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

[Slip18]

I'll bring a big old wash tub for us. LOL!

I'm the one who demands the bathtubs. I love to soak at night with Mr. Bubble.

[M. Peach]

I accidently posted this question on the other thread before reading the whole article - So here it is here:

Can you tell me if many singles are going - What do you anticipate the ratio to be - and approximate age group?

It has been a dream of mine for quite some time to put faces with the many names and personalities I've met here.

[MinuteGal]

Hi, M. Peach!

Cruisers are not profiled. Folks fill in their own registrations and send them directly to the travel agency. Whoever shows up on board....shows up!

Last cruise there were many singles. All age groups were represented. It was a great mix of Freepers and everyone felt right at home with kindred spirits!

Bahama Mama

[M. Peach]

Is that really you in the picture on the beach? Enquiring minds want to know....

[lodwick]

The second dining deal might leave me out - while Mrs.L loves to get "dressed-up," one of my current goals is to wear Ocean Pacific shorts, patriotic type t-shirts, and NewBalance sneakers EVERYWHERE I go. In fact, I believe that I have aquired the dreaded No Necktie Syndrome. ;-)

[MinuteGal]

Is that gorgeous, shapely gal at the top of this page really Bahama Mama? She's been waiting for that question!

Y'all will have to sign up and find out aboard and in person the answer to this mystery!

:-)

Bahama Mama

[Utah Girl]

LOL! You sound like my dad, when he retired, he swore he would never wear another necktie, except to church.

[lodwick]

No Ties bttt ;-)

[MinuteGal]

Our first port stop, Cozumel, is one of my favorite spots to visit and shop. It's an old world kind of town and it's main drag is not exactly like our Rodeo Drive, but the area bursts with color and activity. Everyone is smiling.

There are open-air markets and little shops filled with native crafts, art, silver/turquoise jewelry and mucho decorative things you can actually USE and enjoy in your home or give as gifts. And all at great prices!

Mexican crafts are original, unique, varied and wildly colorful. I ALWAYS buy some little things in Cozumel even if I really don't need them, it's such attractive and fun stuff!

On my last stop there, we mosied down a side street and discovered a very old, humble, tiny adobe-type church. Anyone can enter the hushed, cool interior and view the ancient carved saints, the multitude of candles flickering, the antiqued silver ornamentations and the old local senoras quietly meditating.

After shopping and being warm and thirsty, my three lady cruise companions and I found a tiny cantina on the main street opposite the port. Entering, we found a door that led to a little courtyard. A fountain was trickling and mariachi music was wafting out to us from the indoor area. Tropical plants and flowers surrounded us. A cooling breeze came through the courtyard from the Caribbean directly across the street from us. In the afternoon sunlight, we could see our cruise ship moored out on the sparkling water as we ogled the interesting mix of people of many nationalities strolling by on the street.

We ladies ordered a variety of adult beverages.....exotic coconut, banana and strawberry concoctions and some icy rum punches. The drinks came in huge goblets garnished with tropical fruits, and yes, the mandatory little monkey hanging on the side of each glass. I couldn't even finish mine, wow!

There we sat, resting our tired feet, happy with the little treasures we had purchased, quenching our thirst, chatting up a storm and enjoying the the whole ambience and panorama.

Then it was time to wobble.....er, walk back to the gangplank to re-board the ship and to look forward to our next port of call.

Cozumel is also home to soft-sand beaches and is one of the most popular snorkel/scuba/fishing destinations in this hemisphere. The shore desk on board ship will have all details on how to do anything you want to do in Cozumel.

You can either shop in the morning when it's cooler and have great Mexican food for lunch in town.....or you can eat lunch on board ship and explore afterwards. In any case, you'll enjoy Cozumel as much as I do.

Leni

[lodwick]

Beachfront dining in Cozumel

[lodwick]

BahamaMama, is this the kind of dining we can enjoy in Cozumel? Have you been to this restaurant? Thanks.

Decorated with all the trimmings of a fishing boat, El Capi Navigante is a nautical dining experience not to be missed. The entertaining atmosphere features great food live music and the friendliest crew ever to sail the seven seas. From fresh snapper steak to Caribbean buttered lobster, It's all deliciously straight from the sea!

[MinuteGal]

Boy, that's enough to whet anyone's appetite!

To be honest, I don't care for Mexican food so I always eat on board ship and hit the town after lunch.

I was born and raised in a mostly German-descent Chicago suburb and nobody really knew what Mexican cooking was. In fact, in those days, almost no one had even met a Mexican in their entire lives!

I'm used to good old middlewestern cookin'....good piece of meat, potatoes and gravy and the fixin's, including a homemade dessert. Never developed the palate for Mexican. Love Italian dishes, however!

Leni

[lodwick]

Ok - here's the deal, I'll give you all my pasta-type dishes and you give me all the TexMex food stuff. ;-)

Gotta get outta here and quick-accomplish some things. bbl

[lodwick]

Did you know that Carnival has their own MasterCard that you can use to pay for the trip, as well as earn miles toward other free cruises?

[lodwick]

Bahama bttt

[MinuteGal]

The only difference between exterior and interior cabins is that in the former you can see the sea, and in the latter, you can't see the sea. There is no window or porthole.

This makes no difference to some cruisers as you're in the cabin mostly to sleep, shower and dress. Others prefer natural light in the cabin as well as being able to enjoy watching the ship pull in or out of port. It's a matter of personal preference. Hope to see you aboard, hoosiermama.

Bahama Mama

[strela]

Wellll, it looks like I'm gonna put some lipstick on this pig and do this cruise. Since The Goddess will probably be in Taiwan and/or Japan during this timeframe, it looks like I'll be going stag.

A few questions for Bahama Mama follow ...

1. On the Registration Form, one question asks "I wish to try to find a share for this cabin ..." Who's doing this matchup - the travel agency or the Cruise Committee?

2. If I identify somebody myself who wants to share before the cruise, can I override the roommate selected for me and substitute my own?

3. Is smoking permitted in the cabins? If yes, can I request a smoking roomie?

4. The staterooms available are listed with numbers and letters on the Staterooms (e.g.; 6a, 6b, etc.). What is the difference between a 6a and a 6b besides the small difference in price?

5. Do all of the Ocean View cabins (6a and 6b) have balconies?

6. Can I jump off the balcony to duck the credit card bill at the end of the cruise? (Just kidding on that one).

7. What happens if a roomie can't be found for me? Am I on the hook for the 200 percent upcharge for the single cabin (mentioned in the literature) if I still want to go?

8. Is there any way I can identify the exact cabin I will get before the cruise? If so, when?

[MinuteGal]

Hi, Strela......you have freepmail.

Bahama Mama

[strela]

Rajah that. Thanks!

[DoughtyOne]

Thanks for the questions. It looks like Bahama Mama's alter ego has already responded. I'm glad you can go. Great!