Any carnival cruisers here?priceline?

[4cruisin]

I have taken 4 Carnival cruises and 2 Disney cruises. Love them both but I can only afford the Carnival cruises now....DCL is way overpriced for me.

Carnival has a great value. I have not found as good a vacation for the price as I have with Carnival.

As far as cruising from the mid/north atlantic states, I have not heard good things about those cruises because of the rough waters further north. Dh is prone to motion sickness so I won't cruise out of anywhere except Florida.

We always fly in a day or 2 before the cruise since we cruise in the winter, I don't want to risk missing the ship due to airline delays etc.

We always get our hotel on priceline and usually get a good rate. Cruise critic has a ton of info on CCL and any all Florida departure ports.

Hope you have a blast.

 

[pamouselover]

Quick question: Is there any particular reason you're flying down to FL for the cruise? Have you checked out the great cruises leaving out of ports in the NE? Carnival also cruises out of the Port of NYC. Granted the cruises are longer (8 nights Eastern Caribbean), but you may find the cost difference offsets the flight costs. That's the case for my family... we can take an 8 or 9 night cruise out of NYC or NJ for about the same cost as flying to FL and taking a shorter cruise. It's waaaaay easy to park at the port (though it isn't free, the cost is pretty reasonable for what you're getting). Let's see drive to port, get on ship, be on vacation or drive to airport, get on airplane, get to cruiseship, get on cruiseship, be on vacation? Trust me, driving to the port is MUCH easier.

Regarding cruising in August: Not a bad time to cruise. Pack enough dramamine for everyone. If anyone is prone to motion sickness, they should at least take one in the morning and at bedtime of AT SEA days to ward off symptoms (doesn't work after you've already gotten sick). If anyone does get really motion sick, the doctor on board can dispense medication that will help get rid of symptoms and prices are usually reasonable (had to take DD and get her a suppository med. when she was 3 and got really motion sick... now we give her children's dramamine when I take mine).

Traveling with 4 in a cabin isn't that bad. We do it, though my kids are young yet. You're really only in the cabin to sleep and change clothes so space really isn't a huge issue. Pack a nightlight so the kids can see enough that they don't step on Mom or Dad if they get out of bed at night to use the restroom.

Especially since you're travelling with your kids and during hurricane season, get travel insurance. I get mine through http://www.insuremytrip.com. Get a policy with health coverage and medical evacuation (it costs tens of thousands to be medivacced of the ship, if necessary). I think a policy costs about $125 for my family of 4. Well worth the piece of mind.

I've never cruised on Carnival, but we have cruised Norwegian (out of NY) and it was decent. My family truly loves Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas out of Cape Liberty, NJ, though.... ice rink, mini-golf, rock climbing, arcade, parades through the mall... LOTS of family stuff to do.

Good Luck!

Hi Thanks! Yes,I saw that the cruise I want to go on, ships out of Baltimore.
I have not compared prices yet. But I think I might just do that, since it does make sense. My Dh does get motion sickness, but we were told he wont get it on the ship. But you never know. We were also told buy ginger tablets for the kids. Have you heard of that before?

I have taken 4 Carnival cruises and 2 Disney cruises. Love them both but I can only afford the Carnival cruises now....DCL is way overpriced for me.

Carnival has a great value. I have not found as good a vacation for the price as I have with Carnival.

As far as cruising from the mid/north atlantic states, I have not heard good things about those cruises because of the rough waters further north. Dh is prone to motion sickness so I won't cruise out of anywhere except Florida.

We always fly in a day or 2 before the cruise since we cruise in the winter, I don't want to risk missing the ship due to airline delays etc.

We always get our hotel on priceline and usually get a good rate. Cruise critic has a ton of info on CCL and any all Florida departure ports.

Hope you have a blast.

I would love to go DCL, but like you said they are over priced. Plus since my kids are older CCL suits us better. I have thought about flying in the day before too. So if you know somewhere close to the port to stay please do tell.

 

[Jsme]

We have been on Disney, NCL, Royal Caribbean and Carnival. We love Carnival!! We have been on 12 cruises and our first pick is always Carnival.

I do not know exactly what information you are wanting but my first advice to you is book directly thru the cruiseline. This way there are no hidden or surprise charges. You can get the same pricing with the cruise line and not worry about those hidden fees. If you are flying then I would look at every single airline that goes out of the airport you will be using. A lot of times you can use places like travelocity just for pricing. Most times you can then go to the airline's site and get the same flight for the same price minus the service charge they charge.

