tawaik

Wow!!! Amazing story.

Your story gives the details of what really happens when one misses the ship's departure time. I can only imagine how you were feeling and the distress that your family experienced when you missed the ship.

Thank you for sharing.

Take a look at the Escape here http://www.placesyoullsee.com/38-stunning-photos-of-norwegians-biggest-and-baddest-ship-ever/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=norwegians-biggest-ship&utm_term=norwegian&utm_campaign=Facebook-norwegians-biggest-ship

Loved your review. Your Mom looks more like your sister! You have a beautiful family and your children look like they had a great time. The pic of them toasting....priceless.

OT..my Mom passed 19 years ago and always wanted to go on a cruise. Seeing you with your Mom made me think of how she never got a chance. Spending time with family builds great memories that will last a life time.

Thank you for sharing :)

Thank you so much for this review. Looking forward to reading the rest.

Smoking v. non-smoking debate aside, this would be an interesting exercise. I am quite curious as to how much of each side of the ship would sell/sell out.

 

Back to the original topic, isn't the link to John Heald's post from 2011?

I'm confused.

Yes. I also went to view this link and did not speak about smoking at all. I'm confused with you.

I remember when the law passed to ban smoking in all restaurants and bars, smoker's were obviously upset about it and said they would just not go out to dinner anymore. Well, they do and just go outside to smoke.

 

Would a smoker, that really enjoys Carnival cruise line, plan a different vacation because they couldn't smoke on their balcony? They do have areas on the ship they can smoke.

 

I'm a smoker and still would enjoy cruising. Simple solution is go to designated smoking areas. My husband is a non-smoker and when we book a hotel room, I always get a non-smoking room out of respect for him. This keeps me in check and when I'm on vacation the excitement of not being home in the same routine make me more happier than lighting up:)

 

I just don't see that happening. That would be "cutting off your nose to spite your face" kind of logic?

 

I think eventually, all cruise lines will go this route. I just can't believe people that love to cruise AND love to smoke, would stop cruising because they couldn't smoke on the balcony.

I fell in love with cruising when I took my first cruise in September of 2013. Nothing will stop me from cruising. As well all know, smoking is banned in so many places now and one just has to adjust. I'm a respectful smoker and do not light up in my car when I'm out with friends who are non-smokers. They always tell me, its your car do what you want. I always so no because it make me uncomfortable and I respect and envy that they never picked up the habit.

Beautiful pictures and you hair looks nice. Looking forward to reading more.

We are also doing the Valor... only in Jan of 2015. San Juan is more expensive to fly to but so worth it in how great the cruise is. We have sailed out of San Juan 4 other times now (5 in January) and love it there. We paid almost $700 pp R/T in 2012 and just booked for our upcoming trip in Jan at $477 R/T both on Jet Blue.... Usually we did not book until between 6-8 weeks out and just watched for fare prices all the time. Good luck and have a great time on your cruise.

During my search found $355 round trip per person and did not think the price was bad but do think I can do better.

I like to get all the planning done as quick as possible for handling the airfare for both land and cruise vacations. However, we mostly book SWA which is usually no more than 6-7 months ahead... So when the schedule pops up, I tend to grab the tix at that point since with SWA, you can change the tix at any time up to the day you fly with no extra fees. So, if the price drops, I either get a credit for a future flight or I get the miles put back into my account.

I like SWA and will check their site as well and I also like to plan early. Not going to book until the fall. My mother told me I was born three weeks early so I guess that is why I like to get things done:D

 

My thoughts on booking airlines go with the cruise. If I feel it is a good price, get it then and if the price drops, either not worry about it or get a price change if able. So far on three cruises that I booked far in advance (9 months, 13 months, 15 months), all three have gone "up" in price so I am doing good by booking early.

 

I agree with you. Sometimes when the airlines have specials I tend to miss out on them out. Guess I will stick to Tuesday mornings as suggested by travel gurus.

 

Steve

Thank you all for your opinions.

How early do you book your flight before your cruise date?

Im on the Valor 4/26/15 and found flights ready for booking. The price seems just OK but I

think I can do better.

