Jfultz81

5 minutes ago, ninjacat123 said:

Oh, I forgot that DH and I were on a cruise and had a pic done at a In-the-hall photographer and then like a person selling watches out of a coat, this other photographer sidles up to us and says "want to do a private photo session?"  They had a camera and a Carnival badge so I knew they were legit🤣.  I said we only have 30 minutes till our dinner and they said "follow me".  We went downstairs to a secret (secret to me) room all set up with camera lighting.  Did about 20 pics and then said we would come back after dinner.  After dinner we went back and the pics were in black & white (we requested that) and they were great.  Of course the "deal", then a better offer then "okay, 3 pics for $200 (insert another sad photographer face) and I have those 3 pics framed above our bed at home.  Love them!!

That's hilarious!  I guess I'll keep an eye out for any photographers that might be looking for a side gig.  Because my aunt takes so many photos, it's hard to get the family enthused about getting any done, so we'll see what happens.  

21 hours ago, ninjacat123 said:

Well that is something I didn't know (amongst other things) and I think that's weird.  We did Dreams Studio, awesome pics but yeah, it can be pricey.  They wanted over $1,000 for all the pics and a CD with the pics on it.  I said I only wanted 6 pics and they finally came down to I think $200.  

Oh well, they could have a wandering person (like me, I've done it a couple times) take their pic on a staircase with someone's phone.  I would still try to coordinate color of clothes, makes for a more professional look.

$1,000 for pictures???  Does Carnival not do the pictures with a background during formal nights anymore (or other random nights)?  It's been awhile since we've cruised, but I was hoping I could get a good group picture of us but I'm definitely not paying a lot for it (my aunt is a semi-professional photographer so we have a LOT of family photos already).

I'll have to look at Bonsai and C del C menus - I know my family seems to like teppanyaki (we aren't fans, but we do love sushi)!  

I like the idea of a Shutterfly book too!  I'll have to look into room decorations as well.  Thanks for the great ideas!

30 minutes ago, PrincessArlena'sDad said:

What ports? A private tour might be fun. 

We are doing Aruba, Curacao, La Romana, and Amber Cove - we've actually booked private tours in all but Curacao already.  

We are taking a family cruise in October on the Horizon.  There are 10 of us in total (7 adults, 1 just turned 18 kid, 2 younger kids) and we have some big things to celebrate on this cruise - a 1 year wedding anniversary, a 1 year organ transplant anniversary, and an 18th birthday.  Most of my family has never been on a cruise and it's been several years since DH and I have been.  What are some great ideas for a family celebration on the Horizon?  DH and I are doing Chef's Table, but no one else is interested.  We have a lot of picky eaters (more like not adventurous eaters) so a fancy dinner may not work, but we do have a lot of steak lovers.  DH and I would be paying, so we don't want anything too costly (we're already paying for 1 family member's cruise and have purchased several other things for the others).  Any unique or exciting things to do?  We all have balcony cabins.

17 hours ago, DPTexas said:

If I remember correctly, when you book the CT, a drop-down shows each person's name in each cabin.  You may have to book it separately under each cabin - it just depends on how your cabins are set up.  Simply check the names of those going to the CT.  Enjoy your special night at the CT because it is fantastic.  

Thank you!  I was able to do that, so hopefully, it will be fine once we switch rooms.  I'm looking forward to CT - especially seeing the kitchen!

16 minutes ago, Elaine5715 said:

No because you will use your original Sail and Sign for charges and you connect payment at check in online

It's been awhile since we've cruised - am I able to put a different credit card for each person in a room?  Some of them are minors and will be on their parent's card, but they are also listed in the room with me.

Won't that be an issue with the room charges?  I'm not paying for their charges and I don't want to have to reimburse them for mine.  

We are cruising with family and booked 4 rooms, but we put me in one room and my husband in another to get a better rate on one of the rooms.  We have read that we can go to guest services when we get on board and have me put in my actual room, but we want to book Chef's Table before the cruise for just the two of us (no one else is interested) and also want to purchase internet access for me (so I have a way to keep in touch with our housesitter).  Am I going to have an issue with these bookings once we're on the ship and I'm in a different stateroom than when I make the purchases?

