around 3:00.  Any suggestions (other than shopping) to do before the excursion?  Beach?  Other ideas of what people of combined with it.

We have never eaten at the steakhouse but plan to on our upcoming cruise.  Is there a menu somewhere?

We are debating on booking this cruise but reading that Skagway is changed to Icy Straight.  Is this confirmed because the NCL website still states Skagway.  If so, what are the hours at Icy Straight?

On 8/3/2022 at 9:29 PM, CM1984 said:

This is from Carnivals website:

 

https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1134/~/laundry-service

Thank you!

Curious if anyone knows the prices of having Carnival do a "bag" of laundry?  Is it by piece?  We are debating on trying to get everything into 2 carry-ons instead of checking a bag (more due to not knowing if your suitcase will make it to final destination), but we may need to do a few items to make it through the whole week.

We are planning on hiking in Juneau and Ketchikan if that interest you.  I would rather see Alaskan than doing tourist "traps"

Juneau - we are either going to take the bus mentioned above and do some hiking around Mendenhall or hike right off the ship at  Perseverance Trail.

Ketchikan - we are going to hike Deer Mt Trail

We spent part of our excursion budget doing the boat excursion to see the glaciers closer.

7 hours ago, TxTeach79 said:

Well, this was just a fantastic trip. I couldn’t recommend it more. We did the math, since I was a kid I’ve been on 49 cruises, 29 on Carnival, and this one ranks right at the top somewhere. Amazing crew, a happy ship that’s so well designed and easy to navigate (and handles crowds better than any I’ve sailed before), and my God - Alaska. Beautiful hardly does it justice. 
 

Thanks for following along! I hope this mess was enjoyable/helpful in some way! I’m going solo on the MG in November and am

playing with doing a live TR then. We’ll see. After that, B and I are right back on the MG over the holidays, and we’re eyeballing a Pride 12 night in Europe next summer. Can’t wait for all it!

So I am curious on the Cheers vs non cheers method on the Alaskan cruise.  We have opted with non cheers since it is Alaska but wondered how the cost comparison worked out for you?  We are "moderate" drinkers and plan on bringing wine on board with us as well.  Great review - makes us ready to see Alaska again!

Just a word of caution - we drove to NO in March and selected a later boarding time as well.  We had reservations at the Fulton garage for parking and it was a nightmare.  It took us over an hour to park and we were pretty stressed that we might not make the boat.  We did and there were absolutely no lines in the terminal, but just leave a little buffer for parking.

Thanks for the review!  We are going on the Splendor at the end of August and are avid hikers.  Going to copy Juneau hike.  Curious on ISP, are there hikes around that area.  We are having trouble figuring out what to do that day.