cruiser4630

Sorry you didn't have a good experience at the port of New Orleans. We cruised out of there in January and it was smooth as silk! We are cruising out of there again next week and hope it is just as smooth. We never purchase Faster to the Fun and have always had easy embarkations in New Orleans and New York, but we do get there fairly early.

You all seem to have a well-researched knowledge base (whether that be from other sources or personal experience). So am I understanding that machines don't go through winning/losing cycles, but that each spin is a separate, independent, randomly-generated result? This reminds me of a conversation I had with a friend regarding the roulette wheel. She swore that if the wheel had just landed on a certain number, it was less likely to do so again; however, I argued that the chances are the same as each spin was an independent event. The gaming industry is fascinating. congrats to those who have had big winnings! I look at it as a budgeted form of entertainment as one poster suggested. Since I'm pregnant and won't be drinking, my spending money is going to massages and the casino. :)

I've always wondered if the loosening/tightening was something that was done or just a myth. Thanks for clearing that up! Also, I've always heard craps has the best odds of any game in a casino. Obviously, I'm not planning on making any money, just fun to speculate! I do hope I can find a non-smokey area with a fun slot machine that will at least let me play a while before taking my money!

Thanks so much, Katie! If I learn anything good, I will be sure to post! It makes sense that it would be easier to win at the beginning to get ppl hooked and get them to spend all their winnings throughout the cruise. I've heard winning much at all on cruise ships was unlikely because they don't have high payouts and obviously there isn't any competition at sea! I will be looking for some fun slots with fun bonus games! I'm a little wary of the smoking situation because I am pregnant and don't need to be inhaling the smoke! I've heard the smoking was bad, but was hoping there was a sizable and protected non-smoking area. Maybe we will be lucky and there won't be too many smokers on our cruise! I hope you get some playing time in this summer!

I plan to play some slots on the Dream next week. Hubby plays black jack, roulette, and craps. We've been on cruises, but never really played aboard before. Anyone have any tips? Do I just sit down and insert sail and sign card? Do I put cash in or does the money come off my sail and sign card? Do they offer free alcoholic or nonalcoholic drinks while playing? Will there be non-smoking areas? Anybody have any tips specific to the Dream (fun dealers, favorite machines you want me to keep warm for you, fun or loose slots, etc.)? Do you think slots are looser certain days/times/locations or is this just a fable? Thanks for any tips and tricks!!!

Will we be able to check the forecast for our upcoming ports while at sea? I'm wondering because I might make the decision to forego a beach day at one port if I see we have a good chance of getting one at the next ports. Of course, I know weather is not always 100% forecast accurately and winds could affect docking, etc. Just curious because I don't remember being able to do this on previous cruises.

This will be our second cruise on the elation coming up in June. Haven't been since 2012. does anyone have any recent reviews, pics and the times flyer?

I was on the Elation mid January of this year. It was a 4-day to Cozumel. I have the fun times but don't have them scanned. Do you have any specific questions I can try to answer?

I am obsessively planning our spring break vacation for next year. My kids will be 18, 15 and 10) We have decided on the Dream out of NO, but I can't decide which one:

 

1.) Over their spring break, which also falls over Easter, going to Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Cozumel

 

2.) Later in April, going to Cozumel, Belize and Roatan.

 

The first choice is about 300$ more, but they wouldn't miss any school. (Maybe 1 day, depending on the drive. And we would have extra time to arrive in NO and explore). The second choice, is cheaper, but they would miss 5 days of school and we would probably get in NO later Saturday afternoon so not much time for exploring.

 

My 18 year old is a certified diver and wants to do a dive, I think they would like to do more active things in ports. My 10 year old is little and will probably not meet the 48" requirement for cave tubing.

Any opinions?:)

I have never been cave tubing, but I do know that a fellow CC member was able to take her 4 yr old with her. Her review of her Dream vacation to Belize, Cozumel, and Roatan is great!her name is mitsugirly and here is the link to the thread: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1851647 .

I am doing the Belize/Cozumel/RoatAn itinerary next month and was also contemplating the Grand Cozumel/Cayman/Jamaica itinerary. Tough choice! Exploring New Orleans and not having to worry about missing school sounds like the way to go.

Thank you for your responses...

 

My baby will be well over 6 months old at the time of sailing...

 

I think the confusion lies with how Carnival defines "Transatlantic". Some customer service agents define this as any cruises on the other side of the Atlantic, and some, only if the ship originates in Europe (Or the Americas) and actually sails across the Atlantic. I believe the definition is the later, but have received different answers. :confused:

In plain English, "transatlantic" to me means crossing the Atlantic. A cruise on the other side of the Atlantic such as you are suggesting would be a European cruise. But that's according to my interpretation! The cruise contract seems pretty clear, but I hope you get a clear, definitive confirmation!

