westview1

21 hours ago, palmettostatecruiser said:

It's not that I don't like the songs - heck, I love hip-hop and rap, show tunes not so much - it's just the selection to the venue was weird IMO. We don't eat in the MDR on Royal every night anymore and do MTD when we do, so haven't seen the dancing you mentioned yet. But, if we did, be assured that I would think it was weird on a Royal ship as well🤣 

I understand that.  Like many things with Carnival the songs they choose are old and they have been using them for a very long time.  Now they combine the Macarena and Chicken Dance 😧.  The thing is, we have been on ships where there is a waiter that really gets into the dancing and they are good, it does make it more fun, but it still slows down dinner.

17 hours ago, palmettostatecruiser said:

I'm the one that mentioned dancing in the MDR. Did the wait staff on Royal dance on raised platforms to 'club' songs? Back before MTD, I do know the waiters on Royal sang and danced, but it was more 'show tune' type singing and dancing - it was between courses so didn't interrupt dining. It was also classier feeling than the club vibe on Carnival during Flo Rida's "Low" 😕 It was amusing watching elderly people putting up with the club atmosphere entertainment though...until the night some drunk girl stood up in her booth seat screaming and yelling the song...I thought clothes were going to start coming off next, lol.

I can't remember the songs that they sung, it was a popular Top 40 song within the last 10 years or so.  But honestly there is bound to be someone that doesn't like the song choice.  You may like show tunes while others don't, I Iike most types of music but anytime they sing during my dinner is unwelcome.   I understand that you may not like a specific genre or song, but there are others who do and the cruiselines are trying to appeal to a certain market.  I didn't feel that it was any classier on Royal than it is on Carnival.  It isn't the song choice, it is that they are interrupting dinner with dancing and singing, and I was trying to make the point that Royal does this as well, it's not just a Carnival phenomenom. 

12 hours ago, CanTex said:

It is available on Vista, Horizon and all of the other newer ships (about half so far) and is being extended to the other ships over time. I heard / saw them promoting using it on Vista and Dream.

Thank you, that's good to know.  Maybe they did promote it on the Magic and I missed it, but I usually notice things like that.  My guess is that they weren't promoting it on the Magic and I tried to use the tv on the Magic but no joy there.  The ability to see your photos, the dinner menu etc was one of the things about the Vista/Horizon that impressed me.

16 hours ago, BNBR said:

 

You show up early, great.  My point was that it's pretty well established that NCL does freestyle dining the best.  You have a different experience, cool.

18 minutes ago, CanTex said:

I fully agree with this.  Frankly, making Your Time Dining table requests through Carnival's HUB app is the slickest experience I've had with this. We make our requests while getting ready for dinner and wait time is rarely more than 10-15 minutes from that point, so we literally walk right up to the dining room and are seated immediately.

I agree with both of these statements.  NCL really has a handle on Anytime Dining, but using the Hub App on Carnival makes it easy also.  On our Magic cruise earlier this month, there was a line for people who don't use the app for making a reservation, not everyone has a smart phone.  My suggestion would be for Carnival to have kiosks near the dining room for this purpose or make it available on the tv's in your cabin.  I haven't been on the Vista or Horizon lately so maybe it is already available on these ships.  I also have to add, the only reason I knew to make a reservation on the app was because the hostess in the MDR told us to do it this way.  There wasn't any information about it, they need to advertise it to the passengers better. 

Like others, I don't think this will be enforced.  I see the rule change as a a way of Carnival covering their butts.  Also, the crew and staff are from many different nationalities, somtimes they don't understand jokes or the subtleties of a language that is not their native tongue.

I'm going to jump in and give my opinion on the differences.  1st a little background.  We started cruising in 2004, the ship was the Carnival Fascination and we were hooked.  We have done 62 cruises total on different cruise lines.  By far the most on Carnival, then Princess, Royal Caribbean and NCL. 

For me, there is more of a difference between ships within cruise lines, a lot of that has to do with the staff and ship.  An older ship will not have the extra amenities such as water slides/water parks, adult only areas, alternate dining venues.  If it matters to you that you have a certain type of restaurant then you should book a ship with that.  We were on 2 ships on the Royal fleet within 2 months The Anthem of the Seas (built 2015) and the Majesty of the Seas (built 1992), I know the age difference is extreme, but the ships were both enjoyable but different from each other.  The Majesty is an old style cruise ship, small but the staff is fantastic.  The Anthem definitely has many extras, and the staff is very good, but maybe not as friendly.  I left both cruises happy and felt that we had a good cruise. 

There are differences in the cruise lines themselves, I read that someone didn't like the dancing waiters on Carnival, the last 2 Royal cruises we took the waiter danced in the MDR on at least 2 occasions, something I hadn't seen on Royal before.  I don't know if it is ship specific or if they are trying new things, but they did dance and sing.  I am not a fan of the dancing waiters, it breaks up dinner service and if the service is already on the slow side it gets worse. 

