KatPem

You can wear whatever you like, just be careful. I prefer a sport sandal (teva, keen, Merrill) with a bottom that grips. These are great for the beaches too.

Kathy-Central Indiana

Mom to four (2girls-16&13), (2boys-13&11)

Carnival Liberty (Southern) 4/2015)

Carnival Conquest (11/13) Repositioning

Carnival Liberty (4/13) Eastern

Carnival Destiny (6/04) Southern

When we took the kids, they were 9, 11, 12, 15. They shared the cabin next to us. We booked one adult in each to get the past guest rate since they hadn't cruised, didn't look into anything further but know it depends on age. They did great. They were not allowed to leave without one of the others unless they were going straight to camp carnival activities. We had an extra key made for our cabin for them to keep in their room and my husband and I each got one for theirs that we kept on our lanyards. We had post it notes and when they left they had to put what time it was, where they were going, who they were going with and when they would be back. If anything changed, they had to come leave a new note. It worked out great and we did it too so they would know where to find us as well. They were required to be back by 5 for dinner. Any problems and they would get grounded to their cabin. They knew they were not to go into the cabin areas with anyone or allow anyone back to theirs, even if they said they would wait outside. It worked out great, we all had a blast!

Kathy-Central Indiana

Mom to four (2girls-16&13), (2boys-13&11)

Carnival Liberty (Southern) 4/2015)

Carnival Conquest (11/13) Repositioning

Carnival Liberty (4/13) Eastern

Carnival Destiny (6/04) Southern

We did it and will do it next time. We don't drink much but the doors do all look the same so it makes you not have to think about which is yours. Since your room number isn't on anything, I felt better knowing my kids wouldn't accidently go to the wrong room, even though they are older. It was fun for us, we used the removable vinyl and put a cut out of our state on our door and some Easter cut outs on the kids room

Kathy-Central Indiana

Mom to four (2girls-16&13), (2boys-13&11)

Carnival Liberty (Southern) 4/2015)

Carnival Conquest (11/13) Repositioning

Carnival Liberty (4/13) Eastern

Carnival Destiny (6/04) Southern

Thanks for the review, love it and the pictures! We are doing this itinerary on the Liberty in April....can't wait!

Kathy

Mom of four (girls 16 & 13) (boys 13 & 11)

Central Indiana

Carnival Conquest (11/13) Repositioning

Carnival Liberty (4/13) Eastern

Carnival Destiny (6/04) Southern

I don't like to carry tons of cash but it will be needed at most ports so we use a credit card for our sign and sail so we don't have to carry as much cash.

Kathy

Mom of four (girls 16 & 13) (boys 13 & 11)

Central Indiana

Carnival Conquest (11/13) Repositioning

Carnival Liberty (4/13) Eastern

Carnival Destiny (6/04) Southern

One other aspect I don't think many think about is the fact if Carnival is not making a profit by extras (whether it be alcohol, excursions, gambling, pictures, and FTTF included) that the price of the cruises will be higher. So those of us who find it worth the $50 for FTTF are helping keep prices lower, just like any other way extra money is spent on a cruise. Besides, I am sure many that won't pay for FTTF are spending money on the other 'extras'....it's all what is worth it to you

We took our kids last April and did not have FTTF. We waited in line for about 45 minutes in Miami and then about another 30 to board. They are older so it wasn't a big deal and since there was 6 of us, we had plenty of people to watch our stuff.

Hubby and I went alone in November and got FTTF in San Juan. We got to checkin with priority line thus waiting about 5-10 minutes is all. They had issues with something (customs, inspection, something) so they were not boarding yet but we talk to security and he told us where to go to bypass line if we wanted to explore until ship was boarding. We did and were led to the front of security line.

For me, my husband isn't the most patient so it was nice not having to wait in those lines. I have MS so the less I have to stand and/or carry the better. I have a nice camera, an iPad, as well as medications that I carry-on and after a while that gets heavy. Since I play by the rules and wait til the time on the door to go to my cabin, being able to go straight there and drop our stuff is worth it, the rest are just bonuses for me.

I have gotten FTTF for our cruise next April with the kids. They carry a ton of stuff in their carryon, including a throw blanket each so I know they will appreciate dropping it as soon as we board

Kathy

Mom of four (girls 16 & 13) (boys 13 & 11)

Central Indiana

Carnival Conquest (11/13) Repositioning

Carnival Liberty (4/13) Eastern

Carnival Destiny (6/04) Southern

Thanks for the suggestions. We're waiting for Carnival to rebook FFTF as they have cancelled our previous booking due to a change in ship as our Liberty sailing has been replaced by Valor.

We are in the same situation but opposite ship. I went ahead and rebooked it myself as I was afraid it would sell out before carnival switched it. I called carnival and they said if for some reason I ended up with it twice, to call and they will fix it. Just an fyi

Kathy

Mom of four (girls 16 & 13) (boys 13 & 11)

Central Indiana

Carnival Conquest (11/13) Repositioning

Carnival Liberty (4/13) Eastern

Carnival Destiny (6/04) Southern

Mnbruce, those shots are amazing!

