LadyTenorJD

I've never done a 2 day. I neither gamble nor drink, so I don't know if it is worth it.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I am on deck 7 for the 12/13/14 Liberty cruise...I did the Carnival guarantee. We've been assigned decks close to this area. I can sleep through almost anything, but my friend is an extremely light sleeper! I a going to pray she has no sleeping issues. There will be four of us and we have two cabins. Truthfully, if there are any issues, I'd switch Roos with her if necessary.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I would LOVE to do a B2B...it is on my bucket list!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I need to get better about spending. The reason I get to cruise so much is because I live in a Florida and I am 40 minutes from the closest port (Port Canaveral), and three hours max from every other port in Florida. So no flying for me, unless I cruise from a different destination. For example, I cruised out of San Juan in July. It was one of the best cruises I've ever taken.

I am also a high school teacher, so I have a lot of time off to cruise, and I sometimes take a Friday or Monday off and do a weekend cruise. For my birthday, I'm doing an 8 day from Ft. lauderdale, and I am taking a week off of work. I usually hate to miss school, but it's my birthday and I was always in exams on my birthday when I was in college and grad school, so now I feel I have earned it.

Of course, I normally cruise when school is out, but it is obviously a bit more expensive then, so I plan in advance. Since I've been hit with the cruise bug, and since my buzzkill ex husband is not around to naysay, I've been traveling as much as possible. I have been shopping less, but I need to be better about budgeting. Divorce definitely threw a wrench in my financial plans, but I'm getting better about money. I have to, since I have several trips scheduled in the near futures (cruise and land).

Got a lot of ideas from this thread...thanks, all!

Sent from my iPad

RCCL Monarch of the Seas June 2011--Lost My Cruise Virginity

Carnival Miracle December 2011--Christmas at Sea

Carnival Ecstacy December 2012--34th Born Day Celebration

Carnival Imagination March 2013--Last Minute Getaway

Carnival Valor July 2013--Friend's 40th Born Day Celebration

Carnival Freedom December 2013--35th Born Day Celebration

Carnival Ecstasy March 2014--Spring Break

Carnival ??? August 2013--TBA

My main issue with photographers is that they do not take NO for an answer and are extremely obtrusive .When I am trying to enjoy a meal with my family I do not want my

****ing photo taken.On my last trip ( a major land based resort in Dubai) and had to resort to calling security to get them to leave us alone.

I support a civil society and would generally just say no thank you and keep walking ,but a section of this "profession" seem to think it is perfectly acceptable to harass and bully people.

Why to cruise lines persist with this archaic practice in the digital age

Well, you said it. A section. Not the entire profession. So no need to throw all of them overboard.

Sent from my iPad

RCCL Monarch of the Seas June 2011--Lost My Cruise Virginity

Carnival Miracle December 2011--Christmas at Sea

Carnival Ecstacy December 2012--34th Born Day Celebration

Carnival Imagination March 2013--Last Minute Getaway

Carnival Valor July 2013--Friend's 40th Born Day Celebration

Carnival Freedom December 2013--35th Born Day Celebration

Carnival Ecstasy March 2014--Spring Break

Carnival ??? August 2013--TBA

We sometimes have photos taken when we feel like it and have never had an issue with photographers. We sometimes buy one formal family pose as my mother loves having them.

 

However on the Royal a couple of weeks ago the photographer in the MDR was quite rude when I politely said no thankyou. I had to be very insistant to get her to move away from our table whilst she shouted at me about cruise traditions!:eek:

I have had the same issue when the bar tender tries to sell me drinks during dinner. I'm not sure what part of "I'm not a drinker" they don't understand. But I treat them the same way I treat students who beg me for something they know I won't allow. I just keep politely saying no, and then I ignored the bar tender.

Sent from my iPad

RCCL Monarch of the Seas June 2011--Lost My Cruise Virginity

Carnival Miracle December 2011--Christmas at Sea

Carnival Ecstacy December 2012--34th Born Day Celebration

Carnival Imagination March 2013--Last Minute Getaway

Carnival Valor July 2013--Friend's 40th Born Day Celebration

Carnival Freedom December 2013--35th Born Day Celebration

Carnival Ecstasy March 2014--Spring Break

Carnival ??? August 2013--TBA

Personally I think photographers are vermin and should be thrown overboard

Okie dokie... (Disgruntled??)

