rjrpar

This will get some interesting answers

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that's much too expensive for only 6 days! I take several cruises a year, and typically go Sept/Oct ... Jan/Feb and sometimes May. Basically, when kids are in school is the best time cause they are always cheaper then. I aim to pay around $90pp per day for an interior (WITH PICTURE WINDOW!) or around $120pp per day for a balcony. I reserve over a year or more in advance.

No wonder why Carnival is a bare bones cruise line. $90/day for a room with an ocean view, 3 meals and snacks, entertainment, and transport to beautiful islands. Sure seems cheap to me

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Just rented a car from Budget - Sanford to port- and total cost is $41. Drop off near port and use free Budget shuttle to ship

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With the positive feedback, we booked the cruise today. Went with a mid ship balcony and felt we got very good value. Thanks everyone

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We have been on the Star many times, once through the canal and most recently for 14 days on a transatlantic. As another poster mentioned we were disappointed years ago when the observation lounge was converted to suites, however, that hasn't really impacted our enjoyment of our cruises, perhaps because we always book a balcony. There was a show every night in the theatre - usually at 7:30 and 9:30 but due to the low passenger count on the transatlantic they only did one at 7:30.

 

Our favorite thing has always been the crew and staff, I'm not sure if it's the smaller size ship or just we've always gotten lucky but they have always really had great attitudes and made our trip so fun. We thought the dining promo was nice - even though we are fine with main dining room food it's fun to add on variety with Teppanyaki and Moderno (our two favorites last time, although Cagney's is right up there too).

 

Happy traveling!

 

 

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Thanks

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The current offer of pre-paid gratuities is a very good offer that will save you $378. The "free" beverage package will cost you about $400 in mandatory gratuities so break even is at about one drink per day. Savings only start on your second drink per day. If you don't plan on drinking that much alcohol it is not a good choice. Check out NCL's drink prices before you answer. The "free" four meal dining package has a value of $84 per person and you will have to pay an up front 18% gratuity for that also. Internet promotion value is $125 and shore excursion value is pretty straight forward other than it's up to four ports, per cabin and cannot be combined all at one port. Only you can decide what is better for you.

 

I like the Star, a bit worn in some areas even after the refurb. No big slides or ropes course, no major productions and fewer activities than on the mega ships - often this equals less kids. Nice size ship, room sizes & balcony size seem better than new ships. Observation deck was turned into suites so on-deck viewing areas get crowded. They might let you on the bow for the canal crossing.

Thanks, good info. Is there an evening show most nights in the main theatre?

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For all the details of the dining promo simple click on it to read the Terms/Conditions:

 

https://www.ncl.com/cruise-deals/choice

 

It's a good choice if you aren't a drinker and don't want the beverage package.

Thanks, my wife drinks soda and I have 2-3 beers each day. Need to do the math

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We are frequent cruisers, usually RCCL and Celebrity, but have never sailed on NCL. Thinking of booking the Star for February, 2018 for 14 days from LA to Miami, thru the canal. Have a few questions: what is the free specialty dining promo and is it a good choice(we don't drink very much) , and since the Star is an older ship with mixed reviews, would you recommend it for a 2 week cruise?

Thanks in advance for any guidance

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From the Carnival website:

 

 

 

Cruise Casual Dress Code

 

Men: sport slacks, khakis, Jeans (no cut-offs), dress shorts (long) and collared polo shirts

 

Women: summer dresses, casual skirts, pants, capris, dress shorts, Jeans (no cut-offs) blouses and tops

 

Not permitted: Cut-off Jeans, men’s sleeveless shirts, tee-shirts, gym or basketball shorts, baseball hats, flip-flops and bathing suit attire

 

 

 

Cruise Elegant Dress Code

 

Men: dress slacks, dress shirts, and we also suggest a sport coat; men may also wish to wear a suit and tie or tuxedo

 

Women: Cocktail dresses, pantsuits, elegant skirts and blouses; ladies may also wish to wear an evening gown

 

Not permitted: Jeans, men’s sleeveless shirts, shorts, tee-shirts, sportswear, gym or basketball shorts, baseball hats, flip-flops and bathing suit attire

 

 

 

Jeans are NOT acceptable for Elegant Evenings in the MDR

Jeans are often worn on Elegant night on Carnival and you know it. Most rules on Carnival are "guidelines".

