rhinomike

Thank you for taking the time to write such a wonderfully detailed review. I am so glad I found it after it was completed, I don't know if I would have been able to stand the wait of each section as you posted them!

Your insight has been invaluable! I will be taking my 16 year old son on the Spirit (Barcelona-Venice) in June, and needless to say we are very excited. Even more so after reading your thoughts, and seeing your photos.

We booked an inside cabin, so we could spend more $ on tours etc. but now I am thinking a ocean view would have been better. Oh well, I will keep my fingers crossed for a price drop, or upgrade and know we will have a blast no matter where we lay our bone tired bodies!

Thanks again for all of the insight and photos!:D

We are on the Spirit in June too. Barcelona to Venice. We leave June 11th I believe. Must be the same cruise as you. Me, my wife and our 4 teenage sons.

I've been gone for a few weeks. Just logged back on and the Search Function is gone. It used to be next to the Forum Tools button. Is this just me or is it gone for everyone?

Great review. Thank you.

Taxi or renting a car is fine.

Our favorite is to book a private non-ship excursion.

Princess

HAL

NCL

 

Carnival actually has really good food too.

I should add... The above opinion is based on food in the MDR and buffet. We do not eat in pay resteraunts. Even though we are foodies....

I should also add that even though NCL was last on my list the food is still good. Not 5 star but none of the cruise lines are IMO.

On our cruise 2 weeks ago they told us 1000 diamond members world wide.

I know the itinerary is the primary factor when choosing your cruise to Alaska.

 

However, my husband and I are foodies and would like good food as well, if possible. We realize it's mass produced food, but looking for quality, most choices...

 

Assuming the itineraries are the same, if you've been on more than 1 of the cruise lines below, (these currently go to Glacier Bay),

 

Can you choose your favorite for dining and why, I appreciate the comments! I know it's personal preference, just curious how it goes.

 

1. Princess

2. NCL

3. HAL

 

Thank you!

Princess

HAL

NCL

Carnival actually has really good food too.

Yes. Not a problem. Just go to guest services and they will switch the key cards.

We racked up $2k on our sail and sign card last week on the Sunshine. We dont even drink alcohol or gamble...😁

Yes they will let them board with you. It is not policy but you will be fine.

I am pretty sure each platinum member can take up to 10 passengers with them for priority tendering. It is a policy. Look it up to verify the amount.

They can also join you for priority disembarkation.

Others here may say no it is not right.... That is their opinion. I am not saying if it is wrong or right. Just giving you facts based on personal experience and observations.

How was the tender process at Grand Cayman? Did it take forever or seem to move pretty quick?

It was horrible. We are platinum and it took us an hour to get off the ship.

Do you think re doing an old ship was worth it. Did it seem new. New ship smell. Was the ship updated like a new ship or just an redone old ship

I was on the same cruise. No new ship smell. I do not think it was worth refurbishing an old ship. It did not seem new. Lots of nice new things but still seemed like an old ship.

I haven't been in it personally. But it won't have a refrigerator or DVD player.

It is not ship specific. The program is based on Ports. Right now the Sunshine is based in New Orleans. The do not offer luggage express in New Orleans.

Will I be ok wearing nice jeans along with a jacket, shirt and shoes on non-formal nights in the MDR?

 

I really just interested if the staff will allow me in, not so much about cruisers' personal opinions about if jeans are good or bad.

 

This is probably words I should of used.... Well said. I just want to know what I have to wear to be allowed in. I am not worried about others personal opinions about my clothes.

I have seen shorts in the MDR on Royal Caribbean at dinner several times. On Celebrity I have seen passengers turned away with shorts on.

Thank you. That is what I am gathering here. Nice shorts are ok on RCL, Carnival, NCL..... Bit not on Celebrity.

We cruise celebrity often my husband does not like to dress up. He wears casual pants and short sleeve button shirts most nights and formal night black slacks and long sleeve dress shirt, sometimes with a tie sometimes not. It's never been a problem. He blends in just fine. Skip the shorts and you will be fine there will be everything from tux to tshirts.

 

 

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Perfect. Thank you. Good information. I have no problem with this.

It's because we RESPECT the rules. Obviously,you think you're special enough to make your own!

Funny how I have said 5 times that if we choose Celebrity I will adhere to the rules and dress code. Just as I do on any other cruise line.

How do I not RESPECT the rules?

