First time cruisers ensured to be "Allured"?? -April 2019 TR

[pattyw]

Spa sounds great!! Yeah it's easy to be agreeable when you are a pile of goo LOL! Have heard about the hard sell at the end.

So far just 4-5 day. Would love a 7 day though!
You should try Carnival-it has a reputation from people who went years ago, or never at all, or who LOVE to talk down to people. Research ship and ports, but longer cruises do tend to be less "party" anyway.

I'd like to do a shorter cruise next time. With buffer travel days to arrive a day or so early, a 4-5 day turns into a week vacation. Our 7 day cruise was about 9 days total.

My DS, Kyle and his GF Erin are on a Carnival cruise right now. It's their 3rd on Carnival and they have only good things to say about the cruise line! So, I think Carnival is a fine choice. Yep- heard the "party boat" stories and such. I've learned to read reviews- but also to try things yourself and make your own opinion.

Thanks for the Carnival info! And your next cruise is coming up soon!!!

 

[starvenger]

I'd like to do a shorter cruise next time. With buffer travel days to arrive a day or so early, a 4-5 day turns into a week vacation. Our 7 day cruise was about 9 days total.

Sounds about right. Get there on a Friday or Saturday, board the next day, get off and head to the airport the following week.

I'm actually looking forward to my 5 night cruise next year, although finding flights is currently not that fun.

 

[pattyw]

Depending on the ship (I'd pick a new ship or one that was deeply refurbished recently)... We've been on a very nice Carnival Key West-Cozumel 4 nights cruise. The prices were low and the cruise was very nice.

We've done 4, 5 and 6 nights... The only cruise where there was a little bit more partying was the 5 nights one. All the other ones were quiet.

As Monykalyn said, I believe Carnival has been treated unfairly.

Thanks for the info!! Yes- I was actually checking out a 4-day Carnival cruise for next spring. Prices looked good!! I like all the restaurants! Joe was interested in Guy's Burger Joint! My DS raved about the burgers there!

I'll check out the ships, too- and their refurbishment dates!!

 

[pattyw]

Enjoying reading all that you did. Ah, the Spa. Sounds so lovely. Never have been, as kids have always been with me. Oh well. I've done a 7 day on the Disney Fantasy, 4 day on the Disney Dream, and 5 day on the Disney Magic. Due to the pricing, we'll be on the Carnival Legend this coming January, for 7 nights.

I like the longer cruises. And, a verandah if I can afford it. And luckily have, each time we have sailed, a verandah. The higher deck, the better. I did sail with Royal, but that was so long ago, I can't count it. Royal sold the ship we were on, to a European entity, I think Spanish or Italian. Sovereign of the Seas. And, it was that cruise, that I found out, I need motion sickness medicine, as I get sea sick.

Thanks for posting all the info, and ha ha to all the saying on the walking/jogging path.

Yes- the spa was Aahhhh!!! Lynne- now that the kids are adults, I'm sure DD would love the spa!!

Wish we would have done a Disney cruise when the kids were young! They weren't interested in Disney without rides though! I know a Disney cruise is like Disney in general- we can go as just adults. So, maybe we will try it sometime!

Ooh- 7 nights in January in the warm Caribbean sounds heavenly! The 7 days on our cruise actually flew! I thought it would seem so long- but just the opposite! The longer cruises are more relaxing I think. I do like the idea of a shorter one and then a couple of days on land in Florida! (maybe squeeze in a park or two?)

 

[pattyw]

Sounds about right. Get there on a Friday or Saturday, board the next day, get off and head to the airport the following week.

I'm actually looking forward to my 5 night cruise next year, although finding flights is currently not that fun.

Yes- learned from this year to check out dates for Easter! Our cruise dates were Easter week- we got off the ship Easter Sunday! Flight prices

I'm going to definitely stay away from those weeks next spring!

 

[mevelandry]

Thanks for the info!! Yes- I was actually checking out a 4-day Carnival cruise for next spring. Prices looked good!! I like all the restaurants! Joe was interested in Guy's Burger Joint! My DS raved about the burgers there!

I'll check out the ships, too- and their refurbishment dates!!

We have a "Carnival" thread in the DCL section if you are interested or curious about Carnival. You are more than welcome to join us.

 

[pattyw]

After our massages, we were oh so relaxed! Could have just snuggled up in a lounge chair for the rest of the day! We had time to get a drink on the way back to our cabin- and then get ready for dinner!

We got martinis at the Bow and Stern!

 

[pattyw]

We have a "Carnival" thread in the DCL section if you are interested or curious about Carnival. You are more than welcome to join us.

Thanks! I didn't know there was a Carnival thread!! I'll definitely check it out!

I learned so much in this thread! The best information comes from the first hand experiences fellow cruisers share here!

