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Whatever you do, make sure you do an organized tour. You will find that your experience will be much nicer in Ochos Rios rather than trying to fend for yourselves on that island.

Welcome Cathy! Everyone here is always friendly, sometimes we even have some good things to offer to make your cruise that much more enjoyable. There is a lot of knowlege and experience here.

Thanks for posting. . . Here is a prize for you. Seriously, I have enjoyed reading your posts. Thanks for hanging out with us.

Hello, I submited this review a few days ago and noticed that it is available. Let me know what you think. . . Byron's Grand Princess Review

Being away for 90 days seems like a bit long. Not sure I would go if everything was paid and I didn't have to pay anything. . . I like to go on cruises, but love to be home with my family also. I think the longest I would go on a cruise for would be about 10 days.

I am usually the guy on about deck 7 looking over the edge at the couple who is running for the gangplank or had a tender that had only 2 people on it. It happens more than it should. I think that if you are on a ship booked excoursion and there is a problem on that excoursion, then I would expect a bit more leniency. Personally, I think more people should be left. This would make it so more people are not late. In the end, I suppose that I don't remember geting to my next port late because of someone being late to the last port. I guess it doesn't matter in the end.

Valeri and I had a great time and loved our much needed break from the cold weather here in Utah. Hope everyone here is well.

I was there last week and saw 4 ships docked, 2 at international, 2 downtown. I was at the downtown port. I didn't realize that they were working on them? It looked like business as usual. They could be done now? I did notice that they were working near the street at the downtown terminal, but everything else looked good downtown.

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Have a great cruise! Thanks for always having so much knowlege and wisdom for all of us! I saved a lot of money thanks to you and had so much more fun! Sincerely,

You are all so kind! I have been soooo busy trying to wrap up work stuff, that I haven't even started packing yet!!!!! I need to go on vacation so bad! A cruise will to the trick I am sure. I will write a review when I return. Thanks to all of you for your friendship and your smart ideas that make my trip so much better.

Don't forget to consider that it is often the travel agency you pick that will offer on board ship credit and that may help to offset some of the differences in the different brands. All of us spend money when we get on the ship, so I consider that onboard credit to be a direct discount to my fare.

This really depends on what it is that you are doing and where you are doing it. Jamaica - Do it through the cruise line! If you don't have something planned through the cruise line here, then I would not even get off the ship. It was just that unpleasant there. Everywhere else, I would read other people's experiences. For instance. I am going cave tubing in Belize next week and can pay the cruise line $100 per person to go through one cave and pretty much do it on my own. They provide thansportataion and tubes and head lights. Or, I can read up on how other people did it and if they had a good or bad experience throught an independent group. Looks like the independent group here wins. The stories are all great and the cost is $45 per person, including transportation in new air conditioned busses and a guide the entire time and 2 different caves! Yes it includes tubes and lights and all you need, but they also take care of you the entire time you are in the water. I will let you know my experience in a couple weeks, but my Bro and sis in law just got back and told us that this was the only way to go if you are going to do this. The ship does not have as good as a guide and you certainlly pay more. As for Costa Maya, I did an independent to see the Mayan Ruins there and was also very pleased. They were more than half the price and knew everything about the history of the area. In fact, one of the tour guides grew up on the ruins as a play area when he was a child! He loved the area and knew his stuff. VERY GOOD. I also book through the cruise line. If you are going to be short on time and are tendered, the cruise line gives you priority to get off the ship and also gets you going a little faster. Also, if you are going to be doing the exact same tour that a company offers and it is the same price or a couple bucks more throught the ship, choose the cruise line because you are guaranteed your money back if you don't make it to the port. You may have to cancel on your own 48 hours in advance otherwise and could lose your money. . . Be smart and do your homework. Read reviews on offshore excoursions and ask all of us what to do. We will all tell you the way it is for us and then you can decide what you want to do for you! That is why this forum is so great! I guess what I am saying is that I DO BOTH!

I just talked to my Bro and Sis in law who returned last Saturday from the same cruise I am going on. They said it was one of the coolest things they have done on a cruise. They said that you should definately book through cave-tubing.com because the guys are just that cool! They had a great time and I look forward to giving my report.

For myself, I want to try different lines because I want to make sure I am not missing something that I might really like. I know that every line has newer and older ships. I don't think this equates to more or less fun. Most of the fun I have is directly related to who I am with and what I am able to do with the surroundings at the given time. Cruise ships seem to facilitate those surroundings well for me. I think for myself, I want to make sure I cruise many different lines so I can decide what I like. As for the trinkets or perks you get. I think they are fun, but in the end, they are still trinkets. I would not base my fun on a picture frame or wallet.

Joey, I am going to be sailing Princess for the first time in a couple of weeks. I have only heard good things like what SailingRose just wrote. I will try to write a fair review when I get back. I will be sailing the Grand Princess.

