SpaceCowboy9

I think the longest I've ever waited was my first cruise (Port Canaveral), maybe an hour and half - the ship was late getting in due to a storm and it threw everything off. Charleston can be wonky, because the check in building is down the block from the port, you check-in and get on a bus, sitting on the bus usually takes the longest (but at least you are sitting).

I watch TV at home... My cabin onboard is for sleeping and showering - I get more out of the map channel. A cruise is different to everyone, if that's how someone wants to spend their time - go for it (except for the magnet home theatre)

yes, I got banned for something equally "offensive" - and of course, we are finding out the conspiracy theorists were and continue to be right I'm not here to talk politics, but if someone says something completely false (like the jab being safe and affective) I'm going to call them on it.

We did a Princess cruise in November and the new procedure was sort of what we did. Except there weren't different lines. We had our medallions, skipped a lot of the line, they took a look at our passports, and let us on the ship. After parking the car, I think we were on board in less than 10 minutes and neither of us had any priority status.

We never thought it was worth paying extra for it. We are Platinum now, it is nice skipping some of the line.

When you cruise, be sure to bring copies of everything. Sometimes the credits fall off your account. happened to me on Princess, but I had a copy of the email I received from Princess and they put it back on my account

Did she get a penalty of some sort? Maybe I missed it in the article?

@Cruising Caribbean for a home port, we will start cruising out of Norfolk. We have driven to both Jacksonville and Baltimore. The back-up is flying somewhere. Charleston (and I assume Norfolk) did not have may itinerary options, if we want something different, we'll fly. Love flying to San Juan and taking a cruise from there.

@Cruising Caribbean I just saw an article this week, but could not locate it. Found something different on cruisehive with a picture: https://www.cruisehive.com/300-million-upgraded-nassau-cruise-port-opens-this-month/101194 the amphitheater is in the top right corner of the port complex.

We were there in early May. We miss the tower - we wish they would have kept it. Everything looks new and futuristic. I'm interested to see how they utilize the amphitheater. Looks like an awesome venue.

@3Sisters My wife likes a place in Philipsburg that sells home decor, driftwood, jewelry but I don't know the name of it and I could not locate it on the map it's near https://goo.gl/maps/2qzQHHhAoa6MDnJQ6

@Cruising Caribbean I have not sailed out of Norfolk - but I do like sailing out of Charleston - while it lasts

Yes, I'm not seeing any Norfolk cruises for 2024 either - weird. I'm three hours from Norfolk and four from Charleston - so I'm still taking the cruises from Charleston

@3Sisters Mullet is not close to the cruise port, it's just past Maho Beach (where the planes land)

@3Sisters Mullet Bay Beach is a nice beach to chill and there is good snorkeling from shore, if you are into that. Parotte Ville Bird Park is also something worth a try. It's also nice being in Marigot and Maho beach before the cruise ships get in.

I don't know for sure, but my guess would be "probably not" -- Carnival doesn't normally play sports on the big screen at the pool and I don't believe the Carnival Dream has a sports bar. Sometimes, in the casino bars, sports will be on -- that could be an option. You could always get an internet plan and stream the game? If you are on facebook, you could reach out to John Heald, he's the brand ambassador for Carnival. He's good about answering questions. https://www.facebook.com/JohnHeald

@3Sisters Thanks! We're taking a cruise out of St Martin and coming in four nights early. We're going to do a couple of our favorites and want to try something new.

Anyone been to the Natural Pools (Devil's Cupper) or Friar's Bay Beach in St Martin? We're trying to do something off-the-beaten-path on our next visit. How was it? Or any suggestions of something different?

The plan was we would do about two cruises a year, but we are close to retirement. We eventually wanted to do about four cruises a year. However, "The Thing" (covid) changed all of that. Since we were not allowed to cruise, we did a few land vacations. Went to St Martin twice and Aruba once (and did Cocoa Beach & Key West & we did a short trip to San Juan). Going forward, we will mainly cruise, but we will throw in one or two land vacations a year. There is a lot more planning to do on a land vacation, but with airbnb and the rest of the internet, it's easier to do. If anyone needs any tips, let me know.

Was in San Juan in May on a cruise & last August, took a quick, 4-night trip there. Very safe, but it's just like being in any major city, you have to be aware of your surroundings & there are some places you shouldn't go. The ferry building is close to the cruise port in old town. We take the ferry across the bay to go to Bacardi. You can usually get a cab on the other side for less than $10 per person (though we haven't done it since before 2020) - we heard Bacardi is doing reservations now, you used to be able to go & hang out - beautiful setting.

Taken two cruises out of Charleston recently. I think I saw one drug dog, they were not checking that closely. We smelled weed while on our balcony & notified security. Carnival acted quickly. Though I would have rather it got caught during embarkation.

My favorites are St Martin - best tour group in the Caribbean: Bernard's Tours. Aruba - chill beaches & snorkeling San Juan - old world charm, lots of stuff to do on your own, like going to Bacardi (and taking the ferry for 50¢ is awesome)

Was there in May - had a great time. We did the Damajagua River Adventure (out of Amber Cove) - the locals we talked to were great. No, I am not intimidated by this warning, it's just like any major city, you have to be aware of your surroundings. Besides, if you go to Amber Cove and never leave the cruise port, you have nothing to fear.

Needed to find a new cruise message board. Got tired of the other one where some folks were allowed to bully others and the ones getting bullied would be suspended. Anyway, enough of that... My favorite cruise port is St Martin, followed by Aruba and San Juan, been on 13 cruises, all but two on Carnival. We only have a couple cruises lined up, not until 2024. May be able to stick one in...