MikeG65
Second Mate
MA
Joined 07/2015
16
Cruises17
Reviews79
Helpful VotesSemi-Retired, love to vacation, love the ocean. love to travel, Love to live!
Upcoming Cruises
Past Cruises
March 2019 - 3 Night Bahamas (Miami Roundtrip) Cruise on Mariner of the Seas
Full circle, Maiden Cruise part II!
What made this quick getaway so enjoyable was the friends that went with us. Always makes for a great cruise when you bring people with you that you enjoy being around. Also, the Mariner was our maiden ship back 11 years ago, so it was a bit nostalgic for us, albeit we didn’t bring children with us this time and the firs cruise was a 7-day cruise to the Mexican riviera. We got to enjoy the ship a lot more on the first cruise but it is still and always will be one of my favs.
February 2019 - 6 Night Western Caribbean (Miami Roundtrip) Cruise on Carnival Horizon
One of the Better Caribbean Cruises and Itinerary.
Mike the CD - Best we have seen, He did a fantastic job - funny, smart, full of energy, and always happy. Great ship Carnival - overall. I loved the decor throughout the entire ship and how the Atrium centerpiece is designed. Love how you do the photo gallery. No pressure whatsoever. Have some more bars open at embarkation. It got quit frustrating to get a drink after the first hour on board. One large bar at the pool with only one bartender. He kept calling for help, but no one showed for a long time. Other than that, the drinks were good and the bars were great throughout the ship the rest of the time. Ocean Plaza, Nice design, Great show - Queen Tribute Band! Havana bar, Awesome. Music throughout the ship. The violin players were the best the whole week.
October 2018 - 7 Night Southern Caribbean (San Juan Roundtrip) Cruise on Freedom of the Seas
Freedom of the Seas from Puerto Rico! Amazing!
This was a great (the best) itinerary if you are into seeing a lot, getting the most out of excursions and getting of the ship, and packed full of stops to beautiful destinations.
September 2018 - 7 Night Eastern Caribbean (Port Canaveral Roundtrip) Cruise on Oasis of the Seas
Big Ship Some Highs and Lows!
Food was not impressive, in the dining room at all. Buffet was good, lots to do on the ship. Room attendant didn't even know our names, never introduced himself. He was friendly, and kept a good room, but not interested in making it personal. Unlike any other cruise I've ever taken. Dining room service was slow and condiments where untimely, drinks were slow. Wait staff assistance next to nil. Ship itself is amazing, never felt crowded. Casino layout is horrible, machines where super tight. There was no "smoking" side of the bar. Hardly any wait staff in the casino, and when we managed to find one, it was extremely slow to get back, and brought wrong drink order. We spent enough to receive offers, but never any chocolate strawberries, or cookies, or anything from the casino. Entertainment, shows were amazing aside from Cats, that was horrible. Not a very happy crew, I've been on ships where all crew members were always smiling. The Windjammer was the exception, they were all the best, happy and helpful. If you start self-disembarkation 0630, then have coffee available at 0500 please and some snacks on the promenade deck - the deck we exit and line up on. I think I prefer the smaller ships. The attention to detail from crew and staff is much better.
March 2018 - 3 Night Bahamas (Port Canaveral Roundtrip) Cruise on Majesty of the Seas
Back to the Bahamas
We didn't get of the ship in Nassau. But the pool was wide open and we had a great time on the ship.
December 2017 - 5 Night Bahamas (Jacksonville Roundtrip) Cruise on Carnival Elation
NYE 2018!!
Great time on the Elation for NYE 2018. Best New Years in a long time. Great staff. Not fond of the cruise director as he was not very engaging. The pizza was under cooked most of the time. The dining staff didn’t know how to handle a large group, one put one waitress on the group. The ship is nice the rooms are great and the room keeper was good. The casino and the club was great. But the best part was the company, family and friends 24 in all. That’s what made it so great.
September 2017 - 4 Night Cuba & Bahamas (Miami Roundtrip) Cruise on Norwegian Sky
Cuba Baby!!
We did not get to go to Stirrup Cay due to the ships captain deciding to port in an oil slick in Cuba. We had to stay of shore in the Bahamas to clean the exterior of the ship. Cuba was an experience, and that's all I can say. The people are wonderful, the education was great, the dog poop all over the streets was terrible.
