cruising_rocket_scientist

We are flying in to Orlando 2 days before the cruise, renting a car then driving to the port. I can add the toll pass option with my car rental, but it's showing that it will cost about $40 more for the rental. Has anyone used the Visitor Toll Pass app? Looking on the toll calculator website, we would only be incurring about $5 in tolls during our trip. Anyone successfully used it? Is it worth it to try it or is the convenience of paying with the car rental just a better option? I would have to keep it with me for the length of the cruise and return it to MCO on our flight out.

I am feeling quite perplexed. We are disembarking in Port Canaveral but our flight out isn't until 5. I'm stumped. I don't know what to do with all that time, considering we will have all our luggage in tow. Originally we were going to go to KSC, but that was when we had a 7:30 flight. (Darn flight changes!) Any suggestions of things to do between disembarkation and our flight? The cruise excursion transfers are for flights after 5.

@QuattroRomeo Thank you for the info. We will just be in Amber Cove and Grand Turk.

Thanks for the great review! We are going on the Freedom (same itinerary) in 3 weeks. I'm getting so excited! I'm a pretty experienced cruise, but new to Carnival, and we're taking a new cruiser with us...girl's trip! One thing I've been trying to find is if there are any theme nights? I know there's a formal night, anything else? Thanks again for all your good info and letting us all tag along on your cruise!

We will be in Amber Cove next month. We have an excursion planned, but I believe we will still have some time for shopping. Does anyone know where I can get some Larimar jewelry? Is there a place at the port? Is there a better place in town? I would like to buy from local artisans if possible. I love being able to take something original home with me.

@mitsugirly I just read through your trip report and it was amazing! I loved all the pictures, and I'm even more excited to go than I was before! I have two questions for you. 1- What kind of camera did you use to take such amazing pictures in the water? and 2 - I wear glasses - can't do contacts. I would absolutely need them on the way up, and in between falls on the way down. Any recommendations? I was thinking maybe either a waterproof belt bag or chums if I can leave them on or maybe even an around the neck type phone holder - but just for my glasses? Maybe you can only answer the 1st question...and that's ok too. 🙂

Curious if anyone has done this particular excursion through Carnival? Sounds like it's basically an island tour with a stop at the museum, then a paint class. Super chill, relaxing. Was it fun? Anything we need to know ahead of time? I have been to the island before, but my 2 friends have not.

I'm looking at the post cruise excursion that goes to the Kennedy Space Center and then drops us off at the airport. In the description it says for flights after 5pm. Anyone know approximately what time the drop off at MCO would be? Our 7pm flight just got changed to a 5pm flight. Will that give us enough time knowing that the bus drop off is quite a long walk from the terminal. I'm super not impressed with the flight change...sort of ruined my plans.

We had a great time! This was probably the craziest, most adventurous, tour we have ever done! It is definitely not a "tourist" tour, and not for the faint of heart. But it was truly amazing! Dirk was kind and patient and extremely knowledgeable. We did a dry cave, followed by a wet cave where we did a little snorkeling. An honest to goodness once in a lifetime adventure!

We returned it to the airport because we were out late adventuring. We had a private tour that didn't end until 6pm. Divi closes at 5 or 6pm (I don't remember which) So rather than cut things short and try to rush, we just returned it to the airport. It was pretty slick, but the signage at the airport leaves a lot to be desired.

We had an excellent tour with Tyrone - Afro Guide Curacao (on Facebook) He was flexible with time and the capabilities of our group. He put together the itinerary based on what we wanted to see and do. I felt like we did about 4 of the ship's excursions in one island tour! He was great!

Another vote for Tyrone. He was our guide at the beginning of April and we had an amazing island tour. He will build a great itinerary with you and take you where you want to go. We had to adjust our original plans, because grandma was a lot less mobile than we had anticipated, but he just went with the flow. I feel like we really experienced the island.

We ended up renting a car from Hertz at the Divi Flamingo Resort (short walk from the pier) and returned it to the airport. We had a blast! We were able to see the whole island and enjoy our excursions. The roads were pretty narrow in some places, but overall it worked out great! We even found a great ice cream place...they were surprised to see us since we were cruisers. Always fun to eat with the locals.

I have finally found where to go to book from the Divi Flamingo, which seems much more logical than renting at the airport. It looks like the rental desk there is only open until 5:00pm, but our ship is in port much later, and we have a 2:00 outing planned. Not sure if we will be back in time. Can I return the car after the desk closes? Should I put in a 24 hour rental instead of just for the day and return the car when we are finished (it would just be after 5pm same day). Any thoughts or suggestions?

Thank you for the review. We will be sailing the same itinerary in April. We are getting very excited! On this 8 night cruise, did they have 2 formal nights, or just one?