angeleyez915

Did you notice that any service was downhill, like some people talk about

Not at all our service was awesome, our room stewards even incorporated my son's stuffed puppy and a couple of our souvenirs with the towel animals it was adorable. The food and service in the dining room were terrific even with as many people as we had at our table they were very attentive and made sure that the water was always filled. It became a bit of a joke with my son and I, my son drinks a lot of water and he would drink half the glass in just about one gulp, put his glass down turn around and it was being filled again before he had a chance to pick it back up again. So he started trying to see just how fast they could fill his glass.

It was my sons first cruise and my second. I felt very pampered and well taken care of the entire time.

Thank you! I did call as it wasn't showing on my cruise documents. The gal I talked to said that she is seeing the OBC on my account but it just hasn't been moved to the OBC field for me to see it, I was assured that it will be there :)

We were on the Dream on 2013 LOVED it, loved everything about the ship. Its a beautiful ship, and my experience with the crew was awesome. We had a large group (12 people) and some of the group were a bit rowdy especiallhy at dinner in the MDR, our wait staff was very patient with our crazy bunch and the Maitre De even told me he missed us on one of the nights that we werent there, he said that we livened things up lol. The Dream spoiled me though because now I dont want to go on the smaller ships. There was more to do and more options for dining. We were on the ship for 7 days and I know that when I sail on her again I will still find things that I didnt get to experience on her the first time! By the way - I had an interior Spa Cabin and was worth every penny.

Last week I noticed that the price of our Spa Balcony was showing a reduced price when I checked on the fare viewer. I had already paid the balance in full even though it was before the Final pay date. I called and was told the difference would be applied as an OBC. I see the reduction applied when I look on the website for managing my booking but I am not seeing where the OBC is showing, I looked at the documents for printing and its not showing there either. Anyone have any idea where I can verify that the OBC is going to be applied?

I just noticed that our local grocery store is selling Carnival gift cards. Does anyone know if these can be applied to the sail and sign account? If so, do you need to present them upon boarding the ship?

 

Any information would be appreciated! :)

I bought gift cards as well (love the fuel perks) and paid for the entire cruise by using the gift cards. The site allows you to apply them toward payments for the cruise, however i tried using it to purchase items like room decorations and such from the fun shops but it does not give an option to use the gift cards that way. I am also hoping that i will be able to use the balance of what i currently have on a gift card toward the sail and sign when i get to the ship. I was thinking about purchasing a few more to take on the ship but was concerned that I wouldnt be able to use them.

I would focus on the FLL area - it is more family friendly (IMHO) and hotels are generally cheaper than comparable properties in Miami/Miami Beach.

 

www.sunny.org has lots of FLL area tourist and lodging info. I would focus on hotels close to the beach (great for kids of all ages) and water taxi.

 

SAS (www.ridesas.com), QLS, MJS, Go Airport and others can shuttle the 4 of you from the FLL area to POM for about $15 per person; with 4 you could also spend a little bit more for a cab or private car service (Go Airport offered private car service for about $90 - a cab on the meter will run about $75-80). The same transportation options will get you back to FLL after your cruise - I would not book a flight earlier than about noon to be safe.

 

Good luck! :)

There is just the 3 of us - single mom here :) which is another reason looking for safe and kid friendly. thank you for all the ideas - I will definitely be doing so research tonight. Any more ideas that anyone else can give will be greatly appreciated as well!!

Sorry I should have clarified - I do not drive so a rental is not an option.

I am a resident of Ohio and will be flying into Fort Lauderdale airport for our May 23rd cruise on the Breeze out of Miami. My two boys (ages 16 and 7) will be with me. We will be flying into Fort Lauderdale two days before the cruise. I would like ideas, opinions, etc on where would be better to stay for those two days before the cruise - Fort Lauderdale or Miami.

- Hotels?

- Kid Friendly activites close to Hotels?

- Best/safest/inexepensive means of transportation while in Florida prior to the cruise?

Looking forward to all of the exciting ideas and responses! Oh, I have never been to either Fort Lauderdale or Miami

Hi all - Single mom here (45 years young - well I will have just turned 46 when my cruise starts) Just booked the Carnival Breeze 8 day for 05/23/15 - Bringing my two boys with me one is 16 the other is 7. My oldest has informed me that he will be insisting that I have at least 2 nights to myself where he will be taking care of the younger kiddo and letting mom go and have some adult time - anyone else going on this cruise?

what happens if you use your 15th drink at 11.59 pm? you start over at 0 at 12 am?

It starts over again at 6 am...

If you get a decent bartender they will warn you when you are at the 14th drink - you can then opt to buy the drinks at the point rather than using the cheers program... I was just on the Dream last week - Lucia at the Blue Iguana was AWESOME!!!!!!! and she always told us when we were getting close

Keep it coming! Getting on board three weeks from Saturday!!! Cannot WAIT!!!!

