Ask Bahama Mama - The Official Q&A Thread for "Freeps Ahoy!", an FRN Caribbean Cruise

Free Republic Network | 11/01/2002 | MinuteGal

[DoughtyOne]

 

Ask Bahama Mama!

Hey Mon, and Freepers of all ages:

Picture me, your own Bahama Mama, lolling on a sun-drenched beach on Freeper Island.
Warm, sparkling blue waters all around.  Palm trees waving.  Coconut rum punch nearby.
It's a Freeper holiday.

I'm here to answer all those nagging little questions you may have
about our week-long "Freeps Ahoy" cruise to the Caribbean,
May 31st aboard Carnival's "Triumph", a beautiful and fun Ship.

Things such as: What do I bring to wear?...  Are there any hair dryers in the cabins?...
What are tipping guidelines?...  Can my special diet be accommodated?...
How much cash should I bring?...

Bahama Mama will answer all your questions.  Use the links provided on this page for information on cabins,
fare and reservations, plus other topics of interest and "chat" about our cruise getaway.
This "Bahama Mama" thread will be for questions and answers only.
Please keep on topic.  Some answers may take a little time to research, so be patient.
Bahama Mama will respond to each of you.

If you want a private reply to a special query, send a freepmail to Bahama Mama's stateside moniker, "MinuteGal".

Do I hear reggae music nearby?  I'm off to investigate.  It's such an effort to pull myself off the beach.

Fellow Freepers, follow your heart's desire for a relaxing getaway in the sun.  Register now!
On embarkation day, I'll be waitin' aboard ship to welcome y'all with a big warm tropical hug!

Remember, post your questions to BAHAMA MAMA on this thread.
I'm here to insure smooth-sailing for every Freeper signing on for our fun-filled Caribbean adventure!

Freeper cruises rock!!!

Bahama Mama's mainland alter ego...
( Leni / MinuteGal )
 

Bahama Mama thinks all Freepers belong on a beach like this.
Who could argue with that? Register today.
 

This page is for questions and answers only.  If you have general comments
please go to the Cruise Announcement page to make them.
Thank you.
 

Freeps Ahoy Links

Cruise Announcement - Comments welcomed here
Cruise Staterooms, Categories and Rates
Registration Form
The Carnival ship Triumph
More about Cruise Staterooms
Deck Floor Plans
Cruise Map
Destinations
More about Triumph

[MinuteGal]

Hi, Utah Girl. Bahama Mama was able to put her finger right on the info you requested very quickly!

The cruise service bus will pick you up and return you to Orlando for $69. The bus will pick you up at McDonald's Restaurant parking lot, 9814 International Drive (at International Drive and the Bee Line Expressway at 6 AM (EST) and bring you back at 5 PM the next week.

The bus company operates late-model, air-conditioned, comfortable motor coaches equipped with TV and VCR for current movies. Every vehicle is equipped with state-of-the-art communications and uniformed drivers.

There are no specials for single passengers, but for this cruise couples or pairs can reserve one seat at full fare and book the 2nd seat at 1/2 price. Florida Freepers, take note!

The "FReeps Ahoy" cruise committee does not handle personal travel arrangements. To make your bus reservation, phone toll free at 1-800-276-5055. If you live outside Florida, call (941) 379-7900. Have your sailing date (May 31) and ship name (Carnival Triumph) at the ready.

Don't delay phoning so you're assured of a seat. Orlando is a popular pick-up city for your bus.

Let Bahama Mama know on this thread when you're all set!

Bahama Mama

[Utah Girl]

Cool! So if I understand, it would be $69 + 1/2 price for the round trip because I am a single. Right? Still cheaper than flying...I will call as soon as I have my days off scheduled, should be in the next couple of weeks.

[MinuteGal]

There are no specials for a single seat. If a registered cruise passenger makes a bus reservation for TWO (a spouse, partner or roomie or even a friend booked in another cruise cabin) the 2nd person gets 50% off full fare for his/her seat. Sorry if I wasn't clear on this.

Also, a typo reared it's head on a phone number I posted above. If you're phoning the toll-free number from inside Florida, the correct number is 1-800-226-5055 (not the "276" I posted). Please note the correction.

FReeps Ahoy!

Bahama Mama

[BearCub]

There are no specials for a single seat. If a registered cruise passenger makes a bus reservation for TWO (a spouse, partner or roomie or even a friend booked in another cruise cabin) the 2nd person gets 50% off full fare for his/her seat. Sorry if I wasn't clear on this.

Now that makes no sense. Just make a reservation for 2 and the second person will 'just fail to show up'. And you'll have two seats!

