Vitamin Sea Addict

We've always done MB for beach time when visiting but now that kids are older and can swim/snorkel more independently, we're open to trying a new beach to taxi to/from. Loungers/umbrellas would be nice. We're in port from 7-4, along with 4 other ships. I know March is a very busy month too so I'm overwhelmed at looking at all the choices and making the "right" one. But, I don't want to default back to MB just because of this lol. It appears that a lot of private tours/excursions are already booked for our day too. We've got St. Martaan the day before (still undecided on activity there) but still think a beach day is our St. T plans.

Thanks!

Hello!

We will FINALLY be visiting the island and are excited to find an amazing beach to relax at (2 adults, 3 tweens). I am not interested in a tour or group excursion but would rather just find our own transportation to a beach (and back).

What beach would you recommend for relaxing/snorkeling that we can taxi to/from easily without spending a ton of time driving? Also, where at port is the easiest place to find taxis? While beach chairs/umbrellas are a perk we'd be willing to spend money on, food/drink are not a requirement. Kids have been spoiled with too much time on Aruba and Curacao beaches and love finding gorgeous beaches on new islands.

Thanks!

We are looking at going to a beach when we're in port--but don't want a formal excusion etc. We'd be fine with a taxi or transportation from a beach club. We love the beach club vibe of Cozumel and would like to find that here. Any rec's on places that work for this? Or at least close beaches to taxi to (that have chairs/umbrella etc)?

Thanks!

Hello!
The company that we usually rent Jeep's from when staying on the island does not have a location at the cruise port. We'd prefer to do our pickup/drop off at the cruise port to eliminate extra cab time, fares etc. Does anyone know of a company that will connect with us at the cruise port for a Jeep rental (More4Less is already sold out)?

Thanks!

1 minute ago, PittsburghGirlee said:

I received this letter today for a cruise that I have booked for Aug 23, 2020.  OBC is $100.00 for my 7 day cruise to Bermuda.

 

 

March 11, 2020 Dear Carnival Guest,   We continue to implement increased monitoring, screening and sanitation protocols to protect the health of our guests, crew and the residents of the destinations we serve. Our measures are designed to be flexible to adapt to changing conditions and recommended best practices. For your reference, you can read our Travel Health Advisory on Carnival.com.   Nevertheless, we know our guests have questions about their upcoming cruise and we have relaxed our cancellation policy to provide flexibility should you wish to reschedule your vacation, as well as incentives to proceed with your plans. The following applies only to guests who booked on or before March 10, 2020. Guests who choose to keep their booking, as currently scheduled, for departures June through September, 2020, will receive the following onboard credit (OBC) amount: US$50, per cabin, for 2 – 5 day sailings US$100, per cabin, for 6 day sailings and longer If you choose to continue to sail with us, we will automatically apply your onboard credit to your Sail & Sign account. There is no need to call us.  You may also cancel up to 30 days prior to your scheduled departure date. Any cancellation charges will be held as a future cruise credit (FCC) to be redeemed on a cruise within one year of your original sailing*.  If your reservation included Fly2Fun air, any monies paid for your air fare will be included in your FCC.  If you purchased independent air, please contact your airline carrier as they are being flexible with change fees. Any pre-purchased Carnival shore excursions, specialty dining/spa or Fun Shop orders will be automatically canceled and refunds will be processed to your original form of payment by your bank within three weeks.  We are experiencing higher call volume than usual and are currently focused on assisting guests sailing March and April, 2020.  We encourage you to contact your travel advisor, Carnival Personal Vacation Planner, or access “My Cruise Manager” on Carnival.com to cancel your reservation.  Any penalties will be held in your account as a FCC.  You may also get answers to Frequently Asked Questions here. We appreciate your loyalty and look forward to welcoming you on board!   Sincerely,