You board the day that I get off the Dream ! :) I'll do my best to leave it in good shape heheh

Mmm Can't wait...I will have one in 15 days and counting! I thought all the desserts on a cruise were fat and calorie free?! (Please just roll with me on this one...) :D

YES! Carnival takes all the calories, fat and gluten out of all their food! especially the deserts!!!

Will be ordering one on Nov.2...maybe 3rd...4th...who knows...

I'll be ordering it on the 19th of this month in just 8 days woohooooo :)

Yes, you might get a better price booking air travel through CCL, BUT, you are at their mercy as far as flight times, layovers, and when you arrive.

My suggestion is to book your own flights, arriving the day before, if possible.

This may seem to be an inconvenience, but, the piece of mind of being in control of your travel plans may well be worth it to you.

Mind you, this is MHO, but I do mean you well.;)

It was more expensive booking flights through carnival for me than it was doing it on my own - i actually saved about $400 round trip by booking my own flights directly through the airlines

Hi everyone.

Im very frustrated. Hopefully someone can help me.

 

My hubby and I bought our airfare through Carnival for our Xmas cruise. We were told through Carnival that we would know our flights assigned at the 75 day mark. Well we are past that now. Ive called and still nothing in their computers.

Then I was told that we have to check in for it to appear on their website. So I did and of course...nothing.

 

Has anyone else ever bought airfare through Carnival? When did you find out your flights?

I did and didnt get the info until about 2 weeks before my cruise.

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Hi, I'm Pat from Maryland and I have cruised solo since 2000, generally on Celebrity. As an avid reader, I always carry a book with me (even to dinner in case there's a lull in others arriving). Often other passengers will start up a conversation by saying, "what are you reading", and usually a lively and interesting conversation ensues. For excursions that are long and there is a danger of missing the ship, I usually do the ship's excursions. However, will sometimes do independent tours that I learn about on the CC boards or Trip Advisor. Many times, explore with others (couples and singles) met on board. Of course, when touring on our own, safety is important. Always be aware of the surroundings. Solo is fun, relaxing and very rewarding. Enjoy!

OMG that is an awesome idea !! I cant believe i didnt think about that when i went on my solo in march.... It would have helped with the people who completely ignored me during lunch in the MDR one day ...... I tried a few times to get a conversation started with them but they were only interested in talking to the others of their group, I came pretty close to being asked to be seated somewhere else. I love to read and just didnt even think about pulling out my reader

My name is Gloria, I am cruising solo - well sort of ... my 15 year old son will be with me but as he is very independent he will most likely be off doing his own thing most of the time.

I am a single mom of two wonderful kiddos - one is 6 years old and the other will be 15 at the time we go on the cruise.

I went on my very first cruise ever back in March of this year on the Ecstasy for a 4 night cruise and I went on that one solo. I had an amazing time!! I will admit there were times where I felt a bit lonely and isolated but that was my fault not Carnival's in any way! Once I got up the nerve to actually start talking to all the complete strangers and realized that they were all very nice for the most part I was much more comfortable with the entire situation and i was able to relax and enjoy myself.

I am taking my son on the one in October as a birthday surprise for him and not sure if I'm more excited about seeing his reaction when he realizes that we are going on a cruise or about the cruise itself lol.... He knows that we are flying to Florida and are going to "a beach or two" but doesnt know anything beyond that. He wont know that we are going on a cruise until we are actually on board the ship... I am going to try really hard to keep a straight face while i tell him that we are just tour the ship then "oops we didnt get off the ship on time" and try to play it out as long as possible before surprising him at dinner with a birthday cake and the staff singing happy birthday to him :)

Dream - 10/19/13 :)

You're welcome and thank you! Enjoy!

 

 

 

Thank you. Sorry - I don't do bingo, but they certainly have it. It is a revenue generator for the cruise lines.

 

Oh - last time i did play i would say punch cards.

I played on the Ecstasy ... someone in the session in was at won 1000.00 on the punch cards

UGH!! I hope they are back onboard after vacation! We're sailing Oct. 12th and we're really looking forward to a live band onboard!!

Do me a favor... dont break the ship :) kidding... have fun on your trip cant wait until its my turn :)

does anyone have any pics and is it really only a dollar? and if its in the casino how can it be availble 24/7

Yes it is just a dollar, it sits on the outer edge right in front of the casino and the machine is always powered on so it is always available

Hey there

I am going on my first cruise ever and have decided to go alone. I am going on the Carnival Ecstasy on 03/21 to the Bahamas. I have seen several people say that we should go into the roll call for the trip. There wasnt one for the trip i am taking so i started one and there have been no responses :confused:

Thank you everyone for the posts. I am so excited! You have all been so kind and helpful.

I was reading on another site and found something that said that if you eat at the Steakhouse the first night you get a free complimentary bottle of wine. Is that correct? Are there any other secrets and tips? I am a first time cruiser and I am going to be solo so any help will be greatly appreciated. I sail on 03/21/13 for the Bahamas !!!