iluvdoxies

SWEET SUITE !!!

 

I think you'll love it - just knowing what I do about NCL and (to a lesser extent) the Dawn.

 

Of course, 4237 and 4228 are our GO TO cabins on Spirit class ships - hard not to enjoy those - even without any real perks!!!

 

Tom

We love those cabins as well :)

Hey, that's when we are going too!! ;) Have you stopped by the roll call?? http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1360189

thanks for the heads up happy cruzing - just posted over there.

well yes and yes......

sorry if I called the suite by the wrong name, yes it's a 2 bedroom. awesome. We might have a friend who will go with us, if not I have a place to sleep if John is snoring badly haha.

Guess I will call bon voyage and order some liquor as it gets closer to cruise time.

thanks for the info.

Jeez, I would have happily picked you up some booze, some people !

Careful there now.... some Carnival flag bearers will consider this proof that I (and perhaps a select few others) have an agenda to steal away otherwise loyal Carnival guests to other lines. In reality, all that I offer are facts (to the best of my knowledge) - and when I throw in opinions, I try to note them as such. It is up to the cruiser to educate themselves with, not only what I and others post on here, but with research on their own.

 

** To REALLY be a "Cruise Critic" one has to critically evaluate all aspects of cruising. I am all for sticking with a cruise line if it is offering all that you feel you need. Just keep your mind and eyes open and don't blow off the possibility of change down the road. At one point I was a hard core advocate of "sailing only with Carnival". Perhaps I have mellowed with age! **

 

Fortunately FREE SPEECH is still relatively alive and well here on CC.

 

 

lol Tom. Fortunately, I CAN form my own opinions. Been itching to try other lines for a while now and the Epic just screamed my name after seeing the video and reading all she has to offer......and good reviews from fellow CC'ers are just icing on the cake !

 

Btw we changed our date to 2/4/12 and were able to get a 2 bedroom garden villa for evan a tinly bit less than our balcony penthouse garden suite, go figure/

 

Of course with 36 CCL cruises, I will def. keep an eye out for any changes to the past guest program.

You actually made me laugh out loud. While I do agree with you, your "I'm taking my business else where except...." line got me going. So your not going to cruise them anymore except when you want to... ;)

My reply is now on the last page of this thread, I really had no choice.

:D That is funny, but I get her.

I think the point is that people who once sailed soleley on CCL no longer do.

I didn't think I'd be booking another CCL cruise after the Hawaii one, then friends that we sail with chose CCL (because the dates and schedule fit best for them) I had a choice....say no because I'd rather sail another line, or sail with my friends.

Friends win every time. :)

It's not that I hate CCL...I just like it less than I used to because the way I see it, it isn't the same as it used to be. So, I no longer look to them first like I used to.

Thank you !

Just to clarify (not that it matters) I didnt canx the Dream cause we got an early saver rate so we are screwed if we canx, I LIKE the ports and havent been on the Dream before and have a cove balcony so that will be "new" to me.

Didnt canx the group cruise for Dec cause it's a great bunch of people and we will have a great time no matter what ship we are on - so THAT one is cause of the people, NOT the ship.

The European trip didnt canx cause we are going with friends as well. (not a group) Maybe I can do some research on other lines for a med. sailing next summer as an alternate.

I DID canx the Ecstasy, no problem with getting deposit back and now am booked on the Star instead out of Tampa.

So that's it - I dont need to justify to people why I'm fed up with CCl lack of loyality perks, or becoming bored with their ships. It's just time to try new lines and experience what they offer. Would also like to try Celebrity and probably will.

On our last cruise, the Fascination, only ONE bartender said "welcome back" when he saw our milestone cards and our room steward did as well. Nobody else said anything.

Kinda like when you and sweet Cheryl decided that my own eleven picture frames would be better off as a baker's dozen?? :D

.

I also rescind my earlier 'nothing' observation.

There are the new Platinum Passenger ship pins.

.

.

The new pins are fugly !

Was poking around on NCL website and noticed if we changed the date to 2/4/12, we could get a 2 bedroom penthouse villa for a little cheaper that the penthouse courtyard balcony cabin we had booked for 2/25.....so I called my pvp and snapped that puppy up !

Saw the 360 view of the suite and it sure is SWEET.

Now I have a question, do we get the 3 bottles of hooch with that cabin ? I forgot to ask my pvp.

