mg33626

I always recommend him to friends travelling to Barbados mg33626 did the number you received end in 0637?

 

 

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I did, we've been chatting and texting. He's a great guy.

OK im a little slow. I can't figure out how to email you

I'm at mg33706@gmail.com

I hope to be able to find him as well for when we are there in May. We had a wonderful Island tour with him in 2011. When we first met him, he just clicked with us. And since we had an idea of where we wanted to go (and his additional suggestions based on our interests were spot on) we had a very customizable tour that ended at Mt. Gay rum - where he was able to get us a lot of tastings of top shelf stuff for free.

I actually did! I called the distillery and they gave me his number. I called him just now! The world is so much smaller today. I feel odd posting his number. If you email me, I'll reply with it.

On 2 different occasions we have ran into a taxi driver that goes by the name Big Apple. He has a personality as big as NYC that's for sure. I'm hoping to contact him before we are in Barbados before our port day in March.

It's a long shot, but I'm hoping someone local knows him. He works the port area every day.

Thanks

With all due respect, but that has to be one of the worst and most absurd recommendations I've ever read on all the years I've been posting on Cruise Critic. You NEVER leave a decision concerning safety at the hands of the passengers. This is not a matter of an uncomfortable ride ashore, but a matter of safety that can quickly become life threatening.

 

This type of comment shows the severe lack of understanding of the expertise required to make the type of decisions that the Captain, along with a team of other professionals at Carnival, are required to have in order to keep you and others safe and away from dangers.

 

 

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For all of you who keep saying the decision was the right one, would you say that the choice to tender to the port by the Norwegian Captain was the wrong one? You can bash me all you want, but there were 4 captains facing the same conditions, and 2 did choose to stay. Were they wrong? If safety and ensuring there are never any issues or injuries occur, they could just stay tied to the dock and act as a hotel I guess.

I don't think I'm smarter than the captain, and did not say that. I understand who's authority matters, but that doesn't mean others aren't entitled to an opinion. We found a way to go to 2 ports Carnival controls, but not 2 that they don't. I am not a conspiracy nut, and do not think it was planned; I just think it was interesting and does play a factor.

I won't add more other than to say I really like the. Carnival experience and cruising in general. If you could read my posts, you'd likely see this is the only negative comment I have ever posted and yet I get bashed for daring to have a different opinion on one aspect of one cruise. Happy Sunday and safe sailing to all of you ( just please don't dare say anything negative on these boards).

In my post I never said with any certainty that any port was missed on purpose. I was simply speculating that the benifit to the cruise line may in some cases enter into the decision. I realize many people on these boards are very loyal, and that is understandable. I can say with all certainty that I do understand it's totally up to the captain to make these choices, but people on board have a right to their opinion and speculation as well. I will also say with some certainty that I may not have as much time at sea as the captain, I have more time plotting and planning navigation for a 500 foot vessel than any of you who have replied.

Go ahead, and bring it. By the way, Costa is owned by CCL. Please spare the safety comments when virtually all of the issues of safety have come from the same parent company.

I was on the Thanksgiving cruise with my wife and son. I anticipated this cruise and many fun shore experiences we would be doing on this trip. Before I get to the point, I want to say the 2.0 upgrades were great. The New Mexican restaurant was fantastic and included a salsa bar worthy of a great Cabo taco stand. The slides were fun, and had virtually no lines. Guy's burgers was great the first time, but maybe a little less so after a couple tries. I recommend just getting a plain burger and using the toppings bar to personalize it. The food was pretty darn good overall. This was our first time using an aft cabin, which we loved. Now to the point: we missed 2 ports and also added an unplanned stop in Costa Maya. Here is my take and concern on how things happened:

Even though I'm certain sea conditions were known, we did temporarily anchor in Belize only to soon leave. If conditions were bad, I can't imagine why we pulled in and anchored. To make matters worse, there were 2 other NCL ships also in port. It was sad to have an aft cabin and watch us leave based on what the captain described as rough seas for using tenders yet the NCL ships clearly felt differently. I watched the ships in pretty sunny weather as we left, and later talked with passengers on the NCL Dawn the next day. They remarked how the day turned out sunny and nice, and how they enjoyed. Belize. Although I'm not the biggest fan of the NCL experience, I do recognize they have a stellar safety record and feel they made the right call that day.