It would give everyone something to talk about and a story to tell! I think it is very unfortunate under any circumstance.

My Bro-in-law went last week. We are going in 2 weeks. I booked this upcoming cruise around this one activity. I hear it is just a lot of fun. My Bro says it goes by way too fast! I will have my review in a few weeks for you. I am excited to say the least!

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Hello, I joined this forum for the same reasons you did. I simply wanted to get information from people who have done this before and then take their ideas and make my own vacation based on feedback that made sense to me hopefully with a little more wisdom. Here is my take on the questions you asked: As for the Carnival ship you are going on, I have not sailed with them. After reading several reviews on Carnival, I thought I would try a few other cruise lines first, then one day try Carnival and see if they have better reviews than what I have read. That being said, it seems that many of the people on this very forum still prefer Carnival and sail with them exclusively. I have just read too many reviews that tell me to stay away, including a recent one from a very popular poster here at Cruise Crazies. I have sailed with my family and friends in a group of 8. Four Adults, and four children from 8-14 in age. We were required to have one adult in each room when booking, but when on the ship, there was no problem switching rooms to have the kids stay with kids and adults stay with adults the entire trip. That was my experience and it was a good one. Looking back at the actual costs of the cruise, here is what I found: Parking my car - about $12 a day Tips for the cruise - About $10 per person per day (this is required by all cruise lines). You pay this in one lump sum at the end of your cruise. Drinks - Between $4-$6.50 a drink - You can tip on the drinks, but your tip is already included on all cruise lines that I am aware of. Airport Baggage - Many airlines charge about $25 for each bag that weighs over 50 Lbs. Passport Fees - I find it much easier to travel with a passport. Check to see if you need one. Shore excoursions - These are totally up to you. Anywhere from $15 - $500 depending on your budget. Photos taken by professionals - $6-$25 each - Many people will want to take pics of you, but if you buy then, plan on paying! All food is included All water is included if you drink from a glass (Bottled water is extra) Some cruise lines offer a pass for softdrinks, but after doing the math, you are better to pay for drinks individual basis for most people. Part of your ship fare includes port fees where the ship has to pay to dock at a port or access a port. As for dressing up - I find it fun to dress up. After all, you are going on a cruise and that is all part of the experience. On a budget, I would plan on wearing a nice dress and having as much fun with looking the part for the experience. Take that as it is. . . I got a Tux on eBay for $80 that looks as good as any one you can rent. I have used it several times and that was a great $80 well spent. As for the ladies, it seems like they have to have a different outfit for everything? You are on your own here, I will never understand the need for a change of clothes every 2 hours? Just have fun, nobody is going to say anything to you. I have never seen anyone in a prom dress yet? If you do wear a prom dress, will you please take pictures and post them here so we can all laugh? We all like a little humor here. I have not been to any of these ports you mentioned, but I do know that I like to carry small bills as it seems everyone wants a handout. I find it annoying most of the time, but if I plan on it, it seems like it doesn't ruin my experience as much. Make sure you have a great digital camera. I find that after I have returned from my trip and the time goes by, I can look at my pictures and remember people, places and fun times that can be captured and remembered over and over again. This may be your most important tool to your fun lasting through the years. I have a case to put my digital camera that will allow it to go under water. Underwater pics are fun, but you can also buy a camera that will go under water at WalMart for about $10-$15 dollars that will to the trick for you nicely. It will not be digital, but does the trick. As for the ages of the people on this ship. . . I would say you will find all ages and a lot of all ages. You will find that the people your age will likely be doing the same kinds of activities, so you will see people your age where you chose to hang out. Welcome to this site. I consider myself new as well, but love to cruise. Let me know if I can help more.

This is a little bit on the Jones Act of 1920 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merchant_Marine_Act_of_1920 [url=http://www.expertlaw.com/library/workers_comp/jones_act.html]http://www.expertlaw.com/library/workers_comp/jones_act.html Here is the Ful Act. http://www.marad.dot.gov/publications/comp...20of%201920.htm It states that US flagged vessels must be built in the United States and owned by US Citizens. Also all officers must be US Citizens. It entitles Sailors to seek damages if hurt or killed. This act was suspended temporarily during hurricane Katrina by President Bush. I didn't read the whole act because I didn't have time, but I am interested in this stuff. Please tell us the part that will interest us the most. I will post more later.

I have to agree, the axe and chainsaw Budlight commercial was pretty funny.

I have only been the one on once of the balconys who is booing the ones who are late and running back to the ship 10 minutes after it was suppose to leave port. The cruise line documentation is clear that if you miss the ship, you are responsible to get to the next port on your own or fly home altogether on your own dime. I only know of one person who missed the boat and hired someone with a faster boat to catch up with the ship and the ship slowed down or stopped to allow them back on. Not sure all the details other than that.