Expert: Linda - 10/21/2007

Question
Linda,
My husband and I are from Melbourne Australia and we are travelling around USA during April,May,June2008. We are ready to book 7 day Western Caribbean cruise departing Miami 20th April....can you please tell us if ok to board the ship between 2.30 and 3pm as our plane from Vegas does not land until 1.25pm  OR are we better to arrive the day before.  Can you recommend any shore excursions that we should not miss out on?   Many thanks   from Australia

Rosalie

Answer
Rosalie, you're coming to the US at a good time; before it gets too very hot!

You can board the ship between 2;30 and 3:00 PM, BUT, I must tell you that flights out of Las Vegas tend to run late,especially if there is bad weather or one of the connecting planes is late.  Personally, I would not take that chance, I would arrive the day before.  It's not worth the stress if the plane is late.  IF however, you booked your flight with Carnival and the plane is late, they will wait for you.  If you booked independantly, they won't hold the ship. There are plenty of hotels in Miami, just go to google.com and bring up hotels in Downtown Miami.  (The hotels are within 2 miles of the port) You can go to hotels.com for a decent price  There is the Hyatt, Biscayne Bay Marriott, Radisson to name a few.

For things not to miss, it will depend on your age. Climbing the Falls at Dunns River is a neat thing to do, you'l need water socks or a pair of tennis shoes you'll throw out at the end of the walk. The water is cold, but its a great trip.  You MUST swim with the stingrays, do NOT take the ships tour, too expensive and way too many people.  Go to your browser the bring up CAPTAIN MARVIN in Grand Caymen.  You can reserve your time, but don't pay until you actually get to his place of business.  Why is he better?  Smaller boats, max 15 people, stops at the great barrier reef to snorkle as well as the stingray city.  You can also get a video if you want.  You'll leave dockside, go left and walk about 8 minutes, Captain Marvin's is on the right.

Log in and join CRUISECRITIC.COM.  It's free, then go to the BOARDS area, then click on Carnival and you'll see all kinds of questions and comments on Carnival from people who have or are going.  It's a GREAT place for information of all types.

Rosalie, have a great cruise, if there's anything else I can answer, please post.

Happy Cruising
Linda