bmraar

One cruise director I had talked about it some in a Q&A.  He said personality is part of the decision.  This particular CD had a lot of energy, he said he would likely never be assigned to an Alaskan cruise or Europe, he likely would stay in the Caribbean because his personality was not a fit for the typical population of a cruise for that itinerary.

I get a bit claustrophobic when I am in large crowds.  I wouldn't characterize my issue as anywhere near what you describe, but I do get anxious and have to calm myself down.  The only time I felt uncomfortable on the Celebration was when we were getting off the ship in one of the ports, and everyone was trying to get off the ship at the same time using only one route.  It took about 45 minutes, and we were all backed up in a stairwell.  I would recommend waiting to get off the ship until the initial crowd dies down.  I have rarely had issues with crowds at embarkation.  I try to be one of the first onboard to get to the food before the crowds arrive.  Even so, I strongly recommend finding an alternative place to get lunch the first day, do not go to the buffet that can get very crowded very quickly.  Personally, I like the deli on day 1.  I loved that on such a big ship the crowds were spread out and it was easy to find a quiet corner to relax and people watch.  Have a wonderful time!

I almost always got the can and the glass on the Celebration.  A few times the bartenders asked me if I would prefer my soda from a can or from the fountain.  Also, some of the sodas are only available in the bars in cans.

I sailed with a cruise director named Lee a couple of years ago (not Lee Mason, a different Lee) but he seems to have disappeared.  Does anyone know what happened to him?

Last month we sailed with Lee Mason on the Celebration, but it was pretty clear he was training Marcela from the Fun Squad to be a new cruise director.  She ran many of the events that you would expect the CD to run (white party, deal or no deal, etc) and now she is on the Panorama for a week (but only a week?  unclear what is happening there).

On 11/24/2023 at 1:26 PM, illinoisfive said:

Forgive me if I am mistaken, but I thought that on the Celebration that both Chibang and Cucina were free for dinner as many days as you would like if you have Any Time Dining? I know that on Mardi Gras there is a fee after one visit, however I did not realize that it was changed for Celebration also?

I was on the Celebration last week and had anytime dining.  There is a fee for both Chibang and Cucina after 1 visit.

We were in 11474.  We could see directly into the balconies that were on decks 9 and 10.  Also, a few doors down there was a bump out, and we could see those balconies.  We could not see into the balconies on either side of us, or the balconies above us.

20 hours ago, marci4tony said:

2)       Cruise Director Lee?  I think I saw him twice!  I kept telling my party how awesome he was, and although was promoted to a bigger and better position, we would have fun with him on our journey.  Twice.  I heard him more often than I saw him.  Twice.

We were on this cruise as well, and this was my number one issue.  Cruise directors are important parts of cruising to us.  We are joiners, we love the activities.  I had heard how great Lee was, but we did not see him.  Even the major events onboard, he wasn't present.  Did not attend the white party.  Did not host Deal or No Deal.  Announced the DJ for the Evolution Party and then left, so even when the fun squad was featured he was not there.  It was odd.  I don't have anything negative to say about him, I just wish I saw him.

John also said the strawberry bisque would be back, but I haven't seen it on the new menus either.  If anyone has seen it, please let me know!

Last January, my 16 year old wanted to play the trivia game that is like Trivial Pursuit (can't remember what Carnival called it).  The teams were all big, and then there was the 2 of us.  We are not huge trivia people, it just sounded like fun on a colder at sea day.  We won.  The question it came down to was what is the capitol of the Bahamas... where we had docked the day before... and we were the only team to get it right.  FACE PALM.

We are going on another cruise next week with the whole family, and we are all excited to play trivia again.

We are going on a spring break cruise, and want to do a beach day in Cozumel.  Will be my husband and I and our 2 daughters, ages 26 and 17.  Hubby, eldest daughter and I will be drinking, 17 year old would love some smoothies or virgin frozen drinks.  17 year old would like to use the inflatables.  We have narrowed it down to Mr. Sanchos and Paradise Beach.  Has anyone done either during spring break?  I would normally lean towards Mr. Sanchos, but I am a bit nervous it will be a) jam-packed full of people, and b) over the top rowdy.

Thank you!

Kim

I went on a cruise 3 years ago with a broken foot.  I did not have a knee roller, but I was in a boot.  They brought me a wheelchair at check-in (didn't ask for one, but they saw I could use it).  They also took one look at me and moved my husband and I to an indoor muster station with seating.  If you are going to a private island, there should be beach wheelchairs with huge wheels to get you onto the sand as well.  Being on sand was my orthopedic surgeon's biggest concern actually, as it's not a stable surface for walking.

It was frustrating to watch some of the activities and not be able to partake, but I was still able to get some sun, eat great food, and see great shows.  But we did have to alter our usual activities to accommodate.  We did a lot of trivia haha.  On the last night I decided to dance a little anyway, boot and all.  I paid for it the next day, but I had a lot of fun that night!

Enjoy your trip!

Kim

11 hours ago, rn4t5 said:

The Flying Scotsman was just 'awarded' the Sunrise so slim chance he will get another new build. Dr E has quite a following too altho' I haven't sailed with him as CD. My personal choice is Malcolm Burns but he's been on medical leave and has not been cleared to return.

Malcolm Burns posted on FB that an announcement was coming soon as to where he will be next.  I'm wondering if it will be him, or if he will be backfilling whoever it is.

I would like to take my 14 year old daughter on a mother daughter cruise next spring break.  She has cruised once before on NCL, and I have cruised Carnival, RCCL and NCL.  I have never cruised Disney before and am a huge Disney fan, but my husband is not interested in a Disney cruise.  I was thinking this may be a great opportunity to do a short little weekend cruise with my daughter.  On Disney Dream, 3 night cruise going to Nassau and Castaway Cay (no sea days), inside room with the fake porthole (fine for just the 2 of us) comes out to $1818.  Crazy expensive for what you are getting, but I fully expected it from Disney.

Here's the catch though.  As I kept researching, we could do the Carnival Pride out of Baltimore (we're from Virginia Beach), 7 night cruise to Grand Turk, Princess Cays, and Freeport (3 sea days), obstructed view cabin, for $1811.

I love Carnival, I'm cruising on the Carnival Magic this October, I just saw this as an opportunity to try Disney for the first time.  But it's difficult if not impossible to justify spending exactly the same amount on a 3 night cruise that you would on a 7 night cruise (understanding that the 7 night would actually be a little more expensive with shore excursions, tips, etc.)

This is a no brainer, right?  Or is there something that is so much better about Disney that makes it worth that much more than the Carnival cruise?

Thanks!

Kim

We just got off the ship Friday. Movies were Star Wars Force Awakens, Gods of Egypt, 5th Wave, and Finest Hours. Hope that helps!

Kim