trvlqueen

The poster above is correct - we just came off the elation and there was the 4 foot deep pool, a hot tub, and a rather shallow children's pool all on deck 11 aft. I don't believe Elation is getting the water park during her dry dock, but I could be mistaken - it seems like they finished those upgrades on the Fantasy class ships awhile back - and Paradise and Elation missed out. Not sure exactly what all IS happening, but we were told by the staff that they are getting the Playlist Productions shows - don't know what else.

Here are my opinions - the one I would avoid at all costs is the jerked pork loin - others may disagree, but it was spicy and bland all at the same time - that doesn't make sense, but I'm telling you - it was awful. that night is my least favorite of the menus and the night I usually like to go to the steakhouse. First night is a good time, too, but I do like some of the menu options (especially the desserts) - but free wine is a good compensation for no creme brulee.

Fillet of tilapia 2

Sweet and sour shrimp 3

Lobster tail 2

Prime rib (I never order this but my hubby loves it)

Jerked pork loin 1 (too danged spicy for me - I've tried it a few different times)

Braised short ribs 3

Grilled pork steak (haven't had this one but the kids like it)

Grilled jumbo tiger shrimps 2

Martini braised basa fillet 3 (one of my favorites)

Chateaubriand (again, my hubby always gets this one

Fillet of mahi mahi 2

Panko crusted jumbo shrimp 2

Be careful if you're booked on AirTran via Southwest - while you won't pay luggage fees if you check luggage on a ticket booked this way, LE can't tell the difference, so they'll charge you the airline's fees.

This is from personal experience - it really was a frustrating experience, and guest services on board was helpful in getting it cancelled and pulling the luggage back for us. They actually called to warn us about this and let us know that past customers had been unsuccessful in getting the fees refunded - it's not at all CCL's fault - it's more a factor of too many parties involved and until Southwest and Air Tran are all under one umbrella, this may continue to be an issue.

Any other airline flying out of FLL shouldn't be an issue - it's a great option, actually, because you don't have to be on a CCL tour to use the service, which allows you a great deal of flexibility for your day up until your flight.

Some folks that were on our ship (very end of March) went and said it was open and all was well. There are some cenotes which were formerly open that are now closed as the result of feuds between adjacent villages. This one, however, is on national park property and has not been affected.

Remember that rates in French Quarter/New Orleans hotels can vary wildly depending on time of year and what is going on in town.

Try this:

Holiday Inn Downtown Super-dome (French Quarter Area)

***rates as low as $109.00 single/double occupancy plus tax (kids

Stay free under 19, Eat free under 12)***

IJHD1 Package includes:

Free Parking for length of Cruise (up to 8 days)

Free Wireless Internet and Business Center

Free Exercise Facility

Rooftop heated pool and sun deck

Full Service restaurant and lounge

Hotel located on street car line

Phone: For Group or Individuals Reservations - 800-535-7830 or 504-581-1600

Code: IJHD1 - Park n Cruise Package

According to the Funville Forums, someone called the OPC and found out that 1 point = $2.50 played in the slots and 1 point = $5 played in video poker, so you'd have to spend about $2500 in slot play (house money, your money, whatever) in order to meet the 10000 point requirement to be enrolled in OPC, which has to happen before you start receiving offers. IMHO, since I shudder at the thought of putting that much at risk, I'd rather buy my own drinks and cruise - because those "free" drinks = $3750 in play. :eek:

I agree, to pull the whole amount for such a small price drop is not right.

 

It also doesn't seem right that the TA has to "do more work" and get less commission for price drops.

 

I booked with a TA for the OBC (100 per room) but have had SIX price drops in the last two weeks, netting over 800 in OBC. The TA said he would have to lower the OBC to 75 per room with the first set of drops (about 100 per room drop) He hasn't said if I have any OBC from him left (I think he may be avoiding me at this point, six price drops seems excessive as he watches his commission wilt away).

Honestly, I doubt your agent is calculating his commission each time your price drops. They all know the system, and they know that price drops are likely. I'd ask about the OBC, but if you really have over $800 in OBC due to price drops, and the agent has submitted them all for you, I don't think I'd be too concerned about that last $75. Carnival would have pulled it by now if it had been attached to one of their promos, too. (unless it was an old FCC or stock credit)

I often go out out and smoke 3 cigs in a row on my balcony , then I grab a pair of blue jeans and sleeveless tee **** leave leave the room at 7am and deposit the shirt and jeans on a chair near the pool ( base ball hats just won't do to hold a chair all day).

I then leave go down to guest services , remove my auto tips ( I tip in cash) .

Head up to the mdr if open or buffet to eat massive amounts of bacon sans bacon police . I do this all while wearing my bath robe.

