Top_of_the_Cube

I'm kind of with you. As soon as I notice a post is just a long-winded, self-gratifying tirade, such as this OP's post, I am likely to just move on. But, I wouldn't give the OP the satisfaction of a comment or response.

With some of the complaints I have been reading recently, should everyone be booking with Carnival at this time? I do have sympathy for those whose whole vacation experience, or even just a few situations or circumstances, is not up to their expectations, and I know that Carnival has the capacity to fail to bring its B-game. Many of these are legitimate complaints. And others would be legitimate, in a normal environment. Things do happen that just can't be ignored and can't be overlooked, such as sewage backing up into your cabin. But, many issues are just a temporary inconvenience reflecting a temporary state of affairs. And for some, this should signal a temporary pause in personally booking a cruise. Right now, some folks are very inflamed with their opinions of COVID protocols. If you are one to get vocal and confrontational if someone wears a mask, or does not wear a mask (whether ship required, enforced, unenforced, or just contrary to "good common sense" in your opinion) - and let's not get started on vaccinations and testing - maybe you should not cruise in this current environment. Right now, there are real supply chain challenges. If it just wouldn't be worth cruising with the potential of rationed or no bacon, or if YOUR brand of liquor or soft drink should become out of stock, maybe you should not cruise in this current environment. Right now, there are critical staff shortages. If you can't afford to wait an hour or more for dining service, or have a fear of dysentery if room cleaning is occasionally not thorough, or you won't survive if you can't get pizza at 4:00 a.m., maybe you should not cruise in this current environment. Right now, there is a greater chance than normal that you might be prevented from boarding a ship just days or even hours before sailing. If the anxiety of getting tested or waiting for results causes you physical or mental damage, or an actual positive test or onset of symptoms would produce a critical financial or logistic nightmare, maybe you should not cruise in this current environment. Right now, cruise lines have to make tough decisions regarding ports of call due to each location's sometimes-changing restrictions and accessibility. I think it is reasonable to let Carnival know of your displeasure of replacing a Bermuda stop with a Bahama port (and Carnival did listen and gave some compensation/options). But, if you are prone to lead an uprising if the captain does not give in to your demands for OBC, maybe you should not cruise in this current environment. Right now, cruise lines are navigating so many shifting regulations and authoritative opinions that what Carnival says today may not be true tomorrow, or even the reality once on board. If a late-breaking policy change would completely wreck your vacation, maybe you should not cruise in this current environment. I would guess the cruise lines cringe at not being able to provide their "normal" cruising experience, but couldn't afford to wait much longer before getting some cash flow to avoid bankruptcy. Their crew were in desperate need of getting back to work. And there were enough of us anxious to get our feet back on board in spite of the abnormal conditions. For me and my house, it was worth every hurdle to regain my sea legs. Some of us are more willing than others to pay the ticket price for "as-is" adventure. I imagine we can keep things afloat until conditions normalize enough for others to join us. Our affinity for Carnival (and cruising) shouldn't keep any of us from sharing both positive and negative reviews and observations that might help others determine when it is right for them to jump back in the water. Just thinking it might be premature to banish Carnival to the scrap yard at this time. Because, you know, the current environment and all. Unless, of course, they don't take care of that backed-up sewer.

Folio number is NOT your room number. If you lose your card or someone steals it, there is no information on the card to identify which room it will open.

Wife and I have time and money constraints. With that, we have limited ourselves to a port within driving distance. That leaves us with only a couple of cruise lines. So far, Carnival has always won out. We have enjoyed the energy on the ships, the great service and personable crew, the great food options (yes, we actually think the food is very good), and just the whole experience. I would (and have) consider any ship from any cruise line that falls within my limitations. Although, after several Carnival cruises, any close comparisons would definitely fall to Carnival.