If you go into a cruise thinking, I may hate this, it is not my favorite cruise line, my brothers wifes cousins sister-in-law had a horrible cruise on this cruise line, you get on the ship expecting the worse.  If you know someone who has similar likes and dislikes as you or you know someone who will give you an unbiased opinion and they have been on a cruise line or ship you are thinking about, then ask them. 

FWIW I like the food on Princess the best, but their desserts are below average.  Carnivals entertainment is my least favorite, the shows are old and they need new ideas.  Carnival beats everyone in comedy acts.  NCL has great alternate restaurants, Le Bistro is one of my favorites, followed by Cucina de Capitano (Carnival).  The only restaurant that we have paid extra for that I didn't really like was Wonderland on Royal, it wasn't horrible, I just wouldn't go back.  On the last 3 cruises I have seen people walking around the buffet and inside public areas in just their bathing suits and barefoot, that has never happened before or I had never noticed, different cruise lines, but all were out of Miami. 

This is a long post and I could go on a lot longer about the differences, but in the end, if you go onto a ship that lacks certain amenities you are looking for, you probably won't enjoy yourself.

Thank you for your review, we will be on the Koningsdam soon and appreciate your insights.

13 hours ago, vicd1969 said:

 I noticed that the anchor should have been lower a bit to not cover a key part of the letter "E".

12 hours ago, SumoCitrus said:

 

LOL thanks for pointing that out! Now I cannot unsee the "Nautical MILF"

I can't unsee this now as well.  😮

Let's hope that they don't know what a MILF is and she is not "advertising". 

2 hours ago, lazydayz said:

 

For those of you who do not get it, our cruise was not a year away.  The inaugural was scheduled for August 31, and we got notice on December 20.  It offered a unique Baltic itinerary on a new ship.  Many had flights, hotels and tours booked.  So it was a huge inconvenience and costly to some. 

 

Not really sure why anyone would argue with us being disappointed.  Yes, life happens and sometimes when it does, it is a  disappointment. 

 

I realize that the cruise was 8 months out and it's an inconvienence, but 8 months should be enough time for you to be able to cancel hotels, flights and tours without a big hit to your wallet.  Most hotels don't require you to pay upfront and even when you book air with points, you can call the company, explain the situation and they will work with you.  Or find a different cruise perhaps this way you won't be losing the airfare miles/money.  

It's disappointing, but at least there is time for you to address the situation.  

On 12/22/2019 at 6:47 AM, FSHLOT said:

I guess i just dont get it. This was canceled a whole year from departure day. Is that not enough time to change plans? Why do people feel entitled to get anything from CCL? Of course they will give you something, but come on, this is still a whole year away!!  Geez

I don't get it either.  I was booked on a Princess cruise out of Brisbane, Australia.  We were on the Legend sailing from LA to Sydney when we found out that the ship was having issues and had let the passengers off in Freemantle (on the other side of Australia), and was going back to Sydney for repairs.  When we got to Brisbane after spending a week in Cairns, we were notified the day before the original sailing date that the ship would be delayed 1 day and it would be leaving from Sydney not Brisbane.  They would fly us to Sydney to meet the ship.  The next day (the original embark day) they canceled the cruise.  We were generously compensated by Princess, but the point I'm getting to is that we had no notice.  Things happen.

TL:DR my cruise was canceled the day of the cruise, we were in Australia.

Thank you for the review.  We will be boarding on November 15th so I was excited to read this review.  Great pictures and a lot of good information.  I was wondering about the internet speeds and you have been helpful with the screenshots

We don't cruise for the gifts either, but the nightlight and tervis cups were the best ones we received.  I would have to say the worst gift was the Crocs visor.  Those things were terrible, we tried to turn them back in to guest services and they wouldn't take them.  We ended up giving it to our granddaughter, she loved it. 

I was at the buffet getting salad, the woman in front of me picked up the salad dressing container and put it up to her nose, (the container was touching her nose) and took a big sniff.  I walked away and notified the staff. 

And people wonder why I avoid the buffet...

18 hours ago, Organized Chaos said:

 

In the sister's defense, she was going off of the information their TA gave them. As I mentioned in another post, people have a reasonable expectation that a TA knows what they're talking about. If I hire an accountant who does taxes, I expect them to know the tax code. I wouldn't then go research the tax code myself because that's what I hired the accountant for. Same goes for people who book vacations through a TA, especially for a vacation they've never taken before. The TA's are supposed to be the knowledgeable ones. Not everyone researches as much as many of us like to do, so they rely on "experts" to guide them. I don't believe those types of people are lazy or irresponsible. The fact that someone hires who they think is an expert to help them through an unfamiliar process is a responsible thing to do. Unfortunately, they got a lemon of a TA, then the sister wouldn't listen when presented with information that came (indirectly) from an experienced cruiser. She trusted the TA a little too much at that point.

