Cushing985

I'm living in Florida and did an Alaska cruise last year.  We had a balcony but we just barely used it.  living in Florida, if it drops below 80 degrees, I'm looking for a sweater.  We watched the beautiful, passing scenery from inside the ship.  We could have saved some money just by getting an Oceanview cabin.

We did this cruise in April of 2014 out of San Diego.  My wife can get seasick in the tub at home and she didn't have any massive problems.  The seas are definitely more choppy than you might find in the Caribbean.  It is cold the first few days of the cruise and the last few but you won't need a parka.  One of my favorite cruises!

I'm a fan of smaller ships (the Spirit, I think, is the perfect size).  We all know they are old now without much in the way of modern conveniences but I think a newly designed ship around the size of the Spirit with Cove balconies would be a hot seller.

I caught a post on FaceBook from John Heald and he mentioned management was making some changes.  No clue what they may be.

I really wish Carnival (and the other lines) would build a new class of ship similar in size to the Spirit class.  I understand why the lines build them bigger and bigger but I think there is a great market for the smaller ships.  Maybe they could gut the interior of a ship and rebuild it from the ground up.

Hopefully, this is the last tipping thread for 2023.

4 hours ago, tonit964 said:

I’m pretty sure the misspelling was intentional based on the comment about the boss. 🤣

I agree but I'm always up for a spelling or grammar lesson.

On the Spirit, the photographers seemed to have a problem with the word, NO.  I finally had enough one day and just went off on them, saying, "Are you f$%&ing kidding me?  What part of no don't you understand?  Get the f*%&k away from me!"

On 10/16/2023 at 12:00 PM, ldubs said:

 

People doing 50 in the left lane.  ☹️

If I was a State cop, I'd have a field day!

I would talk to the Matre 'D the next time you cruise and ask him if he could talk to the chef to get the recipe.  I bet he would be able to get it.  Or you can post your question again but ask if anyone going on a cruise within a month would be willing to do it.

Lee is expected to head in a northerly direction sometime in the next couple of days.  The only problem I see are the seas will be high.  Lee will be a Cat 4 and possibly even a Cat 5 but it looks like Florida is safe.

1 minute ago, jsglow said:

We only buy one package and share. Multiple devices; one at a time.

Thank you.  Just wanted to confirm.  That was my understanding also.

Thanks Shof!  Yeah, we're married but can still share, LOL!

Good Morning!  Before putting in my order, is there any reason both people (married) in the cabin need to sign up for a WIFI package?  I'm assuming you can share but also understand only one device at a time.

13 minutes ago, Zachsmom said:

I will turn Platinum on my upcoming Carnival Dream cruise in a few months.  Will I have early access to drop off our carry-on luggage in our cabin prior to 1:30 pm?  I've heard conflicting information.  We generally select an arrival time between 12:30-1:00 pm so we don't have to walk around for very long with our carry-on luggage.   

 

 

I caught a video John Heald posted and he said Plats and above may drop off their luggage prior to 1:30PM but aren't allowed to linger.  Just drop off and leave.

We've been on a lot of Carnival cruises and have sailed out of New Orleans, NYC, LA, San Diego, Miami, Seattle, San Francisco, and our own homeport, Port Canaveral.  Our shortest cruise has been 7 days and our longest is 15 days.  We stay away from summer cruises as much as possible, spring break, and any holiday cruises.  I've never seen or heard of a fight onboard on any of our cruises.  The only excitement we've witnessed and not planned by Carnival was some moron jumping off the ship in the middle of the day somewhere between San Diego and Hawaii and witnessed by a lot of people (he was brought back on board by the crew).

I think it's time for the cruise lines to get serious about fights.  First, hire some big guys to work security.  Second, if a fight breaks out, restrict the fighters to their cabins for the rest of the cruise guarded by some of the newly hired big guys, and third, put the clowns on a Do Not Cruise list shared by all the cruise lines.

I've never seen bad behavior by kids on any of our cruises.  But, I do research and make sure most schools are in session for the little darlings.  Unfortunately, people are restricted by their jobs and don't have the flexibility we have (both retired).  I agree with those who say parents are just checking out when discipline is required.  Those parents better step up to the plate sooner rather than later or they'll find their kids living in their basements when they become adults.

When I'm ready to talk to my PVP, I have the deck plans open on my computer and will double-check the recommended cabin (passenger cabins above and below, no grayed-out areas around, no adjoining cabins, amidships as much as possible, etc).  We've always been happy with our selection.

You won't catch me dead wearing a fanny pack so I guess I'll skip it.

We always pre-pay as we like to start Day 1 having the entire cruise paid for upfront except for drinks and incidentals.  We also leave some extra for both the cabin attendant (s) and for the MDR wait staff if deserving (and they always deserve the extra).  For room service, we tip a dollar a plate, and for drinks, I normally add a dollar to the tip already on the bill.  The only other tip is for the people on the dock who handle the luggage...$5 per large suitcase.

26 minutes ago, ObstructedView2 said:

 

Hi @Cushing985🙂

 

I typed in (Europe 2024) into the Search Box here in Cruise Critic & located an ongoing Thread about the topic. I'll drop it below. 

 

 

 

 

 

🍹

WOW, a lot of confusion on the part of Carnival.  I guess I'll take a serious look at Celebrity or Roya.  Thanks all for your help!

Nothing against smokers (I used to be one) but how can people afford those prices?  That's just crazy (especially in New York).  Buy a couple of cartons and that's enough for a car payment.

Good morning!  Wondering if anyone knows when Carnival will open up European cruises for 2024.  Thanks in advance!

I don't spend a lot of money to go on a cruise to analyze and compute what I should give the crewmembers.  I don't know what they get paid over and above tips, I don't care how long they have to work and I don't care how many cabins they have to clean (as long as mine is cleaned).  The crew aren't slaves and they're free to leave the ship.  So, I leave the auto-tips on, tip a dollar or two on drink orders, add a dollar a plate for room service, and give extra on the last day if they deserve the extra money (and they always do).  My life is simple but happy.  I'll leave it to others to analyze, with a sharp #2 pencil, the correct amount to tip.

Thanks all for the answers.  Very helpful.  I don't mind dressing up on land but I don't have to lug around more clothes in a suitcase.  I'll plan on wearing business casual (on "formal" nights) and see what happens.