Colleen Oliverio Vice President, Guest Services Contact Centers *The FCC is non-transferable, cannot be used as a deposit or applied to a chartered sailing, has no cash value and must be redeemed on a Carnival Cruise Line sailing within one year of the original sailing date. The FCC may only be used toward the cruise fare of one (1) booking in the same currency in which the above voyage was originally paid and cannot be used for taxes, fees & port expenses, Carnival Vacation Protection, onboard charges or gratuities. The booking guest shall be responsible for payment of the difference between the amount of the FCC and the amount of the new booking. Any unused portion of the FCC will be forfeited. All monies paid for Carnival Vacation Protection plan is non-refundable and will not be included in the FCC. After you have booked your cruise, please use the link below to provide us with the new booking information so we can process your FCC. www.carnival.com/request-forms/reimbursement-form.aspx.

Carnival Cruise Line: Carnival Place, 3655 NW 87th Avenue, Miami, FL 33178-2428. About Us • Privacy Notice Carnival Corporation. All rights reserved. Ships' Registry: The Bahamas, Panama and Malta.

I know I won't be able to keep the OBC that was the "incentive" for not cancelling but ones I have amassed from getting price drops.

That's what I was worried about. Bleh.

If we cancel/reschedule our cruise and use it with our FCC to book a future cruise, I understand that the excursions, drinks etc all get refunded to us....but what happens to OBC that we've gotten from price reductions?

I hope they are too...and easily since we'd have to argue it. I don't think we'd cancel unless it could go for this. All our vacation time is booked in future cruises.

Following as we are also on the Horizon 3/21....and we booked it for it's ports. The idea of Nassau is saddening...but where they choose to move as an alternate port depends on the ships in each port so there's still hope for something else OR that GT will realize that loss of revenue is a big deal. Can't wait to hear how this sailing goes and see the funtimes and meals.

If we were to choose to cancel our upcoming cruise and take the FCC/refund etc option, could it be applied to a cruise we already have booked but have not finished paying off yet? Or would it all have to be a new booking?

We take Dock and Bay microfiber towels. They pack down small for the four of us. They dry SO quick and are lightweight to carry back to the ship when loaded down with wetness. Sand brushes right off. They were pricy but they are worth it. 

We always just walk down the beach in GT (to the left) until we find some chairs to rent that we want. Yes, it's crowded but it's so beautiful in the water that we always have a great time. I've been there several times now and we always just have the plan to walk until we get to an area that looks relaxed enough for us. 

We were in Curacao this fall and used a company called Curacao Dreams for a great tour (sea turtles, flamingos, beach time etc). We're using them for a private tour this spring because we enjoyed them so much. 

7 hours ago, Saint Greg said:

That is super early. Most ships early comedy starts at 7-7:30. I would say since the Vista class comedy club doubles as the night club, they try to get the comedy over earlier. Vista and panorama have comedy starting at 6:15...which is early. 5:30 is extra early though.
 

I wonder if early diners have complained that they miss all of the PG shows and they’re testing getting one in before early dining. A 5:30 show would be over at 6 which is when they have early dining start on that fun times.

 

I had never seen them that early until I looked at the FunTimes you had posted on your site. I was t surprised too but haven’t been on the vista class since last March. 

On 1/15/2020 at 10:53 PM, Saint Greg said:

I have two sets of Horizon Fun times. On the 7-day it was the first sea day and grand Cayman day. On the 8-day it was the first and second sea days. I haven’t eaten specialty on elegant night but I believe they are elegant as well.

 

https://saintgregtravel.com/fun-times/

 

 

I cannot tell you how excited I am to see that you have a website--always love your reviews. Question though--on the Horizon fun times (8 day) it looks like they've added an early (530) comedy show compared to other ships I've been on. Is it an additional PG show? Or am I interpreting wrong?

On 1/31/2020 at 7:58 PM, Lottacruises said:

The first person you see with a carnival badge tell them you have a son with a disability and you were asked by carnival to contact a supervisor.  They will relay the message and the supervisor will come out. It will probably be the supervisor that handles special needs as they are usually the first group you encounter.

