Mysto

Just found out that the Sun Princess Nov 9 cruise is actually two cruises. A 7 day and a 14 day BTB. Normally that wouldn't be an issue but the first 7 days is a themed cruise and many cruisers will be going for the theme but it is not of interest to the 14 day BTB cruisers.

Is there a way to have 2 different roll calls. One for the 7 day themed cruise and another for the 14 day BTB?

Thanks Roger, we will be coming from Orlando...Disney..so we don't need accommodations. Maybe I will try to find an answer on the Tampa site or ask the question.

We live in Sun City Center and we used to off park at Premier but had a bad experience last time so we are trying the parking doctors. Fingers crossed.:rolleyes:

We always meet at the aft pool bar by Pizza Pirate. It's simple, easy, and plenty of space. Then people can get a drink, pizza etc.

 

If you're looking for a lounge, then you'll have to arrange that ahead of time with Carnival as sometimes they are closed or reserved for other groups.

Thanks - used lounge for bar. This sounds like what I am looking for. We are a small group of unchartered on a charter cruise so we are making this up as we go along.:D

You would have much better chance of good information by posting this on the Carnival forum. Here's a link:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=&f=215

Thanks - you're right. I have moved this to that forum.

All the rest - thanks for your input.

Hi all

I am in charge of an informal M&G on an upcoming cruise on the Carnival Conquest. I have never been on this ship nor has anyone on the M&G. I am looking for suggestions for the best lounge to hold the M&G. This would not be thru Carnival but on our own early afternoon - first sea day. Group size - around 30 - if everyone shows up. Thanks for looking.

Hi all

I am in charge of an informal M&G on an upcoming cruise on the Carnival Conquest. I have never been on this ship nor has anyone on the M&G. I am looking for suggestions for the best lounge to hold the M&G. This would not be thru Carnival but on our own early afternoon - first sea day. Group size - around 30 - if everyone shows up. Thanks for looking.

I would say that adult males should generally wear pants and a collared shirt. Women's dress is a lot more flexible. A nice top and pants, or a sundress. Kids can get away with anything... my kids wore T-shirt and shorts even to the Tropicana.

 

I have also seen men wearing T-shirts and gym shorts or swimsuits in the main dining room, and they weren't turned away, even though they are supposed to be "dress shorts".

 

In short (ha!), it seems to me that there is no dress code at all, only "suggestions".

I have seen people turned away from the MDR for wearing shorts. This Jan on the Dawn.

With all of you past sailors on the Sun - I have a question. We like to sail out of Tampa and we like smaller ships so we are going from the Dawn to the new NCL in Tampa the Sun. My question is - we have an inside over the casino.

Noise? Smoke? I have heard it both ways. Anybody?

Remember - it's not just how early or late you book but when you sail. The best deals for carribean cruises are usually late November - Early December. Also usually the best last minute deals then as well but YMMV.

It's all a matter of demand. I'm on an Easter Cruise this year and they were not filling it so had to drop prices big time - but I'm also on another cruise and the prices keep going up. So many factors are involved - many we can't control like bad press at the time - weather changes - economy - To be sure book ahead - to gamble book late.:D

The Pearl thread posted (12:00) today as they were getting on board that they would go to Costa Maya instead of Roatan.

The Jewel thread for 4-13 has posted (3:20) they would be going to Roatan with beefed up security next week.

Neither is from NCL directly but that is the current info based on CC postings.

I always get a kick out of the older crowd - younger crowd discussion.

I have found with the 3 - Carnival - NCL - RCCL it depends. When did you sail - from where - to where. Carnival is the "party ship" Oh yea! Sail the first week in December out of Tampa. NCL or RCCL is an older crowd. I'm sailing out of Tampa on NCL on Easter - I can guaranty plenty of families.

HAL, I think, is an older crowd because they cater to that crowd. Disney is more of a family crowd because they cater to that crowd. But of the three above I find them about the same based on when/where. Which do I prefer?

The one with the best price/value at the time.:rolleyes: I find things I like better about each of them based on my personal likes/dislikes. We adjust and enjoy what is best about the Line/Ship.

For the poster - Try NCL - unless there is something you are wedded to on RCCL I think you'll have a great time. Then you'll have one more choice when deciding.

