amcankid

Thinking of booking our first ever Princess cruise. I’ve been looking at videos of the Crown Princess and it appears the showers have an overhead rain maker style nozzle instead of hand held nozzles like most other cruise lines. 
I am very particular about being able to wash my, uh, private parts and being the thin size of showers on a ship it’s darn near impossible to spray your underside with a fixed overhead shower.

If anyone here has stayed in regular balcony cabins on the Crown Princess I’d appreciate any info

6 minutes ago, amcankid said:

As I look at the various packages offered for our August cruise to Alaska, the WiFi package offered appears to be for the entire voyage. Definitely if they’re aware that WiFi is spotty at best in certain areas they shouldn’t be charging for it in those locales. I wonder how I can find out if the couple of days that the WiFi doesn’t have a signal if they include it anyway.

Actually I just did a trial run and it looks like  they charge for the entire trip. Kinda pisses me off if I’m fact they know there’s no service in a couple of the areas we’ll be in.

3 hours ago, 1025cruise said:

Sales tax is charged when in state waters. Alaska does not charge sales tax.

You will not receive a cellular signal (please note, this is not wifi) on the ship while cruising. You will be going through remote areas with no coverage.

With that said, the satellite connection in Alaska can be questionable due to the northern latitudes. For this reason, I believe Carnival doesn't actually sell cruise length internet access.

As I look at the various packages offered for our August cruise to Alaska, the WiFi package offered appears to be for the entire voyage. Definitely if they’re aware that WiFi is spotty at best in certain areas they shouldn’t be charging for it in those locales. I wonder how I can find out if the couple of days that the WiFi doesn’t have a signal if they include it anyway.

Just curious if Cheers is taxed when you’re cruising Alaska,especially when going through the Fjords. 
And also wondering if WiFi from our cellular plans work since we’d be so close to land. Semi debating whether to get a WiFi package but if a few of the days our cellular plans will work then why spend!

On 3/16/2023 at 10:25 AM, cacruisin said:

Did the ship feel crowded?  Full of kids?  I am sailing with 4 teenagers so I'm likely to be more with the offender then the victim but just curious.....

 

Did you eat at Jiji's or Cucina?  

 

TIA

We were on the Panorama last month and it quickly became my least favorite ship.

To answer your question, yes, at least to us, it felt very crowded. 
First time ever that to get a pizza around midnight it took up to 45 minutes because of how long the line was.

Theres only two pools of which only one was semi heated. The kids literally took the pools over. So much so that if you’re an older guy such as myself you’d be self conscious getting in (like you’re some

kind of creep).

The comedy shows we’re usually full and if you weren’t in line at least 15 minutes before they let people in you probably wouldn’t get in. 
The omelette station moved fast but was still a 15-20 minute wait.

All in all, we kept saying the worst day of cruising is still better than the best day at work (to steal from the old fishing adage). But there were times where I thought to myself really? I’ve had some good times at work and definitely never had to worry about the crowd. Lol

The six month rule is a country by country rule. Some require it some don’t.

And Mexico does not. 
Another thing in your favor is any cruise originating and ending in the same US Port only requires a government ID and your birth certificate.  
So relax and enjoy. The passport is valid. And if you still have a little lingering doubt then bring your birth certificate also.

20 hours ago, chocolate melting cake said:

amcankid, we did this cruise in May of 2022 and enjoyed our 3rd Alaskan cruise. We're from Connecticut, so the early May weather seemed WARM for us! Although we didn't use it, there were people in the covered pool throughout the cruise. We leave a link to an "album" showing what went on during the cruise (you might want to skip the first 26 showing our bus tour of San Francisco). If you'd like to see the full sized pictures just click on any. Enjoy your cruise!

 

OUR 2022 ALASKAN CRUISE

Thanks so much!!

On 2/28/2023 at 2:00 PM, hapytobehr said:

I think in August it will be warm enough when it is covered.  We were on the Miracle in May to Alaska from San Fran and it was VERY cold.  I don't remember seeing the covered pool used that much.  However, I could be wrong.

 

Alaska was awesome. (even though it was cold for me, Florida blood)

 

Enjoy!

Thanks. And even though we’re warm weather cruisers we’re looking forward to Alaska. Glad to hear your opinion (awesome)

First time going to Alaska.

We always wanted to cruise out of our hometown San Francisco. But cruising to San Diego or Ensenada doesn’t hold a lot of appeal. So instead of our usual Caribbean type of cruises (warm to hot weather), we’re going to Alaska in August. 

We love to swim in the pools as the water is swishing back and forth in the open ocean.  Has anyone here been on the Miracle when they covered the one pool area and if so was it warm enough to swim and get out? 

11 hours ago, Woody14 said:

Here is the situation I am booking the Vista out of Galveston at the end of July and was looking at my offers that Carnival sent.  I have 3 to choose from:

Plan now sail later (OV8) gives $200 obc price is $2,644.40

Fun for you (O1X)  gives $100 obc price is $2,644.40

Cheers to you (RU0) price is $3,734.40

so essentially they are charging me $1,090.00 for Cheers.  Where things are interesting is that if I add cheers on separately after booking (which is what I did) the cost for Cheers is $848.90 (including tax and grats) so bottom line by taking the plan now sail later offer and adding cheers I paid $3,493.30. saving $241.10 plus I got a $200 obc.    

Shows you either need to do your research or have a good travel agent.

 

I’m actually surprised that nobody’s filed a class action lawsuit against Carnivals misleading Cheers package on us promotions.

We were lucky a couple of years ago and received the coveted RU1 offer, totally worth it because it worked out to about 50 per person.  But even that offer is deceptive because it still ain’t free!!!

