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Maraprince

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Posts posted by Maraprince

    Back from Carnival Sunrise ... very disappointed

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    While there will definitely be a large number of passengers from NYC on sailings orignating from NY,  large numbers of passengers from NJ and Connecticut will tend to book as well for the convience of not having to fly to board the ship.

     

    Sailing while kids are out of school also makes a big difference in that there will tend to be larger family/extended family groups on board.  At all costs, try to avoid sailing during school breaks since you can be assured to have very large numbers of kids, teens on board.

     

    Canada sailings tend to have less children on board with more seasoned passengers want to see the sights more so than to just party on board.

     

    Where you sail to and when you sail make a difference.

     

    MARAPRINCE

    • Like 1

    Past Passenger Party

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    6 minutes ago, Nic6318 said:

     

    Hi

     

    Most people missed them because they weren't very well advertised. Also, most were too busy with things like packing.

    Amen to that!  Last day/night is usually a very busy time trying to get everything done prior to dinner so you can have some free time to get that last slice of pizza and see the farewell show or a movie on deck before turning in.

     

    MARAPRINCE

    Past Passenger Party

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    11 hours ago, lottiegreen56 said:

    The diamond and plat parties are no where near as fun as the passed passenger parties were, seems like there’s several in agreement but just wanted to emphasize the point. 

     

    It could be because of the time/location change in the new format but i think opening it to more people just upped the energy. The booze flowed and people always seemed like they had a good afternoon/night after the party too imo.

     

    We don’t sail for the perks, we’re gamblers and sail on the lines that give the best deals for our play. For the past 4-5 years, that’s been CCL by a landslide. Not sure that’s the case anymore though so if we lose status, it will be no skin off our back, we’ve had a good time. 

     

    Honestly, reward tiers are a big thing when you travel for business but other than that it’s the millennials that have encouraged the emphasis by companies on them. I hardly ever complain about millennials but I wish they wouldn’t have been coddled witb grade inflation and trophies so much!

     

    Being gamblers, I like what casinos are doing with their to credit cards and linking that to their reward tiers. CCL could consider this with their mastercard if they wanted to really get cute.

    Perhaps, instead of having one big party the amount of guests eligible could be divided between 2 or more smaller parties and held in one of the smaller lounges.  This would also cut down on those "additional" attendees who really aren't even platinum attending.  It could be done by limiting the parties by diving the ship either by zones (front, mid, aft) or by decks.  Something to consider.

     

    MARAPRINCE

    2nd timers back from the Sunrise - Trip Report

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    23 hours ago, jjsparkles said:

     

    Thanks, yes they had a great time together :classic_smile:

     

     

    :classic_laugh::classic_laugh: Would have been very random to have a crew member we didn't know following us about :classic_laugh: I think you can just order pizza and there is only one type, I don't recall seeing anything offering different crusts. 

     

     

    Thank you, glad you enjoyed it. Hope you have a lovely time on your cruise :classic_smile:

     

     

    Thanks so much, glad you enjoyed reading along :classic_smile:

     

     

    Thank you, glad you enjoyed it :classic_smile:

     

     

    Thanks so much, I love reading other people's reviews too - glad you enjoyed it. I don't like leaving him but I'm so lucky that we manage to spend so much time with him when we're there 👍

     

     

    Thanks, glad you enjoyed it. Have a lovely cruise :classic_smile:

     

     

    Glad you enjoyed it, hope you have a lovely cruise :classic_smile:

     

     

    Thanks, sounds like you've had some nice cruises. Hope you get to experience another soon :classic_smile:

    How did you find the temperatures in the public rooms/lounges -- on the cooler side?  Would you say that a sweater is definitely needed?

     

    MARAPRINCE

    Carnival Sunrise POSITIVITY POST!!!!

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    On 7/4/2019 at 4:30 PM, bjfitz0703 said:

    I was on the 6/24 sailing.  If you search you can find my post yet for sure there were some challenges yet we adapted and managed it.  Overall I gave it a B.  Trended upwards because we had fun yet simply too many people on the ship for its common areas.  The additional cabins have an impact.

     

    Seemed like as the 8 days went by others figured it all out too.  There were some smells but they went away.  I am an early riser so I would get some fruit on Lido like 630 and then hit MDR breakfast like 9.  Then did lunch like 2 to 3 pm and lines were non-existent by then.  We had 8:15 dinner so all of that worked really well actually.

     

    The Cruise Director was a blast.  Think he is on there until January.  All the staff were super.  We have sailed a lot and felt that the cabin guy was just ok yet all other folks were really great and nice.

     

    Pizza - one night we went to get pizza and the line was silly long.  We went to the room and ordered one and for $5 and after 30 minutes we got one delivered.  Perfect.

     

    Lido does have lots of omelet stations:  Italian place; seafood shack; Lucky Bowl; taco/burrito place - never a line at these that I saw.

     

    Deck loungers - disaster on sea days.  People just save them and are never actually in them.  I have sailed other cruise lines which actively manage this problem.  Carnival gap for sure. My advice is go to Lido early and throw stuff on them. Find ones that are more "hidden".  Everyone else does so when in Rome.....wish this wasn't necessary yet there is no management of this issue.  Also Deck 3 has some for a great nap like area.

     

    Guys burgers can get long sometimes yet as the afternoon goes on, it goes down.  BBQ place is good too and on deck 10.  Opposite side of the ship from the smokers.