I feel a much better choice would have been for the captain to inform the passengers that they would likely have a rough ride using the tenders and left the choice up to the passengers. Instead we headed south where it was clear that the next 48 hours would have far worse weather. This was known to me, so it certainly was known to the officers of the Pride. I will also add that I was part of a navigation crew aboard a submarine for 10 years, and feel very well versed in this area.

So after losing Belize, we headed into certain terrible conditions and they were exactly that. I realize the Captain does not control the weather, but his reactions to them were embarrassing and wrong. So, after all the extra time on a bad sea day we get to the shortest stop of Roatan for a very terrible day and then get stuck in port. Again, this should have been pretty clear to the crew; it certainly was to me. We remained in port in Roatan for hours which quickly meant we were very unlikely to make Grand Cayman. I won't assume to know that the seas significantly went down during those few hours, but I can't believe it was a huge difference. This in turn left us with changing our destination to Costa Maya. Costa Maya is not the worst stop in the world, but has far less quality options than Grand Cayman.

There were plenty of weather issues out of the Captain's control, but I was very displeased for his decision making based on the weather. Additionally, with watching the NCL ships stay in and apparently enjoy Belize; it makes me wonder about why some decisions were made. Sadly my opinion overall is that cruise lines need fun itineraries and ports to get the public to want to choose cruising as a vacation option. But I am also certain that it's much better for the bottom line of the cruise line when ports are missed as guests than will spend money onboard rather than in shops and with independent tours on shore.

Over the last 15 years another similar trend has happened with more "artificially created" port stops. 2 decades ago almost every line regularly used "private islands" mostly in the Bahamas which was one thing. Since then, there have been ports that only exist because the cruise lines make them up. It's very obvious to experienced cruisers that so much of the entire fake port experience in places like Costa Maya, the new seperate port in Roatan, and Grand Turk among others are really just an extension of your onboard experience. I have discussed this with people in these "shops" that look independent and unique but are really controlled by the cruise lines.

It's a good business model, and I understand CCL is a business. With that said, on this recent cruise we missed 2 of the 4 ports we were scheduled to stop in. I don't think it's a coincidence that these were not the type of ports that I was describing above. Additionally, we did find a way to make it two 2 stops with the big Carnival influence ( and one of those was not even on are scheduled itinerary). All of this certainly left me with a bad taste in my mouth for how decisions were made or more importantly why they were made.

On a side note, ship announcements were poorly organized. This ship could learn from other Carnival ships and lines and have far less announcements or at least better planned. Many times the cruise director would make ship wide announcements within a short perios before and after the captain. I reccomend working together and make your announcements at the same time to lessen the interruptions to the vacation experience.

Because my Valor cruise only has one sea day, I am going to use the Cyber sale price and switch to IS interior room category which will save us over $500 for 2 people. The agent said I would not although it's just an interior guarantee, I would not get a bunk bed room.

Does this seem correct? I love saving money, but I do want to asleep with my wife of course.

Thanks

We are sitting in our aft balcony, and loving the view! Dinner and today were both real good, and we have no complaints. Unless you're a real gambler, I'm not sure why the extra time in port is that big of an issue. By all accounts, we will still get to our ports on time, and that that's good for me!

Do you know where they meet at to start the race? I am not coming from a ship tour, but don't know where it starts at.

Seriously Walt, you wish others a bed experience because yours wasn't what you expected? That is ridiculous, and you probably blame Carnival for the rain we had in Florida today. I feel sorry for those around you, if this is how you live your life daily.

My post only applies to those who have yet to sail on the Pride, but seriously some people are so glass half empty that it's alarming. I am confident I will have a great sailing this week as we head out tomorrow. For those who are convinced already that it will be terrible from start. To finish, please avoid the good looking bald man so I'm even more sure to have a blast.

Some people love to be miserable, and need a constant focus of blame as to why they're not having more fun in life or that life isn't fair in general. I however, and not one of them and stay dry even when surrounded by people bathing in their own misery.

I think the more times they load, the better they will get. Legend and Paradise most always left on time. Yup we'll find out in 5 weeks!!!

Even if they leave on time, it will certainly be dark when you pass under the bridge. From my experience, it is dark on the sailings following the time change at the beginning of November. It's still a great site.

