kabux

Hi gang - we are just off the Vista so I wanted to provide an update:  We did YTD with 10 people.  We were able to check in on the app and got a table almost immediately every night (we did check in between 545-615 each night, so that might have helped).  There are plenty of tables for ten - in 7 nights, we sat at 5 different tables.  

The app does indicate that if you have more than 10 people, you have to check in with the hostess stand and not on the app.  Also, you can choose which of your traveling companions are joining you for dinner each night, in case anyone was wondering.

We all decided during the day what time to meet up and where before dinner.  Also - the check in and table info goes to everyone's hub app, so they will know which table to go to if they are a little bit late.

Hope this helps!

Good luck on your interview.  I hope you have investigated and are sure this is a company that will respect your time - especially since they are only willing to interview you while you are away on vacation, doesn't start off very well if you ask me.

This is so helpful!  We have 10 on Vista in a couple weeks - will they allow you to make a reservation on the app during the day for a specific time for dinner?  

We did it on Mardi Gras, worked out just fine, similar to a regular balcony room space-wise with the third person on the couch-bed.

couple hot tubs at serenity top deck, no pool in Serenity on Liberty

Came on to recommend Random Wind Day Sail in St. Maarten - Jersey Girl beat me to it!!!  

Highly recommend - we are going again in March!

We let the steward know but then ended up moving our stuff ourselves just so nothing would get missed/lost/misplaced.  Suggest bringing a couple of those reusable shopping bags that take up zero space to pack and use those to move your stuff instead of packing everything back into the suitcases - this made is so much easier.

Just curious, is there a reason the wifi charges are still so high, or even a thing anymore?  I assume the answer is "because they can"💰💰💰

But in 2023, what is the reason behind the cost for internet for each person?  I'm traveling with 5 people in March and internet is over $500!!!  And before you all start, I know it's vacation and internet is not necessary but again, it's 2023, we all use it daily for so many things.

Happy Holidays!!

Yes!  I asked our room steward for one and she brought us one without an issue.  

The weird chair and swing didn't have the back support I needed and were very uncomfortable for me.

You will likely be disappointed trying to read in the sun on a fire tablet.  Might want to consider reading on a kindle app on your phone, but paper white is still far superior reading, especially in the sun.

Agree with Random Wind!  We went with them on the Paradise Day Sail in Feb and it was so great!!!  I think they might take up to 30 people, I think we had about 24, but there is plenty of space for everyone.  We are going with them again in March!  Have fun!

We had a Havana Cabana on Mardi Gras last year - we were definitely underwhelmed by the extras that we were allowed.  The pool area is small, pool is small, and the area is on the side of the ship, so at some point during the day, it is in the shade.  The balcony is obviously not private, which we were well aware of but it also does not look out over the ocean, you have to step out into the walkway to do that.  It was very nice that we did not have to get an elevator to get to our room as it was on the same floor as most of the activities.

We have not tried the Havana area on Vista/Horizon.  We did not think it was worth the extra money on Mardi Gras.

We did this in March - very easy but there is not a ferry directly from the cruise port.

Taxi to Red Hook Ferry (look up the times - It was once an hour on the hour when we went) - you can buy tickets on your phone.  Once in Cruz Bay St John, take a taxi to Trunk Bay.  Very easy.  Double check ferry times to come back.  Total cost round trip about $55 per person for taxis and ferries.   Trunk Bay has clean bathrooms, food and you can rent chairs (the folding chairs you'd use at a beach at home, not loungers), and rent snorkel equipment -- they prefer credit cards for those and I think a card is required for the rental deposit.

This forum is always so amazing!  Exactly the answers I was looking for - thanks everyone!!!!  I think I will save the $105 - thanks for the reminder I can find him with the medallion, that's usually what we text about so that might be ok!  Happy New Year!

Cruising end of Feb - I will get internet package for myself but my husband will not use internet EXCEPT to text with me while on board so we can connect/find/update each other.  Is there another option, besides leaving notes?  Is messaging an option on the app (like on carnival)? If so, does it actually work well (unlike carnival)?  Just hate to pay $105 so I can text him a couple times per day.  Thanks!

Tip: bring a couple reusable shopping bags and pack some things into those for the move - much easier than having to fit everything back into suitcases!  Have fun!

We had Havana Cabana in January - agree not worth the extra price.  

Above the theater and we could hear the music for sure, shows don't go very late though.  

Patio area was nice but the furniture is ridiculous, not comfortable.  I asked our steward for a normal chair and she got me a regular upright chair, otherwise I don't think I would've even sat out there!  

Havana is on deck 8, halfway down the side of the ship, so depending on which direction you are traveling, one side is almost always shady, esp in January.  If the shady side was the side with the pool, the other side does have some chairs in front of the patios, but then you are essentially sitting in front of someone's cabin.  There were always chairs available when sunny on the pool side in both the loungers and the padded regular chairs in the shade.

Agree with others that the serenity area was huge and much better.

Just off Mardi Gras with family including my 19yo son.  We enjoyed going to Alchemy and Fortune Teller bars before dinner - bartenders were happy to make him a mocktail each night!

On Mardi Gras now - was told at check in there are 4400 on this sailing

42 minutes ago, 1025cruise said:

Yes, Carnival is cruising to Grand Turk again. The exception is Mardi Gras, due to them needing to dredge a bit.

Anyone hear any buzz about when they will dredge or how long that actually takes??? we are supposed to be in GT on 1/6 on MG, still on our planner... TIA!!

Hey All,

Scheduled to go on Mardi Gras for a B2B in a couple weeks, barring any positive tests (crossing fingers!!).  

Couple questions:

1.  Assume I have to complete the check-in for the second cruise but won't need to choose a boarding time?

2.  Any tips for the change-over day?  We will be changing rooms and would prefer not to have to pack up every single thing into the suitcases - have you brought anything to help with the move that was actually helpful to keep things somewhat organized (like an extra tote bag or something?)?

Thanks!!!

So which is the cheapest to access just iMessage?  Me and kids will pay for premium but just want to be able to text husband who won't need/use internet....  Thanks!  Sorry if this is a bit of a hijack!

Thanks everyone - exactly all the info I was looking for -this board is great!

We are sailing with my son and his GF and would all like to board at the same time - Mardi Gras in early Jan.  I am platinum but they are not.  What is the best strategy to get on the earliest?  Should I (platinum) check in on the earlier day and choose a time like 11:30 and hope 2 days later he can get same time?  Or should we just both reserve on same day to get same time?  Thanks!

Also on a 1/2 cruise and thinking the same ... worried that CVS would get cancelled or results would not be before we fly out early am on 1/1.  I think we are just going to get the Binax tests to be sure.