edpeeks

Katefromupstate,

Not to hijack this post  (don't know how else to 'talk' with you.) but we have been on 57 cruises about 4 or 5 have been ABC itineraries.  We did the cruisers golf carts last time (wife says not to doing it again) and we have been snorkeling several times; probably don't want to do that again.

Any other suggestions?  We have no problem walking around the town and then going back to the boat but I cannot believe there isn't something interesting to do.

BTW is 'upstate' referring to the upstate of SC?

Thanks for your help my email is edpeeks@jcchiro.com just in case it is easier to 'talk' using that avenue.

Cidymom - they provided shampoo, conditioner and bar soap.  Other than those toiletries, you might have to bring your own.

39 August - they must like you more than me, 'cause it cost me a nickel.  We did not do the fish (we had been to the MDR earlier and as was my habit was walking thru the buffet for comparison (that is my story and I am sticking to it)).  But when we briefly talked to the attendant, they were alluding to the preparation.

This is my experience, other  experiences are just as valid.  Although this was our first Celebrity cruise, we are diamond on RCCL so they granted us elite level on Celebrity.  We have cruised 57 times so we have some experience.  We loved Celebrity! 

We stay the night before the cruise at Fortune House hotel (in the brickle section of Miami).  It was $209. (yeah, Miami's high season).  Would we stay there again? Probably not.  Some things were nice (full kitchen, good views); but other things were quirky (bad bathroom lighting, furniture arrangement).  However, we were told there are a lot of variations in the rooms; nevertheless, we will probably go back to the Intercontinental; it was nice.

We left the hotel at 10:00.  Uber, and we had taken Uber from the airport to the hotel the day before.  Arrived at port in 15 minutes; traffic was bad, Uber driver not that sharp.  Porters got the cases.  Went directly through the process; sat in the elite waiting area (there were about 15 others there but there were 100's already in the other seating area.  They got us and took us right on board at 10:50 (rooms not ready til 1PM).

This section is about what we experienced as elite level.  Before the cruise I was reading others varied experiences so I really didn't have any expectations until we got on board and saw what this ship on this sail date were going to allow or offer.  Here is the list of perks we had on this sailing:  1x 2 pressed items, 1x 1 dry clean item, 1x wash & fold, 1x port day use of Persian Garden, 1x 3 $5 match play on blackjack, 90 minutes internet, 1x gelato, senior officers party, nightly elite lounge (Sky lounge) party, elite elegant tea, private departure lounge, 3 drinks nightly (every night we chose bottles of water, we don't drink).  We were both elite so we doubled up where applicable (e.g.,we got 6 bottles of water every night).

There were other discounts, percentages off wine, bingo, spa club, photos.  We felt it was a nice package.  We had a $350 OBC so our room tips were taken care of and because I had read a variety of experiences on CC I went down to the purser's desk to ask how we could use the remainder of the OBC (I was wanting to use it in the casino).  Their answer was, "You can use your OBC anywhere on the ship.".  Cool!  I used their money and got $100 of blackjack chips (5% charge, but hey, it was their money.  I would not do the 5% normally).  My wife bought some items in the shops and we got off the ship with a $2 credit!

Other thoughts:  Buffet, at night, had special themes (it is worth inquiring what is coming; e.g fresh fish (many, many choices , you pick the fresh fish and they fix it the way you want it).  At lunch one day they had huge piles of shrimp.  The food over all was excellent.  Buffets opened on time.  Walking track, deck 14,  8 laps = 1 mile.  I use a lap counter  (ebay $4.)  I try not to think on a cruise.  They sent a vase of flowers to our room.  Gym was very nice.  We had cabin 9370.  Larger balcony.  Room had nice night light in bathroom.  Persian garden, while comped, was just OK, ( we would not pay for it).  There is a free dry sauna in the locker rooms.  My wife fell in love with the granola bars at the Aqua cafe.  Your statement ca be checked on the TV as well as the evening menu. 

The ONLY thing that was lacking was the free movie selections on the TV.  For the whole week they rotated, I believe, 4-5 movies (seaview channel).  There were  some other movies on the family channel but that we hit or miss.

The crew was so friendly.  Even though it is ready for dry dock the ship looked great.  Hope this report helps you have a great cruise. 

I was referring to fish on the main menu. The one night she had fish it was the salmon offered on the alternatives. There are other lines that offer barramundi, basa, etc.

My wife and I have been on 21 Carnival Cruises (55 in total). Been on Magic twice before. The following is my experience, opinion and view on this most recent cruise (and cruising is our only form of vacation).

The room (9478 - aft balcony) was large as was the balcony (one lounger, two chairs). We have had this room before but this time there was an issue. At 4:45 - 5AM they moved loungers around making that noise . Our frustration was it only lasted 15 minutes, but by then the damage (being wide awake) was done. Do it >6AM! We complained and Carnival did compensate us on the 5th day. AC...just didn't work. For the first time we had to get a fan (and it was a whopper). The only real thing it did was muffle the scraping noise from above. Our room steward Leo was fine, nothing outstanding but did he job well. We still don't know how many rooms he had but it was way too many for anyone .

