luckymbt

We were just at Krazy Lobster this week. Highly recommend. As others said no credit card take cash in multiple denominations. They make it very hard for you to find the exit out of the port area, we asked vendors and they pointed us out. We went straight to the Red Shirt golf cart guys that were recommended here, do not get fooled by the white shirt  men. The prices are much higher. We got a 6 seater for $80 all day. They gave us a map, it is only 2 turns to the beach area. They recommended a stop at Beer House, 2 blocks from where we started, we all got a cold cheap beer and continued to the Krazy Lobster. The staff helped us to park and sat us ocean front. Staff was continually netting the seaweed out and plenty of folks were in the water. Got a bucket of beer, fabulous guacamole, soft tacos later w another bucket. It was a great day. We left with spare time to make beer stops on the way back, we even ate at a road side restaurant/ shack for beans,rice and stewed chicken. Great day wish we could have stayed longer

On 1/10/2024 at 6:49 PM, ninjacat123 said:

I have been to The Krazy Lobster twice and it is very relaxing and it's ala carte.  There are massages on the beach (awesome!) beers and margaritas, and yummy lobster lunch (plus other selections).  There is a net that keeps the seaweed away and the water is very calm.  You need to get to the taxi area behind the shops and it's $4/person in a taxi to get there.  If I was stopping at Costa Maya, I would go back to The Krazy Lobster again!

You can expect cool temps and possibly choppy water until you get past SC. And of course the last sea day returning can be chilly. Pack a sweat shirt enjoy the inside activities and enjoy your vacation

Loving all these ideas....interesting to hear they let you take food out of the dining room. In May 2018 we could hardly get anything "to go", Carnival saying food safety reasons.....My husband got a migraine, had to leave before his dinner arrived and it was a major deal to get it to go....that was on the Miracle....our least favorite staff and cruise over all

All good advice !! My gals are grown now 17 and 22 but both started cruising when they were 2 and did great at the kids clubs. In our experience the counselors were wonderful and the kids had a great and safe time and it is good for them and You .  A cruise is a different situation for them and interacting with other kids is great for them. Check on them, if they are doing fine, go relax.

We always brought comfort items .....you have to think they are in a new environment and not the regular snacks they may be used to. A super hero or Disney princess pillow  case over the normal one , makes a fun nap/ bedtime and some normal fruit snacks, granola bars, teddy grahams.....what ever is their favorite is comforting... We are sailing soon....probably my 22 year olds 18th cruise ! They will love it and so will you for years to come. Enjoy!!! 

We were not notified but were happy to see we had been moved from late dining to anytime.

I agree, I have learned to pack lighter over the years. Also, if you still feel the need to be dressy....then pack a little black dress and change up the accessories, or my fave, black slacks and switch out some fancy tops...fits for causal or dressy....and the same pair of shoes works each night.

I can only agree with the previous posts. We have 2 daughters and have always enjoyed the 2 rooms. The extra bathroom is fabulous and not that I let my gals stay out late, they always had to be in by the time the Teen programs ended, but they loved sleeping in a little late , in the dark interior room. My husband is an early riser(and kinda noisy) when he is up....everyone is up. Our next cruise we have balcony rooms that adjoin in the interior like hotel rooms often do. We were lucky to get a special that made the extra balcony room , cheaper than getting them an interior room.

The purser's desk will gladly give you additional key cards so that they may access your balcony room and you can access their room.

Can someone remind me approximately how much the pictures are each?

I know we usually end up buying more than we set out too because often they are just so good and we can't decide which to leave behind. We normally always get a family portrait and my daughters just love to pose at the different scenes set up.

I was considering the $199 pre-embarkation. Just wondering if it is worth it. Thanks

Thanks Ehpride and others. Maybe we will do a main dining room breakfast and tender over after 10am

We are just planning to explore on our own, so we are not in a rush to get on an early tender.

Is there a time later in the morning, once most folks are off the ship that you can just wander down to the tender area and board a tender over? Does anyone know when that may me, 10 am -ish or earlier? later?

If you have pre-purchased your Cheers , it will be ready as soon as your board.....IF you have not pre-purchased, you can choose to buy as soon as you board....you will pay Carnival's 15% as well as state taxes, This will allow you to use your Cheers until from the time you board 3 -5pm ish , this first day which ends at 6am the next day.

You can also wait and purchase Cheers on that second day, this is your last chance to purchase it.

It begins at 6am that second morning and you will not be charged the state taxes.

You will love the Pride, perfect size ship, perfect amount of upgrade restaurants, I would sail her again and again....who am I kidding....I have... Enjoy your vacation.

We have always done craft foam(like felt sheets but foam) for years and we have not had any issues, also it is a lot of fun.

Save the libraries !!! Or at least mix it w/ internet quiet space. There are still many of us that enjoy books and cruising.

Thanks RPYNE !!

