PDsandman01

Our daughter cruised for the first time with us just after her 2nd birthday and we had a blast.

Among what's already been said like an umbrella stroller, patience, etc. We bought a cheap round 2ft inflatable ring pool from Amazon for bath time. Blows up and deflates quickly and doesn't take up much room. Fits perfectly in the bottom of the shower. Perfect little bathtub.

If you need a carton of milk or two after breakfast just ask someone working the buffet they'll grab some from the back.

We also brought the portable DVD player from the car and a few movies for our her. Wasn't much to entertain her on TV during down times or before bed while mom and dad got her settled in.

We found that our daughter was treated like royalty. The hostesses had to have hugs every night, waiters loved playing with her, our steward tucked her dolls in bed while we were out, and everyone stopped working to waive as she strolled by.

Just remember, it can get busy and trying sometimes but, be sure to slow down and enjoy the countless little moments you'll always remember.

Thanks for reviewing. Looking forward to more as we sail on Fantasy in less than two weeks and reviews of her are few.

If you don't mind me asking, can you elaborate more on the issue with ordering drinks at embarkation? You said no Manhattan or spiked coffees; what kind of drinks could they serve before international waters? Were they still serving the funship special when you boarded?

Thanks.

We had one or two on the back of the TV on the Triumph last year.

We sailed on the Liberty last August and did use the usb ports on the back of the tv as well.

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Please ask for twice a day if you want it.

In my opinion, Carnival still suggests the same $4.05 per person, per day ($12.15 for my family per day) standard gratuity for room stewards whether you receive once or twice a day service. So, is it based on once or twice daily service?

I have no issue with tipping nor the suggested rate, as long as I'm happy with my room. Never had issues before.

I'm not going to reduce my gratuities by half (assuming great service) if I request once a day service. The steward is definitely not going to suggest to me only tipping half of the suggested gratuity, if so. Nor, will i be doubling our tips for twice a day service. If I was told ONLY once a day I may consider adjusting the gratuity.

There may be a day where the $4.05pp is only for once daily service but until it's clarified, I'll understand it's for two visits.

No more than we'll require, we will only need cleaning periodically. I see no issue or feel no guilt with them checking on the room in the evenings, freshening towels, and turning my sheets down. Until once daily is standard, I'll expect to be serviced twice just like carnival suggests my gratuity be for room stewards.

10283 is our favorite stateroom out of 13 cruises. Super convenient. Quiet. It was easier to take our meals from lido to our balcony than to get a table. Just a short walk from the pool to your private bathroom. The atrium is steps away, balcony is private.

We sailed with him on Fascination last year. Really fun guy. We see him as one of the best along with Wee Jimmy. Always out and about, talking with guests, and very very funny.

He called me onstage for his welcome aboard show and we had a lot of fun making a fool out of myself! I was famous for the rest of the cruise. The woodsman, I was named.

Date: December 4, 2014

Ship: 3 day Carnival Sensation

Class: OV guarantee (3 linked cabins, me being platinum cruiser)

Assigned: 30 days out

Result: 6A ocean view, Rivera deck, all 3 together

Seems like Carnival put our cabins together for us. We didn't care where we ended up but being all next door to each other is nice.

Fascination. Better itinerary to private islands. Nobody wants to go to Freeport. Jacksonville is a great embarkation port.

We've driven the 6hrs to Jacksonville over the 3 to Charleston twice.

I recommend early saver all the way if you think the price is reasonable now. At some point there could be an awesome sale and if prices drop you will benefit.

We booked the The Breeze in Feb '14 for our trip in Sept '14 using early saver and over the year we scored $600 credit and upgraded all the way to lido balcony after I thought we got a great deal originally on an interior room.

If you don't see a drop or prices increase, then you know you played the game well and got the best price. If you see a price or room today you want then grab it. I just wouldn't chance waiting because the price could jump.

From a passenger in the CNN story:

"It was hot. People became overwhelmed, and there was no food, nothing," she said.

Who thinks "oh the ship is listing and I've got my life vest on standing at the muster station, but why are they not serving me dinner?!"

Methinks CNN is trying to make this out to be more dire than it was.

Another vote for Hilton Miami downtown. Publix grocery (with pharmacy and liquor store)right across the street, $12 taxi to port and South Beach, and the public monorail practically around the corner will take you to downtown and Bayside Marketplace.

The hotel offers views of the port and stunning views of the city for a very reasonable price. It was one of the best hotels we've stayed in to date.

Just off the breeze Saturday, all Blackjack tables I played were $6 minimum and blackjack paid 3:2. As well on the $10 and $25.

I specifically checked because of that original thread.

Intriguing to say the least. The wife doesn't care for the entrees in the steakhouse and I don't care for the appetizers. We've discussed several times and we can't find enough benefit for the $70.

She doesn't want to miss her favorites in the MDR and I'd love a great cut of beef. We save money and both are happy!

