tawaik

Very nice review!

Carnival finally added the digital way to find photos.

Enjoying your review and looking forward to the rest.

I headed down to the Butterflies Lounge and got there a couple of minutes late. I arrived while everyone was standing to honor our flag while someone sang the Star Spangled Banner acapella.

 

 

Cruise Director Steve MC'd the event and did a great job. He was up front about being a native Canadian, but expressed great admiration for military veterans regardless of nationality.

 

 

The turn out for this event was strong. The Butterflies Lounge was basically full.

 

 

Steve had the service song for each service played and asked that veterans of that service rise and be recognized while their song played. One gentleman rose twice...he had served in the Army and the Coast Guard! That dude is my hero! Steve then asked that all spouses, moms, dads, and family members of veterans rise and be recognized. In my opinion, these were the most important folks in the room, since none of us can succeed if we don't have a strong support network. I've worn the uniform for 27 years, and for 24 of those years my wife has been by my side (21 of those married). I could not have succeeded in all my sea tours and deployments had she not been my rock (I love you honey!).

 

After that Steve opened up the floor to anyone who wanted to say anything. Many folks got up and spoke from the heart, but I was especially touched by the Vietnam era vets. Our country treated them horribly as they returned from war, but they have benefited from the respect and love our military has experienced the last 15 years. They expressed their heartfelt appreciation to Carnival for hosting the event and providing the opportunity for folks to recognize veterans for their accomplishments and contributions. It was very emotional, and several folks who spoke were in tears. But I was also heartened by one veteran who rose and introduced his young nephew who was scheduled to report to Army boot camp in two weeks. I'm very near retirement, and I'm always encouraged that young people continue to be willing to step up and place their lives on the line to defend our nation.

 

Thank you Carnival for doing this!!!:)

I'm enjoying your review, live in Maryland and always sailed out of Florida and considering the Pride for my next cruise.

My husband I attended this Appreciation of all branches of service on the Conquest. I was moved by the stores that people told about the sacrifices made by their family while their spouses served. We purchased the dog tags to support military families. My husband is retired from the Army and it was great how they all were honored.

Thank you for your service to our country!

Enjoying your review!

Thanks for sharing. I feel odd not having a cruise booked for this year. My CCL benefits showed I have a casino offer. Time to work some magic.

There's just no way I could afford to tip so high on cruises. I pay for both myself and my sister. The drink and dining package already has gratuities of $224. If I paid another $60 per day ($420 per week!) for dining and drink gratuities for the two of us, and $189 for standard cabin gratuities this would total $833![emoji47] Traditionally at least where I come from good tipping is about 20% of the price of whatever you're doing. Whether it be a meal or an event. Without the additional $420 of meal and drink tips the Tipping for the cruise already adds up to $413 which is 17% for us. I may give an occasional tip to someone who gives us extra special service. Usually the cabin Steward get extra and a bartender if they take extra good care of us but I do not feel compelled to give any extra tips as a routine practice. Rather I give extra tips only if I receive extra special service.

 

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I agree with all of the above.

We sailed on the Getaway last week in the Haven and tipped the night before leaving to those who gave us exceptional service. This was in-addition to what we already pre-paid.

Thanks for posting this review. I was on the Sky in 2013 and would not mind sailing her again for a quick getaway.

I have a few questions about the Getaway.

 

1. How much does the arrival time matter? We booked late so the only thing available was 12:30. It says they'll ask you to return at your designated time, but from other things I've read they really don't care.

 

2. They have water stations throughout the ship right? I have the UBP and just realized that this doesn't include water. I was just going to pack a water bottle to fill up on my own.

 

3. Do they have any free fitness classes on the ship or only the ones you have to pay for through the fitness center?

 

Thank so much, 5 days away and I can't wait!

1. I don't think it matters.

2. Water stations are throughout the Lido. You can also get a few cups of ice water at the any bar. Bringing a cup is a great idea. I normally do this but forgot about on my recent cruise.

3. I let my friend have all the dailies but do recall seeing something listed.

We sailed 10/2-10/9

Muster was not painful until it was time to leave and get on the elevator. That area was packed like sardines with people not walking with the flow of the traffic. Thats cruising for ya..

I have to agree with you in reference to Cozumel. NCL docked on the other side of the port which requires you to walk a bit of distance just to get to the taxi stand. Carnival docks on the other side of the port and the distance seemed better to me. However, regardless of which side the ship docks in Cozumel, you almost always have to bee line through the shops to get to where you may want to go.

Sea days always present more people bustling around the ship to find things to do. Most eating places seem more crowded. I liked the flow of the buffet although I only ate there twice. We were in the Haven and wanted to get out to be among more cruisers and boy where we! I did not have a problem getting a drink at the pool bar or any bar. I guess I can own that up to timing and that the Haven has a bar for Suite guest only. This was a splurge for us since I normally book balcony cabins.

Overall, I had a fantastic time and made the best of everything. BTW, some of our perks we booked with was not in the system correct. It took 2 days for them to get it right and in the mean time we just continued to enjoy our "missing amenities" and got credited back for everything we used from drink and dining package. We were patient and paid off.