Pretty soon its elegant nite so I return to my chair get my sun bleached jeans and tee shirt from the chair and good to go !

Of course I will stop and take pics at all the stations , buy none but will take picture of the pics

LMAO - and you probably use your FTTF to cut in line, too - nasty person, you are. :p

Roatan has a must excursion, Costa Maya.

I'm curious - is there a Costa Maya in Roatan? I googled it - couldn't find it - but I know that Costa Maya is one of the stops on the cruise, so wondered if maybe you mistyped?

Just be prepared to show them your boarding docs or your platinum card - too many people that have not earned or paid for the privilege have been abusing it, so the stewards have begun asking you to prove you belong there. We had that experience on the Elation - our steward later apologized (we weren't offended) and explained that they were going to start enforcing this because too many people were coming through the doors that shouldn't be.

So if you're a scoffer (cheater), you either better move fast or rethink your plans. :p

It's very easy to spend little to no money in Grand Cayman and Cozumel as others have noted. Just back from Paradise Beach a couple weeks ago. Wristbands are now $3 and $15 - but still quite reasonable.

I think if you're going to spend money at any of the ports, Jamaica is where I'd do it. It's just safer there to be on an excursion, but it really is a beautiful island. I'd look at jamaica cruise excursions dot com for reduced price excursions - Dunns River Falls would be a blast for your daughter - it's a must do at least once. Otherwise, Carnival's price for Mystic Mountain isn't bad at all - they own it, so you can get just as good a price through them as you would off the ship. We did the bobsled last time we were there and it was a blast - plus you get to enjoy the pool and no pushy vendors for as long as you want to before going back to the ship. My 16yo loved it there!

I didn't see that your pre-paid tips question had been answered, but I didn't go through all 5 pages - just the first 3. NO - you won't see a charge or a credit on your sail and sign card - it's just already taken care of. Nothing to worry about there.

I do like the idea of cash for your sail and sign card account - it solves a lot of issues, and with the kiosks, you can check your balance, add money, and even pull money back off without too much hassle.

Hope you enjoy your cruise with your dd! These are precious days - mine goes off to college in the fall and then who knows where she'll end up ... just have fun, laugh a lot, people watch (that's FREE! and highly entertaining), and enjoy each other in the warm Caribbean sunshine. :)

I can't find my photos on this computer, which tells me they're on my main PC, not my laptop, but I remember them being very subtle, light and airy and pretty. I think that each of the 3 Dream Class ships are slightly different, but all the spa cabins are lovely.

If I find the photos when I get home, I'll try to remember to post one up for you.

If you have friends or family going on the cruise, ask them to perform the renewal for you. You can use this as a jumping off point - no need to pay Carnival to do it - a renewal and a wedding aren't the same - you aren't required to have a license or official documentation.

http://www.idostill.com/planning/ceremony-ideas/vows-ideas/simple-sample-vows.html

Last year, some friends of ours renewed their vows, officiated by another friend - it was a really beautiful ceremony and they had a fantastic time, made great memories, and didn't pay Carnival their piracy rates to do it.

Not yet. Same menus. I didn't take a copy of them, but if you go to zydecocruiser's website (zydecocruiser dot com) they're posted there.

The ship was fantastic - we really had a great time and found the staff to be really professional, a lot of fun, and very attentive and fun.

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask!

We had initially booked a verandah suite (junior suite) on the Elation until I came on here and read the reviews - we had booked it for the balcony, and since the balcony didn't seem to be anything that we would have liked, I upgraded to the Grand Suite. Now THAT was an amazing experience - that said, I'd rather be in a porthole or inside cabin than not be on the ship - in this case, we were able to do the upgrade thanks to some points that were due to expire, so we just cashed them all in for the upgrade ...

that said, I've learned that before sailing is the best time to check out any potential cabin issues as it's much easier in most cases to fix them before you board - had we not been able to upgrade to a grand suite, I'd have attempted to go back to an ocean-view - and if it hadn't been allowed, would at least have understood what I'd gotten myself into. I do wish those balconies were a bit nicer in the junior suites, but given that they are basically a late addition to the Fantasy class ships, better something than nothing - at least you can get some fresh air.

Shorts are fine. No swim shorts and no shirts without sleeves (tanktops).

This wasn't enforced at all. In fact, many people came in from the Lido deck having just thrown on their cover-up. While I wouldn't recommend this or do it myself, the table next to us was 4 women, all in swimsuits with coverups on, and they were served (around 11:30am) with no issues. The table across from us was 2 guys in swim trunks and flip flops with t-shirts on and their female friends in swim suits with sundresses over the top - all carrying their towels and beach bags (so at least they weren't chogging, too, lol).