I know that it says 8 max, but we have a group of 10.  I know not everyone will want to zipline, so do you think they would allow us to add two additional people?

So before anyone gets on me about how their sister's cousin's friend's grandmother died from getting Gastric Bypass surgery, you're wasting your time, I know the risk, my doctor has the lowest mortality rate in the country and I feel safe getting this surgery. I'm not lazy for getting this surgery, I'm sick and tired of only losing 10 pounds and not a pound more and then giving up and gaining even more weight than I lost. Not to get into the details I'm dedicated and as a reward about 2 years out I'm planning a cruise to commemorate getting to my goal (cause I will, I have faith) and to enjoy life. So my question is this:

 

Are there many sugar free options? Also the Guy Burger Join, does it do Protein (lettuce wrapped) burgers? And what are the free drinks Carnival offers? I noticed they took away juice... so it's water and milk? coffee? Any other suggestions as to what other food options a person who has had Bariatric surgery should have?

 

 

Again I know the risks, and I figured at the rate my health is declining whilst I am somewhat overweight, I might as well take the chance of trying to make a healthier change. And it'll make walking on my treadmill a hell of a lot easier! :D

I haven't cruised yet, but I know they always have a sugar free dessert. Protein and veggies are easy to find and fruit is good for dessert too. I'm not public about surgery so if you'd like to talk outside of here, let me know!

The Celebrity Constellation is still starting in Istanbul and going to Israel. That is why we booked it. :)

We saw the Constellation sailing but it's too early on Nov for us, we have to go around Thanksgiving to have enough vacation time. We also hesitate to book anything beginning or ending in Istanbul because if they change the itinerary after we book airfare, there's a good chance we'll have to eat the change fee and I don't want that hassle or expense. Sad to say, but as much as I love cruising, their at whim policies are forcing us to land only. Airlines are bad, but at least they get you to where you are going eventually!

I know. I saw the press release in August about how exciting it was to be offering Turkey as an embarkation/debarkation city and that they hadn't done it in years. It truly was the perfect itinerary for us.. and now they've lost our business. I am sad to see the UDP and SDP that we had booked go bye bye... but it's not worth the money they want for a much less exciting itinerary. We would have considered staying if they had just returned to Venice and left the rest in place. Oh well, we've started looking at other things and I think we're doing a land vacation instead to Israel/Jordan/Turkey.

NCL just cancelled Istanbul on our cruise and that was where the cruise was supposed to end. The cruise had probably the best itinerary we've seen in a long time and now they've butchered it so I have a feeling we'll be cancelling and looking for something else.

Ron,

One more question on the rental cars (I say that now...). In Funchal, you mentioned that they (Rodavante) don't normally pick up/drop off at the pier. How did you arrange it with them and was there an extra cost?

Thank you!!

I know this thread is a little old, but I was wondering about a few things.

For the rental cars - did you take out extra insurance? Did you feel unsafe at any point (we love to rent cars, but worry about accidents and theft)?

Also, in Galaxy of the Stars.. is that a working pool table??? Post #17, in the background. Just curious!

Thanks.. we're excited for this trip, even if it's over a year away!!

Great comparison, thanks!

Thanks for the info! We were wanting to hit IKEA anyway, so I was trying to kill two birds.. oh well, lol.

Has anyone tried taking the free water taxi or shuttle to IKEA in Brooklyn and getting to the port (Red Hook) from there? Is it far or will they not even let you walk?

Hi all! We've booked IOS for the end of next year.. our first Freedom Class (yay!!). Anyway, I see that the cantilevered hot tubs are part of the solarium, so does that mean they will be (or should be) kid-free?

Kermit's also has this (difference being Blonde Giraffee is pastry crust and Kermit's is graham cracker crust). Both are right by the pier (Kermit's is just down from the Conch Republic Seafood Co.). I want to try both!!

We are on a limited budget (since we are paying for all 4 of us) and are wanting to eat dinner in KW, someplace not too far from the pier/Mallory Square area.. would love to try Blue Heaven, but with dinners ranging up to $36, its a mite out of our budget. Any other suggestions?