I was the same sailing with you and while disembarking on Sunday a lady told me about this incident. Was really sorry to hear that happened and hope that they are doing better.

NCL's cabins are smaller than most other lines. My first sailing them was in a balcony and it kind of tight.

This cruise was a splurge for me due to staying in the Haven. We also were way forward but still in a pretty good location. Not far too far from main pool, another bar and the buffet.

Did you see Burn the Floor?

We enjoyed the show!

Following your review.

Love your reviews!

Great review. Will book the Chef's Table on my next Carnival Cruise!! We usually do the the Steak House on the first day. Heck, we might do them both :D

When I return from my NCL cruise in October, I'm booking Carnival again :)

Reading your review made me LOL so many times!! Your personality shines through your words and I'm enjoying your detailed outtake of your cruise.

Thank you I had a fantastic time. The tour was little french key! They have a website that you look at and the different prices are on their. And I want to apologize. The cost was 88pp for the one I had they have several different options. We booked online and they gave us a conformation and we met Larry the driver outside of the gates. I would do it again in a heart beat.

 

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Thank you for the information. Going to check it out now :)

~~~APPLAUSE~~~

Thank you so much for sharing your Haven Experience which made me more excited about sailing in a Haven Suite on the Getaway. Your pictures and story had me in a daze dreaming of how much fun is be had. We are looking forward to visiting ports that are unknown to us. Can you please what private tour company you used that was $88 for two? Please correct me if I'm wrong:)

In my opinion, NCL's casino seems to pay something. I was on the Sky in 2013 and came back to my cabin with $640 out of $100 bankroll!! On the last night I was playing China Chores and scored 485 free spins on a $1.20 bet and wound up with over $600! That was great cruise!!

Set it up as a cash account then give them the gift cards at check in to be credited to your sign and sail. It is not necessary to give out your credit card number online if you plan on only using gift cards. I did this and then cashed out at the casino on the last night and retrieved my unused balance.

I went to the Kiosk onboard and added my gift cards on our cruise took me about 10 minutes to get them both added (I had to do the pin setup and such).

These responses are the best and thanks to CC members I followed their advice. Guest services line can get a little busy and Kiosk is a great option. I no longer add a credit card to my account until it is necessary and now when people ask me what I want for Xmas for my Birthday, I request Carnival Gift Card.

Very nice review.

Me and hubby were on this sailing with you. Looks like you both had a great time:D. I enjoyed our cruise minus time spend to board the ship.

Hi Amber,

I was on that cruise with you :) Hubby and I went to the Steakhouse on the first night to celebrate my Birthday. How did you like Amber Cove?

We wonder as well. I just filled out our online check-in yesterday and no where in the pages did it ask for special occasions. DH has a birthday in the month we sail so I would have noticed it if there was a question.:confused::confused:

I'm with you. Did my check-in just yesterday and never saw that option. I'm just going to send my TA an email at "celebrating birthday" to my booking. I will take what whatever they offer:D

Great review!!

Sailed the Liberty April 2015 and had a great time. Beautiful ship and would sail her again.

Your reviews are the best. I feel like your talking directly to me sharing your cruise experiences. The details that you give make me feel like I was there with you.

You have a lovely family and your daughter is the cutest mermaid that I have ever seen :) Your husband gave you the best gift ever!!

Happy Belated Birthday and thanks for always sharing your cruise experiences.

You guys are the best!! I was just checking airfare for October cruise on Jet Blue which does not fly to Miami. Jet Blue does fly into FFL and the port is 25 miles away and costs $31 with Uber!! This is a great price to get to the port of Miami.

Has anyone used Uber from the port of Miami back to FLL airport??

Nice start, can't wait to read the conclusion :)

Excellent review with spectacular photos

Thank you for sharing I will experience the Haven in October.

I used a company called Penguin Cold Caps. You rent the caps for the duration of your treatment. It was $580 per month with a $500 security deposit. I received my caps in October and returned them in December. You get 14 caps and they need to be changed every 30 minutes.

It is not covered by insurance, but during my last treatment another type of cold cap received FDA approval. So, maybe they will be soon.

If you are asking about them because you need chemo, I wish you the best of luck. Attitude counts A LOT in how you handle it, so keep positive.

So hard some days and yes , I start next week. So afraid of the side effects I was diagnosed early and thankful that I listened my body. My medical journey began Nov 3, 2015. Had surgery Dec 16 and spent the holidays recovering. Every day I count my blessings and doing my best to kick the "C" out of my life. In the mean time, I will do my best to stay strong. Thank You for your kind words of encouragement and the infomation about the cap

Thank you everyone for all of your kind words. I have to say you put tears in my eyes. I'm such a sap. LOL.

I will try and respond to everyone's comments in the future.

And now, without further ado, I shall begin our cruise saga. :D

Im so thankful to you for sharing your story which gives me sooo much hope To top it all off, you have a great way of telling your story. I thank you a thousnd times :-)

Can you please tell me where you purchased the protective fancy head gear that was used during treatments?