urbanhawk

How is the Carnival excursion to Altun Ha? I've always wanted to see some ruins in Central America but don't want the long bus ride to Xunantunich. Just curious if anyone has any insight? Thank you!

I have not been to Altun Ha, but have been to Xunantunich, which I would highly recommend-they were really awesome, and though the bus ride is somewhat long, it went fast-so much countryside to see along the way, and the tour guide provided information about Belize and kept us entertained. Just something for your consideration, and not to rule out, due to the somewhat long bus ride. Whatever you decide, enjoy, and happy cruising!:cool:

Yep, just call Carnival, and talk to your/a pvp and they can book it for you. That's how I booked-leaving on Sunday for mine!:D

We didn't do it through the ship, but thought our Lamanai tour was one of the most memorable excursions we've taken in seven cruises to the Caribbean. Anyone considering a trip there should definitely go for it (though it would be difficult if you have mobility issues).

 

We kept reminding the tour guide what time we needed to be back, just to ease our minds. :-)

I would really like to see these ruins, but Carnival does not offer an excursion to Lamanai. (On my last cruise Carnival did have one to Xunantunich, which I enjoyed very much, but I was glad it was through the ship, as it was an all day excursion, and I knew they wouldn't leave without us.) Just out of curiosity, which tour company did you use? They'd have to be very reputable, before I'd book with them. As much as I'd like to see Lamanai, I would not want to miss the boat:eek: Thanks.

Sorry attached the long post but had to ask. I have this in my vifp offer too but I didn't think I could use them unless they sent me something specifically for each offer (meaning something in mail saying that i could use one or more)because they aren't on my first offer screen but when i tag my premiere cruise offer all these come up. So my question is when you called you based it on this or mailing? Thanks

A few weeks ago, when I looked up my specials, the Premier Cruises showed up, even though initially I hadn't received anything in the mail. I did receive one a week or so later. My guess is, and it's only a guess, that you could book the cruise, but if you ended up not getting the special offers in the mail, which would say how much cruise cash you'd be eligible for ($200?, $600?, etc.) you would probably get the other perks on board, but perhaps not the cruise cash?

I'd have to agree with Laurie S. on this-San Carlos/Guaymas would be a much better choice, than Rocky Point.

Here's a thought - why don't you just book a balcony cabin and sleep on the balcony.

 

Sleeping in public spaces seems inappropriate at best.

Sleeping out under the stars-sounds great! Next week when I'm on the Magic, I'll be in my 1st balcony cabin...Could I move the sofa out to the balcony and sleep out there?!;):D

Thanks, RuthlessBoss, and n6uqqq.....makes sense (sort of;)). What does make sense under these circumstances would be having a "no show" vs canceling, so the person left behind is not penalized:eek:...

(I think the REAL RUTHLESSBOSS is the boss, not letting his employee takes his vacation time/cruise):D

Port fees and taxes will be refunded regardless of whether one no shows or cancels so it is best to let a person not going " no show ". I have read on CC many times that Carnival will indeed charge the solo supplement when someone cancels within full penalty period. Every time Carnival is contacted is like a throw of the dice, you never know what may happen!

I'm not doubting what you are saying, but I don't understand:confused:; if a person cancels within the full penalty period, he/she would lose out on the cost of the cruise-the cabin has already been paid for 2 passengers, so why would a solo supplement be added??? My upcoming cruise is paid for, and is in the full penalty period, since it is scheduled for the 19th-I booked solo, and paid the single supplement-last week I had a friend added to my cabin-all they had to pay was for the additional port fees and taxes.

Am I not understanding something here? Thanks in advance...

January 19th on Magic? We are too! Lobster was served on the first formal night when I was on Magic 2 months ago, that was the Eastern itinerary. We did Eastern itinerary December 2012, I think lobster was the first formal night then as well.

I'll look for you at the "Munster aka Muster Drill"!!!:D

I'll be on the Magic Western Carib in 2 weeks-I've read that the 1st Elegant night is the 1st sea day, and that would be when lobster would be an option-I imagine it ould be the same on the Eastern itinerary, as well.(Someone please correct me if I'm wrong:o!)

