1stimecruiser

Check out the Radisson in Cape Canaveral, the offer packages they include airport transfer to hotel, ship and back to airport.  We will be trying it our for the first time in December.

We use an individual - Phillip, 954-397-0102 (we used him on March 27th and April 2nd.  The cost was $80 for two people from Miami to Fort Lauderdale.  Has a 12 passenger van and SUV.  We have been in both.   I found him on one of the threads here in 2018.

Loved your review!  Thanks for sharing your experience!  We board the 27th.

Enjoying your review.  We are sailing the 6 day itinerary at the end of the month. Our last cruise before Covid was the 8 day itinerary and loved it!  You are bringing back great memories!

20 hours ago, Rosethorn40 said:

We leave on this cruise in about 2 1/2 weeks (But doing the Amsterdam to Basel route). We will be doing most of the included and a number of optional tours as well. I plan on doing a full review upon our return. Hopefully I will be able to give you some useful information. 

RoseThorn40 - That would be fantastic.  Have a wonderful trip and we are looking forward to your full review as we are going in 2020.  Are you spending extra time in Amsterdam or Basel?

11 hours ago, mskaufman said:

Glad you enjoyed them.  Have a great cruise and if I can answer anything else, happy to do so.

Another question.  What extra pay excursions did you take and did you feel they were worth the money?  I know we want to take the Mozart & Strauss Concert and the Schonbrunn Palace in Vienna.  There are so many extra pay to choose from having a hard time deciding what is not to be missed.  Any suggestions from others experience would be appreciated.

On 1/21/2019 at 7:51 PM, mskaufman said:

 

 

mskaufman, thank you for sharing the link to your beautiful pictures!  Made me want to go on our River Cruise sooner!

Thank you both for the airBNB and hotel info.  Love the Airbnb.

19 hours ago, mskaufman said:

 

We did Romantic Danube with a pre-cruise in Prague.  Happy to answer questions or share photos

mskaufman, we would like to see photos.  Did you do any extra tours and if so what cities and what is not to be missed.  What hotel did you stay at in Prague?   thanks for answering questions and sharing your experience.  Wanda & Mike

fantastic photos.  Thanks for sharing.  We are looking at a Viking River cruise (Romanic Danube) and then a post stay in Prague.  Still in the research stage some finding this thread so helpful.  thank you!

Awesome review.  We sail Nov 2nd on Horizon we sailed on Vista Nov 2017.  Love this class of ship and looking forward to Guys burgers and BBQ.  We are going to try the Cheers package this trip.

We’ve stayed at the Quality Inn several times because the price is very right.  Good pool area and the hotel is always booked.  But, it’s in need of lots of TLC.  It’s not a 3 star hotel.

Thank you.  I created an account for myself but didn’t think about one for the husband to get more gift cards.  We are going to use them to purchase the drink package as well as pay our cruise balance!  Very cool to know this is possible as every little bit helps.

Help.  I want to buy Carnival gift cards at 10% off but need a code.  Does anyone know the code to get 10% discount at the AARP gift card shop?  thank you for your assistance

Enjoying following along.  We board December 9th.

Cruisinmsk and Dmgabe, you've provided such positive feedback we are now considering B2B (6 day and then 8 day) on Magic. We were considering cruising twice next year and sailing Magic B2B will save on airfare. Now it's time to research Curacao and Aruba. Any knowledge you have of these ports would be greatly appreciated.

They do indeed. Usually 2 a night based on some sort of general theme (date night, action, family night, etc.). Recent releases but not new. Usually 6-12 months old. Some nights may have only one if there is some sort of planned deck party at the lido pool.

WONDERFUL! Did you try the sea day brunch? Wow, BBQ available the day we board and movies at the pool we may have to book a cruise sooner... I always enjoy Carnival's food and I'm looking forward to trying something new at the steak house this trip. From your experience anything we shouldn't miss?

Magic does indeed have a Pig & Anchor BBQ. Deck 5 mid ship starboard side and you can eat lunch there when you first get on the ship with little to no line while everyone else is dodging carryon luggage in the Lido buffet. Can’t comment on shows, and it will likely be a completely different group of performers by the time you sail. Magic is a nice ship, only slightly smaller than Vista or Horizon, and obviously a bit older. Guess it really depends on how much you value things being brand new as to wether it would be a better choice for you over Horizon and it’s higher price tag.

thank you for the quick reply. One more question. Does the Magic have movies at the pool in the evenings?

A few questions. We were on the Vista last November and loved Guys Pig and Anchor BBQ. Is there a Guys BBQ on Magic. Did you go to the evening shows? If so, any that stand out? We are looking at an 8 day cruise on the Magic Nov 2019 and trying to decide between the Magic and the Horizon. The cost difference would pay for the drink package.

177 until Harmony

Symphony of the Seas gets my vote. :D:D:D

Disembarkation was a circus to be honest. Being Canadian probably didn't help once we got off the ship. USA residents were told to line up on the right side (outside of the cruise terminal just off the ship) and all non residents were to line up on the left. Our line moved slower than Molasses in January.

After being in the line for almost 45 min. of mostly standing, then moving 5-7 steps only to wait some more was not pleasant. Then someone from the Port told those who are Canadian residents, that were well behind us and had only been there briefly, to jump the rope barrier and go where the US residents line was. Well because that line was empty you can imagine the uproar from those of us who had been waiting longer ! When asked why not those of us who were here longer, she shrugged her shoulders and kept walking........ we all loved her so much for that :mad:.

Once inside, it was a breeze, our shuttle did not leave until 9:45. Arrived at LAX about 30 mins. later, so you should have no problem catching a 1 PM flight at all. Our flight was for 1:13 scheduled that is lol. Was delayed for 1 hour, but we made it home 10 mins sooner than we were actually scheduled for ! Jet stream was very strong, so we made up the time and then some, 4 hours 6 min to Toronto ! Not Bad at all.

If I may suggest, if you can, do a self disembarkation. These started @ 7:30 am and the "coloured tags" started about 8:30 ish.

We were on this cruise too and I agree, disembarkation was a circus! Our flight didn't leave until 4:30 so we opted for one of the later groups to kill time on the boat and not at the airport. By 9:00 am they were running an hour late and things only got worse. At 11:00 am they told everyone remaining to disembark. Once our cards were scanned we walked maybe 100 steps off the ship and hit the LONG LINES for Customs. We were in line just over an hour but I think more custom agents had been added by that time. I agree with "umby", do self-disembarkation to avoid the lines!

Wonderful Love Stories! Thanks for sharing

Doing the happy dance...

NCL Star, sailing Feb 16 (sold out)

Notified of acceptance today (2 days in advance).

Went from Inside to Balcony

Original bid range was $75 to $450

Bid accepted was strong.

Will be on the Star in 5 days to the Panama Canal, 14day Cruise.