trvlqueen

If you're just looking for a beach day, I highly prefer Cable Beach to the beach on Paradise Island - much calmer water ... that said, there is a public beach near Atlantis if that is your preference. Take the water taxi over and follow the signs to the beach. they were checking wristbands coming back up to Atlantis last month, but there were plenty of people who had no wristbands on the beach right out front- there are public access entrances- just follow the signs, or take a regular cab and ask them to drop you off right in front of one. Once you're on the beach, you can walk to wherever you want to be.

June 2018 Norwegian Fjords! So excited - this is my 50th birthday gift to myself and my newlywed kiddos are coming along too - I'm giddy about this one! Was looking at Alaska, but the hubs has limited vacation - so Norway it is.

Oh - and I'm NOT planning to cancel. This will happen - but the $1 deposit, for those who need to know - allows me to book 3 cabins today, place us all in the location we want to be, and gets me started on the road to planning - very excited for this and wouldn't dream of cancelling ... already budgeting for shore excursions, too as I have a tendency to pick the priciest ones.

Do you remember what night they did the Chef's Table?

Do both terminals board at the same time? Is it possible that even being first to board from your terminal, the other terminal was further along in the process? Just a thought...I really don't know.

 

I certainly hope we're able to get passes in a few weeks but I'm prepared that the odds are against us, even with early arrival at the pier.

I'm thinking there may have been some on back-to-back cruises that picked off a few of the passes. They'd be back on board even before the wedding guests.

So are most of the people just complaining or exaggerating that are the chairs by the pool are gone and or saved with towels by 7:00am? I hope so. I was on the Breeze last year and people said the same thing, but I never had a problem before 9:00am.

We were on the January 2 cruise - and it was pretty bad with the chair hogs. That said, I'm not above moving their towels under the chair if they've been unoccupied for an extended period. I don't mind giving the chair up if they return, but on our trip, we did this three different times, spent over four hours in the chairs we "borrowed" and the people that had saved them never returned. Right next to the pool, you tend to find groups of chairs held by one person, so you're unlikely to get a spot there unless you arrive very early, but I prefer the deck just above the pool, anyway, as there is a better breeze up there -

I've spent a lot of time in New Orleans on business over the past several years - *almost* a home away from home. I would think any reputable hotel might be able to arrange an early check-in by noon or so. Otherwise they should be able to hold your bags while you're out looking around the town.

 

Agreed - this always works for us!

 

There are a number of things you can do in NOLA... Ride the street car out St. Charles Ave and get off at Audubon Park - walk through the park to Audubon Zoo. They have a nice, nice zoo. You can walk back through the park to St. Charles and ride the street car back or take a city bus from the zoo back to the Canal street area.

Another option is the Aquarium of the Americas right near the port - the Marriott is also very close to the port - you can practically walk there - depends how much luggage you have whether you'd want to or not.

 

If you get around Jackson Square there will be all sorts of buggy rides to take - tours of all kinds.

 

Here are my suggestions for eating: (I've really not found an terrible food in New Orleans...)

 

Cajun/Creole: Pere Antoine on the SW corner of St. Ann & Royal - a block from Jackson Square. They have some fantastic food and it feels very European looking out the windows and such if it's not a busy/touristy day.

 

This is one of our absolute FAVORITE restaurants - it's an unknown gem - prices are good and the menu is fantastic - and we always get good service there!

 

 

There's a cool gallery across Royal and a block towards Canal from the restaurant - it's the Blue Dog gallery. Very interesting.

 

BBQ: You'll have to take a cab to this place and be very, very patient for a cab back - "The Joint" at Mazant St & Royal. Their ribs are FANTASTIC! They sometimes have bacon chocolate chip cookies. It's a long wait to call a cab back to your hotel but you can often get one other folks are getting out of. Most drivers won't come back for you even if you ask them too... I'm 99% sure I wouldn't walk there...the in between areas look iffy but where The Joint is located is a normal residential neighborhood. No other nearby businesses. It's absolutely worth the effort.

Another great option - this guy knows of what he speaks!

 

And don't fall for the "I'll bet you $20 I can tell you where you got those shoes!" scam... Young black guys (20s) will hit you up about that in groups sometimes... Ignore them. Or just tell them you've got them on your feet...

 

Good luck and have fun!

If you debark on Sunday and want a more touristy feel/to say you've been somewhere that people will recognize, try the Jazz Brunch at the Court of Two Sisters. You'll pay a little more for it, but the atmosphere is worth it - at least once - and the food is pretty good, too. We also enjoy Remoulade, on Bourbon Street. It shares a kitchen with Arnaud's, which is a rather high end place. Don't miss the shrimp remoulade - and you can even get a combo here of Jambalaya, Crawfish Pie, and Gumbo - Because it's on Bourbon St, it can get a little busy, but again, the food is very good and the service generally impeccable - and the prices are decent, too - if you have room (you probably won't) make sure you try the pecan pie!

