Does Carnival?

[Kahhli]

Hi Max and IRS

 

Max .. thanks for the web cam link.

I checked that out today and happened to catch my ship .. the Fascination .. in Port this morning !

 

I was able to zoom in and take a live shot and email it.

 

A bit cloudy in Miami today but still not a bad shot.

 

IRS .. My DH and I have the same issue with flying in except we are coming down from the NE Pennsylvania.

 

Our plane does not land until 11:07 at night so we decided to not travel into the downtown but rather opted for the Marriott airport hotel.

 

They provide a shuttle every 15 minutes from the airport to the hotel free of charge and then will arrange a cab for us the next day to get to the Port of Miami.

 

Being that we are arriving so late at night , and that Im not a fan of flying in the first place , I didnt want to have to drag luggage around at that time of night to get settled in a downtown hotel.

It would be dark when we got there anyway and we really would not be able to see much.

 

They told me the cab fare would be between 20-25 dollars, but at least I wont have to pay more than one cab fare to get to the hotel and then to the port. Just an option if you are arriving later in the day.

 

Good luck.

[CrazieNCruisingGypsy2]

If we fly in the day before, I want to get there early enough to see Miami and the beach. There may be some things in Miami that I don't want to see though!

[Maxax]

Hello Kahhli! Glad that you got to see your ship! I really enjoy the web cams...and that Port of Miami one...is one of the very best. We sailed on the Navigator of the Seas this summer...and when its in dock...on Saturdays...the camera is looking right at it...you can zoom in so close that you can see the people doing the life boat drill and everything. It just sorta starts getting you in the mood.

 

lrskill!!! Lucky you to have the day off...like I said...I was at work all day...but now we have a three day weekend...gotta love Columbus Day....I'll celebrate it in the spirit of sailing the ocean! Well...I looked at your two ship choices...Victory or Triumph....and you know...the ships are the same...guess its just going to boil down to Western or Eastern. Which ones have you done before...(or is the answer, both already?!?!) We have done both as well. VERY hard to say which one we liked best! Both totally had their own seperate moments and highlights! :D

 

Oh yes....we are Survivor-aholics too!

[CrazieNCruisingGypsy2]

I loved your webcams link too! You said Carnival will be on the right sight of the picture?? We would watch the Galveston Webcams all the time for the Elation and Jubilee to come in. We have only been to the Western Caribbean. (Calica, Cozumel (twice), Progresso, and Belize). We really want to go the Eastern Caribbean now. We have decided to go on the Victory and we're gonna book it for February 5th. We're actually gonna wait until later do that. One thing we have thought about doing (because DH's company will fly him in) is for DH to fly into Ft. Lauderdale the Saturday before, rent a car for the week we are gone (can actually get a better rate that way), pick us up in Miami and then return on the Monday after the cruise. By his company flying him in we save $449! Not that I'm complaining of the price, because it's cheaper than anything we could have purchased ourselves!

 

We don't get Monday off work, I'm just burning vacation! DH goes back to IL Sunday.

 

I told him about talking to you on this board and all the information you've given me and he thought it was great! One thing he wanted me to ask was about Excursions in San Juan, St. Thomas, and St. Marten. Have you been to any of them? Is it better to book and excursion through the cruise line or should we try something on our own?

 

Don't tell me ANYTHING about Survivor yet! I haven't got to watch the TAPE!

[Maxax]

Hello lrskill!!! Great to here from you again!!! Okay...the web cam....Yes, Carnival's dock is down the pier a ways...when you first go to that site...it always opens up to a picture at the front of the pier, showing the RCI dock...put your mouse on the picture...over on the right hand side (of the picture...actually in it)...and click on the picture...the camera will reposition...moving down the pier in the direction that you clicked....as you move down the pier around 500 yards or so...you will find the Carnival dock...(check your ships itenerary and look for it when its in dock). You can also select the "zoom" from the pull down menu at the top of the picture...and get a close up! It only zooms to 23 though...even though the numbers go higher! When you are there...on the ship...you can look over...and see the Wachovia Building...where the web cam is!!! In fact...I'll look for ya...when you're there!

