ch27088

My first cruise was with a Marriage Ministry group with our church. It was on Royal Caribbean (can't remember which ship), in 2006, out of Los Angeles. To be honest, I don't remember doing much of anything because we were with a large group. We left on Monday and came back on Friday, which I felt was too short. The ports were San Diego, Catalina Island, and Mexico. I don't think I would do a large church group again because I didn't get a chance to really experience a cruise like I wanted. I did notice that it was a more "laid back" ship compared to the Carnival Cruise we went on a few years later. We are currently scheduled for another Carnival cruise next year and can't wait!

BALCONY!!! Did a balcony on Carnival in 2006 and I'm hooked!

Cross body purses are the only purse I take on vacation. It is so nice to have your hands free, and not have to worry to much about leaving your purse somewhere. For added protection, if you are wearing a light jacket or sweater, put the purse on first, and then your jacket or sweater. This will help hide that you have a purse on you.

Thanks for posting. It drove me nuts when we were walking around Lisbon two summers ago and my sister-in-law with her big purse prominently perched upon her shoulder.

This is excellent advice, but as always, someone will not follow what I call common sense rules and then get upset with the cruise lines because they were robbed. If I have to take cash with me at a port, I carry only what I feel I will need. I will leave my credit cards in the safe, along with my passport. I take only the necessary items I need (ships card/ID), and that's it. I also use a cross-body purse so that my hands are free, but I also tuck the purse into the waist of my pants. Crime is something that we will have to deal with because it's not going away. We just have to learn to be safe and be on guard. Another thing only take a nap on the beach if you are with someone! All it takes is someone to walk by and see that you are not paying attention and your things are gone. Also appear confident and don't look like you are scared going on shore. Thieves are looking for tourist who appear to not know where they are going and will pounce in a minute. Just walk with an air of confidence, be pleasant, and go on about your business and have fun!

This is excellent advice, but as always, someone will not follow what I call common sense rules and then get upset with the cruise lines because they were robbed. If I have to take cash with me at a port, I carry only what I feel I will need. I will leave my credit cards in the safe, along with my passport. I take only the necessary items I need (ships card/ID), and that's it. I also use a cross-body purse so that my hands are free, but I also tuck the purse into the waist of my pants. Crime is something that we will have to deal with because it's not going away. We just have to learn to be safe and be on guard. Another thing only take a nap on the beach if you are with someone! All it takes is someone to walk by and see that you are not paying attention and your things are gone. Also appear confident and don't look like you are scared going on shore. Thieves are looking for tourist who appear to not know where they are going and will pounce in a minute. Just walk with an air of confidence, be pleasant, and go on about your business and have fun!

I am too, so don't feel bad. However, I am going to be catching up pretty soon. I love cruising and find that with the economy being so crazy, it's the most inexpensive way to take a vacation and see other countries.

29 & COUNTING

11 Carnival
2 Premier...big red boat
1 RCL
How about you ????????????????????????????????????????????

1 - Carnival Pride (2008) out of Long Beach
1 - Royal Caribbean (2006) out of Los Angeles
1 - Carnival Sunshine (2014) out of New Orleans
I am hooked as a cruiser.

So it's official. We now have our booking number and have officially made our cruise reservation for March 2014 on the Carnival Sunshine. Trying not to think about it too much because it's so far off still, but it gives me a chance to pick up items here and there. DH needs a new suit and I need a few new pieces of clothing, plus trying to lose some weight so I don't scare too many people away when I come out in my swimming suit. Yeah Carnival Sunshine, can't wait to see her.

I think we should take the Harry Potter approach and herein refer to those other communities as "those that shall not be named."

The time for your cruise will be here before you know it. I booked my cruise last year and I thought it would drag by, but life steps in and now it is only 2 months away. I am so excited, and like you are planning to do - I picked up new things here and there too. I know you are looking forward to yours as I am mine.

CarnivalSunshine
Click here to view the cruise

CarnivalSunshine
Click here to view the cruise

DH and I were going to go on the NCL Jewel in November, but STUFF HAPPENS! We are now scheduled for the Carnival Sunshine on March 30th, 2014. I think I'm more excited about this cruise since it's going to be a fairly new ship. As you know the Carnival Desnity will debut as the Carnival Sunshine next month. Although we are not going until next year, it is still going to a new ship with new features! Anyone else going on this cruise. We have ports of call in Jamaica, Grand Cayman Island, and Cozumel. With it being March, the weather should be pretty good in those locations.

So it's official. We now have our booking number and have officially made our cruise reservation for March 2014 on the Carnival Sunshine. Trying not to think about it too much because it's so far off still, but it gives me a chance to pick up items here and there. DH needs a new suit and I need a few new pieces of clothing, plus trying to lose some weight so I don't scare too many people away when I come out in my swimming suit. Yeah Carnival Sunshine, can't wait to see her.

Nothing, I would just reschedule.

I think I remember reading that Carnival pulled out of Mobile because it was too expensive to port there and it was the least used and least profitable - or something like that.

Seems like Carnival Elation was sailing out of Mobile not that long ago. I found this online:
“The facility opened in 2004 with the Carnival Holiday departing. Currently (Dec 2012) there are no cruise ships docking at this facility. The last ship sailed in October 2011 with no plans for a new cruise ship to dock at the terminal for the foreseeable future.”
Hopefully you’ll get a ship close to home someday soon!

Hahaha - sorry I'm laughing because I saw that I responded to this post before. When you hit _6 yrs, your mind just goes to jelly!!! That being said, I will try and do an excursion in jamaica. I've waited all these years to go, and as Michael and Amy mentioned, I shouldn't let that stop me. Just like we do here in the states, be careful of our surroundings, don't wander off , and stay with the group! That being said...I can't wait to visit Jamaica mon!!

Hahaha - sorry I'm laughing because I saw that I responded to this post before. When you hit _6 yrs, your mind just goes to jelly!!! That being said, I will try and do an excursion in jamaica. I've waited all these years to go, and as Michael and Amy mentioned, I shouldn't let that stop me. Just like we do here in the states, be careful of our surroundings, don't wander off , and stay with the group! That being said...I can't wait to visit Jamaica mon!!

Hi Carol. The cruise lines would never take you to a port where you have to stay on the ship – they’ll change the itinerary before stopping somewhere unsafe. That being said, there are ports (like Belize) where you really should take an organized shore excursion, be it ship sponsored or third party.
Cozumel is definitely not one of those ports – we’ve been there ten times so far. Our favorite place to go is Paradise Beach: pool, beach, facilities, food, drinks, free WiFi – all top-notch!
We haven’t been to Montego Bay yet but we’ve been to other ports in Jamaica five times without any real issues. Yeah, some of the vendors can be pushy. Smile and say “no thanks” – be polite but firm – they’ll move on to someone else in no time.
And, no matter where you travel, you should always be aware of your surroundings but never let that detract from enjoying your vacation!

Cruising to me is the best value for a vacation, and I enjoy going to all the different ports. Anything can happen any where and every where you go. I will always continue to be a "CRUISER".

DH and myself are scheduled to sail in November on the Norwegian Jewel leaving from New Orleans to the Caribbean. Montego Bay, Jamaica; Georgetown Grand Cayman Island; and Cozumel, Mexico are the ports. I think that all we want to do is to lay out at the beachs, people watch, and shop!