KARTI1955

I just think they'd make packing and unpacking much easier, especially when you're the main packer and unpacker. They add no weight to your luggage unlike some old organizers I bought years ago. These were pouches that you could hang in the closet or bathroom and were helpful, but heavy and bulky.

 

I'm also looking at a new piece of lighter, check-in luggage. It's called IT. A 25/26 inch one is only supposed to weigh about 5 lbs.

I have that IT check in bag and it is amazing! So light but very sturdy. Lots of outside pockets too. I just bought an IT tote for my laptop on Amazon. Great!

Shorts, tanks, tees, sundresses but don't forget a sweater or wrap. Interior is usually freezing. I always take a hoodie too but I am a snowbird :D just habit I guess.

Yes you will be Platinum. I have the same thing happening on my next cruise and confirmed with my PVP. It also shows on my boarding pass & tags. Yay! Finally!!

Congrats!

I have used a debit card many times for my onboard account and have never had a problem. I contact my bank prior to leaving and they have my travel location and dates. I do NOT use the cards in port - ever. This is where the danger lies. I also have never had the bank hold funds. By the time I am home, the deduction is complete.

I have seen these offered on Ebay too.

I agree with introducing yourself to the Casino Host. If you explain your frustrations to them with having your play time recorded, they will make sure to watch out for you. The hosts on Carnival are great.

I use the small and medium mainly. One large. The best part is unpacking. Just placing the cubes in drawers or on shelves and everything stays neat and organized. Everything I pack (except shoes) is rolled and goes into a cube. Electronics, cords etc have their own little cube.

Look on the Carnival board for info about the Sunshine.

Look on the Carnival Roll Call board for the Roll Call for your cruise. You can wet people and possibly join in planned activities and shore excursions.

Look on the Solo Cruising board for info about cruising solo.

All of this. Going solo is great! I went solo on the Sunshine and loved it. Go and have a wonderful time.

Thanks for the great suggestions! I have no problem packing clothing (oddly enough) but cosmetics and lotions, etc. make me nutty! I can stow the larger liquids in my checked bag so no TSA concerns there. I like the idea of the little drawers and I will check out the Target bag, it looks great too. :)

St. Bart's Coffee Company is on A1A directly across the street from the beach. It is located just south of the Courtyard Marriott at 441 S Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd. Excellent beach view.

 

Sandbar Grille is located directly on the beach, tucked behind the Sun Tower Hotel & Suites, next door to the Pelican Grand Hotel at 2030 N Ocean Blvd. Excellent beach view.

Does St. Barts offer a full breakfast? Staying at the Courtside this time. Have stayed there before (great hotel) but cannot for the life of me place where St Barts is. Is it the spot between Bunny's and the Galleria? The white building?

TIA

Poor sleeper here, also. I do my best sleeping from around 5 am to 9 am. I can go to bed at 11 pm and still not sleep a wink until after 4 am. I've tried sleeping pills of all sorts, and they do put me to sleep, but they make me feel icky the next day. Meditation, melatonin, listening to white noise, music....you name it, I've tried it.

 

Now....the one and only thing that puts me to sleep with any regularity? Cruising!! I'm not kidding, I sleep so much on cruise ships it's crazy. I am sure it's the movement of the ship, and I have very slight motion sickness (it's bad on choppy, small boats and in cars) and I guess my mind's defense is to sleep through the motion sickness (it's what I would do in the car when I was young). On a ship, I can fall asleep anywhere, anytime.

 

I need to figure out how to get a doctor's prescription for cruising and get my insurance to pay for it?!?! :D

Ditto to this! I can't sleep worth a darn at home but when I am on a cruise I sleep like a baby. I stay up late and get up early but the sleep I get is the best.

Ok, I admit this is something I just cannot do in an organized manner. I have used makeup bags, ziplock bags, labelers- the whole nine yards but my beauty products always wind up a jumbled mess and I wind up taking stuff I never use. Any suggestions for good bags and or systems that don't take up too much suitcase space (always have to fly in and check a bag)

Thanks in advance!

