suziqz007

Thank you both! :)

My first attempt at using a GoPro!

[YOUTUBE]oD64D-F0T0k[/YOUTUBE]

You order with your booking number...not cabin number. Cheers!

1. Yes, premiere cruises are offered by the casino.

2. Not familiar with Red Carpet Invitation.

3. On our premiere cruises, both in the cabin got all perks...don't know if this would apply to 3rd and 4th guests in the cabin...or just two people.

Show your hubby this page on the Carnival site.

It states: "Don't let potential changes to ship itinerary or delays getting back to the ship interfere with your fun. We take care of all the details and wait in port for the return of all Carnival excursions."

Figured it out...thanks to all who replied. :)

marking...

Wow...you certainly do assume a lot! I'm not upset with THEM. Frustrated with this thread right now, but certainly not upset with Chief’s! Their response simply made me question if it was doable on our schedule with some breathing room, so I wanted to hear from other folks who had experience with the same schedule, which led me to CC.

How many times have been to Hawaii?

Zero...that's why I'm asking questions. :rolleyes:

How many cruises have you been on outside of the Caribbean?

And this is relevant to my inquiries in what way? :confused:

We live very closet to several ports and are able to cruise 2-3 times per year, and although most of those have been Caribbean/Mexican/East Coast ports, we’ve done AK twice since 2004...Med & Scandinavia once each.

So...now we've established that I'm more that the occasional cruiser and in fact, have been coming to CC since 2005 to read the boards, glean info, and ask the occasional question. That’s much more info than you need to help me, but now that I’ve answered your exact questions, have YOU been to Chief's under the above described circumstances that I have asked about, and if so, I’d love to hear how the luau ending time worked with an 11:00 scheduled departure. If not, I suggest we move along.

I guess I'm still not clear...

I am not a newbie cruiser and I've planned plenty of independent excursions in multiple countries, including the Caribbean. I don't expect a guarantee...no one can do that. I'm simply asking to hear experiences from others who have actually done what I'm contemplating...and how close they came to getting back to the ship on time. Was it a close call? Were you late? Or did you have, say, 30 minutes to spare?

If a vast majority felt they were cutting it close, I'm doing something else. If most people had no general probs and didn't feel nervous or rushed, then I'll continue planning with this as a possibility, knowing that accidents, flat tires, car trouble CAN happen.

I've seen travel times from 30 minutes to an hour which I know can vary due to traffic. So...to be clear and specific, I'm looking for average experiences in the above described scenario's (rental car and Chief's shuttle). And if no one has a personal experience to share, that's ok. I have other options to explore!

Thanks for taking the time to respond...and yes, Chief's is at our Honolulu stop. I've been playing around with doing a luau in either Maui or Honolulu...just a goof from mind to keyboard.

As for calling, it's a good recommendation, however I have already received an email from Chief's stating "we do our best to get all cruise ship passengers back to port in plenty of time". Not exactly a confidence builder, which is why I am asking for people to respond who have had personal experience in timing for getting back to the ship.

I'm leaning toward finding something else to do in the evening that is closer to the pier, but perhaps I am being overly paranoid about times so would like to hear from others who have actually done it.

Thanks, Susan-M...I think we cross-posted as your reply wasn't there when I reposted my question. I'll take a look at your suggestion!

We are in Maui for one day and the ship leaves at 11:00 p.m. (assuming "back on board" time to be 10:00).

I'm looking to hear from folks who have used Chief's Luau shuttle transportation and your experience getting back to the ship on time. Seems like doing this luau will be a close call. I have found most companies are very good about getting cruise pax back on time but would like to hear from people who have actually used them. Were they cognizant of time or too laid back? And do they stop at the port first on the return trip? I notice where they make a LOT of stops at various hotels and other locations.

Also...would like to hear from people who drove a rental car to Chief's and had to make it back to the ship for an 11:00 p.m. departure. Did you have sufficient time to return the rental to the airport and make it back to the ship by 10:00 without too much nervousness?

Thanks so much for your reply...I'm sorry I wasn't clear. I have several rental location choices in each city from which to choose to reserve. My question is: should I reserve at the airport in both Maui (Kahului) and Honolulu? I'm trying to avoid being shuttled to a location where I don't have a reservation.

I hope that makes sense! :)

Getting ready to book rental cars online (Avis) and from what I can tell, Carnival docks at Kahului in Maui. If true, is the airport the best/closet location to reserve a rental car?

Ame question for Honolulu...is the airport close to the dock or is there a better alternative?

Thx...

The government is already overly involved in too many things as it is. Besides, as mentioned above, the fees are not hidden...every consumer can view the actual grand total (including taxes and fees) before committing to the purchase.

Here is our experience. When sailing during college football season, we've had mixed luck finding specific games on the ship. Sometimes we had luck in the cabin, sometimes in the sports bar or casino, sometimes nada. As stated above, where you will find a game depends on the channel the games are being shown on. Cabins have limited channels and even the other areas don't have every satellite channel.

We have found that the ships love to show anything and everything related to soccer, which I understand is widely loved internationally, but with the majority of Americans onboard many of these ships, most prefer their American football, baseball, basketball...and yes, hockey.

I suggest knowing the channels prior to boarding and once on board, check out your various options. :)

This happened to me once. Was on a cruise with a non-casino rate, but they accepted my coupon for casino cash, maybe because we booked and sailed within the dates stated on the coupon? Or maybe they would have accepted it anyway?

Every time I have cashed in my coupon, they have checked a clipboard for my name and then crossed it off.

On a different sailing I had two different coupons and tried to use both. No go. I used the higher amount.

Take it and try. All they can do is say no. But if you booked and sail within the coupon time frame, you should be good!

subscribing!

My friend and I are both bringing the allowed 750 ml bottle of wine (1 each) and 12 bottles of water (each). My question is can we combine all of these items into one carry-on? I have a 20" wheeled case that would make things easier than each of us lugging around all that water (and wine).

Yes you can combine. Hubby always carries on all of our wine, water, etc. for both of us. We always take a little more than "officially" allowed. Never had a problem in multiple FL ports.

If they do happen to ask, just tell them it's for both of you.

Marking...

If you are out of options, try their FaceBook page:

https://www.facebook.com/nachicocomcozumel

For those who have called, when is the best time? One or two weeks before cruising? And do you call the general reservations number or your PVP? I'm not very enthralled with our PVP. It's no different than booking online.

Also, if booked with a casino rate, does anyone know if there a different number to call about upgrading rooms?

Thanks for the input!

Question about food. Last time in Coz we went to Mr Sanchos and one of the things we really enjoyed was the food. They had a huge beachside grill where the food was made fresh and delivered to you. We ordered a variety of things all throughout the day. It's not like we stuffed outselves silly, but we'd have nachos, then order fish tacos which they made to order. Maybe 30 minutes later we'd try something else. Then something else. We literally ordered all throughout the day. We are not pigs...just sampled a large variety.

From everything I've read about Nachi, it sounds like you are given one opportunity to order everything you want and that's it. Is that correct? Or can you order food throughout the day?

We enjoyed Mr. S and apparently lucked out as it was a quiet day, but thinking of trying Nachi this time.

Went to Mr Sanchos with 4 ships in port 2 years ago...heaven. There were MAYBE 30 people total on the beach. On the AI side...about 8. Food and service was fantastic. Laid back & no noise. Maybe that was atypical but it was NOT a loud party scene that day.

Beachside grill, attentive waiters. Going back in April.