I rarely get sea sick but I also take Ginger tablets. My DH uses the patch.

We cruise mostly during hurricane season. I love this time of year because the kids are back in school and the weather is still warm but not hot and the water is at it's warmest. Of course since you have children hurricane season might not be the best for school. However, we have taken our children on cruises during the fall breaks.

We always use Insuremytrip.

My count down is for an RCI cruise to use our points to get $260 off of the cruise. It is with their credit card and we want to be able to use those points, in case they close the card on us. We rarely use it. The other is a Halloween cruise on Carnival's Inspiration. DH and I are going with some friends. This will be our 5th cruise on each line. Still we like Carnvial the best.

 

[bumbershoot]

I have not compared prices yet. But I think I might just do that, since it does make sense. My Dh does get motion sickness, but we were told he wont get it on the ship. But you never know. We were also told buy ginger tablets for the kids. Have you heard of that before?

Ginger is a well-known traditional method to help with nausea.

Not sure how someone would know if a ship's movement would or would not cause problems with someone who is prone to motion sickness...I'd be prepared just in case!


I'd book with the cruiseline, and be SURE to compare the costs of priceline's flights to the airlines themselves. I personally have never seen a stand-alone airfare on a site like that that wasn't the exact same cost as buying direct.

 

[EthansMom]

Hi Thanks! Yes,I saw that the cruise I want to go on, ships out of Baltimore.
I have not compared prices yet. But I think I might just do that, since it does make sense. My Dh does get motion sickness, but we were told he wont get it on the ship. But you never know. We were also told buy ginger tablets for the kids. Have you heard of that before?

I get motion sick. And I have gotten motion sick on cruises. BUT, you generally have a good idea the day before if they expect rough seas and can take something ahead of time. The only times DD and I have had any problems were when we DIDN'T take anything and knew the seas were supposed to get rough.

DD5 and I both tried the wrist bracelets (accupressure) and they didn't work for either of us. I take regular generic adults dramamine. DD5 takes children's chewable dramamine. I get DD's dramamine from the pharmacy counter at Target (it's OTC but they carry it behind the counter). Adult dose generic dramamine is also widely available (in the main lobby and from the Drs. office) on the ship, as well, and children's meds can be had at the Drs. office. Usually, I just have DD take one half of a children's tablet and I take one adult tablet at night and one in the morning when we'll be at sea and expect rougher seas. That's far below the recommended dosage.

Your husband will be fine whenever you're around land. But if you have any days where you'll be completely at sea with no stops that day AND the seas are expected to be rough, then it's a good idea for him to take something.

Enjoy! You'll have a blast!!!!!!!

 

[Poohlovr]

We have sailed on Carnival several times (our next is coming up in November-Yay!) and other lines a few times between the Carnival cruises. I can honestly say that Carnival is my favorite.

We sailed on the Destiny in 2006, but at that time she was doing the Southern route out of San Juan. The ship is older, but still very nice and well maintained. The only problem we had was with the air conditioning in our cabin. It was widespread through a certain area of cabins. I understand that has been repaired.

There is so much to do that you really won't be in your cabin that much, so I wouldn't worry about having 4 of you in the cabin. On our first cruise (gosh-has it really been 20 yrs ago? wow!) we had all 4 (2 teen DDs, DH & I ) of us in the same cabin. Back then, cabins were much smaller than they are now, and we managed without a problem.

Regarding passports-they are not required on closed loop (sailing out of and back to the same US port) sailings, so, no, you will not need them to sail.

We have always cruised during hurricane season and have learned not to worry. Odds are with you that everything will be fine. Even if you do end up with bad weather, the captain will make any necessary changes to keep you safe and give you the best sailing experience possible. Ports of call may have to be changed, more sea days, fewer sea days, a delay returing to port...anything necessary will be done to ensure your safety and cruise enjoyment. BTW-in all of these years, we've never had a problem-no itinerary changes, no missed ports, no delays, no bad weather. With hurricane season lasting from June 1-Nov 30, half of your year is gone if you are trying to find a date to avoid it. And, there are several instances of "off season" hurricanes, so there is never any guarantee.

We always fly into our departure city at least a day early. That way we don't have to worry about any flight delays and aren't stressing about getting to the ship on time. It gives us time to explore our departure city and really lets us start our vacation early.

I suggest you visit www.Cruisecompete.com and enter your cruise info. This is a great site for cruise pricing. Several travel agents will respond to your info with prices and any special offers they might have for your cruise. Then, compare those prices to booking with Carnival directly. We've always saved quite a bit of money using this site.