 

If you do not, the first indication to staff is when they scan your boarding pass or passport, after standing in line. They will get a message to "see supervisor" which will cause you more of a delay while they track down the supervisor that is in charge of that team.  The supervisor will then see what the need is and come out, again after you have already waited in line. 

 

Ask outside, before entering. Tell them you were told not to enter without a supervisor.  He or she should personally escort you all the way through at that time.

Thank you! That's exactly what I needed to hear to hear--exactly how "firm" I need to be. 

Sidenote--has anyone been to port of Miami and can confirm whether the special access/needs desk is inside or outside of the terminal? We've had to stop at the customer service one before when they had our special access issues not set up correctly (sent there after standing in line for awhile and then scanning our boarding passes etc). Just planning.

I appreciate the responses! We have already submitted all of our Special Needs/Guest Access paperwork and that's how we were instructed about the supervisor. We don't have a need for a wheelchair etc so it's not a mobility issue. I will make sure to ask a Carnival employee before we get into the terminal because the noise/acoustics of the terminal is what has caused an issue for my son's disability. Thanks for all the personal experiences. I feel better.

Anyone know how long Matt Mitchum is scheduled to be on the MG?

How easy is it to find the "Embarkation Supervisor" or the Special Needs/Access desk upon arriving at a terminal? I've heard mixed things about it --from just needing to find a Carnival worker when you get passed porters and they can guide you, to instead needing to get actually in the lines and inside the terminal building. I'd love some advice on what you've experienced or tips. Carnival Special Access told us to proceed to the Special Needs desk to get an embarkation supervisor to assist with some embarkation special needs issues. But, they didn't say how/where. I thought I'd ask here first for some "expert" advice.

Edited to add--Port of Miami

Thanks!

I've seen reports that several upcoming itineraries are canceling Bonaire and/or Bonaire & Curacao stops. While I'm not worried about my ABC cruise this summer, I've seen a lot of people who are asking for more info and trying to get insight from Carnival about why the sudden change (and replacing Curacao and Bonaire with Amber Cove and La Romano 😞 ) but aren't getting real answers. Anyone have any insight about these changes?

I couldn't find the "right" board to post this on so this seemed like a smart choice since we will be hitting all three islands on Carnival. Which of the ABC islands is your favorite and WHY? Is there a favorite excursion you have on an island? Or is it just a feeling? We have a good chunk of time to spend on each, but would love to figure out where to focus our time.

Thanks@

In Curacao, we went with Curacao dreams (booked through viator though) to swim with sea turtles, see flamingos, tour the island etc. It was awesome!!!

We are going to La Romana in the spring and based off how busy we'll be with our excursions at all the other ports, we plan to just get off shop, walk around and maybe eat some local food. I wasn't thrilled with the excursion choices so we chose a relaxing day and then ship time (with less people). 

We always get off the ship, even if just to shop and eat. 

I just wore flat gladiator sandals and a sundress in October on the Magic. No one batted an eye. I wasn't anywhere that it was going to a problem. People I was with also had sandals on.

I've asked about this on other boards (ports of call etc) and those boards never get the traffic this board does so I thought I'd ask here. We'll be in Curacao in late March. We did a tour previously (sea turtles, flamingos, beach etc) and it was wonderful. But we really want just some beach time this go around. I know there are a lot of beautiful ones but would rather go to one or two and not beach hop on a tour. We're torn between taking a formal tour (because of how far away from port some beaches are) and just taking a taxi to one we choose. My main concern is getting a taxi back to port when we're ready. I know that close to port ones (Mambo) tend to have them but I do not know about further away ones. I'd love to hear actual "done it" experiences about going to beaches in Curacao---and whether you did it on your own or relied on a tour (Carnival or non)

Thanks!

We are thinking of renting a golf cart and exploring Bonaire this summer on a cruise. We did a similar thing (UTVs) in Aruba and loved just cruising until we found a beach we wanted to stop at. I know everyone raves about how easy it is to get around Bonaire on the carts, but I haven't read much about how easy it is to find multiple beaches to just stop in at. Especially free vs paid access.

Thanks!