The_ZOO

Honestly, I would be furious if I went on a cruise and it was a construction zone. I work very hard and pay a lot of money for a vacation. To deal with large sections of a ship being shut down and hearing construction noise consistently while I am trying to relax would infuriate me. However, if, as another poster stated, they made the facts well known to people ahead of time and offered a price break or some other offer, that is a different story entirely. But, to sell a ship with all of its amenities as a vacation and to walk into what that picture looks like? No thank you!

We were on the sailing that left on Feb 11th. I swear we weren't but an hour or two away from the dock when the blue curtain went up and the work started. There was NO notice at all, we had to go ask why the slide was roped off only to learn it was being taken down and our kids would be unable to use it or the pool that was next to it. No apologies at all. I would have appreciated a heads up when we were checking in.

My question is, with FTTF the perks are priority tender and faster into your suite and the line in GS, anything else? Do these things except for the "GS" line come with a suite? All I really care about is getting on and off the ship. I don't care if the suite isn't ready for another hour. Is it worth $65 X's 4 people???

 

I've never booked a suite with Carnival until now but have several times on RCI.

The FTTF is $65 x 1 person, you don't have to buy it for everyone in your cabin, its a little misleading. We had an Ocean Suite in Feb on our cruise out of San Juan, and bought FTTF, we didn't get a free bag of laundry, I brought supplies and did it myself. I also have purchased FTTF for our upcoming February cruise and we have a suite, I will not cancel our FTTF unless there is something in writing that it is now a suite perk. I am 9 days away from platinum and this cruise is only 7 days 😞.

Thanks for all the helpful info. I really do appreciate it.

This is the excursion we are looking at for February, Im hoping someone has some input.

Hi, I'm not exactly sure if this is the right place to ask this question but here goes. For those of you that have your own snorkel gear and bring it with you what brand do you have? I was hoping to give my husband a gift card for xmas so he can order a set to bring with us on our February cruise, we don't have a dive shop near us.

I did, I spoke to two different women with the same results, after I spoke to them I called the hotel directly and they told me the same thing. I am just so frustrated. I have the original email with the lower price but they said since I "modified" my reservation I now have to pay the rate of the room the day it was modified. UGH.

I am currently booked at the Hampton Inn Miami Downtown/Brickell, today while double checking all of our reservations I noticed that the reservation I made on March 3, 2016 had a different price than the reservation I was looking at on the app on my phone, the original email from March 3, had the rate including taxes $70.00 cheaper. I called and was told the reason for the price difference was that I had modified the reservation, when I had not. The woman on the phone said she was reading my account and said that I switched from one night to two nights then back to one night on 3 different dates. I do not recall ever doing that, I did however log in and book the night before our flight on one of the dates in question. This woman was rude and when I asked her how to have my rate adjusted she said there was no way to do that. I then finally got another person on the line and they too said no way to adjust the rate. I am so angry with the customer service with Hampton Inn right now, we are loyal customers and rarely stray from the brand (they didn't care about that either). Any advice?

we were also on this cruise, yes to beer in cans, you can't get a beer in the bottle anywhere on the lido deck.

We also stopped for a postcard and a bottle of wine for my neighbor for driving us to and from the airport.

ok, since you had already checked your luggage where did you put the wine? I have always thought you couldn't put it in your carry on.

[\QUOTE] We also stopped for a postcard and a bottle of wine for my neighbor for driving us to and from the airport. From 3:30 To about 4:15, we sat at our gate, and waited for boarding.

ok, since you had already checked your luggage where did you put the wine? I have always thought you couldn't put it in your carry on.

Still watching for those reviews!!! lol I can't help myself, I have 172 days to go and I'm trying to live through everyone else until then!!

TRAVELCRUZIN we are on the same sailing as you. I too have been looking for reviews. I cannot wait for February!!!

We got back 2 weeks ago, I purchased the basic wine package, 5 bottles for $115 plus gratuity.

We just got off the Sunshine on Sunday. We had ATD and I knew going into it that it was set up a little different than it normally is. There were folks waiting to check in for ATD dinner at 5:00 pm, the last night the line went way back into the casino. We were a family of 3 and sat by ourselves by our choice but we could have sat with other folks if we wanted too. Each night we had the same table except for the last night, we had a different table but were with the same wait staff. When you find great servers you keep them, we sat in the back on the port side, our waiters name was Edy and his right hand man was Franklin. Loved them and they took great care of us. I really only found crowds when it was time for meals, my husband is an early riser and we found that on this ship you could have continental breakfast at 6:30 but if you wanted to have something more than pastries, yogurt, or fruit you had to wait until 7:30 when the other breakfast options opened up and quite honestly by that time at home I am on my 2nd cup of coffee and on the way out the door to work. So plan ahead if you are an early riser.

