xowendyxo

Any info on the Best Western Conference Center?

I had to book there because we needed a rollaway and the HIE could accommodate. I booked at the BWI; 2 queen beds and a sofa couch....more expensive, but I got what I needed

To answer the question about the bus, because it is a very good question. They take you to the marketplace via a mini type bus, they give you a ticket of a certain color. We stayed at the marketplace for about 45 minutes and then wanted to get the bus to return to the ship. We waited for this same mini bus, and we waited, and we waited, but it never came back. What we didn't know was that there were regular buses, that were taking people back. They come about once every half an hour, but they board by color. There is a long line to get on and they will call out colors for people to board first. If we had known this, we would boarded a prior bus, but, like I said, we were waiting for the bus that brought us. I would assume that bus did come back eventually, but it did have us a bit worried at first.

 

Cheers

 

Len

Thanks so much to the clarification!

Thanks for all of the information!

The one thing that I am concerned about is the fact that they drop you off and say "here's a ticket, good luck" ? Are these city buses or are they excursion buses that take you back to the ship? We are only in Freeport until 1:30 so our excursion is being cut short as it is; I'm nervous that I would take the wrong bus, arrive late, the ship will have sailed, and I would be stuck in Freeport! :)

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I was trying to find day pass information on Melia and found that you can book a room for $199/night right now. Even with the resort fees and taxes, it was cheaper for us to book a room than pay the $75 pp for the buffet (I have a 17 and 16 year old to feed...we needed buffet!)

I know that it doesn't sound like that great of a deal, but we saved $22 and we get a room to change and shower in!

We are trying to decide how much cash to take on our cruise; we plan on hitting the Melia resort while in Nassua and will probably do the $75 buffet day pass. Does anyone know if it is cash only for the day passes or do they take credit?

From what I have read on Carnivals website, e gift cards do not give cash back but many have said they are able to get cash back???

I don't know...the cruise cash is already added to your account, so its like having a cash account and they won't need your credit card at check in. On the other hand, if gift cards give cash back I would prefer those (not that I will have cash back! LOL)

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On my last cruise, I set up a cruise cash account with the amount I wanted to spend on the ship. When I checked in, my cruise cash credit was on my account and I added more money to my account which went to a cash account.

 

The cruise cash account=Use all of the funds or Loose it all.

The cash account=Don't need it all? The difference will be refunded back to you in cash on the last night of your cruise.

 

If you use all of your funds in the cruise cash account and make a purchase that over that amount, the difference will be deducted from your cash account. Keep in mind that you can reload cash directly into the Kiosk.

That is what happened on our last cruise; it was available when we checked in. Now it seems that the gift card will be delivered to your room?

Thank you for all of the replies, they were very helpful.

Where do you purchase e-gift cards? I think that would be the way to go if I have time.

I want to purchase a couple hundred dollars of cruise cash before our cruise...I know we will spend at least that amount and I don't want a huge bill at the end of our cruise.

I just purchased some earlier and it seems like it is only a 'gift' type of option...like I had to send myself a bon voyage message, LOL. According to the site, we will not receive our cruise cash until we board (?) and also said the port charges were to be determined.

So...my questions....

• Where do the port charges come in? Am I going to have less cruise cash than I am thinking, or is my debit card going to be charged more than the purchase price?
  
• The cruise cash isn't applied to our sign and sail cards? Will we really get gift cards when we board?
  
• If we do end up getting gift cards, I assume that you just use the kiosk to apply them to your sign and sail account?
  

It seems to me that I bought some last year and it was applied to our sign and sail accounts like cash so they did not put a hold on our debit cards when we boarded. Have things changed?

Thanks!

Someone just posted another thread about sexual assaults on the Victory, but I doubt that has anything to do with it since it happened last year?

V27 on the Ecstasy

Very, very small balcony.

Nice!! I love OBC :)

I can never remember which "sale" I book under, so I don't know if they will honor a price drop after I pay in full!

I know that I have never booked Early Saver, but I did end up with $400 worth or price drops before I paid in full on this cruise and the price has only gone up since then.

We have both AT&T and Verizon and found that even though you aren't on sea cellular service in the Bay, there is very little signal after 9 pm on the way out. On the way back I couldn't tell you, I'm asleep but it works when I get up. And sure one text is 50¢ but you never know how many other texts you're going to get before you shut off your phone.

 

In Port Canaveral, we made sure we were docked before the phones came on because we weren't 100% sure when land towers would pick up and there was several days worth of email, texts and voicemails that would come flooding in.