 

Hey...your travel arrangements sound just fine...with the husband and the rental car...LOTS of people do Miami via Ft. Lauderdale...they are very close together..and that is very...do-able!

 

I told my DW that I had met another local on this board too...she thought that was neat...but also didn't even flinch....(I promise, I'm really not a geek...but I do enjoy chatting a little on this web site....OH, and I do like Reality TV...especially Survivor and The Amazing Race....BUT, and I promise you this BUT....I will NEVER tell you anything about ANY SHOW or movie or whatever...until I know full well that you've seen it all!!! I HATE spoilers...and would never do such a thing...so rest assured!!! I mean, I am a fanatic about that sort of thing!

 

As for the Eastern Caribbean...obviously....fantastic choice...especially since you haven't been there.....and yes, I have been to all of those places! That is exactly where we went this summer...with the addition of the Bahamas thrown in the mix for grins! Gotta take a quick time out...then...I'll tell ya more about our Eastern Caribbean jont...and our excursions!:) :) :)

[CrazieNCruisingGypsy2]

We went and got our Passports yesterday! Dropped $300 for that! :eek: And you have to do separate checks for everything! But it will make traveling later a lot easier! We had gotten there early but because she had another appointment before us she couldn't immediately get to us, she said that her other appointment had just called and said she was on her way, so she politely asked us if we minded waiting. Then this lady with 3 kids shows up WITHOUT her hubby. She asked if the husband had to physically be there because he too was on his way! The lady from the passport office told her yes that was the requirement, so she said she'd take us early because we had all our stuff together! I read the instructions a million times and it specifically says BOTH parents HAVE to be there! It was pretty cool though! She said we should have them in less than 6 weeks! :D

 

We’re already talking about what clothes were gonna take! Plus we’re gonna buy some new luggage! And I *think* I might be getting a video camera for Christmas!!! :D And my birthday is two weeks before Christmas, so I’m putting in LOTS of hints for what I’ll need for the cruise!

 

Now we’re starting our research on excursions and the ports we’re gonna be in!

[Maxax]

Okay...I'm back...that wasn't long! As for the Eastern Caribbean!

 

First off...Puerto Rico! LOVED the place! San Juan is great...it is different...because it is literally kind of like...New York City on this little island....San Juan is a BIG place...but all you will probably see is OLD San Juan...which is where the ships dock...and is the tourist-y part...BUT, it is GREAT!!! Unfortunately...most of the cruises get into San Juan a little late in the day...so we weren't EVEN thinking beach...and in fact in San Juan...we didn't book ANY excursions...just figured we'd wing it..and that worked out fine!!! The one excursion though...that really did peak our interest...was the Bioluminescent Bay thing...look into this...I think that might be a really neat thing to do! We however, just got off the ship...and started wandering....and right off the bat...you will be bombarded by a TON of drivers with tour vans and such...that are offering to take you on tours of San Juan..for like $10 or $20...something like that....and you know what...we jumped in one....and it was worth every penny! The driver was very nice, very informative...and we learned a lot about San Juan...after about a 1 1/2 tour...he dropped us off...right near the ship...which is also in the heart of the shopping district...which is ALL in walking distance...(maybe a couple of miles...but not bad)...anyhow we just shopped...(which Puerto Rico has some great prices)...I still wear my Puerto Rico ballcap daily...(that's how you can recognize me if you see me)....anyhow...and we walked to El Morro...fantastic place!!! After a full day of touring San Juan, shopping, and walking...we went back to the ship....ate a specialty meal at Johnny Rockets...and place putt-putt golf...whilst we sailed away in the evening!

