8 Feb back at Sea
9 Feb was Half Moon Cay. I'd say nicest beach <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/circle.gif" alt="" />and biggest of cruise out islands over Princess Cays and NCL Great Stirrup Cay. Great, long white sand beach and it was AN the entire day save the tender ride in/out.
10 Feb was Grand Turk and despite high expectations for AN at the beach and Margaritaville, that was not allowed. We did a nice AN boat trip to two deserted islands for stingrays, conch demo, and AN beach stop. Very nice.
11 Feb was Amber Cove, DR. Alot of folks paid big bucks for some lousy AN excursions to some beach and the trucks got stuck, slid off road and it rained. We lucked out and the pier pool complex was declared AN. Nice until it rained. Only bad weather day.
12 and 13 Feb at sea days- usual sun deck sunbathing.
14 Feb disembarked tampa. It was surreal to see 9 day companions all clothed and putting their barrier faces back on as they gathered luggage and waited for cabs and such.
Carnival: after reading years of reviews either way, Carnival did a perfect job of cabin service, main dining room service, food quality, and running the cruise in general. ALL STAFF WERE FRIENDLY AND PLEASANT AT ALL TIMES FOR 9 DAYS. The Carnival Cruise director Steve was top notch and the BN director Barry worked well together.
Expected way below Princess for food quality/service but quite frankly while it was a little less white linen, the food came promptly and was quite good. The last night's Prime Rib beats any beef served on over a dozen cruises.
Fresh Towels in abundance at every sitting venue buffet, lounges, theatre, bars, etc. Never out.
Spa was free with nice steam room and sauna. Mucho hot.
Bn couple workshops were very enjoyable.
Bn brought a great band onboard Wild Ginger from Tampa that covered wide range of dance/rock as well as a police/jimmy buffet band.
Comedians were pretty good and made good work out of the bn crowd.
Pro photographers took pictures just like a textile cruise and many an pictures were taken.
The bn staff were visible at all events.
They also had theme events mimicking su parrothead, fantasea fest, nudapalooza, and naked man similar to burning man.
Must say what they say is true. Much friendlier bunch than on any textile cruise and many friends made.
The cruise is not a pure aanr event. There are no kids onboard and that is a good call.
Out of over 2000 pax, there were maybe a dozen you'd wish weren't there for whatever behavioral reason. About th e same as textile.
Water slides are quite scary and exhilerating. 1 time each is enough to avoid heart trouble.
1 individual had a serious medical issue at end of boating excursion and was well handled by pax, boat captain and bn reps to get back to ship asap and medical attention. Was able to reboard ship. The person was traveling alone and did not have travel/medical evac insurance. This is definitely a must for any foreign vacation.
I'd say Carnival and BN hit BNB 2017 out of the park with bases loaded.
Flew frontier to florida and allegiant home from Florida. Both firsts for us and we have no complaints with either.