I guess I didn't know that the ship takes over cell service :)

Definitely waiting to dock to turn on the phone, IF we turn them on. When we went to Nassau on another trip, Verizon told me to take the batteries out of the phones because you can apps that update even with the phone off (of course now they make it so you can't take the battery out) I put mine on airplane mode, turn off roaming data, AND shut it off! :)

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I've always had the impression

that the onboard telephone system gets used hardly at all by passengers.

 

Am I right or wrong?

 

.

I've only sailed once before, so I don't know.....I honestly didn't think of the phones on board, but I thought a text would be easier than bothering someone at the restaurant or one of them showing up in a swimsuit :)

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Thanks for all of the help!

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If they need to reach you - here is an idea -- use a phone on the ship and call the restaurant. There are phones all over the ship, in addition to one in your cabin.

 

.. or one of them could also come to the restaurant and get you.

 

Not sure why they have to use a cell phone.

I just figured a quick text would be easier, less bother.

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Just off 10 days ago. You can use your phone using verizon services till about 10-11. After that I shut my phone down till FL on Wed.

 

 

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Thanks, that will work for us!

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Taking the FES with - please make sure that he/she has a multiple entry visa for the US, and that the countries you will visit on the cruise will allow him to visit without a visa needed. I would not be happy if I arrived at the port to find out that my guest is denied boarding for one of these two reasons.

Yes, as far as I am concerned, we have dotted our i's and crossed our t's. We had to have a DS-2109 (?) Filled out to say that he was good to go and I am getting a letter from his parents on top of the paperwork from the exchange organization.

I also looked and the Bahamas does not require a visa for Japanese residents.

I have stressed a lot about this, I will be one happy cruiser once we get on the ship! :)

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Thanks for the idea :)

I doubt my son will be roaming too far...he's 16, but he's a homebody, likes to hang around us (strange kid...) . We are taking our Japanese foreign exchange student though, and I am more worried about him. Since we are doing the steakhouse the first night (and they weren't invited!) I just want to make sure they don't get sidetracked....or sick. My son was fine last cruise, the FES said he's been seasick before, so I am a little worried. I plan on loading him up with Bonine before we take off, but, I am a worrier

We are going to be sailing the Pride in early April; I was wondering how far out or how long you can use your phone/text before you hit international waters. I have Verizon, and my plan covers all of the US without roaming charges, so I am thinking at least the first night I should be ok?

We are travelling with 2 teenagers and I was thinking if we go our separate ways (hubby and I are doing David's Steakhouse the first night) they would be able to contact us if needed (I can foresee someone forgetting a room key and getting locked out while they go to dinner....)

Thanks!

Thanks for scanning the Fun Times!

I'm picking out what I want to do in April :D

Melia is easily accessible by #10 or 12a Jitney for $1.25pp/ or by cab for $18 for 2 ppl / $3 for ea. add'l person

 

Easy peasy ..

Thanks! Where do you pick up the jitney from the docks? It would end up costing us $50 round trip for the 4 of us :)

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I booked this excursion the beginning of April (Pride) as well. Its gotten great reviews! I will be on the island with my 16 yo son and our foreign exchange student while my husband is diving....I like the idea of being with a group and not on our own.

I hope the two teens aren't too bored, I'm really looking forward to it :)

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We went to Atlantis last year during spring break, and it really wasn't too crowded....I was pleasantly surprised. Depending on when you are going (we are going on the April 6th cruise) there is only 1 other ship in port that day, so I don't think it should be too bad.

I don't believe you have to leave Atlantis at 4, that is just when the last shuttle leaves, you can take a taxi back on your own if you want to stay later

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Me, my husband, our 2 and 4 year old will be in Nassau from 11-8 on the Carnival Pride in April. My husband wants to stick to excursions because he thinks that will be easier with the kids for some reason. We booked Balmoral Island, $50/adult, kids free, 12-4:30.

 

I'm thinking I should really be pushing for the Sheraton and it looks like I have the option to cancel our excursion to Balmoral. From what I've seen it's $25/person plus the cost of taxi, I don't know what they'd charge for the kids. I like the fact that we can come and go as we please. If everyone is having a great time we can be there all day, if the kids get cranky we go back to the boat.

 

Which would you do? If we go with the Sheraton do we just show up and buy a day pass that day or do we need to do any booking ahead of time?

We are going on the Pride in April also; my husband, myself, my 16 yo, and our 17 yo Japanese foreign exchange student. We had thought about Balmoral Beach, but are doing Melia also. It is $30/pp for adults, $50 pp if you want to include lunch, or $75pp if you want the buffet for the day. I've heard that Balmoral is crowded and expensive....Melia has a beach, pools, and beach toys you can use (kayaks, paddle boats....I did see a blow up slide, but not sure its there still).

We just have to figure out how to get there....jitney or cab?

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