[MinuteGal]

Let's say it's $100 a seat. If you call in and reserve two seats under this discount rate, one for you and one for your cruise partner, you will pay $150 up front instead of $200 for the two seats. If the partner "fails to show" you will end up paying $150 instead of $100 for your own seat. There is no credit for someone who fails to honor a reservation. Hope this helps.

Leni

[MinuteGal]

Get your info here
From Bahama Mama
The day we sail
You'll have no trauma!

Cozumel Shave!

Bahama Mama

[MinuteGal]

Listen up, friends! We have a gentleman freeper who's looking for a roomie for our FReeps Ahoy cruise May 31. Prefers non-smoking in cabin, otherwise has no qualms if you're a puffer!

If you're dying to go on our week's dream cruise at an amazing bargain by splitting the cabin fare, freepmail Bahama Mama at "MinuteGal" right now. This may be just what you're looking for!

Bahama Mama

[MinuteGal]

Here's a capsule rundown on pertinent cruise info already posted on this Bahama Mama thread:

DETAILED ITINERARY - reply # 8
CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES ABOARD - #22
COMPUTER CAFE ON BOARD - #31
LAUNDRY, DRY-CLEANING, IRONING ABOARD - #37
ROOMIES WANTED - #70, 73, 147
SMOKING POLICY ABOARD - #63
BRINGING BOOZE ABOARD - #134
ID DOCUMENTS NEEDED - #97, 111
COURTESY BUSSES FOR FLA.FREEPERS - #141
WHAT TO BRING TO WEAR - #121 thru 126.

There will be continual information posted as we move along. Don't be shy about posting your questions. If you want a private answer, freepmail Bahama Mama at "MinuteGal". No questions too trivial!

Bahama Mama

[MinuteGal]

Hi, Cruisers!

There's some "Fast Faqs" over on the main "FReeps Ahoy" cruise thread you'll want to read. Just punch the link at the beginning of this Bahama Mama thread. It's reply #729.

Bahama Mama

[MinuteGal]

Our low group rates and choice of cabins are still holding fast! This will not last forever. Register now by clicking on the "registration form" link at the top of this thread.

Wow, without playing Miss Cleo, if the Iraqi scenario plays out, we could have the second-greatest freeper get-together in Freeperdom history. You'll won't want to miss this!

(The first-greatest celebration in FR history was our Inaugural Ball after President Bush's victorious campaign. Following closely or tied for second was the initial FR rally in DC. Do you agree?

Leni

[MinuteGal]

To answer your questions on the main cruise announcement thread:

Actually, you can sign up for any cruise right up to a few days before embarkation. However, if the ship's complement is filled, which it probably will be, you're out of luck for a cabin. So, the sooner you pay your deposit, the better. Your cabin is then guaranteed.

Also, our low Freeper group rate expires very shortly. It actually expired January 27 but we received an extension till February 21. At that time, the axe will fall on the low fare and you'll have to pay normal rates. A cabin of your choosing also cannot be guaranteed after that date. This is cruise line policy (not ours) for booking groups.

Regarding your other questions, the cruise committee does not see the registration forms. They go directly from each registrant to the travel agency. The number of persons in each party or in each cabin are not published for privacy reasons. Nor are passengers profiled for public consumption. We adhere to that policy here. If folks want to say on the main thread that they're signed up, we love that! But it's their choice.

On the last freeper cruise, there was a wonderful mix of ages, sexes, marrieds and singles. But conservative patriots all!

Hope you can make the cruise!

Bahama Mama

[MinuteGal]

IMPORTANT CRUISE INFORMATION!

Cruisers, you may be thinking now of your transportation schedule from where you live to the Miami Port terminal. This is important information regarding your plans:

The Triumph sails at 4:00 PM on Saturday, May 31. However, as in a hotel, if the cabins are ready, you will be able to board as early as 1:00 PM. A wonderful luncheon buffet will await you on board.

If you're arriving by air, train, bus or private vehicle, please make sure you get to the church on time. Allow yourself plenty of wiggle room in case you experience travel snafus. You MUST be at the Carnival terminal and checked in at least an hour before the 4:00 PM (EST) sailing or your booking will be considered forfeited and you will lose your fare. This is the policy of all cruise lines.

As in last year's freeper cruise, some folks will choose to arrive in Miami the afternoon or night before embarkation and stay overnight in a hotel or motel near the port. We will post the name of a recommended, reasonably-priced hotel as soon as we can so that freepers can stay there the night before if they choose, and paaaaarty!

Travel time between Miami airport by van or taxi is approximately 25 minutes.

You may choose to arrange your air transportation yourself or with your own travel agent. Or you may contact our freeper cruise agent, Wanda, at 1-800-890-7583 to make the arrangements for you. This is surely the painless way. She will help you find bargains and will ensure everything runs smoothly and painlessly for you.

