Top_of_the_Cube

Wife and I haul all our luggage. Carnival has a suggested number of bags based on cruise length, but it is a guideline and you can carry-on or check and carry-on more than their "guide." Also, for carry-on, Carnival prefer that each bag be no more than 50 pounds and that it be no larger than the size of what airlines require for checked baggage. Again, you can get away with larger and heavier bags, but it may slow things down as they may have to hand-search your bag if it doesn't fit through the scanner or if it is too heavy. Sorry, Vinnyv20032003, guess I am getting off topic.

You are correct, I misspoke. The Real ID indicates that you have met a certain federal standard of identification. If you can provide the appropriate documentation that you are legally in the United States, citizen or non-citizen, you may qualify to apply for a Real ID. Thanks for catching that. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ And for those participating in the discussion about how this might affect persons involved in court proceedings but do not have or are not eligible for Real ID, found the following: REAL ID does NOT apply to the following: Participating in law enforcement proceedings or investigations www.dhs.gov/real-id.

Just perusing through the U.S. State Dept page for some light reading. Once Real ID is implemented, you can choose from a list of what they call "Real ID-compliant" documents that U.S. citizens will need in order to fly domestically. You will need to show only ONE of either: Real ID (state-issued identification), passport, passport card, enhanced ID (state-issued), plus a few other items. And, Real ID is not acceptable for flights outside the U.S. Bringing it back to cruising - since Real ID is considered proof of U.S. citizenship, it is acceptable by the U.S. for closed-loop sailings (no birth certificate or other additional identifying document needed) to leave and enter the country. But, a ship or any of the ports of call can require more (passport, visa, etc.), and you won't be allowed to board until you satisfy their requirements. Just my interpretation of what I read. Note that some parts of the law had been changed but the website was not updated, so for whatever that is worth.

[Sorry, but I am a little cantankerous today] After original post, four of the next five comments mentioned price, and none mentioned better sleep, cold room, or seasickness. Then OP comes back with the above response. Seriously? Anyways, my wife prefers inside cabins because she, uh, gets better sleep in a cold dark room.

Never used a PVP. From reading these types of posts throughout the years I don't see much difference between an excellent responsive TA and PVP, other than the TA may extend some perks. Whether it is a TA or PVP, if yours is providing the service you want, hang on to them. I kinda go between booking direct with Carnival and with a TA, no real rhyme or reason for which one I choose. Except this last cruise. I was looking for a specific room and Carnival said it was not available. I checked with my TA, and they booked it for me right away. I understand that there are reasons why a TA may have a cabin in its inventory when Carnival does not. All I'm saying is that it was nice to have alternate sources.

I don't know how it works in other ports or other time periods, but back in early 2000, embarking out of Galveston, seems like at least some of the ships we sailed were around for four or five years.

No argument with anyone's concept of "essential". Whatever makes your vacation YOUR vacation. My perspective? The only essentials are the documents needed to board the ship and travel to your destinations, a change or two of clothes, and the money needed to get back home. If that gets me on a cruise, I am King of the High Seas! This is coming from the guy who normally packs a large and small suitcase, a backpack, and a satchel for a seven-night voyage.

You could tell them the yummy looking frozen drinks are non-alcoholic. Scratch that, you should never lie to your mother. I am very awkward, socially, and have found that playing a card game or a board game often provides a good opening for conversation and connection. It also usually produces comical moments to share laughter, and then later those moments become "inside" or "private" jokes. As a last resort, encourage them to share embarrassing stories about you and your wife as children. That should keep them engaged for the whole cruise.

After my friend's leg surgery, she got a portable folding aluminum structure, kind of looked like a walker, that she used. Hers was super strong and extremely stable (our kids would hang and swing on it). Don't know if that is an option for you. In any case, hope it works out for you and that you enjoy your cruise!

