JennN

Tie between "La Casa en la Playa" in Cozumel (great drinks, beach, service! Truly a relaxing beach day), and Tiami Sail, Turtles and Beach in Barbados. That one had a bit of everything and the excursion was 7 hours long! They went out of their way to give everyone what they wanted (good food, drink, snorkeling, swimming). We event got to jump off the boat by the beach. Totally fun excursions and worth every bit of money booking through Carnival!

We've never purchased Cheers but plan to on our 9/3 sailing. There are two of us. Here is why:

1. We go to Alchemy every night. Generally have 3-4 drinks between 7p-12a ($70).

2. I get an iced coffee and my wife a tea every morning from the specialty ship ($12).

3. We like to have a soda or two with dinner ($6).

4. We plan on getting quite a few bottles of water to bring with us into port. Probably 2-3 large bottles from the bar in the morning. We aren't doing excursions in every port but with all the walking regardless, we want to stay hydrated ($15).

5. I've been known to enjoy a mimosa or two with breakfast, and my wife a bloody Mary. Also a Twilight Zone before dinner or on a sea day. Again, we're not doing an excursion in every port so we expect to have a little more ship time. (maybe $8 a day based on one extra?)

See, we don't plan on changing our drinking (alcohol) habits so that we break even or get out ahead. It's nice for us to think we can not have to limit that one other drink just because. But now that Cheers includes other beverages, it makes sense for us. It's not for everyone and I am just sharing my guesstimates.

I still intend to buy a few bottles of wine (prosecco, champagne) back on board, but want to save those bottles and bring them home with me.

This is what we booked - Hawaii to Vancouver

MY MIL booked and Alaska cruise (starting in Seattle and ending in Vancouver) and then wanted to do Vancouver to Hawaii. After she was booked (about an hour or so), she got a call from Carnival saying she couldn't do it as it was a violation of the Jones Act.

I am on this cruise next weekend so thanks for taking the time! I've been to all the ports before but my nephews are coming as well as my mother-in-law, my wife, my wife's sister and her hubby so a full house! My oldest nephew is your age and will be graduating high school in June. So I'd love to hear more about what you did every day - were you on your own or with family the whole time? Did you make friends, etc...

Thanks again!

If you guys had ever eaten a lobster in Maine you wouldn't pay anything extra for an overcooked soggy lobster tail on any ship.

After eating the real thing straight from the ocean I'll never eat one that's been frozen and served on a ship again!

Yes, they charge for the lobster now.

AGREE! The lobster tail is frozen and overcooked and chewy! I wait for our yearly treks to Maine to get lobster!

Maybe I am lucky but I book early saver and usually get the $100 OBC. I've put in for fare drops and never ever have lost that $100.

Hmmmm

I was on the same cruise! Going through the review now to make sure I don't show up in it!

We were really mad about the change in this policy (a few bad apples spoil the bunch) as it was inconveniencing us (have to repack bags at airport) but my wife went down to get her bottles earlier this month and was back within 15 minutes.

I thought that at the chef's table the meal is planned and cooked by the chef and you don't get to choose what you eat. You just try all the dishes that are prepared.

I am not aware that you can give special dietary needs for that particular meal but maybe I am wrong about that?

You'd be wrong about that. My MIL was having food allergy testing for an emergency issue she had and we didn't plan it out before Chef's table/our cruise. When we got on board and booked the steakhouse, the woman who sat at the table to sell reservations recognized our names as Chef's Table participants and we asked her about the allergies as we didn't want to offend the chef if she simply didn't eat what was prepared.

Not only did they note her allergies, but the Chef came by to speak with her at the steakhouse and then again found us on Lido to make sure she could eat his substitutions! They went out of their way to make it so that she'd be able to participate. I'd contact them on board and let them know and see what they can do (you can always cancel).

Cruising in 2 days. I would like to know of any great experimental concoctions that you may have had at the Alchemy bar or any recommendations on their normal mixes. I am getting thirsty and can't wait to try something new!!

 

Thanks all.

The alchemists are so great, usually I can tell them what kind of alcohol I like, what mixers I like (or avoid) and they make me something spot on every time!

We usually do water excursions so we do S&S, credit card, cash, sunscreen, driver's license, camera (underwater and/or cell phone), towels and for DW, a change of clothes since she hates being in a wet bathing suit.

All in one backpack!

Booked for La Casa en la Playa - we've done it three times now in Cozumel and it's wonderful. Hoping this lives up!

