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Enjoyed the review if somewhat short! The Valor is on our list as being in the top 3 favourite cruise ships. We cruised on her during her first year of service to the same destinations that you went to. You can't beat Carnival for value for money can you? They're great. Regards, James.

My God, how terrifying for you all.(We are on an All Inclusive to Jamaica in November and don't intend to leave the guarded resort.) I must admit having been to Jamaica more than 5 times including the dangerous Kingston, I have never experienced anything like you folks did. I'm very surprised at Carnival not doing more for your family.Although the cruise brochures do state they are not responsible for shore excursions. So the guy who gave the talk on board prior to you taking this excursion should have been a little less "pushy".Fortunately this is a rare incident especially concerning shore ex: booked through the Cruise line.Still, our feelings go out to you and I hope this will not prevent you from taking other cruises not necessarily to the Caribbean. Regards, James

Hello John, Tx for your reply. I'm glad we have different opinions over AI and Cruising. I love both types of vacation. My credit card bill is still less after an AI than a cruise. Regards, James.

Hello Sherry, Some AI include Breezes, Couples and Sandals. All offer great prices and locations. Regards, James.

Hi Sherry, As it is late here I'll answer your request tomorrow- Sunday. Regards, James.

Aw, C'mon John- there is no comparison at all. We are taking an all inclusive in November which includes all activities on land and sea along with a choice of 5 restaurants No extra fees .Ground transportation to and from the resort from the airport is included and all tipping.The only big difference is the fact of not travelling to other islands. When was the last time you took a cruise John? I don't mean to be disrespectful but I'm afraid you're wrong here. I am talking of cruising on today's ships-not 5 or 10 years ago when the nickel and diming was virtually non existant.(I also book the air fares seperately from the AI or cruise fare.) Examples: CRUISES-included: All meals except speciality restaurants Ice Cream Pizza Bars Entertainment in Main theatre and bars Cabin Service twice a day Fun Activities Some Fitness Classes Use of Fitness equipment Room service Travelling to different islands CRUISES-excluded Soft drinks and bottled water Alcoholic drinks including wine Tipping Some aerobics classes Massages Use of certain spa whirlpools without taking a spa treatment Wine tasting. All Inclusive Resorts (4 to 5 star ratings) All of the CRUISES included with the exception of the island travel All the CRUISES excluded items are included in AI's Extra costs include shore excursions and shopping and a few spa treatments but that's about it. Also rooms are larger with great views of botanical gardens or the beach and ocean. Anyway John we are all different and have various viewpoints. But because of my love of the sea and ships I will continue to cruise but not as often as I once did. Regards, James.

As Donna and I have to put up with 4 months of Winter every year, we always go for the beach excursions-lots of sunbathing and swimming in the sea. Regards, James.

FINALLY! Someone has put into print what I have maintained for months. We are being nickel and dimed to death on cruises these days but not a lot of people seem to care. That is until they get the credit card bill at the end of the month! If it wasn't for the fact that I love ships and travelling by sea, I would opt for an all inclusive holiday any time. The advice I would offer to new, potential cruisers is that they read the fine print in the brochures VERY carefully or quiz their travel agent about the extras. Regards, James. P.S. For those of you against All Inclusives-MOST activities are included-again read the fine print.I know things such as Resort photos, top of the line wines and spirits and shore excursions are not included. Obviously the higher priced resort the more all inclusives.

Just a quick addition here. We nearly always use RS on the last night of the cruise. Sort of a tradition with us. Maybe a cheese and tomato sandwich with chips or something like that This will be about 1030 p.m. Tipping of course is up to one's discretion. Regards, James.

I don't fully understand this. Doesn't the cruise line send the final documents to the passenger? Surely they will not issue the documents before all payments has been received by them. ( I admit I only scanned the previous posts) Regards, James.

Can't live without my watch I'm afraid! That includes bathing and sea fun.We have a friend who has never worn a watch or any kind of timepiece. He says time is irrelevant! Needless to say he is in buisness for himself. Regards, James.

Normally if it's the first sea say I get up at the crack of dawn and video film the ship from the top deck down to the lowest, bow to stern. It usually takes up to 45 minutes. Then later the same day usually mid afternoon, I will film the normally busy happenings on the lido and pool decks just for comparison's sake! All other sea days I'm up by 8 a.m and after breakfast on the Lido deck am sunning by 9 a.m.Regards, James.