Go snorkling for the first time, take naps and attend more on board activities.

I bring flavored creamer from home as that's how I prefer to drink it-had no issue with the lido coffee last week, but agree that the MDR coffee is better

What a great idea! I'm a flavored creamer junkie! I have add this to my future cruise notes to make sure I bring some with me. Thank You:D

I was on my first CCL cruise in January of this year and did not have a problem with the coffee. The flavor was just OK and did not expect the coffee taste like Starbucks :)

Elegant night is the day you will be in keywest.

Sorry that your trip has to be canceled. The frustration of loosing out on a great vacation and some your your money is disheartening.

I too work in a place where the number of "bodies" count when it comes to coverage at work. We have to schedule annual leave in advance so they make the proper arrangements for coverage. Sometimes there are unpredictable situations that happen the requires one to change their schedule. I feel your pain and know how your DH is going through.

Hopefully, things will work out for the best in end:)

Thank you for sharing your trip:) Love seeing pic reviews and yours was great!

Have a great summer!

I'm presently stalking some websites for excursions I found a few that require deposits which is a plus for me. You can paY cash at the port after the excursion. For example on a particular site they require a $10 deposit and the final payment will be collected at the end of the excursion. If you're Interested In knowIng about the sItes just send me a personal message.

Loved your review!! Beautiful family and looks like you all had a great time:D

Excursion in Cozumel was beautiful; I know because I was there!

Many thanks for the amazing pictures!

Love the exciting tone in your pre-review. Will check back for more.

Every time I think about this cruise I get mushy inside and break out in happy dance. Good to have something good in my future:)

On my first cruise I had a balcony and did experience some door slamming. I'm also mindful of noise and lived in a private home almost all my life until I moved to MD to live my fiance (now my husband:D) in an apartment.

Yes, I'm a smoker, but when I was on the balcony I noticed that my shipmates on the right had a small child. When their child was out there, I did not smoke on the balcony and did hear their door slam a few times. This did not bother me at all. I guess I can sum that up to be life in another cabin. I spend quite a bit of time alone at home(DH works nights) when I hear noise above me I say to myself, life is happening:)

I did find that the balcony door could use some WD-40 and that is probably why the noise was created.

Very nice review and thank you for sharing:)

Due to first come serve scheduling at my job, I had to book earlier than I normally would have. Positive side is we can make monthly payments like a bill, my time off is approved already:) and I can plan and pay for a few excursions in advance to free up spending money.

I always purchase the insurance because life can get in the way. Other than that, I pray all goes well and love to have to something to look forward to.

Enjoying your review!!

I sailed on the Ecstasy in January had a great time. This was my first time on Carnival. I enjoyed Key West and Cozumel. We did an all inclusive beach excursion at Nachi- Cocom.

Thank you so much for your review:) I'm booked for April 2015 and I'm looking forward to experiencing something new with my husband since it will be his first cruise.

Yes!! I left my cell phone :eek: Long story short...realized it upon trying to find it to call hubby while on the customs line. I informed Officer who was kind enough to get the Supervisor. I was escorted in to the room and watched people being arrested and luggage searches. Supervisor contacted CC floor rep. who returned my phone 45 minutes later. It was interesting watching people come and go. Was able to catch my flight on time and felt bad my friend was waiting for me.

Next cruise, will triple check the cabin before I say goodbye to the ship:)

Thanks everyone for your replies. I will test it out now to see what happens. I'm still learning:)

I was online this morning pricing hotels in San Juan, PR for April 25, 2015 for an overnight stay to see PR before sailing April 26 on the Valor. The Sheraton was the hotel of my choice, but, when I put my travel date on expdia.com the system showed that April 25 was sold out:( My thinking was that I had time to book since its almost a year from now. Boy was I wrong!! Lesson learned:eek:

After my discovery, I wound up booking the E.S.J. Towers which is 5 minutes from the airport and 15 minutes to the port. This hotel was within my price range since so many others wanted $200+ per night.

Anyone sailing on the Valor on April 26 out of PR and want to stay the night before, book your hotel ASAP!!