Thanks.

I would enjoy that!!! :)

Thanks for the kind words.

Well I already told Tom, we booked the EPIC for 2/22/12 the other day ! Booked a penthouse villa, suite whateva they call it on deck 17. wooohoo I am beyong being giddy!

Then this mornin I canx our Ecstasy cruise for this Nov and booked a NCL cruise out of Tampa instead. Booked an aft penthouse balcony for that one. I think it's the Star, have to look at my confirmation email.

I told Tom you and he made me do it lol.

So I have a lot to read and learn bout NCL, but it all sounds awesome !

Time for a change, CCL is fine, but I'm ready to start building a new loyality program.

Thanks again for your review Don, it really helped me make up my mind.

So true... (and pitifully, so easily remedied)!

 

I can understand that Carnival focuses on the masses -- but to lag in their past guest program is to risk losing (some unknown # of) good cruisers into the arms of others. As a shareholder, that does not please me... (granted I am but a minnow in a large sea). As a frequent cruiser, I must actually THANK Carnival for the nudge from the nest - so that I could spread my wings a bit and see that other lines offer experiences, quality, and services which they do not. Having said that does not mean that I don't recognize many things that Carnival does, and does well - but they can't be everything to everyone. LONG LIVE variety and options!!

 

Tom

Agree 100 %.

Carnival is severly lacking in their loyality program, but then they are more focused on 1st time cruisers/ so I;m taking my business elsewhere until something chanes, except for the Dream cruise this Oct And Floaties group cruises. I just canx this am the Ecstasy for this Nov and booked a NCL cruise out of Tampa instead. That way too when we sail on the Epic next Feb, we wont be "newbies" anymore on NCL.

I am also a stockholder with CCL and they have a good product.....however after 36 cruises, it's just mundane to me.....need to expand my horizons.

However I AM still looking forward to the June European cruise with CCL :)

Thanks for all the info - that took a lot of work !

Awesome review Don ! Between you and Tom, you are really swaying me to book the Epic for next winter.

Many CCL cruises under our belt, but they are beginning to get stale, ready to try something new. We have 3 CCL cruises for this yr left to go and European next June, but I think that will be the last CCL cruise for a bit. Very tired of the lame Platinum perks and lack of suite ammenities.

Maybe our paths will cross on a NCL ship one day.

Again I really enjoyed your review, many thanks.

The mini-suites, other than being perhaps a bit larger or better appointed, unfortunately do not receive any of the perks which (full) suites get.

 

The Cirque Dreams (dinner show) seating is $20 and $30. The difference on cost is based on the seat location. After reading a few reviews, we opted for the upper level seating ($20) which was opposite the stairs, and had great seats. Most people assume the $30 seats are better, but they looked rather cramped down on the floor level. The upper seating is right against the circular rail looking down - only 1 row deep! There are no assigned seats, so it's a matter of getting there early to pick your spot. If you book a suite, you will be escorted in before all the people who have been lining up for 30+ minutes outside - having been escorted from the concierge in the courtyard area. The meal itself is just "so-so", but all in all, it is worth the $20 - at least in my opinion!

 

There is also a Murder Mystery Lunch in the same location (Speigel Tent) though it is only on the floor level. That is $20, the food again is just OK, but it's a fun way to spend a lunch!

 

The Blue Man Group is FREE - so it's the best deal!! They also have "Legends in Concert" which was (FREE) entertaining. On our sailing it was Neil Diamond (sounded and looked like a young Neil Diamond), Aretha Franklin - she had a voice to be sure!, and Janet Jackson - just so-so (and I didn't really think of her as a "legend").

 

 

Tom

Thanls so much for the info- may have to spring for a full suite then lol.

The price for Cirque is very reasonable---

I sailed NCL back in the 80's, the Skyward, SOuthward and some others cant remember, wonder if if call guest svcs they can track my past cruises with them ?

Hi there Tom !

Was reading Don's review of the Epic and I really think we will book that sometime next winter. I have a couple of questions

what do the mini-suites have for perks ( I think that's what they are called ?)

How much for Cirque or Blue Man shows ?

thanks in advance.

Agreed Tom on bumping a post properly...

