Carnival Venezia April 15 2024

[delacruz]

I started my packing process about a month ago - just pulling things from my closet that I knew I'd be taking. Although we're not worrying about the limitations of luggage while flying, we want to be able to handle everything on our own when coming in on the Amtrak, so I've been trying to lighten the load a bit to be realistic that I can wear the same outfit multiple times (and putting laundry/dry cleaning in the budget) and I always seem to have at least a couple of things that come home unworn. But I have my priorities - like room for our masks for the first elegant night, purple temp hair color for 80's night....lol! I even found WHITE water shoe sneakers, so that covers me for White Night AND the pool/beaches!

 

Like some of you - work always seems to get crazy busy before a vacation - for me, trying to get as many work- related loose ends finished so I can relax. So, I will try to pack everything but the clothes that will wrinkle until the last minute.

 

With all the horror stories we hear about luggage not making it to the ship Paul and I have started splitting our clothes between our 2 suitcases. It takes some organizing to make sure that we pack 'equally', so one dressy outfit in each bag - to where we could make do if a bag went missing, but I guess it's like taking an umbrella - insurance that it won't rain...lol!

 

 

[kermie1963]

What are the size limitations for suitcases?

[delacruz]

27 minutes ago, kermie1963 said:

What are the size limitations for suitcases?

I'm not a Carnival regular, but I found this on Carnival's website. For myself, I'm not concerned that I'll overdo any regulations, but I want to be able to handle my own luggage during our travels.

 

A reminder to keep all your documents, medications, important stuff, maybe a change of clothing, etc, in your carry-on. And if you're bringing on water, soda, or wine, that goes in carry-on. 

 

[ETski]

Countdown to begin. Staring to lay out clothing in our spare room. Trying not to over back as we are taking the bus. If it's a nice day we walk to the port. We do get some free laundry but I don't like sending my clothes out. My husband does send out T shirts and shorts. 

We will see the people doing the Cooking,Coffee and Casa on Tuesday at 3:300 at the Atrium bar. Anyone can join us sort of and unofficial meet and greet.

[KaiBlue]

19 hours ago, ETski said:

Countdown to begin. Staring to lay out clothing in our spare room. Trying not to over back as we are taking the bus. If it's a nice day we walk to the port. We do get some free laundry but I don't like sending my clothes out. My husband does send out T shirts and shorts. 

We will see the people doing the Cooking,Coffee and Casa on Tuesday at 3:300 at the Atrium bar. Anyone can join us sort of and unofficial meet and greet.

We hope to be able to walk to the port as well.  It's about .8 of a mile so doable as long as it doesn't downpour!  We get free laundry as well and I'm going to take full advantage of it and hope to pack in just 2 carry-ons and 2 backpacks. We shall see. Shoes and toiletries are always the issue:(  I started laying out clothes last weekend so need to start the squishing process to see how much I can fit in!  We will see you at the Atrium bar on Tuesday!

[tweety33]

To those going on the Amber cove carnival tour we are signed up for, is anyone a tad nervous about going despite all going on in Haiti? We are considering cancelling that tour, will make a final decision next week. I also read they have armed guards with machine guns on the tour busses, this was from last year.  If the tours are that dangerous to be on before all this, I'm just unsure. I want to go though😏.

 

We have everything ready to go in the suitcases next week. Can't wait, looking forward to the cruise and meeting you all.

 

DonnaMarie- Im looking forward to getting the beautiful magnet, I ordered on the other site.

 

 Can't believe we have a potential storm for next week.  Fingers crossed for perfect flying weather in a couple weeks. Safe travels to all. 

[KaiBlue]

@tweety33We have decided to stay with the tour.  From all that I have read, the DR has long had a strong border due to the troubles in Haiti and the need to control the flow of people wanting to come across.  They have stepped up their border patrols since all of this recent violence has erupted. I have a friend who recently attended a wedding in the DR and she said you would have never known anything was amiss. We have traveled to parts of Mexico where we have had to pass through check points manned with people with assault rifles.  While unnerving to see, I was glad they were there.   We will have a local guide on this tour which also gives me comfort. It is a very personal decision - if I was too anxious to enjoy the excursion then I wouldn't be going because what would be the point?  I've made that call on several occasions when my kids were little  - fearful of trying to watch them in what seemed like a less-than-safe area so we just didn't leave the port area.  We still had fun so I'm sure you will make the most of whatever you decide!!

