new to carnival

[spyder209]

I am going on my second cruise May 7, 2006 on the Miracle. I went last year on Royal Caribbean and had a great time. Can anyone tell me if Carnival offers the Park West Art auctins onboard???? Also, we are going on a western Caribbean and several people have told me not to book any shore excursion in Cozumel because there is so much to do anyway. Any advice?

[Cruise Specialist]

Park West is on most of the ships, so yes they are defintely on Carnival. As far as the excursions, its depending on what you want to do when you get there. There are beaches to go to, shopping, or you can just rent a jeep or car yourself and explore on your own.

[Cruise Fanatic]

Park West is on Carnival. If you happen to be a resident of Michigan you will be charged sales tax. Any other state is not charged sales tax. Park West is out of Michigan and that is why Michigan residents are charged.

[spyder209]

thanks for the info, we love the art auctions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Frase]

Last October I was on a 5-day Western Carib. cruise aboard the Carnival Inspiration.

The art work they had for auction was really nice. They had original oils, autographed sports memorabilia, and even stuff I wondered how they got. They had original sketches by Picasso and Rebrandt. I wonder how they could get those sketches? Wouldn't those sketches be priceless museum pieces? Anyway, all the art was really nice. I never knew who was running the auction on my cruise (whether it was Park West or not).

When in Mexico, and if you are into baking, make sure to get some Vanilla Extract. I got some when I was there on my cruise in Cozumel. It turn out to be so much better than any of that McCormick stuff you would get at your local supermarket. And it costed a fraction of the supermarket price. The particular brand name of Vanilla Extract I bought was "Xel-Ha". Don't ask me how to pronounce it (must be an Aztec or Mayan word).

The prices on liquor weren't bad at all. I am into baking rum cakes, after getting a taste for them on my first cruise. I use Meyer's Rum when baking them. They had a big bottle of Meyer's in Cozumel that sold for $9. That same bottle would sell for $25 at my local liquor store.

Anyway good luck on your next cruise.


Bahia Principe Resorts

[spyder209]

Thanks for the info. That is so weird that you mentioned the vanilla extract. When I was on my honeymoon in 2004 in Mexico, I bought the same thing. It is great stuff!!!!!!!!!