MikeMA

Just wanted to give an update. I spoke with a PVP today at Carnival who I have used in the past. He stated that Boston was indeed on the list of ports for Summer of 2018, but that the Final decision will be made in the next week or two. I guess just before releasing the Summer 2018 there will be a meeting to finalize or change any decision that were made at the previous meeting.

He stated "off the record" that the word is Boston will have a part time ship with another port. This is what a few have already speculated on this site. He told me that according to his schedule the Summer 2018 cruises will be available/announced in the 2nd or 3rd week of July. He said as for itineraries he has not heard a definite yet so did not want to speculate.

I'm hoping he is correct. If he is I will be booking for sure if there is a Bermuda or Caribbean trip.

I had questioned John Heald about this last year and he told me that the reason they left Boston was because of new much stricter environmental requirements. He also attributed the higher cruise prices in Boston to higher Port and operating costs in general.

He did tell me that management frequently discusses bringing back a ship or alternating between Boston and another port during the Summer/Fall season.

I'm guessing that the 2nd option is more likely. I just hope they have at least 10-15 sail dates for 2018 as we would love to have the opportunity to take flying out of the equation.

I hope this info is true!

Just wondering what the few of you who just stayed here thought? How was the shuttle and taxi cost and experience? How was the hotel in general? Close to shopping and restaurants?

We are booked at a Hampton Inn and this was one of the hotels I was considering switching to should the price go down a little. Right now it's about $45 more per night than the Hampton.

Thank you

Seaside,

Thank you. I was curious on when the 2017 dates would be released for valuetrips. If I could get that rate I would certainly want to stay there.

I think I am going to book the Hampton Inn and watch for Hyatt rate in June. If I can get it then I will cancel the Hampton.

We are staying at Hyatt Place on 17th pre-cruise in December booked through ValueTrips.

 

Current price through hotel is $307 plus tx but think it was around $289 plus tx when we booked. Price we got through ValueTrips was /is $149 plus tx for a total of $165 and change. Prices would be higher in March as that is peak time (currently showing $195 plus tx for that time frame in 2016).

 

Valuetrips prices for 2017 won't be out until June and there will be black-out dates but can save you some money if your date is available. Shuttle from the airport is not free but I think $2 unclear if this is per person. Free breakfast and has a pool. Has bedroom and living area. Easy walking to restaurants, Publix and Wines and More. It is a busy parkway environment but convenient from the airport and to the cruiseport.

Thanks Roz. The property in the 17th st area was about $60-$80 more a night. For that price I would just go with the Hilton Marina. Thanks for the feedback.

It's appreciated.

I've stayed at that Hampton Inn and it's hardly bottom of the barrel. I prefer the 17th St. area (more stores and restaurants), but there's nothing wrong the Hampton.

 

Roz

Thanks Royal. I was hoping you would respond. The $220 price I got was pre-tax so when applied it was $245 I believe. I realize It's only a $43 difference but seeing as we'll only be there for 1 afternoon and overnight I'm just not sure unless there is a that big of advantage between the Hampton and those properties. That with the free airport shuttle and breakfast is making it hard to justify.

But I do like your advice of booking with the Hampton and keeping an eye on prices. I have visited that area(Pompano) many times as I have a family friend who is a snowbird there. I just never have cruised out of there.

Thanks for your help.

I would suggest doing a booking with Hampton Inn that isn't prepaid, and just keep checking the other hotels for price drops. I don't see much difference in 203 to 220 for the upgrade to a 4 star hotel, so you could book that hotel as well so you don't lose the opportunity (that's a good price for March).The Hampton does include a nice breakfast buffet, but you can always pack granola bars to save breakfast costs, as you'll be dining on the ship around noon if all goes well. I would choose the Hilton Marina if your priority is a lovely resort pool. I would choose the Riverside Hotel if you love strolling interesting towns and more good dining choices.

Hi all,

Cruising next year and we will be staying pre-cruise March 31st for one night . Our flight will not be in until around 12/1pm. It will be my wife, 2 children (4 & 9 months), and I.