I second using www.insuremytrip.com for insurance and will not cruise without insurance.

 

[pamouselover]

We have been on Disney, NCL, Royal Caribbean and Carnival. We love Carnival!! We have been on 12 cruises and our first pick is always Carnival.

I do not know exactly what information you are wanting but my first advice to you is book directly thru the cruiseline. This way there are no hidden or surprise charges. You can get the same pricing with the cruise line and not worry about those hidden fees. If you are flying then I would look at every single airline that goes out of the airport you will be using. A lot of times you can use places like travelocity just for pricing. Most times you can then go to the airline's site and get the same flight for the same price minus the service charge they charge.

I rarely get sea sick but I also take Ginger tablets. My DH uses the patch.

We cruise mostly during hurricane season. I love this time of year because the kids are back in school and the weather is still warm but not hot and the water is at it's warmest. Of course since you have children hurricane season might not be the best for school. However, we have taken our children on cruises during the fall breaks.

We always use Insuremytrip.

My count down is for an RCI cruise to use our points to get $260 off of the cruise. It is with their credit card and we want to be able to use those points, in case they close the card on us. We rarely use it. The other is a Halloween cruise on Carnival's Inspiration. DH and I are going with some friends. This will be our 5th cruise on each line. Still we like Carnvial the best.

Thanks for all the advise!

Ginger is a well-known traditional method to help with nausea.

Not sure how someone would know if a ship's movement would or would not cause problems with someone who is prone to motion sickness...I'd be prepared just in case!


I'd book with the cruiseline, and be SURE to compare the costs of priceline's flights to the airlines themselves. I personally have never seen a stand-alone airfare on a site like that that wasn't the exact same cost as buying direct.

His Aunt told us she thought for sure she would get sick on a cruise, since she is just like him with not being able to ride rides etc. She said the ship was so big, she never noticed.

I get motion sick. And I have gotten motion sick on cruises. BUT, you generally have a good idea the day before if they expect rough seas and can take something ahead of time. The only times DD and I have had any problems were when we DIDN'T take anything and knew the seas were supposed to get rough.

DD5 and I both tried the wrist bracelets (accupressure) and they didn't work for either of us. I take regular generic adults dramamine. DD5 takes children's chewable dramamine. I get DD's dramamine from the pharmacy counter at Target (it's OTC but they carry it behind the counter). Adult dose generic dramamine is also widely available (in the main lobby and from the Drs. office) on the ship, as well, and children's meds can be had at the Drs. office. Usually, I just have DD take one half of a children's tablet and I take one adult tablet at night and one in the morning when we'll be at sea and expect rougher seas. That's far below the recommended dosage.

Your husband will be fine whenever you're around land. But if you have any days where you'll be completely at sea with no stops that day AND the seas are expected to be rough, then it's a good idea for him to take something.

Enjoy! You'll have a blast!!!!!!!

Thanks, I have to look into the chilren version. That would be my luck that the kids would gt it and DH wouldnt.
And I would not be prepared for them.

We have sailed on Carnival several times (our next is coming up in November-Yay!) and other lines a few times between the Carnival cruises. I can honestly say that Carnival is my favorite.

We sailed on the Destiny in 2006, but at that time she was doing the Southern route out of San Juan. The ship is older, but still very nice and well maintained. The only problem we had was with the air conditioning in our cabin. It was widespread through a certain area of cabins. I understand that has been repaired.

There is so much to do that you really won't be in your cabin that much, so I wouldn't worry about having 4 of you in the cabin. On our first cruise (gosh-has it really been 20 yrs ago? wow!) we had all 4 (2 teen DDs, DH & I ) of us in the same cabin. Back then, cabins were much smaller than they are now, and we managed without a problem.

Regarding passports-they are not required on closed loop (sailing out of and back to the same US port) sailings, so, no, you will not need them to sail.

We have always cruised during hurricane season and have learned not to worry. Odds are with you that everything will be fine. Even if you do end up with bad weather, the captain will make any necessary changes to keep you safe and give you the best sailing experience possible. Ports of call may have to be changed, more sea days, fewer sea days, a delay returing to port...anything necessary will be done to ensure your safety and cruise enjoyment. BTW-in all of these years, we've never had a problem-no itinerary changes, no missed ports, no delays, no bad weather. With hurricane season lasting from June 1-Nov 30, half of your year is gone if you are trying to find a date to avoid it. And, there are several instances of "off season" hurricanes, so there is never any guarantee.

