notscb

Right, and it was perfectly timed with the "end" of Covid and return to cruising. Carnival missed that mark and when they did return to NYC they brought an off-brand ship. IMO, it was a mistake on Carnival's part. Freedom Class is still a newer class of ships and are rightfully a better product offering than Carnival Italian-Style. Carnival needed to put their biggest and best on show in NYC and they just didn't.

I feel like carnival really missed the mark with this one. RCL had an oasis class ship doing Canada/New England and has plenty of success. Carnival should have put one of their new and shiny (on brand, not “Italian style”) ships in NYC to really attract folks back from the NY market.

Sure, which is also why I said "Ultimately, everyone can do whatever they want. The arguments against doing it right away don't make any sense, IMO."

If you go make a mock booking, on the last page you can hit "show details", is there something missing from that that you'd like to see included? I've attached a mock booking I just did to show what the mobile site shows.

I understand that the safety announcement happens on every cruise and ops are temporarily paused. On the cruises I was on the CD specifically stated, after several threats, that they would be closing down hotel and restaurant operations until folks completed their muster drill and I was very much amused that they followed through with it. The CD also would come back on every few minutes with the number of folks who didn't do it to remind people to do it. Stateroom announcements and everything. I also understand the alternate safety briefing process. It's still regulations that pax complete the drill in some fashion, and the folks who try to skip get the pleasure of an enhanced safety experience (usually in the theater). Ultimately, everyone can do whatever they want. The arguments against doing it right away don't make any sense, IMO.

Definition of Deadline: the latest time or date by which something should be completed. You're right, the deadline exists as its the last possible time to do it. It's so easy: You walk onboard, you ask someone at the first door you see where your muster station is and you go there. With your priority embarkation, the ship is less crowded thus making this process even faster. Your argument that it takes too much time is completely invalid when you yourself add on the whole "go to my stateroom and eat lunch first" hour or two.

I figured this was common knowledge, but please just do your muster check-in first and don't follow this advice. Muster check-in takes <5 minutes. Carnival (and every other cruise line) can't leave the dock until every passenger has done their muster (USCG regulations I believe dictate this). On 2 of 2 cruises I went on last year, they had to close the bars, buffet and restaurants because some folks didn't do the muster check-in which takes all of <5 minutes. At one point they turned off the music on the lido deck as well.

Does it not break it down at checkout so you can see it in an itemized way? I think it does. Nobody is hiding the itemized cost, they're just required to show the true cost upfront. IMHO, it saves a ton of time in researching which sailing I'd like to take.

That's not quite correct. This is also in response to new laws in the EU as well. Clearly a bunch of folks thought it was an issue.

@Hoopster95 amazing photos! I almost wish the island was a bit more...island than six flags if you know what I mean. I wish I would have had a chance to visit when it looked more like a Caribbean natural island 🙂

I'm confused, how does showing the full price upfront (some would just call this transparency) not "work" for everybody, especially when cruise lines are notorious for bait-and-switching folks with their "low" cabin rates only to double it when you get to checkout.

You're talking about a minor system error versus re-coding the entire sales website to accurately reflect solo cabin pricing. It's a bit different, and John Heald has already commented that this is in fact an error that they are working to resolve.

Some elitist stuff right here, eh? And I thought that sense of elitism was reserved for RCL cruisers. *In all seriousness, I don't agree with your take. People should be able to know a price upfront. It's simple. Wanting all of the information upfront is responsible in many senses, including financially.

As others have suggested, I'd consider a different time of year. See when the kids have breaks and try to schedule around that (+- a few days). I'd also suggest the itinerary that doesn't require you to figure out excursions for 13+ people because that will be a legitimate nightmare, nor will you find a happy place between everyone involved. At least with Castaway Cay, y'all are going to the same place and can find things to do that each likes.

Mid-Ship forward is generally safe, but you really want to check the deck plans for the specific ship you're sailing. As @nwcruiselover pointed out, some of the Coves are under the Galley and that can be noisy throughout the day and night. As you get forward or aft there's definitely the sound of thrusters, engines, etc. that might be a factor. When I was on the Dream a few years back we didn't have any cabin noise issues (other than the waves outside, which was wonderful) and stayed midship forward.

Exactly. I've accidentally wandered down a hallway on a top deck (was wondering the outdoor areas at the front of the ship and couldn't enter anywhere else) on turnaround day and it's chaos for the housekeeping staff. Stay out of their way is the best advice one can give, or board after 1pm and your room will very likely be ready to go.

Many, many thanks for taking us along and for the laughs along the way. I'm already looking forward to your next sailing!

There clearly was if OP was offered ginger beer. Also, is water not easily and readily available, if "just for the toast" it wouldn't really matter what was given to OP the moment OP said "no" to the alcohol. I'm confused as to why OP's choice is being downplayed as if alcohol somehow is more important than the guest? I wouldn't. A guest told them "no" and it should have been the end of the story. I was on RCL Freedom of the Seas and went to a hibachi lunch where I asked for no alcohol, just water, and was pressured by crew to take the alcohol. I'm not surprised that OP had this experience, and it seems like a lot of folks on these boards are downplaying the idea of consent and the struggles folks have in life.

Yes, it was just for the toast, and it would have been just as easy for the OP to be given literally anything else or nothing. Instead, RCL staff made an uncomfortable situation out of something that should have been nothing at all and the easiest request they've gotten all day.

OP's issue happened at the onset of the evening. If OP didn't want alcohol for a toast, they should have just been offered literally anything else in their glass. Not to mention, 30 minutes before an event is plenty of notice for the crew to *not* serve a specific person alcohol.

Enjoy your trip! Have you found enough quiet (public) areas to just sit next to a window and watch the ocean go by, or are those hard to come by?

Seems like there's definitely a market for it but Carnival is trying to figure out how to price it. Many cruise lines (Celebrity and MSC to name two) are starting to try this "ship within a ship" idea and have found great success. I'm glad Carnival is trying to offer something more upscale to those who want it beyond the Havana area which doesn't seem that "upscale," or maybe it's just an old idea that needs refreshed too.

Same. Set willdra up with a patreon and we can send her (and W or sans W) on more trips for our amusement 🤣

Storm surge definitely has an impact on cruising, especially at the Gulf Coast ports. You don't need a direct or even indirect hit to bring port traffic to a halt.

I've never read anything like this before! What a neat idea and way to bring community to what is otherwise a very individual (or small group) experience.