NoOtherVacay

Such great info! For the shuttle, do you know if it goes in a loop? As in, can I go and come back from port using the same pass? Or is it only for moving one way?

It makes a continuous loop. Yoi could even get back on the ship and then go back out if you wanted. When we used it years ago we got a wrist band so they knew we were shuttle riders. I assume it would be the same now. :)

I am almost sure they are just for the transportation to the locations. I haven't actually used the taxi services but I'd be surprised if it included entrance fees.

There is anoth non-taxi option. The hop on hop off shuttle will take you to, Margaritaville, Doctor's Cave, a craft market, and... One more place that I can't remember. It costs $19 for adults and $8 for kids 3-11 years old. The pass is good for the whole day.

Sorry for the delay. My pictures were too big so I had to do some manipulating. I've never posted a picture here before so if this doesn't work, someone please tell me what to do. :o

MoBay 1.pdf

MoBay 2.pdf

I'm interested in finding out how much to expect to pay for a cab for two from the Carnival pier to Doctor's Cave, Margaretville, etc. Going in a few weeks...

 

Thanks!

We just returned (still driving home actually) from our cruise. I took a picture of the taxi rates. They are on my computer but I can post it here later today. It had prices listed for many other places as well.

We arrived at the Fulton garage at 10 AM, and were in Pasta Bella enjoying lunch by 12. Would have been faster but the shuttle bus had to make a few detours due to Mardi Gras parade prep. There were lines of people waiting for their time to enter the terminal, but as long as you're within your check in window, you just walk right in...

Good to know. Thanks!

If you have recently sailed on the Dream and had staggered check-in, how soon did actually boarding of the ship begin? I received a standard e-mail from Carnival stating that boarding would begin at 12:30. I'm hoping it's quicker than that, seems like it renders the staggered check-in moot since the terminal will fill up rather quickly.

 

If you're sailing tomorrow,and you have internet access, let us know how it went. And if you're sailing tomorrow - don't break anything important. I'm on the Dream next week :)

I see no one was able to answer your question, but maybe since you have sailed by now, you could let me know your thoughts on the embarkation process? We sail on the Dream in two weeks.

Isn't it too close to the OP's planned sailing date in late February for Early Saver to still be available?

Yes, Early Saver options haven't been available for at least a few weeks now. Maybe next time. :)

Thank you, everyone, for your input. Waiting was unavoidable in this case, but it's good to know that it likely won't go down anymore. Sounds like now is the time to convince DH that it's time to book. ;)

A few years ago, the prices went down over time... and the longer you held out, the lower the price for the cruise, as long as there were still cabins available.

 

However, things have changed. I think one of the factors was that with Early Saver, Carnival ended up having to offer a lot of onboard credits to cover the difference in the prices. Also, I think they eventually realized that it was pissing off their customers to see lower prices after they booked their cruises. And it was probably wasting a lot of time for their customer service reps to have to deal with all those onboard credits when the prices dropped. Also, by training your customers that prices will always drop, it was encouraging people to delay booking their cruises. It's in Carnival's best interest to actually encourage just the opposite. It seems they finally figured that out.

 

For whatever reasons, the current situation seems to be that the EARLIER you book, the lower the price will be. So, if you're looking for the best prices, it seems like your best strategy at this point in time is to book early.

Those are good points. In this case, we are hoping to go for our son's 13th birthday, so booking early won't happen, but I'll definitely be more proactive in my planning from now on. :)

Thank you for your replies. I feel like I had read about fare trends and how they go up or down leading up to sailings. It does make sense though, that it would be based on how well the staterooms are selling.

Thanks again!

My husband and I are looking into a couple cruises that leave the last weekend in February. We haven't been able to book before now and I have noticed the prices subtly going up over the last few months. I am wondering if there is a chance they will go down at all between now and the sail date? Or should we book before they go up any more?

TY in advance!

By not doing an excursion, do you mean a ship sponsored excursion?

 

Reach out to one of the private vendors for cavetubing (info on this board). Or you can try your luck and see if you can hook up with one at the port (take as early of a tender as you can). Your family is at a great age to get out and see the country and cavetubing should be fun for your sons!

 

At the least, take a tender into port. Walk outside the port complex and to your right along the palisades and see the small light house. Circle back to the flea market outside the port which has better prices for souvenirs than inside the port. Then head up to the swing bridge, cross over and continue left to Bird's Isle and enjoy a nice view , a Belikin brew and some local cuisine in a tropical setting.

You saw all that by walking? Did you feel safe? We will be going to Belize with our children (10 and 13) and don't plan to book an excursion through the ship or otherwise.

Thanks in advance! :)

Hah! February is very high season! For cruise ships, they start returning the end of November and are mostly gone the end of April. February is the peak. :D

 

May-July and October-November are shoulders. If you really want to visit in low season, try September! ;)

:) I guess I think i terms of school year. I have kids in school, and I teach. So in my head, busier times would be when school is out. Lesson learned. :-D We're already booked, but I know for next time.

