momof3cruisers

They are charging $700 for a three sided hut, how much were you hoping for for $400?? 😂 Better drink up I guess!

I think it was just because it was water probably but who knows. I’ll try in Feb and let you know. Haha. That’s a long way off for around here though.

Dude, like I know! Lol. It’s similar to The Cruiser but it doesn’t have pineapple juice. Google is my friend: 1 1/2 oz Bacardi Light Rum 1 oz Vodka 1/4 oz Apricot Brandi 1/4 oz Amaretto 6 oz Fruit Punch

What I would love is a non-alcoholic package that includes specialty coffees.

I know that about Carnival. In the past we’ve always gotten a cabana. (Although that isn’t happening at these prices!) However, my sisters rented a cabana while sailing with Holland America. They did not have to go to the buffet. They had a butler type person assigned to them who checked in regularly throughout the day, brought food beyond the provided snacks etc. I guess I’ll have to ask on the Holland board if they still do that.

That says the services are they same for Holland and Carnival, but you used to have a butler who brought your food etc when you sailed there on Holland. Anyone know for sure if that has changed? (This was several years ago.)

I almost always get a water or a soda when I order an alcohol drink with Cheers. The gal in the coffee shop on Spirit gave me the hint that if I wanted coffee and a water, I needed to get my coffee spiked. 😉

That’s really lovely. I’m glad they were so helpful and considerate. I’m so sorry for your loss. OP, I hope that all goes well for you also and my condolences on the loss of your husband. This is what I’d like after I pass away.

No you won’t get the discount because you don’t actually have Cheers on day one. You could just bring a couple of bottles with you and have that the first day.

Hold up. I can’t get a Funship until international waters?! I swear my daughter and I got one as soon as we finished muster if Feb 22. I mean it won’t kill me but it’s our tradition.

What a lovely review. Succinct, informative and fun. Hank you for taking the time to share your thoughts.

Oof. Yes, I had paid with a credit card. Shoot.

I agree. Not getting early access to your room did it for me. Used it in two cruises pre-Covid. One of my boys has sensory issues and getting to be on our own balcony as opposed to in the crowded Lido area was worth a lot. Now I’m Platinum so don’t need it anyway but I don’t think it’s worth it anymore. same situation for us with the cabanas. We did a B2B last fall. Went to HMC both legs. Booked a cabana for the first leg as soon as they came available for $349. That felt like a lot but still worth it. But we didn’t book the second leg until Aug and at that point, the cabanas were $499. I was stunned. We were paying $1000 for 2 people in a balcony. So one of us was cruising for the same price for six days as six hours in a cabana. Nope.

I’m glad you posted about this. I learned a lesson too. I have done that on the ship before. Go to the excursions desk on the first day and ask to switch. I’d be surprised if they didn’t help you out. You do need to cancel excursions 24 hours in advance. Btw, there is nothing wrong with changing your mind. You’re not “ shutting anyone out.” They could have gotten their reservation in before you if they had really wanted to. Other people’s vacation planning issues are not yours. It’s not like you reserved four different things until you made up your mind.

I used to love it but don’t like the really uncooked version I have had several times. I’ll have to ask for well done next time around. My favorite way is to either order it with strawberry ice cream instead of vanilla or get the kids banana split and sort of combine them.

It may be port dependent. I’m cruising on Feb 2024 and the excursions are already all up.

I hear ya. My son got Covid on my first platinum cruise and I forgot almost every perk. Got my free brunch drink and that was it. I was particularly sad about the pin. I intentionally skipped the party as at that point I had a bit of a sore throat myself.

Just for the record, I’ve never waited anywhere near even an hour to board with an early check in. However, I appreciate that we all have different things that appeal to us. That way everyone isn’t trying to do the same thing at the same time.

Not a secret as it’s easily accessible and noticeable but if you haven’t booked a room yet, on deck 8, if you use the forward elevators and walk back through the hallway, there are little windows to the open lobby atrium. They have glass but are IMO a nice little difference. I’d imagine they are on at least 7 and 6 too but don’t know about any lower. Makes a nice change to walking back through the long hallway.

This was a very interesting and balanced review. I for one really appreciate hearing about things like the seating in Center Stage etc. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

Curious if you were able to see everything with the Circus show from the same area you sat in the previous night. We wholeheartedly agree that the lack of food choices at night is just ridiculous. Enjoying your review!

Y’all clearly play a LOT more mini golf than I ever have in my lifetime. I have never paid attention to the weight of the balls. Not that kind anyway. 😉

Sorry! Missed that. Thought you were traveling from somewhere in Orlando.

Great report so far. What an amazing trip. I’m astounded by your Uber fare though! Why on earth was it so expensive? I’ve taken several Ubers to and from MCO and various parts of Orlando and the most expensive was around $50.

Wow! We cruised in Oct and they were available to book the previous January.