Mebert

DaCruzNut, Your itinerary reminds me of my cruise on the Carnival Conquest. We traveled the exact same islands except in the reverse order. We enjoyed Montego Bay but heard a nightmare story from a couple about being driven into the mountains by a driver they found in the city. They were told that they had to give up all of their cash in order to get back to the ship. Today one has to proceed with reasonable caution in Montego Bay. We were fortunate to find a great van taxi driver at the pier. He originally was going to take us downtown, but for just $4 more per person he offerred a tour of Montego Bay. There were about 8 passengers on the van and I think every one of them jumped at the opportunity to tour Montego Bay for $4 each. The total fare turned out to be about $10 per person. We did do the submarine dive in Grand Cayman, but bargained ashore for a better price than was offered on the cruise ship's excursion desk. That was the only bargain we found on Grand Cayman. Everything else was very expensive. At Cozumel we took the ferry to the mainland and did the Ruins of Tulum. We did schedule that excursion from the ship. Video cameras are taxed if you want to use them at the site. We returned to Cozumel on another trip and tour San Miguel. We enjoyed that very much. The Mexican Government seems to be making a major effort to improve the shoreline with reconstructed streets and public beaches. It looks like it's going to be beautiful. Cozumel is no longer the "sleepy fishing village" it once was. San Miguel, its only city, is crowded with shops and touristy bars and restaurants. We don't know if it's a good thing but we enjoyed walking around and window shopping. We picked up a few souvenirs and some bottled water to take back to the ship.

Hi siki00, DaCruzNut has a lot of experience with cruising. I'm inclined to listen to him. I've never been on Royal Caribbean so I can't comment on that, but I have been on four Carnival Cruises and I have never been disappointed in the service. The entertainment on Carnival was always a matter of taste. There are loads of activities on the ship. I always thoroughly enjoyed myself on Carnival. The Conquest and Fascination are both very nice ships. The Conquest sails out of New Orleans and the Fascination out of Miami. Check out the itineraries on Carnival's web site or with your TA. I will eventually branch out to see what some of the other lines, unrelated to Carnival, are like. I would like to be truely informed when I make comparisons. Good luck with your choice.

DaCruzNut, Thanks again.

John and Karen, Enjoy your cruise.

Hi Lisa63, I'm sorry that I'm so late. You'll probably see this when you get back. But if you happen to check the CruiseCrazies site from the internet cafe on the ship, have a funtastic time on your cruise.

DaCruzNut, You did it again. You've help me relive my experiences on cruise ships. I really enjoyed reading your impressions of cruising. Keep 'em coming.

Hi funtocruise, Welcome aboard and welcome to the fun family of cruisers. I've found cruisers, especially on this board, to be really nice people. One way to check out the best prices is to go to a site called cruisecompete.com. Travel agents and consolidators from a number of different sites will compete for your business. Then check out the other sites like Orbitz and Travelocity and compare. Nothing beats a great travel agent you can trust and depend on to take care of specific needs other than booking. In making comparisons, I always end up going back to my travel agent, even if he charges a few dollars more. Some of the other CruiseCrazies members may have some other good ideas.

DaCruzNut, Thanks again for sharing your first adventure on the Carnival Holiday. Believe it or not sailing the Holiday is one of my dream cruises because ot the history of the ship. Do you have A SEA OF MEMORIES - Part 3, 4, 5... I can see a book in your writing.

DaCruzNut, Thanks for sharing your memories of your introduction to cruising. Believe it or not your excuses for not cruising were the same as mine. Boy, was it wrong. My introduction to crusing was in 2003 also on Carnival, the Destiny to the Southern Caribbean (I'm beginning to feel Carnival Destiny has one of Carnival's best itineraries and wish I had worked my way up to it). My next cruise was to do the some other islands of the Southern Caribbean on the Carnival Jubilee but Carnival cancelled that trip. However, I am still totally hooked on the numerous adventures that the cruise line offers out in the open sea and to distant shores. Listening to your stories don't help. They only make me more addicted and pine to hear more stories. You are absolutely no help if one is trying to withdraw from such a wonderful addiction. Thanks for being on the board.

CoachRon, Bon Voyage. Have a great cruise! We'll keep the light on for you.

drachillix, Bon Voyage. Have a great cruise! We'll keep the light on for you.

PATJUD, Bon Voyage. Have a great cruise! We'll keep the light on for you.

sailor76, Bon Voyage. Have a great cruise! We'll keep the light on for you.