 

St. Thomas! First we took a cab over to Coral World...and Coki Beach....this was okay...but honestly....it was over priced for what you got!!! Its basically an aquatic zoo...which is a really neat idea....and they have some really neat fish there...but it is still...OVER PRICED!!!! We spent our whole morning there...after that...we went and did the BOB thing. Which is one of the more expensive excursions that you can do...but IT WAS WORTH EVERY PENNY!!!!:D :D :D It really was neat!!!

 

Okay...going to take a break again...the DW just got up...usually means I have something to do?!?!?!:rolleyes:

[Maxax]

I'm back....okay, I'm a loser! I've got nothing going on this morning!!! Egads...sorry about the passport hassles...we did that a couple of years back....they are good to have...and now...they are mandatory! So was this at the Ross-Osage post office?!?! That's where we got ours too!

 

Quick jump back to the Miami Web Cam. You can also see Bayside Market place from that cam...and several of the hotels as well...just sort of have to know what you are looking at...anyhow...there is a pull down thingy...on that same web cam screen...says, "Cruise Port ship docks" in it...when you are looking at the ships.....pull it down...and click on the one that says..."Convention Center"....this will spin the camera around....and take a picture 180 degrees opposite the ships...the white building with the swimming pool that you see there...is the Hyatt Regency....there is a river that runs right past it...out into the bay...with a draw bridge....(like I said)...we sat out on our balcony...and watched ships go up and down the river, out into the bay...with the draw bridge opening and closing...late into the night...before we left. It was cool!!!

 

You can also see the Bayside market place and marina...(its just another pull down choice in the big menu on that web cam!)

 

Okay...I'll take another break now! I really have the feeling I might do this all day! Stay tuned!!!

[BlueHerons]

Hi! I don't know what you decided to do because I kinda skimmed over the survivor posts (I'm an Mark Burnhum Apprentice junkie) but this is my take.

 

 

I've traveled to many great beaches all over the world and South Beach is one of my favorites. I'm not a fan of staying downtown because I think Bayside Marketplace is very vanilla cookie cutter and because there is just so much construction. Plus, I like the beach and they are very wide and very beautiful in South Beach thanks to a multimillion dollar refurbishment.

 

I have family in Miami and we visit often.

 

Also, if you stay in South Beach, you do not need a car. Everything is within walking distance. South Beach is also only a 5-10 minute drive to the pier.

 

Good luck in whatever you do an congrats on winning the trip! Let me know if you want Miami Beach hotel info!

[Maxax]

Oh...P.S. I remember when we got our passports...they tell you it will take 6 weeks...but really it was more like 3...maybe 4 tops!:)

[CrazieNCruisingGypsy2]

Yes, we applied at the Ross-Osage PO! It is nice to get it there, we could have actually applied at our County Courthouse, but DH needed to get his picture made first. It was great that they do pictures too! $15 per picture, but it was a REALLY good picture. DS and I got ours made at a place here in Borger and they were ABSOLUTELY AWFUL! They were $11 per picture! If I had known how bad they were gonna be I would have just gotten them done in Amarillo!

 

Checked out the web cam today! There was a RCCL ship docked! How cool is that getting to see it THAT close! I didn't see any other ships, but still thought it was cool.

 

DH is now on my tail about how much luggage I'm gonna take! He informed me I can't take a bag FULL of shoes! :eek: He says I'm flying this time and have to 'consolidate'! I'm not really enjoying this discussion! :o

[Maxax]

Good Morning!!! lrskill....look at the web cam today....go down the pier a little ways...to the right...Tada! Carnival!

 

WOW, you got GREAT pictures on your passports?!?! Ours didn't turn out so great!!! I really almost expect someone to look at my passport and go, "this isn't you!!!"

[CrazieNCruisingGypsy2]

Was just there! How cool to see 'our' ship! I don't know if I can wait 3 months to go! :D

 

DH's was the only GOOD picture! DS and I are in the same boat as far as our pictures go...even the lady from the passport office commented on how BAD they were. But because the size was right she couldn't reject them!