No breakfast at all in Margaritaville on the cruise last week. There was coffee up there and there may have been a pastry or two- but no real food.

I-concierge worked great- as long as you leave the app open. Otherwise you won't get the alerts.

We had no issue getting seated in the free dining rooms, Food Republic or O'Sheehan's - we had no reservations for four of seven nights and ate with no wait at all.

Definitely worth the $$. Book it!

You will be able to book onboard. Le Bistro filled up pretty fast by everything else had openings. Do book the comedy shows you want to see as soon as you board- they'll be fully booked by day 2

Thanks for posting your review! We board in 10 days, so really excited to see all your photos/hear your thoughts. While we have been somewhat - ok, very - disappointed by early reviews and frustrated by a lot of the changes made, we are still really pumped for this trip. A cruise is what you make it - and I'm looking forward to hearing and finding the good!!

I read my T&C. They are stating the legal notice on the website gives them the right to make any change to the product they want to. Including changing the names of cabin types and moving you into a different room than you booked - I said "so you could reclassify an interior as a mini suite and move me if you wanted to?" And the answer was "yes". That conversation alone is enough to have me rethinking whether I'll book NCL in advance ever again. As a last minute thing when I know exactly what I'm getting? Maybe. I'm telling you that their philosophy has changed. Do with it what you will. False advertising is false advertising in my view.

And- Margaritaville as complimentary was not a misprint. It was advertised as such for a year.

I'm still in conversation. The supervisor had to call executive office. She had me on hold 90 minutes and then I had to go- but I'm not done. Read your contract and the T&C. It's not there. The only thing they may have to stand on is the legal notice on their website but that doesn't cover their brochures.

Just be aware - I am on the line with NCL customer service right now about the Margaritaville change.

The supervisor I was speaking to can't find anywhere in the contract nor in the terms and conditions that states they have the right to change a complimentary venue to a pay venue after we make final payment. I pointed out a few lines in the T&C that state that my cruise fare is subject to change prior to final payment, but that I couldn't find anything about their ability to make arbitrary changes to the product promised without compensation AFTER final payment. She spent 45 minutes reading everything she had - and agreed with me that it isn't there.

She's now on the phone with the executive office ... start calling - BUT BE POLITE. I WILL get some kind of compensation here - and I'll post what I get when I do. Another cruiser posted (on Facebook) that they had emailed DelRio's office and received a $100 OBC after they complained - if they sent that to one person they'll bend to more of us. I would recommend that as many of us complain as possible - even if you never planned to eat there .... you can use the OBC elsewhere.

From the ticket contract - so it seems our rate should have been secure and should have included what we paid for. (what was advertised as included)

Once we have received your deposit or full payment, the cruise rate is secure except in the event of substantial increases in operating costs, tariffs or taxes prior to the sailing date. In such cases, we reserve the right to add a surcharge. If you select an Air/Sea package, additional governmental taxes and customs fees may apply. All assessed government or quasi-government fees and taxes are subject to change without notice at any time, and we reserve the right to add a surcharge for these fees and taxes whether you have a confirmed booking under deposit or have made final payment.

There IS no "WE" the customers. There's you, A customer, and ME another customer. And we don't necessarily feel the same way. So saying that 'we the customers' are feeling 'not too happy' is inaccurate.

 

 

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In this case, there is a "WE" - it's those of us - "we" who are unhappy about the change. Does that mean EVERYONE is unhappy? No - but using semantics to be argumentative isn't cool either.

Before you bought your ticket it says in fine print subject to change. You could have saw where it says subject of changes and said I don't want to risk any serious changes there's already been quite a few changes so I'm just not going to buy this Cruise lol

The changes noted in the contract are to the itinerary - not to what I've purchased. Go ahead - find me a clause in the contract that states they can take my suite away and give me an oceanview if they want to at the same charge, or that they can start charging for the MDR ... because that's essentially the same thing. They promised something as a part of the shipboard experience/complimentary ... and arbitrarily changed it after my final payment. Had they changed ports of call, I'd have shrugged it off. This pisses me off. You like to pick fights - and that's just fine. Pick away. But in this case you're just proving yourself to be an a$$

First off what is this we? Last I saw we were all only customers. Secondly all you people want is for everything to be included, yet you don't understand and all inclusive Cruise would make the price jack-up immensely. I for one like the premium restaurants because you get a better quality food at a reasonable price. My dream is for all of us customers to act like that customers. If you like a service continue to patronize if you don't there are other services out there.

I am acting like a customer - and I am PISSED OFF that something that was advertised as FREE when I bought the product that was supposed to include it is now an extra charge. Think of it this way - you go to the big box store and purchase a new computer ... and you're told that everything is included - cables, monitor, tower, keyboard ... everything. Then you get home and open the box and find there is no power cord, and you go back to the store to collect the power cord and are told "Oh, we decided for purposes of making more room in the box that we would no longer include that. But you can buy one for $50." As a customer, how would you feel? I'm guessing not too happy - and that's how we - the customers - are feeling. Did I book the cruise specifically FOR this venue? No - but it did play a major role in my decision to book this ship over two others we were considering. Therefore, I feel justified in being pissed off. If you can't grasp that, then feel free to email me a gift certificate to cover my meal, because you got yours for free - or at least had the option to - and you claim you wouldn't mind paying for it. So I'm inviting you to do that ...

