Atocha Shipwreck Gal

Hey - I know u love S Carib as do we. We discovered the Celebrity Summit - small ship - very upscale - fantastic ports in the Fall )6 ports in 7 days) and they currently have inside cabins on their 7 day S Carib for $509 pp. I am going 11/11/17. It is less expensive than the Fascination and much better experience. I sail Carnival all the time, but for S Carib, the Celebrity Summit cannot be beat....

I used Mr Ambrose in St Lucia. He was fantastic. I have Rheumatoid arthritis and knee problems. I asked if his tour was doable. He said, yes. AND it was. There were 3 crew members on the boat and I swear they almost carried me when I was having problems. They were so very kind and considerate and I would do his tour again. And highly recommend that our for anyone in any kind of shape.

Captain Bobs tour, for me and my friend (we both have disabilities) was very difficult.

I also asked Bob specifically about this tour because we had mobility issues. He said absolutely no problem, BUT it was a HUGE problem. It was difficult getting on and off the boat. When we anchored to go to lunch, it was over our heads, not waist height. It may be for other anchoring but not this time. I have been on many speedboats but this one was very bumppy.Three of us got bruises.

It would be so easy for the captain to just put a ** and simply state, this tour may be difficult for people with joint pain or mobility issues. THEN we make our own decision.

Are you healthy- take this tour. Otherwise beware. When i posted this on trip advisor he responded with a very long letter contradicting everything I said. Kindness and empathy would go a long way with captain Bob, with trying to deal with the disabled.

Everything MotherChic says is correct. I was with Captain Bob two years ago. I am not disabled but did not want to be in water over my head to swim to my lunch. The ladder is ridiculous & not a real ladder,,,,more of a metal pole with sticks on either side. A real swim ladder would have helped everyone. And God forbid you point any of this out to him at the tour or after. he was absolutely combative to me when I posted a follow up review. he just needs to tell the truth....you need to be an active adult that can climb and swim and is not afraid of big waves over your head. But that would cut down on his business. To add insult to injury, his captain that day made fun of those that were afraid to get off and swim to lunch....they could have grabbed us something from the restaurant as it was paid for but their customer service is not the best. We too had bruises from the incredibly rough ride. And we ride in a go fast boat in Florida all the time and so are used to bouncing around. This was more like getting hit in the ribs every 3 rd wave we hit. This tour is best for those under 35 years of age. So I have made sure that when my friends go to St Martin they know all about capt Bob!

Interior Havana for sure!

We will be on the Vista sailing Feb 25th in a Havana room as well. Is there a chance you have the fun times? Seems as though nobody who has been on the Vista recently has them or took any pictures of them.

 

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we are with you on 2/25/17 in aft wrap 6461 which is also Havana - cannot wait!!!

JMKReno - thank you for your review. I feel bad as someone really hijacked your review! Kind of like the people that were somewhat rude and went around you to get on the elevator. Gone are the days of manners! I really do appreciate your insight for the future and wish you the best!

bring your own. I hate them because I think they smell awful. Cannot wash my hair in that odor!

If anyone can provide information as to damage the island may have suffered from Hurricane Matthew, that would be great. Nothing seems to be in their local paper but am not sure if they have power to update. Will be going there in December in two months and am hoping the port will be open.

Backbiter....thank u for all the details! This makes me as so excited! I am hoping if we leave the balcony door open at night we can hear music from downstairs. And having music in the day on the balcony is simply awesome!

Backbiter can u tell us the layout of the room? Is there a sofa

We are in 6466 for the 2/25/17 cruise! Love that balcony!! But I will be asking for an additional chair so we can eat breakfast outside. I have always had an aft wrap and have learned carnival will get u two chairs so guests do not take inside furniture out. It looks wonderful!

Have cruised twice alone on the Constellation and am getting ready to do another solo on the Summit in November. I always went to the dining room and ate alone at a table for two. I really enjoyed it....it was not awkward. met lots of people at the pool daily. I went to all the shows and really loved my alone time from family....I got to read a lot and get up super early without worrying about waking the family.

An informative article! I am hoping this might mean the new Carnival Horizon might be based in Fort Lauderdale!

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/tourism/fl-port-everglades-carnival-new-deal-20160817-story.html

We have the Havana aft wrap on deck six and are sailing February 25th 2017. So I am ecstatic! This means it will be peaceful and quiet until 7! We will be able to hear the music but we will not hear the kids screaming as they run from one hot tub to the other! We have heard that as soon as the Havana area opens that lots of the kids of course want to come back there and play. We love to sit out on the balcony after sunset and sip a glass of wine and relax before going to dinner. I had expected 2 hear the kids playing starting at 5 so this is an unexpected treat! Stephanie can you tell us where you found out this news?

Go a little north to Lauderdale by the Sea. U can uber from the airport there. You do not need a car as it is a little village with great little restaurants and a scenic pier. Federal Highway is not pretty. This is beautiful. I wd stay at the Coral Key Inn - not a chain - little Mom & Pop place that is very clean with good rates that looks across to the little park and is on the ocean. This part of the beach is beautiful. Google map it and u will see what a great location it is. If u drive, parking is free there as well. We stayed at this little motel for many years before we bought our condo. We also stayed at the fancy chains on the beach and for your money, this is the place!

Great Hotel with very good restaurant downstairs. Go on vrbo to rent directly from the owner and save money.

