Morgsmom

First of all, congratulations!

Caribbean cruises out of the FL ports will have more "sea" days getting to and from the islands, so more time for honeymoon leisure :rolleyes:... whereas one departing from San Juan will have likely one island per day. Those tend to be more go-go-go

For some reason the obstructed view balconies were not the cheapest balcony cabins on the Regal sailing we are currently booked for. An unobstructed BE, for example, shows as $599(this is not just a guarantee rate). Yet, the cheapest obstructed (BW) showing as available is showing as $889. I am guessing the difference in price is a result of the obstructed view cabins being slightly more mid-ship. This pricing is kind of crazy in my opinion but then again I realize some people really don't want to be all the way forward or aft even if that wouldn't matter to me at all.

 

So anyhow it is also very possible that the OP will not have to worry about an obstruction at the lower price point.

can you tell us which sailing this is?

Given the way Princess prices the 3rd in a cabin, I might consider booking her her own inside cabin. Might work out to be almost the same cost as you all sharing one balcony.

https://www.goccl.com/~/media/GOCCL/Files/Sales/SingleOccupancy.ashx

Hum... can't get these fares on the site, though

Hi!

I took the tour several years ago, but it was the Tulum and BEACH break one -- not sure if this is the same but I'll try to answer your questions:

1. Yes, you get priority to get off

2. The guide stays with you the whole way

3. You didn't ask, but the crossing on the high speed ferry to Playa Del Carmen is NOT for anyone with any "mal de mer"... lots of people get sick on this portion of the trip

4. You will make an annoying, mandatory stop at a gift shop before Tulum

5. You will NOT have any time on your own at Tulum; it is all guided, herd like.

6. That tour included lunch at the beach stop after the Tulum tour - buffet style chicken, rice, beans, etc. Perfectly satisfying.

I never ever book tours through the ship but since this involved so many intricate layers of transportation it was the only way I'd do it. Daughter (she must have been about 12 at the time) enjoyed it but we sped through the site so fast that even she wished we had more time.

enjoy!

anyone find any bargains lately?

This is apparently "great cruise deal" week...I got a email from NCL this morning with GREAT deals (Florida/Georgia resident rates but maybe they are available for other states too) on Norwegian Getaway cruises this month. I have booked a 7-day solo minisuite guarantee for $779 (plus taxes, fees, gratuity of course on top of that.)

 

Glad that week was so open on my work calendar--it's my birthday week too! :)

Wow!!! that's terrific!!!! Have fun

How Carnival's Balcony Guarantee works? Do they (pre)allocate cabins a day or x day before the cruise or how it works?

 

If we arrive late afternoon to the port, do we get the cabin what has not yet been given (allocated) to other guest? In that case, probably all "good" locations has been 'sold out' ? If that so, then you should be at pier as soon as possible?

Guarantees are just an efficient way to sell cabins. Folks who want to pick their exact cabin will pay a premium to do so (specific choice, want to be near family, etc) so there will always be random cabins that haven't been "selected." Most are very good so there is no need to worry and at a minimum you will get what you paid for and stand a chance of getting a higher category.

You will know well before you get to the pier so there is no need to show up early.

If you book a GTY you are the whim of the cruise line and will most likely (+95% probability) be moving rooms.

Funny to read this because I was watching "Wheel of Fortune" last night and it is DCL week and I whined that I wanted to go on Disney... (WAHHHH) I am taking Carnival this weekend because Disney doesn't offer solo rates (well, I guess they do, it's just pay 2x 1 person and that's the solo rate) so the price difference was extraordinary....

Now when DD was younger, I would rationalize about 150% more for Disney (which meant an oceanview vs a balcony on another line), and even that was only achievable with FL resident rates. However, from a value perspective, yes, it was worth it.

Terrific - thank you! (and hoping I don't have to drink it on the gangway, because I will if they say I can't bring it back on.... whoa..... :rolleyes:)

Now you know why booking a guarantee (to save money) is never a good idea if you have any special needs to be met.

