Decali

Fantastic Voyage by Lakeside.....but I'm old.

I always give them cash and say thank you.

I have heard that they really like chocolates and silk stockings...... oh wait never mind that was from old world war 2 movie.

That's hylarious......YES it's very simple. They're there to make money so tip hard and give them extra cash and a positive review if they do you right. Engage and treat them like humans and not personal servants, learn their names even if they're hard to pronounce, and let them know that you appreciate their service.

It might be your trip of a lifetime or the year but it's just another shift to them so cash is King but basic respect and recognition is a close second.

Long story short....My 83 year old mother with dementia and my 30 year old daughter are going on a short Carnival cruise mid March booked last minute and I'm freaking out about some details. Both have been on cruises but never with my mother in this condition. Among other concerns is the embarkation/debarkation thing. She will need help. How does one make arrangements for assistance with that? Is there any other issues that they need to get out ahead of with Carnival?

Any help or advice is appreciated.

Yes - just hop a safari taxi going there - $6 - 8 each way

Enjoy!

Very awesome. Thanks for all of your local information.

I'm a solo wanting to go to Brewer's Bay but a taxi by myself is just more cash than I want to spend. Will the taxi's in port bunch me up with others for the ride? Same question with return trip.

Thanks.

If you're looking for older solos, you've certainly found one in me! I am 85 and started cruising solo three years ago when my husband passed away. He and I had enjoyed cruising together for almost 30 years, and I determined to continue and took my first cruise two months after his death. I have found that my fellow cruisers are wonderful, friendly people whose company I enjoy immensely. I met two other solo ladies on different cruises, and now I generally cruise with one of them, although we always have our own cabins to retire to. Two years ago, I did six cruises, last year four, and this year only two because of some health problems. I'm doing better now and hoping to pick up the pace in 2017!

Good for you! I haven't done as many cruises as you. Not sure exactly how may but I'm pushing 20. Started in 1974 and had a huge gap to raise kids but trying to make up for lost time.

I see on your list you sailed on the Rotterdam. I assume it was the old one. Great old time ocean liner with a lot of character. I also sailed on Norwegian Dream. No water slides or ice bars on those old ships but they were pretty awesome in they're own way.

We looooved Trujillo! We were there on the Norwegian Jewel Nov 2014 and really enjoyed the fact that it was a newer port. Vendors were not pushy, everyone was friendly and they even let school out for the day so there were locals around. The children were fascinated with us and I even gave my bright pink lanyard to a young girl who kept admiring it. She was so happy afterward and that really brought me happiness :) And I must say El Dolfin had the best pina coladas I have ever, ever tasted. I certainly hope it stays an active port, if not we may fly in someday to spend more time there.

Yes!!! Great place. The people seemed genuinely happy to have you (and your dollars) there and I felt the warm and fuzzys spreading them around. They were very nice and appreciative. I didn't go anywhere near the water after seeing the drain from town to the beach and wondered if that could have been an issue.

Well I remember before going that the reviews were sort of love it or hate it but I really liked it there. Not a lot of the usual tourist things to do but that was OK with me. They had built a nice tourist center at the tender port and the people there and in the town seemed really happy and appreciative for the business.

I like the authentic kind of stops more than the Disneyland/touristy places but that's just me. Very nice relaxing day and I'd like to go back. Just wondering if it was a security/health/safety thing that I hadn't heard about.

I was there January 2015. From what I was hearing at the time it was the newest and latest/greatest port. I thought it was a good stop if you like the simple rustic kind of thing and I'd like to go back but I don't see any NCL stops there.

I'm going to GSC but I have a dilemma......I love to people watch and all of the activity of crowded places but also like to do that from the comfort of a shaded area. From what I see there's not too much in the way of shade there. Do they rent the clam shell shade thing there and if so, how much?

My Caye Caulker excursion was cancelled and I really want to go there. The water taxi is my plan B but I've heard that the schedule can be kind of loose. Anyone have any experience with this? I'm in port from 9-6 so that's good but I don't want to spend my whole time there stressing about getting back.

I've been lucky enough to have been on a lot of cruises in my life starting in 1976 when pretty much every night was formal night. These days I don't like to drag along the old suit bag and pretty much have a been there/done that attitude about the formal night thing but I do understand and respect those evenings.

With that all said, is it considered bad form to go to the public areas on the formal nights without formal dress? I'm not talking about a football jersey and paint stained pants. Just the polo and slacks thing. No way would I go into the dining room dressed like that but I like to people watch all of the formal folks from a distance. Last couple of cruises I've gotten some real attitude from people about being in the common areas dressed casually and I'm wondering if maybe I'm just oblivious.

Yes it will show up on your s&s account on second day. You should also have a confirmation that you can print from your cc account.

 

I don't know if you can reverse your obc, or food for thought for future. It is a better deal to use your points to pay on your statement. That way you'll get double points for your purchases onboard and have that many more points to use. You have 6 months to accumulate points after your cruise purchases.

Details are on your Barclay account for redeeming rewards.

So just pay onboard charges with the credit card to get double points and then apply for a statement credit after the fact?

I'm not really into the group snorkeling excursion thing. I just wanted to go and spend a couple of hours at Caye Caulker and head back. Always the option of the water taxi there and back but kind of a tight window and I've heard that times and reliability vary with them. I'm not a chicken little about doing private excursions in port but quite honestly the water taxi companies don't have the accountability of the excursion companies and I'm reluctant. Also don't want to ruin my day worrying.

I booked this last year but it was cancelled due to lack of interest. I'm back again in December and I really wanted to do this but the tour seemed have changed a little and there was no price on the website. I emailed and Mark responded that he was waiting for cruse lines to finalize schedules or something like that. Hmmmmmmmm. Didn't make much sense to me but whatever. It almost sounds like it isn't happening anymore.

Not sure about Starfish Island because I've never been but if you want a nice beach thing then consider Goff's Caye. It's kind of rustic so if you need a bunch of amenities you might be disappointed but it's an awesome little place. You can just book at the tender drop off so if weather is bad you can just go to plan B.

Don't buy into the fear of not getting back on time to catch a tender. These places know that if they got you back late and you missed your ship it would be all over this and other message boards and they would be out of business. They'll get you back so don't worry about that part of it.

Spent a week there and am seen many issues with the water taxis. Great place to be though. There is also an airport that is pretty resolvable on Caye Caulker. It will take you over to Belize City Airport.

Issues as in overbooking or cancellations? I'm going there in December. I've done the cave tubing and mainland things and last year went to Goff's Caye. Originally booked a Caye Caulker thing with Coral Breeze last trip but it was cancelled due to lack of participation. I'm going back this year and really want to see Caye Caulker. I figured that I would do the water taxi thing this trip. Kind of a tight window though. I'm not really totally paranoid about getting back on the 1:30 return but now I'm concerned about how close they stay on schedule.