gothedistance

Couple of things that we found really helpful:

this beach blanket while in port: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CXL453D/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1 It is super lightweight, almost like a parachute, came with stakes and it was huge for the 5 of us! I am excited to use it in other ways too. I got it for $17 on deal.

These metal hooks were awesome for holding my lanyard, drying my suit, etc: I picked these up for $6 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0787Q54M1/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 We had 2 cabins and 6 per cabin was great! 

Also we did bring towel clips, a small travel speaker, and a deck of cards- used all of those!

We designated one empty suitcase for dirty laundry at the getgo so that kept our cabin organized. 

Thank you so much @SG65CB! I really appreciate it! 

Hi, I'm really interested in snorkeling here! This information is really helpful! I have a quick question, what do the buses/ open air "safari" buses look like? I am considering hailing one of those rather than a taxi, at least on the way out. There are 5 of us to $10 per person each way adds up.

Thanks! 

I have seen them at Bi-lo and Kroger. $100 minimum, but I think you choose the amount after that

I love my Lacroix and am actually excited to bring it on the ship in a couple of weeks!

This is a great review! Can't wait to see more! 

We thought the piano bar player (William) was good. We sailed on the Valor 2/6-13, W. Caribbean

Yes, on rush hour being bad at 7am in Charlotte. Avoid at all costs. Columbia is about 3 hours from Charleston. Look at the far side of it. Traffic shouldn't be too bad leaving town.

Columbia is 90 mins-2 hours from Charleston depending on where. Worst time in Columbia is 730-830 am but if you are taking 77 to 26 you are, in general, going opposite of most traffic so it shouldn't be too bad. I live in Columbia and commute every day.

I just got back from a cruise on the Carnival Valor and I did not have a good experience with GoportCanaveral. I posted more details on another thread so I won't repeat it again but overall until I hear from them I cannot recommend using them unless you really enjoy waiting around forever.

I just returned from a cruise and did not have a positive experience with GoPortCanaveral. I have contacted them about my experience and hopefully we can resolve something.

Do *not* book the Days Inn Titusville- the front desk people and breakfast were fine but the rooms were awful. None of us got a good nights' sleep- the beds were uncomfortable and the bathrooms so dirty.

Travelynx was OK on the way out but beyond awful and disorganized on the way back, we waited 2 hours for a shuttle back to Titusville with 3 kids and 12 bags, dragging them all over based on what the 'dispatcher' was telling us.

Until they will speak with me and make amends for the awful service we received, I cannot recommend working with them.

I have read various posts in the past that say if you change status during a cruise that you earn that status from the beginning of the cruise...the terms say that as well...although it states at Carnival's discretion or something along that line

My husband is going "gold" as of this cruise as he hits it halfway through. It was on his booking.

It looks like Bahamas Tourism is still doing the "People to People" program. Has anyone used it recently. The last post I found was from two years ago! My small group of 4 is looking for the most bang for a little buck!

We did the People to People program last week when we were in Nassau. We were hoping to visit a local school and we were hooked up with the principal of a local elementary school. Unfortunately it was their field day, so we spent the day watching kids run at a local track not at the school. They had us sit in a VIP section which was very nice but that meant it was hard to get to talk to other people. Everyone was really nice- really really nice to us, and it was eye opening to see the kids compete. But we didn't really get to hang out with the local kids since they were all competing. The track meet was also to send kids on to Island-Wide/Bahamas Wide/Caribbean wide competition so that meant potential scholarships for the kids. Who knows, maybe we saw a future olympian run!

I wouldn't look at this program as a tour guide AT ALL. It is meant to have a local show you about their life and dailiness.

How do you book this- when you get on the ship?

I just sent in a registration request for my family and I for the PTP program. I hope we get accepted!

Thanks Scubagirl for all of the helpful information!

Danielle

There is a play area with a "ship" climbing structure behind the first beach area. That way they don't have to play on the bar ship.

That is what I was referring to, OVgirl. Thanks.

I was so happy to read all of this feedback. I booked a cabana for our cruise in February. When I booked it said there was only one left, so I'm glad I did it! We will have 3 kids with us, I am guessing we would want one closer to the pirate ship for them to play on? Maybe #3?