Carnaval Cruise

[Uncle Doug]

Eddie, good to find this kind of stuff out now instead of on a cruise.

Cruising is not for everyone but if you get the cruise bug it is a great vacation option. We just got off a cruise on Sunday and leave again in 3 weeks.

 

[EddieWalker]

Who knew girls like to cruise so much!!!!

Another friend wants to go on a cruise. We've been looking at the info and reading the reviews. Royal Caribbean seems to be better then Carnival, especially Carnival Magic out of Galveston. Galveston is the closest port for a cruise, but it seems to be a bit price compared to New Orleans. Similar cruises from each port, and New Orleans is over $200 cheaper per person. It's a 6 hour drive and she has a new Cadilac CTS, so it should be a fun drive!!!

We're reading up on parking and think just paying for parking at the port makes sense. Some of the hotels offer free parking if we stay the night, but just paying for the parking is cheaper then the single night at the hotel.

My passport is expired and I'm going to fill out the form and do a rush on getting it back, but I'm told that you don't need a passport. Something about a closed loop and since the cruise starts and ends in the US, it's not needed. Just a birth cirtificate. Anybody know this to be true?

7 day cruise, Sunday to Sunday.

Port
New Orleans, LA
Fun Day at Sea
Fun Day at Sea
Montego Bay, Jamaica
Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Cozumel, Mexico
Fun Day at Sea
New Orleans, LA

A cruise is on my bucket list, so this seems like as good a time to go as any. I haven't been on a vacation in three years, so I'm thinking I'm due!!!

Thanks,
Eddie

 

[300UGUY]

Who knew girls like to cruise so much!!!!

Another friend wants to go on a cruise. We've been looking at the info and reading the reviews. Royal Caribbean seems to be better then Carnival, especially Carnival Magic out of Galveston. Galveston is the closest port for a cruise, but it seems to be a bit price compared to New Orleans. Similar cruises from each port, and New Orleans is over $200 cheaper per person. It's a 6 hour drive and she has a new Cadilac CTS, so it should be a fun drive!!!

We're reading up on parking and think just paying for parking at the port makes sense. Some of the hotels offer free parking if we stay the night, but just paying for the parking is cheaper then the single night at the hotel.

My passport is expired and I'm going to fill out the form and do a rush on getting it back, but I'm told that you don't need a passport. Something about a closed loop and since the cruise starts and ends in the US, it's not needed. Just a birth cirtificate. Anybody know this to be true?

7 day cruise, Sunday to Sunday.

Port
New Orleans, LA
Fun Day at Sea
Fun Day at Sea
Montego Bay, Jamaica
Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Cozumel, Mexico
Fun Day at Sea
New Orleans, LA

A cruise is on my bucket list, so this seems like as good a time to go as any. I haven't been on a vacation in three years, so I'm thinking I'm due!!!

Thanks,
Eddie

Dude, she's got a new Cadillac? You should be doing some serious kissing up action there. Like anywhere she wants.....

 

[2LaneCruzer]

Better late than never; we've been on Carnival, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean cruises. We much prefer Carnival; Royal Caribbean second and Norwegian; well, probably never again.

 

[txdon]

Cruise Deals, Discount Cruises, and Cruise Vacations | Carnival Cruise Lines

If an emergency comes up and you have to fly back it could be a problem with no passport.

Bottom of page talks about passport requirement.

"Carnival requires guests to provide proper travel documentation in order to travel. The passport requirement does NOT apply to U.S. citizens traveling to or returning directly from a U.S. territory. ......
.....It is recommended that all guests travel with a valid passport during their cruise. This will enable guests to fly from the U.S. to meet their ship at the first port should they miss their scheduled embarkation and allow guests that must disembark the ship before their cruise ends due to an emergency to fly back to the U.S without significant delays and complications. It is also recommended that all guests travel with a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond completion of travel.
*If you need to obtain a passport quickly, Carnival recommends that you contact ZVS at http://www.zvs.com/carnival or by phone: 1-866-788-1100. Callers should mention that they are sailing on Carnival to receive discounted service fees."

 

[jejeosborne]

Who knew girls like to cruise so much!!!!

My passport is expired and I'm going to fill out the form and do a rush on getting it back, but I'm told that you don't need a passport. Something about a closed loop and since the cruise starts and ends in the US, it's not needed. Just a birth cirtificate. Anybody know this to be true?

7 day cruise, Sunday to Sunday.

Port
New Orleans, LA
Fun Day at Sea
Fun Day at Sea
Montego Bay, Jamaica
Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Cozumel, Mexico
Fun Day at Sea
New Orleans, LA

A cruise is on my bucket list, so this seems like as good a time to go as any. I haven't been on a vacation in three years, so I'm thinking I'm due!!!

Thanks,
Eddie

Eddie, I took my family on a cruise last March which left from Miami to Haiti and Jamacia. None of us had passports. Just make sure that your birth certificate is from the health department and not the hospital type with the footprint. I would still double check with the cruise line and describe what you have in hand but you are correct with the closed loop. Plan on gaining a little weight and enjoy the main dining room. My wife didn't expect my kids to like the formal dining but they loved the pampering.

BTW, my son still enjoys seeing pics of oscar from your facebook page.
Jeff

 

[two_bit_score]

Eddie, here's a reminder of something to keep in mind regarding any cruise and especially one out of NO right now.

Virus strikes cruise ship out of New Orleans - Houston Chronicle

"WDSU-TV reported that about 200 passengers on the New Orleans ship became ill from the virus, which causes vomiting and diarrhea and spreads rapidly in close quarters such as cruise ships and nursing*homes."

 

[EddieWalker]

My birth cirtificate doesn't have a foot print and the travel agency who is booking it said that they need to inspect it before they will accept payment. I have five weeks until we leave, so I might have my passport by then. I filled it out and mailed it off yesterday with the extra $60 for express service and another $12.50 for overnight shipping to get it back to me. All I can do is wait and hope. LOL

Eddie

 

[Uncle Doug]

We have sailed out of New Orleans several times. The cruise terminal is right behind the convention center near the french quarter. There is parking right at the cruise terminal and is the best way to go. If you drive over the night before and stay at a hotel in the french quarter expect to pay for parking even at the hotel.

The thing I did not like about New Orleans cruises is the long slow float to get out to the gulf.

A goverment issued birth certificate and a state issued photo ID will work. We travel with a passport just incase.

Galveston cruises will always be a little higher than New Orleans as the demand is higher. The old supply and demand at work, That being said there are still great deals to be had as bookings are soft right now. We just booked a March 4 cruise for 7 nights on the new ship the Carnival Magic for right at $500 per person.

 

[EddieWalker]

My friend really wanted to go on that cruise and that boat, but I was nervous about the reviews. Carnival Magic - Carnival

I told her that I wasn't too excited about a cruise and that we should go to an all inclusive resort instead and hang out on the beach. Then she came up with New Orleans and the Conquest. Carnival Conquest - Carnival

I'm still unsure, but looking forward to seeing some new places and going on vacation. I think it will be like anything, it's what you make of it.

Eddie