Out of respect for your wife you should at least still try to impress her. Forget dressing up for the ship's rules or the other passengers. Isn't it really all about you and your spouse that matters the most. If you feel comfortable with her when those formal photos are taken and she looks like a million dollars dressed to the nines and beside her in the photo is you that looks like you just left the Daytona 500 race, then so be it. She may not say it but deep down she's pretty steamed about it and I'd bet she will not buy the photo, which is not good for her self respect but good for you because you were able to save another $29.95 on a cruise. Even those Duck Dynasty guys know when to put on a tie and when not to.

That is good advice. But to be honest my wife hates dressing up too. We are a perfect couple. Lol. But you are correct. If she wanted me to dress up I would. Like I said if we book Celebrity we will adhere to the rules. We really like to eat in the MDR.

Maybe I can get a camo tux like Duck Dynatsy. Lol.

You're just "expected" to just follow the rules that are laid down by the cruiseline. If you can't, then do us all a favor & stick to Carnival!

Funny. Comments like that make me want to wear shorts in the MDR. Funny how people like you get their feathers all ruffled over something as silly as what others wear. Like high school again.

I'll take "slovenly dress" over rude, boorish behaviour any day of the week. As I'm sure most of the joints "back east" would too.

Well said. I agree.

Well back east, in most cases you'd not be admitted! This isn't Silicon Valley & it's inability to show a little sense of class & style. Then again it IS California.No desire to visit, thank you! Yes, I've never seen anyone in a tux in Micky D/Chilies/Applebees(why would they?)So what other cruise lines have you tried??Seems only Carnival to me. Carnival owns..Cunard/HAL/Princess/Costa/P&O/Seaborne. RCCL owns Celebrity & 50% of NCL. As you can see many of the lines are owned by a few megalines. Look at Carnival as General Motors..Carnival(Chevy)Cunard(Cadillac)HAL(Buick)Princess(Pontiac)Each of these lines has their own schtick..Carnival..Fun Ships,Cunard formal oceanliner travel,HAL laid back(well..retired)You get the picture. When pax refuse to follow the "rules" of the line, what happens?? It just starts to merge into a big mess. That's why(out of RESPECT to those who pay for their trip))you should at least make an attempt to follow the rules. Trust me, if I saw you on Cunard & you dress as you say you like to,I'd get you booted out of the MDR. I've done it before. Sorry, guy, but when I pay good money, I don't pay to see slovenly dress at night. I'm sure many will agree & I'm sure plenty will disagree.

Me, my wife and our 4 teenage sons have cruised on.... Carnival, NCL, RCCL, HAL and Princess. Majority on Carnival. We are all platinum on Carnival. All together over 35 cruises.

Like I stated originally.... I try to to obey the rules. If I cruise on Celebrity I will adhere to the dress code in the MDR. But it will be at the very minimal of the dress code. Sorry if it ruins your time. My experience with people that dress up for dinner and expect others to do the same is that they are trying to be something they are not. I don't need to dress up to impress anyone or be something I am not. I sold my factory and retired 10 years ago at the age of 30. Been enjoying life ever since. No need to impress anyone.

Sorry, but that's unacceptable on most lines. At least wear a decent pair of slacks & dress style short sleeve shirt at dinner in the mdr.. If you can't do that, then either stick to the buffets or stick to Carnival. Some pax do like to dress somewhat decently for dinner when going out. Is this how you dress at fine restaurants?? I'd be surprised any would let you in.

Yes. This is how I dress at fine resteraunts. I have NEVER been turned away or questioned. Times have changed. We frequent 5 star resteraunts and dress ranges from shorts with Polos to jackets and ties. It doesn't make the food taste any different.

If I am in Chilis, Denny's or McDonald's and you come in dressed foraml in a tux I won't mind. My food will taste the same. It will not affect my time. I have better things to do than gossip about you, look down on you or worry about it.

Now I try to follow the rules but I also like to be comfortable. I have been on other cruise lines and have seen many passengers with shorts in the MDR. But if you read on here members say no and it s not acceptable. Just trying to get a feeling of Celebrity since w have never tried it out.

we are leaving from Long Beach port. Is is closer to fly out of Orange county or LAX

Thanks

Long Beach has a airport

OC would be a littler loser and easier, less crowded. But more than likely LAX will be cheaper and may offer non stop flights.

No they do not. I always bring a 12 pack of my own.....