Roger25375

We had a great 7 night cruise on the Carnival Conquest. Nov 2-9 from Miami to Cozumel, Belize, Roatan and Grand Cayman. We spent 1 night pre cruise on South Beach at the Colony hotel. Great location right in the heart of everything. We had an Ocean Suite Cabin 7273 on this trip, the upgrade was so worth the extra space and room. Would do it again in a heartbeat. Food: Only ate in the MDR 2 nights. Did the Steakhouse 2 nights and the Lido Buffet the others. It was nice to do things on our schedule. Cozumel we had been to before, twice last year on the Imagination and the Paradise and Grand Cayman on the Paradise, but we like them both, actually prefer Cozumel to Nassau. Cozumel we did the Top 10 of Cozumel and Shopping, it included Discover Mexico Park, a stop on the Eastern side for pictures, a Tequila stop with ample free samples, and stops downtown, we had lunch at Poncho's Back Yard. YUM. Belize we did the City Tour and Altun Ha Ruins, amazing ruins, long bus ride to and from but worth the views. Roatan, we did the Pirates Birds and Monkeys of the Caribbean. The monkeys were a hoot to interact with, they would jump from person to person. Grand Cayman we did Cayman by Land and Sea, the sea part was the best, got to see shipwrecks and lots and lots of fish. Land portion was lackluster as the tour guide simply read the names of the stores and hotels to us as we passed them by. We went to the Turtle Farm, Hell and Rum factory. Looking forward to the May cruise on the Legend 8 nights from Vancouver to Seattle via Alaska.

Bucket list would be a Norwegian Fjords cruise, a Hawaiian Cruise, and to hit the lottery, call Carnival, deposit a sum of money with them and just keep cruising, they can let me know when I run low and I will refill my account. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

No, don't take the chance that they will make an example out of you and put you off at the first or next port of call. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Just took an up sell offer for a suite on the Conquest. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Love the Balcony cabins. Going to do a Balcony in Alaska next year, first time in Alaska we just did Ocean View. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Since this was the 3rd time doing this itinerary, we did not plan any shore excursions in advance. St. Thomas - Purchased an Island tour for 25.00 per person downtown at the taxi drop off area, did a complete circle of the island with a beach stop. Barbados - Top 10 of Barbados booked with Carnival. St. Lucia - Catamaran Cruise to the Pitons booked with Carnival, 30 minutes late in leaving as the Catamaran blew a shaft as we were leaving but they got it fixed and we were soon on our way. St. Kitts - St. Kitts Highlight with Brimstone Hill Fortress booked with Carnival. St. Maarten - No excursion, just explored Front Street and did some shopping.

We left the hotel to grab breakfast, then went back around 1120 to check out a grab a taxi since we each had 2 bags and a carry on to lug to the ship. Since this was my PLATINUM cruise with Carnival I wanted to get there an experience the VIP check in. The porters took the bags, noticed that they stated PRIORITY and stated that they would be delivered right up to the room. It was now 15 minutes to 12 when we checked in and told that boarding should begin around 1215. At 1205, they came an got us from the lounge and led us to the security scanners to make our way on the ship. We were in the first 15-20 people on the ship, decided to go see if the room was ready, it said Diamond/Platinum/FTF rooms would be ready at 1230, we saw that it was still being cleaned but dropped the soda off and went to get lunch on Lido, this would be the only time we would never have lines the entire cruise. We ate and it was now close to 100 pm. We headed back to the room, it was ready, but the door was still propped open, we dropped the rest of the stuff off, and yes the bags were waiting for us, so we unpacked. We met out steward, Johnny who took excellent care of us and his supervisor, whose name I don't remember. We decided to get back off the ship, walk around and explore before coming back for dinner. The first night is open seating and you go anytime from 530-830. Muster drill is at 930. This time we waited until the announcement was made and the alarm sounded, so we did not get stuck in the back against the wall and unable to breathe. I will post more about the cruise and activities tomorrow. I am trying to sort through 1100 pictures and get them uploaded.

