Cruise, J.D.

I like the $25 free play better.

That's unfortunate. It's always a crapshoot when you dine with strangers. Not my cup of tea.

If you offer late night drinking venues, you should offer some easy late night food options.

That looks like a fun excursion!

Our first cruise was in 2005 and that it is when I started reading Cruise Critic, so your post was a trip down memory lane!

Most hotel doors are set up to "slam" on their own. My practice is to avoid this during early mornings and at night, whether on a ship or a land-based hotel.

We really like oceanview cabins. The price is usually not much more than an inside and you get some sunlight and visual interest from the window. The price jump from oceanview to balcony tends to be more substantial. A balcony is nice, but usually not worth the extra cost for us.

That's how mine was. Then at the end it started getting into new pay-for options that I posted about earlier.

It looks like on Deck 5 aft there are two ocean suites with a double sofa. I have no idea if this is correct. Carnival Sunshine Deck 5 Deck Plans (cruisedeckplans.com)

Like was said above you will get to check in two days in advance of the regular date. You can start the process at 12 midnight eastern time. Just skip through the check in questions and finish them later to get a time. I'd be surprised if you can't get an early time. With that said, there are reports that some people are still getting in (platinum or not) before their allotted time, depending on the port and the employees.

They may be using different numbers on the surveys. I was texting my wife the questions to get her input and it was $45 for me.

I don't think there is anything to change at the terminal. That is just for checking in and not for making changes to the booking or to the rooms. Additional room keys can be done once aboard at the purser's desk.

It was interesting. At the end of the survey it was focusing on willingness to pay $45 per person for a "multimedia dining event" or a "dinner with a live performance" and $40 per person for an "interactive dining experience".

Doing this survey now lol😄 Edit: Yes, I agree with above. Based on this survey they are looking at ways to expand for-pay dining options.

It was both for me. I got an email that an upgrade was available and it appeared in the cruise manager on the website. We decided not to do the upgrade and it expired, but the link still shows up in my cruise manager (which I check every now and then to see if it's a new offer 😄).

Thanks for the review! Which beach did you go to in Aruba? I saw you took the bus and there have been some questions about whether the bus to Arashi beach is running again.

I emailed the Hilton La Romana inquiring about day passes for cruise visitors and received the following response: Please receive a very warm greeting from Hilton La Romana. It will be my pleasure to assist you. In regard to your inquiry, we do have and will have day passes available . The cost is US$85.00 per adult and children between 3 to 13 is 50% off from 10:30AM to 05:00PM, ID is mandatory and payment could be done at the Reception via credit card or cash. Note: This is all-Inclusive Package. however, Day Pass does not include room, Club Preferred Area nor Transportation. If you need any additional information or if I can be of any assistance please feel free to contact me. Best regards, Es un placer! Carlos King Concierge carlos.king@playaresorts.com