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What is the latest possible time we can embark in Miami? The cruise leaves at 4:00p and our flight is scheduled to land at 10:50a, Saturday morning. I realize that is plenty of time, but if something happens and we miss a connection, we might not arrive in Miami until noon or a tad later. What is the latest I can embark? If we arrive at noon or 15-20 minutes after, would we be okay?

- By the way, I realize that is cutting it close, so I don't need suggestions of leaving earlier, because I work on Friday, therefore leaving earlier is not an option.

Our ship (Glory) returns to Miami at 8:00am on a Saturday. We are trying to book a flight but I'm unsure about if we'll have enough time. How close would we be cutting it to make a 11:30a flight at MIA?

Begins April 14 here in WV

Hi Gayle,

 

We will be on this same itinerary March 1st, and were curious about your question and where the ship docks in St. Thomas and San Juan.

 

Research shows me that Carnival ships have docked at Pier 4, near OSJ. While there are two options for St. Thomas: Havensight and Crown Bay. What has recent experience been?

 

Thanks, John

when we went to St. Thomas, it docked in havensight. As for the formal nights, I have no idea.

On only cruise I've been on, we did Anytime and it was fine. There was only 2 of us, we asked to be seated by ourselves and it was fine. Only downfall is there was occasionally a wait to sit, particularly on elegant night. We waited maybe 15 minutes to sit that night. Maybe one other time we waited 2 or 3 minutes and all others we were seated immediately. I would definitely recommend it. On our next cruise though, with a group of 6, we chose late time dining bc we figured there would be a long wait to seat a large group at anytime dining.

So all of the times that Carnival shows are in eastern time, regardless of what the local time is in each port?

Carnival's website says we are in port at Costa Maya from 8:00am-4:00pm. I reserved a day at Almaplena and they need to know the times we are in port for our pickup. Is that 8:00-4:00 eastern time (we depart from Miami) or 8-4 local time? What should I tell them? The trip is in May.

Why do they not want Carnival guests?

Is there anything like the Barbados Boatyard in Cozumel with the rope swing/water trampoline/iceberg?

Looking at Bing maps (Google maps doesn't have updated images of the area), Mahogany Beach has an area of sand in front of the green tent/chair things. Can we just put our towels down there or are you not allowed to put stuff in front of the green tents? If no, it looks like maybe walking past them is more area to put towels down. What can I expect?

- How clear is the water? I looked at Mitsugurly's photos and it doesn't look bad, but not Caribbean gorgeous that I've become accustomed to seeing. No snorkeling I presume?

-Also, there will be 2 ships in port. How crowded will MB be? I've never been in a port with more than 1 ship, but then again, I've only been on 1 cruise.

A little background...

6 of us are driving from WV to Miami for a cruise that leave Miami at 4:00pm. We plan on driving through the night and arriving in Miami around 8:00am or so. Can we drop of our luggage at that time at the cruise terminal and then go to the beach/shopping or whatever? We have to turn in our rental car so we can't just leave it in there.

On the only cruise I've been on, we stayed in an Ocean view on deck 1. It was fine. You obviously have to walk up/take the elevator everywhere, but that wasn't really problematic for us. It was quiet as well.

I've been on one other cruise, which was last May. Those pictures look like the Glory is almost exactly the same as the Valor (which I was on last May). All are carnival ships basically the same with different décor?

I searched the forums and didn't too much information. I'm wondering if someone has any good pictures of everything on the Glory. Maybe someone can link me to a good picture review on the Glory. Not really looking for port pictures, just the ship.

Can someone please explain the obvious resistence some posters have expressed about getting a passport?

 

I simply cannot understand it.

I am 26 (and have only been on one cruise, with another planned this May) and now have a passport but I think that most that do not get one are young and short on cash and feel that it isn't crucial. I didn't take any "real" vacations until I got a real job but imagine saving most of your money to take a cruise. $100+ for something you don't have to have seems silly. If you had to have it, people would obviously get, or just not go.

I know what you're going to say. "If you've got enough money to go on a cruise, you can afford a passport." I still feel like being young and having very little money is the reason. If I had gone on a cruise at any age from 18-22 or so, I promise I would not have gotten a passport. Now, I would, and did get one.

Im assuming you're doing the southern Carib route, which I did last May. We had a great time. I hear some of these locations can get crowded in multiple ships are in port, but we were the only ship every time so we never felt crowded in port.

San Juan- We loafed around Old San Juan; did the forts, etc.

