Advice needed! Traveling on 8/16/2010

[Cruisetagious]

Hi All,

I am new to Cruise Critic but not new to cuising. I have been on a total of 5 cruises so far and plan on many, many more. my husband and I love it!

Last year I received an email for a free 3 night cruise and fell for the deal. Well I have paid the port taxes and all, and have until Nov 11th to book a trip. I have a business trip coming up in August which will be in the Orlando area. My husband and I were thinking to fly in a few days early and utilize this cruise since we have already paid for it and had forgotten it. I have read the many threads here and heard all the many different opinions. I have already decided that this is defiantly not a deluxe cruise but thought it might still be an OK getaway.

My delima: Since I paid for this cruise the number of nights have changed from 3 to 2, the destination has changed from Nassau to Freeport, and the port has changed from Fort Lauderdale to West Palm Beach. So nice of the cruise line to send me something, or call me and let me know! So please give me some advice on where I should fly into, do I really have to go to the welcome center, and if bringing a 5 month old baby is totally out of the question. Thanks in advance!!!

[flcruisersx4]

I'm not sure on the age limits on the ship, but if there isn't one, then there shouldn't be an issue with a baby. Maybe, just don't eat in the dinning room. You can eat in the Italian place both nights. The food there is actually pretty good and my girls preferred that to the dinning room anyway.
Also, just wanted to mention that if you booked that "free cruise", you didn't book with the cruise line and that is why they didn't let you know about the move to West Palm. The people that you actually booked with should have let you know.
You can fly into West Palm or fly into Orlando and rent a car to drive down. It isn't a bad drive down the turnpike.
HOpe this helps

[Cruisetagious]

Flcruisersx4,
Thank you for your response. I called the reservation line and they said there was no age restriction on the baby, but they do keep say I need to fly into Fort Lauderdale and go to the welcome center. I really hate that because then we will have to rent a car to drive to the port. Anyone have any other ideas? Or do you think we will be able to board without the vouchers we get at the welcome center?

[kb8425]

If I were you, I'd drive down from Orlando (save the trouble of renting a car in Orlando and Fort Lauderdale, and the drive really isnt that bad) and if you look at other threads under Celebration it seems like a lot of ppl didn't go to the Welcome Center. I would check with some of them and see what the best way to go is.

[sharecruises]

JMO....you should be able to dispute that on your credit card since the cruise you are getting is NOT the cruise you bought...it is only 2 nights, out of Palm Beach and actually should be less fees/taxes as it is less time

I would just try to get out of this if I were you..by the time you pay for all the extras, drive to ft laud and back and go to the motel on state rd 7 (ugh) you could have a better 3 night cruise on Carnival or NCL JMO

[Cruisetagious]

Thank you Tracy,

That is actually the plan I am really leaning towards. I just did not want to fly into W Palm Beach and then not be allowed on the cruise. I am going to have to pay an additional $99 to bring my infant with me but who can beat a cruise for three for a total of $220. I am willing to give it a shot. I know it is not going to be the Ritz Carlton, I am expecting more Motel 6
I am going to be attending a conference at Disney Coronado Springs for 5 days after we return so why not enjoy the Bahamas for a day before we head to Disney. The way I am looking at this is I am getting a Bahamas and Disney vacation for the price of $450.00 -$220. cruise, husbands airline ticket - $230 my company will pay - my airline,the Disney resort, rental car and all our food expenses. Who could beat it. I really appreciate your reply and thanks for your post it was very detailed and answered allot of my questions.

[floridafritz]

As the Scots say: "Dunna fash yourself". Everything that occurred prior has nothing to do with your enjoyment of this small cruise. Just to be at sea is wonderful, and while this ship certainly isn't the Majesty of the seas, nevertheless, it is a new experience! Freeport is worth seeing so you can say "been there, done that"! I have been cruising, off and on, for 45 years, and I never met a ship I didn't like.

I lack the wherewithal that I can afford to be a critic of my cruise purchases; most of them only came once a year, and all were great bargains, and, by jeosephat, I loved them all. I recently received a brochure from a cruise line that apparantly caters only to the uber-rich; the cheapest cabin was $5,000 for one week, and at that price you don't even get butler service! Include me out----and you all have a nice cruise on Celebration

[arkycruisers]

well said ---florida fritz

[daflabear]

Ditto!