DPTexas

Excellent about the passport as some cruise lines and countries/ports require 3-6 months left before the passport's expiration date. Open-loop cruises generally require cruisers to have valid passports with (generally) at least 6 months remaining after the last date of the cruise. Each cruise line has their specific requirements, as well as countries. (I should have mentioned this in my original reply.) A PVP is a Carnival Personal Vacation Planner that can be assigned to you. They help with bookings. Some people use them and some don't. We do when we are booking an out of the ordinary cruise. They can supposedly also see availability that does not show up on the website. We have found ours very useful at times. Looks like y'all are all set so the only thing left to do is . . . start the countdown! Happy Cruising Everyone!

We enjoy the CT each cruise. We don't drink alcoholic beverages so that is not a consideration for us in the price. We thoroughly enjoy the experience, the food offerings (at least 7 courses) and the company. Yes, it is a lot of food so you have to pace yourself, but in our experience well-prepared and presented. We also enjoy trying all types of foods which is important b/c during several of the CTs in the past, there have been diners who won't eat fish, vegetables, etc - which greatly limits the food and increases the cost of what has been tasted. Last time, they adjusted the menu for someone who was gluten free and she seemed to enjoy it as much as everyone else. Also, we factor in that the cost of the experience on land would be far greater. That being said, there are other purchase options (Cheers package, jewelry, art) on the cruise that we don't participate in, so this is our "splurge". We used to stalk the FTTF, but no longer as the price has out-paced its value. Happy Cruising Everyone!

I do not believe it is Carnival's responsibility to inform cruisers of requirements for entry into a country - such as a Visa, etc. It has always been our position (and understanding) that it is our individual responsibility to find out what is needed as each may differ. Your TA or PVP may be able to help, but I would strongly suggest to not rely on them, but to visit each port and/or country's website to find out particular requirements. Research this yourself and most importantly - check your passport expiration date!! I would also suggest you visit Carnival's website to read the "Cruise Ticket Contract Terms", "FAQs" and "Have Fun. Be Safe" sections that can be found in the footer at the front page of its website. The Cruise Ticket Terms is long, but has a lot of info that (I suspect) most cruises have never read. The FAQs section under "Know Before You Go" has a sub-section "What travel documents do I need to bring?" and the "Have Fun. Be Safe" section answers the vaccination and testing question (not required, but suggested - but this is for most departures and cruising aboard the ship). Again, for Visa's and other documentation required by certain ports and countries, it is best to go to the particular website to find out. Most ports require photo identification (and your Sail & Sign Card) to get back aboard ship. Carnival will have that info for each port - usually in print form in the staterooms and discussed during pre-port meetings. Hopefully I've covered this well-enough. Others may be able to add additional information. Happy Cruising!

Congratulations and best wishes! Even though your cruise is next year, I want to comment on a few things when y'all first board the ship. I think many first time cruisers try to pack too many activities into their first few days and end up overdoing it. Use the HUB app to see what activities are available each day. Some are available multiple times during the day or during the cruise - others are not. Prioritize and plan your activities much like you would on a land vacation. If you accidently miss an activity - see if it or a similar one is available later. The HUB app is great b/c you can tag the activities you want to attend and it will send a reminder. Also use the HUB app to check in for breakfast and dinner if you are eating in the main dining room (MDR). As soon as you embark, do your muster safety drill first - get it out of the way, making other cruisers and the Captain happy. It's a requirement and best done first. Your boarding pass shows your muster station location and any employee will point y'all in the right direction. Then, if the rooms aren't ready (on most cruises they are ready around 1:30), go grab some lunch - lots of choices there. After lunch, go to your stateroom to meet your room steward and unpack. They will ask about your cleaning preferences (most times, but not always) and see if you have any special requests (distilled water, a robe or ice). For the rest of the cruise, your room steward and MDR dinner servers will remember your names. It's crazy how they can do this! Then, after you are settled in, I would suggest taking some time to walk the ship to get your bearings. We still enjoy doing this no matter how many times we are on the same ship! Your choice of an 8-day cruise is great b/c there is plenty of time to enjoy your time together making memories. Happy cruising everyone!

