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Jeannew1956

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Everything posted by Jeannew1956

  1. The ship is the new Carnival Dream, it comes to FL in Dec 2009. I just need to convince a friend to go for the added expense of that cabin... I think I'm sold!
  2. Sept 2008! AND.. I'm in the middle of changing jobs so I'm really bummed I won't have any vacation time accumulated to be able to cruise in 2009
  3. Ok here's the deal, I just went on my first cruise on Imagination and loved it. I had a midship OV on Empress. My hesitation in booking aft is that we had the Spirit dining room which is way aft and you could really feel motion back there as well as some sort of vibration or grinding. The ship I am planning on booking is the new Dream for 2010 and I want to try balcony and I saw diagrams of some corner aft cabins with what looks like very large panoramic balconies! I am thinking the one on Empress deck, the Veranda deck above has them but diagram shows cabin much smaller, the deck below, Upper Deck has them and they actually look larger maybe but there is a lounge below with outside deck access just under the balcony so I am thinking noise from late night partiers will be an issue so I guess Empress it is. (If I get the nerve to try it) So in a nutshell I am trying to convince myself that the ship is much much larger and possibly the motion and vibration won't be noticeable at all Right?? anyone with opinions and/or first hand experience of this type balcony cabin please chime in... pro's and con's both... hopefully there are more pro's
  4. 4 more days!! I can't wait. thanks for all the well wishes!
  5. Industry getting boost from vacationers unwilling to fly BY DONNA BALANCIA • FLORIDA TODAY • August 26, 2008 As airlines cut back on the number of flights and passenger dissatisfaction grows, the idea of driving to a cruise ship, unpacking once and enjoying entertainment and meals without venturing out is becoming more popular. "The drive market has helped the cruise lines overcome economic obstacles," said Nick Verrastro, editor of Travel Trade magazine. "And they're capitalizing on the fact that the airlines are cutting capacity and raising prices." Geraldine Blanchard, vice president of Global Tours & Travel of Melbourne, said her bookings have grown to the point where 65 percent of her travel business is comprised of cruise customers. "The cruise company facilitates everything for the guest," Blanchard said. Brevard County has capitalized on the cruising phenomenon, with local hotels offering specials and perks to cruisers, like free parking for the duration of the cruise with a hotel stay before or after hitting the high seas. "The port, with all the cruise business it's developing, really helps us," said Rob Varley, executive director of the Space Coast Office of Tourism. "The cruise business is an important part of our tourism industry because it drives hotel stays before and after the cruise." Otherwise, during the slow period from late August through mid-November, things would be very quiet at hotels around the county, particularly in the Cocoa Beach and North Brevard areas, Varley said. In Florida, there are many choices for cruising, with several ports throughout the state offering a multitude of cruise options. Port Canaveral is considered No. 2 to Miami in terms of cruise passengers. Most of the major cruise lines are represented at Port Canaveral. Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Carnival Cruise Lines, Disney Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Lines have ships either based there or that make a port-of-call stop. Port Canaveral has been working at establishing itself as a premiere drive-to cruise destination, and operators are paying attention: Disney Cruise Line recently agreed to put its two largest ships at Canaveral, and Royal Caribbean and Carnival are also home-porting ships in their largest classes at the port. "One of the reasons we're doing so well with cruising is that people just don't want to fly," said Stan Payne, chief executive officer of the Canaveral Port Authority. "We're located within driving distance of many states along the East Coast and well into the Ohio Valley, and cruising has become a better option than flying." Carnival Corp. has made itself a successful cruise business model by growing through acquisition of other cruise companies and by offering a range of choices, from affordable, shoter trips to longer luxury vacations. The biggest cruise company in the world, Carnival says it hosts two-thirds of the world's cruise passengers on its brands, such as Carnival Cruise Lines, Princess Cruises and Holland America Line. Terry Thornton, Carnival's vice president for marketing planning, said there is no end in sight for demand for Caribbean cruises, which the company bolsters through locating its ships at drive-to ports around the state of Florida. In addition to being an attractive cruise vacation for first-timers, the Caribbean can continue to appeal to veteran cruisers because of the numerous ports of call and island destinations, and the different itineraries ships take to get there. But the convenience -- of driving, of settling in -- spark the cruise business these days. "The cruise industry is doing well because people are driving to their ports," Thornton said. "There are a lot of local ports around the country and cruising is more of an option than ever before. Also, people enjoy the convenience in that they can unpack once." The fact that Florida has more cruise ports than any other state is not by accident. Florida residents and those who live within driving distance of the state can pick cruises that depart from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, and Jacksonville, as well as Miami and Port Canaveral. Travel Trade's Verrastro said he believes the cruise lines will continue to market the ports that are accessible to the biggest number of drivers. "All the cruise lines are focusing on the drive market," Verrastro said, citing Carnival's recent decision to place additional cruise ships in New Orleans and Mobile, Ala., on the Gulf of Mexico.
  6. These scenic whirlpools are all around the ship... can you imagine?? I hear a spring 2010 cruise calling my name
  7. Port Canaveral 45 minutes Tampa not sure but guestimate is 1.5 hrs Going out of Miami next month and I think it's about 4 hrs
  8. Ok Crazies the countdown is on and I would like to hear your experiences.. hopefully there are some? Who has cruised on her before? Have you been since her refurbishment? What did you like or not like... do you have any tips or little known secrets to share? Remember I'm a newbie so any and all info is appreciated. For example I have learned re Cabin stewards that you should tip well the first night to ensure you are well taken care of the remainder of the cruise so whats a "good" tip for night 1... $10, 20?? We're stopping at Key West (7:30a- 2p) and Cozumel (1p-10p) so any tips on either port? Key West time will be limited so would like to just see highlights and Cozumel I think some of us just want to explore rather then do excursions.
  9. that looks and sounds wonderful Jackie! From the first photo it looks very close to the port so that may have to be our first stop or a good option for last stop before boarding the ship that night. thanks!
  10. On another site I saw several recommendations of a place called Mr Sanchos ..I think? Or was it a place called nachi something?? It was touted as being less crowded, had good food and tiki hut covered tables on the beach as well as being easy on the budget. Do any of you have first hand knowledge of this place? Since all of us going live in Florida we're really not interested in spending the day at the beach to sunbath or swim etc because we have easy access to that any time we want but we would like to enjoy a couple hours taking in the scenery and getting some photos and enjoying some adult beverages along with some tapas in a tropical setting. Some of us were interested in the Xcarat excursion but it's not offered on our cruise since we're there 1p - 10p so we are just going to wing it. A few of us are interested in exploring the town on our own away from the touristy areas. In other words we want to experience the real side of Cozumel and not the places that cater to tourists ... any suggestions? We live in Orlando so maybe that gives you a hint on why we want to avoid tourist areas I think it would be fun to take the road less traveled to shop and see the places that locals frequent.
  11. I looked in the general discussion forum and couldn't find the daily dock chat place ?
  12. Thanks everyone! Wow this is a friendly place I wish I had found this particular forum first I already feel like putting my feet up and making myself at home
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