I don't know how you kept it quiet from your kids!! I would be busting at the seams to tell them. Great job and am eagerly awaiting the rest of your review. We sail on the Sunshine in Feb. to the Southern Caribbean for our son's senior high school trip.

we will be on board with you on the Sunshine Feb 7th!

I would love to see some photos also, we are cruising in Feb 2015 in this cabin.

My first cruise was for my senior class trip in 94, we had an interior. It's been a balcony ever since.

I just have to add our experience. My oldest is now 18, she has been on 4 cruises with us, she has a different last name than my husband, and youngest daughter and I. I have had the notarized letter of consent and her passport with us each time we traveled. Once we were questioned extensively, it was not pleasant and it scared my daughter. When they were satisfied we had not kidnapped her and answered all of their questions we were on our way. Not fun. I cannot imagine what would have happened without the notarized paper.

Normally I do not post here. I like to read reviews of others and enjoy the pictures. This particular review caught my attention more than any others in the almost 10 years I have been a cruiser.

 

That said, I do not wish to discount or talk down any other person here that puts effort into reviews and takes the time to share their experiences with others.

 

Carnival.... I'm looking at you here !! You have your next potential John Heald in front of you. Wrigley80's ability to convey through concise and reader friendly commentary along with some of the most complete and insatiable photography make for a perfect storm of promotability for your cruise lines without the deluge of fake empty marketing we as vacation hungry people are quite tired of.

 

My first cruise was a reluctant choice between a Grand Canyon trip vs. a Carnival caribbean week. I was totally lost in regards to choices and planning for the trip. Lets just say I learned a great deal and was hooked by the end of that week.

 

Our lives for the most part are consumed by things that need to be done by yesterday and go by so fast you would think there is only an hour in every day. A cruise has a wonderful ability to slow things down. A cruise has a way to help convince you that its ok to relax. Regardless of the naysayers of cruises.. the ability to be on the water, listen to the waves at night, see the stars without the light polution from a city, that all meals are included, you stop in different locations.... i could go on but bang for the buck..cruises are it for me.

 

To some, planning a vacation/cruise can be more stressful than why the vacation was needed to begin with. There are so many variables to consider: itenerary, cruise line, cabin, cabin placement, ammenities and so on. Some people thrive on that. With seven cruises, I am happy to say planning for a cruise is a particular favorite thing to do. But what of those that dont have that prior experience/desire to do that? This is where Wrigley80 comes in.

I understand that some would like to maintain the mystery of what is onboard when they cruise. From what I have seen, the great people on this board like to see the tidbits and see things they will be looking forward to sharing... so no spoiler alerts needed. Give it to us Wrigley!

 

Forget the "Quest for Platinum" endeavour. Carnival should place you (and your dad ) on every ship in the fleet! You have a gift of relating to the lay person just as well as the technical inclined every detail and thoughtful insight on just about every question our giddy inner child would have for any cruise. Just as I would have a question about what something looks like in your review...POOF there is the picture. Your reviews are broken up into managable pieces and flow in a way that simply makes you want more. I have not been on the two ships you have been on but you sold me where any corporate attempt would have either caused an eyeroll or bored me to death.

 

Wrigley80 ( you better still be listening Carnival ), your review is like falling off a cliff of stress and landing in a pile of Christmas!

 

Wrigley80 you do a great service to this board and to those whose lives you touch. You are kind, patient, generous, thoughtful and an avid cruise nut we can't get enough of. Keep up the wonderful reviews and may they continue to inspire and help those looking for an escape or for just a way to slow down for a while.

 

Carnival, give this girl a contract!

 

btw, even though my name here is TAPNKEGS, I have never had a drink in my life...the irony made the name stick :)

I second this notion. Well said.

I was wondering if you went on the cruise and took pics of the cabin. I've booked the same cabin for an upcoming cruise and would love to see pics of the updated room.

We just booked this cabin, I would love to hear any thoughts on it also.

OMG! Addicted to your Review! We just booked a 5nt on the Sunshine for February 2015. Kids are at school and DH is a work and I am parked in front of the lap top reading every word. We booked an aft balcony on deck 5. Loving the option of the taste bar in the morning.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

We are also on the Sunshine in Feb 2015 and we also have an aft balcony booked. Are your children coming with you? Our daughter who will be 11 will be with us.

we are going to be on the Sunshine in Feb 2015 and have an aft extended balcony, I don't think the sun will bother me but not having a breeze might. Oh well I suppose you live and you learn, I just had to see what the fuss was all about at least once. I hope we love it.

just bought it at magmall dot com for $13.95

The Tropicale April 1994 Senior class trip, yup, I'm hooked.

Heck I would be more nervous that I lost out on the free Platinum upgrade after only 2 cruises. I would have booked in a nanosecond! I am still 27 sea days away from Platinum....

LOL I fill it ALL to the top. I might get 3 glasses out of a bottle :)

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That's the only way!!! :-)