cocoaloco

:) They are doing more to the ship than you will see....recently onboard for series of B2B2B2B cruises and the hotel manager was very kind to have a couple of conversations about the drydock.

The crew quarters and other areas we do not see are getting much needed upgrades. That is why the ship is in drydock so long. :cool:

"New" VIP lounge in Baltimore is a room approx. 20'x40'.. to the left of the check in area. I just rode the Pride to Tampa and from Tampa back to Baltimore.

The room has fresh paint and some chairs. That's about it. On the Jan sailing to Tampa we had lots of VIPs going on a 13 day cruise. Only the diamonds were allowed to stay in the lounge - and it still overflowed. Platinums were ushered out into a hallway with chairs. It was very chaotic. They were not ready for that number of priority guests.

As a plus, the new gangway was operational on March 12 when we returned from Tampa. :)

:pDo White Sands Snorkeling in Grand Turk with Captain Donovan. Make sure you do the three stop. They have a website. Just a short walk down the beach to the left of the pier, They are under the tent.

It will be the best combination of everything: reef, wall and stingrays and you will likely play with stingrays and touch a shark. Been all over the Caribbean and White Sands is the best by far. In Aruba now on the Pride. Not close to Grand Turk in quality of snorkeling.

Not to be missed.:p

:Dtime to the Atlantic and parking. ---Definitely park at the port - for all the reasons above. As to time to the Atlantic - the boat has to turn around before heading out. It will take about 40 minutes before you are under the Dames Point Bridge and another hour before you pass Mayport and head out to sea....

:DJust stayed at the Embassy Suites downtown (Across from Marriott but $40 cheaper). Super convenient - even a Publix grocery store nearby. Trolley stop out front.

They use a contract shuttle service that is only $5 each way. Very nice van. Loads at back door every 40 minutes but tell the front desk you plan to do that so they can notify the shuttle.

Embassy suites has great rooms, free alchohol and hors devoures in the evening and a cooked to order breakfast all included.:D

:pCurrently on the Pride for 7 days. had lobster last night.:hearteyes:

:D Splendor is fine - was on there 5 weeks ago for 21 days - and am going on her again through the Panama Canal and then again to Hawaii. So the food is great - boat is in good shape and rides as good as any ship ever.

The pink décor is just a fun :cool:giggle. Staff is wonderful.

Mayport Naval Station - just before you reach the Atlantic you will see a large collection of Navy ships in the very large facility.:)

not travel agents....

I recently booked 4 cruises at the same time while on the Vista. I was first in line when the desk opened and I knew what I wanted, including the cabins. It took maybe 15 minutes - even with the internet acting up.

They can be very efficient if they have the complete info.

Write out the following:

Full name and current cabin #

Full names of other people going on the cruises and whether they have sailed carnival before

Cruise dates and desired cabins

Early, late or your time dining.

Whether you want the insurance.:)

Method of payment

the future cruise person is not a travel agent, they are a booking agent Carnival has only one on board and they have long lines all the time.

The way the future cruise desk works is you figure out what ya want using the free onboard access to Carnival websites, then you go to the desk and book.

This is not the fault of the person behind the desk, it is the way Carnival designed after revamping the program to go from two agents on board to one.

:)you will be happy. You will be under the shore excursion desk - pretty quiet. And more importantly you will be forward of the big air intake on deck three, something that should not be overlooked.

I was in 2306 a coupla weeks ago and was under the air handler. not terrible but ever present noise of rushing air. :)

:)Just did the Pride Gatun locks transit. Mr. Radu rented a helicopter and I am fortunately on the balcony in one of the shots he made of the ship.:):):)

If you don't have to have the gleaming new ship (Vista) the Splendor is a better value choice. Was on the Vista B2B from NY to Miami and then the 6 day cruise to follow. Now on the Splendor for B2B and have a better cabin for less money per day. .. and itineraries are great.

It isn't about crowding - I thought the Vista had lotsa room. It is about value ...:)

but do as your cruiser's heart ( and wallet ) tell ya.

and just off the Vista last week. the way they do it is scan the bar code at the bottom of everyone's sail and sign card as you enter the muster area. They know to go looking for you if you do not show....:)

Just off the vista after back to back from NYC. You will love it... things work as they should.... and this is from someone who was previously an NCL addict....:)

On the Vista. No problem with free loungers. Place is still a real paradise

Only thing I did not like was having to sail away.

If you want to have a really great water adventure in Grand Turk walk just past the loungers to the tent that says "white sands" and go out on a snorkel trip with Capt. Donavan. You will see (and touch) a very docile shark, snorkel over the great wall, and kiss the barb of a stingray !:)

Great rooms. wonderful breakfast and you can roll your luggage down to the Boat. Lots of dining right there as well many attractions.

The best part is you can watch the boat come into the dock.:)

The strand shops are just across the tracks. There is a liquor store there if that matters.

Love Galveston !

I did four cruises back to back (or B2B2B2B) on the Elation last month. Love the ship and the staff. the food is wonderful. Guest services are outstanding and the omelet guys are the best ! Georgia and Christian of the Fun Squad are really great. :):):)

From the view point of this cruiser who has use the parking lot 5 times in the last 2 months. (terrible addiction- love the Elation0

Just go in lot 3 and continue straight ahead until you have to turn right. Then go to row thee or so and turn right. :):):):) and you will be very close to the boat. Porters will pounce on ya. Love em...

Am currently on board and no boxes in the rooms along this hallway - Empress deck - forward. Makes it much easier to get around in the room.:)

What is best depends on the person. Scuba.com has the best selection and best prices. Encourage him to order one of their Snorkel vests. They are great and the best deal around. Many excursions require a vest. For fins he may want full foot or not. as for masks there as a many choices and colors as anyone could want. For the snorkel itself they have a great selection of very good purge valve units for about $30. Make sure he checks their daily specials.:)

always best to go onboard with your choices already made and then do a final check for pricing from the ship's computers. Then get to the booking agent ASAP - the longer ya wait the longer the lines get....just hand them a summary of what you want to book - beginning with the cabin # of your current sailing (So they can find your info) pick the 4 digit pin for each cruise and things will be done in a snap if you are prepared.:)

some of the wait staff does not get the difference in Coke zero, diet coke and caffeine free diet coke. You must watch carefully what can they pull from the cooler....:)

Not much there, trinket shops and a couple bars. Instead of paying for a drink at the bars go to the end of the shopping area where there is a liquor store. Buy as many local brews (2 for $5) as you can drink and walk about 30 yards to seating with tables by the waterfront under a big Gazebo. Enjoy a great view and a very cheap port stop.:)