Travelling2Some

We recently returned from our brief yet torrid affair (it was hot in the Caribbean!) with Carnival Mardi Gras. We had sailed Carnival twice before - once many years ago and again out of Charleston just before the pandemic. I've always had a good time on any line but the 3 carnival cruises have been my least favorite. Carnival is just not a good fit for us and we would be very unlikely stray again even though the ship is beautiful and there was much to like (and dislike). Our next dalliance (in May) will be with Celebrity, whom we have sailed with previously and loved. We are booked on the Viva in June (Rome to Lisbon) and I predict we will be among those who really like it. We mostly sailed NCL and Royal while our kids were growing up. My husband is very keen on the Icon of the Seas but his enthusiasm may wane by the time prices become reasonable, (or Hell freezes over, lol). I think going forward it's going to be Celebrity with NCL being our "bit on the side".

In our own experience it also depends on the port. Hawaii, Australia and New Zealand are very strict about transporting foods. Tropical ports seem more concerned than European ports (factory sealed ham products are very popular souvenirs in Spain, for example). Ports in Northern Europe (Scandinavia and the Baltics) seem to care not at all. I've always assumed that is because invasive pests are likely to survive in warm countries but your banana seeds won't grow in Norway anyway.

Just a FYI that one of the main dining rooms will be open on embarkation day for a nice, relaxing sit down lunch. The view from your balcony may or may not be anything special or relaxing while you are still in port and you may find it noisy too. There are cold cuts, cheeses and other munchies (olives, breads, etc.) available in the buffet. We have found it useful to bring a small plastic tray ($1 from Ikea) in our luggage. We started packing one when we used to cruise with a bunch of small kids and we still bring it since i takes up no room and it is handy for "balcony picnics". (Other passengers will ask you how you got a tray.)

Well . . . not quite the same thing since you are not attempting to establish a 15 day long relationship with a random waitress in a random restaurant. (Then again, maybe you are, which is your own business, lol.) Kidding aside though, many people do "overtip" a favorite server in a restaurant they visit frequently more than they would tip in a "one and done" situation. That said, we only "pre-tip" (bribe?) the bartenders on a longer cruise in advance.

We do the same and the priority service makes me think that not so many people do this. People can be four deep at the bar but the bartender will give us a smile and a nod and start making what we usually ask for.

We leave our room steward $50 extra at the end of our cruise. We keep our room very neat and don't make any special requests.

Regarding #5 - good information on the website whatsinportdotcom.

I once bought medical only because we were leaving the country but it was just a cheapo trip. I was very pleasantly surprised at how inexpensive it was!

Perfectly said!

You can make your dining reservations 125 days before your cruise, which is 5 days before others. Also, each of you get one free bag of laundry.

On several levels;)

Maybe we could rent the old cheerleader and shark costumes from Saturday Night Live? We could have "The One Where the Shark Eats the Cheerleaders"!

Thanks very much. I will try that number tomorrow.

We just got off the Carnival Mardi Gras (beautiful ship but definitely not for us) and had the most bizarre experience at lunch in one of the specialty restaurants. Restaurant was almost completely empty and my husband and I were at a table for two. Table next to us was literally 3 inches away. They seated a (very nice) woman dining alone there. Of course we conversed because it would have been too rude and awkward not to, but all three of us found it very odd. We were already half way through our meal so it was kind of her responsibility to ask to be seated elsewhere but I'm sure she was taken by surprise and just did not object in time. Strange experience though.

Sad to hear this. I very much enjoyed the peaceful early morning atmosphere in the OL and the ability to get coffee and a croissant and enjoy the view.

Has anyone done a hiking excursion to Paklenica National Park from Zadar? I have not been able to find any specific info. It is offered as a ship sponsored excursion on our upcoming Celebrity cruise. It is billed as a small group tour and Paklenica seems to be a 45 minute drive from Zadar. The pictures and Youtube vids I have seen look great but there are hiking trails of all different difficulties so it is hard to know if they are representative of what this experience will be. We have no disabilities but are ordinary non-athletes in our 60's.

Thanks for the responses. I was not able to find a phone number specifically for the Captains Club and (no surprise) the call center is no help. I only have the reservation paperwork for our current booking which does not show either of our CC numbers. The only reason I know mine is that it is displayed on the website when I log in. I suspect that my husband would have to create an online account for himself and then it would magically appear, as mine did.

OMG, I am laughing (at myself!). You are right in pointing out that this white space is not in fact across the hall from me. Thanks for the visual. (At least I probably was right about it being a crew stairway.)

Agree with everything that has been said about how different Hawaii is from the Caribbean. I am not a beach lover and that also makes Hawaii much more appealing to me because of the much wider variety in terrain and things to do. The more pleasant Hawaiian climate also makes for more enjoyable land-based activities. Now, with that said, I do always wonder if there are major differences between Hawaii and Tahiti. Can anyone make that comparison? I have been to Southeast Asia and found the heat oppressive in that part of the world. (Yes, I am aware that Tahiti is NOT in Southeast Asia.)

Thanks so much. Our cruise is only 10 days so my question is moot.

I have mine but, after several phone calls, have been unable to find out my husband's Captains Club number. His cruise history is identical to mine so he must have one. Is there a more specific phone number that I might call to get this information? Thanks!

We have only sailed Celebrity once before but apparently have some status due to past cruises on Royal. I was going to pre-purchase a bag of laundry on the website but noticed that "Selects" are entitles to a discounted price on that. My question(s) are: How much is the discounted price, and, if I go ahead and pay for a bag of laundry now will the discounted amount be charged automatically? Thanks in advance for any info.

We booked late and the pickings were slim so I took Cabin 13169 on the Viva. Does anyone know what the white space is directly across the hall from this cabin? I am a bit concerned that it might be a crew staircase since it lines up with white space on other decks. Now that we're past final payment I'm wondering if more cabins have opened up and I should call our PCP about alternatives. Availability still looks tight on the website. TIA.

Agree. We just got off the Mardi Gras today and it was the second elegant night.

We are taking the same cruise in May. One of the things I liked about it is that the ports are very doable on your own. I don't see much need for guided tours on this itinerary. Check out a few guidebooks and decide what interests you. I would agree with the information posted already. There is also good information in the Rick Steve's travel forums as well as whatsinportdotcom.