monctonguy

Yup..I figured as much as well....That would be a long trek...something like a 20 drive each way, plus a ferry ride in between...lol

 

I live about an hour from Saint John, and have seen some cruise ships in port there. Actually a friend of mine used to work with the port tourism there and Brilliance of the Seas was there last fall before I went on her in Jan out of Tampa and was neat to see some firsthand pictures and write ups in the paper about her before I was sailing on her.

I am guessing you are referring to Saint John, NB not St. John's NF?

 

Car rental in St. John's NF is usually booked up months in advance during the summer months, so you maybe out of luck really.

 

As for Saint John, NB....shouldn't be a problem.

And did you see the pricing? Close to $3000 for the cruise, double what they charge for a week cruise to the D.R!! They must be expecting a huge pent up demands for Americans to visit Cuba with that kind of pricing.

 

I have been to Cuba many many times...I normally pay less than $1000 CAD(about$800USD) for a whole week there...all meals and drinks included, as well as airfare!

I am...I loved Monarch as it was my first cruise ever..so I think this is gonna be a lot like my first cruise. But then of course I will be curious to try her again after the upgrades next year I am sure!!

Well I had it booked for Nov, as I figured that was going to be my last chance to get to experience it before it was gone in the spring.

 

If I really enjoy it, plus with all the changes they are making I may book it again once it is based out of PC.

Can't please all of the people all of the time.

 

Things have changed for smokers and non-smokers a lot in the cruise industry just since I started cruising 2 years ago.

 

On the whole ship, there is only 1 place inside to smoke. And while I agree it can carry and smell outside of there, it shouldn't be enough to ruin someone's trip.

 

Every trip I have taken has been with a non-smoker and none of them have said that the smell of smoke was that big a deal or ruined the trip or even kept them out of the casino.

Pretty sure they are having at least one under the Carnival name...as you can look at it on their site and maybe even book now for future cruises on it.

I hear your pain about having one booked and needing another one to tide you over. I was in the same situation as you. Have Independence booked for Jan, but couldn't wait that long so booked a great deal on Majesty for Nov.

 

I am not a big excursion person(although I used to do them more when staying at AI's). I prefer to just get out and explore around on my own when/were I can.

 

But good advice here for sure booking through RCI. Both for fact that your the first out on the tenders(we all know how long that can take for those trying to  get off first thing in the morning) and also for the ship guarantee to wait for you to make it back in case something happens.

 

Good to know for when I do book an excursion in the future.

No worries. I always fly back the same day, but look for flights around noon or later. I know between the boat being on sechedule, getting off early, no delays in getting to the airport and then hoping for no long lines through security there are a lot of things that can happen that are out of your control.

 

This is probably more true for my travels through Orlando as the airport is at least a 45 min drive from the port, and I have seen an hour wait to get through security once at the airport. But out of FLL, TPA, MIA its not nearly as far to worry about.

 

Your probably ok..but for an extra $50 or whatever the difference is I would book a later flight. If the difference is much more than that, consider staying a night at a hotel and catching a early flight out the next morning. Sometimes that is the cheapest option for us Canadians trying to fly home!

I always do self-carry off, but I wouldn't choose a flight before 11am. I know those are the cheaper ones back to Canada always, but not worth the risk/rush in my mind.

 

Boarding is probably at 10:15.....you need time to check in and clear security etc which means you don't want to be there any later than 9ish to be safe.

 

If you have a hired ride waiting for you maybe but I would be a little stressed out cutting it that close!

There is very little savings to be had out of Bangor, ME which is the closest for me. It usually ends up more with the hotel and gas. Once you get down as far as Portland or Boston, you tend to see some savings, but not enough to justify 2 extra days of travel and 2 more nights in a hotel.

 

We have no competition up here, high fuel prices and a low dollar so it really hurts right now.

 

Last winter was the same for me. Got back from a cruise end of Jan, and it snowed the next day and basically didn't stop here for 2 months.

 

I have never looked at trying to get flights to San Juan.....$585 is  a great deal. And I know that the cruises out of SanJuan are usually pretty good price and have some great itineraries!

I think I am one of the only Canadians on this board. With the cost of flights to get to these cruises, no wonder!!..lol

 

Kills me when I see airfare and cruise prices in the US compared to what we have to pay here. I suppose out of Halifax you have a few more options but.

 

I got 2 cruises lined up and looking now for a Feb cruise. I hate winters here, hence my cruise obsession now!

Too bad they didn't have a cruise that originated out of Atlantic Canada and headed south eh, Jerel??!

 

I have been hooked on cruising since doing my first one a few years ago as well, and always have to have the next one booked to look forward to..lol.

Awesome guys...thanks for the heads up and info. Good to know!!

 

Not sure what we ever did before internet access to research all this stuff!..haha

I have room 8068 booked on majesty....first time with an obstructed view.....anyone able to tell me or know/seen how obstructed the view is out of this room?!

The new terminal is basically right next to the old one.....well a few hundred feet maybe.

 

There are usually a few people watching the ships leaving when I have been going out of there, but its still a little ways away from the terminal and no beach or hotel for sure. I know there are probably one or two places along there, near the Victory Cruises place perhaps.

 

But I really don't think you can walk there from the Terminal. It is on the other side of the water, and its just highway's and roadways there.

 

Have to go into Coco Beach for hotels and beaches...about a $20 cab ride.

I don't really think anything is to be honest. Its in a kinda secluded area all by itself. It would be a fair distance to walk to get to any beach or eating area around there based on what I have seen in my 4 or 5 cruises out of there.

Ok...and the OBC size depends on the future cruise you book right, not the cruise you are on now? Is there a set/standard amount that they offer or it varies on lots of different factors?

 

You would think I would have looked into this with all the cruises I do, but never have and prob have missed out on some deals or OBC's for sure!

This is a question about OBC as well, just a little different.

 

When you sign up for  a "next cruise" on your current sailing, do you get a room OBC as well that you can use on your current cruise?

I try to take them whenever and as often as I can. I book them as soon as I know I can afford to take another one is what it comes down to for me!

Well I booked with RCI, it was $221 plus taxes for Oceanview room. Didn't think I would do much better than that anywhere else. BUT, I wanted to pay in CAD funds, and they tried to tell me it was going to be over $500 in CAD....I told them the exchange rate wasn't 100%. I spent over an hour on the phone with them, only to be told that the government of Canada sets the rate and that was it...lol.

 

Needless to say, I hung up and spoke with someone else....and I just ended up paying in USD at the end.

 

Thanks for the tip about the freestyle machine...love using those and that's a great location to put it, by Sorrento's above the windjammer!(I have a feeling this ship is gonna be very similar to Monarch of the seas from what I have seen and read). I am pretty sure Sorrento's was above the Windjammer on Monarch as well!

well that maybe worth checking as now I have 2 cruises booked with no OBC....one was a bogo 50 I think and the other was the 30/30...so lets see if tmrw I can finally join the ranks of those who actually save with some of these deals!! :D

I have done all short cruises..all 4 day so far and love them. It works for me because of travel time, as well as price.

 

I don't have an 8yr old either so even better..lol

Didn't save me anything....I hear there is a sale this weekend coming up with some perks....waiting to see what it maybe and if this "sale" will actually save me any money!!

 

These "sales" usually cost me more so far.....

Haha....frozen mojito's are good..one of my favs when sitting outside drinking!! Usually one of the first drink once on board. And yes, I had lost track how many of those I have had each cruise.

 

The pineapple mojito they make in the boleros lounge is pretty good as well.