iamdorkrock

We thought the decorations were beautiful when we sailed Eastern on Nov. 25th. Very festive, but not overkill. There was a tree lighting, carol singing, "Santa" came one night, and there was an ugly Christmas sweater contest. Apparently nobody got the memo on that one because I feel like there was only 3 participants. So yeah, pack your Christmas/ugly sweaters!

We didn't spend much time on Serenity because of the wind. We thought the smoke was going to be terrible in the casino but I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. Now in saying that, we didn't stay in the casino for hours on end, or stay sat at the bar where there seemed to always be a cloud of smoke, but for what time we did spend there it never bothered us. We became big fans of the Alchemy bar and Jonathan in the piano bar :)

Have a great trip, though it's hard not to!!

Have a great cruise! I’m in the process of writing a review right now on the Glory from last week. We were supposed to do an Eastern, but got switched to a Western. Let me know if you have any questions about the ship. This was my 9th time on her [emoji846].

I loveeee reviews so I can't wait to read it! It helps me pass time at my job and keeps me excited for our trip!! Do you have any tips for the Glory? Secret places, things we probably wouldn't find on our own? I am open to all the info I can get :p

We normally spend a few days in Miami prior to our cruises, then Key West afterward, This year we stayed in an AirBnB in South Beach a block from Lincoln Road Mall. It was nice to walk up to there each night to grab dinner. We also really enjoyed the Miami Seaquarium and the Miami Zoo. Those were great places for us. It was fun to drive around Star Island and see the rich & famous houses. We also did the Miami Duck Tour which was fun.

 

Grand Turk we always get a golf cart and spend the day on the island, ending at Jack's with some beach time.

 

HMC is definitely a beach day, if you can and they're not sold out, I highly recommend a cabana.

 

Nassau we went to once and hated it. We try to avoid any cruises going to Nassau or Freeport. I guess if I had to go back I'd spend the day at the British Hilton as a beach day.

I LOVE hearing that you booked an AirBnB! That's the route we went for the two nights we're there prior to the cruise, and my husband thought I was NUTS for even considering it in Miami. I only managed to convince him because it's a condo!

Where/who did you book your golf cart through for Grand Turk?

YES Anthomaniac - Glory November 25th! I totally expect to be converted from an all-inclusive resort person to a cruise fanatic after this! :D

Thank you again everybody for your help - I got JUST what I was looking for! Since I'm basically acting as the planner for 4 first timers, I feel confident now in port options for all of us! 33 days to go!!

I was hesitant to make this post, afraid people would say this is all information that I can find other places. But I am SOOO glad I did! :)

One question I'm hoping someone can answer about Miami - I just realized a few weeks ago that we are actually flying down on American Thanksgiving, and our full day there will be "Black Friday".... will this impact anything while we're there? Will most things be closed?

maryred & Anthomaniac - Thank you Thank you Thank you!

This is exactly what I was looking for! Some real life opinions and experiences, not a Carnival spreadsheet of available excursions. I guess my mentioning the cheers package was distracting, but really it's just something we'll decide on a few days before. I was really looking for port information, and I've got a MUCH better sense of each place now. Much appreciated :D

I think whether we purchase the drink package now is going to come down to what we end up choosing to do in the ports! If we end up spending almost four full days off the ship, it may not be worth it honestly. I LOVE the idea of not having to face the bill at the end or even giving a second thought to getting a drink... and if my husband was more of a drinker (like me!) I wouldn't even be hesitating. I think it's just the thought of spending $1000 (with the exchange for us Canadians) up front for drinks - that sounds ridiculous when I say it out loud! hahah

So Nassau sounds like a bust?!

We are going on an eastern Caribbean cruise next month on the Glory for our honeymoon, and I have combed through this site rather extensively. I've read all the first time cruiser tips and hacks; I know everyone's opinion on over the door shoe hangers and door decorations, the right type of extension cord, and much like these boards, I STILL can't make up my mind if the Cheers package is worth our while or not. Trust me, I've been reading!:p

I have searched through the port of call boards but don't find them very active/helpful. So! with our recent itinerary changes we will now have 8-9 hours in each port, and I am looking for opinions on things to do! Originally I thought we'd just see where the wind took us, but with so much time in each port it seems I should have something resembling a plan in place. We aren't the type that need a full day planned out, and we (by "we" I really mean "a very persuasive me") are up for mostly anything (see: I talked my husband and his father into extreme zip-lining in Punta Cana a few years ago, and we are going parasailing in Miami before our cruise, which he swore he would never do). I also feel safe that with the amount of time we have, things don't necessarily HAVE to be booked through Carnival - we are open to reliable private options. What is your MUST do?

Half Moon Cay - doesn't seem like there's much here, thinking would just be a great beach day:tropical-drink:

Nassau - added in place of St. Thomas - very open to suggestions? finding very little online

Amber Cove - added in place of San Juan - maybe do the waterfalls? definitely open to other ideas

Grand Turk - is renting golf carts to drive around a thing? it seems a waste to spend the entire day just drinking at Margaritaville or Jack's ;)

Miami - we are spending a day and a half here before cruise day & a day after - thoughts on anything other than parasailing at South Beach?

I know there are answers/opinions on these ports all over the place, but I just wanted to see what everyone has to say. In return for asking something that's been asked a thousand times, I promise to write a nice long review when we get back (since I know how much we all love them). Thanks cruisers!