jsglow

Two minutes is an exaggeration but it's certainly less than 10; literally a block and a half east of the terminal on 48th St.

Let's not go overboard. This is not a Sunshining where north of $200 million and many, many weeks were invested. We did not stay in a Balc but my understanding is that the glass curtain walls/door assembly was replaced on Pride. I've read the same plan for Legend. And I concur about the overall Sunshining process. I especially like Sunrise and Radiance. Two of my favorite ships.

She's getting the exact same treatment Pride got last year. Most notable was the removal of the lower level of the night club replaced by Chef's Table and some ADA cabins, the retrofit of the sports bar, the replacement of the library with a new retail venue, the removal of the casino bar replacing it with more machines and the addition of a lido big screen similar to what Pride already had. In the cabins, I believe all balconies had their door/window unit retrofitted. Then there was standard stuff like carpet/paint and maybe some modest cabin upgrades like bedside lighting. I sailed Pride both shortly before and after dry dock. I thought she cleaned up quite nicely.

It is certainly possible but there may be a charge involved. You would need to call Carnival. Do note that it is easy to re-alter sleeping arrangements once onboard but what you're talking about is the 'official' swapping of two individuals so as to take advantage of Cheers rules.

My recollection is that JH said he'll visit her in Dover.

Given your plan, perfectly reasonable. Follow these rules: 1) VERY first flight of the day. I don't care if it's wheels up at 6a. 2) Non stop, if possible. Direct at very minimum. 3) Cab to the pier from either LGA or EWR. You may also want to look into whether Carnival will be running a bus. That puts New York traffic responsibility squarely on their shoulders.

Call Carnival and ask for a PVP.

My recollection is that our taxi from near Madison Square Garden up to the terminal was at least $30. I think we had paid about $65 to get from LGA down to the hotel the night before. We did it the way we did because I believe we paid about $175 for a reasonably nice hotel; an absolute bargain by Manhattan standards. Here's what you simply need to understand. It's New York and it's expensive. There's no two ways around it unless you're prepared to lug your luggage on the subway.

Glad you took the upgrade! Let me add the following thoughts, especially for others in the same situation regarding young children. And let me preface by saying we are anything but 'balcony only' people. We would likely never choose a balc for an Alaskan cruise, for example, given the price differential and the way we utilize it as a couple. Simply not worth it to us. There are those that have a different opinion. More power to them. But it gives the reader some perspective on how we value different cabins and where our bias lies. So in your example of sailing with a 7 year old balcony utility goes WAY up. The balcony provides a 'quiet space' away from your sleeping child; both for morning coffee and for an evening bottle of wine. That's so valuable when traveling with children allowing mom and dad to readily enjoy the cruise while at the same time keeping an eye on their child/children. As they get older, we're also very much in favor of the 'across the hall interior' when both adults and teenage kids value a bit of privacy. Our kids shared an adjacent room during their HS years as I recall.

She's actually one of my favorites in the Carnival fleet. I'm so glad that I have enough experience with the entire line that I don't need to read reviews. I invariably know more than they do.

Booking yourself is fine but as @Jamman54 said, Carnival has to manually 'link' them. That requires a call to 1-800. Another good tip is to stop by Guest Services early during cruise #1 and re-confirm that's what their onboard records show. Enjoy.

Pyrotechnics on a ship at sea. What could go wrong with that? 🫣

We find them to be a great economic value. Yes, there's thruster noise in the morning on port days and yes there are times when you can hear the wake on the bow of the ship. I must say that I do like the fact that the hallway is usually quite quiet. I've never had kids running the hall that I can recall. It's like living on a dead end street; only 'locals'.

Alaska ~ Princess or HAL, they 'own' the market, have incredible lodges for the land tour portion and have grandfathered access to Glacier Bay NP. Europe ~ at a minimum, I would certainly either Embark/Disembark in Europe, only using the TA leg as an end-cap on a B2B.

#1137 is under the Piazza Cafe, simply a seating area where they often do trivia in the daytime. At night it's dead silent. Never heard a peep. I hope you find a cabin you are happy with.