SkyMaster

We cruise a lot, and have cruised for many years, on most of the lines. Right now, if it's not Carnival, then our first choice will most likely be Princess, and if I've got the money, Celebrity. RCCL is just too expensive, and their ships are mostly too big for me. I feel like I'm paying for lots of "stuff" that I don't enjoy aboard Royal. ie: wave runner, zip line, etc. I used to enjoy NCL, but one of my favorite things when cruising is the dining room, so I prefer the assigned dinner table, and time. BYE NCL. :*

"SKY"

We sailed "Valor" a couple of months ago, and nearly FROZE in all the public rooms. Cabin was a very nice, cool temperature for sleeping. I'd say,,,take a light jacket, or sweater for evenings inside. ;p

I just booked Park N Cruise - excellent reviews on Yelp. I have only parked at the port in the past but really want to save some $$ this time around.

Good decision IMO. As noted, I've used Park n Cruise over, and over again, and never had a long wait or any other problem with their service. More often than not, there is one, and sometimes two shuttles waiting at the curb upon return from the cruise.

"SkyMaster"

I've used "Park Cruise" at Port Canaveral for many years, and never had a problem. It's close, offers excellent service, and it too, is $5.95 per day.

I enjoyed it. Made folks talk to each other, and meet each other. FUN, IMO.

I rarely leave the ship anymore on Caribbean cruises, and ALWAYS have a fantastic time. (Ship is the destination for me, so I could care less what ports we visit.) I enjoy the lack of lines, for everything, the availability of lounge chairs near the pools, the GREAT food with no wait, and of course, the activities with the cruise staff. I've actually gone to trivia, and been the only one there, so they just handed me the SOS with a big smile. TOTAL RELAXATION!

What does a bit of rain have to do with having a GREAT time aboard the ship? No problem,,,,and it probably will rain for a few minutes in the port, then clear up anyway. Go aboard, and have FUN, and RELAX!

We sailed NCL many, many times, but stopped when they went to all "Your Time" dining. Having said that, the lovely, and talented Mrs. Jones sailed "Epic" trans Atlantic last year, and absolutely HATED it! Dark, dark ship, with less than good food offered. Strange shaped cabins, with weird layout of toilet/shower. Decent entertainment, when you could get in to see it. All in all,,,,we won't be sailing NCL again anytime in the near future.

I pretty much do the same thing on my own, as well. If I owe $1000, and have 5 months till final payment is due, I simply pay $200 every month. No problem.....

I too, have sailed "Paradise" many times, and have always had a blast aboard. Never any smells that I noticed, Excellent crew, outstanding food in the dining room, and always lots of fun aboard. I almost always book aft cabins, and usually on Emerald deck. Great location IMO.

I've sailed in 4K cabins quite a lot, and although it's nice to get a little view between the boats, it's not necessary for an enjoyable cruise. For me, the fresh air, sunlight, and smell of the seas makes the 4K a winner, with, or without the view. Enjoy your 4K cabin. ;p

skymaster---I believe NCL Freestyle Cruising is like Carnival's My Time Dining, and if so, what is wrong with that? We found the Freestyle philosophy on NCL much preferable to the set dining times that restrict and tie you to a certain time of dining every night. We found it extremely enjoyable, and less stressful. No need to rush back to room to get ready if you wanted to do something late afternoon or early evening. I found it very freeing!!

 

 

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You're exactly correct. NCL did indeed, go to all Freestyle Dining, and YES, I used to sail NCL a lot, and have not sailed that line since the change. It's simply a matter of taste. I personally, prefer the same table, wait staff, and dining companions each evening, and that's one of the things I personally, look forward to. Just a matter of preferences.

Say hi to Captain Carnival for me!

I'll do that for sure. Why don't you book, and come along? We'll have FUN, FUN, FUN!

Under the circumstances, I doubt that you'll have any luck getting a change of cabin. Having said that, it can't hurt to call 'em up and explain why you'd like to swap cabins. The worst that can happen is that you have to stay where you are. (I've had cabins near the elevators in the past, and they aren't bad. The only noise I've experienced in that area, is the people talking loudly while waiting for the elevator, but no mechanical noise from the elevators themselves.) Good luck, and keep us advised.

If Carnival goes to ALL "Your Time Dining", that will be the end for me. If ALL lines did that, I'd stop cruising altogether.

I'm sailing "Paradise" again on May 13th, so I'm anxious to read more of your thoughts. Thanks for posting, and I'm sorry to hear about your trouble boarding. I've found that more often than not at the Port of Tampa,,,it's practically a "walk on", with very little, if any, wait at all.

Yes,,,,but it's most likely NOT guaranteed. I'd suggest that you check the time, and place when the Maitre'd will be available on embarkation day, (usually in the forward dining room, starting around 1 P.M., but check with the guest services desk, or even the daily planner), and see what you're already assigned. (Might be table for 4). If not, simply ask if a table for the four of you is available, and if so, I'm sure you'll be assigned it. Good luck, and have a GREAT cruise.

I've had the pleasure of sailing with Jen a number of times, and I too, have always enjoyed her. She does, indeed, go above, and beyond to make your cruise a GREAT one. THANKS JEN, for all you do.

Also, everything that shouldnt "show" is well taped in. Dancers use a special costume tape that holds very well. Never seen a malfunction!

 

The only "malfunction" I've ever witnessed on the stage, was a MALE dancer, who actually lost his pants, and had NOTHING on underneath. That happened at the edge of the stage, and he very quickly covered up, and departed the scene. I sit front/center more often than not, and a great majority of the audience never saw it. Those who did, however, and all the rest of the dancers went ballistic with laughter. GREAT show! LOL

Yep,,,I think I posted this before, but I found a power strip, with short cable, and no surge protection at Wal-Mart for 98 cents! Works perfectly for the ships, and meets their request for no surge protection. Also, very easy on the pocket book. LOL

"SKY"

Darn! I would come off with a $20 loss

 

 

Yep,,,,you've got to figure all the angles, and see what works the best for you. Sometimes it's better just to wait and see what happens, rather than lose an OBC. I too, have had it happen both ways. :cool:

 

"SKY"

I pretty much agree with Richfret. Bring back the LIVE MUSICIANS. and TURN DOWN THE VOLUME! Many of the shows include lots of music that us old timers, (Yes, many of the current cruisers on Carnival are OLD TIMERS) haven't heard before, and can't identify with. The flashing lights in the shows are REAL distractions, and the costumes on the singers/dancers leave lots to be desired. In other words,,,,bring back the old shows with two or three production singers, ten or twelve dancers, and a ten piece LIVE band.

I recently found, and bought a power strip, with a short cord, and no surge protection at Wal Mart for 98 cents! Bought two of 'em,,,one for the lovely, and talented Mrs. Jones, and one for me. How can you beat that?

If you just let him be a "no show", you should get his port charges credited to your sign-n-sail account. :D

I've been watching prices, and availability on "Paradise", for a quick, last minute deal, and noted this morning that the prices took a LEAP last night. GEE, I hate when that happens. Guess I'll keep watching, and maybe they'll go the other direction one of these days. LOL

"SKY"