And I guess we have a new "sheriff/moderator" on the boards...LOL....Even the real mods like Mach and Randy don't care about bumping up an informative thread such as this..... :rolleyes::

He'a a control freak with too much time on his hands.

After taking my office staff on 3 (and 1/2!) Carnival cruises, following our sailing on the Epic earlier this year, I decided to take them all on the Epic in November. It's gonna knock their socks off (though granted, they won't be in suites...)!

 

Tom

I'll come work for you :)

I am amazed we reached the 4th page before something unpleasant came about...

 

Tom

Well, consider the source, it's nothing new to him.

I have made all sorts of "suggestions" to them (to people who supposedly have ears) regarding perks for Milestone and suite guests over the years.

 

Nobody is listening... :(

 

Tom

I agree Tom, time to spend some $$ elsewhere.

Comfortable Bedroom - with second DVD player/TV:

 

 

 

SUPER bathroom/shower:

 

 

 

 

You can play Video Poker/Slots (for real $) right from the comfort of your couch!!

 

 

 

 

... thus, there are more perks than meet the eye...

 

Tom

Now that is some sweet bathroom---- I know which line I'm booking us a suite on next ! From now on, we will stick with regular balconies on CCL; we are Milestone anyhow and the suites on CCL dont give you any extra perks.

Thanks for the comparison, btw, it helped quite a bit !

Loved this comparison! I'm trying to figure out what we are going to do next year for our 10th Anniversary. Some of the suite perks sound fabulous and similar to our land vacations.

 

We got married at Sandals Negril, He wants to go back like we did on our 5th Anniversary, and stay in the swim up suite again ($15K - 14 days :eek::eek:). I am trying to look for something a little more reasonable.

 

At Sandals, we had 2 butlers and a cell phone to contact them at anytime...sweet! We did not use them to unpack our luggage, but they would have if requested. We didn't have to be chair hogs, they did it for us everyday and our names were printed out on a "reserved" card :D I better quit thinking about it, as I am slowly talking myself into going again.

OMG 15K for 14 days ????? No way would I spend that for a hotel suite !

I feel they should release the new loyalty program, whatever that my be. So many people have done a bunch of weekend cruises to make Platinum, it not mean much anymore. Their are so many that VIP boarding has become a huge line of people stuffed in a small room trying to check in. We actually looked at the line for the VIP boarding and left our friends on that line and got on the regular line (there were less people on the regular line)- we were on the ship before them. With 20 Carnival cruises, the amount of people now using the VIP rooms and lines have made those perks not so meaningful.

We always stayed with Carnival, not only because we like cruising them but the fact that once you are getting the perks, it is nice to stay. With the new crowds of Platinum people, we are now looking to other lines, as Platinum is quickly becoming overwhelmed and there is nothing really to keep your loyalty after that, milestone is hardly a perk at 25% off one cruise from cruise number 25-49.

That is just our opinion, that is what we would change.

I agree 100%---John Heald has been saying for over 2 years now they are going to re-vamp the loyalty program----yeah right.

Bring back BD !!!!!!

Thanks kelbell, everyone should step up and get involved sometimes, you might be surprise on how much fun it can be. :D

The Pride is my favorite ship, so beautiful !

We we sailed on her they had a game call "What's in the bag" very much like the Quest. I was watching, my husband John was at the Atrium bar nursing a hangover. Well as the game progressed, a woman from each team had to go find a guy and bring him back on stage---then the teams dressed them up like women--imagine my surprise when one girl brought back John ! After they were dressed, they had to give their names and strutt to "Dude look like a lady" Well John said his name was Cherry Blossom and ending up winning ! He got a tierra, ermine robe, bouguet of roses and bottle of champagne--he was crowned MIss Carnival Pride--lol...it was replayed on the tv over and over and all of the waiters were snickering--it was just too funny. That is a memory that I will never forget.

You review is awesome, your family is beautiful and to Tracy---good luck !

 

Loved Joseph! "It's SHOWTIME" was the highlight of last years cruise! He DEFINITELY loved his job and made it fun!

 

:D

Just returned from the Fascination---and we had the great pleasure of seeing Joseph again ! He came around to all of the tables each and every night.

Rum ! Did someone say rum ?

We are sailing on the Elation and will be at HMC Oct 26 ! Cant wait to go back there again.

Our first time we did not rent a cabana, but we are going to do so this time around, Hoping to get the turquoise one !