[delacruz]

For all you seasoned and loyal Carnival cruisers, you probably already knew to check in a couple of days ago. For the rest of us Carnival 'newbies', the time is today! (Sorry I forgot to come here yesterday to post the heads up). Being late for everything (unless it's cruise related), I still managed to stay up to midnight and complete the check-in process. I got the time I wanted - 11-11:30am.

 

It took longer than I expected - the page hung up a couple of times, but 1/2 hr later I saw some were already seeing the earliest time offered as 12:30.

 

So, 2 weeks from today, we will have plenty of time for a leisurely breakfast (at the Tick Tock Diner in the New Yorker Hotel that we're staying at), check out, and grab a taxi. 

 

Edited April 1 by delacruz

[nycfa]

I stayed up as well and got 11-11:30.  I couldn’t get the OB account set up cause it wouldn’t take my CC number but tried again this morning on my phone and was successful. Yay!  Two weeks…..

 

 

[FineArtsMama]

Same arrival time, ladies! Maybe we won't have to wait until the first sea day to meet - we'll all be in the same line! 😊 For now, it's off to work I go. Have a wonderful day!

[delacruz]

1 hour ago, FineArtsMama said:

Same arrival time, ladies! Maybe we won't have to wait until the first sea day to meet - we'll all be in the same line! 😊 For now, it's off to work I go. Have a wonderful day!

 

The next 2 weeks at work are going to be the hardest! Especially since we just had a 3 day weekend, and the last day of work for me will be crazy busy since I'll be covering for a co-worker who's off that day.

 

When you said maybe we'll meet in line I thought about doing something like wearing beads, but it will probably be a zoo in the terminal, so the chances of that might be slim. 

 

Although hubby is not a t-shirt wearing kind of guy, for his retirement I got him some t-shirts, and I think he'll wear the royal blue one with a white anchor saying 'Cruising through life one port at a time'. I decided that even though we also aren't 'matchy' kind of people that I needed the same. So that's what we'll be wearing, and if you can see our avatar pic, that's us 'old folks'...lol - so come say hi!

[KaiBlue]

We got the 10am slot as we could check in 2 days prior, but there is no way we will be on board anytime remotely close to that if recent embarkation stories are to be believed.  I read of one person with a 10am arrival but they didn't get on board until 1pm (note to self - eat a decent breakfast!).

[FineArtsMama]

11 hours ago, delacruz said:

 

The next 2 weeks at work are going to be the hardest! Especially since we just had a 3 day weekend, and the last day of work for me will be crazy busy since I'll be covering for a co-worker who's off that day.

 

When you said maybe we'll meet in line I thought about doing something like wearing beads, but it will probably be a zoo in the terminal, so the chances of that might be slim. 

 

Although hubby is not a t-shirt wearing kind of guy, for his retirement I got him some t-shirts, and I think he'll wear the royal blue one with a white anchor saying 'Cruising through life one port at a time'. I decided that even though we also aren't 'matchy' kind of people that I needed the same. So that's what we'll be wearing, and if you can see our avatar pic, that's us 'old folks'...lol - so come say hi!

Oh, my goodness, Judi, I feel this so hard! 😂 I covered for a coworker all last week and for a different one today, and I have SO much work to accomplish before we leave. I’ll be thinking of you!

 

My husband and I wore matching t-shirts for the first time last spring! Not sure yet what we’ll be wearing on the 15th, but I’ll give you a heads up when we figure it out, haha!

[delacruz]

 

YAY!

 

Well, the only one who ever called me Judith was my mother when I did something wrong...lol!

 

2 weeks from now we'll be on our last sea day before our first port in St Thomas.

 

For those joining us for the Dominican Culture excursion and meeting up at the informal get together at the Atrium Bar on Tues 4/16 @ 3:30pm (or anyone who wants to come say hi!), do you want to share your room numbers in case anyone can't make it or wants to touch base before that? Or names, whether you're celebrating anything, etc? 

 

Paul and I are in cabin 7501. As we mentioned, we splurged on a Terrazza Premium Vista Balcony since we are celebrating so many milestones - Paul's retirement, his 70th bday, and our 18th anniversary. 

