lisajm

Regarding the toilet paper just double it use more lol I use charman and yes, I have to agree the toilet paper is very fine, perhaps a reason so it doesn't clog in the toilet but nobody is telling you how much to use lol

 

Found this on Wiki: In many modern boats, the heads look similar to seated flush toilets but use a system of valves and pumps that brings sea water into the toilet and pumps the waste out through the hull in place of the more normal cistern and plumbing trap to a drain. In small boats the pump is often hand operated. The cleaning mechanism is easily blocked if too much toilet paper or other fibrous material is put down the pan.

 

As per Pet Peeves:

1. Unattended children.

2. Chogs

3. The expectation that CCL, their employees, and affiliates are soley responsible for me having all my cruise expectations met.

4. I want to embark on the ship as soon as I can, but want to stay on the ship as long as I can (After all this is MY vacation!) :p

5. People that nosh while in the buffet line

6. An empty cocktail glass

I believe so. The 2 category upgrade could include a "better" location per Carnival, but not neccesarily in your eyes.

 

We have ext aft which is an 8N on upper deck. Not sure what the category is for a higher floor.

 

Call your PVP or Carnival and find out what the category is for the remaining aft's. Your booking info on CCL will tell you what category you currently have.

I was on the Splendor in March and have booked her again for this March. I honestly would not let pink decor (or any other decor for that matter) distract me from having a great cruise.

 

With the exception of the Breeze, all the ships that I have been on are kind of "kitschy". Like a floating Las Vegas.

 

I always read reviews prior to my cruises as well. This is what I have discovered: Reviews vary from "the cruise from Hell" to "the best vacation I have ever had!" Note this will be about the same ship, the same cruise.

 

Take everything with a grain of salt. Go in with a great attitude, enjoy the sights, strike up conversations, engage in activities that you enjoy, and try new things. Don't get boggled down with ensuring that you will have a "perfect" vacation. As with all things if you have extremely high expectations more than likely you will be dissappointed!

 

Kick back have a DOD and enjoy your cruise

I agree that Nassau is my least favorite port. And we will do Atlantis or an organized excursion.

 

One girl is shy, the other is a social butterfly. I'm hoping they will be able to be in same group for O2. (The younger girl is the shy one) So hoping she can move up to )2 with her sister.

 

These girls live with their mother in the Midwest in a very small town. Dh and I live in Florida and they stay with us during the summer.

 

They don't know about the cruise, yet. Going to be a BIG surprise

for them. I usually book for itinerary but this time other factors came into the mix. 1. Port Canaveral is within driving distance 2. Valor is a bigger ship than Paradise (Tampa is home port) 3. Price of cruise.

Hubby and I don't drink wine but we have started enjoying mimosas .

 

Can we bring on champagne instead of wine ?

If so what would be a good brand? We are flyng in a couple days early and would have to buy it. I'm positive there is more of a selection in the States than in Canada :p :p

 

We fly out one month today YAY!! :D

 

I am not a wine connoisseur, but dh and i enjoy our weekend brunches. We live in Florida and Mimosas + Bloody Mary's are a staple.

 

Personally I have found that its better if you have a sparkling wine that is dry (not sweet). The orange juice has plenty of sugar to it. I typically use a Bruit.

 

If I were you I would start experimenting!

 

There are Publix on practically every corner in Florida so it shouldn't be too hard to find. I just bought a bottle of Andre extra dry that's waiting for me.

 

Hmmm not a weekend, but looking a cruise info. Perhaps 1 or 2?

If you have a Dollar Tree (or similar store) near you you can purchase removable wall decals. No need for tape or putty. They cling to a flat surface. I have recently bought flowers and some alphabets (letters) to spell out things on our cabin door. They are cheap and easy to use. In the past I have had monkeys, peace signs, lizards, etc. Perfect for identifying your door.

 

Thats what dd and I used on the Splendor in March. We had pink and silver animal print that totally matched the decor of the ship!

I have booked with the same PVP for all my cruises (except the 1st one because went through a TA). Had been looking at a cruise for Spring Break and late Cyber Monday pulled the trigger. The next day called my PVP to see if she could get credit for the booking.

She explained that she could not receive credit, but graciously agreed to service the booking if anything came up.

I wont make that mistake again. Luckily was able to book another cruise with her today. :p

Booked a family cruise for this summer with my dh and his 2 girls. Any suggestions for cruising with 14 & 15 year old gals? This will be their first cruise, dh's second cruise, and my 7th.

 

I want to make this an awesome trip for them.

 

I booked a cabana @ HalfMoon Cay, going to Freeport and Nassau, as well.

 

Looking for antecdotes about what your teens enjoy about cruising.

Hi all. Just booked a cruise for our family of 4. 5 night on the Valor out of Port Canaveral.

 

Club 02 is for 15-17 year olds per Carnival Website. Our younger gal will be going into high school in the fall. Would they allow her to join her sister for Club O2? The girls are close in age and cant imagine separating the 2 for various activities.

 

This will be their first cruise so trying to make it as fun as possible for them. Any suggestions for cruising with teens would be appreciated!