For those that were concerned - apparently the employment agency in the Philippines is working on repatriation.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/356095/pinoyabroad/news/dfa-confirms-death-of-pinoy-seaman-in-honduras

Knowing how much many of us love this area and being concerned for passenger and crew safety, NCL has,I understand, bought an island off the coast of Belize. This "new" private island will allow the cruise line to control security while passengers enjoy this lovely part of the western Caribbean. I suspect that this "new" port will replace 1 or more of the current port calls in the area. Not sure whether this has been officially announced yet.

 

Meanwhile, and more importantly, our prayers and thoughts should focus on Jacob, his family, friends and fellow crew members.

I'm wondering if this is the future of cruising. Private ports and private islands. Sad it is going this way -but I don't have a solution. From world travel to theme park manufactured.

I thought the casinos had to be closed when they are in port? :confused:

 

We personally have had nothing but awesome experiences in Roatan and it has been my favorite place to visit. We have always been treated wonderful and the islanders have always been so nice and accommodating. It really saddens me to know that we may never get to visit this beautiful island (and especially not have a chance to return to some of our favorite areas: Maya Key, Little French Key, and West Bay). But safety comes first.

 

However, I do feel that NCL did the right thing in pulling the ship out of Roatan. BUT, if it's only for a week, what is that really going to teach them there? Does anyone really think a "week" (what's confirmed at this point) is going to do anything? I mean in reality, it's no different than skipping the port due to weather during a normal cruise day. I'm sure Roatan has had to deal with this many times before. I don't think that skipping this port for a week is going to teach anyone a lesson to tighten things up and get things under control. It will take much more than that to have any results. :(

The number was what they make by skipping a port.

I'll leave others to discuss the whys - causes and cures. Good luck to you all.:rolleyes:

NCL had a death of an NCL crew member from a current NCL ship in Roatan two days ago. It is fresh on the current cruisers minds. The NCL CEO had to be perceived as "doing something about it". What else could he do in a couple of days. He cancelled the port. I would too. Not because of safety but because I'm sure the majority of the passengers expected something and this was really the only choice in this short time frame. I'm sailing on the Dawn in less than two weeks and we'll see what happens then.

Finally

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=5817

Just curious at how this amount is derived? An 8 hour port stop would mean if staying on the ship they would be making $400 off of me. Just do not see this for myself or the average passenger.

 

Rochelle

The you is the passenger you. This number was given to me by an owner of a port excursion based on beverage sales, casino revenues, photos, specialty dining etc. The number may be a little high but probably close. 50K/2000 passengers=$25 an hour or $200 for a day.

I also am very concerned about how long NCL will not be visiting the island. And if other cruise companies are going to follow.

 

The hard working honest Islanders are going to be greatly effected by the loss of revenue.

 

 

This in no way takes away from the tragedy of the crew member's murder. It is a horrible thing indeed.

One of our cruisers on the Dawn May 22 stop called NCL last night and was told the only official skip was this week. They have yet to determine future visits to the port. My guess is we will have to wait until at least the end of this week to see NCLs next move. On the one hand NCL doesn't want to eliminate ports stops OTOH they make about 50k for every hour you are on the ship and not at port.

We are value cruisers (cheap):D so here are our rules to avoid large groups of family cruisers.

Time of year (best for us is late Nov early Dec - less families and better prices)

Length of cruise (Families usually go on shorter cruises so we go on longer ones - repos are especially good plus they tend to attract veteran cruisers)

Ports of departure - We go to ports that have a large senior population close. (Example -we were on a Carnival Western Cruise from Tampa in early Dec - mostly older folks - stopped at Cozumel and the bars were hopping until the other Carnival ship from New Orleans left - It was mainly full of families and young 20 somethings.) BTW this shows that even the "Fun ships" can have older crowds if you follow these rules.

For the record - we have nothing against kids - families - 20 somethings -we just don't always want to vacation with a large groups of them.(But the bar at Cozumel was a lot more fun with the New Orleans Crowd :D)

From there on we pick lines that serve our needs best - in our case we prefer to find less expensive options as we like cruise cheap - cruise twice.:rolleyes: YMMV