sunonfire Posted January 6, 2023 #1 Share Posted January 6, 2023 https://www.cruisehive.com/carnival-cruise-line-to-bring-back-popular-onboard-tour/92005 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mz-s Posted January 6, 2023 #2 Share Posted January 6, 2023 I did the tour several years ago on Ecstasy and enjoyed it. Don't desire to do it again really but did enjoy it and do recommend it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweak89 Posted January 6, 2023 #3 Share Posted January 6, 2023 (edited) We've done it on each new ship class we sail and it's always a fun experience. We'll jump on it for the Vista if it's available for out Feb. 4th sailing. Edited January 6, 2023 by tweak89 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nybumpkin Posted January 6, 2023 #4 Share Posted January 6, 2023 We've done it twice - Conquest in 2010 and Horizon in 2018. We loved both tours, but I don't think I'd do it twice on the same class of ship. It was worth going on Horizon because she is that much different from Conquest. The engine control room alone is worth the price of admission - but then, DH and I are boat geeks and oldest son has been Chief Engineer on a Navy ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare EngIceDave Posted January 7, 2023 #5 Share Posted January 7, 2023 I'd love to do it, I'm a geek 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pellaz Posted January 8, 2023 #6 Share Posted January 8, 2023 (edited) On 1/6/2023 at 4:13 PM, tweak89 said: We've done it on each new ship class we sail and it's always a fun experience. We'll jump on it for the Vista if it's available for out Feb. 4th sailing. Oh, you definitely want to do that. I can confirm what was said below: On 1/6/2023 at 6:10 PM, nybumpkin said: We've done it twice - Conquest in 2010 and Horizon in 2018. We loved both tours, but I don't think I'd do it twice on the same class of ship. It was worth going on Horizon because she is that much different from Conquest. The engine control room alone is worth the price of admission - but then, DH and I are boat geeks and oldest son has been Chief Engineer on a Navy ship. Absolutely this! The Engineering Control Room looks like a starship's bridge on the Vista-class. Looking forward to October and our cruise on Horizon so I can behold that again! I've done the BTF tour on every Carnival sailing I've done except the post-COVID ones, so about 9 times. I've learned something new, or seen something new, on every last one of them. You never know what you'll get: Group photo by the ship's bell? Yep, once or twice. Get to see into the Captain's cabin? Yep, once (very quietly as we tiptoed past). Captain's private dining room (like a wardroom on a naval ship): yep, once. Actually step into a 2-person crew cabin and look around? Yep, once (they happened to have one open). Spend wayyy too much time in Engineering Control because Chief Engineer Testa was enjoying our questions so much? Yep. (We were perilously late getting to the Bridge.) It's not for everyone, and it is a lot of walking, but for anyone who wants to see "behind the curtain," it's well worth it. Edited January 8, 2023 by Pellaz Edited number of times Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justafem Posted January 8, 2023 #7 Share Posted January 8, 2023 We did it on a princess ship. Cost was much higher ($200 per person), but we needed another suitcase for the swag. Interesting, but I doubt if I'd do it again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victory2020 Posted January 9, 2023 #8 Share Posted January 9, 2023 What about galley walk in /food storage areas? My DH is a refrigeration technician & would love to see more than they offer on the "galley" tours Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweak89 Posted January 9, 2023 #9 Share Posted January 9, 2023 50 minutes ago, victory2020 said: What about galley walk in /food storage areas? My DH is a refrigeration technician & would love to see more than they offer on the "galley" tours Unless they have changed something you see it all. We walked into the areas where all the drinks are stored, saw the cold storage areas, the crazy huge washer/dryers in the laundry area. You see pretty much all the support areas of the ship. It's really cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Out of Iowa Posted January 9, 2023 #10 Share Posted January 9, 2023 (edited) Tour participants must be wearing shorts or pants. I learned the hard way that a dress/skirt is not allowed. Women/Scots, pack accordingly. Edited January 9, 2023 by Out of Iowa clarify 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Georgia Peach 4 Posted January 9, 2023 #11 Share Posted January 9, 2023 Where do you find information to sign up for this? Can you register prior to sailing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare shof515 Posted January 9, 2023 #12 Share Posted January 9, 2023 15 minutes ago, Georgia Peach 4 said: Where do you find information to sign up for this? Can you register prior to sailing? only can be purchased onboard the ship by going to the shore excursion desk 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunexpress Posted January 9, 2023 #13 Share Posted January 9, 2023 12 minutes ago, shof515 said: only can be purchased onboard the ship by going to the shore excursion desk This is what we did, on the Conquest a few years ago. I am not sure about the process now, as I don't think then it was an advertised tour/excursion that showed up on the excursion list. Go to the excursion desk once onboard and ask about it -They only take a small number ( usually less than 20). Sometimes they will not know exactly the day/time the tour will occur, but should write down your information and get back with you asap. I think we paid 75.00 a person. The tour took about 3 hours, and you have to wear closed toe shoes - they will not let you attend with sandals/flip flops. We did walk down a few steeper staircases also. we really enjoyed it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCmommy Posted January 9, 2023 #14 Share Posted January 9, 2023 Is the tour offered on sea days or only while the ship is docked? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarnivalShips480 Posted January 9, 2023 #15 Share Posted January 9, 2023 (edited) 4 minutes ago, RCmommy said: Is the tour offered on sea days or only while the ship is docked? Last sea day only (one time in the cruise) Edited January 9, 2023 by CarnivalShips480 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCmommy Posted January 9, 2023 #16 Share Posted January 9, 2023 10 minutes ago, CarnivalShips480 said: Last sea day only (one time in the cruise) Thank you. I have always wanted to do this tour. I will go to the desk once we are onboard. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jb58 Posted January 9, 2023 #17 Share Posted January 9, 2023 I know my adult daughter would love this. She has mobility issues. Basically had a stroke before she was born. She has a left side weakness and not always sure footed. Do you think that this would be too much for her? Would they even allow her to go? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Tom-n-Cheryl Posted January 9, 2023 #18 Share Posted January 9, 2023 Interesting - might give that a go on the Mardi Gras next month. For some reason, I thought that used to be an included Diamond perk (am I losing my mind?). Perhaps it was, but was discontinued as the ranks of Diamond guests swelled. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShakyBeef Posted January 9, 2023 #19 Share Posted January 9, 2023 1 minute ago, jb58 said: I know my adult daughter would love this. She has mobility issues. Basically had a stroke before she was born. She has a left side weakness and not always sure footed. Do you think that this would be too much for her? Would they even allow her to go? I'm sorry, but I don't think the tour would work for her. But only you and she could judge this for certain. A lot of walking is involved, and sometimes some fairly steep stair cases that are metal mesh tread type. You could ask at Guest Services or Shore Excursions once onboard for details of what's involved on your specific ship. Good luck!🙂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FTLCruiseGal Posted January 9, 2023 #20 Share Posted January 9, 2023 3 minutes ago, jb58 said: I know my adult daughter would love this. She has mobility issues. Basically had a stroke before she was born. She has a left side weakness and not always sure footed. Do you think that this would be too much for her? Would they even allow her to go? There are a lot of stairs on the tour. If she is good with stairs, it should not be a problem. It’s been a while, so I cannot recall if some of the stairs are a tight fit where she might have a bit of trouble. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victory2020 Posted January 9, 2023 #21 Share Posted January 9, 2023 3 hours ago, Out of Iowa said: Tour participants must be wearing shorts or pants. I learned the hard way that a dress/skirt is not allowed. Women/Scots, pack accordingly. OK, I must ask why, I usually wear dresses Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShakyBeef Posted January 9, 2023 #22 Share Posted January 9, 2023 (edited) 7 minutes ago, victory2020 said: OK, I must ask why, I usually wear dresses Open mesh staircases, I'm guessing. Skirt look-up possibilities? ETA: I also almost exclusively wear dresses and skirts and had to make sure I packed pants and closed-toed flat-soled shoes for this tour. Edited January 9, 2023 by ShakyBeef Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pellaz Posted January 10, 2023 #23 Share Posted January 10, 2023 14 hours ago, sunexpress said: This is what we did, on the Conquest a few years ago. I am not sure about the process now, as I don't think then it was an advertised tour/excursion that showed up on the excursion list. Go to the excursion desk once onboard and ask about it -They only take a small number ( usually less than 20). Sometimes they will not know exactly the day/time the tour will occur, but should write down your information and get back with you asap. It is virtually always on the last sea-day, and always around 9 am. If it were early in the cruise you wouldn't be able to tour, e.g., the soda and beer cold-room because...it would be FULL of soda and beer. 🙂 14 hours ago, sunexpress said: I think we paid 75.00 a person. The tour took about 3 hours, and you have to wear closed toe shoes - they will not let you attend with sandals/flip flops. We did walk down a few steeper staircases also. we really enjoyed it. Also, no cellphones or cameras are allowed. Security will "wand" you before you start, and a security officer will "shadow" the group on the tour, for obvious reasons. Booking the BtF Tour is one reason why I have always tried to get FTTF, because the tour almost always sells out...sometimes very quickly. 12 hours ago, FTLCruiseGal said: There are a lot of stairs on the tour. If she is good with stairs, it should not be a problem. It’s been a while, so I cannot recall if some of the stairs are a tight fit where she might have a bit of trouble. On the newer ships, the crew-area staircases have been almost the same "pitch" as the guest-area stairs, and are fairly wide. They are utilitarian in design and appearance but not overly hazardous. However, on the Fantasy-class there WAS one "staircase" that was basically a ladder -- very steep. (I think it was from Deck A down to Deck B...it's been 11 years. 🙂 ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Tom-n-Cheryl Posted January 10, 2023 #24 Share Posted January 10, 2023 2 hours ago, Pellaz said: ... However, on the Fantasy-class there WAS one "staircase" that was basically a ladder -- very steep. (I think it was from Deck A down to Deck B...it's been 11 years. 🙂 ) Yes - I recall that one. Not as exciting as climbing the ladder into a C-5 Galaxy (w/rucksack) but flashback "fun" nonetheless! Oh the memories! Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunexpress Posted January 10, 2023 #25 Share Posted January 10, 2023 4 hours ago, Pellaz said: It is virtually always on the last sea-day, and always around 9 am. If it were early in the cruise you wouldn't be able to tour, e.g., the soda and beer cold-room because...it would be FULL of soda and beer. 🙂 Also, no cellphones or cameras are allowed. Security will "wand" you before you start, and a security officer will "shadow" the group on the tour, for obvious reasons. Booking the BtF Tour is one reason why I have always tried to get FTTF, because the tour almost always sells out...sometimes very quickly. On the newer ships, the crew-area staircases have been almost the same "pitch" as the guest-area stairs, and are fairly wide. They are utilitarian in design and appearance but not overly hazardous. However, on the Fantasy-class there WAS one "staircase" that was basically a ladder -- very steep. (I think it was from Deck A down to Deck B...it's been 11 years. 🙂 ) Thanks 🙂 It has been awhile since I have done it, so my memory may be sketchy lol - I do remember when I signed up they couldn't tell me at that time when it would occur, maybe it was just the person working at the excursion desk at the time - he said they would contact me -but makes sense it is on a sea day. And I do remember no cell phones/cameras now - if we went to the restroom during the tour, we had to get scanned by the wand again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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