I can't wear heels due to balance issues but I have worn a wedge. My daughter wore heels every night to dinner. I think the biggest thing is the bottom...I try to bring shoes that have more of a grip on the bottom (almost rubbery) so I don't have to worry about slipping on the tile areas. Wear whatever you are comfortable in and even if you are the only one (you won't be...not even close) who cares ;)

Take the trolley to the forts and then walk downhill back to the ships if you can handle it, otherwise, you can take the trolley back

There is a small market with liquor on ash ford down from walgreens, towards the radisson. Lots of restaurants on ash ford within a couple blocks of Walgreens as well. We ate at 'the place' across from the radisson....cool ambiance and Great burgers! About $25 for two beers,a. Coke, and two 8 oz burgers and fries.

Definitely the free trolley to the forts and then walk back so the kids can get a feel for osj. We took our four kids...aged 9-15 at the time..and they loved it, take lots of water! If u head left out of the ship terminal and head to the flag poles, about 1-2 tenths of a mile along the road you can easily pick up the trolley before the terminal...not as busy. They have both open air trolleys as well as green bus like ones, all free. Look for the sign near the flag poles...also a cvs right there for any needs you may have. There was a guy outside of el morro selling shaved ice for $2. He shaved it off a block and the kids loved it!

When we were on the liberty in April, they did not start boarding til noon and we were told due to budget cuts within the govt.

When we took the kids for Spring break, we decorated our door and were glad we did....made finding your door really easy. We did not see hardly any others with decorations. I have a cricut (machine that will cut out shapes) so I will be cutting something out of vinyl (the kind that is removable from walls) to put on our door. It was nice not to have to think about which door is yours, especially with kids.

When we went over spring break we separated dh and I to get past guest rates. Once on board, they couldn't 'switch' us but they made extra keys of both rooms for us.

Just won radisson thru priceline for $84. Listed as a 3 1/2 star. I tried 4 star and it was rejected but this got approved. Runs $170 on their website. November 15 for 1night precruise

We are going on a sailing excursion that leaves from the American Yacht Harbor in Red Hook (East End) at 9:00 am on Monday, May 13th. We will be docked at Havensight (I believe) and what is the best way to get there and what time should we get off the ship? From what I am reading I think our location where we get the excursion will be different where people get the ferry for St. John. Also, when we return will it be easy to get a taxi back to Havensight and do they pick you up where they drop you off? Also, what will the price be for the taxi? Thanks for the info.

It is $10 per person each way for a cab to red hook from havensigh....it takes about 20 minutes. We set up a time with the driver whence dropped us off on when and where to meet but there should be cabs there I'm sure u will not be far from the ferry dock.

Great review!! Thanks so much! I scanned the fun times from our cruise, two weeks before yours, we did have Grand Turk Cancelled and extended San Juan though so you might scan just those two instead of all of them...save you a little bit of work. Here is a link to mine.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1829051

Thanks! Nice to relive our cruise! GREAT pictures!!

My husband and I went and signed up for this at his insistence. I left 10 minutes into it (the kids' orientation starts at 5:15 and this was at 5). Anyway, he ended up winning a $75 certificate. He brought it to me afterwards and told me to book something.

So, I looked on it and at the bottom it stated it was non-transferrable (I was booked in a different room and they still let me use it, I didn't say who had won it, just showed them the cert). It also states it is only for signature services which massages start at $149. It has to be used WHILE we are in Port (they worked with me and I booked for 1:45 when we left at 2 so I didn't have to miss the port.) and it mst be booked by 10 PM on embarkation day (less than 5 hour window to book)

I used it for a Hot Stone Massage and paid the $74 for it. It was nice and a splurge and only did it since my husband told me I should... normally I don't get massages ever.

I was glad to have gotten it but think the rules are ridiculous. Great if you are aware of them and planning on using it within these parameters. I probably won't go next time but might since we won't have the kids with us (the kid's orientation was a waste if you have researched and don't have any questions) and I am sure my husband will want to go lol he's lucky!

Oh, and for our cruise, they said they were giving away a chance to win $500 in spa credits.... I think that was the total of all the credits given away.

I was not pressured to purchase anything at all.

So, I just called several companies to find out if they offered a shuttle from Port of Miami and since most info out there is not real current, I thought I would share.

Yes to Shuttle when asked:

ALamo, Dollar, Enterprise, and Thrifty

No to shuttle:

Advantage, budget, E-Z rent, Hertz, Payless, Royal

I got no answer at National and the number listed for Avis was disconnected...

Great review with GORGEOUS pictures!! I am so excited to take the kids to El Morro! We are going to head to St John's for some hiking but I love your pictrues of St Thomas, that was definantly one of our favorite places last cruise!

Soooooo excited to hear about your geocaching! We LOVE to cache and hope to find at least one at each stop, sadly we will not be going to HMC. Hope you touch on this some more later on in the review ;)

Thanks so much for the review....looking forward to the rest! We will be on there at the end of March and cannot wait!!! I have been waiting for a new review! Thanks again!