Thanks, @JDincalif, for sharing. Can't even imagine what you and others went through, but it should remind us all to take some time from the fun and frivolity in order to familiarize ourselves with these most basic safety protocols. I wish more would post their stories. It might help us understand that while most of us will never experience an actual call to muster, some of us will.

Last year a representative said that Carnival is providing the best dining experience they can with the budget they have. I can understand and appreciate if that "experience" is not to your liking, causing you to seek out another line or cut back your Carnival bookings. Just looking at booking statistics, there are many of us who still enjoy the Carnival product. That includes a decent amount of Diamond and Platinum passengers, of which I am neither. If the bacon "shortages" and other cut-backs get to a point that it affects my enjoyment, I too will curtail my sailings on Carnival. For now, as I compare cruising options, Carnival usually comes out ahead. I always appreciate the folks who are honest about their criticisms, helps me evaluate if their concerns are something that might affect my choices.

On our last cruise, there were several drinks charged to our account throughout the week that we did not purchase (did not have CHEERS!). But, weirdly enough, they were also reversed within 5 minutes of the charge without us contacting Guest Services to challenge. Different days, different time of day, different bars. That really has me scratching my head (that, and a dry scalp).

A few months' back, the wait staff (set-time early dining) automatically provided menus to those who did not have their devices in hand. And, of course, they were available to anyone who asked. As always, experiences varies based on the alignment of the stars.

Just googled the most recent Carnival Room Service menu, states that the 18% gratuity will be added. Was reading where John Heald addressed a question about ordering the night before. He said that will no longer be available. While that may now be a Carnival policy, who knows what your actual experience will be. The Room Service changes were to be in place on October 1. But, I understand that one item removed from the new menu has already been put back by popular demand. With changes and adjustment possible at any time, my comment might already be outdated.

Reading through another post, a very interesting discussion (to me) developed regarding muster drills. I really appreciate learning from the experts who patiently correct and educate landlubbers like myself. But from that conversation, I became curious about something, but didn't want to take the other post too far afield. So I am asking it here on a new thread. Have you ever experienced a call to muster while a passenger on a cruise ship?

When packing for a cruise, my philosophy is "more is better."

Great responses! A few cruises under our belts since my wife's condition manifested itself. I do take it on myself to be vigilant, as much as possible, but the crew has been very accommodating, as seems to be the experience of those who are reporting above. My wife won't eat in the buffet area, but we were told to just grab one of the floor managers and that person would be able to help us safely choose among the buffet options. Not sure on other lines, but I remember reading that Carnival now has a staffed podium in the buffet area called "Menu Mates" where a person can go to get info on what they can eat with their specific dietary concern.

I love cove balconies. Is it worth an extra $400? In my opinion, Yes. But its worth may be outweighed by my budget for that trip.

I think I finally understand why one might buy Cruise Cash with Carnival Gift cards. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it is the convenience of having the Cruise Cash applied to your account without a trip to Guest Services or the quirky kiosk. Makes sense. For me, though, I prowl around the ship late at night, so the Guest Services line is usually non-existent, and the ladies working the desk usually flirt with me (must be a boring job). Also, on my last cruise the kiosk actually worked for me (first time ever). The kiosk doesn't flirt, she's just a big tease.

Love the Caribbean! We have only "not gotten off the ship" one time. Nothing against the port, just needed an extra rest day. We did enjoy the mostly empty ship. Otherwise, we have been successful at doing something cultural, something adventurous, and something beachy on every cruise. We use cruise-sponsored and private excursion operators, and sometimes hire a taxi and head out on our own. While I have participated in a few excursions and activities that are "one and done", every port has some things that I haven't tried yet, and things that I have done but want to do again.

