jaxcruiser66

I just left the Conquest yesterday and I was in 2285. Some mornings it is VERY NOISY when the crew is power washing the outside Deck 3 right above you. There is also some noise from people walking on the deck above. You are also close to the forward elevator bank and stairs... which is a good thing, but it was also noisy at times.

Main deck get is a great spot to reach a lot of places on the ship.

Hope this helped.

We booked the steakhouse the first night of our 11/16 cruise.

I understand you get a free bottle of wine the first night of the cruise. What happens if you are dining with more than one couple in the steak house? Is it one bottle per table? Or each couple? Seeing how the dining tab will be split with 3 different cabins.

Just wondering what to expect.

So... when my ship pulls in Puerto Rico (for one day) I will be "taxed" on the drinks I consume while in that port... because we are in US waters?

The Intercontinental in Miami is a really nice hotel in the downtown area. However, it's not on South Beach. If you want to stay there, Google the IHC Friends and Family rate and you'll get a nice price break.

 

As for me, I'm staying at the Loews on South Beach for my October cruise.

Boston....

Can anyone qualify for the IHC Friends and Family rate? I looked into it, and it says I need to fill out a voucher and it asks for an Employee #.

Thanks!

We were just there in Roatan.... and felt totally safe the whole time we were there! Book with a reputable outfit like Bodden Tours. You get a private tour guide for the day, for barely more than taking a cab somewhere. So well worth it.

And the private tour guides look out for your well being... it's not in their interest to have something bad happen to you.

See my review I just posted on Victor Bodden's Fun-N-Sun tour....

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1959517

It was $30 a person and worth every penny!!!

Just to get into Monkey Business is $10 per person plus a cab ride! Doens't make sense not to do this tour.

I posted some pics on my review as well.

Monkey Business was the highlight of our cruise!

My wife will still NOT stop talking about it! :)

Some more pics....

We visited the beginning of December on the Carnival Liberty. The weather was AMAZING during our trip!

We went on the Fun-n-Sun Tour. We spent $30 a person (there were 4 adults in our group). The van we all went on as a group had about 14 people on it... so it was very enjoyable. I *HATE* large crowds. We had a driver (I do not remember his name) and our tour guide, Leona. Leona knew the island very well, and you can tell she enjoyed telling the story of the people and culture.

Our first stop was on the east end of the island for a photo stop. This was the only thing I would say they probably could eliminate from this tour. I would have rather spent more time at the beach.

We then went to the Victor Bodden's "Monkey Business". This is where you paid for your tour, and received a wrist band for the beach facilities later.

Monkey Business was AMAZING!!! One of the best parts of our whole trip! We had three separate "in cage" interactions with monkeys, parrots, and macaws. And there was ample time in each to really get to see and hold the animals. There was an areas with native deer, and one came over an licked my fingers... so surreal!

We had a personal guide at Monkey Business who took us through the facility. I do not remember her name, but she was really nice, and very informative about each animal.

We then go on the van a had about a 30 minute scenic drive through the west side of the island and went to Bananarama Beach Resort. The resort itself is very nice, and would even consider staying here if I was to ever come back to Roatan on a land trip. BUT... the beach was STUNNING!!! Crystal clear water that was to die for. We had lunch (a little pricey) at the resort. Leona stayed behind to watch over everyone's belongings as they swan. There are many vendors on the beach (be forewarned). I did by a hammock for $20. I thought it was an amazing deal. And you can haggle. There are people there trying to sell personal snorkeling trips that were pretty reasonably priced. We chose not to do this.

From there we go back to the ship with some time to spare for some shopping in the tourism village in Mahogany Bay.

I HIGHLY recommend this trip. Our ship (the Liberty) had a shorter time in this port, so this tour was perfect for our itinerary. And the value ($30 per person) is a steal! We did tip our driver and Leona, and the person from the zoo.

Visited December 2013

I can see how YTD could be a big problem for a large group... there are a more limited number of tables.

We just cruised on the Liberty, and there were 4 of us using YTD. Only one night did we get a pager out of 7 nights. And that is because we were insistent that we sit in our favorite waiters area. So we waited for a table. But it was not a long wait, and we wondered the art gallery right outside the MDR. It was fun.

What the heck route is the Liberty currently on that takes her into such rough waters?

The Liberty is running the Eastern Caribbean route this week. They are in St. Thomas today.

