jsglow

For a 5 nighter, I'm a big Sunrise fan out of Miami. Better get to it pronto. Few cabins remain.

I think what actually happened @kwokpotis that the gamblers ran out of $$! 🫣

No doubt they are already successfully marketing 'ultra long' cruises, typically associated with dry docks or repos. I'm thinking of the trans Pacs to shuttle Luminosa between Alaska and Australia, the Panorama Singapore dry dock, and several Cadiz trans Atl drydocks. Personally what I'd really like to see is a South American circumnavigation but Carnival never goes that way for a 'work related' reason. I do think ongoing Middle East conflict may weigh heavily in any decisions. Those rerouting logistics had to be a nightmare this winter for the '24 world cruises.

Look, on a going forward basis, 7 day Carnival cruises are likely not getting any farther than Grand Turk or Amber Cove. Throw in a Celebration Key stop and HMC after the pier gets built and they control 100% of your spend. Plus they save gas. There's huge demand for that kind of product, especially on these extra fancy new builds. Doesn't interest me in the slightest but that's where the mass markets are going.

Well it's certainly a different type of cruising @bg2310 and not for everyone but we have found our multi-week European experiences to be fantastic. Personally, our cruise preference is to see new and different places. Judging from the success Carnival has had over there these past 3 seasons I'm guessing they think there is a market for this. Certainly RCCL does.

Here's a linked article. We likely wouldn't consider the whole thing but I bet we'd consider a particularly interesting segment or two. I suspect this wouldn't be before '25 or '26 as folks can't do that on a whim. But at least they're seemingly floating a test balloon. https://www.cruisehive.com/carnival-cruise-line-hints-at-possible-world-cruise/129053 What say you?

Back in the day, I believe all their San Juan departures were 10p. As you said, they could practically drift over to St. Thomas by morning. Plus it afforded folks to fly in that day quite reasonably if they chose. AND it meant passing by the fort when it was all light up at night. Man I miss sailing from San Juan.

Yeah, while I'd personally be a fan, I don't think a Spirit sized ship is ever going to be in the works for Carnival. HAL? Different story.

Yep. In fact my PVP once 'yelled' at me (we're actual friends) saying 'that's what I'm here for'.

Whatever. I have more important issues in my life. Have a nice day.

No, it was an inartfully chosen phrase; not a 'lie'. 🙄

So here's what I'm remembering. Boarding began as normal about 11a if memory serves. But unlike in Miami (or any other American port for that matter), there isn't a crush of people at the outset. Rather, they trickle in throughout the day. We took the train down in the morning, had coffee and pastries at the local shop in town, then walked to the port bus loading area and went to the ship. We were surprised NOT to find a big crowd as one normally would here in the US. There were people, sure, but not the masses early in the boarding process. I'm thinking that our train might have left Rome at 8:30a and arrived in Civitavecchia around 9:30a. Further details are sketchy for me as this was in '22. Also understand that because most folks board mid afternoon or later, Carnival MAY have simply pushed the start into the afternoon so I can't comment on the most recent procedure from the '23 season.

Yes, it is free. As to open every day, certainly sea days.... no clue on port days but guessing perhaps not.

Awesome. I think I need to tune in. So much more fun than dock runners in Cozumel.

Welcome @JPALJ. You'll have a Final Boarding time printed on your Boarding Pass when you check-in 2 weeks before the cruise. That time is a HARD deadline. The doors to the terminal will be thereafter locked and will not re-open. Think of it like the airline door closing. Miss it and you won't cruise. I'm guessing that will be about an hour (maybe 90 minutes?) prior to the scheduled departure time. Others who like arriving late will know better. Most folks will already be onboard if you arrive at the terminal by 1:30pm, I'd guess. And as mentioned, by 2pm porters are no longer available. Don't push it. If your underlying question is more about flight delays and folks are arriving from numerous places across the country, please do fly the night before and pay the price for a modest hotel. In contrast, don't let anyone in your group consider some form of connecting flight the morning of the cruise that lands at MIA or FLL at noon thinking they have time! I promise, someone in your large group will be delayed and left on the pier. As to disembarkation. you likely be off the ship by 9a, even with checked luggage. By 10a the last of the passengers will be politely told to leave.