Vista sounds amazing! Very jealous!!!!

From time to time I see a post here about people taking advantage of price drops. How does this work? Are these new deals via email, VIFP special offers found on carnival's site after logging in, and/or do you just check prices on carnival's public website? Specifically: I booked a cruise yesterday and today I got an email containing an offer for the same cruise for the same price but with $100 on-board credit. Can I call Carnival and take advatage of this? Possibly pertinent info: I booked a balcony where Carnival will select my stateroom prior to boarding. I also booked it through Delta's website to take advatage of 3x skymiles. Thanks in advance to everyone willing to explain the ins and outs of price drops!

Roatan has the beach right there if you don't feel like traveling to west bay. But Grand Cayman has beaches nearby as well.

The toss up is to me is Jamaica vs Belize.

If I were going to Belize and didn't want to do an excursion, I would sleep in, let the mad tender rush clear and then leisurely make my way down the pier to the Wet Lizard. Find a seat overlooking all the activity and people watch while eating the best conch fritters and ice cold Belikins.

But that's just me. ;)

 

 

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Cozumel, Belize, Roatan

 

Ocho Rios is one pestering vendor, one massage propositioning, or one ganja salesmen after another. You have to run the gauntlet and hide in Margaritaville.

 

Grand Cayman is a crap shoot if you will even get to tender or not due to weather.

 

So that would leave you with only Cozumel on that itinerary.

 

At least with Cozumel, Belize (a trade off IMHO with Ocho Rios) and Roatan, you will dock at Roatan and they have a beach area with restaurants etc to enjoy.

Thank you! Grand Cayman is my main draw for that itinerary since I hear it is a nice port, so if we didn't end up getting there b/c of weather, that would be a real disappointment. I didn't realize weather was such a factor there, but I've seen this mentioned a few places since starting my research. The Grand Cayman itinerary is $280 more for us. We were willing to spend it if it was worth it, but that would be a lot of money to waste if we didn't actually get to the island. Thanks for your advice!

Roatan has the beach right there if you don't feel like traveling to west bay. But Grand Cayman has beaches nearby as well.

The toss up is to me is Jamaica vs Belize.

If I were going to Belize and didn't want to do an excursion, I would sleep in, let the mad tender rush clear and then leisurely make my way down the pier to the Wet Lizard. Find a seat overlooking all the activity and people watch while eating the best conch fritters and ice cold Belikins.

But that's just me. ;)

 

 

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That's a great idea for Belize! I just told my husband your idea and he is excited about the Belikins! Hopefully the Wet Lizard has good food. Thanks for the suggestion!!!

Since you don't snorkel and are pregnant, I would pick the Cozumel-Jamaica-Grand Cayman itinerary. The Belize port isn't the nicest and you need to get a ways out of town in order to find nice beaches - more active excursions for that island. Roatan's activities lean towards adventure things - although I believe the protected port area has a nice beach.

 

Do keep in mind that both Belize and Grand Cayman are tender ports.

Oh- and enjoy the Miracle! We loved the aft adults only pool area!!! The dining room decor was "interesting," but we enjoyed our two top table overlooking diners below and the food was the best out of any ship we've been on.

Since you don't snorkel and are pregnant, I would pick the Cozumel-Jamaica-Grand Cayman itinerary. The Belize port isn't the nicest and you need to get a ways out of town in order to find nice beaches - more active excursions for that island. Roatan's activities lean towards adventure things - although I believe the protected port area has a nice beach.

 

Do keep in mind that both Belize and Grand Cayman are tender ports.

Thank you so much for your advice! I've heard Belize is a little dicey. I thought I remember seeing something about a spa in Roatan, but I might be confused. Maybe in West Bay?

Thanks again for the help!

Hi everyone - I'm hoping to take advantage of your vast knowledge of ports. My husband and I are in our mid-thirties and will be taking a cruise on the Carnival Dream out of New Orleans. Should we go to Cozumel-Belize-Roatan (leaves 4/19) OR Cozumel-Jamaica-Grand Cayman (leaves 4/26)? We have a few cruises under our belts, but have only been to Cozumel out of the above ports. We don't snorkel and we won't be doing any hard-core activities as I am pregnant. We like to find neat, local restaurant/bar type places on the beach or in town and we like the beach and relaxing. We're not much on shopping. Thank you so much in advance!!! If I can answer any other questions to aid your recommendation, feel free to ask!