Mr. Welch - yeah we are still going - just have been busy - amazing how the days are counting down - I remember when we were at 200 days - and the Spring & Summer just flew by. Starting to print out my cruise documents.... Have not started packing yet, but I am thinking about pulling out the luggage very soon. The excitement is building... this is not our first cruise but the anticipation is still magical - and just the experience of a couple thousand people enjoying the adventure together! The twins talk about the cruise everyday - can''t wait to go to the Lido deck and get some pizza. Sometimes I hear people complain about their cruise, but nothing in life is perfect - we just have to keep in mind that life was meant to be enjoyed - and we are all very fortunate to have the chance to go on a cruise when so many people are struggling in a bad economy - everybody should have at least one opportunity at going on a cruise. Two years ago, we took my wife's 30 year old cousin (who was a alcohol syndrome baby) on a cruise - he is a little slow - he had never really been anywhere - and he had a blast... it is those memories you never forget.!!!!

Hello Mr. Welch, my name is Rene age 46 and this is my third Carvinal Cruise and the Thanksgiving cruise will be my second one for the Imagination, love this ship. First cruise was my older daughter 29 and I, second cruise was me and 3 of my 4 kids and two good friends of the family. This cruise will be me, and my older daughter and my younger daughter 15 who missed the cruise last year because she wanted a cell phone instead, lol. We all have only 14 days left, my daughters and I are leaving on the 21st to spend the weekend in Miami and leave to board the ship on 11/23/09. You and your family are in for a wonderful treat.

sounds awesome!  alot of girls the same age on these posts, sounds like the kids will have a good time too.  can't wait to get on that airplane and leave work behind!

gotta get packing!

Hello All,

We're two families of five cruising together . . . between us we have 3 Guys ages 16, 14, & 12 and 3 Girls ages 15, 10, & 6.  (wow, that's a lot of #'s in 1 sentence!).  We're from Pottstown and Huntington Valley, PA outside of Philly.  This is our very first cruise and we're so excited . . . Can't wait!!

You will be addicted after this cruise!!!  It is the best way to vacation IMO!  Its not long now....see ya on the cruise!!!!!

Hello family from PA (I love the state) - You will really enjoy the cruise - no experience like it - this is cruise #5 for my wife and I. We are traveling with our daughters (twin 14 year old girls & a big sister 25) & our two nieces, both 25). The packing has started!!! We always arrive a day before the cruise and will be staying in South Beach (which should be fun). Just a few tips: You can board the ship early (about noon) - and you can get lunch on the Lido Deck - but you will not be able to go to your cabin until 2pm - this way you will beat most of the crowd and get lunch. No way you can go hungry on the ship - pizza 24 and room service 24 hours a day (just remember to bring some change to tip for room service). Hope your first cruise is very enjoyable - my wife and I have been hooked since our honeymoon cruise in 1994 on the Ecstasy - in fact this is the same itinerary. Our first time in Key West, we did not do much, but I am looking into Fort Zachary Taylor Historic Park - it is park/beach area about a mile away from where the ship docks. There is also a "Ripley's Believe or Not" on Key West on Duval St. ENJOY!

 

Thanks for the tips! We'll definitely take advantage of a free lunch on board.  Our teenagers can eat enormous amounts of food, so it's good to hear that there'll always be something available.  (Of course, Carnival may change their policies on food after they see the Guys eat!)

 For Key West, the kids are going parasailing and then we're going to take the Trolley around town as we've never been there.

Have you been to Cozumel before?   Any snorkeling experience there?

 

I think this is the third time we have been to Cozumel - we have done the beach excursion through Carnival. I have heard there is nice snorkeling in Cozumel - although some of the shorelines are rocky. We have decided to do something different I found online...Cozumel Beach Break Excursion At Nachi Cocom - it is an excursion that is comparable to Carnival's except they only take reservations for 100 people and it is not as crowded like the cruise lines beaches... Cozumel Beach Break Excursion At Nachi Cocom can only be reserved online - you can read reviews on Trip Advisor. We are hoping to get off the ship as soon as we get to Cozumel so we can get a few hours on the beach... eat dinner... then shop later. Enjoy your trip!

i am so amazed at the number of teenagers, mostly girls, that are cruising.  i find it soooooo funny and relieving.  ever since i booked this cruise 8-9 months ago, i worried if my girls would have a good time.... and they also worried.  thanks again for all the replies, i keep showing my girls... HEY LOOK... people your age... lol ....  they give me a hard time, but hey, im a dad, and i am so looking forward to this vacation.... i just want them to be as excited as i am.... right?

"crusiestar" thanks again for the tips.... we are flying into miami on sunday, so we will be in line at noon on monday!!  maybe 1145

 

Hello Cruisestar I am Rene from Atlanta, this is my third Carnival cruise and my second one on the Imagination. This time I am cruising with my 2 daughters ages 29 and 15, this is the first one for my 15yr old. I am so glad that there are going to be so many teens aboard because she is a social butterfly. This is my first cruise to Cozumel and we are booked for the Playa Mia Beach Deluxe excusions do you have any tips for us so that we can really get the most out of it. I did read the reviews on trip advisory and as you know there were positve and a lot of complaining. I am one to believe that your trip is what you make of it and I told my daughters we are going to really make this a big bang experience.Well we are down to 8 days guys. See Ya on onboard!

 

 Hi Soccermom73, I am Rene from Atlanta, addicted is definitly true. I told my oldest daughter when I boarded my first cruise on the Imagination we are doing this again every year and now this is my third cruise and we are planning the one for next year already. My first words when I entered the Atruim was WOW! I am traveling this year with both of my daughters 29 and 15. My 15yr old is a first time cruiser and we are spending the 21st and 22nd in Miami across from the Port. See Ya on the cruise in 8 days.

 Hi Soccermom 73, yes you are right about the addiction, this is my 3rd cruise. See in 8 days on board.

Rene,

 

We went to Playa Mia a few years ago when we sailed to Cozumel on Royal Carribbean.  We purchased tickets directly through Play mia and not the cruise line.  We rented a jeep, drove ourselves there, and had a WONDERFUL time.  It was very relaxing, plenty of chairs and beach toys.  There were unlimited amount of drinks like rum runners, pina coladas's, etc.  I enjoyed it a lot -the kids also had a great time!

I have am still undecided about what to do this time in cozumel!!!  By the way..my husband is also from Atlanta!  See ya soon!

Hello Rene - You will really enjoy Cozumel... it has really friendly people, pretty beaches & cheap shopping... We have done Playa Mia Beach Deluxe through Carnival and really enjoyed ourselves. The excursion includes a Mexican buffet - but you can also order room service before getting off the boat if you or your 15 year old would like a snack - just bring sandwich bags from home - you will just need to order room service early enough so you can get off the boat to depart for your excursion. I also believe life is what you make it - there will always be some that complain - nothing is perfect. I can tell you I have never had a bad cruise experience - there is just so much to do and so many possibilities that it is impossible not to enjoy the cruise experience. We always try to do something different on every cruise - we always eat dinner in the dining room, but we have only eaten breakfast in the dining room once and that was on the last day. You and your family have a safe and wonderful trip - and see you onboard! STU "Cruisestar"

Mr. Welch - Yes you want your girls to appreciate the great opportunity of a cruise (it is a special life experience). Glad to hear your girls are excited - my girls are packing right this minute - just a few days away from all the fun! If you have walkie talkies - bring them - good way to keep in touch with your children on the boat - those times when they want to get pizza on the Lido deck or go to the game room... Have a safe trip and see onboard... STU "Cruisestar"