November 2016 - 7 Night Western Caribbean (Miami Roundtrip) Cruise on Norwegian Getaway
February 2016 - 5 Night Eastern Caribbean (Miami Roundtrip) Cruise on Carnival Sensation
Always a good cruise with Family and Friends
It was a great ship with lots of cool places to hang out at, great entertainment (because we had family to entertain us as well). Love my Grand Turks. The day at Half Moon Cay was amazing.
October 2015 - 8 Night Eastern Caribbean (Miami Roundtrip) Cruise on Carnival Breeze
Family and Fun
This was a great ship, the outside bars along the sides of the ship, Guy's Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse, The Lanai, it was a great time, and a ship I would go on again and again.
June 2015 - 8 Night Southern Caribbean (Port Canaveral Roundtrip) Cruise on Carnival Sunshine
Great cruise with Friends for Life
Overall this was a great cruise itinerary. Went with some life long friends we met on another cruise. Ya that happens!! Can't wait to cruise with them again.
March 2015 - 6 Night Western Caribbean (Ft. Lauderdale Roundtrip) Cruise on Carnival Conquest
October 2014 - 7 Night Bahamas & Florida (Baltimore Roundtrip) Cruise on Carnival Pride
From Baltimore is a quick road trip with the neighbors
Nice cruise and a short trip to Baltimore for us.
November 2011 - 7 Night Mexican Riviera (Los Angeles roundtrip) Cruise on Carnival Splendor
First Carnival Trip
This was our second time to the Mexican Riviera. Puerto Vallarta is awesome. Cabo is nice.
October 2010 - 7 Night Mexican Riviera (Los Angeles roundtrip) Cruise on Mariner of the Seas
1st Cruise Eva!!
This was our first cruise and it was a great time. Brought the kids when they were your (tweens), they loved the entire experience.
Mariner of the Seas
Sail Date: March 22, 2019
Full circle, Maiden Cruise part II!
What made this quick getaway so enjoyable was the friends that went with us. Always makes for a great cruise when you bring people with you that you enjoy being around. Also, the Mariner was our maiden ship back 11 years ago, so it was a bit nostalgic for us, albeit we didn’t bring children with us this time and the firs cruise was a 7-day cruise to the Mexican riviera. We got to enjoy the ship a lot more on the first cruise but it is still and always will be one of my favs.
Oasis of the Seas
Sail Date: September 02, 2018
Food was not impressive, in the dining room at all. Buffet was good, lots to do on the ship. Room attendant didn't even know our names, never introduced himself. He was friendly, and kept a good room, but not interested in making it personal. Unlike any other cruise I've ever taken. Dining room service was slow and condiments where untimely, drinks were slow. Wait staff assistance next to nil. Ship itself is amazing, never felt crowded. Casino layout is horrible, machines where super tight. There was no "smoking" side of the bar. Hardly any wait staff in the casino, and when we managed to find one, it was extremely slow to get back, and brought wrong drink order. We spent enough to receive offers, but never any chocolate strawberries, or cookies, or anything from the casino. Entertainment, shows were amazing aside from Cats, that was horrible. Not a very happy crew, I've been on ships where all crew members were always smiling. The Windjammer was the exception, they were all the best, happy and helpful. If you start self-disembarkation 0630, then have coffee available at 0500 please and some snacks on the promenade deck - the deck we exit and line up on. I think I prefer the smaller ships. The attention to detail from crew and staff is much better.
Carnival Sensation
Sail Date: February 29, 2016
Always a good cruise with Family and Friends
It was a great ship with lots of cool places to hang out at, great entertainment (because we had family to entertain us as well). Love my Grand Turks. The day at Half Moon Cay was amazing.
Majesty of the Seas
Sail Date: March 02, 2018
Nice ship, never felt crowded, little smell issues on the 2nd deck, front portside.
Mariner of the Seas
Sail Date: October 10, 2010
This was our first cruise and it was a great time. Brought the kids when they were your (tweens), they loved the entire experience.
Carnival Splendor
Sail Date: November 27, 2011
This was our second time to the Mexican Riviera. Puerto Vallarta is awesome. Cabo is nice.
Carnival Splendor
Sail Date: November 06, 2011
2nd cruise with friends this time
this ship, at the time was a bit gaudy, and the decor was outdated. Colors were a bit outrageous, but I think they have dry-docked since then.
Majesty of the Seas
Sail Date: March 16, 2018
We didn't get of the ship in Nassau. But the pool was wide open and we had a great time on the ship.
Carnival Pride
Sail Date: October 12, 2014
From Baltimore is a quick road trip with the neighbors
Nice cruise and a short trip to Baltimore for us.
