monctonguy

Awesome.....lets hope we can keep this current!....great idea!

I don't think they are going to say anything about a sip..unless it becomes constant and more than that. I was cruising with a couple that got engaged while on the cruise! I wanted to get them a drink to celebrate and I had a drink package. The bartender would not even cover one of the drinks I bought them under my package. So it really is only for what you can or will drink. No option to buy or share a drink for anyone else.

Yeah..I booked my hotel for my January cruise out of Miami back in April. Lots of options and prices weren't too bad. I defn don't leave hotels till last min in Miami or FLL or even Tampa. Orlando and Port Canaveral are much more reasonable based on my experiences. As for flights, I hate that game. No price guarantee, can't re-book if you find a better deal and have to pre pay 100% at time of booking. I am still waiting for a "deal" on a flight to Miami or FLL in Jan. $490 CAD for 2 nights for the hotel you got isn't bad at all!

Lots of hotels to choose from in all kinds of different areas around the Miami area with different theme's and interests they cater to. I am not sure if cost or budget in as issue or not with so many ppl travelling with you. I took a look at the hotel that Jerel booked....$1100 CAD for 2 nights when I am in Miami in January......that's insane. That's more than my cruise and flight.......I would never ever pay that for 2 nights anywhere...no matter where its located or how nice it is. Miami is expensive as is FLL for lodging, but if you do some research, you can find affordable options. If money is no object...then close your eyes and click on the first hotel that comes up and you'll be able to make it work no matter what.

Brilliance is nice as I have been on her twice, but Indy has way more to do and see! Tampa is a great port, quick and easy to board....FLL is a little more busy and hectic. Guess it also depend on the itinerary. Something else I have noticed on my 2 cruises in Brilliance is there seems to be often large groups booked which can affect the vibe on a smaller ship. But based on ship alone...I give the edge to Indy based on my experiences!

Just keep in mind you can only get one drink at a time for each card. I love the idea of enjoying drinks on a balcony, but with the drink package set up...its really not practical at all..unless your room is very close to a bar. One of the reasons why I have not paid double or triple to have a balcony room and then not be able to enjoy a drink or cigar out there like you can when you travel to resorts in the Caribbean.

Never got one in almost 4 years now with them........

Never fly in the day of a cruise is the best advice I was ever given and have never done it. Way too many things can go wrong when flying, we all know that. You will be out of luck and have to fly to the next port on your own dime to meet up with the ship....huge expense and missing out on a good portion of your vacation cruise on a short cruise like that. Rebook asap is the only advice!

While I have not stayed in a Promenade room, I don't imagine its worth $800. That would prob double your total cost from what you paid for you inside guar room?! While a view of the promenade would be cool, unless you spend lots of time in your room, I cant see paying that much more. You could prob book a 2nd cruise for $800 in an inside room somewhere. For me, I would prefer quantity of cruises over quality of room in this case. Unless I am missing something amazing about these rooms? Often a balcony room isn't $800 more than an inside room per person.

yeah...that is a pretty good price....I just checked and last Sept I booked a 4 day cruise for $189/person plus taxes CAD...so about $135USD......that's the kinda deal I am looking for again this Fall!....:)

oh yeah....I am usually on before noon.....already settled in at the pool bar and enjoying myself.....that first afternoon on board is one of the highlights for my cruise.

Best advice I can give is get there as early as possible to full enjoy and take advantage of that first day on the cruise!!

Sometimes they send out that email just to try and control the boarding process. But this message says maintenance so perhaps they are actually working on something. That being said, I would still arrive there prior to 2pm as in all likelihood they will still check you in even if its not your deck's time slot. I always like to be one of the first one...maximize that first day, check out the ship before its crowded and of course enjoy my drink package!

I know in the Caribbean travel/tourism industry that the fall tends to be cheaper pricing due to weather and lower demand. However, I haven't see much in regards to deals at all so far. To be honest the pricing seems fairly high and steady through the fall bookings right now(there are a few deals here and there, but no different than anytime of the year really) Is it generally after Labor day weekend that we start to see drops or does it take the first hurricane storm to lower demand and pricing for cruising? Any thoughts if the Zika issue may alter demand at all out of Florida? I have travelled the past couple fall seasons with some amazing deals but as of right now, its not even close.(best deal is almost double what I paid last for a cruise last Fall, same ship and itinerary etc) Thoughts?!

Sorry...I have to correct my last post....the art auction thing does usually give a free glass of something out.....I went to that once.

Yes, anything like that in the compass is usually for a fee for tastings..or by invite only based on your C&A status or welcome back type thing. I don't think I have ever seen "free" booze on any cruise I have been on yet.

I hope this is not the case as I haven't had a chance to sail on her yet.....but I suppose that just gives more of an excuse to hurry up and book something. That being said, I agree that it seems a little strange they are in such a rush to get rid of so many of the smaller ships. Whether its the itinerary or the port or the atmosphere of the ship, there are many reasons to keep these smaller ones I would think. They can' have all big and new boats. If they keep going this way I would think at some time space is going to outstrip demand, but maybe I am wrong to think that.

Surprised the night life wasn't there...as its a shorter cruise, it sails out of Miami and it kinda sells itself as a bit of a party ship. I know its always hit or miss obviously, but would love to hear if this seems to be the norm. Its not a weekend sailing either which tends to be a little more lively in the evenings I suppose.

I always fly in the day before....in the winter sometimes 2 days before! I know it adds to the cost, but I look at it like an "insurance" Plus a day or two in Florida is a lot of fun. I would NEVER fly in 3 hrs before boarding time ends....wayyyy too risky. But to each their own. Of course 99% of the time you will prob be ok...but for the ONE time that you miss a connection or your luggage is delayed or the flight is delayed for weather or.......... Also,often you can book a hotel that includes a shuttle to the port and airport etc so if that's the case, it basically pays for the hotel room.

it has defn come down in price for the UP. (or maybe the PP is up in price...lol) I purchased it one time, but didn't find it was worthy the difference of about $10/day at the time. For the $2/day, I wouldn't think twice about taking it!

No problem for the help! And I always do the self-disembark now....so I just wait till the airport or wherever I am headed to grab some breakfast. I don't like to end my cruise on such a stressful maddening experience in the windjammer for breakfast..lol.

Its madness is all I can say. I normally don't even try to get anything...maybe just a coffee. I have spent too many mornings doing musical chairs trying to find a place to sit. So yes, there are full breakfast options. Just be prepared for it to be the busiest, craziest, most rushed meal/experience of the cruise.

Leigh and Frank were great...I was lucky enough to have them on my cruise in Jan, shortly before they were fired. they were hands down the funniest, most interactive and entertaining CD's I have experienced so far. Ice show was very good as well.

I just moved from gold to Platinum 2cruises ago. Nothing happened during the cruise, it does take about a week or so once back for the change to be reflected. There isn't really anything much you would benefit from anyways between those 2 levels. On my next cruise I had a pin in my room and robes and was invited to a special function.

Only beer I know that you cant get with the package is the Foster's Oil Can.... Other than that, any beer was included with the pp for any cruise I have been on. Best and only place for variety really is at whatever pub they have on board. I am sure there must be a menu pic somewhere online of the beer options for the ship you are sailing!