The ship returns to port on Saturday, June 7 at 8:00 AM. However, you don't get off at 8:00 AM. First there are customs procedures for the ship itself. Then there is an orderly, very-well organized procedure for passengers to disembark in groups by a numbering or color-coded card. Passengers then go past the customs clerk which only takes a minute or two. Then you pick up your luggage in a warehouse-type room. A red-cap will take your luggage outside to the terminal curb.

The cruise line recommends booking your return flight to where you live for any time after 1:00 PM that day.

If this sounds complicated, it isn't. The cruise lines have terrific, time-tested systems for disembarkation, and you generally will be on land around 10:00 AM.

Bahama Mama does not answer questions for each cruiser's personal transportation plans. It would be an impossibility and she is not a travel agent. Please make your own arrangements. However, she will answer any general questions, so just post 'em here.

Bahama Mama

[MinuteGal]

Attention, Cruisers! Bahama Mama has posted some important information regarding your travel plans to and fro the Miami port terminal. Please read. It's reply # 152 on the Bahama Mama Q & A forum. The link to the Bahama Mama site is at the top of this thread.

Leni

[MinuteGal]

Oops, Bahama Mama posted the brief announcement right above on the wrong thread. It should have been posted on the general cruise thread. Scurrying to rectify this now. Where's muh coffee pot?

Bahama Mama

[LaraCroft]

OK..I don't know how I missed this.. I guess cruises never really appealed to me, but Freeping ones might.

Do you have a list of singles who want to share cabins? How many people can you cram in a cabin? I read that the 21st of Feb is last day for quoted rate, and I assume that means room blocks too?

Lara

[MinuteGal]

Our low group rates and block of reserved cabins expired January 27, but we received an extension from the cruise line good till February 21. After that, we can't guarantee fares and availibility of the cabin of your choice.

This is because we're not the ship's only customers and no cruise line will hold cabins indefinitely without a deposit down on them. Yes, we can try to find a roomie for you. I'm sending you a freepmail with more details.

Hope you can make this wonderful getaway voyage. Folks who went on the last one are STILL raving about it!

Bahama Mama

[MinuteGal]

Some on-board financial tidbits for your information:

Upon boarding and checking in at the purser's desk, you'll receive a ship's credit card for personal purchases on board the ship (adult beverages, ship's shops, etc.). If you don't register your credit card at the desk, and wish to pay for your purchases by cash at the end of the voyage, you will have to pay $200 cash up-front as a guarantee. We recommend bringing and using your credit card on this cruise.

There is an ATM on board, as well as at all port locations.

Carnival accepts Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express.

We don't recommend paying at the end of the cruise with a personal check even if they accept it. You'd have to stand in a long line the morning of debarkation to go through the hassle.

All shops in our ports accept credit cards, travelers' checks and U.S. cash. No converting of currency is necessary at all.

Cash or travelers' checks are needed at the cashier's cage in the casino for chips and tokens. I always bring a couple modest travelers' checks for use when I get the urge to play the plums and cherries. You can always bring the TC's home with you if you don't use them.

The slots on cruise ships are set very fairly for the passengers. If you hit a jackpot, you'll squeal with delight. On my last cruise on Holland/America, I hit a slot jackpot for $1500 on two quarters. I almost fainted when the bells and whistles went off. The casino manager dude in his tuxedo paid me by peeling off one brand-new crispy $100 bill after another, very slowly for maximum effect, LOL. This bit o'luck plus a smaller jackpot I won on another night paid the tab for my entire cruise! I hope I'm this lucky again on the "Triumph".

Bahama Mama

[MinuteGal]

Folks, Bahama Mama will be off line for approximately the next 4 days while traveling home from an out-of-state funeral. Please hold your questions during this time. She'll get right back to you then. Thanks,

Bahama Mama

[MinuteGal]

Bahama Mama is now back in her little grass shack on her Seven Inch Beach on Florida's gulf coast. Post your cruise questions here, folks.

Later today, on this thread, we'll have a report on the hotel we've selected where early-birds arriving in Miami the day before sailing can congregate for an Embarkation Eve get-together/dinner/gabfest/bash.

Stay tuned, all the details will be posted.

Bahama Mama

[strela]

Are there any Freepers who are interested in partaking in man's greatest quest while we're docked in Cozumel?

(Of course, I mean fishing).

There are several charter boats ready and waiting to take interested Freepers in search of the elusive sailfish, barracuda, tuna, and even blue marlin. We can get either half-day or full-day rates, all reasonably priced and all food and drinks included.

And I promise, you won't get stuck with Gilligan and the Skipper as crew ...

So how about it? Let's get together when we dock at Cozumel and go "hook up" with some of the finest game fishing to be had in the Western Hemisphere. I'll bring the sunblock ... ;)