SRQbeachgirl

Just be glad you're not trying to use RCI's website. Carnival's seems lightyears ahead by comparison.

I'm the same. Reading all of these posts is making me wonder what I've been missing. 🤔

We did one of those San Juan departures back in the 90's. Guadeloupe, Grenada, Aruba, Caracas (okay, Caracas was a bit sketchy, even back then...). But that flight was not fun, especially since we were coming from Dallas with a connecting in Miami and the weather was terrible. We were late landing in Miami and were the only ones from about two dozen people on our Dallas-Miami flight that needed to make the Miami-San Juan flight. Fortunately for those people, Carnival delayed sailing until about 1 or 2am because so many people were delayed due to the storms across the southeast.

Looking forward to your review! 27 more days and I will get to experience this beautiful ship myself!

From your lips to the Port Authority's ears! 😁

That would eventually mean completely leaving Tampa and Jax as ports, which I don't see happening. Tampa is too popular to abandon. I think they will upgrade the Spirit ships to keep them in service at the height-restricted ports for years to come. Now, if we could just talk Tampa into building that long talked-about terminal west of the Skyway we'd have a lot more options. *shakes fist in a northerly direction*

Magic has been our favorite ship so far, but our cruise next month on Mardi Gras might change that.

The other lines sorted it out by charging more than Carnival. You have the option of paying more to cruise with them or paying less to cruise with Carnival. Your choice.

Never said that was my idea of a good vacation. Just an observation about the desperation that was expressed while cruising was shut down.

It's amazing how fast everyone went from "I'd survive on toast and stale beer to be on a ship again!" to "Rationing Bacon?!? I'm out." 🤣

I had a bright yellow, hard-sided, Tommy Hilfiger spinner that held up great for many years, which was surprising considering I only paid about $40 at Ross for it. I loved that bag because it was lightweight and easily recognizable. It survived many business trips and vacations with hardly a scuff. Then one sad day it emerged onto the luggage belt at DFW looking like it had been trampled by a panicked herd of wildebeests. One side was completely cracked from top to bottom and it was missing a wheel. I think I actually mourned for a brief time.

Oh goodness, we can't have that can we? *pours another glass*

Well, don't I feel 🐑-ish. 🤭 Thanks for the catch! This is why I shouldn't be allowed on the internet when I've had more than two glasses of wine! 🤪

Our original cards are handwritten, nearly illegible, 2" x 3" notecards. We recently moved and...I'm not entirely sure where they are. 😣 We went on the website for the Virginia Department of Health (where we lived when we got vaccinated) and were able to print off our Smart Health cards, which show proof of our COVID vaccinations. I'm assuming (hoping) these printed documents will work instead of the little handwritten cards. Anyone have any experience with these? I also plan to upload everything in Verifly, just in case.

There has been talk for years of building another cruise terminal and berth on the east side of the bridge, but I have not kept up with it. Maybe someone else here will know if the idea has gotten any traction.

Ships have to pass under the Dames Point Bridge just east of the cruise terminal. The fantasy class are the only ones that will make it under. We lived in Jacksonville for a few years and it was always fun to watch them go out.

Nothing after 6/1 for CVS in our area, either. I just ordered four eMed tests ,but it sure would be nice if the CDC and cruise lines dropped the testing requirements before we have to use them next month.

We're on the same sailing! Can't wait to be on the ship!

Thanks for including a short review of the new Hampton! We are staying there next month using Hilton points before our turn on Mardi Gras.

Even at home hubby and I are rarely in bed before 11:30 - 12. During the week we are up by 6:45am. On vacation we will go to bed anywhere from midnight to 2am. Considering we usually have dinner around 6pm, we often get a little hungry before we go to bed. The room service BLT was always one of my go-to late night items, so I'm bummed they don't offer that on the after-10pm menu (unless someone knows if we can request it??). Pizza was our other preferred snack, but there's no way we're going to wait 2+ hours in line. Might have to be proactive and keep some sandwiches in the cabin fridge to combat those late-night munchies.

Looking forward to this being my view in 46 days! We will be in aft extended balcony #10499. Think I'll spend a fair amount of time watching that big, beautiful, blue trail behind the ship.

Since you like fancy coffee drinks, if you do get the free coffee on the Lido deck add a little soft serve ice cream to it (and even some hot chocolate). Makes it much better!

I'm currently mulling over an offer for 5 days in October on Paradise out of Tampa for $298pp in an outside cabin.

Do you know if you are required to drop off your luggage before entering the garage, or if DH and I can just park and then bring our luggage with us? We typically only have one carry-on sized bag each and don't like leaving with them with the porters.

LOL - well, yes, there is that. 🤑