I am trying to find a reasonably priced hotel(around $200) that offers a shuttle from the airport, offers breakfast, and has a swimming pool. Somewhere close for dinner would be great too.

I realize this is right at the end of peak season and my price is cutting it close but after reading the priceline bids thread, see that it can be done.

I have a chance to book the Hampton Inn & Suites Ft Lauderdale Airport/South Cruise Port for $203 with tax included. Has anyone stayed here? We are not looking for 5 star but in the same respect do not want bottom of the barrel either. We usually have stayed at Best Western Plus, Courtyard Marriott, or Double Tree properties which are fine for us.

I am very intrigues by the Riverside Motel downtown and the Hilton Marina as well. Best price I'm finding for those however is in the $220-$255 range pre tax.

Any thoughts/help is much appreciated.

Thank you

Booo :(

Surprised they are so far behind Carnival here.

Oh well the cruise should be great regardless.

Thanks for the info :)

Hi All,

We are sailing on the Freedom next April 2017. We are curious if Royal has anything similar to the Hub App on Carnival? We are sailing with other family members and just wanted to see if we'd be able to use a text/messenger system to communicate on different events and locate each other easier. With the exception of pics and vids we are not on our phones while on board but this feature would sure help us out.

I know there is Voom and the FB messenger App but the Hub is fantastic and very easy to use. I haven't sailed RCCL is about 7 years so I am just trying to see if they have an App that is comparable.

Thanks for any help.

Thanks all. I wasn't sure if this was more a freestyle type ship but it appears not. Traditional dining seems to be the better fit. I will have my TA link everyone.

I was curious on this as well. The 30 off sale was cheaper for us before the Wow kicked in. Then Royal raised the price $100, and then $123. The 30 off was cheaper than the BOGO by about $160. It makes sense because the 30% off each equals 60% vs the BOGO at 50%.

Our cruise isn't until next April 2017 so I'll be checking every week to see if there is a drop. Let's hope lol

Hi all,

I have never cruised on a Freedom class ship so I could use some help pertaining to dining.

Ok so we are sailing with family for a total of 7. It could become larger but that is up in the air. We didn't book at the same time. My travel agent booked us for Main Dinner seating and other family members booked my time. I realize we can link our reservations and be puit together as the cruise is still a year away.

My question is besides the freedom to be able to eat at the time of your choice is there any advantage to my time dining on the Freedom? I know on the Quantum class ships etc you get to try the different restaurants. But the Freedom looks as if most dining options outside the MDR(and Windjammer) are all fee restaurants. Since we will have children with us we will most likely not be going to the specialty restaurants.

If the only advantage is flexibility, I will probably stay traditional as I always enjoy the better interaction with the dining room team. Thoughts?

As always thanks in advance.

Thank you so much. I had done some research and couldn't find anywhere that said this. That's great news. 2-3 dinners kid free is a nice touch to our cruise.

Royal has this - it's called Adventure Dining. On our Freedom cruise, drop off was 5:15pm, so 15 minutes before early dining. They roped off one section of buffet for the kids and then took kids back to camp afterwards. I think all the ships offer this, as it was also offered on Grandeur.

This sale was a big gimmick for us. We booked on the 18th when the 30% off sale first began. Then on Friday the 19th my sister was going to book the same category about 2 cabins down and the price had gone up $100. She called and informed and when I checked sure enough she was right. The following day (Sat) I read on here about the Wow sale and went and checked. Sure enough at 9 AM the cruise was still $100 more and $100 onboard credit so it was virtually a wash.

I called my sister and she was excited and said she would book when she got home. At 2pm when she went online to book the cruise went up another $123. So now even with the onboard credit it would be $123 higher than when I booked 2 days earlier. She didn't book. The cruise is in 2017 and I told her to just wait. It will go back down again when the sale ends or sometime soon I'm sure.

Just a shame that Royal offers these big WOW sales only to somewhat deceive it's loyal customers into thinking it's a great deal.

Glad I booked when I did.

We sailed on the Carnival Magic in Jan. They had a great option where you could drop off your toddlers ages 2-5 with the camp counselors for dinner at the buffet at about 10 minutes before the Main sitting for dinner. After the kids ate the counselors would bring them to camp where you could pick them up later. We did this on 3 nights.