Casino Wow! Smoky! Lots of gaming tables though.

Getting on and off..easy peezy. Plats and Dias are treated well so persevere!

Food - Carnival must have gotten wind of RCCL's cakes because at lunch they had tall cakes at Lido. I put on 6 pounds and it was all cake! (Tip: the german chocolate was always dry but the icing was divine!) My wife usually has fish every evening (in the MDR) but she only had it once , fish just wasn't offered much.

We originally asked for a table for two; they gave us a 4 top. As usual, we checked on it the first day and found that out. They changed it to a table in the lower back of the MDR. We could not talk w/o shouting because it was so loud. And Robert, out waiter was bad. So we put in another request and we got upstairs with a delightful team led by Veronica.

Apple pie great, Bitter and Blanc superb, CMC always great. Hand sanitizing was not encouraged. And the dress code was that worst we had ever seen. We dressed up on formal night; on the first formal night a dude came in backwards hat, t-shirt, raggedy shorts, flip flops. We really don't care but...really Carnival if you really don't care...say so instead of having a dress code (or dress 'suggestion').

The BBQ on sea days was OK. It was served almost room temp. Guy's was great (but get there early!)

The comedians were OK; we did not attend the production shows. We had read too get the the comedy shows way early for a seat, at least on this trip not so.

We are going to take a break from Carnival. The next 5 scheduled are on Celebrity, Princess and RCCL. We love cruising; to get away for a spell and not have to make any real decisions...lovely. We prefer quiet and calm.

If there are any specific questions, I'll be happy to answer. (Now that the cruise is over, I don't get on CC six times a day but I will answer).

Roscoe,

You may be right. I was going by the configuration of the rooms around the aft end of the ship that is just like on Glory.:o

Not been on Splendor but on sister ships several times. You will absolutely be spoiled after being in 2477. It is big enough to swing a dead cat and not hit anything! Enjoy!!:)

Thanks!

In April 2017 we are going to be over-nighting at St. Martin on the Celebrity Equinox. We get there on Thurs. April 20 @ 2PM and leave the next day @5PM. We have been to St. Martin over a dozen times but never over night.

Does anyone have any experience with tours that would be evening oriented? We always eat early so there would be time after that for a tour of some sort. Thanks for your thoughts.

We are on the Royal on the 27th. Reading these wonderful reports put me on her vicariously right now! Thanks for your time and effort to report to these boards.

My wife & I are using our 10-day Halloween cruise to escape from the fray of politics!

Oh, well...

Can anyone supply me with the Maitre'D's email on Royal Princess? Thanks.

With the release of new sail dates in 2017-18 it looks like we will be going from aft balconies to inside rooms! My TA recently told me that cruise prices have been low the past few years and are going to "correct". We have been able to get aft balcony for around $2500 (Royal, 10 day, Oct.), now the essentially same cruise will be in the mid $4K. next year.

Oh well!

Thanks for the requested info.

We will be in San Juan July 6th (Carnival Magic). We are looking to go to the Botanical Gardens in the university area. I understand it is 300 acres of garden. Perhaps the local CC'ers could tell me what would a taxi cost to ride over there from OSJ cruise port? Thanks.

Thank you for your reply and explanation.

We were on Sunshine in January. The food was fine (pizza & Guy's--Great!), but the getting around was tight. It was tight enough that since there are options, we will not return to the Sunshine. We will limit our future Carnival cruise to Dream, Magic or Breeze.

Is Rio Camuy Cave Park and the "Window Cave" the same thing/tour? We are going to PR for the 10th time and trying to get out of OSJ. Thanks for the info.

Having been on sunshine recently but not on the Navigator for a while I would vote Navigator.We enjoy Carnival but the sunshine was just to cramped in its public areas. My opinion is Carnival has the better food but getting around the ship gives RCCL the nod.

Thanks for your input!

My wife and I sail every three months Platinum on Carnival; emerald on RCL; elite on Princess.We thought we would try Celebrity. We've been on enough Med trips that the inside rooms afford "crash" time after the excursions. I have had regular insiders and I have had the sideways insiders. I think I like the sideways ones. Anywho, CCer's are good about help

we have had inside rooms and junior suites, ocean view and our favorite cabin are the aft-balconies. Any hoot we are looking for the best size,quietness and roominess.

I have read where the inside cabin from the middle were more rectangular and cabins aft of that are mostly square and a better room.

I have listed rooms I would be interested in,,,8188,8272,8300,8328,8336,9312,9340, 9372, 1671,.7304,7308. Any one ever spent time in one of these cabins, please let me know what you thought. I thank you in advance.

We will be in Tortola in April. We have done the Baths before and are looking for a tour of the island that doesn't necessarily include beach time as well. Blue Water...any suggestions?

To the OC...thanks for this thread. We will experience it Friday but today, you brought a smile to my face.

The food is better on Carnival. On the other hand, a new experience has inherent value. We are platinum on both lines...I choose >7 day Carnival cruises over RCCL.