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

[strela]

Thanks for the questions.

I have those and will probably have a few more before I'm done. As The Goddess so eloquently puts it, "Traveling with you is like preparing for a d***ed tax audit."

I'm glad you can go.

I hope it works out. I hate loose ends when I travel.

[Pagey]

Hi, MinuteGal, I'd like to know if this is a smoking allowed Cruise or not,if theres any restrictions,you understand.Thanks.

[MinuteGal]

Ahoy, Pagey! Yes, you can smoke in your cabin, balcony, casino, bars and lounges. Eating and stage entertainment areas are smoke-free. All areas have signs to let you know if smoking is allowed or not allowed.

(pssst, don't let Mayor Bloomberg in on this information....

Bahama Mama

[Seeking the truth]

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

It's good to see you guys are still honeymooning!

[Bizzy Bugz]

Hello Mama. I need to know what would happen if the United States is at war with Iraq. Also if the cabins are reserved in advance. If so can you freep me with the plans for rooms so that I can choose when I pay my money to reserve the room. If we can work through that My daughter and I plan to go on the cruise. Thank you very much.

[MinuteGal]

Hi, Bizzy!

If we go to war with Iraq, it'll be over a long time before the cruise. Splat! And we'll enjoy a great celebration lap around the Caribbean!

Yes, cabins are reserved in advanced. Please check your freepmail for further details. Thanks, and would love to meet you and your daughter as we set sail on this terrific cruise.

Bahama Mama

[MinuteGal]

When you see the A's and B's listed for a cabin category, there's no difference between the cabins at all. The only difference is the deck on which it's located.

For instance, the 4A category is on Riviera deck (the lowest deck) and 4B is on the Main deck (the second lowest deck.) The same is true for Ocean View catagories 6A and 6B. The fare goes up with each respective rise in category/deck.

Only categories 8A (verandah) and 11 (suite) have balconys.

There is a link provided for the ship's deck plan near the top of the cruise announcement thread.

BTW, if anyone's question has inadvertently been missed, please ring Bahama Mama's bell!

Bahama Mama

[MinuteGal]

NOTICE: If you plan on going on this cruise, please get your registration form and deposit in now, if possible.

We have only 10 more days to assess whether this cruise is viable and if there's enough interest to continue plans. Thanks for your cooperation.

Remember, there's some little gift premiums for the first 20 registrant early-birds!

Bahama Mama

[strela]

It's good to see you guys are still honeymooning!

Yeah yeah, but if soaking is the only thing going on, the magic is gone sorry to say ...

[MinuteGal]

For those of you looking for roomies, post it here. There's a line on the registration form also you can fill in. Do both.

Just post a short blurb here if you're looking for smoker, non-smoker, male, female, any age range you prefer, whatever. Then, if you find a potentially-suitable cabin mate, contact each other by freepmail and do your thing.

Seems we have quite a number of freepers who need a roomie, so here's the spot to start your search.

Bahama Mama

[hoosiermama]

OH GEEZE! JUST LIKE IN THE "WANT ADS? F;nonsmoker;mid fifties seeking roomie for FR cruise???????NON-snorers welcome! Tee hee!

[MinuteGal]

Way to go, mama! Ya started the ball rolling. Nothing wrong with a little advertising for quick results. This is family here. Good luck in pairing up with a suitable, fun cabin-mate!

Bahama Mama

[strela]

Just post a short blurb here ...

Ummkay, you asked for it.

Wanted: Roomie. One or all of the following would be cool: 30-40ish, smoker or smoke-tolerant, willing to overlook my continual plotting of various piratical acts involving taking over the ship and/or deploying of smaller vessels to act as a defense screen. Bathing at least once a week a plus. Willing to vacate said quarters for any purpose for any length of time when tactical considerations permit; expect same courtesy in return. Will assist with most skullduggery and covert ops if requested.

If this sounds like you, let's book one of the cabins with a porthole and make FR history. Freepmail Strela for further info.

[dalereed]

Just called and booked our reservations.

BTW, if any of you have a MasterCard and have been offered an upgrade to a Quantem Card, take it, it offers free trip cancelation insurance.

