CRocks

Great minds DO think alike! This was my first cruise, except I was on Sensation instead of Paradise (identical ships). To this day I love Fantasy class ships for all the open air deckspace.

Here's the pros, cons, as I saw them. Wasn't crazy about Tampa terminal (may have since changed) but the sail away down the channel + especially going under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge was spectacular! Make sure you're on deck for that. If you can, get there a day early + go to Clearwater.

In Cozumel, I went to Ruins of Tulum. Experience of a lifetime, but doesn't allow much time for anything else in Coz. Chankanaab Park is also a wonderful place for a family. Great port BTW, been back many times.

Grand Cayman, if possible please do Stingray City. Absolutely fabulous experience! 7 mile beach also a great place. Warning, this is a tender port. If the seas are high, they may not be able to stop.

Obviously I was blown away by my first cruise + sail every year now. There isn't a bad ship in the fleet, so don't give that a second thought. Be sure + take your dinners in the MDR. The buffets are fine for breakfast, lunch, but dinner in the MDR is a must! Have fun, you can't miss!

What's the best way to rent a car at the various ports in Hawaii?

We have a 15 day sailing to Hawaii comin up in January. Any idea what that will cost? I know it used to $5 per day up to $25. That's what we paid, $25, for our 8 day to Aruba last year. I imagine it'll be more than $25 for a 15 day.

Never been on the Paradise, but did a 5 day outta Tampa on the Sensation + loved it. Myself, I think the Fantasy class ships are great with all the open air deckspace. I sailed the Fantasy + it is much older + in great shape. Can't believe any ship in Carnivals fleet would be bad. That said, I wasn't impressed with Tampa's terminal but that may have since changed. When I sailed outta Tampa, the terminal was dirty, disorganized, long waits. OTOH, sailing down the channel + under the Sunshine Skyway bridge was breathtaking!

Oh well, not what I wanted to hear. Been to St Thomas several times, not quite as I remembered. Goin back on our 13 day Jan 2018 cruise, guess I'll see this again then. Thanx!

Pretty sure it's Hawaii. Doin a 15 day there in Jan, hopin this is on the itinerary.

Sailed her when she was the Destiny + again as the Sunshine. Have her booked for Jan 7th, 2018 for a dynamite 13 day Southern itinerary. Definitely do Ji Ji's for dinner, the duck is out of this world. Only complaint, that wild slide. I do all the slides on all the ships but that one just about made me sick.

Thanx for the help, I'll plan something else.

My son highly recommends doin Hana on Maui. I did a search here, a lot of mixed reactions to Hana, especially DIY. What say everyone here?

We chose the internet social media option with the app + that's an additional $5 per day or $25 per cruise. Well worth the money, especially for our next cruise, which is 15 days.

if you go on your own you can reserve tickets two months out or they have 1000 tickets available day of visit. Here's the link

 

http://www.nps.gov/valr/planyourvisit/fees.htm

Good info here, thanx much!

We always sail around Jan + the weather in the Caribbean is GREAT! But, to put yourself at ease, go to weather dot com + punch in your ports. Click on monthly + it'll give you a graph of the average highs/lows for the month you're traveling.

Hey everyone, anytime dining is new to me, last time I sailed, it wasnt an option. When I originally booked, i thought ATD would be a great option. But I have read post were there were long wait times on certain ships with ATD. The hubby gets impatient and would rather eat at a buffet every night to avoid long dinner lines.

So those who have done both, whats your preferences, why?

Thanks :)

I've never waited with ATD, but I'm sure it's possible at certain times with certain table requirements. But, I'd damn sure wait an hour in line before I'd eat my dinner in the buffet. There is absolutely no comparison to dinner in the MDR + lido buffet.

Suggestions for someone who doesn't normally eat asian food, and also cannot do spicy even a tiny tiny bit? (If it has ground pepper on it, it's too spicy. I think checkers fries are spicy). Hubby REALLY wants to eat at Jijis, I just want to find a nice safe choice lol

Just tell your waitress. The duck is an appetizer + not at all spicy. It's an ABSOLUTE must! The entire experience is incredible + well worth the $15. Our reservation was comped for our anniversary OTOH, we did the Capitano for lunch (free) + didn't care for it. I grew up in an Italian neighborhood + love good Italian, but this wasn't it. Might be better for dinner. Really enjoyed the Italian specialty restaurant on the Dream.

The duck is AWESOME! Careful, when they say "spicy", they mean "thermo nuclear holocaust". If you don't want it real hot, they can tone it down for you.

Name one Carnival ship who's decor isn't "odd"? ;) We're booked on Miracle to Hawaii this Jan.

Remember, if all tender ports, sea conditions dictate everything.

We're doin Miracle to Hawaii Jan 2017, but I've already booked Conquest for Jan 2018 so April dates should be posted SOON!

At JiJi's, the duck, the duck, + the duck!

Can't go wrong with Anytime dining!

Yup, my feeling exactly. I don't like eating late, but some ports require a later dinner time. With ATD, adjust your dinner time to fit your schedule. You won't have the same waiter every nite, but I've never had a bad waiter, so no problem there. And, you can request a private table or to be seated with others whatever you choose.

I have one of my children or sister check us in the 24 hours before. Then print out the boarding pass at the kiosk in the airport.

I just checked in an entire group on a recent cruise with various airlines + flights. This is a good way if you have someone RELIABLE. Make SURE they have your confirmation number + proper name you're using on the flight.

It was almost $4 and it stops itself we were never charged more nor was it per oz

Ditto, not only does it shut off @ 14oz, it also has a timer + shuts off after so many seconds regardless of amount dispensed. Got off Sunshine last month, used it many times.

Just got off Sunshine last month. We had ATD and never waited. We always got down there about 5:15 (for 5:30 seating) and they were already seating people every nite. Be sure + try JiJi's for an amazing dining experience. The duck is out of this world!

We celebrated our anniversary last month on Sunshine. When we got to our cabin there was a complimentary dinner ticket for JiJi's or Capitano's. We chose JiJi's and it was FABULOUS! The occasion was noted on our profile. Hope they keep it up. We're booked on Miracle next anniversary + Conquest the one after that.

Yes, they offer breakfast. However, every time we booked the park & cruise package, there were two options. One is for "Park and cruise only" and one is for "Park and cruise with breakfast." The add on price with breakfast comes out to about $10 per person, which is much more than we want to pay for breakfast. :D It is my cruise budget rule not to eat out when it is not absolutely necessary.

 

Oh, they also have a coffee shop by the lobby and a Tiki bar by the pool.

OK, I guess $10 for breakfast is a little pricey, but it was OUTSTANDING. Like I said, wasn't doubting you, last time we were there was Dec 2012.