micheecruise

I have two daughters, the last cruise we went on they were 12 and 10. I did go over some safety items with them as my husband and I were allowing them a bit more freedom on that cruise then we had on previous cruises. Two biggest things we stressed with them, never take the elevator if by yourself and never enter someone else's cabin (and never let anyone into our cabin). Besides that, we just told them to make sure they were respectful of others and to have fun :)

Thanks for the info!!

We find the Melia worth the cost for the amenities- nice pools and good beach area.

Do you know (or remember) what the cost was for a day pass?

Hubby & I have been 3 times & just walked right in through the then Sheraton (now Melia) by just acting like we were staying there. We enjoyed the beach & loungers, umbrellas & cash bar. We had to exit through the Wyndham, because the Sheraton/Melia was locked. BUT my parents did this in October & got busted when going to the pool restroom. So you can either take your chances or go ahead & pay for the day pass at either Melia or Wyndham. Don't take a cab there. Take the #10 local bus for $1.25 pp each way

Do you know how much a day pass is? What is all included in that day pass? Thanks!

What type of day are you looking for? Beach? Historical sites? Bars?

We went to Rose Island/Sandy Toes beach a few years back and loved it. We've never been to Atlantis, but it is overpriced IMO.

Junkanoo Beach is a free beach that is a 10 minute walk from the cruise port, my family and I spend a few hours there and enjoyed it.

I think that your best bet is to see if you can have a friend go in his place, otherwise you will be out the cruise fare. Good luck to you!

didn't know they were endangered!

Yeah!! Just called and got my $100 OBC!!

So sorry for your loss. I hope that you are able to work out compensation with the cruise line.

I have never heard of that on a ship. If you have time before your cruise, your local YMCA should offer lessons. Good luck!

You can definitely get fries at Guys.

Another note, most likely, if you let them know of the food issue with your child, you can probably get the chicken nuggets/fingers even if they aren't offered on a particular day at the Lido buffet.

The bigger issue....if you miss your 11:00am flight and the 2:30 flight is full, then when is the next flight after that?

If it was me, I would go with the 2:30 flight, why add stress to the end of your relaxing vacation? The 2:30 flight will give you plenty of time and you won't have to worry ;)

No disembarkation details at all, no luggage taken off, no transfers, no times, no where to disembark without getting pushed on to an excursion.

I would be interested to know what ship it was that you sailed. If my memory serves me correctly, Carnival offers a disembarkation talk on the last day of the cruise. They also tell you numerous times to put your luggage outside of your stateroom on the last evening of the cruise unless you are doing self-assist disembarkation. In regard to transfers, we have always had them (unless of course when we drive ourselves to a port). Lastly, 99% of the time, when we have left the ship we did not have an excursion booked through the ship.

P.S. Carnival owns Costa ;)

I'm going to add my two cents here.....

I have never been on any of the mega-ships and don't really have a desire to cruise on one. Now if someone was to give me a cabin for free, well then I'm there! haha ;)

Seriously though, I can definitely see where a ship that big would take away from that "personal" touch you get on smaller ships, and even seem a bit overwhelming. My very first cruise was a ship that held approx 900, you almost got to "know" everyone on board and it was really a lot of fun!

One thing that baffles me is when people say there is nothing to do on the smaller ships. For me, I keep myself and family busy on port days and sea days we like to relax. I don't want to be concerned with running around the ship to make sure I do everything that is possibly offered, that just doesn't seem relaxing to me. I guess everyone has the things they like to do on the ship, I just like to relax by the pool with a good book, soak up some sunshine, and people watch.

I would agree...the hot tubs are LOADED with chlorine. It changed the color of my swimsuit, really changed it!! :eek:

As others stated, the pools are salt water pumped in from the ocean, staph bacteria doesn't survive in that environment.

We sailed out of Baltimore a few years back on Carnival and will be sailing on our upcoming RC cruise out of Baltimore.

Like others had said, it is a very easy port to get to, literally right off of the interstate, you pull in, porters take your bag, you park, walk onto ship. Disembarking was just as easy!!

Baltimore is only a 3 hour drive for us, so it's a no-brainer leaving from there. It's too bad that the itineraries don't go a bit further south into the Caribbean.

Anyone who lives within 5-6 hours would be silly not to take advantage of that port. (If we were to leave out of FL, it's a 2 hour drive to the nearest major airport, then about a 2 hour flight, however usually can't get a direct flight so air travel time is more like five or six hours with a lay-over. Then take into consideration that you have to be at the airport at least an hour prior to your flight leaving....that's a long day of travel!)

This is a great thread!! I haven't even read through all the posts, but can definitely see that Carnival has some great people working for them!

A few years ago our one daughter would order a steak every night in the MDR, and one of our servers would come over and cut it for her (mind you, she was old enough to do it herself, but he insisted!) His name was Amadi, and it was on the Glory. :)

1. Highlighter to highlight activities in the daily newsletter that you don't want to miss.

2. Small power strip (especially if you are traveling with others with lots of devices to charge)

3. Definitely some advil or tylenol, antibiotic ointment, hydrocortisone cream, a few bandaids. (the infirmary might have these but may charge you, the sundries shop also has tylenol...$5 for two tablets :eek:)

4. Copy of passport (or whatever ID you are using) in case original gets lost

5. Travel sewing kit

6. Since you have an inside cabin, I would bring a small flashlight or nightlight (the inside cabins are PITCH BLACK without the lights on)

You will love your cruise!! Have fun and relax :)

I definetly agree with you. We cruise for all the reasons you do. I never understand the posts,"there was nothing to do on this ship!" I don't need to be entertained, give me a chair on Lido, a good book, a drink in hand and I'm a happy camper!

Pat

Amen!! :D

I have never been on any of the "big" ships, but I don't think that I would enjoy it as much as the smaller ones. While I am on the ship, I like to relax by the pool and don't want to feel like I am missing something if I don't go try all the "extras" that would be on a bigger ship. My very first cruise I believe was about 900 passengers, and I loved it!!!!

I guess everyone has their own likes/dislikes :)

If you want to swim with the Rays.... Grand Cayman has the best. We have used Captain Marvin's several times and have been very happy with them. You can book this independently and save a few bucks.

My husband and I used Captain Marvin in Grand Cayman as well (it was a few years back) and really liked them!!...highly recommend them.

I appreciate all the positive comments!! My family and I are very easy going, we don't let little things "ruin a vacation" , and I know some people just like to complain...it's nice to hear these good things about the Grandeur!! :)

I am cruising on the Grandeur in November, and hoping that the reviews get better as well. On one hand I think some people are just nick-picking, but then on the other hand I'm not so sure.....

I have until early September, so we'll see how the reviews come in the next few months.

My family and I went on the Liberty, and it was the favorite so far of our family cruises. We are pretty easy going and don't let the little things bring us down.

We thought the MDR as well as Lido deck food was good....we loved Guy's Burgers!!! The Blue Iguana was also yummy!

From talking with friends who have sailed all three RC, Carnival, and NCL, they seem to be more similar then they are different.

I personally would not want to have a flight that early, just because I wouldn't have to be stressed out about it:D That's just me.