That said, I think the policy may vary from ship to ship, but shorts definitely aren't an issue.

If I were looking to go to Bermuda, I'd be looking at NCL. They stay put for several days in a row and it gives you a great opportunity to explore. Also, when we were there (not sure if this is still the norm), pax on the Dawn seemed to have coupons that they could use in the port area for food - everyone we spoke to really seemed to be having a great time, and having sailed NCL 3-4 times, I can see how the freestyle dining concept would work especially well in the "parked" environment.

I wish CCL would go there again - but I really do like the way NCL handles this destination - looking to book a Bermuda cruise in 2015 as one of my daughters was too little to go last time we went there for a land trip, and right now we're planning to do NCL.

I could see $5000 being fair - it covers their potential airfare, the "cost" of the additional vacation time they likely had to burn - and as someone who doesn't get paid vacation, that time would have cost me dearly. Also, that amount is kind of a "feel good" number - it should allow replacement of clothing or other things that might have been ruined by the overflowing toliets, etc. While I probably wouldn't sue if something like this happened to me, I can understand the frustration and fear that (especially new) cruisers might have felt.

Thankfully nobody had severe medical issues as a result of this situation (that we're aware of) - and so any more than that would be ridiculous - I'd realistically say $2500 is even more fair than $5000 - but from the choices presented, $1000 wouldn't cover my airfare and lost time from work, so I went to the next higher number.

It's Sponge Bob! You were supposed to turn it yellow, I'm thinking. :p

Fill out the best price form on their website. If they'll price match outside vendors, they'll surely price match themselves.

Have you checked the hotels by the airport? They could take an airport shuttle to the hotel, then shuttle back to the airport to pick up Carnival's transport or take a cab, depending on which is more cost effective and their preferences. The Days Inn shows available by the airport with rooms looking like they're about $129. While it's not the epitome of luxury, they're generally clean and consistent in quality - I can't tell for sure if they have a shuttle, but it's right off the airport, so if not, a cab wouldn't be too expensive and there's an IHOP on property, so they won't starve.

It looks like there's a big wrestling convention in town during their stay, which may be why there is such limited hotel availability and high prices at the ones still open for reservations.

Carnival.com is free at the internet cafe on board. If you really want to book something while on board, I'd double check the prices, dates and itineraries online before booking and THEN go to the desk. In my experience, the onboard agents are not usually the most helpful, nor the most well informed. They tend to do what's easy, not what's correct.

Last time I booked on board I had to argue with them to give me the rate I knew was available. Having JUST been to the internet cafe to double check everything because of a previous bad experience, the guy told me the rate I was requesting was not applicable for my sailing. I pulled out the printed copy of what I'd found online and he changed his tune pretty quickly. Got my price and my OBC - but if I hadn't been informed ahead, I'd have paid almost $100 more per person and NOT on early saver, either ...

For those of us who do a little research ahead, this can be a great avenue to get some extra perks. I'm thinking they're used to dealing with the first time cruisers onboard, however, so they don't usually have to work too hard.

The best solution would be to put the kids in a room exactly in between the two parents' rooms - or directly across the hall if you're doing a balcony room for the parents and interior rooms for the kids, but it certainly can be done. The financial ramifications are the key - you can set up your minors to charge to your account or set them up as cash only accounts and allow the kids to add money to their own individual cards, but D4 is correct - you do want to be sure that everyone is fully committed, and if possible, paid in full prior to the due date to avoid anyone backing out and "sticking" the other with a single cabin or risking financial penalty for cancelling - Generally in my family, we have these things worked out well in advance, and I'm assuming you do as well - but it is worth talking specifics just in case. If you do have to cancel part of the trip (the kids' cabin and one of the parent's cabins) and move into a room for 3, you don't want to face penalties for doing so.

I agree - he's absolutely awful! Congrats on managing to book when he's on vacation! He was highly inappropriate at the family friendly show - so much so that I complained to guest services and I'm not normally one to do that.

The tours match exactly, so, yes - book the Carnival tour and then submit the price protection form and you'll get 110% of the difference back.

As to the French Quarter, there are dozens of great restaurants there. You can't go wrong - We have our personal favorites, but I think if you're going to be there for the day, I'd just pay attention to what's around while you're exploring and check the menus to see what sounds good. If you want a nice, quiet place, try Commander's Palace (in the Garden District but you can take the streetcar). We like Pere Antoines - but recent Trip Advisor reviews are mixed - I think it comes down to expectations - it also depends on your budget and what kind of food you like.

New Orleans is one of my favorite places - and it's far more than Bourbon Street ... take your time, enjoy the sites, and do your shopping at the French Market - you'll find the best prices there for sure! Don't miss the fresh pralines or cafe DuMonde for coffee and beignets!