Was it constant through the cruise? I know that it can vary depending on bartender. Also vary on types of liquor (which vodka is used and do you have a preference?).

I haven't encountered this issue and this is my go-to drink.

I book my cruise, usually well in advance, and go straight to excursions and I always get the FTTF. Never been sold out. Lucky I guess? It's been 5 cruises now, most for my MIL and family member too, and always get it!

Only 2 more cruises then we're platinum - yay for free laundry on the Vista!

If visiting Jamaica, do yourself a favor and get a few bottles of Sangsters Jamaican Rum Cream. They also sell it at some Islands.

Just like Baileys bit smoother bc it's made with Rum instead of whiskey. Rumchada is not even in the convo. [emoji926]

The Rum Raisin is to die for! We've been trying to find it everywhere we go (which hasn't been Jamaica) to no avail ever since!

Good for you for choosing what's best for your celebration!

Personally, I love the cabin decorations and think it means a lot to the person you get them for - be it the Bon Voyage for a first timer or a birthday one. Nice to be able to recognize your door too :) I think it's worth the $35 but I am the type that appreciates that kind of thing!

I may of had Indian that night.

This is GREAT! So worried about staying traditional, I forgot we can eat what we want :) Just hope there is a Tandoor on the Splendor!

I am looking at booking one of the cabanas but my wife is worried about privacy on the lanai in front. Does any one know if access to the lanai outside the cabanas will be restricted to Havana club members only during the day. I rang Carnival and was told it was open access all the time, so I am not sure what to think.

Havana Cabana pool deck area is restricted until 5 or 6pm to only those in Havana Cabana rooms.

We did the pool cabana at Grant Turk and were greatly disappointed. Three ships in port, one waiter, old and dirty furniture and people using our shower. Was not worth the $130. The next visit we went to Jack's Shack and loved it so much more - beach was less crowded, food was good, wait staff great too! This time around (November 27) we are trying "Home Sweet Home! Your Caribbean Retreat" for something different.

We rented a cabana at HMC in August. We were on the first tender and waited about 30 minutes for them to unload stuff. It was fine except for the guys smoking in the hammock near us while they waited for the supplies to be delivered. And there were three of them (we are in cabana #11). TOTALLY WORTH the $250 and we plan to do it again. More than enough food and water. Disappointed that the drinks were DOUBLE the price than on the ship but I know that's the Bahamas and not Carnival. We are in HMC again in August with family and may try the Villa since there will be 7 of us!

I'm on your cruise. Last year we had dinner on the Lido as we were watching football during our regular dinner. No special activities. I'm going to the beach early if you want to join me and share a taxi!! Email me if interested cntrydncr1@hotmail.com

Thanks for the offer but we were going to just go to the restaurant and stay on ship the rest of the time, walk around port.

Why on earth would they make Thanksgiving a port day then!?!?

Another question -

We are in San Juan on Thanksgiving. Will anything be open? I don't think the Bacardi factory is (we're looking to eat lunch at Raices, but are worried it too will be closed).

We sailed on the Liberty last Thanksgiving and will be on the Splendor this Thanksgiving. No special activities that I recall. Some people did decorate their doors with Thanksgiving themed decorations.

We'll be on the same cruise!!!

I didn't even think about decorating the door with turkeys :) I usually do tropical themed stuff. Thanks for the idea!

Normal turkey dinner in MDR.

Lido carves whole turkeys, only place to get dark meat.

 

Last week on the Miracle they served carved turkey, stuffing and yams on the lido one lunch. It was very good.

Good to know as DW likes dark meat. We might need to go to early dinner (we have YTD) then to Lido for second dinner :)

A quick search produced this thread, post #6 is typical of what I have read here over the years about the dinner served in the MDR. Others say whole birds are carved in the buffet at dinner on turkey day so you can have white, dark or a combo in the lido.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2182820&highlight=thanksgiving

Thanks for searching for me. I read that one but was hoping for a few more responses. Not sure what else I was looking for - maybe more hopeful that there were special activities?

Didn't even think about the increase in kids - we don't have any and aren't generally bothered by good behaving ones :) My MIL will be on this cruise with us. Also our first cruise in an aft extended balcony!!!

We rented a cabana (#5 I believe, Banana) in 2011 and enjoyed it immensely. It was away from the crowd, we used our hammock and the service was great. I got stung bu a jellyfish or hit fire coral and our wait staff ran to get a medic for me. He was great. We liked being away from the crowd.

Just a warning that the water is SUPER shallow!