Florissouri

We booked a room in the Hyatt House - Fort Lauderdale for the day prior to getting onto

the Allure ( Oct 20/2013 ).

 

- Has anyone stayed at this hotel prior to boarding your cruise, if so - what was your thoughts about your stay?

 

- Would like to know if anyone knows if there is any shopping areas near the Hyatt House, or would we need to take a taxi to the Las Olas area?

Hyatt House is a nice, newer hotel with a nice pool deck and a good breakfast. It's located just off Stirling Road across from Oakwood Plaza Mall which is a mall for locals not a touristy area like Las Olas.

Oakwood has a K-Mart that has a decent selection of popular wines and next door to it is a BJ's Wholesale Club where you don't need a membership to buy alcohol.

Restaurants on Stirling Road or in the mall are Chipotle, Burger King, Taco Bell, McDonald's, Moonlite Diner, Wendy's, Hollywood Ale House, Dave and Buster's, TGI Friday's, Sal's Italian Ristorante, Sweet Tomatoes, Red Lobster and Quizno's.

I'm guessing a taxi to Las Olas would be at least $25-$30 each way.

Welcome to the cuckoo's nest!

I was reading that almost all cruise ship Captains are Italian, however, the major cruise lines are not Italian companies.

 

Take Carnival Cruise Lines for instance ... It's an American / British company with an American CEO ... however, none of the Captains or his 1st officers are American.

 

Seems strange that these cruise lines don't hire Americans ... The US has the largest Navy in the world. Certainly there is alot of talent getting out of the US Navy that have experiance operating large ships like aircraft carriers and such.

 

Lots of Americans flying large commercial airplanes ... but not commanding cruise ships.

 

So, anyone know why there are no American cruise ship Captains?

 

Do they get paid so little by these cruise lines that no American that has experiance commanding aircraft carriers, large cargo ships, etc would ever want the job?

 

Confused ....

Because the Mediterranean is where most of the maritime schools are. Carnival has a contract with one of the Italian schools and I think the link below is the one, but I'm not sure.

http://www2.units.it/dinmasnm/

I would think if someone retiring from the US Navy that commanded an aircraft carrier for years would certainly be able to captain a cruise ship around the mediteranian ... don't ya think?

 

Like I said ... Lots of American 474 Captains .... but no American cruise ship Captains

 

Just seems strange to me

Why would they want to? You do know what the meaning of "retired" is don't you?

Hi fellow cruisers! I'm planning to book Carnival Miracle March 6, 2013 or the NCL Gem March 3, 2013 leaving NY... I still can't make up my mind!

 

I just came back yesterday from Florida and was on the Carnival Sensation. It was such an old ship with outdated decor and stinking old carpets. The food was top notch though. I know the Miracle is a newer ship but I'm still having my doubts about cruising with Carnival...

 

I cruised twice on NCL Jewel which I hear is very similar to the NCL Gem. I had a wonderful time both times I cruised.

 

Currently, the balcony on the Miracle is $250 cheaper than the balcony room on the Gem. Also, the Miracle gives you an extra day compared to 9 days on the Gem.

 

I don't know which one to book!!! Too many pros and cons for both ships!!! Can anyone help me?

I've been on both ships and in my opinion there is no comparison. The Miracle is a good ship, but the Gem is head and shoulders above it. The Gem is even much better than Jewell, especially the design of the Garden Cafe and The Great Outdoors.

I'm sure you will have a good time on either one, but it's a personal decision whether a little more upscale is worth the extra dollars. Here's a thread just down the page that may help you decide if NCL is worth more money than Carnival...

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1785574

Next, be sure you are comparing apples to apples. Is the balcony cabin on the Gem a regular balcony or a Mini-Suite? There is a big difference. Below is a link to Photobucket and the pictures I took of the Gem Mini-Suite...

http://s158.beta.photobucket.com/user/CraneLegs/library/

I'd never heard that but I'd have to say its an urban legend. In only aware of 3 bowling alleys in Raytown.

That is so Peculiar.

Are there sidewalks on the 17th ST Bridge? We are staying at the Hyatt Pier 66 and considering walking a few places in the area.

Absolutely!

There's a walkway on the south side of the bridge which will give you a view of Port Everglades. Be sure and take your camera because it is quite a view from there.

I'm staying there this weekend I'm keeping an open mind I will give a detailed review of the hotel when I return. One problem I have is that it's located so far from the hotel. We may rent a car.

Is it really true there are more bowling alleys per capita in Raytown, Mo that anywhere else in America? :cool:

As long as both of you have your own SetSail pass you can board separately...but why would you want too...all part of the fun and the arrival picture together...I agree with dropping the car off first and take the shuttle together with your luggage...really no big deal.

IMO...The two most annoying people on every cruise are...

1. Ship's Photographers

2. Beverage Servers selling the "Drink of the Day."

I checked Dollar for car rental and it was over $100 for a day!!! :eek: We just decided to do a shuttle. The hotel we are staying at will shuttle us to the airport for free.

 

As far as tipping, the GO shuttle I checked out gratuity was included. I'm not sure about QLS, which is the other shuttle I am looking at.

Check Alamo.

Gratuity is usually 10%-20%. Some private sedan companies add it automatically.

Private Sedan is going to be $75-90 plus tip. A rental car is usually about half that cost.

Shared shuttle charges per person so if there are 2 or more in your party it would cost as much or more than a rental.

You should also consider renting a car one way to FLL.