TNDeb

I bought a clear over the door shoe organizer at Target about three weeks ago.

I love these things. I have one hanging on the inside of the pantry door as well as the back of the spare 'catch all' room. There's also one in my 'cruise basket.' :cool:

43 days and counting!!! :p

Things are starting to come together. DH and I have our passports, I've made all the flight arrangements and pre-cruise hotel reservations, and I've been working on copying our documents. We have 3 days in Ft. Lauderdale before we cruise and we will rent a car. I'm waiting til closer to time and will try to catch a deal on hotwire.com for that.

We've gotten 2 price drops so far. When paying the balance we got a $440 drop :eek: and just this past week the TA notified us we each(4) will have a $91 credit on our accounts. I'm wondering if this is the norm, or a result of all the trouble Carnival has had in recent months.

I can check "Apply for passport" off the "To Do" list! :D

LOVIN your review so far. We'll be on the Freedom in June for the same 6 day cruise. It's our 1st cruise and to say we're excited is an understatement!!!

I noticed your Dad's NASCAR hat. Who's his driver? We live about 30 miles from the Bristol track and got our racin fix last weekend.

79 days and counting!

So I called the TA this week to pay the balance on our cruise. I gave her all the info she needed and when I checked my account, the amount was lower than our original balance. Seem our cruise was $442.00 lower than the original price. HOW COOL IS THAT?!?!

I've started 3 lists...Things to do, Things to buy and things to pack. I'm working on getting all our documents copied. Are there any tips or advice from the seasoned cruisers for a rookie cruiser?

The counter is FINALLY below 100...and to say i'm getting excited is an understatement. I've found a good deal on Allegiant Air that will get us to FLL 3 days before we sail and 1 day after we're back. $302 per person, non-stop. Even with the additional motel room, this was a better deal. The flight is out of Knoxville and that's less than an hours drive for us.

Speaking of motel, we'll be staying at the Comfort Inn Airport/Cruise Port South on Stirling. 3 nights for $143 per couple.

Now, I have a dilemma, a good dilemma, but dilemma nonetheless. I have been dieting since Feb 1, and have lost 18 lbs as of this morning. :D My winter clothes are falling off of me, and I know my summer clothes will be worse. So now...I'm gonna have to buy something to wear on this cruise. *BIG CHEESY GRIN*

Kick mine on your way!!!!

 

We really need to book something! Sept is just toooo far away!

 

Vegas in June......*sigh* guess we will "Cruise The Strip".....

I kicked your counter. TWICE! :p

Will the June trip to Vegas be your 1st time there? If so, I HIGHLY recommend the "O" show at the Bellegio, and Freemont Street is a MUST do!

WHOOOO HOOOOO! Counter will soon be in the double digits!!!

:p

*Walks in, kicks cruise counter...walks back out.*

*subscribes*

I'll be losing my cruise virginity on the Freedom next June, so I'm very much looking forward to your review!

:)~ Deb

I have 3 'display cases' of NASCAR hat pins. I have photo's on the home computer and will post them when I get home. I got the cases from a flea market vendor that had collectable coins.

Is anyone else having trouble with their count down clock? Mine seems to be running in super slo-mo! :cool:

Found a CUTE cover up today...

on clearance...

for $12.00!

Congratulations!!

 

Catching up on this thread.

 

We have stayed many times at the Embassy Suites in Ft Lauderdale. Managers cocktail party from 5:30 to 7:30. Excellent FULL breakfast in the morning -- eggs any way you want them, fruits, cereals, pastries, pancakes. All included in the price. Sofa in the living room opens to a queen size bed for one couple. The Harbor shops are right behind the hotel. The hotel has E-spot for a restaurant but there are a lot of restaurants in the Harbor shops and others within walking distance.

 

In Ocho Rios -- being on a larger ship, you should dock at the larger pier. You can walk to the Island Market without being harassed by the people. There are some shops there and Jimmy Buffets for drink and food.

 

Grand Cayman -- if you all can swim -- Stingray City is a great tour. If not -- there is a tour that goes out to the Turtle Farm and to Hell.

 

You are wise to get 2 cabins. There is no way I would want to be in a cabin with 4 people -- too small -- and only 1 bathroom.

 

Keep us updated on everything.

Thank you for your post!

In Key West we're thinking about doing the city tour, one full round then getting off on the second lap. We're all cat lovers, so planning on getting our 'cat fix' at Hemmingway's house. And a stop at Margaritaville! In Grand Cayman we're looking at a snorkeling tour. And Ocho Rios, maybe a walk around then back to the ship to check out any spa specials.

We did book thru a TA since we're all rookies. She has been VERY helpful so far.

We've yet to book our flight, but we're arriving the day before embarkment and leaving the day after. Sad note, we're getting off the ship on my birthday. :(

We're also looking at Comfort Inn Airport/Cruise Port South. It's within walking distance to K-Mart, restaurants and other shops and offers shuttle from airport and to port.

Let the countdown begin!!!

~Deb

Oh, and I know many will argue it is not required, but I would always suggest traveling with a passport. It is good for ten years and if something happens and you need to fly home, that is the only way.