Someone should get motley and lyndamir together.

Maybe between the two of them they could find a rotisserie grill with no line.

If minisuite and suite are so confusing to people, then why aren't people equally as confused when they see that the room contains a minifridge? :rolleyes:

Because a mini-fridge still gives you the "perk" of cold beverages - it just isn't as big as a full-sized fridge. :p

Boy - it certainly isn't easy to find this information! I would suggest you post over to John Heald's page or ask on the Carnival Funville Forums - you'll probably get a good answer there.

Yep. Sucks, doesn't it? You would think they could plan a little better for those kids - there's no reason they couldn't start the meet-n-greet at 10 - or even 9:15. Expecially since a lot of the activities later on start somewhere other than at the club - and so then the kids have to find where they're meeting AND make friends ... and I have an introvert who won't bother once it looks like everyone is all connected.

We have requested anytime dining for our next cruise for that very reason, even though we love assigned dining and sitting with new people - but our hope is that our 14yo will have a better time if she has the opportunity to meet others.

I'd suggest going to the steakhouse the first night or letting the kids eat on the Lido that first night, taking them to the club and then going to dinner as a couple - we have done that a time or two as well and it's worked, but it sucks sour lemons that we have to make that choice ... eating together is one of our favorite parts of vacation. After the first night, though, it's not too bad.

Well, that is certainly a freaky image ... the good news is that the water at the port is nowhere near deep enough for that to have occurred ... and the way the media "loves" Carnival, I imagine if this had truly occurred, they'd be flying banners from 747s announcing the "tragedy at the port" ...

Spirit class isn't the smallest either - Fantasy class (Imagination, Inspiration, Fantasy, Paradise, Fascination) is the smallest class.

All of the Carnival ships have their positives and negatives. While I'd still love to try Breeze, and look forward to trying the Vista, I've found that if I'm just going to relax, I like the Fantasy class ships the best (wish they did longer itineraries) - and if I'm going with the family, I like Conquest class. Have not sailed Sunshine since the change-over, but just didn't love the Dream ... there was nothing particularly wrong with it - it just wasn't for me.

That said, your constructive criticism was well thought out and presented. I agree with your responses at the steakhouse - when you're paying an upcharge, you should expect to receive excellent service - and the maitre'd is part of that service. It sounds like that venue on the ship needs a little help understanding what guests expect. (The salad issue, though, seems to be your fault - I'm guessing you ordered the iceberg wedge salad - which comes exactly as you described - you might have loved the spinach salad)

Thanks for your review - I'll probably still try the Breeze at some point when it fits into my schedule - and will definitely try the Italian restaurant after your kudos to it - wishing you calmer seas and better sailing on your next cruise - and if you want a Carnival ship with a truly excellent staff, I recommend Liberty, Elation, and Imagination -- all 3 have far exceeded our expectations on multiple occasions.

If you're still looking, I can recommend a really good tour guide, who also happens to be a surfer himself. I'm sure that he can provide you what you're looking for - and since he surfs, he'll know what areas are good at the time you're on the island.

We've used Albert's services twice before and recommended him to countless friends - I think you'll really like him - and his prices are VERY reasonable. If you want some good, local food, too - ask him. He took us to a little place along the road (across from a great beach - with surfing) where they cooked up all kinds of fresh fish and grilled meats - along with fritters - and 6 of us had a full meal for less than $5 each - it was amazing!

His name is Albert Aguirre and you can reach him at surfcabs@yahoo.com or (787)317-6907

Our flight isn't until 5pm and we would like to check out New Orleans for a few hours. Has anyone used this service?

 

Baggage Transfer Services

 

Rush It Courier Service operates a baggage transfer service at the cruise terminals that will deliver your baggage from the terminal to the airport. This is a perfect service for those that have later flights and want to enjoy the sights of the City after the cruise and before departing for home. A great way to extend the vacation. We are also working on a system to deliver bags from the airport to the cruise terminal on arrival, to allow those early arrivals to start their vacations early.

I don't know if that's the same service we used when we got off the ship - but there is one right there - if you walk to your right (like you're going to the streetcar) when you exit the port, you'll see it. It was $20 to hold the bags for pickup in the same location, or $40 to take them to the airport. We chose to have them taken to the airport and it worked so slick! I even left my laptop - something I'd normally NEVER do - but I have to tell you, it was the BEST service - he was right there at baggage claim, exactly when we were supposed to meet, and it gave us the flexibility to explore the French Quarter, meet up with friends, have coffee, and do some shopping before taking a cab to the airport - I would use it again in a half a heartbeat!