carol louise

See also: cabanas on Half Moon Cay. My sister and I have been cruising since the early days, watching them seem all to be filled whenever we visited even as the price just kept going up and up. So we imagined HAL and Carnival executives shaking their heads saying to themselves “we haven’t reached the maximum, so let’s raise it again.” They are still available now for our 4/2024 cruise at $699. It’s an optional expense for cruisers, so each person can decide if this special extra is worth it. To the extent such extras keep cruise fares more affordable it’s good. Just a different pricing model to the luxury lines where nearly everything is included in the fare, whether you take advantage or not.

Momof3cruisers, I’m sorry you, C, and Max have to put up with problem people. It is kind of you to attribute the crew’s clumsiness to not understanding the etiquette around service animals. Maybe it would be a good idea to suggest additional training for them, at the very least before cruises where there is going to be a service animal on board. But some of what you encounter is just obtuseness—opening the mouth without thinking. Thank you for your good nature about it, which may serve to educate people to be more careful the next time.

I recommend trying a cappuccino from the Frizzante bar; I found them quite delicious. And the seating nearby is good for people-watching while you enjoy the coffee.

The port webcam shows it just entering the channel now (11:22).

Whew, that was tense reading! Good thing you had your phone activated with international service. It looks to me that depending on the very last possible train to get back was the miscalculation that led to the adventure. As poster Dan83 mentions, it’s best to have a backup plan.

What a delightful start to my day! Looking forward to the next installment, and wishing you and your family the best.

Thanks, Lindsay. That makes sense.

As pe4all mentions, the fact of the ship being fully booked does not necessarily mean every possible berth is taken. Ask your extended family members to check the deck plans on Carnival’s website to see exactly the capacity of their particular cabins. If any couple is booked just the two of them in a cabin that can accommodate 3 or 4 passengers—and are willing to share the space with you—they could ask their travel agent or Carnival to add you to the booking and pay the 3rd-person fee. At the same time, as sparks1093 suggests, call Carnival to see if there is a waiting list to grab any last-minute cancellations.

Venezia spent the night in NYC last night. I just caught a glimpse on the webcam of its passing toward the Verrazano Narrows bridge at 7 am (EST) this morning. Was that planned? Did it have anything to do with the stormy weather, air travel delaying passenger arrivals? Mechanical issues?

I have been on multiple cruises with Carnival and have not experienced those unpleasant things you mention. I suspect the risk is there more likely on short (3-4 days) cruises during spring break time.

Offsetting the greater percentage per ton of passengers is the fact that without such things as bumper car tracks or flow riders, there is plenty of open public space on Miracle’s upper decks, furnished with loungers—in shade and sun. So, if you don’t insist on being right around one of the pools you’ll not have trouble finding a quiet place to relax on deck.

The Miracle was my first Carnival cruise ship, as a solo in 2009. I loved the ship. It is the perfect size IMO. Large enough to have amenities for many tastes, yet easy to find your way around and not as huge as the newer ships (this is especially an advantage when in tender ports). The decor is eye-popping; I like to think of it as festive!

FYI, closed-toe shoes also required if you take the “Behind the Fun” tour.

Did you acquire the card in Java Blue? Is it good elsewhere on the ship? I ask because I enjoyed a couple wonderful cappucinos from the Frizzante bar during our cruise and wonder if those would count if I had a coffee card.

🤣 Could be. Sort of like analyzing Rorschach tests!

Looks like a snail.

Just started watching. Fascinating. Thanks!

There is value in reporting to your muster station for the drill rather than just watching a video in your stateroom. In a real emergency, you will have the memory of having walked to the right place, rather than just having read or heard where to go.

Thank you. I was thinking that, too. The ultimate goal is not to find lots of people smuggling drugs on board, but to deter people from doing it in the first place.

As for beach areas, I noticed on a January cruise in 2012 that on Half Moon Cay (Bahamas) I could walk barefoot on the dry sand, whereas when I had been there a few years earlier on a June cruise, the dry sand had been too hot for bare feet. The sun was still deliciously warm to me as a Northerner but less oppressive in January. I didn’t go in the water, so cannot comment on that.

Rereading my post it occurs to me it may not be clear that we had not specifically asked the Guest Services person to dinner. We were three at a 4-top, and she came over and asked if she could join us, apparently something the staff were directed to take turns doing, to mingle with passengers.

We had one left daily on Venezia in June, without asking. I wonder if the inconsistency here and there is due to some staff shortages.

I agree. For the crew member to be free, perhaps someone else who was to have the evening off was called to step in to cover the job of the crew member. And like a working person being asked to dine with a customer, I suspect that however graciously he/she carries it off, the crew member considers accepting this “invitation” to dine with a passenger as a duty. Once on a cruise (HAL) a person from the Guest Services came to sat with us at dinner. We had a pleasant chat and she apparently enjoyed our company, but she did let slip at one point that she hadn’t realized she would be “working” that evening.

Years ago, on the Norwegian Wind, I booked a massage. Directly above the spa treatment rooms was the basketball court. Thump .. thump, thump … thump…. The masseuse and I agreed that was bad planning, as the soothing New Age sounds were no competition for the bouncing balls.

Another island with a different vibe is Trinidad. Multi cultural and colorful.