[MinuteGal]

Welcome aboard, Mr. & Mrs. Dalereed! You will have a great anniversary cruise. And thanks for the Master Card tip that will help save $$$'s on the fare for many freepers.

Bahama Mama

[Bahbah]

My check should be in by now. How are we doing on sign ups. I have talked to several friends who took Carnival cruises and they had a fantastic time. I am so so looking forward to this.

[MinuteGal]

In previous replies on this thread, there are thumbnail sketches of our first two ports-of-call, Cozumel and Grand Cayman Island. Our third stop is Ocho Rios, Jamaica.

Ocho Rios means "Eight Rivers", but it could also be a corruption of "Las Chorreras" (the waterfalls) because waterfalls are perhaps the most striking features in the Ocho Rios area.

In fact, Ocho Rios owes much of its fame to Dunn's River Falls, a much-photographed and much-climbed attraction. You can visit Dunn's by boarding a party-type boat at the dock. It takes about a half-hour to reach the falls. Jamaican music is played aboard and a free tropical punch is given to each passenger. You get a great view of the shoreline as you cruise along.

However, Bahama Mama tells it like it is. In her opinion, Dunn's Falls is rather a waste of time and energy. The falls are interesting enough, but the site is commercialized, crowded and it's mostly the young and the brave who climb the slippery ledges behind the cascading water. It's fun to watch the climbers, though, as they all hold hands and snake themselves in a line up to the top of the falls to much applause from those watching on the beach.

A deep-water port with berthing space for three cruise ships at a time has attracted a thriving tourist industry for Ocho Rios. It's a rare sight when the town's streets aren't thronged with cruise ship visitors. There are six shopping plazas, offering everything from Jamaican handicrafts and souvenirs to duty-free bargains in conventional shops, as well as a large outdoor crafts market.

A tip: do your crafts and souvenir shopping in Cozumel on this trip. 'Nuff said.

One thing to do, which I recommend, is to hire a cab or jitney to take you up the mountain to a rain forest. Or hire a van if you can get a little group together to share the fare and tip. You can bargain on the price, as there's loads of taxis and vans waiting for cruise passengers to disembark.

There are lookout spots atop the mountain where you can get out. You will see vistas of enormous beauty. It's breathtaking, to say the least. Bring your camera.

Driving up the mountain's winding road you can observe on either side how average Jamaicans live. It's both interesting and eye-opening, even a little depressing by our standards. But the native folks appear happy and wave to those passing by with cheerful smiles.

The thing I plan on doing on this stop is something I've always wanted to do. I'll take a taxi from the pier to "Firefly", the Jamaican home of the late Noel Coward, British playwright, artist, actor, singer and writer. His home once opened its doors to his rich, beautiful and and famous friends. His guest list, which can be inspected, reads like a Hollywood "who's who" of the 30's era. One can readily understand why his invitations were so sought-after. The view from his home is generally agreed to be one of the most beautiful in the entire world.

An exhibition of Coward memorabilia, his paintings and a bibliographical video of his life and achievements complete the tour. English afternoon tea and light lunches are available.

Jamaica is very third-worldish, but at the same time is one of the most beautiful spots on earth in its uncommercialized, natural areas.

The famous Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee is over-rated in my coffee-lover's opinion, but I do know I'll bring back home with me a bottle of pre-mixed Jamaica rum punch, which is fruity and delicious and is not available in the States.

Bahama Mama

[Pookie Me]

So, like, are ya planning on sharing the Suite or down in lower engineering levels?

Inquiring minds want to know...

Pookie & ME

[strela]

So, like, are ya planning on sharing the Suite?

Naah ... I want to be down far enough where I can order newbies to go get me 100 feet of water line, and close enough to offer guided tours of the Sea Bat we captured down in the well deck. 6A (Ocean View) for me.

[Bizzy Bugz]

My daughter, Apple Pan Dowdy, and I just booked our rooms. We are looking forward to the trip, as I have been to all of these ports and I will enjoy going with her. I do love the Blue Mountain coffee But as far as taking some of it home with you, It probably will not taste the same as the water that you will use will be different. I have climbed the falls twice and will leave that up to her this time. We are looking forward to meeting all of you freepers that are on the "boat"