Does anyone have a sample letter? We are taking DD's boyfriend with us and his parents are divorced and not traveling with us. Thanks

We always decorate our door with whatever theme fits the occasion...Sweet 16 Birthday cruise, Family reunion cruise , Thanksgiving ....maybe because we have always traveled with our kids since they were little and always loved to craft, it is fun to see what people come up with and /or are celebrating. Also in a long hall, for folks directionally challenged like myself, it always helps me find my "home". Enjoy being creative and if he feels like the Captain.....so be it for 5 or 7 days !!:)

How soon do you receive the AARP cards?

It may depend on the age of your kids and if they need the childhood interactions all day. We were on a business reward trip the first time we cruised Alaska and were kicking ourselves that we did not have our children with us. We finally had to buck up and spend out for a return for us with the kids. Alaska is a must see cruise. Like I said it depends on their ages. But I would say Middle school and above will get so much out of it and so many life long memories.

Hi, my daughter also uses the Medtronic pump, which the previous poster was right, they have great technology, making FDA approvals on their artificial pancreas. And they have Fabulous customer service. My dtr was away in Ohio in a summer camp, I was home in Virginia, and her pump malfunctioned !!! YIKES, but not so bad Medtronic air flighted a pump to her. But I will say, She has been a counselor for the last 3 summers at a diabetes camp, helping younger,newly diagnosed kids and she has taken a real liking to the omnipod waterproof, tubeless system. It is a tough / expensive decision, take your time, look at all of them , sales reps will come to your house or meet you at the Endo. office. You will be able to make an informed decision, don't worry. And it may change as your child gets older and into more things. I hope you have a great June cruise !!! and by the way, we have plenty of family in PA, so Go Steelers !! Oh and Carnival is good about having Sugar Free desserts in the buffet area, I can't really speak to the taste ...my dtr. usually opts for a few bites of honest to goodness dessert vs. a full size "sugar free" . The only other random advice and I do not know if other new T1D's have had issues with this, but my dtr is super sun sensitive ever since her diagnosis. So Get the rub on cream sunscreen and skip the spray , just in case you all have the same issues. She has actually started to buy surfer rash guard clothing just to decrease her exposure. So especially in June when you go....pack the good sunscreen. Have a great Summer Vacay !!

Congratulations !! you are already getting the hang of using the book and estimating. My DD diagnosed when she was 9, now going on her Sweet 16 Birthday cruise in a few weeks. Like everyone says it is doable, and you can still have fun and eat normal things in moderation and it will be a fun vacation. Special Needs will get you a sharps container and mini fridge for the insulin. In our past experience the kids programs / counselors were very aware and attentive to her diet needs and dos and don'ts. We have often been surprised to find a few other T1D kids cruising with us, some on pumps some not.

My daughter always seems to run low on vacations, the stress reduction from being out of school always seems to have that effect. So just check BG often, pack some hard to melt sugar snacks like skittles, they are great to pack when going ashore. If you are flying ask your Endocrinologist for a letter that explains the diagnosis and allows them to carry juice and snacks beyond TSA regs. My DD just got back from an air trip to Florida with my husband and she got her letter, and crazy enough they were going there to scuba dive!!! and will again when we cruise soon. She did great, there are some depth restrictions that she has to follow, but FUN does not have to end, you just have to adjust. Good Luck to you from one T1D mom to the next !!

I'll be happy to answer any other questions as will the rest of the CC Family here.

I have to agree with previous answers. We LOVE Carnival. My count down is on for our May sail away. However...there are better choices for Alaska. We did HAL once when invited by friends and loved it so much returned with nearly my entire family. Alaska is a cruise not to be missed but also as others have said you need to cruise a line w/ rights to spending the day in Glacier Bay, plus Seattle is fabulous be sure to book a day prior or post cruise. There are some great things about the lines that are noted for their Alaska service. We loved our HAL experience. I hope you plan soon and enjoy. The beauty just cannot be described.

vacationmom, do not worry. As a poster mentioned earlier, contact special needs and you can get a sharps container for the room as well as a small desk top mini fridge to keep the insulin and glucagon cold. That way you do not have to use the ships mini bar fridge. My DD was also an out of the blue diagnosis about 8 years ago. She is coming up on her Sweet 16 as we cruise this June and she really rocks the whole T1D issues. There are plenty of low carb/sugar meal options. I hope your BIL has a fabulous time.

Hi, we have cruised with our daughters since they were 2yrs old , now 16 and 21. Leaving out on the Pride soon and they are excited. Sign your child up for the kid's programs. Both of my kids loved the options of getting the schedule of what was planned and then having some kid time and then opting out later to do family stuff.

Also the kids programs usually have family activities built in so we did spa/ nail stuff, scavenger hunts etc as families and met their new friends. it is a growing experience , try new foods , meet new friends.Also the camp counselors are great. So let her spread her wings a bit, you will both be happy with the new experiences and there are so many fun memories now around my house, pillow cases, t shirts and other arts and crafts that they did thru the years. Great memories.

I have decorated my door on cruises for the last 3 cruises now the guidelines make it impossible to create the designs I used to. Do they allow window clings? They say nothing about being flame retardant. I love showing my individuality! Any help would be greatly appreciated!

We have always decorated our door. What are the new rules? Where are they?