Teamv

Absolutely!  I was answering the question above about what the process would be and got a bit carried away. It is true that the OP doesn’t need a passport and I wish them a wonderful cruise. 😀

There is some incorrect information being posted here.  The process is not as easy as some are saying. The cruise line is not responsible for anything re: getting you home. The airlines have to do due diligence about your travel documents and they won’t just let you on a flight at the airport. Otherwise they can be fined and are they not going to risk that. I don’t want to share details but  my family had a frightening experience with a similar situation  a couple years ago. In answer to the question about what the process is, you would need to get yourself to a consulate and make an appointment within their working hours. See the earlier post about this. This websites offer lots of information and includes info re: appointment times for some of the offices. A great resource unless you are in a foreign country without data. 
 

The consulate would definitely help but you would need to prove citizenship / residency so you need proper ID or would require getting documentation sent to you. You also would need passport type photos. The process might be quick or might take a few days. You would need to cover hotels and meals. And if you missed your ship you likely only have one day worth of clothing so you would need to do some shopping. Have to book and pay for a short notice flight home. That might not happen immediately and sounds expensive.  Have a stranger pack up your things on the ship and make arrangements later to get your things from Carnival.  Use up some more vacation days from work. Pay the pet sitter for a few more days. Pay for a few more days of airport parking.
 

Sounds stressful, complicated and expensive.  How much is a passport again?

We like the Hampton Inn and Suites Blue Lagoon. There is a shuttle from the airport. The taxi to the pier is approx $30. There is a shuttle for, I think, $10 per person but we like going on our own when we are ready, for the same cost. Nice pool. Safe area. Good breakfast included.

Across the street is a strip mall with a grocery store, Starbucks, liquor store and a good Italian restaurant. A block away is a drug store. Fair price. Have a great cruise!

Use google maps.... not a whole lot to see, except the pilot house on the left as you are going out to sea, and a whole buch of muddy water.

 

https://www.google.com/maps/@28.9289299,-89.4150317,5698m/data=!3m1!1e3[/quote

 

Thanks for posting this! Very interesting. :D

Something to consider when booking early flights. If you have flight / travel insurance, check if there are any requirements related to timing. For example we once purchased travel insurance that required us to book a flight that departed more than 5 hours after the expected time of the cruise ship's arrival in port. If our flights had been scheduled to leave earlier than 5 hours after the expected arrival, we would not have been covered in the event that we missed our flight due to the ship being late. Worth checking before purchasing insurance or booking flights.

Another enthusiastic vote for Paradise Island. You and your kids will have a blast on the water toys while your MIL can sit and watch from a beach chair. Then later, move everyone over to the beautiful pool. Its a quick taxi ride from the cruise terminal. Have a great cruise!

Frayedend, everyone has different levels of tolerance re: adult comedy and you know your kids best. I am not one to judge but here is my experience, for what it is worth. We took one of our kids to the adult comedy show when he was 17. I am OK with adult language and I think I am far from a prude. But the sexual nature of the comedy was super uncomfortable for me. So we didn't go back with him or with his older brother.

 

Having said that, I have gone to the adult comedy with my mother and that was even more uncomfortable!! :eek:

Hi,

They haven't checked ID in my experience BUT if the comic notices someone who looks really young I have seen them start to pick on them for comments and jokes to underscore why they should not be there.

i have seen them tease them and include the parent in that teasing soooo be prepared for attention if he comes!

[/QUOT

 

I have seen this twice but would not describe it as teasing. It was more like berating the parent and questioning their parenting skills. This was done in a comedic way but the point was made. Over and over again. With a healthy dose of profanity and sexual explicitness to make the comedian's point that they did not think it was appropriate for the kid to be there. Everyone else was laughing hysterically. Both times the parents and kids left.

I am also sorry for what you are going through.....

HOWEVER, I also think you should have checked with their doctor(s) PRIOR to booking.

God forbid something horrible happened out in the middle of the sea, that would be even worse.

Hopefully Carnival, OR the insurance company will work with you.

 

Good luck!!!!!:D:D

 

If I was in my mid 80's and lived in a retirement home and slept all of the time because I am bored (as the OP's parents do) and my children wanted to take me on a cruise and "something horrible happened" I would die with a smile on my face, grateful for the chance to travel one more time. And I hope my children would be comforted knowing they did a wonderful thing for me.

 

Of course I wouldn't want myself, my spouse or mynchildren to be bankrupt due to medical or other bills, so I would only go if the insurance issues were solidly worked out.