Sent from my iPad

RCCL Monarch of the Seas June 2011--Lost My Cruise Virginity

Carnival Miracle December 2011--Christmas at Sea

Carnival Ecstacy December 2012--34th Born Day Celebration

Carnival Imagination March 2013--Last Minute Getaway

Carnival Valor July 2013--Friend's 40th Born Day Celebration

Carnival Freedom December 2013--35th Born Day Celebration

Carnival Ecstasy March 2014--Spring Break

Carnival ??? August 2013--TBA

The photographers are pushy and incessant, and then they post pictures without your permission for 4000 people to see.

 

Every cruiser has the right to find their photo on the big wall, take it to the counter and ask that it NOT be displayed.

Two ways to avoid his. One, if you don't want your pic taken, simply say no. I've not had a problem with them accepting my declination, even if they start making comments about how pretty I am. Two, if you pose for pics, and don't want them to remain on display, pull them down and put them in the throw away bins that are located all over the photo gallery. Not bashing the cruiser I quoted, but I don't see what the gripe is.

BTW, by taking the photo at all, one consents to having it placed on the wall in the photo gallery. So if displaying it is really an issue for some people, simply decline to take the photo at all.

Sent from my iPad

RCCL Monarch of the Seas June 2011--Lost My Cruise Virginity

Carnival Miracle December 2011--Christmas at Sea

Carnival Ecstacy December 2012--34th Born Day Celebration

Carnival Imagination March 2013--Last Minute Getaway

Carnival Valor July 2013--Friend's 40th Born Day Celebration

Carnival Freedom December 2013--35th Born Day Celebration

Carnival Ecstasy March 2014--Spring Break

Carnival ??? August 2013--TBA

I'm a picture nut. I can't help it. If you buy pictures from NCL, you can call them as soon as you get home and ask them to email you a copyright letter so you can then take your pictures to Walmart or wherever and have them duplicated. I asked and they did it in about 5 minutes. Disney wouldn't do it but NCL did.

 

As far as taking a picture of your picture, how cheap can you be? lol

Carnival has a copyright release on their website. I downloaded it, so now I make as many copies of my pictures as I want.

Sent from my iPad

RCCL Monarch of the Seas June 2011--Lost My Cruise Virginity

Carnival Miracle December 2011--Christmas at Sea

Carnival Ecstacy December 2012--34th Born Day Celebration

Carnival Imagination March 2013--Last Minute Getaway

Carnival Valor July 2013--Friend's 40th Born Day Celebration

Carnival Freedom December 2013--35th Born Day Celebration

Carnival Ecstasy March 2014--Spring Break

Carnival ??? August 2013--TBA

If you do happen to like pictures taking during a cruise I would recommend getting a picture package. Purchased one this past trip. It not every day the DH & I dress up so it was worth the money...And we had a blast getting pictures at each port and throughout the cruise...We definitely got the money's worth!!

I have not seen a photo package offered on Carnival, but if I see one tis cruise, I'm definitely going for it!

Sent from my iPad

RCCL Monarch of the Seas June 2011--Lost My Cruise Virginity

Carnival Miracle December 2011--Christmas at Sea

Carnival Ecstacy December 2012--34th Born Day Celebration

Carnival Imagination March 2013--Last Minute Getaway

Carnival Valor July 2013--Friend's 40th Born Day Celebration

Carnival Freedom December 2013--35th Born Day Celebration

Carnival Ecstasy March 2014--Spring Break

Carnival ??? August 2013--TBA

Yes, we like to watch also. Unbelievable that people don't understand that they make their living on these photos. really riles them when the amateur flashes his camera at the same time as them. :eek:

The flash from another camera ruins the shot for both. Trust me. I've had it happen to me when someone pays me to take pics at an event. It is ignorant at best, and inconsiderate at worst.