I regarded Frogfest as the best entertainment on the cruise. It was a jam session and some of the musicians had never met before. There were two singers regularly in the Red Frog Pub. The one who was also in Getaway Island was Brendon or Brandon. The Piano player was Davy Duke. Evidently he's on the Pride until February.

 

http://davyduke.com/index/

Thanks for the comments. How was the piano bar and player?

Meeeee too!!! I keep checking the board like every 5 minutes. This time next week we will be unpacked and on Lido deck:cool:

I can't take it either, so I'm going to drive to downtown St Pete in 2 hours and go to the rooftop Canopy Bar to watch her sail out today!

Ok all of you just off the boat, tell us please about how the new changes were! We are on the sailing leaving one week from today, and hoping everything was operating well.

We are sailing on Pride soon. Of the new upgrades ( Guy's, Mexican, ect) are these all extra charges like a specialty restaurant?

Thanks

I realize all cruises are different, but is it reasonable to expect long lines to use Flowrider and rock climbing?

I have cruised about 10 times, and have yet to take a RCCL cruise mostly because it's been just my wife and I in our 40s. I have always thought of these ships more for families. I am looking at the Freedom Of the Seas, but also considering NCL Getaway. This trip my primary focus is my 11 yr old boy. I love the slides and rope courses on NCL, and want thoughts on amenities for an 11 yr old boy on The Ultra Voyager Class.

Overall impressions and costs for things like Flowrider, ice skating, rock climbing so I know what to expect would be great. It seems like he might be slightly beyond the Nickelodeon themed stuff, but he does enjoy those shows. Mostly, it's the active events and options I'm thinking about.

Thank you.

I have heard different reports, how many water slides will be on the Pride after dry dock?

I have several cruises booked with Celebrity others, and also some I've been tracking and considering. It will be interesting indeed to see what the prices do this time tomorrow.

Either way, as a long time cruising fan ( and certainly Celebrity fan), I love the 123 promo. Even if you convinced me I'm paying for it up front, I would still love it. I think that everyone or most on board having a room credit or unlimited drinks makes for a much more lively and fun environment!

It sounds like you will like Celebrity. But be aware there is not much comedy and no comedy clubs. Hopefully they will increase their comedy offerings. The food is great and the specialty restaurants very good. Qsine is fun and hip. They have great perks. We have the free all inclusive drink package on our upcoming cruise and there are other perks you can pick if you don't drink a lot. Although the drink pkg. is the best value for free.These perk offers come up fairly regularly and I would book when you can get a good one that suits you. The free perks are combinable with obc from your ta. We have the drinks pkg. and another 300.00 obc from our ta. Good luck with your choice.

 

Mary Ann

I was recently on Reflection the sister ship to Silohette ( ?) and the comedy club was great! Also, the 123 promo is an amazing perk!

For what it's worth, both of my kids liked the Epic better.

I do like hearing that, any ideas why they liked it better?

It does appear NCL is moving most sailings from ST Maarten to Tortola next year. I really love Tortola, but will have to sail other lines when St Maarten is a priority. Side note - my next cruise is out of San Juan but we are starting with ST Maarten for 4 days pre cruise so you know we love that island!

Kim, it appears you've sailed on Getaway, Breakaway, and Epic? From the standpoint of my 10 yr old son, do you feel the Getaway is worth more money than Epic? I am currently booked on Epic as it was a better deal, but I've considered the Getaway as I was really blown away by the pictures and when I saw it next to us in port recently.

The cost to change would be about $400 total, or I could do downgrade from a balcony on Epic to ocean view on Getaway and my price would be about the same. Your thoughts specifically in regards to a boy?

If you have other thoughts about why I might spend $400 more to sail on Getaway, I appreciate it.

Thanks

I

I would rather go on 2 cheaper western cruises a year than only 1 more expensive eastern or southern cruise. :(

 

I hear you. There are some great options on Valor out of San Juan. The ships in San Juan are never the newest, but they do go to great places. I hope you do get the chance to travel there sometime. There may be a great variety in Western stops, but really you only can do one or two things while in port for 8 hours. I've never had a better experience than the turtles in Barbados, waterfalls in Dominica, and the beauty of St Lucia.