Was disappointed that Royal doesn't have this, but hey what can you do lol

Thank you all. So the relative was right lmao. She swore it wasMonday. I had a few people on here saying the first formal night was on Tues. I had thought myself it was always Monday but wasn't sure if it had hanged.

Hi all,

Hope everyone had a great Christmas. We leave on the Magic in a couple weeks. Could someone please confirm which nights are formal? I am getting different answers even though a family member insists she is correct lol.(Go figure)Thanks for the help.

Mike

We leave on the Magic in 2 weeks was wondering you could tell me which 2 nights are the formal ones. Thank you

I agree with the OP. I always considered the MDR to be fine dining. An experience for family and friends to come together. The new American Table style takes away from the elegance and pampered feeling. I hope you get a favorable response from Carnival.

Prices are up in the Spring too. But I agree the Summer prices are extreme.

With fuel prices being down significantly as compared to the past 2 years Carnival is making a big profit. Their 3rd quarter earnings were higher than expected and the 4th quarter is going to be even better. I expected prices to go down a little bit due to fuel savings but they have not.

I guess cutting out the lobster on short cruises really did help huh lol :D

Gerry,

I hope so too! Those back to back 2 foot blizzards killed us. I remember having to shovel a moat around my 4 foot chain link fence in the yard because the snow was so high my dog could walk right over it (not fun as I have a large yard). Never mind the roof raking etc to prevent the ice dams etc.

I purposely booked our trip in January just in case we had another terrible winter. I figured a week in 80 degree weather would cheer us up lol.

I made sure to fly down a day and a half early though just in case. You can bet I'll be watching the weather that week before to and if we have a storm coming I may have to bite the bullet and leave an additional day earlier.

Enjoy your trip we all need the Rest and Recovery!

Thanks. I thought I had read that CCL had recently "adjusted" the formal standard, and I am glad that has been confirmed. I recall the days of "rent the tux" nights that were akin to prom night.

 

I hope for the two of us that mother nature is kinder this year. After that 9 feet of snow last year we nearly canceled this cruise.

You will be fine with a pair of khakis and a shirt and tie(some even wear polos). I still bring a jacket for the first formal night but I'd estimate 1/2 of the men don't wear a suit or jacket. I'd say even about 10-20% wear jeans(.

It's much much different than 10-15 years ago on Carnival. It does work for us as I think the less emphasis on elegance has made it easier for family travel. I like to think the elegant nights on Carnival are like shopping at Target and Walmart (which is ok we certainly do it). Other lines (Celebrity, Princess, and most RCCL ships) elegant nights are more like Macy's or Nordstrom lol. They both serve their purpose and guest requirements. Family cruising with lowered requirements or expectations on elegance but still a great vacation, Carnival hits the mark. An anniversary or other special occasion cruise where you want to emphasize on elegance and a bit more of higher amenities(you will pay a little more) some of the other lines are the way to go.

For the record we are booked for a Carnival cruise in January and I'm sure we will have a great time. Have a great trip.

I am not a fan of formal nights, and have not sailed CCL for a decade. On our upcoming January cruise we plan to pack light. What expectation on attire will there be in the main dining?

What is the cost for this tour? I used to love viewing the galley etc back in the 90's when it was free and part of the midnight buffet.

Thanks

Noticed this last week and after exploring for a bit decided the same as most of you Not a an!! Just not as user friendly and finding dates just isn't as simple.

Somebody new must have gotten hired and tried to "Enhance" the site. :(

Hello Sooner Cruisers

First off thank you for the great info/pics.

I had a quick ques. From reading your posts and the link you posted I see the kids only diner is on the Lido deck from 6:00-6:45. My question is will the staff then bring the kids back to Camp Ocean or do the parents have to pick them up there and then drop them off for the 7PM start of camp activities?

We have the early dining sitting for dinner and if we have to go pick them up, it won't work too well for one of us to have to leave the dining room so we probably wouldn't use the option much.

Thanks again for the great info. We sail the week before you in January.