Since then all we received were the RU9 offers which were a joke.

Then one day I received the RUO offer. I was excited thinking it had to be better than the RU1 only to find out it was worse than the RU9!!

I wonder how many people were tricked into paying more than they should have because of these deceptive practices Carnival is doing?

You’re on a cruise which is an escape from the rigors of life. Do what you want to do and don’t worry about anything else.

The first hour or two the ship will still be fairly full. The last couple of hours there also. The middle hours the ship will probably be 80% empty. But there’s plenty of people who love to cruise for the ships themselves and prefer to stay in at most of the ports.

That being said I would suggest you get off at least for a little bit. Even if you’re not a beach person, the sand at HMC is like the sand in an hour glass. Walking in it will give you a memory you’ll never forget.

But, if you still decide the beach is not for you, you’re on a cruise. You do what makes you happy. 

I have three separate Chase cards. Thanks to this post I looked at the offers on all three and found it on one of them. Just made a $100 payment on a balance I owe for a February cruise on the Panorama which means I really only spent $60. I’m assuming it takes a few days for the credit to show. 

September 2023 the Freedom has a transatlantic to Spain. I remember reading somewhere that it was going there for dry dock refurbishment.

 If we were to book the voyage going will the ship be in shambles since it’s on its way for an overhaul or will they maintain it as they normally do all ships. 
 And  does anyone know if the dry dock work is just maintenance or are they adding stuff to it making the return voyage three weeks later more attractive?

I’m old and have never purchased stocks. How do you go about getting the Carnival Stock?

It definitely depends on the code. Shortly after they started accepting bookings again during the pandemic they were giving cheers packages that almost were 100% free. But you had to have the RU1 code. The higher the number the more they charged for the “free” cheers package.

I lucked out and got an RU1 that I applied to our Mardi Gras cruise a year ago. Since then I was only receiving RU9 codes which were a joke.  Now for the last few months I’ve been receiving an RU0 code. This is a code that’s waiting for a class action lawsuit because they pass it off as free but in all actuality you’d end up paying about $200 more for two people that if you booked your Cheers package separately. Don’t know how Carnival gets away with this obvious bait and switch misleading promotion!!

7 hours ago, nydney1 said:

We had the same experience. It was in the theater and on the screen by the pool.

Thanks. Makes me even more excited for the cruise. Should be fun 

We’re sailing on the Panorama leaving the day before Super Bowl Sunday. Just wondering if the game will be on the poolside Jumbotron or only in the bars that play sports on the tv’s

On 1/8/2022 at 2:45 PM, IntrepidFromDC said:

Not actually.  184ft - 135ft = 49ft.  49ft / 3 = 16.333 yards.  From 50 yard line to the back of the end zone is 60 yards.  So it would get you from the 50 yard line to about the 34 yard line wider, right? 

You are correct sir. And I did a poor job explaining what I meant.

I didn’t mean the difference in feet between the two ships was comparable to 50yard line to the back of the end zone. I meant the Oasis itself is that wide.

1 hour ago, famof4togo said:

We always remember and loved Weeeee Jimmy....but I know people either loved or hated him.

I like to think we had a love hate relationship with wee Jimmy.

Irritating and yet he kinda grew on you!

On 10/18/2021 at 10:22 AM, SNJCruisers said:

 

 

Please reread the first post.  "...bring them with us on our excursions..."  Can't be much clearer and against the laws of each port for any unsealed food to be brought into their country.  A box of cereal from Lido or a pack of cookies or crackers bought in the gift shop would be examples of food allowed off the ship.

Oh my God!!

I never realized I was breaking international laws.

I have a friend who does some contract work with the FBI.

He told me he saw my name on an Interpol list in an FBI office. I laughed it off thinking he was kidding!!! Now I’m considering whether to turn myself in or go on the run!!!

On 10/15/2021 at 1:17 AM, SNJCruisers said:

At least you can still get the pizza and soft serve.  You just need to go to Paninni Piazza before 1000 and get a sammie to put in your cabin frig.

Amd that’s why I always bring zip lock bags. If for no other reason than being cheap. I used to get some tuna sandwiches late night, and then bring them with us on our excursions if there wasn’t gonna be any food included.

Now I just will put them in the frig for late night emergencies. 

15 hours ago, kwokpot said:

I think you're being overly pessimistic. Now that you're aware of the limited late night food options, you can plan for them. It really should only be a small part of your overall cruise enjoyment.

Trust me. Just like the bumper sticker that says the worst day of fishing is better than the best day at work? As long as I’m out in the middle of the ocean, I’m happy. Nothing will get me down. But regardless of that, it still sucks that my old routine is a thing of history.

So the gist of this convo is all the hotdogs, chili and various finger foods at 2 in the morning are no mas?

That sucks!!!!

We’re leaving Saturday on the Mardi Gras and I already have a feeling of being let down. One of my favorite things on a cruise is falling asleep somewhere with my feet on a rail as the passing ocean becomes part of my dreams, then getting up and grabbing a hot dog, some chicken strips, some olives or cheese, a slice of pizza and top it off with a little soft serve ice cream. 
And no, I’m not diabetic or morbidly obese. Would never think of snacking late at night back home, but on a cruise? It’s like I’m 14 and growing again. Bottomless stomach!!!

Just did a rapid test. Our cruise is Saturday. The technician doing the test said she heard you need a printed copy of the results. Anybody here just show your results on your phone?

2 hours ago, Cammyho said:

 

We had James at Cucina and requested him every time after that! Definitely one of the best servers I've ever had, really nice guy.

I will tell him he has many fans on the largest cruise ship web site.