We are cruising on the Pride in April. Can anyone tell me if they have Fireball shots in the bars and, if so, the cost? I'm debating ordering a bottle from Bon Voyage if it's not available at the bar. Thanks in advance!

 

** End of 2014: Most all liquor bottle prices went up between $5.00 - $10.00. **

 

 

DrinkBottle Brandy & Cognac: Blackberry Brandy--$50.00 Courvoisier VS$6.50$80.00 Hennessey Black$6.50$95.00 Hennessey VS$6.50$90.00 Hennessey VSOP$10.95$110.00 Bourbon & Whiskey: Crown Royal$6.25$85.00 Fireball$6.25$90.00 Jack Daniels$6.25$85.00 Jameson$5.75$85.00 Makers Mark$6.95$90.00 Seagram's 7$5.50$80.00

I like the anticipation of boarding the ship, chatting with shipmates in the lobby while watching the previous passengers exit and knowing that soon I will be able to board.

 

The very first "ding" of my S&S card gives me chills.

 

I love exploring the ship for the first time.

 

Waking up in a new port.

 

Putting on finery for elegant night.

 

Walking into the cabin then straight to the balcony!

ALL Plat/Diamond cruisers go to the same place as suites (most ports have them) and depending on the amount of Suite/Platinum/Diamond cruisers it can get busy. During off-peak travel times it's a wonderful experience, during the summer/holidays/busy ports it can be a madhouse. Once out of the check-in area the "separate" area can sometimes swell to hundreds as they add FTTF cruisers as well.

 

Glad you had a wonderful experience, generally we do as well (Platinum cruiser) but some of the people leaving out if Miami have horrid tales.

 

FTTF guests do not have access to the priority lounge. Only Plat/Dia and suite guests.

Dining and entertainment should be as you remember. Carnival is rolling out new staggered embarkation process in Galveston and New Orleans.

You are given a boarding time that is strictly adhered to. Not sure when this process will be fleet wide.

 

You can no longer bring bottled water on board, but they have lowered the prices in the Bon voyage shop.

Thanks for this!

1. Roatan

2. San Juan

3. St Thomas (for access to St John)

4. Cozumel

 

But honestly can find something to do and appreciate anywhere I am. I love beaches so I moved to Florida.

 

Will see that my favorite "port" are the ships themselves!

I have been to Belize twice. The first time did the River Wallace and Mayan Ruins. The second time was with my daughter and she wanted to see the ruins so we booked a tour that included the Belikin brewery and the ruins.

 

Long story short the tour operator didn't tell us that the Belikin tour was no longer available until we were on a boat (4 hours long) on River Wallace. We were at the ruins for maybe 20 minutes before having to get back to ship.

 

As others have said it is a third world country and you feel it when people in uniforms are standing in the street with automatic weapons. It kind of made me feel that an uprising was going to occur at any minute.

 

Heading to Western Caribbean again in March. I will probably stay on the ship in Belize. DD and her friend may want to do the cave tubing thing.

 

I don't absolutely hate Nassau, but if I didn't go there again that would be okay too. Yes people are pushy, but they are trying to earn a living. We went to Junkanoo Beach and got 3 beers + 3 shots of rum punch for 10.00.

 

Grand Cayman is beautiful, but like one poster said BTDT and everything there is pricey.

Anyone mind clueing me in to what FTTF is?

 

FTTF is "Faster To The Fun". It is found under excursions for your home port. It allows expedited check in. Once you board the ship you have immediate access to your cabin and your luggage arrives (in theory) faster. Gives you access to the priority line at guest services. On tender ports you also have priority boarding to leave the ship, returning to the ship you wait your turn.

I try to avoid the buffet because while standing in line I observe the lack of hygiene of some other passengers. I.e. Coughing, blowing their noses, touching food with unwashed hands.

 

Can't say enough how wonderful The Chefs Table experience is!

 

Love the soups in the MDR.

 

WCMC is a favorite and you can order it the way you like it. Well done, medium, or extra runny.

 

Pizza and deli are great choices.

 

Upcoming cruise my goal is to make it to tea time!

Does that mean all types of handcuffs?????

 

A friend received some fur handcuffs for a shower gift and brought them on their honeymoon. They were invited to the naughty room and were required to surrender them

Vanilla is fine to bring on board. Any food that you bring on needs to be packaged. No fruit or flowers, either on or off the ship.

Once you go to guest services and redeem your gift card, make sure you hold on to the card and receipt in case there is an issue

Just a followup on the Ebay carnival gift cards. I purchased 1 for 100.00 and received a bonus 20.00. The card arrived in the mail today and I successfully applied the card to my cruise.

Perhaps that is what happened to Christophe Waltz. The name is working well for him!

Please leave the automated tips in place. This money will be spread out and will cover people that would get missed when handing out personal tips who are a part of you having a great cruise experience.

 

On top of the automated tips, I tip our cabin steward and our wait staff i the MDR. I also tip above the customary drink tip for any bartender that gives excellence service. Enjoy your cruise!

I always put my phone in airplane mode while cruising. There are many places in the ports where there is free Wifi so you can get caught up with correspondence then.