mz-s

everyone is a big tipper on the internet...

The folks who worked in Norfolk were Baltimore employees that just drove down on turnaround days, so they'll just do that again.

Unlike later classes, the balcony cabins are no larger than standard insides or ocean views. Originally the ship had no balconies, they were bolted on later. The balcony itself is a bit larger though. There is plenty to do on Paradise to where you shouldn't get bored. But don't expect to find a "hidden gem" haha.

Paradise is the smallest ship in the fleet (along with her sister Elation), you can do everything on the ship in an afternoon.

That's an over 4 hour bus ride. Not how I'd want to end my vacation but what choice do you have?

I don't want to derail the thread too much we can talk for hours about this but the long and the short of it is yes. You still need to follow good internet hygeine. Don't open attachments or click links from unexpected emails. Etc. A VPN won't prevent viruses or scams. Some people hear "VPN" and think it's a silver bullet.

Using a VPN is a good idea, but in reality nearly everything on the internet today is encrypted so it should be safe without.

When the Fantasy class goes away, a ship like Spirit or Legend can call JAX home as long as the port is profitable for Carnival.

Expect more of it - proprietary ports, and ports with a lot of popular excursions that guests book are how Carnival is paying down its debt. At Amber Cove Carnival captures nearly all of the spend. At Half Moon Cay they capture all of it. At Nassau they get kickbacks from destinations like Blue Lagoon.

Exactly my point - they change it as necessary to make the program sustainable. I don't think anyone here really has anything to worry about with the VIFP overhaul. Like I said if they wanted to cut the program they would have already.

I don't think it'll take that long to get the debris out of the harbor. Obviously it will take a long time to rebuild the bridge.

Fewer scooters to dodge during the cruise on B2Bs though.

I am surprised they made the call so soon. They must have received word that the harbor wouldn't be navigable in time for the turnaround in 6 days. It is good for folks on the next cruise, they can go ahead and make preparations to go to Norfolk instead of Baltimore.

I don't think they can just move up a drydock on a whim like that.

I could see the credit card tying in to VIFP somehow. A lot of travel brands do that. But the program would have to be significantly overhauled and expanded to make it worth paying any amount of money for.

I really think the "there are too many platinums and diamonds" thing is something that people on here have dreamed up. If it was an issue for Carnival they would have changed the program by now.

HMC is getting a pier, Celebration Key is coming soon, more ports will extend their piers or deepen their harbors if they want to welcome these large ships.

Several bars around the ship will have coffee machines. Often the atrium bar does as well. It just depends. Not all will carry the full spectrum of coffee drinks however.

waitlist early if you can now. if the waitlist is already closed or if the waitlist doesn't come through, see the maitre'd on embarkation day as @nwo4life mentioned. It is not possible to email maitre'd's anymore.

I just love watching the island slowly get closer and closer and I love seeing the ship docked offshore while on the beach. I do look forward to the pier so there will be fewer missed stops there, and it will be easier to come and go during the day.

I don't think many people who work an office job work an honest, busy, 40 hours a week. If I could, I'd love to work from a cruise. Sit in the cabin for about half a day doing my work, and enjoy the ship and ports the rest of the day. It's simply not an option with my job at present however.

Still love that "bong" sound that the scanners make when you walk onboard and still love walking in to the atrium on embarkation day. Love meeting the steward on that busy embarkation day. Love making friends with bartenders and dealers in the casino. Love riding the water shuttle from the ship to HMC. Love watching all the new cruisers feel the fun that I felt back when I was carrying a blue or red card. It's all old hat to me now but I am a cruiser. I am critical where I think Carnival can improve but they still do a lot right.

They are renovating the Norfolk port this year to support year round operations next year when Sunshine arrives. I don't know if they would be ready to get Norfolk up and running now.

I don't understand how you prepaid for the steakhouse without selecting a date and time.

The fiberglass skin isn't the funnel, I doubt it contributes to the structural integrity of the funnel. It's just branding.