Sent from my iPad

RCCL Monarch of the Seas June 2011--Lost My Cruise Virginity

Carnival Miracle December 2011--Christmas at Sea

Carnival Ecstacy December 2012--34th Born Day Celebration

Carnival Imagination March 2013--Last Minute Getaway

Carnival Valor July 2013--Friend's 40th Born Day Celebration

Carnival Freedom December 2013--35th Born Day Celebration

Carnival Ecstasy March 2014--Spring Break

Carnival ??? August 2013--TBA

Just to answer your question---just don't buy them.:)

quote]

 

And don't go look at them!! LOL.

 

I saw a lady in the gallery taking pictures OF pictures with her cell phone, and nobody was even trying to stop her??

 

I know friends have done this. That's stealing, plain and simple. My ex husband did this on our first cruise. Embarrassing, and I was secretly praying he wouldn't get caught and embarrass me further.

 

I'm a picture person, but I'm almost always behind the camera, so I buy up photos on my cruises. I know it's expensive, but I don't drink, and I don't buy loads of souvenirs. The photos are my souvenirs. I budget my money to spend on photos. I have enough of myself, so I will probably get my companions to pose for several with me so I can buy some of the group.

 

I'm amazed at how much folks spend on alcohol on cruises, and some are amazed at how much I spend on photos on cruises. To each his own.

 

 

Sent from my iPad

 

RCCL Monarch of the Seas June 2011--Lost My Cruise Virginity

Carnival Miracle December 2011--Christmas at Sea

Carnival Ecstacy December 2012--34th Born Day Celebration

Carnival Imagination March 2013--Last Minute Getaway

Carnival Valor July 2013--Friend's 40th Born Day Celebration

Carnival Freedom December 2013--35th Born Day Celebration

Carnival Ecstasy March 2014--Spring Break

Carnival ??? August 2013--TBA

My problem is that most cruisers do not know how to use a DSLR camera. On my last cruise I convinced a photographer to take a few pics of us since he liked our camera. He did turn away others when they asked him to take their pics.

I always set my DSLR to auto when someone else is going to take a photo of me and/or my companions, and I always place the camera strap around the volunteer's neck as I show him/her where the button is.

Sent from my iPad

RCCL Monarch of the Seas June 2011--Lost My Cruise Virginity

Carnival Miracle December 2011--Christmas at Sea

Carnival Ecstacy December 2012--34th Born Day Celebration

Carnival Imagination March 2013--Last Minute Getaway

Carnival Valor July 2013--Friend's 40th Born Day Celebration

Carnival Freedom December 2013--35th Born Day Celebration

Carnival Ecstasy March 2014--Spring Break

Carnival ??? August 2013--TBA

Oh and don't try to take your own pics at their set ups as thy get really angry about this. We always find it hysterical to watch ppl get shooed away lol.

My church paid me to do a photo shoot of one of the children's singing groups. I used my own backdrop and equipment. When I was finished, one parent tired to take a photo of her children using her cell phone and MY backdrop. I stepped directly into her shot and began dismantling my backdrop. She asked me to wait. I said, "no, this isn't free!" Why are folks always trying to get something for nothing. That's stealing!

Sorry, but I'm an aspiring photographer and it really irks me when someone wants me to take pics of them with my equipment for free. I don't ask folks to give me their professional services for free!

Sorry I started ranting...as you were!

Sent from my iPad

RCCL Monarch of the Seas June 2011--Lost My Cruise Virginity

Carnival Miracle December 2011--Christmas at Sea

Carnival Ecstacy December 2012--34th Born Day Celebration

Carnival Imagination March 2013--Last Minute Getaway

Carnival Valor July 2013--Friend's 40th Born Day Celebration

Carnival Freedom December 2013--35th Born Day Celebration

Carnival Ecstasy March 2014--Spring Break

Carnival ??? August 2013--TBA

One thing to watch out for on a Christmas cruise is whether or not you'll be in port on Christmas day. We did a Christmas cruise once and were visiting a port in Mexico on Christmas day.

