SpeedsterX

We just got back 4 days ago. I make these videos and decided while I was making our families vacation cruise video, I may as well turn it into a quasi review of the cruise.

I am not a professional video maker so be kind and all I use is my iPhone. It is long, 1 hour and 25 minutes BUT it's a seven day cruise on the largest cruise ship in the world. Probably could have made it 3 hours. LOL

Sorry for the shakiness in the beginning. If you just want to get to the actual cruise and skip over my travels to the Port, just fast forward to the 3:00 mark.

I tried to embed the video but the site won't allow it.

About $19 each way for a cab. 10-15 minutes.

Thanks for the quick answer! Much appreciated! :)

How far from the Cozumel port to Chankanaab and how far to Nachi Cocum? Thanks for any replies!

What cruise line was this? RCL will call you down to the 'naughty room'. I've always heard they are not allowed to open your bag outside of your presence, even if unlocked.

 

We took rum-runners just once but the drink packages make that unnecessary.

Now that I think about it, it may have been Carnival. You know, I seem to recall we may have had a cove balcony at the time and that would have been Carnival. Sorry if I was mistaken, the cruises all run together in my mind. LOL I promise though, it definitely happened.

I used to. Been caught once. I left my bag unlocked so when it finally arrived to my room, a very nice letter was on top of my clothes stating they found the contraband and would be holding it until after the cruise was over and that I could pick it up after the cruise if I wanted (of course I didn't). I think they just throw it all away now-a-days. I was not even confronted about it. I don't anymore, like has been said by others, I just get the drink package now.

I am pretty far north so anything past Cuba in the winter does it for me but I love the eastern itineraries. You?

We are going on Carnival Breeze Jan 30th. Any other families with kids Aged 9 and 7. We have a son 9 and Twin girls 7. What should we expect with cruising with kids? This is a first cruise with them. How do kids handle the motion? :)

We are going on the same cruise. Can't wait! The Breeze is a big ship and you and the kids shouldn't feel much of the ship moving other than if we get some REALLY bad weather. I am sure the kids won't even notice. The kids club on the Breeze will keep them plenty busy if they are social kids. They're going to have a great time! See you onboard! :)

According to what you wrote in August of 2014, it was TheTruthBand. I see you were not too happy with Sunshine in general.

Yes, thank you! We liked the Sunshine I suppose, why do you say that?

Edit: I thought to myself, "How would this person know this?" Then I thought, "check my own posts dummy!" LOL! Very good RuthlessBoss! Yes, I had better cruises. Here's what I wrote after that cruise,,,

"Don't get me wrong, we had a good cruise but I, personally, would not cruise the Sunshine again with better options such as the Dream or the Breeze. The workers were way over worked and it showed. No fridge, "checking in" at dinner, smaller balconies, no way to check account on TV, the childrens arcade (I call the kiddy casino), very confusing layout, SMALL main pool pushes the younger adult crowd to the Serenity Pool and I can honestly say, I had NO idea who the CD was because I am not sure I ever seen or heard him. They also push ALL foot traffic through the Casino including children. That may be done on other ships, I cannot recall but was pronounced on the Sunshine. Hey, any cruise is a good cruise but I'll take the other options next time. Loved the #thetruth Band!! Food was good, entertainment good and fewer lines for the comedy shows (believe it or not, I was shocked)."

Good find RuthlessBoss and I assume you saw the whole post and seen the pictures I posted supporting my critique of the Sunshine. GREAT ship! Understaffed and poorly managed,,, imo

Found a file someone posted and the Fun Times lists #TheTruth. They played at Ocean Plaza.

I do believe that was them! Thanks! :)

Oh wow.......what kind of music do they play? My husband and I like to dance also!!! Good dancing bands are hard to find!!!

They played a real mix but mostly 70's and 80's dance with a little disco and funk mixed in. We loved dancing to them!

They were very good, we saw them in December of 2013.

Yes, they were. Hopefully John Heald will answer me back on Facebook and I can find out if they're still around.

Your best bet, send this pic to John Heald , I'm sure he can help you out

Thank you! I'll try that.

Wife and I found this band on the Carnival Sunshine. They were great! We loved going to see them every night they played and we danced the night away. I know the picture is a bit blurry but does anyone recognize them? I understand they may have been separate players Carnival brought together to make a band when needed but just wondering if they still play together and if anyone knows if they are on any certain ship? Thanks!

That's true every hotel I have ever gone to. From Miami to NYC to Paris to Rome. doesn't matter where have always let us use the amenities at the resort and they held our luggage until the room was ready. So basically what Carnival was doing until this change came along with assigned check in times.

 

Doesn't affect me because I am platinum but what's fair is fair

That's how I feel. If I am assigned 3pm, let's say,, there are people that have been enjoying the ship for 5 hours already. Like you said, fair is fair and like I said, doesn't hurt me because I usually don't board until around 2pm or so anyway. I just know others try and get on as early as possible and it seems important to them.