     

    On Grand Turk day, the Lido breakfast was the worst I saw all week.  We just hit MDR and no line.  On Sea days MDR brunch line seems to get longer later in the morning.

     

    Comedians were super.  Get there like 15 minutes early and i should work.  Never had a problem finding a seat in the Liquid Lounge

     

    One thing I learned was Deck 1 OV cabins are larger.  We booked late so this was what was available and now would consider it again given the cabin size.  Also Deck 1 works well for port days and for the restaurants and night life activities.  Plus Deck 1 is one of the first decks off the ship at the end of the cruise.  Usually we stay higher on the ship yet might do deck 1 again at a good price point.

     

    You will have fun.  Just adapt.  All items are manageable and it is the fun ships!  This lived up to that!

    Are you saying that the MDR was open for breakfast on port days?

     

    MARAPRINCE

    Carnival Sunrise POSITIVITY POST!!!!

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    On 6/29/2019 at 7:45 AM, beachnsnowbunny said:

    We sailed the Sunrise May 23rd and had a great time. The ship is beautiful and the crew was some of the best we have ever had. We don't usually eat at the buffet so can't help on that one but there are plenty of options to avoid it. On embarkation day we went to the BBQ and had no line while everyone went to lido. Sea day brunch in the dining room was always fast with no wait. Don't let others negatively affect your vacation before it starts.  We are sailing her again this Tuesday for 8 days and couldn't be more excited. 

    Is the BBQ, Guys Burgers?

     

    MARAPRINCE

    Carnival Sunrise POSITIVITY POST!!!!

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    10 minutes ago, antmaril said:

    Thank you for posting this, because I have been feeling the same way.  Trying to stay positive, but some of these reviews have been brutal.  

     

    My friend and I will be on her in September.  I haven’t cruised Carnival in almost 20 years.  My friend invited me to join her and I was happy to accept.  I am a planner and do all the research.  That can be a blessing and a curse.  Sometimes, ignorance is bliss.  Unfortunately, I can’t unsee what I’ve read about the Sunrise.  I have decided not to share any of this with my friend.  It’s too late now to get out of it.  So, we will go and I am sure we will have fun.  It is cruise after all.  

     

    I hope you enjoy your cruise, as well.  

    I hear you!  I have the same situation with my cousin/cabinmate who says that "I know everything" and that she would rather be surprised.  My take is that if I know ahead of time what to be aware of I can plan so we can make the most of our time on board and not be frustrated by crowded areas and come away unhappy.  There are alternatives to going to the buffet everyday and I will be sure that we avail ourselves of them.  I plan to try all the included alternatives where possible during the sailing.

     

    MARAPRINCE

    • Like 1

    Lanyards - no joke

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    49 minutes ago, AmBear said:

    Agreed, I think Carnival should be 'stepping up' their loyalty program, cause other lines like RCL do offer better benes.!

    We choose to cruise mostly on Carnival because of the itineraries, but after awhile, they get old too!

    I think many of those commenting here are not cruising other lines to see the difference!

    Personally, I like the stretchy ones that the casino gives out with the hole punched into the card itself.  I can always find my cruise card in my bag by the cord (like a leash) , the card does not have to be removed to be scanned, I wear it with the card turned backwards (so my level is not seen) so I will not missplace/lose it when ashore, and if by some remote chance the card gets caught in something it can be easily detached as a safety measure.

     

    As far as first time cruisers vs. repeat ones and spending patterns -- often grandparents will pay for their families to sail with them often including shore excursions, photos and other items as well.  Some first timers will never return on their own due to lacking the money to book another cruise based upon what it costed them on their first cruise!

     

    Groups are popular with the cruise lines since they charge a flat rate based upon what they estimate a cruiser would spend (drinks, excursions, etc.) for an inside cabin.  If you want to upgrade to an outside or balcony an extra charge is added.  Often these are the least desirable cabins due to their location and are harder to sell.

     

    If the cruise lines want you to spend more on board, they need to have attractive merchandise available at reasonable prices.  There is always "something" that you have forgotten to bring, breaks and needs to be replaced, or the weather makes it a necessity (hotter or colder than expected).  With cruises sailing out of NY, locals have access to lots of shopping venues with great selections at all price points.  If you can get it at home in NYC for less, why buy it on the ship?  For example, if the ships offer Kipling brand handbags at discounted prices, they will find buyers.

     

    Just some thoughts....

     

     

    MARAPRINCE

    Carnival sunrise. The worse ship ever

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    2 hours ago, thesmiths said:

    Thank you,  Was trying to get my bearing that is all. Like to know the lay of the land before I go.

     

    Appreciate it.

     

     

     

    Do they have minature maps of the ship with the location of the public rooms, decks, etc. at Guest Services?

     

    MARAPRINCE

    2 hours ago, thesmiths said:

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Carnival Sunrise

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    1 minute ago, April42749 said:

    I'm always cold, and I was very comfortable in the theatre and for the most part, the rest of the ship.

    Great!  Glad to hear that!  We were so cold on Sunshine that I actually wore leggings under my long skirt on formal night!  Don't knock it....it really worked.  It also helped that we were on a Canada cruise and I brought the leggings with me to use ashore if necessary.  Needed them on the ship but not ashore in Canada.

     

    MARAPRINCE

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