Since the OP only has 11 posts I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt as a newbie really just making sure they are doing what they are supposed and genuinely wanted to know the procedure. Now OP knows.

I agree. Totally legit question for someone who has never cruised before. I would think that they were wondering if they should arrive earlier than 6 or right at 6 to be seated.

I'm just naturally paranoid about things like that, and I've never used the safes before.

The safes are fine. I can't remember if the Breeze has the keypad or swipe card type. If it has a keypad, you will set your own password to lock & unlock. If it has the card swipe, you will use any card with a magnetic strip EXCEPT your room key. I take an old gift card or airline card and use that. Never have had a problem leaving cash or valuables in the safe.

You will love the Breeze!! Enjoy your cruise!

Thanks OP for a positive thread topic.

It seems most threads run the gamut of complaints.

Carnival actually did something positive for the passengers. :D

Buying water on board for $2.99 a 12 pack is a big + in my book too!

Having to lug water on board to avoid yet another gouging was ridiculous to say the least!

Agree agree! The $2.99 water is a great answer by Carnival after banning carry on water. They could have gone a whole different way and jacked up the prices. Very impressed that they lowered instead.

I used the second tier internet in April on the Ecstasy and was amazed at how fast it was. Had to do some work and was dreading it but the speed was great.

Under the Cruise Discussion topics there is a thread for Cruise Memorabilia. Have you posted there? You may have some luck with the other collectors.

I am not sailing until December (boo!) but I would be happy to see if I could find some magnets for you.

Karti1955 thanks for the diagram of all the ships, we do the Breeze next.

You are welcome! The Breeze is amazing! My favorite so far. Enjoy!

NCL is great as far a solo travelers go. Sailed about 6 times solo with them and had a great time. I would go if I were you.

Hope your Mom feels better soon. I had shingles on my face and in the eye and I wouldn't wish that on anyone!! Even after it cleared, the residual nerve damage lasted for quite some time. Not fun.

http://www.carnival.com/~/media/CCLUS/Images/pdf/carnival-ship-approved-smoking-areas-pdf.ashx

PDF of all ship smoking areas

Shouldn't really affect you at all. The crazy ones are the tournament sailings. Casino is packed during those. The Breeze has a great casino. Big and plenty of tables/machines. The Ultra cruises are very limited. I got an invite, tried to book almost immediately and all spaces were taken - boo!

The smoking area on the Breeze outside of the Red Frog was very nice. Comfy chairs, umbrellas, nice folks.

On the Ecstasy, there was a teeny area that was constantly jam packed and a total mess. The crew tried but could not keep up since the area was so tiny. Just miserable.

I have done a number of cruises that week and found them a bit less crowded, fewer children on board. The Tampa port is wonderful and very easy to navigate. Hope you and your Mom have a great time!!

Oh no! don't cancel the daily gratuity! We are talking about additional tips for those who go above and beyond that you have direct contact with that you want to give a little extra to. There are crew members who you never see who depend on the daily tips too. As another poster said, any amount is appreciated. I am just a chronic overtipper after 20 years in the hospitality biz :rolleyes:

Always tip more in cash. Steward gets $20 first day as stated above and another $20-50 at end.

I do anytime dining so that one is tough, just tip as I go.

Specialty restaurants always at least an additional 20%

Room service $5

Drinks - always add a couple of $$

Spa - it depends on the quality of service 18% is auto added so I usually add another $20 if I leave happy (which is 99% of the time)

Coffee bar - add a buck or two and on many occasions I go back on the last night and give my favorite barista an extra $10/

Porter, $5 per bag

Time of year would also be a factor. When kids are in school, there would be less on the ships. Travel outside of school breaks. We also find that cruises longer than 7 days tend to have less kids.

Agree. The most sedate sailing I had was on a 7 day on the Liberty. It was in mid May. The shorter trips have been much more lively but never to the point of annoying. You can find so many places to just sit and relax. Hope you find a great one!