We have a condo in Fort Lauderdale and prior to buying it we stayed at all of these hotels you have mentioned. It depends what you want to do for your two days pre-cruise. I am a big fan of the Hilton on the beach - get a 1 bedroom on a very high floor on the side of the south side of the building and ask for the big balcony. With either AAA or AARP you should be able to get it for 200-225. The views are unsurpassed. It is amazing to sit on you balcony and look at the water with a glass of wine at sunset. We had a wrap around balcony last year (had to leave our condo as parking lot was being resurfaced and fumes were awful) on the 21st floor ...we looked at a view from the inter coastal where all the yachts were going by to the ocean. The beach is very nice there and lots of good restaurants. The W next door is nice but very dark throughout the hotel. The Westin is nice but no real balconies but have a big perk....two free lounge chairs on the beach come with your room. If you want to be in the thick of things, stay at B Ocean....right on the sand....newly restored....has a mermaid bar with real mermaids...right across the street from the water taxi as well. If you want to stay with old money, stay at Lago Mar. right on the sand on a very wide beach. Not too modern....but like staying the Kennedys...great tradition with guests that are European that come for Season...and if u like great Greek Food....go to Greek Islands with all the locals and order 4 appetizers per couple for an amazing meal...

Oh wow....this would be great. Do they offer this in the Caribbean?

We are in 6461 Havana aft wrap Feb 25 2017 as well. Looking forward to seeing pics as well!

Hey Neighbor,

 

We live in Gainesville, GA. I agree with your comments about not being deterred by terrorism. We're doing a black sea cruise in September with 4 stops in Turkey - if Holland America does not cancel these stops. But, I just heard on the news that tourism was already off by as much as 50% prior to the bombing today and I afraid this will just make matter worse. I feel so sorry for the people in Egypt and Turkey that earn their living off of tourism. They deserve so much better!

 

Ron

Just down the road from Gainesville off 369! I really hope your cruise goes to all those wonderful ports. I have traveled all of Europe and Turkey remains my favorite. I am a little biased...my mother's family were refugees from Spain in the year 1492 during the Spanish Inquisition and emigrated to Turkey. The Turkish people welcomed them with open arms in 1492 and still welcomed them 450 years later before they emigrated to America. My grandfather spoke fondly of Kemal Ataturk who the airport is named after. When I first went to Turkey in 1996, I still remember everytime we told someone we were from America, the Turkish people in the shops would say, "Oh, you must know my cousin, he lives in Chicago" or Los Angeles or some other big city. When we would say no I do not know him, they would still love to chat about what our life was like. That is what struck me, they were always interested in our life & made us feel so special. In one shop, a rug merchant told us, Oh you must know my cousin, he has a shop in Atlanta! Wow....it turns out his cousin owned the rug shop in Sandy Springs at Roswell Rd and Hammond Drive and indeed, I had been to the shop. This merchant was so excited, he insisted on giving us a small rug that fit in our bag so we would always remember him. When I came home after that trip, I realized how we, as Americans, are not always so friendly to our visitors, and this was pre 9/11. I learned a lot from the Turkish people and have a great respect for them. I can only imagine the hardships they are facing with tourism down not to mention having these chaotic terrorist events happening in the homeland.

I love Turkey and have traveled there throughout the country. We were not on a tour, but rather just the two of us for a month. The people are so kind & friendly. I found it to be one of the most beautiful countries I have ever visited. I pray for all the residents that are having to endure such terrorism. We as travelers have to do what makes us comfortable. I for one will not be deterred by terrorism as that is their goal, to disrupt. And after all, it can happen right around the corner from home, just as it can in another country. I stand strong as one with the Turkish people and look forward to returning there when I can spend a month and visit the region and spend time with the wonderful people.

Get a havana aft wrap - the best of all....bigger room...and a sofa & a huge balcony. Deck 6 has sofa & biggest balcony.

I agree....sounds like a troll. And has no other posts to speak of....I hear wonderful things about the Vista!!

I am a seasoned cruiser and I do not tip more. I keep our room very neat and we are not demanding cruisers. We enjoy speaking to the staff and employees and hearing their stories. Our room steward always jokes it is as neat as he leaves it. Additionally, I feel very strongly that the cruise lines should give the staff a fair wage that is at least the minimum wage in the US. It is a poor business model that the cruise lines have developed whereby these corporations expect the customer to effectively pay the salary of the crew.

They cannot come to Havana area till 5PM. If you give them your bracelet you are violating the Carnival contract that you agree to as part of your cruise and subject yourself to fine or sanction. Those of us that have paid dearly for the Havana location feel pretty strongly about this. Do not mean to sound rude but my friends that just went were zealously reporting those that shd not have been in the area during the day and I plan to do the same. I am sure they can come inside your cabin, but per JH they are not to be in Havana areas or balconies or lanais till 5PM or later. Carnival is doing their best and I expect will become more zealous in their policing of this or they stand to lose the exclusivity of the area and the revenue that goes with it. Imagine if lots of reviews are posted by Havana paying guests that say others were in the area that were not paying for the right to use? Havana would lose the luster and in turn would not be desirable. I for one plan to nicely report / enforce anyone there that does not have a bracelet & Havana room key by reporting it. I expect that when it moves to the Caribbean, there will be a person at the entrance to the pool area checking bracelets.

As soon as you get on the ship, head directly to the dining room to see the maitre d, and request that you be seated at a table for two. They go quickly.