Hopefully, this will be on The Breeze in 15 days.

It's worth a $30 splurge. I think, like many, empress is the place to be on fantasy class ships.

If you're interested, and located towards the aft, there's a rarely used stairwell port side leading up to serenity. I booked our room there because of that.

It took about 24 hr the first time but it appeared as "fees or credits" on the invoice on my booking manager.

I too am on starboard lido balcony on the Breeze.

The way I've seen from the webcam in Miami the Breeze usually docks port side there and makes a 180 degree turn in the turning basin at sailaway. But, I have seen it docked on the starboard side. It just depends on the port schedule.

In Cozumel, the ship will dock port side towards the island so your view will be of ocean...only if another ship doesn't dock on that side. This is just as much a chance for a ship on the port side.

Grand cayman, the ship anchors off shore and wind can move the ship so both sides get a great view.

So in my opinion...its a coin toss for either side. :) Not sure why the starboard side would sell out first. Maybe the Pvp had a bet going as to who could sell the most starboard/port cabins...

$5 gets you one off of eBay.

Thanks for the great insight everyone!

Sailing on Carnival Breeze in September.

I'm in an interior vista deck room that I like but for $400 more I can gamble on a guaranteed balcony.

I know we'd love the balcony but is it worth chancing a cove under the galley or on a balcony on deck 6 above the Lanai deck? At most I'd see those as a minor inconvenience and I wouldn't mind either so there's no bad balconies to me.

I'd be switching from early saver to super saver. Should I wait until after final payment to see if SS drops more? Our original room is $300 more than I booked.

I'm having so much trouble!! I ordered a card yesterday, never got an email. I have the 'congrats' page with the order number. Went to pay for my November cruise and it didn't work.

 

Called Carnival ecard number. They have no idea what happened but 'escalated it to corporate' to find out why I didn't get the email, said the page with the order number should have the 'card number' and 'pin' which are all xxxxxx.

 

Called my Carnival Master Card, charge not posted to the acct. Called Carnival back and they said 'maybe they don't take the Carnival MC.' I said I know it's been used by others, maybe since it's Sat. and Sun. it didn't get posted yet....

 

What a mess for 10%!!!!!

 

Now I'm supposed to wait for corporate to call tomorrow......

 

Bummer!

I too ordered a $1000 e-card and got to the page that said confirmed and had an order number. Never got an e-mail. Later, my acknowledgement for a card worth $300 and the e-card came immediately after purchase.

I called the 800 number, gave her the order number, and she wanted to know how I'd gotten that number because there was no order in the system except for my $300 that I already had. She said that since it is an automatic process and the order wasn't in the system, it must not have gone through, and I wasn't charged. The rep said to try again because she was sure I wouldn't be charged. My two $500 cards came immediately and promo cards came at midnight.

Waiting to see if I get charged twice.

We've parked at the La Quinta probably 7 times now. Never had an issue. This time I had my new car that I bought 6 days before the cruise and never worried. Note to self, do not park under the trees as they have birds :)

 

My wife and I commented about the crowds, there weren't any. We didn't spend anytime at the pool so can't comment about those. We could always find a place to sit at the buffet, never had a line at Guys or Blue Iguana. The BBQ had quite the line when we went by by we had just finished the brunch. Did the slides over and over without waiting but that was also in Grand Cayman before everyone had to be back on.

 

enjoy

What time of year did you cruise? Thanks for the recommendation. That hotel is much cheaper in September and actually looks cheaper than parking at the port. Was considering two blue lagoon hotels but they were running about $160 plus we are La Quinta fans. We had the same plan for Caymen; get back on early and enjoy the ship while the majority are ashore. :D

Thanks again to the OP for the review!

Thanks for your input. It makes sense that the 6 night cruise wouldn't sell as well as the 8 night breeze itineraries...that's a long haul to Miami from anywhere not in Florida but it fit perfectly in our budget and time frame. We once made the 10 hour trip to Miami for a 3 day cruise. :D Plus, we've always wanted to sail on the Breeze.

I do have a couple of questions:

We're going on the Breeze in September and was actually considering the La Quinta you mentioned. How secure is the parking? Did you/would you have issues about leaving your vehicle there (neighborhood or security wise)? What was your overall impression of the property?

Also, did the ship ever feel crowded? Especially around lunch or dinner time. I can imagine the pool areas were popular but were they manageable?

Thanks! Glad you had a great time!

I look at people funny when they look at me funny when I'm carrying our pizza and fries smothered in ketchup in the elevator at 1am back to our room.

Don't worry what other people think...you paid your money too.

"Yes, as a matter of fact, we do have a half pizza and fries in the elevator at 1am. Sorry I thought of it before you...great idea isn't it!":thumbup:

John Heald actually just raised this question recently. It was just an informal "would you participate?" Keep an eye out in the future, it may become more regular.

Hopefully it isn't a ploy to contract less professional comedians.