Carnival Sunshine
Sail Date: June 27, 2015
Great cruise with Friends for Life
Overall this was a great cruise itinerary. Went with some life long friends we met on another cruise. Ya that happens!! Can't wait to cruise with them again.
Carnival Breeze
Sail Date: October 10, 2015
This was a great ship, the outside bars along the sides of the ship, Guy's Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse, The Lanai, it was a great time, and a ship I would go on again and again.
Norwegian Sky
Sail Date: September 25, 2017
We did not get to go to Stirrup Cay due to the ships captain deciding to port in an oil slick in Cuba. We had to stay of shore in the Bahamas to clean the exterior of the ship. Cuba was an experience, and that's all I can say. The people are wonderful, the education was great, the dog poop all over the streets was terrible.
Carnival Elation
Sail Date: December 30, 2017
Great time on the Elation for NYE 2018. Best New Years in a long time. Great staff. Not fond of the cruise director as he was not very engaging. The pizza was under cooked most of the time. The dining staff didn’t know how to handle a large group, one put one waitress on the group. The ship is nice the rooms are great and the room keeper was good. The casino and the club was great. But the best part was the company, family and friends 24 in all. That’s what made it so great.
Freedom of the Seas
Sail Date: October 06, 2018
Freedom of the Seas from Puerto Rico! Amazing!
This was a great (the best) itinerary if you are into seeing a lot, getting the most out of excursions and getting of the ship, and packed full of stops to beautiful destinations.
Carnival Horizon
Sail Date: February 17, 2019
One of the Better Caribbean Cruises and Itinerary.
Mike the CD - Best we have seen, He did a fantastic job - funny, smart, full of energy, and always happy. Great ship Carnival - overall. I loved the decor throughout the entire ship and how the Atrium centerpiece is designed. Love how you do the photo gallery. No pressure whatsoever. Have some more bars open at embarkation. It got quit frustrating to get a drink after the first hour on board. One large bar at the pool with only one bartender. He kept calling for help, but no one showed for a long time. Other than that, the drinks were good and the bars were great throughout the ship the rest of the time. Ocean Plaza, Nice design, Great show - Queen Tribute Band! Havana bar, Awesome. Music throughout the ship. The violin players were the best the whole week.
Cruise Tips
Loved the Excursion but this island is a dessert and poverty stricken outside of the resorts.
Always a spot in our hearts for this stop. Go to Jack's Shack and bring an old license place. Look tot he PA plate Dwnshr and snap a pick of it. It survived the hurricane.
Little slow but a nice port because it is not so far down into FL
My Favorite Island for so many reasons. Clean, colorful, drinks are good.
PERFECT DAY AT COCO CAY, BAHAMAS
Best private island going of all the cruise line private islands.
Mariner of the Seas
Enjoy the buffet, it was the best food of any cruise I’ve taken over the last ten years. Amazing job by that crew.
Took a $4 taxi to paradise island beach and enjoyed the amenities of some of the Atlantis resort beach. Walked through some of the resorts features and some some cool seelife. Rented some chairs got some beers and enjoyed a perfect beach day with some good friends.
No excursions, just enjoyed the beaches. stayed at the Sagamore in south beach night before. Watched the sun rise to start my cruise vacation. Perfect.
Carnival Sensation
What a great layout. This ship has it all!!
Mariner of the Seas
They have an ice skating rink on this Freedom Class Ship. Can't wait to see the new decor. Food was amazing all around. Don't miss the comedy shows, and see as much as possible. The pool deck is great. The CD was amazing. We were on this ship back in 2007. Going back this March with friends
We arrived in Puerto Rico three days ahead of the cruise. Love the people and the food and entertainment. Little rainy most of the days there but we got a few hours of sun and beach before going on the cruise.
Just walk or take the ferry to the beach, rent some chairs, and enjoy the water, food and beer.
We go to the Marriot resort every time we visit.
My goodness what a beautiful island. Take the lobster and catamaran tour. You won't regret it.
Freedom of the Seas
You must experience a Freedom Class Ship. It is the perfect amount of entertainment, attention, and never feels crowded.
Mr. Sanchos, great stop. - see Trip Advisor.
We walked and shopped at this stop.
Always great people, did the Blue Hole Tour. Never do excursions through the ship!
Carnival Horizon
there are too many options on this ship and venues to do on a 6-day cruise. I would recommend 8-days or more.
Oasis of the Seas
Keep your expectations low on the food. See as much as you can. Use the steps, it is quicker.