We were able to track the bags on the US Airways app and see that they were still in Charlotte, they did not make the flight with us. The rep put in a claim, gave us a form to submit any expenses we may have, and said if they arrive that they would be delivered to the hotel. Later that night we were able to see through the app that they were put on the 615 pm flight to San Juan. The hotel said they get luggage delivered each night, almost like it's a common thing, usually around 130-300 am and would have it for us in the morning. I woke up, went down to the front desk, and yes, it had been delivered. Yeah, we won't have to do a cruise with no clothes. The hotel, Plaza De Armas, nice staff, will not ever stay here again, not worth the money. When it says windowless room, I was think a room with no view? No it is a room with a window, shutter, curtain, looks down on the main street, windowless, means no glass in your window. WTF? You could hear everything outside. But the air conditioner set to 62 degrees, just about froze us out. We walked around, went to the Sheraton for dinner (Chicago Burger Company) stopped at a grocery store to get some soda to carry on $2.99 for an 8 pack, much cheaper than at the port. Back to the room to try to sleep and wait for Sunday and the time to check in at the ship.

Just back from an almost perfect trip on the Carnival Valor. I will explain the few bad things in just a few. This was my 11th cruise and my 10th on Carnival. Here is a reason to always go a day early. Our flight left Charleston WV on time Saturday Nov 2nd at 530 am with a connection in Charlotte at 950 am for San Juan. We approached Charlotte and circled for over 1/2 an hour, then the crew announced due to the fog we were going to divert to Tri-Cities in Tennessee to refuel and try to land again. We landed in Tennessee and they told us we would not be going anywhere before 830, then 900, then maybe 10. We were free to get off the plane and go into the terminal if we wanted, two other flights diverted and joined us on the tarmac. I got on the phone with US Airways to see about getting a later flight, at first the reservation lady did not know we had been diverted, then she found it and was able to move us to the 1150 am flight to San Juan and said there was another that evening at 615 if we did not make the 1150 flight. She made the changes and told us we could get seat assignments and new boarding passes from any agent at any gate when we landed. She also put in a request to reroute the baggage (that did not work, more in a minute.) Around 915 they made an announcement that Charlotte had reopened and as soon as everyone was back on board we could leave again. They sent an agent in to round up the missing passengers and get them back on board. They let anyone who was still on hold to continue to use their cell phones. It was around 1030 when we made it to Charlotte, and you could barley move through the terminal with all of the people waiting for the cancelled and re scheduled flights. We actually found a gate with only one person in line went there and got new boarding passes issued and had enough time to make it to the next gate with about 20 minutes before they started boarding. We made it to San Juan, but the bags did not come off the belt onto the baggage carousel. The lady at the luggage office said she could not locate them in the system and did not know where they were but to come back when all the bags were out.

Thanks guys, fly out to San Juan at 523 am Saturday morning will post about the trip when we get back.

<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote'data-author="JaniceR41" data-cid="814711" data-time="1375647425"><p> <blockquote class='ipsBlockquote'data-author="Roger25375" data-cid="804608" data-time="1354759413"><p>Bridgetown, Barbados....If you get out of the city it's ok, if you only stay downtown, you will be highly disappointed. This is one port where you need to take an excursion. Just my opinion. We have been twice and avoided downtown the last visit. There are stores/shops at the cruise terminal.</p></blockquote> I liked your photo. Is the tram the one in Juneau?</p></blockquote> Yes that was Mt Roberts Tramway in Juneau

Got the Nov cruise adjusted down $70, keep those drops coming.

Port days,we like to stay busy. We were very disappointed in RCCL and the activities planned on the sea days last year to and from Alaska. Sticking to Carnival as they always have more planned on sea days and there is no way you can do it all.

In Cozumel we found free wifi outside of Los Cinco Soles in Puerta Maya where Carnival docks. In Barbados there is free wifi in the cruise center.

I blame the media for much of the decline in trust. Ask or survey those who do cruise. I have taken two Carnival cruise this year, and have one more in November. I have already booked the first of 2014 also on Carnival.