kayjaypea42

Hi all! I am traveling solo and want a place that's relatively inexpensive, has decent snorkeling, an option for a nice long massage, and the option to get a spicy margarita.  Since I'm traveling solo, lockers are a must, too.  Suggestions?  Thanks!

Exactly what I'm looking for! How much were the massages?  Thanks!

Unless you're going solo and getting the excursion credit from NCL, I'd go to Infinity Bay, which is right next to Tabyana with a really nice Infinity pool and right in front of the reef.  

Yes you can.  I enjoyed the snorkeling! Saw a nurse shark, a ray and a turtle, in addition to lots of fish!

I'm fixin' to sail solo for the first time this September and I cannot wait!! I work and take care of my special-needs sister and 84-year-old mother.  Every time I've cruised before I went with them, so being able to actually enjoy a cruise without having to think of accessibility concerns for them is going to be liberating, even if I had to say it was a "tech conference at sea... for work".  (To whoever you are who built the bogus site for a tech conference at sea, you are my hero!) 

Hello all! I booked a flight into and out of the Fort Lauderdale airport for a cruise in the Miami port. What's the best mode of transport? Uber? Shuttle? Cab? Car rental? Also, would you recommend I stay in a hotel near FLL or a hotel near the port? Thanks so much for any advice!

Has anyone been able to work with VPN or zscaler successfully on Starlink? I'm jonesing for a cruise, but I'd rather not take the PTO for all the days if I can help it. 

Thanks! I just wanted to know if the wifi is powerful enough to handle work, ya know? If anyone has worked with VPN or a program like zscaler successfully, I'd love to hear it. Thanks!

Hi all! I was just curious, has anyone successfully used Zscaler on Independence's wifi?  I'm considering going on a solo trip in October, but I need to know if I need to take off all the days or just some.  Thanks!

Any new word on this? Are they replacing it with anything? Thanks!

1 hour ago, blue_water said:

“informed” vote?

Yes, informed.  If we are to go to a place, I want to be able to state "I'd like to go here, please" and know why.  And if the vote doesn't go in my favor, well then I know what experience I'll likely have anyway, a plan of action.  There are only 3 choices. 

Awesome! Thank you so much!

Hello all! My grandmother, mother, and I will be sharing a room on Wonder.  I have heard conflicting rules and I was hoping y'all can help me figure out the truth: We are all above drinking age.  Are we allowed 1 bottle per person, or is it 2 per stateroom?  Thanks so much!

Hi all. So we booked Godfrey's tour for our Wonder of the Seas trip next month. Part of the tour is 2 hrs at a beach with a choice of Magen's, Coki, or Sapphire. I'm traveling with my 83 year old grandmother and legally blind mother. Between Coki and Sapphire, which has the easiest water entry. And how much are chair rentals? Will they do hourly as opposed to daily rates? We'll only be there for 2 hrs. I personally won't bother with a chair but I know they'll want one. 

Thanks!

10 hours ago, Ms411 said:

Kristap, if you're docking at Crown Bay, Emerald Beach is much closer than Secret Harbor.

Oooh! New search criteria for the YouTubes! Thank you!

1 hour ago, Btank said:

 

I think the key takeaway here is to hope for the best, but expect the worst.  If connectivity is required with minimal off-line time, a TA may not be the best for you.  

 

Yeah, I am rethinking it. I might still consider it when I can take 2.5 weeks off at one go. 

My cousin cruised this ship in 2018.  Even then, they reported food being barely edible and cases of food poisoning on board.  When I went on the Divina in '17, I remember being appalled that the room was so dirty.   Yeah, I was almost tempted to try MSC again to see if they changed for the better.  Not happening now.

1 hour ago, binro01 said:

This port is quickly becoming a favorite, especially as I snorkel more and more. Wife and I had a quick breakfast in Windjammer and then collected the kids for our 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM private island excursion to Maya Key. 

Roatan is my absolute favorite port because of the snorkeling! Cozumel's snorkeling is also awesome, so yeah, Western Caribbean is my favorite itinerary.  I usually go to Infinity Bay because the reef is amazing, but I'll be eager to see the report of Maya Key's snorkeling, too! (BTW, the video you posted in the above comment isn't working for me.)

On 4/28/2023 at 1:04 PM, zoepipes said:

It disappeared off of my Wonder cruise next month but I had already purchased it.  I think they may get to a point where they may be overselling the unlimited dining package and specialty restaurants.  It would be an issue if you paid all that money for the UDP and can't make reservations at the times you want.  Just a guess.

Perhaps they're just overselling Chops... 

1 minute ago, mz-s said:

 

When you actually look at it, Free at Sea isn't so free. I remember once I looked at a Free at Sea cruise, the "gratuity" for the free drink package cost almost $500. Granted that's less than Cheers but surprisingly expensive "gratuities".

Oh yeah, absolutely! There's a reason I'm branching out. NCL has gone off the rails with their pricing, and the Prima was terrible. That said, NCL was the only line where the drink package was worth it to me. I'm not a big drinker, but I can do $30 bucks in booze in a day. A glass of wine and two cocktails will do it. 

3 hours ago, mz-s said:

One thing you can do if you want a deal is gamble at a local Indian casino and get some status, Carnival will then extend offers to you. Other than that, as a new cruiser, your options are basically limited to the offers everyone else gets - Early Saver, reduced deposit sales, etc.

That's totally fine. I was just wondering what those typically look like. For example, while NCL pretty much ALWAYS has their Free at Sea promo, and their Free at Sea almost always includes beverage, dining, wifi, and excursion credit, they only sometimes with some sailings offer 3rd and 4th person free / discounted, and only sometimes offer air discounts. 

10 hours ago, Illbcruzn4life said:

That’s true. I have heard rumors that to get a discount instead of taken for a long ride on a short pier with the RU0 code you MUST book on the 2nd Tuesday of the week.

So is that Monday when the week is already long af or Wednesday when the weekdays are just running together? LOL

On 4/26/2023 at 10:48 AM, wolft927 said:

I second that, Cruised out of new Orleans many times, Security Line goes very slow and will stop when Waiting area is full. We cruise in the Haven and there is no seperate Haven Security Line just a small room after you check in. Relax and enjoy outside on the patio from the mall till the lines are consistantly moving. 

For my own future reference if I ever cruise out of NOLA: Can you drop off your bags first and then go hang out, or do you have to take your bags with you?  Thanks!

Hello all.  While I have been on several NCL and a single RCCL cruise, I have never sailed with Carnival before.  I am excited to book the Mardi Gras for this December, but I'm waiting to book to try to find a better offer.  Specifically, is the RU2 code that I've heard about offered as a loyalty perk or is it more commonly offered with higher cabin classes or as a timed special?  I just want to know if I should be on the lookout for that.  Also, are there better times than others to book?  I don't want to wait too long; I'm wondering what the standard sales / deals typically looks like for Carnival.  Thanks so much!

Travel agents have said they were told they were replacing it with an included, no-cost activity.  Time will tell...