 

[pattyw]

We dined at 5:30pm at Giovanni's! This was Day 1 of our 3 day Dining package. This evening was the night our waiter invited our 3 friends to join us at 1/2 price!

We had an amazing dinner! So much food!! He brought us an antipasto platter to share. Then, we ordered appetizers and entrees. He also let us pick an assortment of pasta dishes that we could all share as well! Our table was chock full of food!!! The pasta is made fresh daily and the sauces were scrumptious!! Joe had filet- it was amazing, too!

And even though we were stuffed! - Joe and I split a dessert! WOW!!! wonderful dinner!! great experience!

The dining room at Giovanni's is fairly small. They do have outdoor seating as well. Giovanni's is on Deck 8 in the Central Park area- so the middle section is an outdoor, park-like setting!




The premium dining is very nice and well worth the additional cost in our opinion! The restaurant was uncrowded so our service was impeccable! The food was definitely a step up from the main dining room choices. The quantity didn't disappoint either!

However, if you do not purchase a specialty package, don't feel like you will be eating substandard food. The main dining room choices are varied, fresh, well-presented, and the service is great! So- you cannot go wrong whatever you decide works for your travel group! That's why we liked the 3 day package. We could experience the specialty restaurants and the main dining room!

 

[OKW Lover]

Joe had filet- it was amazing, too!

Interestingly enough (or not) we also had the filet at Giovani's and thought it was better than the one we had at Chops.

 

[starvenger]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the filet's are the same, but prepared by different staff?

 

[pattyw]

Interestingly enough (or not) we also had the filet at Giovani's and thought it was better than the one we had at Chops.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the filet's are the same, but prepared by different staff?

Our waiter kept telling us that the filet at Giovanni's was better than Chops Grille. Joe had it at both and it did have a different taste. He thought Giovanni's was a little better, too. Maybe it's the spices they use when cooking the filet?

 

[pattyw]

After dinner, we went to the casino for a while, and then to Schooner's piano bar! We had so much fun here! Definitely our favorite night spot!

We stopped for a photo with the classic car in the promenade:



Before heading back to our cabin, we popped into Sorrento's for a slice of pizza!

 

[pattyw]

Here's the cruise compass- Day 5- Roatan:

 

[pattyw]

Again, we had no plans to leave the ship in Roatan! This port was nice as there is only one ship that pulls in, so we had a great view of Roatan all day! We were able to spend a lot of time on our balcony and had a great view!! Usually we had a view of another cruise ship right next to us!

 

[pattyw]

More pictures of Roatan:




We were welcomed by local dancers!









What you see here is the area of shops & restaurants near the port. So, just a small variety within walking distance.

 

[mevelandry]

Again, we had no plans to leave the ship in Roatan! This port was nice as there is only one ship that pulls in, so we had a great view of Roatan all day! We were able to spend a lot of time on our balcony and had a great view!! Usually we had a view of another cruise ship right next to us!

Have you been to Roatan before? Any particular reasons why you decided to stay on the ship that day? (I'm curious about that port).

 

[pattyw]

Have you been to Roatan before? Any particular reasons why you decided to stay on the ship that day? (I'm curious about that port).

No- this was our first time there. We decided pre-cruise not to book any port excursions until we were on the ship. It was our first cruise and we didn't want to over book ourselves and be exhausted! Plus, when we did get the upgrade to the suite, we also wanted to be able to enjoy the room we paid for and the ship and its amenities.

Also, Joe and I worked long, long hours before our trip!! We were worn out and wanted plenty of relaxation!!!

We shopped a lot in Nassau, so more shopping didn't really appeal to us. And I have to say, we both REALLY enjoyed staying on the ship. There was so much to see and do! And in Roatan, we so enjoyed sitting on our balcony loungers with a drink and took in the warm sunshine! and people-watched!

 

[savage1117]

Have you been to Roatan before? Any particular reasons why you decided to stay on the ship that day? (I'm curious about that port).

Last July we did the Jolly Roger snorkeling tour with Royal. It was OK, we didn't see much and our guides were good but nothing special. The shops were basic touristy souvenirs. I always wonder what other people shop for in port. (it's just not our thing) There was a good bar and grill where we had chips and guac with a few local beers. This November we booked Daniel Johnson’s Monkey and Sloth Hangout and are excited to go hang out with sloths and monkeys.

 

[mevelandry]

Last July we did the Jolly Roger snorkeling tour with Royal. It was OK, we didn't see much and our guides were good but nothing special. The shops were basic touristy souvenirs. I always wonder what other people shop for in port. (it's just not our thing) There was a good bar and grill where we had chips and guac with a few local beers. This November we booked Daniel Johnson’s Monkey and Sloth Hangout and are excited to go hang out with sloths and monkeys.

Isn't there a very nice beach near the port too? Mahogany Bay, I think?