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Adapters are very inexpensive

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Who cares what another is wearing? You're not on Cunard.

 

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Amen.

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If you have only sailed Carnival twice:

 

Then you haven't experienced waiting in a line for an hour just to go through security. Nor have you had the pleasure if standing in line yet another line for 45 minutes to check in. Then if you are lucky, you get to sit and wait until they call general boarding. And while you got there early, all those that got there after you and have a higher boarding number push and shove to get on. By then tension is high and they just let everyone board.

 

 

 

It is so much nicer now with the staggered check in. If people follow the rule and arrive at their time everyone just moves smoothly thru the process.

You're right, I have never experienced the problems you describe. Makes me curious why Carnival has such problems while other cruise lines, some with much larger ships, run much more efficient operations????

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We get 8-10% of the cruise fare from our online TA in onboard credit

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You won't believe what you will see in the gym. A lot of first timers that have no clue on proper gym attire. Almost anything goes

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I'm curious. We've been cruising for 20 years on 5 different cruise lines and have never had a problem with check-in or boarding. Why is Carnival trying to fix a process that works fine. I will say we have only sailed Carnival twice, both in Europe.

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Ships are not that large where you need a roaming messenger. Go over the activity sheet together-- highlight where you will be at any given time

 

 

 

have a meeting time set up-- example what time to be in the cabin to get ready for dinner. (clocks are on the decks by the elevators)

 

 

 

Highlight his activity sheet so you know where he will be/ IF that changes have him call the room and leave a voice mail.

I agree. Keeping track of teens on a ship is not difficult.

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My opinion - I wouldn't do it.

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Enjoy your cruise and remember, the dress code is very informal. People in tuxes on Most cruise lines are clinging to the past.

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Our upcoming cruise will be during Halloween and wanted to know if costumes are allowed in the MDR. Any feedback from past cruisers would be great.

Of course. It will be an upgrade for some

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If in the Caribbean don't book thru the cruise line, a waste of money and time. Big groups on cruise line tours are slow due to wait times.

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What's the big deal about talking direct to any cruise line. We book though an online TA (or transfer a onboard booking to him) and receive about 9% of the cruise price in obc. The TA cruise price is always identical to that of the cruise line.

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There are very few sales on cruise ships.

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Our family has never been on a cruise before and decided to give it a try during the kids spring break. We booked a 7 day out of Charleston, SC for April. Our choices were very limited due to the date restriction due to the kids. The ship is the Carnival Ecstasy. I have a few questions:

 

1- The kids love to swim but I also realize that the water temp at that time of year tends to be pretty cold. Will the kids be able to enjoy the slides and pools while on the ship?

 

2- The figuring out the excursions to do is a little hard. The reviews seem to be all over the map. It seems to make sense to do the cruise offered excursions so we have no chance of getting left behind. The kids are wanting to go the Atlantis. Its almost $400 for us to go and don't know if it would be worth it. Any suggestions for Nassau, Half Moon, and Grand Turk?

 

3- I'm assuming that due to the time and being Spring Break the ship will be crowded. Anyone have any experiences with cruising during that time?

 

 

 

Thanks for the Help

Book your own excursions or just take a cab.; you will save a fair amount of money. We are experienced cruisers and have never been left behind or even know anyone who has. The fear of being left behind is pushed here on cc by people who are just super cautious. Leave yourself plenty of time to get back and enjoy.

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Does Carnival have more boarding issues than other cruise lines? We've been on 20 cruises; RCCL, Celebrity, Princess, and 2 Carnivals and have never had an issue.

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Avoid ship excursions. Like a poster said, usually too many people. Private tours are so easy to arrange. Please, don't bring up missing the ship, happens once a decade.

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