 

If you aren't comfortable posting it here but want to share info, if you'd like you can send me a message from my cruise website (I'm not selling or promoting anything on it, so I think it's OK to post it). contact delacruzzer

 

[Donnamarieisme]

Hi all. Just wondering if there is a meet and greet set up for this cruise and if so where and when?  Thanks, look forward to this cruise. 

[Donnamarieisme]

On 3/13/2024 at 9:58 PM, delacruz said:

All 3 pages are on one website, FB. CC frowns on mentioning it, but it is the largest social media platform. Once there, if you search for ' Carnival Venezia April 15' you should see the 3 pages that were created by different fellow cruisers. It bothers me that there are 3 groups, mostly with the same Members, which is much harder to keep up with. I like how on Cruise Critic if multiple boards are created for the same cruise they get merged. I still prefer chatting here. We've had excellent luck meeting people pre-cruise that have turned into lifetime friends. 

 

 

I agree. Having 3 groups on social media for the same cruise makes zero sense. 

[Donnamarieisme]

On 3/11/2024 at 12:34 PM, delacruz said:

Hi Donnamarieisme!

 

We're almost at a month out!

 

I haven't seen anything about a meet & greet, although I also am new to Carnival (except for one in 2009). The vast majority of my 25+ cruises have been on Royal Caribbean, and they stopped the official Meet & Mingles after Covid, and I don't think they've reinstated them. In the past I had organized some M&M, especially on cruises under 7 days where RC didn't do them, but being so new to Carnival, and especially wanting to spend time exploring a brand new (to me) ship, and the Terrazza area (we splurged on a premium cabin since we're celebrating my hubby's retirement, birthday, and our anniversary all in one).

 

There are 3 different pages for our sailing on another major social media platform. Don't ask me why - I've never seen that before where at least they didn't try to merge to make just one. Too confusing. Between the 3, there are about a dozen events planned, one being a Meet & Greet on Monday 4/15 3pm at the Rococo Bar on deck 10. From there they plan to head to the sailaway party. I would like to do that but am keeping my schedule fluid depending on what we're feeling like at the time. I DO plan to be at the sailaway party though I might have to fight hubby on that. The sailaway at the Terrazza deck looks like it will be lovely, but I think I have to dance for sailaway, so I'll be wherever that is. 

 

I sometimes think of myself as a little old white-haired lady, but I take soul line dancing classes, and when I pretend I don't have 2 left feet I think I'm pretty good at it...lol!

 

We're doing a small informal M&G (previously mentioned) for the handful of us that booked the Dominican Culture (cooking, coffee & casa typica) from Amber Cove so we'll start that excursion out feeling part of a group.  

Thank you for the information.. The Terrazza deck looks amazing.. Enjoy!

[KaiBlue]

19 hours ago, delacruz said:

For those joining us for the Dominican Culture excursion and meeting up at the informal get together at the Atrium Bar on Tues 4/16 @ 3:30pm (or anyone who wants to come say hi!), do you want to share your room numbers in case anyone can't make it or wants to touch base before that? Or names, whether you're celebrating anything, etc? 

 

@delacruz  I think we are also on the 7th floor (haven't committed this to memory yet!) in a balcony but not the terrazza area (couldn't justify the extra expense so you will have to let us know if it was worth it or not!).  We are Trina & Steve and we booked this cruise about 1.5 years ago and can't believe it is finally here!  Not celebrating anything other than our  daughter is getting married this summer so this will be a nice break from all of the wedding planning and of course getting away from our jobs for 2 weeks. I think this will be our 19th cruise overall (with Carnival now being the most, followed by RC).  Carnival has been having some good deals since the restart and we really enjoy the fun vibe on their ships.  But we've never had a bad cruise so we kind of just pick the cruise typically based upon ports/time of year with the exception of a few that we went on just to experience a line's mega ship.   Very much looking forward to seeing this ship as it looks so different than anything we've ever been on.  We also like to dance (we aren't good at it but we do it anyway!) but might be skipping the sailaway this time because I want to experience the NYC skyline/statue of liberty.  This weekend I have got to finish packing!! A job that I love:)

[Donnamarieisme]

Location suggestions needed please. I will be meeting people to hand out Magnets to those who have committed to meet with me for pick up.  Because  I have never been on this ship I dont know of a good place to pick as a meeting spot.. Im looking for somewhere that I can sit at a table and that people can find me at with no problem. What do you all suggest?  Thank you 

Edited April 5 by Donnamarieisme

[tweety33]

On 4/5/2024 at 2:40 PM, Donnamarieisme said:

Location suggestions needed please. I will be meeting people to hand out Magnets to those who have committed to meet with me for pick up.  Because  I have never been on this ship I dont know of a good place to pick as a meeting spot.. Im looking for somewhere that I can sit at a table and that people can find me at with no problem. What do you all suggest?  Thank you 

I haven't been on the ship before, but in a video I watched a while ago, there was an area with tables, not congested with people, I'd have to look back to see deck # etc. but it was up above the lido deck, you can look down on the pool, I think there was also games on one side like ping pong etc, and lots of seats on the other side, some with tables. Just a thought.

