Crusin' & Chillin'

For those of you who have done Alaska -- I am interested in going but with my kids - youngest is 14 -- are there other kids that are on the ship? I would hate to pay for a trip that he didn't get the chance to hang out with other kids he eventually would be bored with us. Any information would be appreciated.

If you go once most schools are out, you will have kids. We went 2nd week in May and only had about 100 passengers under 18. According to John's blog post, the current cruise has 488 passengers under 18.

You may wish to check flying into Seattle, taking the shuttle (if I remember correctly, there is a bus that goes daily) from Seattle to Vancouver. You might save a lot in the way of airfare if you can avoid flights into / out of different cities. Can't remember the name of the shuttle company, but I am sure a quick search would yield it.

The Paradise was our first cruise back in 2000 when she was a smoke free ship! Love your pictures as it brings back memories!

We have done Alaska twice, both on Carnival. I have never seen Tracy Arm, so I can't comment on that, but we LOVED Glacier Bay. Both trips were in the middle of May. In 2005, it was misty the entire time we were there. This year, the weather was perfect up until the last sea day! Whatever you choose, you will not regret seeing Alaska!!!!

We did Dolphinaries in Cozumel which the kids loved and it became their favorite stop, Cave tubing in Belize and just did some shopping in Mahogany Bay.

Were these tours through Carnival or on your own? We will be traveling with our 2 children (9 and 11) and would LOVE for them to experience a dolphin swim as well as the cave tubing! Any info you can provide would be wonderful!!!!

Thanks!

Thanks everyone! I am keeping these names handy...now...to get our vacation schedules set so I can book this cruise!!!!! :D

Thanks! Love the idea of staying in a hotel where we can see the port! That would be awesome for the kids to see the ship right when they wake up in the morning! LOVE cruising!!!!! :D

Hello -

We are in the early stages of planning our next cruise. Anyone sailed out of NOLA before that has a recommendation of a good hotel that also offers a park and cruise option? Planning to arrive mid day prior to the cruise so that we can see a little of the city. Would be staying 1 night for sure prior to the cruise and while I am not one that needs a 4 star hotel, we will be traveling with children, so would prefer a location / hotel that is considered safe. Would consider leaving the car at the hotel vs parking at the pier.

Thanks in advance!

John has them on his blog.

http://johnhealdsblog.com/funtimes/2014-06-09/

Great cruise!!!!! Just did this one in May! LOVE IT! Hope you enjoy it as well!

Seeing the same thing in mine and not finding the "special" offer at all. Just getting the same fares as I would if searching without my VIFP # attached.

You don't sign a slip for room service so that won't work.

Just cruised in May on the Miracle. They brought us a slip to sign every time. No charge, but a place to add the tip. We tip in cash, but still needed to sign the slip to show it was delivered. Might vary from ship to ship.

OP, we tip between $2 and $5 per delivery depending on how much we order.

Be sure to let us all know when you get back! Enjoy!

Can't say for sure Katey, but we were on the Miracle this year for Mother's Day. At dinner that night, all the ladies (including 8 yr old DD) got a carnation and they brought out a special heart shaped chocolate cake for all of the ladies. "Mom" was written on the plate. Cute. Nothing big, but made our day. I was traveling with my mom and my mother-in-law...so it was even more special!

I'm not counting on anything....but it would be sweet since I will be traveling with my mom and my mother-in-law!!!!

Once cruised while prego. Was feeling a little seasick, so skipped out on dinner half way through. DH stayed as we were dining with my sister and her husband. Waiter felt bad for me and insisted that hubs bring me some pie and ice cream when they were all done with dinner! :D

As others have said, it probably depends on the wait staff, etc....but it is worth asking...

I don't always answer calls from phone numbers I am unfamiliar with so how will I know if Carnival is calling? what is the area code I should be looking for?

I was talking with a teacher, so didn't answer my phone. Likely would not have anyway as it was an 800 #....but I called it back last night and it was Carnival. :( 800-227-6482. Now they are saved as a contact in my phone! No more missing that call!

I missed a call from Carnival today. Hoping it wasn't the upgrade fairy! :D Congrats to you...enjoy!

Thanks for the response Fitzget. You are right...OP will likely not see this or respond, so your response is very much appreciated! Taking the chance and booked the cabin. Worst case, we keep the kids up late and sleep in! It is vacation after all and the upgrade is $200 LESS than what my regular balcony was! So hubs will have a couple drinks on me! :D Thanks again!

MY FIRST CRUISE WILL BE ON THE MIRACLE ON 1/1/06. I HAVE CABIN # 5127. I KNOW IT HAS AN EXTENDED BALCONY BUT HOW DOES IT SLEEP 4? IS SUPPOSE TO HAVE A " CONVERTABLE SOFA" AND " UPPER" BESIDES THE KING. OK, DOES THE COUCH ACTUALLY PULL OUT INTO A TWIN SIZE BED? WHERE DOES THE UPPER COME FROM, PULL DOWN FROM WALL? WOULDNT IT MAKE HARD TO GET AROUND THE ROOM? WILL BE FOR MY TWO CHILDREN, 6 AND 8. WILL THIS BE OK FOR THEM. SORRY FOR ALL THE QUESTIONS IM JUST TRYING TO PICTURE IT IN MY HEAD!:o

Thinking of booking this exact cabin. How was the noise from the show room below though? Thinking since it is towards the 'back' it shouldn't be horrible...but don't want TONS of noise either. (If you remember back to 2006!:D)

Anyone on here been in a cabin directly above the show lounges? Spirit class ship. Wondering what the noise is like. Traveling with children, so don't want to be up all night, but the upgraded would give us an extended balcony which would be nice with 4 in the room.

As a fellow WI resident that suffered through this winter, I am heading back for my 2nd Alaska cruise this May. We sailed in Alaska in 2005 in May as well. We had a day that folks were on deck in tank tops. A day in Glacier Bay that we were all in winter coats. For the most part, sweatshirts were the norm. You likely won't be lounging around in a bathing suit, but the views are so amazing that we just take it all in and enjoy! If you dress in layers, you will likely be just fine! Though I don't know you personally, you won't regret Alaska!!!!!

We're taking our first cruise with our kids. They will be 7, 8, and 10 years old. For those of you with kids close to those ages, what did they like to do after dinner?

 

My hubby and I like to watch the shows or have a few drinks. I don't know what there is for kids to do after dinner except for Camp Carnival. It is still open then, right?

We have a 10 and an 8 year old. One loves Camp Carnival, the other won't step foot in there. We tend to walk around and explore the ship, go back to the cabin to watch a movie, find ice cream, play mini golf, go to the family friendly comedy shows, etc. Plenty to do. In regards to your later question, I don't believe they offer 'big screen' movies outside...we are bummed about that as I hear they have great movies running right now! :(

When do you sail? We are also going to be on the Miracle this spring! :D

Of course you can order milk, lemonade, ice tea or coffee in the main dining room as well for free. If you like a certain juice that they serve for breakfast I would suggest bringing a water bottle to fill up and take back to your room. They will serve ice tea and lemonade later in the day. Or you can order room service if there is something that is not out that you want or just ask, they may be able to get it for you.

So glad I started reading these boards. This will be our 4th cruise and we have never even thought to ask for milk / lemonade / ice tea during dinner in the main dining room. Always just drank the water. Traveling with others this time and one of the guests is a HUGE milk drinker at every meal, so good to know!