 

We got ours done last week. The woman who processed us, said now is actually one of the best times of year and the govt may not be too backed up. You may get it in a few weeks rather than 6-10.

 

~Bob~

Thank you for your post!

Just printed off our passport applications and have all the required documents. Planning on swinging by Walgreens soon to get photos taken then will head to the Law Clerks office!

We're BOOKED!!!! :D

I've seen 'Future cruise certificates' mentioned in several threads...how do those work?

~Deb

Hi, if you haven't already booked your cabins, another great website to go on is DeckPlanGenius.com. They have terrific information on all the cruise line ships regarding size of rooms, where they are located, what's above and below them and whether there are any pros or cons to the location.

 

It can definately help you with your final choices. Before I found this website I felt that booking a cabin was sort of like a crapshoot. I've haven't cruised before either, even though I have crossed the Atlantic 3 times as a child. I am pretty confident that the cabin I finally chose for my first cruise is going to be a good one. Good luck and listen to all these experts: don't share a cabin with another couple. Get out some duct tape and mark off the size of the cabins and balcony and find out if you can live comfortably for 7 days in that space. Not!!!

THANK YOU for this info...that site is packed with great information!!!

Someone posted this link on my thread:

http://deckplangenius.com/Home.aspx

And it's packed with good info on choosing a cabin!

I finally registered after reading all I could on this board. What a gold mine this place is!!

 

Next summer (May/June) Hubby and I along with another couple WILL be on a cruise. We want to do a 5 day cruise of the Eastern Caribbean. We will be meeting with a TA in the next week or so. Here are some of my concerns/questions:

 

We would like to stay in one cabin, with a balcony. If there is a couch that pulls out to a full size bed, we're good with that. What are y'all's experience with this?

 

Hubby is concerned about his bar bill...he is a beer drinker. What are the best ways to deal with this? I think some cruises offer a $$ a day for all the beer you can drink. How has that worked for y'all? As for me...I'll have rum runners filled with Capt. Morgan.

 

Shopping...I admit it...this is one of the things I'm most looking forward to. I know it depends on what ports we hit, but what ports offer the best shopping? How far is the shopping from the ports?

 

Excersions....which ones do you recommend?

 

~TNDeb

UPDATES:

We've decided to try a 6 day cruise and are looking at Carnival Freedom's western route, with stops in Key West, Cayman Island and Ocho Rios. Taking the city tram in Key West looks interesting and from all the comments I've read about Ocho Rios, I'm thinking of taking advantage of any Spa specials on that day. Any suggestions on what to do in Cayman would be greatly appreciated.

The TA we're using does have cruise experience, and I'm comfy with that.

We're definately flying in the day before and out the day after. Does anyone have any recommendations on a motel in the Ft Lauderdale area that offers shuttle to/from the airport and port? Also one that is within walking distance to a Wal-Mart/Walgreens/K-Mart/Beverage store?

The 4 of us have traveled together quite a bit. We always share a room. We spent 10 days together 2 years ago on a Vegas/Charlotte vacation and sharing a room was part of the fun. As I mentioned in another post, we're looking at both sharing a stateroom and getting connecting rooms. It will boil down to the cost.

I'm SO glad I found this site...what a wealth of knowledge it offers. I've got to admit...I'm addicted!

Y'all have a GREAT day!

~TnDeb

One cruise directory we had called it "A plastic piece of ship."

HA! Sounds like an accurate description!

The TA we're going to talk to is swamped right now taking care of racefans coming to town for the Bristol races in a few weeks, but after that, we're going to meet with her. After the comments made here and viewing cabin photos, I think connected rooms are the way to go.

We've all got some questions to ask the TA and I'm wondering if any of you veteran cruisers have any tips on what to ask for.

~Deb :)

I've read several comments about a "ship on a stick"....what exactly is this?

Thanks to everyone for your comment. I am now thinking 2 cabins would work better for us. We travel A LOT with the other couple and always split a room, but the one comment about one bathroom + noro virus...no thank you!

All 4 of us are 49-51 in age.

For excersions, I'm thinking more of the sight seeing type.

Since we're all cruise rookies, we thought a 5 day would be a good starting point. Me personally, I'd LOVE one that lasts longer.

As for shopping, Hubby and I will celebrate our 25th Anniversary in 2014, and he's promised me some jewelry. I've heard prices are good in the islands, and he would be game for taking advantage of that.

I finally registered after reading all I could on this board. What a gold mine this place is!!

Next summer (May/June) Hubby and I along with another couple WILL be on a cruise. We want to do a 5 day cruise of the Eastern Caribbean. We will be meeting with a TA in the next week or so. Here are some of my concerns/questions:

We would like to stay in one cabin, with a balcony. If there is a couch that pulls out to a full size bed, we're good with that. What are y'all's experience with this?

Hubby is concerned about his bar bill...he is a beer drinker. What are the best ways to deal with this? I think some cruises offer a $$ a day for all the beer you can drink. How has that worked for y'all? As for me...I'll have rum runners filled with Capt. Morgan.

Shopping...I admit it...this is one of the things I'm most looking forward to. I know it depends on what ports we hit, but what ports offer the best shopping? How far is the shopping from the ports?

Excersions....which ones do you recommend?

~TNDeb