 

If we had been smart, we would have booked a Carnival shore excursion that day. Instead, we just walked off the ship and headed in to town to explore. Stupid me... it hadn't occurred to me that just about every shop and restaurant in town was closed down for the biggest holiday of the year.

 

Looking back, it boggles my mind that I just expected to be able to have a normal day in Mexico that day. What the heck was I thinking?!? So... live and learn... never visit somewhere on Christmas day and expect that the locals will be ready to feed and entertain you just like any other day.

I think it depends on the port...I was in Key West one Christmas (land trip) and there was plenty to do, although the stores and the Hemingway house were closed.

Sent from my iPad

RCCL Monarch of the Seas June 2011--Lost My Cruise Virginity

Carnival Miracle December 2011--Christmas at Sea

Carnival Ecstacy December 2012--34th Born Day Celebration

Carnival Imagination March 2013--Last Minute Getaway

Carnival Valor July 2013--Friend's 40th Born Day Celebration

Carnival Freedom December 2013--35th Born Day Celebration

Carnival Ecstasy March 2014--Spring Break

Carnival ??? August 2013--TBA

I sailed once at Christmas and I would do it again. It was my first Carnival cruise, and I had a wonderful time. The ship is decorated for Christmas, as it is in early December (I sailed last December, and there were decorations up already). There are trees all over the ship, as well as wreaths and lights. We were in port on Christmas Day (St. Kitts), and we spent it on the beach. There was a Christmas show listed in the FunTimes for the kids, but I didn't go. I heard from others that Santa was there. A special meal was served in the MDR that night. I exchanged Christmas gifts with my friend that evening. We had fun. I'd do it again.

Sent from my iPad

RCCL Monarch of the Seas June 2011--Lost My Cruise Virginity

Carnival Miracle December 2011--Christmas at Sea

Carnival Ecstacy December 2012--34th Born Day Celebration

Carnival Imagination March 2013--Last Minute Getaway

Carnival Valor July 2013--Friend's 40th Born Day Celebration

Carnival Freedom December 2013--35th Born Day Celebration

Carnival Ecstasy March 2014--Spring Break

Carnival ??? August 2013--TBA

My good friend has gluten issues, and eats a GF diet. She has sailed with me twice, and will be sailing again with me on my birthday cruise in December. She brings on her own GF breads.and has had sandwiches made for her on that bread. The staff does not mind. She has brought on her own snacks and condiments. Staff says that is okay. She orders special meals from the MDR the night before. The mature' d makes sure she has her GF meals. She has no problems when we cruise. She has it down to a science now.

For anyone who needs GF meals, speak to the matre'd AS SOON AS YOU EMBARK. The MDR staff will bend over backwards to accommodate you. Speaking to carnival before the cruise does not help...they assist you on board, and they seem to be well-equipped for servicing a variety of special dietary needs.

Sent from my iPad

RCCL Monarch of the Seas June 2011--Lost My Cruise Virginity

Carnival Miracle December 2011--Christmas at Sea

Carnival Ecstacy December 2012--34th Born Day Celebration

Carnival Imagination March 2013--Last Minute Getaway

Carnival Valor July 2013--Friend's 40th Born Day Celebration

Carnival Freedom December 2013--35th Born Day Celebration

Carnival Ecstasy March 2014--Spring Break

Carnival ??? August 2013--TBA

I would love to cruise on the Breeze. Have not done so yet, but it's on my list, along with the Dream and Royal Caribbean's Allure and Oasis.

Sent from my iPad

RCCL Monarch of the Seas June 2011--Lost My Cruise Virginity

Carnival Miracle December 2011--Christmas at Sea

Carnival Ecstacy December 2012--34th Born Day Celebration

Carnival Imagination March 2013--Last Minute Getaway

Carnival Valor July 2013--Friend's 40th Born Day Celebration

Carnival Freedom December 2013--35th Born Day Celebration

Carnival Ecstasy March 2014--Spring Break

Carnival ??? August 2013--TBA

I am sentimental about pictures, so if I see anyone taking pictures, I offer to take for the I divi dual so s/he can have some of him/herself also. It was years before I realized I have pictures of family and friends and few of myself, because I'm always the one behind the camera!