Happy cruising!:cool:

So far I've been on 8 cruises-all have been insides, or with some variations-for example: a couple have been true insides-which I liked for afternoon naps, as it was so dark; one had the french doors, which was nice for the light and the fresh air, and being able to see the sea; twice I had the cabins with the port holes-good value! in 2 weeks, I'll be in my 1st balcony-a Cloud 9 on the spa deck-(was upgraded from an o.v.-very excited:D)-I know I will enjoy it, but don't think I'd have a problem going back to an inside cabin, depending on money (or lack of it!;)), if I had to. I could be wrong-we'll find out! Happy cruising!:cool:

I had one of these cabins on the Miracle a few years back-they're great- obstructed window view at inside cabin rates! Some cabin views are better than others-try to choose one between the lifeboats. The french door can be opened for fresh air, but you can't go outside-there is a small walk way for the maintaince workers. Happy cruising!:cool:

All my previous cruises, I've had to fly in the previous day, due to where I live, and cruising out of-for example, I live in AZ, so I've needed to fly to NOLA, Ft. Lauderdale, N.Y., (as well as Anchorage, and San Juan obviously!;)) This next cruise, the Magic out of Galveston on Jan.19th:), I'll be flying in the day of sailing-the flight arrives in Houston at 9 a.m., and I have the transportation set up with Carnival to get me to Galveston.....I'm hoping all goes well. Just to be on the safe side, at the end of the cruise, my flight back is not till 6 p.m., to allow extra time in case of fog. If there are any snafus, in the future, I'll fly in the day before.

Happy New Year, and Happy Cruising!:cool:

Thanks for providing the feedback-and glad you thought it was worth it.

"On 7 of the 8 days hardly anybody used these facilities. I know that they sold only 50 day passes per day and greatly limited the number of full week packages. Our passes were included with the cabin even though we were upgraded instead of given OBC. With over 4500 people on our cruise the spa area was a welcomed refuge from the masses."

I was also upgraded, and am also hoping that the spa amentities will be included with my cruise next month on the Magic. (If not, per Guest Services' e-mails, I am prepared to buy the package for the week):cool:

Yes, there had been quite a bit of a discussion re: this, just a few weeks ago. I heeded the advice and booked my return flight home-something like 6 p.m. versus early afternoon-to be less stressed, and to be on the safe side. I know if you check under Gulf departures, there were some posts re: the fog issues under Galveston.

Sorry, dodn't know anything about your insurance question.

Happy cruising!:cool:

Thanks guys, my fingers are crossed that my SIL will still be able to make it. Have 3 more weeks till final payment date, I suspect that extra $50 really won't have too much of an influence on my decision. Since she's not added yet I can still add another person too without any penalties, we'll see how it goes.

If you decide to do the cruise after final payment, and your SIL (or anyone) hasn't been added up to that point, a person could still be added up until the sailing, as the cruise would be paid for-the added person would just need to pay the additional port fees/taxes, and the gratuities. Whatever you decide, happy cruising!:cool:

I'm assuming it would be just the $50.00-even though you booked solo, and paid for a cabin for 2, you are only be charged for port fees/ taxes, for 1 person, and would only be paying gratuities for 1 person-that's my way of thinking....Good luck with that!

I took my 1st one on the Magic in October. It was great. They gave us Players Club lanyards to identify us as Premier Cruisers entitled to free drinks from the very beginning. Every evening there were drawings for cash prizes $1000+, a free slot tournament (I came in 8th and got $50), free casino cash (I got $500), goodies in the cabin almost everyday (12 cookies from the coffee shop, chocolate covered strawberries, 2 bottles of water, a wine and cheese basket, 2 really plush Players Club beach towels.

 

The really great thing is that the offer came to me based on my previous play, but my sister who I travel with got all the same perks right along with me.

 

I can't wait to go on another one.