We always fly into our departure city at least a day early. That way we don't have to worry about any flight delays and aren't stressing about getting to the ship on time. It gives us time to explore our departure city and really lets us start our vacation early.

I suggest you visit www.Cruisecompete.com and enter your cruise info. This is a great site for cruise pricing. Several travel agents will respond to your info with prices and any special offers they might have for your cruise. Then, compare those prices to booking with Carnival directly. We've always saved quite a bit of money using this site.

I second using www.insuremytrip.com for insurance and will not cruise without insurance.

Thanks for all the advise. I was hoping to stay somewhere close to port the day before the cruise. If anyone knows any hotels close please let me know.

 

[Darcy03231]

I always fly in the day before my cruise. I use Hotwire for a hotel. I just pick at least a 3* and have never been disappointed.

I get seasick very easily. On the night before the cruise I take a Bonine right before I go to bed and I take another one the first night. After that unless the seas are really rough, I'm fine and I don't need another one.

 

[pamouselover]

I always fly in the day before my cruise. I use Hotwire for a hotel. I just pick at least a 3* and have never been disappointed.

I get seasick very easily. On the night before the cruise I take a Bonine right before I go to bed and I take another one the first night. After that unless the seas are really rough, I'm fine and I don't need another one.

Thanks, I look at hot wire!

 

[pamouselover]

I still need a hotel need port.
Anyone? We will be flying in from FLL, so Ineed transportaion from FLL to the hotel. Then fromt he port to the FLL airport.

 

[Castlebound]

We sailed on the Destiny in Oct. of 2007 on a southern caribbean cruise. Truthfully it was not my favorite ship. It is an older ship and our cabin was showing its age. I HATED the flow of the ship. That being said it is an ok ship.

We use ginger on our trips and it works well for us. We all start taking it the day before getting on the ship and take it the whole cruise. Ginger is cheap and seems to work well for us. During our first ever cruise we had 12 ft. swells and they had the puke bags everywhere in the ship. The night that it started to get bad I took some meclizine which is suppose to make you less drowsy than dramamine. I was a zombie! The whole next day was a blur because it was hard to stay awake. I'm sticking with the ginger.

Our kids are almost 12 and 10 and have been on two cruises with us. Once in an inside cabin and once in an oceanview cabin. We did just fine. Our kids loved Camp Carnival on the Valor but only thought it was ok on the Destiny. Because the camp room is so small the older kids (8 & up) had to meet at other places in the ship so they didn't get to do as many arts & crafts activities. My DS was old enough for the late night party that lasted until 3 a.m. and he loved that.

 

[yoopermom]

I've only cruised once, in August, on Princess, just LOVED it! We had great weather, didn't seem warm on the ship (although hot on the island excursions), and actually cooled off at night. I get motion sick VERY easy, and the one thing I'd warn you about is that our ship, at least, went MUCH faster at night than during the day, so the only time I felt queasy was after dark, going to the clubs from dinner, etc. I just learned to time the medicine to that. Food is available 24/7 just about, so I tried to keep a little something in my stomach at all times to help combat it as well (or at least that was my excuse). I also could NOT lean over the side and watch the waves go by the ship, because it made me extremely nauseous, so he may want to keep his eye on the skyline, instead.

You'll love it!
Terri

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

The Carnival cruise was the only vacation/cruise that we were happy when it ended.

Dirty ships, horrible staff, poor food.....YUCK!

 

[crz4mm2]

I have been on NCL (twice) and Carnival twice.
Our last cruise was on Carnival Fantasy out of New Orleans.
It was our 30th anniversary and we had a vow renewal on board.
It was the best vacation we have ever had.
Carnival outdid themselves on the renewal.
We had good seas, good weather and GREAT service.

I can't wait to do it again!

 

[MoniqueU]

We went on a free cruise to mexico on Carnival once, WORST VACATION EVER. I will just limit it to the food, prison food has to be a vast improvement. The rooms, staff, guests etc all were abismal as well but the food was just disgusting. I would save longer for a cruise line that isn't disgusting.

 

[DL55]

If prison food is better then I know where our government can cut costs. Don't know when or what ship PP was on but I've been on 5 Carnival cruises and one Princess. Service was fine on both but I never expect to be the only one they have to serve. I'm not a foodie but food has always been fine, not 5 star. Guests have been normal people, some like to party more but I've never seen terrible behavior (I'm normally in bed by midnight so don't know about 2am )
As long as you can "go with the flow", hurricanes probably won't cause problems except for changing the itinerary. Unless you don't like mixing with the common folk, you should have lots of fun on any cruise you take.