[Maxax]

Yup, there's the Victory! Cool indeed...and I bet you are getting excited.

 

Oh...here is back to some of our excursion stuff...in the Eastern Caribbean:

 

Like I said, we did the BOB in St. Thomas...and that was great! Next day we were in St. Maarten...this was a little bit of a different jont....just because these islands are actually so close together....and we really didn't need all night long to get there...so the captain came on the P.A. that evening...and told us that around 10:00 pm....we were just going to stop....and so we did....I don't remember how long we sat there...but for most of the night we just sat out in the middle of the ocean...waiting till morning...to cruise into St. Maarten. As for St. Maarten...DW and I were both just really ready for some beach time...(we had planned this...but we really were in the mood for just lounging on the beach)....so we just took a cab over to Orient Beach...and just stayed there ALL DAY LONG!!! We had a GREAT time....this is one of the nicest beaches we've ever been to....good food all around, good drinks....great water....it was a nice place....we got baked too!!! But that's okay. We also bought quite an assorted collection of island junk from the beach venders that walk up and down. We stayed at Kakao Beach....(nice chairs), good place!

 

Next day...at sea...and the next day...in the Bahamas. In the dinning room....we were paired with another couple at a table for four. We are in our late 30's...and the other couple...was in their 30's as well...but from Switzerland...we actually spent a whole lot of time with them during the cruise...and had a blast...the last day in the Bahamas...the Swiss kids and us...went snorkling....anyhow....that's the jest of our excursions...and last cruise for that matter. BTW...we still talk to the Swiss kids all the time....I think we made some life long friends on that trip....now our Swiss friends want to come to Texas...and we want to go to Switzerland.

[Maxax]

Go here! This is the view from the Valor...sitting in the Port of Miami...just in front of the Victory. It has a front and rear camera...(sorry bow and aft). That's the Explorer of the Seas in front of it!

 

http://www.kroooz-cams.com/carnival/carnival.htm

 

You have to click on the Valor picture first though.

[CrazieNCruisingGypsy2]

That was just TOO cool! I wish they had that on EVERY ship! If I could go today, I would!

 

DH told me he'd go snorkeling with me, so that means we'll have to decide between doing that in St. Thomas or St. Marten. DS says he wants to snorkel too, but I don't know if that possible. Actually, I want to do ALL the excursions I've seen. Sounds like in San Juan we can do anything and have a good time. It will be cool being there at night and getting to see the Sunset! I'm already planning what camera's I'm taking! We're gonna get my little boy a disposable camera to take pictures with too, that way he can print them and show all his friends at school.

 

I guess I have plenty of time to decide??!

 

The people we sat with on our last cruise were AWFUL! They had the demon child! I had water spilled on me and she EVEN licked my butter knife!! It was AWFUL! We're gonna get a bigger table this time! I figure you're safer in bigger groups!

[Maxax]

Yes, I wish every ship had the web cams too....someday they probably will!

 

Too bad about your last tablemate experience....bigger would probably be better...more options that way! And yes, we got really lucky with our tablemates....they were great! We hung out with them every evening...although...they didn't really speak English that well...and we certainly don't speak German....but we totally made do! :eek:

[CrazieNCruisingGypsy2]

That's what's cool about cruising, you meet all these people and can sttay friends forever! I've just loved all the Cabin Stewards, waitresses, assitants and other people like that! :) Cruising is the best vacation and you can't beat the value!

[Maxax]

Ah....Columbus Day! Good Day!!!:D

[CrazieNCruisingGypsy2]

Must be nice...I'm at work, we don't get Columbus Day off! And my son is in school too! Soooo....I'm at working checking CC....hope the boss doesn't walk in! :o

 

Have a good day off Max! Isn't the wife off today too?