 

I understand that everyone's interpretation of "something horrible happening" is different.

The chocolate cake from room service is my favourite dessert on the ship!

Keep the faith, folks! PaulMedik has written a number of fantastic reviews with beautiful photos. Hopefully all is well with him and his family. I have no doubt he will be back to finish. :)

We spent a wonderful day at the Royal Palms earlier this winter. The taxi was $4 per person each way. Would recommend this beach club. $2 at the entrance and $8 for a chair. Food and drinks were on par with other places. Lovely beach and friendly staff.

Last week we had the classic blue pen in our cabin.

We had success haggling. Although it was actually more of a simple exchange. We received a call offering an up sell from a balcony to a suite for $340. I said that was too much and she offered $140. We quickly said yes. The suite was great for the four of us. Never hurts to ask.

Thanks for the feedback. Not sure why I got stuck on this outfit but I appreciate your response.

 

Apologies to those who clicked anticipating a picture. (I realize it was an unintentional teaser because I know we all love pics.) Sorry.

I have a cute, dark coloured, light-weight cotton denim shirtwaist dress. Wondering if it is appropriate for a non-formal night in the dining room on my upcoming cruise. I have a red bracelet and earrings and red canvas wedge sandals. Cute outfit, but is it ok for a cruise? Thanks!

I never play bingo at home but I think playing bingo on a cruise is a lot of fun!! I can lose the fee more quickly in the casino. Doesn't hurt that my teen aged son won $1000 a couple of years ago. I bought the ticket, he yelled bingo and the staff knew he was playing. To avoid any potential concerns they suggested that I claim the prize. Try it!!

We have had 3 adults in a room twice. On the Victory my aunt slept on the top bunk and said it was very comfortable. On the Dream my mom slept on the sofa made up as a bed. That was her choice and she said it was very comfortable. We have so much fun together that we have no problem with 3 to a room. And it makes for a very affordable cruise. Our steward brought us an extra balcony chair on the Victory. Have a great cruise!

So incredibly frustrating!! Unfortunately for Carnival, so typical!!

I saw a price drop for $100 and submitted my form yesterday. Was denied so I called today and was told that the port charges, fees and taxes have gone up and the total would now be $150 more so that is the reason I was denied. Promptly called back and got the price drop. I checked my confirmation with a fine toothed comb and all seems to be good. Total price drops of $170 are welcome. But sheesh. Why does it have to be so hard??

Taxi from POM to MIA ($24+tip for the cab) and pay to store your bags there - the airline will not let you check them in until 3-4 hours before your flight. :( From MIA you can catch the Airport Flyer bus to South Beach for about $2.35 each. Lunch, beach, shopping, people watching, etc. Then bus back to MIA for your flight.

 

http://www.miamidade.gov/transit/library/airport_flyer_brochure.pdf

 

 

Your other option is to cab from POM to a South Beach hotel offering day rates or a day pass - enjoy the pool, eat, drink, relax, explore, etc. and then cab to MIA for about $32+tip. http://www.between9and5.com is one source for hotels offering day rates. Availability depends upon demand - you could always call or email several hotels and ask.

 

If this helps you owe me a pint - bitter please. :cool:

 

I would definitely cab it to South Beach instead of taking the Airport Flyer bus. The bus takes up alot of your day. It runs every half an hour but we waited much longer for a return bus back to the airport. And the trip is fairly long in traffic, with multiple stops. Lots to do in South Beach and I would recommend it for a fun day, but maximize your time and take taxis.

We have also had success getting an extra chair.

We were on the Victory twice in the past year. Loved both cruises. The ship is older but that did not bother us in the least. No concerns about cleanliness. We found the food in the MDR to be the best of our 4 cruises. We enjoyed the shows. The price was ridiculously low both times, with one of the cruises being during Spring Break. If the itinerary, dates and price work for you I would certainly recommend the Victory.

I say go for it because you never know. Prior to our March cruise I got a call asking if we wanted to upgrade from our balcony to a suite for $340. I mentioned that I thought that wasn't a great deal and she offered it for $140. That was a good deal so we took it.

I was able to use my child's free drink coupon for an alcoholic drink of my choice ( he was 2 at the time).

 

We were able to do this too - at the suggestion of the waiter! He got a nice little tip!

On the Victory a few days ago we were able to get our drinks without going into the dining room, by talking with the bartender just outside. Although she was only serving Bloody Mary's and Caesars at the small bar, she called over a waiter who went to the bar inside the DR and brought us our drinks. We tipped them both.