St. Thomas - Went to Magen's Bay. Great beach. BEAUTIFUL

Barbados - Went to the Boatyard. Cab ride through town was interesting and the beach here was probably the most beautiful sand/water. Just don't turn around and look inland toward the city, not as pretty. Locals aggrivate the shi... uh...crap out of you about buying stuff. I understand though that the American dollar is so valuable to them. They never felt dangerous, so i maintained patience and a polite "No thank you" usually worked until the next local came through 30 seconds later.

St. Lucia - Island tour with COSOL. very good tour and was informative. Beautiful island

St. Kitts - Went to Cockelshell Beach. Now that place is perfect. The sand/water is not as good as Barbados, although close, but the scenery makes it look like you're on a deserted island. All things considered, this was probably my favorite beach. No hounders. The landscape around the beach was gorgeous.

St. Maarten - Did Orient Beach, which was breathtaking. The nude beach was a fun walk-through, and barely any hounding from locals. We then got a cab to Maho Beach (airplane beach). That was an amazing experience. Planes flying just a few feet about your head.

So we will tender in Belize, right?

I will be on the Carnival Glory in late May and just now discovered I'll be tendering for my first time.

- What can I expect sea conditions to be like then? I imagine seas are gentle during that time but I'm only guessing.

- Does anyone have pictures of the boats that are used for tendering in Belize?

- Do you tender in Cozumel, Costa Maya, or Roatan?

- Any other pointers about tendering in Belize?

You should have used the Carnival happiness guarantee!! Tell them you want off the ship in the 1st 24 hours . They get you off at the first port. They refund you 100% + pay for your flight home

You're kidding right? They will really do that?

Thanks for posting! Very glad you didn't get sick :) sorry to hear about the flu now, not fun.

 

Crazy roads n drivers huh. Experienced that in Dominican, almost died last time on way to hotel, our driver was insane. Hmm something "fun" to look forward to I guess! ;)

 

 

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Roads won't bother me. I experience crazy roads every day on my way to work. However here in WV, you Ohio drivers have the reputation of crazy drivers. lol :D

Soufriere can be a scary ordeal.

We were on an OI (on island) vacation and driving thru Soufriere. Individuals try to wave you down to supposedly give you directions. What they do is get you down a dead end street and accost you.

 

Luckily we were warned by another couple who had it happened to them. He told me he just slammed it into reverse and nearly ran over two of the men. Scared the hell out of him and his wife.

I just studied the road map before entering Soufriere and drove right by the guys trying to flag us down.

 

Not sure why the police aren't doing anything about this.

wow.

:DThe Boatyard ROCKS....we were there just over two weeks ago.

1. Arrived at 9:30 a.m...perfect time...there was a line of people behind us. $15.00pp 2 chairs with pads, umbrella and 2 drink tickets...the drinks were yummy. The price of getting in also gives you a free ride back to the ship.

2.The rop swing is a blast...Both husband and I are 43 and had a darn great time. This was our second trip to the boatyard.

3.Snorkeling...with your back to the water...pier on your left..facing the bar...walk to your right about 200 yards....there you will see another beach bar. Walk past it about 50 more yards. Face the water..you will see many boats. This is one spot where you can swim with the turtles to your left ...swim about 20 yards and you will see a sunken ship. There are many tour guides on the beach willing to take you out for an hour for $20.00 pp as well.

4.Be sure to look at the happy hour specials...2:00pm-3:00pm was by one drink and get one free...we paid $9.00 for 4 really good pirate rum punches. They were maid right in front of us. Free pour style.

Angela

That was great info and answered about everything I was looking for. Thanks!

Great advice, thus far!

I want some information on the Boatyard if somebody is willing to help. I checked out their website is is informative, but I wasn't completely clear on everything available.

* Are there multiple prices you can pay to get in? What are they?

* Those prices offer different things, correct?

* The ropeswing and other water toys, are those more designed for children or adults because I'm 25 and sadly, that stuff is right up my alley. lol

*What else is included in admission and are there watersports included in admission, or even available at all? What kinds?

* I hear a lot about snorkeling not just here, but all over the caribbean, do people bring their own snorkel equipment, rent them on the ship, rent them at the beaches or what?

Thanks in advance!

Any good Biobay shots?

So wait, do non-resort guests have to stay at the small, crowded, rocky area? I thought others said you have access to all parts of the beach? Why in the world would someone stay at the crappy part?