Vitamin Sea Addict

I hope that it's just some weird trial because I did not like it at all. And I hope others feel the same and tell them so.

We did a tour last time in Curacao--beaches, sea turtles etc---and really would just like to go to a great beach and relax for 3-4 hours. Then head back to port to shop, explore downtown etc. I've seen the taxi rates for the 4 of us and they're not "unreasonable" but I also don't like being somewhere and not having guaranteed transportation back. However, I don't need all the entertainment/stops of an excursion. I've looked at some private tours but that seems like a lot of money/waste of an awesome guide's time to go to 1-2 beaches and just wait to take us back. 

Thoughts on the easiest way to do this?

I think it was 23.99 or 24.99.....a stupid amount considering what they were offering just a few months earlier. I LOVED being able to look at them on my phone and download/purchase. Now they're making me pay more so they can pay someone to put photos on an usb drive (that says Carnival btw)

We just got off the Magic and I was SO disappointed to find that the Hub App no longer gave you access to all your Pixels photos. The last few cruises I've really enjoyed looking at them easily on my phone (as well as organizing my favorites for purchasing). Even as recently at July this was an option. But now, it's not there and you can no longer download directly to a phone/email. You can print or get them on a USB....and the cost of each photo has gone up. This feels like a HUGE step backwards for Carnival. I was really surprised to see such a big change from just a couple months ago. I haven't heard anyone else talk about this is---is it new? Or just being trialed on the Magic (hopefully!)?

Thanks!

I've seen several videos/posts about how there are hidden drawers under most of the pull out sofas. I've never noticed them myself but it seems like they're there. Anyone experienced them in real life? Especially on the Dream Class ships.

Nachi Cocum hands down. Not only do they control the amount of people but the service is amazing. The multiple courses of food + alcohol alone is a money value. But the experience is perfect. We have been 3x and have booked a cruise specifically because it visits Cozumel.

How does the chef's table work with allergies--namely seafood allergies? The adults I'm traveling with next year are wanting to do it but I'm not going to be able to eat any seafood. But, I don't want to seem totally "different" or anyone making a fuss over me vs other people. I'd love to hear what the experience is like.

We went to St. Thomas this summer. Our goal was to end up at a great beach. We took a taxi/van with others to Magen's Bay. The water and scenery were beautiful. Ride back in was easy enough in a readily available open air bus. However, the rental aspect was off-putting----deposits, carry your own chairs/umbrella unless you want to tip extra, bring it all back yourself etc. Next time we'll try Coki beach. I know this wasn't your original ask, but we read so many people raving about MB that I wanted to share just in case you decided to go there. 

12 hours ago, Organized Chaos said:

I just wanted to say that I got a kick out of your username. 🙂 Nicely done.

Thanks 😉

5 minutes ago, DramaQueen22 said:

Yes, you can check in for the cruise at the airport.  I used this option last year and it was fantastic.  You go through the same process that you would in the terminal, with the exception of handing off your luggage.  I had also prearranged for Carnival transportation from the airport to the terminal.

 

When you arrive at the port, you will give you luggage to the porter.  You'll then be directed to the priority line to bard the ship.  Next stop will be onboard!

 

The check in counter is on the lower level of the airport, quite near the end of the corridor.

Wow! I did not know this was an option. That's fantastic.

Thanks! We tend to not charge much to it since we have Cheers and don't buy a lot of onboard souvenirs, don't do specialty restaurants etc but we've got one coming up with OBC but (for the first time in a long time) is out of a port where Cheers is applicable day 1 😉 

I've never had a problem with spending all my OBC but...let's say I didn't. Does it automatically get applied to things like gratuities etc? It came up in a conversation and I'd love to "settle" it 😎

Thanks for all the feedback everyone!

Summer 2020--4 of us--2 adults and 2 kiddos (7 & 9)

Two itineraries for being gone on the 4th of July

Horizon-Miami-Aruba-Bonaire-Curacao (with sea days to make it an 8 day)

Magic-HMC-Grand Turk-Aruba-Bonaire (with sea days to make it an 8 day)

We'll have been to all of the ports except Bonaire by this point. Money is "close" it's about ships. We've been on both classes of ships. I have preferences about dates (one started 4th of July, one including it) but that's not a deal breaker. I'm just torn.

Thank you!!

When you login with your VIFP number to look at future cruises, do you start to notice any significant differences at the different "card" levels? I.E--going from red to gold would you see a difference in rates? 

Hello!

We will be in St Thomas with one other ship. However, we do not dock until midday. Our plan was to hit up a beach (our kiddos will be craving a beach by this point). We like to swim and snorkel but aren't tied to a beach with "great" snorkeling since our kiddos are only 6 and 8. But--a great beach we can hit up by taxi and won't be too crowded at midday would be ideal. We had planned on Magen's Bay but weren't sure since it will be on July 3.  We're open to suggestions!!!

Following as we'd love to do this exactly!

We will be staying in FLL for one night in October (Fri night/Sat morning). We have a couple of families so we want to find a hotel with a good pool, safe walking to restaurants and preferably a cruise shuttle. I'm seeking outside opinions because I feel like all of the adults are just talking in circles about it with so many options.

Thanks!

Anyone have a copy of the Funtimes or MDR menus for the Breeze (Eastern itinerary--Amber Cove, St. Thomas, San Juan, Grand Turk)? We're looking to try to get out and do more "ship" activities compared to what we have done in the past.

Thanks!!

Anyone have a good map of Old SJ? I've seen a variety of maps but I want a clear map that I could print out ahead of time and use it to accurately (with whining children in tow) get where we want in San Juan.  Sounds like the trolley is no longer a reliable source as whether it is running can be hit or miss. I'd just like something clear and easy to navigate. So many on google images seem cluttered or unclear.

Thanks!

1 minute ago, coevan said:

nothing to worry about, it will be dark or dusk by the time you leave STT. There are plenty of beaches in STT,  Magens Bay is usually the most crowded and worst snorkeling, all sand bottom.

Thanks! There are so many beaches that it's hard to choose! We've got snorkeling planned other days so we'd mostly be there to swim and play for a few hours. Magen's is appealing for the calm sake with the kids in mind. But, there are so many to choose from--I'll have to get back and try them all!

We'll be at St. Thomas in July and we don't arrive until 11:30am  (leave at 7pm). We had planned to go to a beach there and just relax but now I'm starting to wonder how full a beach would be by the time we get there. There is only 1 other ship there (a Princess that arrives at 10am and leaves at 10pm) but I don't know what to expect for midday beach crowding. Or if there were beaches that were better for this timing.

Thank you!

Trying to branch out from the pool at port and do a beach thing....anyone know anything about this Carnival excursion? https://www.carnival.com/shore-excursions/amber-cove-dominican-republic/lifestyle-serenity-vip-resort-getaway-445018?b=4667524756713353496C764B6D62505062587A3766513D3D

So the fresh squeezed juice....is it included in Cheers? I've read that the fancy sea day brunch fresh squeezed juice  is not but yet that you can get it at a Havana bar? I'm just confused about what's included in Cheers.

Thanks!