Hi lindyf, Just like Keith & Rita and sailingrose suggest you can make and enjoy your own cruise. Of course some of it depends on your financial resources but it doesn't have to hurt that much. I'm not sure about RCCL, but Carnival takes out the tip from what they call a Sign and Sail Card at $10 per day per person per day. The recommended breakdown of that $10 is $3.50 per day for the cabin stewart, $5.50 per day for the dining room team and $1 per day for the Bistro waiters and cooks. So if you are taking a seven day cruise and there are four people, that would come out to $70 per person times 4 equalling $280. Depending on your financial resources, if you feel your service received was extraordinary, you may tip a little more. Of course, if you feel the service was horrendous, you may ask for the tip to be adjusted downward, but have a legitimate reason. You may want to discuss and agree upon how the tips are going to be paid before you sail so that everyone has an understanding that tips are proper protocol and most of the crew depend on them to eck out a living. Other than that, there are only optional expenses like shore excursions, alcoholic beverages, sodas, bottled water, some reservation restaurants, casino, bingo, photos, onboard shops and spa treatments. You don't have to buy any of them. Unless you make friends with someone who shares a bottle of wine or champagne with your party for some reason. Etiquette says you should reciprocate. Regarding photos and videos, you will have shots taken of you when you board, when you go ashore, and even on some shore excursions. You can opt not to buy any of them or purchase those that have your whole family in them or individual poses. It's up to you. They don't even pressure you to buy the photos. They just line them up in the photo shop and you'll have to search for them if you think you might want them or discard them. It cost you nothing to discard them. Make sure you take a nice dress or evening gown for formal evening and gentleman take a tuxedo, suit, or sports jacket. That is if you are going to dine in the dining room during formal evening. This will save you from having to rent formal wear. If you forget your formal wear you can always rent it or not rent it and eat at the informal Bistro located on the Lido deck. This is cafeteria style dining that will have the same menu but you mostly serve yourself and find your own table. I usually take four 1.5 liter bottles of drinking water with me. Each bottle usually costs under one dollar. When I go ashore I can usually find the same size bottle for under $2. The ship may charge you $3.50 or more per bottle. You can even bring on a small quantity of sodas. Of course, the preceding is what I did on Carnival. I'm not sure what will happen on RCCL. On Carnival there is usually a captain's reception where they serve free drinks and hors d'oeuvres. The types of drinks may be limited but they are well made and they are free. People who sail RCCL can let you know if they have a captain's reception on that line. I don't know if you want to hear this, but using the gym equipment is free. Just try to avoid the spa treatment folks if you're not into a hard sell for a massage. I have done a spa treatement massage with hot stones once. It was wonderful but I don't have to have it anymore. You will find that many veteran cruisers enjoy the cruising experience so much that they skip the shore excursions and take a cab or walk to the downtown area to get the basic flavor of the country they are visiting. You will even find inexpensive transportation to a nearby beach if you are a beach person. Because ALL of your meals are provided for by the ship, if it's not too expensive, you can return to the ship for your lunch and dinner. Of course that is after having a hearty breakfast. I know some people who stay on the ship on shore days because they practically have the whole ship to themselves. I, on the other hand, at least want to step in a foreign country. Sometimes you can check the shore excursions and fees on the cruise lines website. You can check to see if there is something you absolutely must do, like take a trip to an ancient city like ruins of Tulum in Mexico or Pompeii in Italy. When you're so far away you may want to miss out on such adventures because you don't know when you'll be back. Your experience can be as expensive or inexpensive as you want. If you work with a limited budget like me, planning is key. There are things that I must do or I'll be disappointed so I anticipate that expense. Whatever you decide to do, there is so much activity on the ship that you will have to work on a schedule to do most of it and fit in you free meals and free entertainment. There is always free food on the ship, 24 hours per day. I hope this has helped you and let the CruiseCrazies folks know what ports you are going to so they can make some inexpensive or free suggestions. I love suggestions that are free. So far I have not been on a cruise that I didn't like. Believe me, I don't spend a whole lot on the optional things. I can't afford it. You have a lot of time to search the web to research your ports and read cruise reviews. Most of all, enjoy, enjoy, enjoy YOUR cruise experience.

OK Keith & Rita and hazelson, I'm the jealous one. With your 90 days and 23 days. Rub it in. Make me feel bad. :grin: I'm going to have to search for a small cruise (or land vacation which I haven't done in a while because of my addiction to the sea) to tie me over until August. Regal Empress is beginning to look nicer and nicer.

Congratulations, Lisa63, I'm sure glad you have a major fun event to look forward to.

Congratulations, rogue, It looks like you're way closer to 30 days than you are to 100 days. You must be over a major hump.

I have just reach a personal milestone. My counter indicates that I have less than 200 days before my next cruise. I am waiting patiently for the counter to say 99 days. The anticipation is killing me.

Hey DaCruzNut, That sounds great. I would love to participate. Right now I can't leave until after the around mid April. Jury duty calls. Because of my work schedule, a Sunday departure date would be good until May. After that, Im not availabe until November. I hope we can work this out. It would be great to chat with veteran cruisers who could offer some insight into the Regal Empress when she was a cruise liner.

==> Now I know I've arrived. Keith & Rita read my review. I am so intimidated by Keith & Rita because of their copious experience with cruising. I feel I can relax a little now. Thanks for the encouragement. I love ya both.

Hi Lisa63, Thanks for your suggestion. How do we start interest in it?

Have a great cruise, cdnguy! INVU!

Have a great cruise, Samushy! INVU!

Have a great cruise, davieg! INVU!

Have a great cruise, Suzila! INVU!