I am sure someone will correct me if I am wrong but I believe that they will hold cabins that accommodate 3 or 4 people hoping to fill them with 3 or 4 people. More money for them.

Yes on the first - even if reservations are linked they are under no obligation to keep cabins near each other. That is 100% the chance you take and agreed to when booking it that way (Yes, I know, it stinks, but it was the terms & conditions).

And on #2 - Any cruiseline is in the business to maximize revenue. They do not want to fill a cabin that can hold 3 or 4 with 2 and will only do that with last minute guarantees.

Ok, this is a dumb question, but on Princess I have never had any issue bringing back a 6 pack of Sol from Cozumel back on the ship...

Anyone have any personal experience bringing back a 6 pack from a port of call? And I have no desire to smuggle or go through extraordinary lengths to evade... Just put in my beach bag and have it scanned.

Oh what great news!!! I've got cans of Fl Cracker and Invasion in frig now! Hope they move it to a draft status. Prices should be in line with Sierra Nevada Pale, similar size. Maybe they'll eventually offer Jai Alai or Madura as well. Puppy Porter would be a nice additional but I think it's seasonal.

Jai Alai and Maduro Brown are my favorite Cigar City Beers!!! So looking forward to this! (And, yes, many craft breweries are putting in cans)

You can book a balcony cabin for most of November and early December on Epic for far less than 200% SS.

The site is tricky, initially it will show a higher rate, then drop it down when you get to the category you want.

 

These are 7 day Western cruises

11/16 balcony gty $971.39 total

11/23 Thanksgiving bl gty $1061.39

11/30 bl gty $1016.39

12/7 bl gty $941.39

12/14 bl gty $941.39

thank you for this -- you are right; the site is tricky. At first I saw much higher rates, but once I clicked into the balcony category it gave me the option of "BX" balcony gty

Retin-a is still available but much more expensive than it use to be. I remember buying it for $8 a tube. Then it went to $13, then $18, then $37. When I inquired last week they were asking $51 per tube!

 

Bummer !!! this happened to me, too, on my last trip and I thought they were making a pesos conversion error. I used to pay about $12 for a tube; in March the Mega store wanted close to $50!!!!!

As a prior poster said, I have refused MANY taxis in Coz because they cut out the seat belts in the back as it "takes longer for people to load & unload." Do NOT use one of these taxis, please ,and maybe they will eventually get the hint!

If you do the Dolphin Encounter with them (DIRECLTY, not through the ship) it includes a Buffet lunch. We booked the dolphin swim directly - it was buy 1 get one free, AND we got free lunch!

Still showing for this week's RCI sale at only a 125% solo supplement.

Since NCL has the studios on Epic, do they ever run solo rates for other cabins? Don't think I'd be able to stand the cramped cabin geared for solos.

Unfortunately, not that I have seen.

I would roll over and go back to bed. I am by no means a morning person in any way, shape, or form. If I was forced to get my grumpy butt out of my room, then I would require a nap probably somewhere around 10AM. Need my beauty sleep, ya know :D

hahahahahah --- that's what I was going to say! If I was ever up at 5:30 am I'd certainly roll back over and fall back to sleep. Let the chair hogs do their work in peace!

Well, your baby is paying full fare to cruise as the 2nd in your MIL's cabin whereas she might be very discounted to be in yours as the 3rd. Depending on the sailing there might NOT be a single supplement so you might actually be over-paying.

1 A porthole - $493 with taxes for an 8 nighter.. that's $62/day!

For my wife and I it's totally worth it! Think Ruth's Chris or something along that line.

Ruth's Chris serves Prime (top 2% of beef); the steak in the steakhouse might be better than in the MDR, but I can almost guarantee it is not Prime.

If you are interline, you know that the best rates will come out about 3 weeks before the cruise. (PS - if you don't need your 2nd cabin, let me know! :)

I've seen Europe for $399 a week in September on Interline Rates. Higher for those of us who don't qualify, of course :)

Donna