CruzerDeb

3 minutes ago, mz-s said:

 

Didn't mean that to come off as ugly as it sounded, sorry. After I re-read that I realized it was too harsh sounding. I just meant to say "this is how it's going to be as long as Carnival goes to Half Moon Cay"

Thanks

Just now, mz-s said:

 

That is never going to change so you might as well stop asking or looking for a different answer.

Alrighty then. I consider myself chastised. 

11 minutes ago, mz-s said:

 

No to both. Buckets are not included in Cheers. You can order up to 15 beers a day obviously, and they'll give you an ice bucket if you ask, but you can only order a single alcoholic drink at a time, and at least 5 minutes between drink orders.

 

You can ask them to not open your drinks but they are supposed to open them to discourage hoarding.

Ugh. Thanks! I believed this to be the case. Do you know if they’ve changed their policy for Half Moon Cay - can we use the pkg there? The last time I was there, I couldn’t. 

For those with more Cheers experience than I - can I use the pkg for a bucket of beer? Can I order a beer and not have it opened so I can take it back to my room for later?

Just wondering where you got that delicious looking steak and cheese sandwich from! The deli? 

55 minutes ago, pirate4me2 said:

Spent a little time at alchemy this afternoon after watching a movie and hanging in Havana. Goran is really good, he made me an espresso martini with fresh espresso from ocean plaza and a 40 is the new 20. 

Those look soooo good! 🤤 

Thanks for the great review! 

5 hours ago, jsglow said:

@CruzerDeb, I actually think you'll be fine with your flight. In the meantime, learn to use a flight tracking app. Understand beforehand if your aircraft will be on the ground overnight in Cincy. That dramatically increases the chance it'll be mechanically good for an on-time, non-stop departure. Changing planes and landing at noon? No way in HE double hockey sticks.

 

One more thing. That afternoon prior watch your weather situation. IF it looks problematic, the airlines will typically allow you to switch flights for free to avoid the storms. Drop what you're doing and get your butt to the airport. I've personally 'slept' at FLL in the wee hours when our night before flight was so delayed that we could no longer check into our budget hotel. But we were safely there and an Uber away from the port. We slept up in Serenity.

 

Oh, and as for flying to Rome morning of...... Insane, like certifiably. 

Thanks for the great advice!

2 minutes ago, Linsuesue said:

Carnival picking your room is the least of your worries. We are at the mercy of the airlines. 2 years ago American cancelled our flight 12 hours before we were scheduled to leave. Even though we we were planning to arrive the day before the cruise left, it was a nerve wracking amount of chaos to book any flight to get us at or near Tampa. We finally landed at 4:00 am the morning of the cruise. Thnaks to the airline snafu, there was a group of 70+, out of Pennsylvania I think, that missed the ship. They caught up with us in Costa Rica. Nothing would make me fly in the day of the cruise-my blood pressure couldn’t take it!😀

I’m sorry that happened to you! So stressful. 

27 minutes ago, DramaQueen22 said:

All of these musical references are cracking me up!

 

I once did a nonstop from Philly to Miami on a solo...in January no less...and had no issues.  Grabbed the Carnival transfer bus at MIA and was onboard within an hour of landing.

 

Have a great time!

Thanks! I’ve only flown in on the day of the cruise once before - my first cruise in 2009. I’ll be taking the Carnival transfer for the first time since then as well. I’m confident it’ll all work out. Mostly. 😜🛳️

Can’t wait to follow along on your great adventure! I’ll be on the Vista for the first time for Thanksgiving. 

12 hours ago, Mfunnye said:

Looking forward to your review. Booked our first Thanksgiving cruise on the Vista for this year. 

I also booked our first Thanksgiving trip in the Vista for this year! 

7 minutes ago, ninjacat123 said:

Just let us know you got there on time so we can all breathe easy!!😂

You betcha! Only 65 days to go! 😂

1 minute ago, Old Fart Cruisers said:

I think you are confusing a non-stop flight (with NO stops) and direct flight (same plane, same flight number, but it makes a stop(s) along the route).  Personally, I wouldn't have a problem with taking that flight(although I'm sure many people on here would disagree with me about that).  I would be much more concerned about a direct flight because even though you stay on board, there is always an additional chance of a delay each time the plane stops. 

You’re right - I meant nonstop. 

2 hours ago, Old Fart Cruisers said:

Where are you flying from and where is your layover?

No layover. Flying direct from Cincinnati to FLL, landing at 9:30am. 

2 hours ago, ledges1 said:

Unless I missed it, about what time does your flight land vs embarkation cutoff. My daughter did this once on a direct flight to Miami and was fine. Flight left at 5:30 AM landed in Miami at 9:00. She got an Uber, picked me and my wife up at the hotel before 10:00 AM and we were on the ship by 11:30. Of course, she went to bed that night about 7:30.

I have a direct flight landing at FLL at 9:30am. Weather shouldn’t be an issue in June (fingers crossed).

3 hours ago, Ferry_Watcher said:

Any idea what the cost benefit is to do a GTY Interior stateroom over choosing your own?  Flying in the day of the cruise does save on spending the night in a hotel, plus meals.  Are you saving a vacation day as well (assuming that you are still working)?  Have you figured out your overall savings?

 

Wishing you a wonderful cruise.  Hopping that the ship isn't full, and you are upgraded to an OV or better.  

 

Keep us updated.

Really, the cost of the GTY stateroom over me picking one was only $150 or so. Saving on a hotel and using points to fly. Call me budget girl!

1 minute ago, jimbo5544 said:

What is that Aerosmith song...."livin on the edge"?  Let us know how it goes...

Or Bon Jovie’s “livin’ on a prayer”! 

I’m breaking all of my self-imposed rules, anyway. In an effort to sail as cheaply as possible as a solo cruiser in June, I’m letting Carnival pick my inside cabin (never allowed this before and I’ve only sailed inside on 2 prior cruises out of 11); I’m also flying in the DAY OF the cruise instead of the day before. Please pray for me! 😱🛳️

I’m 60, cruising solo and I’m interested in a hassle-free beach day. Is there anything close by that I can walk to without being harassed? 

I just booked my first cruise on a RC ship - Rhapsody of the Seas! I’ve sailed in Carnival, Princess and Celebrity. Chose this ship for the itinerary - So Caribbean round trip out of San Juan. I’m pretty excited about it; only 695 days to go! 😂🛳️

What do I need to know? Lol

Such a beautiful day in St. Thomas! Can’t wait to get back there … in 694 days! 😂

29 minutes ago, Jamman54 said:

We had several as you shall see! 

I knew you wouldn’t let me down! 🍹😂

I absolutely love Megan’s Beach! Beautiful pictures of the beach and from the overlook. Hope you had a Bushwacker at Paradise Point!

16 minutes ago, Hatteras51 said:

The food at Giannis is good, but it is a very busy restaurant. Sometimes,  waits can be long,  even with reservations. Giannis is located on a busy, noisy strip in PaIm Beach. I much prefer their other restaurant, Azzurro,  at Playa Linda Resort, also in Palm Beach.  Azzurro is oceanfront,  with beautiful views of the sunset. You will probably need to be back at the ship by 9:30. I'd make the reservation for 6pm, and try to get a table with a sunset view. You can easily get a taxi back to the port at Playa Linda.

Thanks for the info! I’ll look into Azzurro.