[sunshine002]

On 4/5/2024 at 2:40 PM, Donnamarieisme said:

Location suggestions needed please. I will be meeting people to hand out Magnets to those who have committed to meet with me for pick up.  Because  I have never been on this ship I dont know of a good place to pick as a meeting spot.. Im looking for somewhere that I can sit at a table and that people can find me at with no problem. What do you all suggest?  Thank you 

Hi, I have been on this ship 3 times.  There are a few places that would work.  One is the Heroes Bar which is also where they show the sports on TV.  Its on deck 4 and never gets very crowed.  Also midship on deck 5, right next to the Frizzante bar/ there seating area with tables.

[tright]

On 1/1/2024 at 10:35 AM, delacruz said:

Happy New Year to all!

 

Reminder to our fellow cruisers that our final payments are due in a couple of weeks.

 

We are now paid in full and also paid off the drink package, wifi, 2 excursions, 3 specialty restaurants, and gratuities. That makes it more 'real' to me somehow!

 

I don't remember if I had mentioned it before that we used Carnival gift cards from AARP to pay every bit of this. They have $100 and $500 gift cards that cost $90 and $450 respectively, so our entire cruise, including all extras, was 10% off! There is no age requirement to join AARP, and it's only $16/year, although they usually run a special on the first year of membership - right now it's only $12. (caveat that their rewards page has been down for purchases for a few days for maintenance - but will be back up 1/3)

 

No, I don't work for them, and I'm not a paid advertiser...lol. It's just an amazing idea that most other cruise lines don't offer - for some of them you can only use it for the initial deposit or for on board credit.

 

 

Do you book through AARP?  Can you explain how this works

[delacruz]

15 hours ago, tright said:

Do you book through AARP?  Can you explain how this works

I did not book the cruise through AARP (although I think you still can - I did it once but wasn't happy that I didn't have a specific agent to work with and got conflicting info times I had to call).

 

These are Carnival gift cards, and although available elsewhere (with varying discounts), I buy them on AARP's website. As I said, you don't need to be any specific age to join AARP, and the cards are at a 10% discount. They're available with $100 or $500 gift value, so they cost $90 and $450. They can be purchased under the 'REDEEM' section of the website. Once purchased, you receive an email with the card number and the PIN. When purchasing anything on Carnival's website, the default tab is 'Credit Card' but there's also a 'Gift Card' (or something to that effect) tab. That's what I have used to pay for almost every single aspect of this cruise. I believe you can also print them out and enter the info into a Kiosk on the ship, and probably Guest Services, to apply to your onboard account. A caveat that it seems Carnival is the only cruiseline that allows you to use the card for EVERYTHING. I just booked a short Celebrity cruise for the fall, and although I haven't tested it yet, it appears I can use the discounted cards to pay for the balance of the cruise - but not the down payment, taxes and port charges, gratuities, or purchases. 

[tweety33]

We canceled our Dominican Republic tour yesterday. We still plan to try & stop by and say Hi & meet you guys at the atrium bar 3:30 0n Tuesday. Then I hope to run into you all again after DR to hear all about the tour.

We are ready to sail. Haven't decided what we want to do in NY though, the day before cruise other then walk around, maybe check out central park.

[happycruiser220]

On 3/27/2024 at 6:42 AM, KaiBlue said:

We hope to be able to walk to the port as well.  It's about .8 of a mile so doable as long as it doesn't downpour!  We get free laundry as well and I'm going to take full advantage of it and hope to pack in just 2 carry-ons and 2 backpacks. We shall see. Shoes and toiletries are always the issue:(  I started laying out clothes last weekend so need to start the squishing process to see how much I can fit in!  We will see you at the Atrium bar on Tuesday!

Weather will be in the 70s Monday afternoon.