While I've cruised, I was always pirate foul for the staff and other cruisers who have volunteered to take photos for me so I could be in them also. I have an expensive camera that will intimidate those who are not photo enthusiasts, so I always set my camera to auto so that those who volunteer to do me a favor can do so easily without feeling foolish,

Kindness goes a long way, even on vacation! For those of you who are not afraid of cameras, try it! :)

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Monarch of the Seas June 2011

Carnival Miracle December 2011

Carnival Ecstacy December 2012 (34th born day cruise!)

Majesty of the Seas planned for May 2013

Carnival Imagination planned for June 2013

Carnival Valor planned for July 2013

Carnival Dream planned for December 2013 (35th born day cruise!)

Whoever said to bring power strip ad laptop are so right...I took 1300 pictures on my last cruise, and somehow, half got deleted. It was my born day cruise, and I love pictures, and it really made me sad that I lost so many...some were of folks that we met on the cruise, and now those pics are gone forever. I remember telling my BF that I will be bringing my laptop for the sole purpose of downloading my pics as a back up at various times during the next cruise.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Monarch of the Seas June 2011

Carnival Miracle December 2011

Carnival Ecstacy December 2012 (34th born day cruise!)

Majesty of the Seas planned for May 2013

Carnival Imagination planned for June 2013

Carnival Valor planned for July 2013

Carnival Dream planned for December 2013 (35th born day cruise!)

Hi everyone! I've read EV-ER-Y page on this board and have pages of great tips on a word document now. I couldn't get all that help without joining the community to say THANK YOU! I'll be going on my first cruise in March on Royal Caribbean's Monarch of the Seas. It's a 3-day out of Port Canaveral and it will go to Nassau and the private island. I'll be going with my BF, who is also my best friend, so it should be a blast regardless ;) We are SO excited! It's the first cruise for both of us. Looking forward to learning more about cruises :D

This is the same ship and itinerary I took on my very first cruise two years ago...and now I'm hooked on cruising. I have cruises #4, 5, 6, and 7 planned between May and December of this year. I can't wait!!! You will love cruising. I promise! The food on RCCL is to die for! I love it! I also love food, which is both a good and a bad thing. Lol

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Monarch of the Seas June 2011

Carnival Miracle December 2011

Carnival Ecstacy December 2012 (34th born day cruise!)

Majesty of the Seas planned for May 2013

Carnival Imagination planned for June 2013

Carnival Valor planned for July 2013

Carnival Dream planned for December 2013 (35th born day cruise!)

I've done both Crnival and RC, but I am with many of you who say the same thing about price. I can't justify the RC price...and I haven't done Norwegian or Disney because of the prices.

I've only done 1 RC cruise, and two Carnival ones, with 3 more Carnival ones planned this year. I think RC has better food, but Carnival has better entertainment, for the exception of live bands. However, I was on RC with my then husband, who is a kill joy, so I think I need to give RC another chance. Lol

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I so need to get in shape. Thanks for the encouragement. Do you really enjoy solo cruising? I'm getting divorced, but don't want to give up cruising.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

It was last weekend. I finished in 3 hours, 1 minute, and 32 seconds! My first half marathon and I'm so proud of myself! I'm already looking for half marathon #2. Oh, and I've raised $1,325 for Susan G. Komen in the process! Thanks for asking! :)

Excellent! I do want to get more involved with Susan G. Komen...my grandmother died of breast cancer back in 1989. I was just a kid then. I am so out of shape, I need to set a goal. Training for a 5K seems like an attainable goal to me.

Keep up the great work!

We are on a B2B cruise that will have a turnaround day on a Sunday in November wherein we will be off the ship from mid morning till around 4PM. A couple of old friends plan to drive over from Naples, on the gulf coast, to visit with us. Can anyone suggest an easy to find (for all of us), meeting place such as a restaurant or landmark with parking, perhaps on 17th street in Ft Lauderdale?

Jim and Flora in Costa Rica

Hi Jim. Are you originally from CR? Just wondering. My parents grew up there. I don't meet many CR folks in the States these days, which is why I asked. Enjoy your cruise!