Did your sister even get the $500 casino cash? (I'm serious) I'll be going on my 1st casino premier cruise next month, and have a friend that has never been on a cruise before-the perks will be nice, but I'd hate for to get "too" spoiled, on his 1st cruise:D. What will be especially nice is that we'll have a balcony on the spa deck (this is be my 1st one, as I've only ever had an inside cabin) Balcony came from an upgrade from an OV thru the Holiday Sale-bad news is that it won't include the spa amenities, as it was an upgrade.:(

Enjoy your next premier casino cruise, as well as the OP enjoying their's as well!:cool:

Me thinks that when the Legend "goes down under, that she'll stay down under"-just like the other sister ship, the Spirit-just my opinion-nothing to confirm it....The spirit class is my favorite class of ship-in hindsight, I wish I would have taken the Spirit down the MR, while she was still here, and going all the way down to Alcapulco, Manzanillo. etc.....:(....(Will dwell on happy thoughts for now with my Magic cruise coming up next month:D)

Happy cruising to all, to where ever your cruises take you!:cool:

I have a GREAT pvp-the 1st cruise I booked thru a 3rd party-after the cruise was over, I was called by a Carnival pvp, asking how we (my mother and I) enjoyed our cruise, and if needing to book another cruise in the future, to give him a call. A few months later, I called him and booked another cruise...He'd call before the cruise to wish me a bon voyage, then call when I got back to see how the cruise-good p.r.! Over the years, I always booked thru him, and he was always very helpful- in letting me know about other cabins that may be available, helping me with E.S. and other OBC, etc. If he wasn't available, when I 'd call, he'd either return the call right away, or he'd have on his voice mail the name of another co-worker, who could assist, while he was vacation. Some cruises I went solo, and other times, I'd invite my mom along-she got to see Alaska 1st, then the Southern Caribbean, then Canada, and 2 years ago the Western Caribbean. In Oct., she passed away due to cancer (and she was 90, as well). My pvp even sent me a condolence card (via snail mail;)) So, yes, there are good pvps, and some not so good pvps, and, as I said some GREAT ones!:cool:

Does anyone have information about the summer routes of LEGEND so far???

Could it be that she sails Alaska? maybe CC will deploy to ships in Alaska in 2015 than...

Legend's sister, the Miracle, does Alaska in the summer...sorry, that's about I know...:)

No we won't be told because it's really none of our business. This is a personal matter for the families involved.

 

As for some of the snarky remarks on this thread it's best to just ignore and hope the poster will find something else to do.

You are righton both counts-it is none of our business to know. (I was asking a rhetorical question, btw), and that some of the remarks have been very snarky) Thanks for pointing this way.

Right. So basically nobody has a clue lol. Everyone is reporting a quite different story.

Something we can agree on!

So far, from what I/we have read:

1.) 2 suicides-suspected?

2.) 2 bodies removed, covered in sheets head to toe.

3.) Passengers were officially told 2 passengers had life threatening illnesses

4.) Someone's sister was on the Magic, who reported one passenger had a heart attack and another had a stroke

5.) Another report made that one passenger had a heart attack and another had a broken leg-and both were alive when they were removed from the ship.

Have I missed anything?! Think we'll ever find out what really happened?

A group of 10 of us will be visiting Belize via the Carnival Conquest at the end of January and we'd like to visit the ruins at Xunantunich. We will be in port from 8am to 5pm.

 

We are trying to decide between booking this through the ship or through a private company? Is this tour doable with a private company (websites say this tour last 6 hours to get from port and back again)?

 

If this is doable with a private company, what ones do you recommend?

I did this tour, which I booked thru Carnival, in Nov 2011-it was GREAT! The pyramids and the jungle setting are very impressive. It is an all day tour, as Belize is a tender port, which takes time. Even though a private tour company may be cheaper, my recommendation, for what it's worth, would be to book through Carnival-especially in Belize-a lot of travel time involved, and Carnival will not leave without you, if you are booked with them. What ever you decide to do, enjoy!:cool:

To the O.P......That is disappointing about not being able to get your massage-it would have been a great way to end the cruise. I am a firm believer in the benefits of massage. (I treat myself to a 1 1/2 hour every 2 weeks.) I've never had a massage done with hot stones, but it is something I'd like to try...I'm just curious, if the massage could have been done without the hot stones? was this even offered, or maybe you would have been given the same (illogical) reasoning? Truly sorry to hear about your experience.