[Maxax]

Hey there lrskill! Didn't know you could check the computer from work...where I work that is a TOTAL NO, NO,...and Big Brother is Watching 24/7...every single solitary second of computer time is tracked!!!! A little ridiculous....Oh, yeah!!!

 

As for the DW...actually no, the kids are off today...but it is a work day for Teachers....so she's at school!

[CrazieNCruisingGypsy2]

So you've got the day to yourself? Sweet! I haven't had one of those in years! Yes, I can check from here, I just have to be VERY careful! They don't want you doing the 'bad' sites! Which I don't even THINK about doing here or home! And yes our computers are monitored, they've fired a few people because of porn! Just not worth it!

 

DH went back to IL last night, he didn't get Columbus day off either! He's all excited about our cruise, we're shopping for new luggage, a new camera, and all that good stuff! We're gonna buy my little boy his own disposable camera so he can take his own pictures! His teacher actually suggested that.

 

DH just loved the Web cams...he thinks that's just the coolest. We're deciding on our 'exact' plans on stuff now. Next time he comes home (3 weeks) we'll book our cruise! :D Couldn't get any better than that!

[Maxax]

Sorry...I was out running around....day off ya know!!! Well...can't wait to here what you guys book....cruise and excursion-wise. Did I mention anywhere that my parents just booked another cruise...they are taking the Conquest in January...out of Galveston. My parents are retired...and seem to take a cruise now about every six months. Anyhow, both myself and the DW....both our parents live here. My DW is actually from Canyon, here parents have never cruised....and in fact...we've never cruised with my folks either...one of these days we'll have to get a big family trip together....that really would be great!

[CrazieNCruisingGypsy2]

Must be nice to run around on a Monday! Oh, well, can't complain too much, I did have Thursday and Friday off!

 

We're having to wait the three weeks because of me having to schedule with so many other people, we start setting vacation for next year in the next few weeks.

 

DH's parents live close to Amarillo (Off of FM 2219) but aren't retired. The DH and I used to live off of Rockwell Road and drove back and forth to Borger! Boy was that a LONG trip! It's much nicer living about 5 minutes from work now! My parents both died about 3 years ago, and yes it would have been nice to go with them! I don't get along with the FIL enough to take a 7 day vacation with him! Now, the MIL, I love her to pieces and wouldn't mind going with her! Too bad she'd have to bring the FIL with her! :o :rolleyes:

 

I'm starting the research on the Excursions now! Or that's what I tell the DH about checking the boards SOOO often! But he doesn't mind he TOTALLY benefits from the information I gather!

[Maxax]

Yeah....so much for Monday...today was back at work as usual!

 

Sorry to hear about your folks...and its too bad you and the FIL don't hit it off better. We're lucky, both parents are happy, and healthy....and we both get along well with both sides of the in-laws.

 

As for the boards....shoot that's a great excuse...."excursion research" that is....but beyond that....I think the core drive - is its just fun to plan, and to think about getting away on a big trip...and these boards can just help extend all of that.

 

DW normally...does most of the research for us...and over the years she has done a great job...more and more so....I tend to look into things too these days though...and part of that IS how I come to chat a bit on these boards. DW literally NEVER talks on these things...but I've come to enjoy them!

 

The Victory looks like a great ship...we cruised on the Conquest...out of NOLA...a couple of years ago...and you know...the Conquest is just the Victory on a little bit of steriods! We loved the Conquest...in fact...in our limited amount of cruising...its our favorite ship....we just did one of the big RCCL ships this summer...Navigator of the Seas...and I know people just RAVE about that line of ships...but really, we liked the Conquest better...we just liked the layout of it better. And....we thought Carnival's food was better, and Carnival had a few more activities too....Oh, and also...Carnival had a lot more photo-stations out for pictures each evening...I know these are just another source of income for the cruise lines....but we really enjoy the pictures. The DW and I NEVER take ANY kind of formal-ish pictures together...except for lately on these cruises...and each time...we usually spend around $150-200 on pictures...and really enjoy them!