I do not use a CPAP, but I do like an outlet next to my side of the bed. On interior rooms, I used the same idea as OP, but the hook magnets were along the wall, a couple of inches above the floor. I don't know if I would have thought to use the ceiling. Bravo! For my last cruise, I did use an adaptor that plugged into the European socket behind the bed board (to power the lamp). This adaptor had multiple outlets for both European and U.S. so I could use it for the lamp and my power cord at the same time. This did require getting under the bed and maneuvering in tight quarters, so might be a little more effort than some choose to take on. I have heard (but have no personal knowledge) that some ships might hard-wire their lamps instead of using a plug. I researched to make sure my set-up would work on the Vista. If utilizing a European socket, please understand a little bit about the European outlets (~220 volts) and the requirements of your devices and appliances. Know the difference between an adaptor and a convertor, and be sure your extension cords/power bars do not have surge protection.

I guess the pressure from crew to use the HUB may differ based on ship, or venue, or crew member, or the alignment of the stars. On our cruise, in the MDR the wait staff carried around menus and provided them automatically to folks who didn't have a device out. For breakfast, brunch, and YTD, there were always people at the front desk checking in without the app. We had set time dining, and one of the ladies at our table was a virulent anti-phone proponent. She told us that she wouldn't be with us the next night because on a whim, she made reservations at the steakhouse. Since she claims she is disconnected, I have to assume she didn't reserve using the HUB app. My wife used the cabin phone (*gasp*) to make an appointment in the spa. We did have our phones, used the app for many things, and loved its convenience. Just not always. The problem is, if a specialty dining venue, or one of the children's programs, or other activity requires HUB use, what do you do if you aren't connected? Carnival has surprised me in the past, but it just doesn't seem Carnival-like to not have alternate options for those not using electronic devices.

Regular balconies are kinda like structures built out from the ship. Cove balconies are actually openings in the hull. As some have described, it is somewhat like a cave. On the ships where the Coves are located on Deck 2, it almost feels like we were right at water level. Great for sea gazers. There may be a salt film that develops on the balcony railing, floor, and furniture that some find objectionable. And you may feel spray once in a while. Those were not negatives for my wife and me. We had rough seas on one of our cruises which slowed down the ship and delayed our port arrival by several hours. It was fun (for us) to sit out and watch the angry waves rise higher and higher out of the sea and seemingly get closer to spilling on to our deck. Of course, if it had reached a dangerous level, the crew would secure our balcony door, but you would still have a front-row seat through the large picture window. Of course, Deck 2 is not really convenient to many of the popular venues on the ship, but that's not an issue to us (yet).

Several have mentioned that they received pressure while on board to use the app. Sorry to hear that. We have experienced complete choice on our cruises. I love the convenience of my phone, but I just prefer a physical menu, whatever that says about me. We had set time dining, but used the app to check in for brunch in the MDR. It was nice to get the notice that our table was ready, and sometimes kind of a squeeze to get through the crowd waiting around the entrance, but it did not seem that any were pressured to "use the app" as they came in-person to check in at the host/hostess desk. Our wait staff automatically handed out menu boards to those who didn't have their phones or devices in hand. They seemed just as friendly and helpful no matter your app / no-app status. Can't think of anything you couldn't accomplish without the app, although the app sure made most things easier. Except the odd times that it didn't work or wasn't updated with current information.

When we book inside cabins, we find that we spend less time in the room and more time out and about enjoying the ship. We LOVE inside cabins. When we book balcony cabins, we find that we spend more time in the room enjoying the ocean. We LOVE balcony cabins. When we book an Ocean View cabin, well, you can probably guess that we LOVE OV cabins. In truth, I lean more towards balcony, and my wife towards inside. But, totally understand those who have a strong preference one way or the other. For a while, my wife could not sleep with ANY light. Even with an inside stateroom, I had to stuff a rolled up towel under the cabin door at nights. One suggestion that we use in any cabin, but is especially useful on inside rooms: We set up an electronic tablet with the screen propped up on the worksurface facing the bed, and a few downloaded apps - a low-light screensaver that has a large display of the time, a variety of white noise audio files, and a sunrise simulator "alarm". Ah, let the good times roll!