Thank you all! We really aren't picky. Just looking for a place to lay our towel, and that also has restrooms. :) We are going in February. I thought that WAS off season. lol

I've been looking into beach options for our February cruise. There will be 6 ships in port while we are in St Thomas so we were hoping to find a beach that was just as beautiful as Magen's Bay, Sapphire, and Coki, but without the crowds. I found a list of many, or all, beaches on the island, but it was almost overwhelming.

Also, I have seen quite a few posts about Lindbergh Bay. It looks awfully close to the airport. Has anyone been to this beach and had an issues with airplane noise?

TIA!

 

And yes, AZ Parrothead was referring to the walk to town, you cut through Yacht Haven Grande and save time. You have to taxi to any beach from Havensight.

Thank you. I figured as much. I was just holding out hope for a different answer. :) We are sailing on a budget and like to walk so I thought we'd try.

NoOther: Of course it depends on your fitness level. Many people are unable to walk a mile, but others run 26.2 miles. ;) The road to Paradise Point is about .85 mile, and yes, it is uphill the whole way. Lots of locals use it for hill training. Because it is so steep, the cars and taxis that go up are not flying around the corners like they do on most of the roads.

I think I'd like to try just for the challenge of the hill. lol My husband and I do marathons so the steepness would be the only issue. Of course, paying for the Skyride could be a restful adventure also. :) Thanks for the info!

I believe that means you can walk to town easily from Havensight, not to Morning Star. I would not walk from Havensight to Morning Star, and I am the one who advocates walking up to Paradise Point! It is a long haul with no sidewalk and maniac drivers zooming back and forth.

Thank you for clarifying. That was pretty much what I had been reading.

So you think a walk to Paradise Point is doable? I've not heard anyone say that so far. I'd love a good hike up, but I was wondering about the road up that way too.

Closest beach is Morningstar at the Marriott. It's not expensive and it's a nice beach. You can easily walk to/from town along the seawall. It's about 3 miles roundtrip.

Sorry to jump in on this thread. I was wondering, do you mean you can walk to Morningstar Beach from Havensight? I've been trying to figure this one out and it's been pretty difficult. I know it's about a mile and a half. I don't mind the distance, but I was wondering how safe it was.

Thanks in advance!

Wonderful, thank you!

Given your time frame I would recommend spending the day in the Old City vs finding a beach. There is a lot to see and do there. The traffic is awful, but since the entire area is walkable, traffic won't be a concideration. You can walk to the forts and explore them, give yourself an hour at each one. Then do some shopping. Lots of great stores. I also recommend getting some of the shaved ice cream stuff they sell on the street corners. We very seldom eat in the ports, but that is SO yummy!

If you do want the beach experience, keep in mind Condado seems to be rougher surf. At least that is my experience, we generally cruise in Jan and Feb, so maybe it's better other times of the year. I haven't been to Isla Verde, but do hear good things about it.

Can you please tell me, is there a fee to get into the forts?

Thank you in advance. :)

Thank-You....I will post the links to my other reviews for ya so you can check them out as well

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1811296 ** cruise on the Carnival Freedom

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1715648 ** cruise on the Carnival Legend

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1622491 ** cruise on the Carnival Fantasy

 

Yes it is very easy to get those pictures of the ship. Go down early in the morning....we were there around 8:00 am. There is a parking lot just past Baja Restaurant....you can't miss it

Fantastic!! Thank you very much :)

We stayed at Fishlips until about 6:00.....it started getting alot busier around that time. People were waiting to be seated.

We headed back to the hotel and we were going to get in the pool and spend some time outside in the courtyard area at the hotel. Sorry I didn't get any pictures at the pool. It was very relaxing and the water was quite warm.

 

Ron Jon at night.....so pretty

 

It was a new day!!!! The day had arrived for us to board the Sensation. We got up early and went down by the port area to see our ship was there.....and there she is.....The Carnival Sensation

 

 

It looks just like the Ecstasy ;)

 

This is Fishlips from the front.....I forgot to include this picture earlier. Anyone who watches the Port Canaveral webcam.....the webcam is positioned here at the restaurant

I stumbled on your review a few days ago while I was researching our upcoming cruise. I'm so glad I did! It was wonderful!! It makes me want to find your other reviews so I can read them just for fun. :)

I was wondering if it was easy to get to this location where you saw the ships? I'd love to get some pictures near that fence area!

Thanks for a wonderful review; it was very helpful to me!

I'm loving your review so far! I stumbled on it somehow, and now I can't stop reading. I look forward to more. Most of all, I'm anxious for pictures. :D Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to share with all of the addicts out there!

You can find photos of Dr's Cave Beach at Google Images

or videos at Youtube.

 

Are the trampolines are included in the entrance fee? or a separate fee?

When we were there in 2009 the trampolines were included. They were pretty crowded, but if you can get on they seemed pretty fun!