In the next edition of "Cruise Travel" due out I think in August, there will be an article about sailing out of New York which might be of interest to you. Regards, James

On a very similar theme Jason and I can't remember if I read this our site,but someone enquired about organizing activities/parties whilst onboard. I think the line was Princess.The charges for this group were completely outrageous. By the time Princess had finished with their charges, the leader of the group lost interest. Everything from napkins to the service of a water, from per sandwich charge to fruit punch. When I think about this wasn't it you who put this on the board about 4-6 months ago? I remember the list was very long and detailed. I still haven't got over it! Regards, James.

Been there -done that!!! Expect a 15 minute trip through the falls getting very wet despite the blue plastic mac you are given as a part of your fare. Regards, James.

Yes a good question. I think in my case a mate of mine in the early 80's went on one and raved about it on his return. So out of curiousity really I took my then 16 year old on the Costa Riviera out of Fort Lauderdale way back in the 1980's. Despite feeling somewhat "out of it" being a single dad, I had a super time. Regards, James.

Well after 10 cruises I would have to say the Caribbean Princess closely followed by the Carnival Valor. This of course does not mean the favourite cruise-right? All ships have their own personality I think. My ship with the best personality was the now scrapped Costa Riviera. No ship has come close to that one for personality. Regards, James

I just tried to post the intenary but something got screwed up!! Here once again is the intenary: New York At sea At sea Grand Turk San Juan St. Thomas. At sea. Bermuda. At sea. New York. I believe the date of departure is the 17th May but could be wrong there. Regards, James.

Hi Canadian Cruiser, Here is the intenary as I remember: New York Embarkation Dep 5pm. At sea. At sea. Grand Turk. San Juan. St. Thomas At sea. Bermuda. At sea. New York. I think the date is the 17 th of May. But check the Princess web site to be sure. If you have sailed with Princess before you get some good rates Regards, James.

It would be great to meet some of you lovely folks on this 9 day cruise out of New York. We have sailed on the CP before and it is a fabulous ship. Regards, James.

Great question and one which is rather difficult to answer. For example a filet mignon on Carnival may not be quite the same on Princess. Personally I'm more of a meat and potatoes person-fancy foods don't mean much. I do enjoy most soups and desserts but main dishes I can live with 'em or without 'em!! I've always said that the simplist meals can be the best such as roast beef ,roast potatoes, peas and Yorkshire pudding with gravy. Trouble is the chefs tend to "doll" meals up and you end up with something that resembles what you want but is not IT!!!. Regards, James.

I think you would have to have a quoted price from your TA before boarding your cruise. This is assuming of course you have talked to your agent about a future cruise with the same line you are about to cruise on. Also of course you can peruse the internet on board the ship to find out the best prices from other agents before going to the future cruise desk on board. Regards, James

Another very good question. I think most places in the Caribbean have their good and bad sides. Same goes for Mexico. I thought going along on a ship's shore excursion was the safest bet until I read recently of a hold up in Jamaica of a ship's tour and the people were robbed at gunpoint. One of the robbers got away but police killed the other guy. Virtually all the popular islands are risky if you don't know where you are going.By and large I would still have to say though that the escorted shore excursions are the safest way to go around. Regards, James.

Welcome to our humble abode!! I'm a great believer in starting small and moving up. Donna and I started on the Carnival Imagination -a 70000 or so ship which held about 2500 people. After a few more smaller ships we found ourselves on the magnificent Carnival Valor at 110000 tons. We are now about to take our 11th cruise on the Caribbean Princess at 113000. Personally though, for a really good time,value for money,best shows and extremely roomy staterooms you cannot beat Carnival for a person of any age. If you can, promise yourself to take a New Years Cruise with Carnival-you'll never forget it! Regards, James.

Hazelson-you're too much!!!! I would like a speciality restaurant based on the classic ocean liners of the past. Ships such as the Maurentania, the Rex, Titanic Ille de France etc would be the themed wallpaper and furnishings like was on those liners. The menus would be changed each day taken from one of the Classic ships and their daily dinner offerings. Regards, James.