I work in Mishawaka and live near ND! :)

 

 

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Very cool! I sometimes work the games in security.

My experience is that most hotels/resorts will let you check in early. Your room may not be ready, but they will hold your luggage and allow you to use the pool and other facilities until the room is ready. And if you are a member of that hotel chain's club, often times your room will be ready when an early check in is requested. We are sailing out of Galveston on Thursday and have purchased FTTF for all 3 cabins. We plan on arriving at our usual time, about 10am. We'll see how it goes.

Exactly! I stay at the beautiful Whyndam Resort in Orlando alot and the rooms are usually ready around noon but we get there early and enjoy the amenities. Yes, they even hold our luggage until the room is ready. That's all lm saying...

I'm just here to say GO IRISH! from a fellow Indiana cruiser and ND fan, and enjoy your cruise! I'm excited for the free drink on the last day VIFP change, rather than a free drink from the dining room. I never found a good use for that one. :confused:

I too have left a cruise with an unused free MDR drink out there. Glad for the change! :)

The golds get free bottle of water and a free drink the last day of the cruise.

Hey alright! I'm Gold, thanks for the heads up!

With the change in policy that you can not bring on bottled water does anyone know if it is ok to bring on your own empty drink bottle? I would hate to bring it and have it confiscated.

Yea, I'm sure an empty plastic bottle would be fine. :)

Most have been covered but I just wanted to say "Go Irish!" too! I live in SBI, also!

Hey! Alriiiight! Fellow Irish fan! GO IRISH!

I see you are going on the Conquest a couple of times this year,,, Good ports or you love the ship? I actually live in Mishawaka but work for the City of South Bend, also born and raised in South Bend. Glad to see a fellow Michiana Cruise Lover! :)

Some ships have switched to American Table in the dining room.

 

https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1107/~/new-dinner-concept%3A-american-table-and-american-feast

Yea, I heard about this one 3 days ago. I told my friends wife who is coming with us and told her no more table cloths. Her exact words with a frown, "It won't seem as special and clean". Oh well,,,,

There has always been assigned boarding times. They are now enforcing them in Texas as a trial. It will go fleet wide and all ports will start enforcing it Im sure.

 

I realize they had certain times for a person to board but I found it as always just a suggetion. I am one that boards a little later than most just to avoid the lines and there's usually some nice plaes to grab a drink or some food right next to the ports but I have to assume that enforcing times when one may get up to 5-6 hours more on ship than another at the same price might tick some off.

 

There is a trial with you cabin steward and turn down service. (I forget which ships) where you fill out a form saying if you want morning or evening service. You can still get both, You just have to check both box's.

 

Well, at least there's a choice.

 

I'm sure you know about the cheers program $49.99 a day plus tip for 15 drinks in a 24 hour period. 6A to 6A

 

I never had a problem with this BUT I just wish they didn't force all in the room to get it. My wife doesn't drink NEAR as much as I so never worth it to me and I'm sure many are just like us. Royal Caribbean does this the right way.

 

They offer steak house selection's in the main dining room menu for $20

 

More hoices, this one is fine imo

 

No more lobster on 5 day or shorter cruises.

 

5 days is still a good bit of time. I could see 4 days or shorter but 5 should still get than one special meal imo

 

No more in cabin chocolate at bed time or whatever that was.

 

 

Can't just throw a little cheap chocolate on the pillow anymore? THIS is just them being cheap. I am sure loads of them were thrown away but it's all about perception,, ya know..

I have to type something here for post to post.

They did away with smoking on your balcony ,Last year

 

Crusing from Galveston ,you now have an arrival time to be at the port to board ship

Good thing I don't smoke! :eek:

Yes, I heard about them bringing out alotted times for boarding. Doesn't the first day constitute one of the paid "days" of the cruise? Try not letting me on the ship until, like, 3pm when I paid for that day!

The reduction in price occurred just before the ban on carry on water. You are no longer allowed to take bottles of any kind (except the one bottle of wine per person 21 years of age or older). You may still take canned soft drinks, 12 per person in your carry on.

 

Also about the same time they changed to policy for alcohol purchased during a cruise. You now have to pick it up the morning of debarkation rather than have them deliver it to your room.

Thank you! Wasn't clear about the soda cans. I am now.

I was looking through the beverage program and found they are offering for you to be able to buy water by the 12 pack for $3.00. Not sure if this was new but it was new to me. Any other policies or programs that have changed fairly recently that we may not know about?

Thank you all! Will call all of those!:)

Wondering if any hotel near Tampa International Airport has a shuttle service. I can't seem to find anything. Thanks in advance!

Condado beach where ashford ave turns into mcleary ave is a very nice section of beach, it's pretty much behind Acacia Boutique Hotel.

I'll have to check that out. Thank you!

If you have time, rent a car and drive to Luquillo Beach. Very, very nice and probably exactly what you are looking for.

I think you get what I am saying so I will make sure to research Luquillo Beach. Can I take a cab from San Juan? Too expensive?