Josh"Big Sexy" Waitzman, the CD on the CCL Liberty wrote this tonight on Facebook....

People think that cruising is all sunshine and smiles.... not so much sometimes! We have hit a bad storm and it feels like the Captain is trying to hit every pothole at sea. Plus, you know you've hit some bad weather when they put the "pukey" bags up in all the guest areas and elevators and all the drunks are walking in a straight line (old CD joke). Yuck! Not fun! In fact, we're rocking so badly tonight and I just needed to cancel the production shows and instead it looks like we're throwing in a Game Show, Jackpot Bingo and my Love & Marriage Show. On a positive note, St. Thomas tomorrow is supposed to be 85 degrees and sunny!! YEAH!! I'm just lucky that I don't get seasick that easily..... Take care, everyone! Wish me luck!

I am so glad we sailed the Western Caribbean last week! The weather was perfect!

I just went on 4 excursions on a Western Caribbean... each time they port security barely glanced at our sign and sail card and let us through.

But, just take your divers license. They tell you on the ship to leave your passport behind.

3 mores hours till we board the shuttle to the port! Getting more and more real!

I forgot to mention the massive construction project going on near the entrance. And without GPS its super hard to find this place. Even with GPS, I almost drove past. And this is a BUSY stretch of road. Not a good place to be a looks loo.

I am giving this place 2.5 stars out of 5 Like many of the previous reviews, this is an OK place to spend 1 night. I would not (could not) spend a second night. I keep expecting a plane to miss the runway and end up in my bed. We are really close to the airport, and there is a lot of noise!!

My room is clean, as best as I can tell. I didn't give it a Hotel Impossible type of inspection! :)

We got a great rate of $115 inclusive of tax and fees. This includes 7 nights of parking while we are on a cruise, as well as a free shuttle to the port. We have to pay our own way back to the hotel when we get back (but that's ok). There are not a lot of frills (namely coffee in the lobby). there is a pool out back that looked pretty clean... But I would hate to swim out there with the planes flying so close over head....not relaxing.

There is a Bennigans next door, but that's about it if you are walking. There are many options a short drive away.

If you factor in the cost of parking and shuttle service....the LaQuinta is a pretty good value. I just can't help shake the feeling I am slumming it for the night. My only focus right now is getting on the Carnival Liberty in the morning!

Which ship? I leave tomorrow on the Liberty. We just got into Miami. Very excited.

Sent from my SGH-M919 using Forums mobile app

????????

What are you confused about?

The OP mentioned her DH going onto a ship on Friday... Which doesn't leave till Saturday. (I know this because I will be on it too)

And she did not specify which laundry services. So I interjected about the self service.

Sent from my SGH-M919 using Forums mobile app

Just remember the Liberty doesn't get back, and then leave until SATURDAY. We don't want him sleeping on the pier! :D

There are also self service laundry machines located on most decks.

Guest services can give change.

They will list it in the Fun Times on the last day. It is usually pretty small and hard to miss when they list it. A couple times we have forgot all about it until it was too late.

Claudia

Thanks Bills... I actually set a calendar reminder in my phone. The Chocolate Extravaganza might not be all that's it's cracked up to be... But at least I can see for myself without missing it.

Sent from my SGH-M919 using Forums mobile app

Don't be sad. :) Try it, you might like it. My DD, and plenty others on the ship liked it. It just wasn't very good to me.

There is always the Warm Chocolate Melting Cake that I can always cuddle up with. I think I will be OK Dee! :)

OMG! See... this is what I needed to help me get through the next week! And I will bring you back some pink blobs! LOL!

Here's a pic of my plate of chocolate-y goodness on the Liberty in April. You'll notice that they also have some non-chocolate choices. For some reason, I really liked that pink blob in the front. No idea what it was! :p

 

Do cruises not do the big chocolate midnight buffets anymore?

I read an article about this a little bit ago... and basically it said that the ships would do this LAVISH buffet at midnight. People would come and take pictures. And that was it.

No one really ate. So there was a boat load (pun intended) of wasted food.

I guess a lot had to do with the sweeping budget cuts all companies are having to make as well.

I love chocolate! When I saw my first chocolate buffet on carnival I was very disappointed.

You are making me sad! :(

Just Kidding! It's just something I wanted to experience. It's all gonna be good.

leaving on the liberty next saturday! 8 days!

Do they still do the late night Mexican buffet?