Last year, we sailed on the Panorama out of CA, flying in from Texas. We planned (as we always do) to fly in the day before. Then, the FAA system failure happened a few days or so before our cruise. That made us rethink our plans, so we flew in 2 days before. Luckily, our plans were flexible and we didn't mind having an additional hotel expense for the peace of mind it brought and bought. Even when sailing out of Galveston, as we usually do, we always drive in the night before. I know a lot of people can't, but I am so glad we can. Happy cruising everyone!

Same here. We used to get it all the time (when we could), but for our upcoming 8-day cruise it is $139.99 (!!), and still available the last time I was looking at excursions. It was of value before, but not at that price! I remember when we would watch and pounce on FTTF, but not anymore. There are better options for spending $140 on a cruise. Plus, one more cruise after this one and we are platinum, so that will solve itself (unless they change the VIP loyalty program).

Go to your "Booking and Order Details" tab for that cruise (in case you have more than 1 booked) and "Edit Booking". It should show up there and give you the option to cancel. HTH. Happy cruising.

I am surprised no one earlier edited your comment to ". . . the sugar straw that broke the camel's back.", but that would open up a whole new line of (off-topic) comments. LOL! 😉

We originally rented a clamshell for our recent Sept cruise, but I reread the reviews and decided to cancel it. It was so hot that day we decided to stay onboard and really enjoyed it. During dinner in the MDR that night, a diner told us she rented one and when she went to claim it there were none left. She was not offered a refund either. So, it appears the over-selling is correct and also maybe "over-claiming", too. Also, if I remember, the reviews said they are hot b/c the clamshell design obstructs any breeze flowing through it. I reserved one for our Sept 2024 cruise and already cancelled it. It may be a great deal, but with such a poor reservation system (or lack thereof) it isn't so great if you can't get one - especially after paying for it. Happy cruising everyone!

Thanks for sharing the photo - I think to take photos too late! This parade is always fun to watch, including seeing the adults also having a blast.

Under the "Categories" drop down, look for "Specialty Dining" b/c that is where it usually shows up. I looked and it shows available dates for our upcoming 2024 cruises and even through 2025. It is always fun watching the parade (I believe on deck 5) after the breakfast. It appears to be a very popular breakfast, so book it ahead of time if you can. Hope this helps. Happy cruising everyone!

We have received an email survey after each cruise and have replied to each one. I keep a note in my phone on names, positions and positive comments during each cruise and use those. Sometimes I take photos of the staff badges which helps with spelling and positions. When leaving our last cruise in September, both the room steward and lead MDR staff us to be sure to fill out the survey. Our room steward told us that recently Carnival starting having the reviews read to the staff and they receive benefits for their names and positive comments mentioned. Both said it helps when their contracts are up for renewal and will sometimes give them extra time in port or especially for promotion purposes. It does take effort to remember, but it is a great way to end each cruise.

This was so helpful. During our cruise in September, I was tip-toeing into vegetarian/vegan eating so I tried some vegan menu options and some attempts from the main menu which was encouraging. I have always enjoyed the food on Carnival so I figured the vegan/vegetarian options would be enjoyable and they were, except the Indian options were too spicy for me. I've since gone completely vegan so this is helpful for our cruises scheduled for 2024 & later. I know I can eat on my plan while my family enjoys their regular options. (I plan to bring my own salad dressing though.) I realize the menus may change in the new year, but at least this gives me an idea of menu options. I'll know I'll miss some foods (chocolate panna cotta) but with many vegan options I will be able to enjoy a wonderful dining experience while cruising. Again, very much appreciate the time you took to submit the reviews, the menus and photos. Take care and happy cruising everyone.

I have 2 pet peeves. My first is when guests use their phone on speaker mode w/o using earphones - including those listening to music or streaming movies. I was reading on deck on our cruise last month and a lady sat down next to me streaming a movie without using earphones so I could hear the movie, too. I kindly asked if she could turn the volume down and she did, but I could still hear the movie, so after awhile I simply moved. Isn't that what earphones are for and the protocol discussed on Carnival's website? My 2nd pet peeve is what affects me the most . . . not being on a ship right now! 3 and done for 2023 and our 2024 doesn't start until Spring. So, I'll visit CC and plan virtual trips in the meantime. LOL! Happy cruising everyone!

The Hawaiian Shrimp Poke was an appetizer on the Dream and it was delicious! Happy cruising everyone!