 

Now, that doesn't excuse the sister's attitude towards the OP's coworker, but that's beside the point.

 

 

 

Who's blaming their problems on others in the OP's story? The OP said that GG acknowledged she should've listened to CC. Sounds like she's blaming herself.

First, there is a big difference between a travel agent and a tax accountant.  A mistake by a travel agent will make you miss a cruise, flight, deny you entry to a country.  A mistake by a tax accountant could land you in jail and/or large fines.  I don't know about you, but I would rather miss a cruise than pay a big fine or spend time in jail.  

Second, I was answering a question from another poster.  Do you think, from the op's description of the issue and her co-workers sister, that the sister would take ownership?  I don't, I think that she will blame the travel agent.  

Thank you for your input.

4 minutes ago, Organized Chaos said:

 

In the sister's defense, she was going off of the information their TA gave them. As I mentioned in another post, people have a reasonable expectation that a TA knows what they're talking about. If I hire an accountant who does taxes, I expect them to know the tax code. I wouldn't then go research the tax code myself because that's what I hired the accountant for. Same goes for people who book vacations through a TA, especially for a vacation they've never taken before. The TA's are supposed to be the knowledgeable ones. Not everyone researches as much as many of us like to do, so they rely on "experts" to guide them. I don't believe those types of people are lazy or irresponsible. The fact that someone hires who they think is an expert to help them through an unfamiliar process is a responsible thing to do. Unfortunately, they got a lemon of a TA, then the sister wouldn't listen when presented with information that came (indirectly) from an experienced cruiser. She trusted the TA a little too much at that point.

 

Now, that doesn't excuse the sister's attitude towards the OP's coworker, but that's beside the point.

I understand that, but as someone posted, if you are leaving the country you should know that you will need identification.  But I'm a belt and suspenders type of person.  You can never be too sure.  

1 minute ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

 

Great post!  It’s crazy how many people today don’t take personal responsibility for their actions (or lack of action) and always want to blame someone else for something. 

Thanks!  It annoys me when people try to blame their problems on others.

I don't think the co-worker is at fault here.  She tried to help, but the sister wouldn't listen.  There are a few things anyone can do to find out what kind of identification is needed.  

-You can call Carnival.

-You can look at the FAQ's on the website

-You can search for the answer online

-Ask on Facebook (although I wouldn't do this, you're bound to get a lot of wrong info)

Seriously, these were adults, they should be responsible for their own actions (or inaction in this case) at this point.  It sounds like there were people who couldn't be bothered to look for the information needed and relied on others.  Just lazy and irresponsible.

We have passports that are in a lock box.  They stay in there until we cruise, then we place them in a document holder my husband wears around his neck until we get to the cabin once we are on the ship.  All my info is in my maiden name.    

20 hours ago, donaldsc said:

 

Did she actually stick her nose INTO the opening or did she sniff around the opening.  From the hygenic transfer viewpoint, there is a difference.

 

DON

She stuck her nose into the opening.  

Have you considered flying in the day before and staying in Hamburg or Kiel overnight?  I realize that you most likely have your air travel booked, but can you change it?  If you are that worried about making the ship, spending a few extra $ might be the best way to go.  

I was on a buffet line getting salad and the woman in front of me picked up the dressing container (it wasn't labeled), put her nose in the opening and sniffed the dressing.  It was white dressing, so it could have been either ranch or bleu chesse.  I just went around her and grabbed one she hadn't put her nose in, then told the staff.  

Royal Princess South America Feb/March 2019

For ease, I would have to say Canaveral.  Even though FLL and Miami are closer.  The traffic going south of West Palm is definitely worse than going north of West Palm.  

For harbor, it would be Sydney and NYC.  Both are beautiful to sail in and out of.  NYC is an absolute pain to travel in and out of for us though.  

We took the Magic out of Miami and then the Miracle from Tampa.  It worked out fine.  We did self debark and were off the Magic by 7:45 am (we're diamond) then drove straight to Tampa.  Funny thing, as we were driving to Tampa, my DH was on that other site, and someone posted that the DEA came on board and escorted 2 women from the Lido to their cabins to check their luggage.  

On 1/18/2019 at 6:41 PM, bahacca said:

I love that they have a hot tub in the gym/spa to use. At least they did in 2016. And IIRC, they have a pool on Serenity deck that is adults only if you are sailing when you would use it.

We were on the Miracle in December 2018 and the hot tub in the gym was broken.  They were expecting to get the part delivered and installed during the next cruise.  I'm not sure if it was fixed.  

I wouldn't take this offer either, but I can tell you that it's considered an upsell because the PT category is an Inside cabin.  So, technically it is a better room in Carnival's point of view.  That being said, we love the PT cabins (even with the noise during rough seas).