EmJakeBubbie

Thanks f/info. Guess we'll budget the $15/nt.  Convenient to have your own car at the pier. 

sighing, w/apologies.  I have zero idea of how I ended up on this page, but clearly, I thought I was talking Crown & Anchor (RCI).  Maybe you got a few lol's out of my ramblings.  We are X Elite, but this time, sailing on HARMONY, so will go find that Roll Call (which I somehow thought this was - geesh!). 

May all y'all enjoy the Seas always and all ways. 

without reading all the threads, anybody know cost of parking at TAMPA pier?  Any tips we should for 1st time Tampa  Embarkation?

As of 11 July 2019, 8 guests have signed up for the Royal Caribbean Cruise Critic Meet & Mingle for the Harmony Of The Seas sailing on 22-Dec-2019.

 

go to Meet & Mingle link to sign up for the Party.  Need 25 in order to qualify for the party.

anybody know IF Park Cafe is open on embarkation day?  don't remember that menu

No guarantee you'll sneak the couple in, but guessing "maybe" if you act like you know what you are doing, lol.  I prefer the buffet for variety, but seating does gets tight.  Hey, all y'all in Simpsonville....

Isn't that an $85pp option? I'll wait my turn for FREE. Everybody gets on before lines cast off. We priority on/off with RCI & Celebrity. Much to do about nothing. Get there early to avoid rush? We are looking forward to this sailing, hoping it exceeds expectations. Service is alleged to be Excellent.

angeleyez915 - thanks for the feedback. 5 yrs is alot of time on ships that turn over hundreds + pax, wkly. I don't understand why Cruise Critics don't post about this ship? Maybe it's an older crowd that aren't on Cruise Critic? Or maybe Carnival doesn't do a good enough job? Maybe it's Charleston port? Wish Savannah would develop leisure cruise ship sailings. Thank you.

I returned 9/16 from the Eastern Caribbean. A review I made twice was not reported but I will repeat it because it includes an answer to your question:

In summary - depends on if you run into a hurricane which the ship will do all it can to avoid. My review:

I had an 86th birthday during this cruise I took solo. Although I met many other people, older folks have more difficulty enjoying the entertainment currently offered and finding companionship. For my birthday, Guest Services recognized it with Champagne, box of candy, a note, spa gift, and waiters singing at my dinner table.

I took the 8 day cruise to the Caribbean on 9/8 so there would not be so many ankle biters aboard as they should have been in school.

Each port had other ships and the streets were full of people. I took no excursions, didn't drink, enjoyed the Serenity Deck at aft of the ship and took a nap each afternoon after a good lunch and got to bed by 9:30 each night.

The highlight of each day was dinner, 6:00 PM with table of 10 who were a delightful group.

The Carnival Survey that I received upon return took almost an hour to fill out. Among the negatives which was the only part I saved, I wrote:

 

'My car was parked on the tarmac. I had paid parking at $20/day. On a previous cruise it

was parked inside a building and I thought it would be this trip. Due to the heat initially with windows left partially down, the hurricane and anticipated storm surge, I worried about the car a lot.

I purchased the Value Plan for WiFi, internet, and mail. It would not work. Guest Services worked with my computer and iPhone twice and even raised my plan to Premium but it still would not work so I did get a refund of the $80 charge. The Carnival Hub app worked well.

My Sign and Sail card would not open my stateroom door and I had to get a replacement card which involved a very long line still carrying my lighter suitcase.

The display case for the plaques awarded the ship were sitting on top of the American Flag using it as a mat. I did get one of their officers to correct that and show more respect for our flag.

In filling the lavatory in my bathroom with water, the water was quite dark. They need to find the source of the discoloration and correct it. The hot water was more muddy than the cool.

I initially sprayed my entire cabin with Lysol and took great care to use the germ killer drops outside the restaurants. However, by the evening of the 15th my throat started burning and turned white. The "bug" later caused excessive nose running and is still in my chest although I went to my doctor upon return and am taking two strong medicines.

The wind from my cabin's air input vent was far too strong and blowing in my face the first night. I then got my Steward to turn it down but it was shut off completely so the next day I had to get it corrected again. We finally got it adjusted.

My muster station was on deck 9 and my cabin on deck 4. In case of an emergency we were not to use the elevators. At age 86 I don't think I could run up five flights of stairs to my muster station.

The initial Veteran's meeting to encourage discourse between Vets, upon entering we were asked how many in our party. I said one and was seated at a table by myself. I saw several other tables of one. I complained about it, that it did not encourage discussion and it was corrected the second day. Another Vet and I stood up the second day, introduced ourselves to the group of about 50-75 Vets, and talked a little about our experiences. I mentioned the 16 members of our Fighter Squadrons off Korea that we lost 66 years ago. Others talked of their losses.

While waiting to debark and planning to roll my own bags to my car, the instructions said to wait in my cabin until my deck was displayed on TV and deck 4 would have been last. The anticipated time for my use of the elevator was later than the time we were required to get out of our cabins so what were we supposed to do? Stand in line for up to 30 minutes? Go to a higher deck and try to get on one of the forward elevators? I did the latter and did get off the ship prior to my scheduled time of about 8:30 or when the forward elevators became available.

I sailed with Carnival many years ago but they lost the records of when I sailed and I could not remember the details so I didn't receive credit for previous sailings.

There was something loose outside Cabin R-119 that periodically banged somewhere around the windows disturbing sleep. Also, the windows need to be taken apart and cleaned as the inside of the double panes are dirty.

When you first embark, they need more attendants at Guest Services as passengers have many problems at that time and the line becomes excessive.

At one port, the ship and crew had muster drills with the ship's emergency whistles blowing. I did not see or hear any announcement about this and was wondering if it was a real emergency - however, due to being hard of hearing I may have missed it.

I have never seen a crew that worked as hard as on this ship. At every station, none just sat. They were polishing, cleaning, or working everywhere all the time and were always friendly.

The Captain did a fine job preventing pitching and tossing and rolling of the ship. However, when he spoke, he could not speak English well but the Cruise Director always repeated his statements over the speakers.

I hope this helps. The ship has an outstanding crew and they are doing their best to make the ship and cruise enjoyable.

I would sail again on the Ecstasy but never solo again. Too difficult to find companionship.

Thanks for letting me make these critiques.

Very good Review. Thank you for sharing. I am not encouraged ECSTASY will be all I hope for and more, but anxious to give it a try. Older ships can have plumbing, A/C issues. Taking an Inside cabin, hoping not to be disappointed. Charleston on sails ECSTASY, so no choice here. Not sure Why that is?

thanks, Dance momma. We are planning to park at ship. Maybe someone will comment on that? good to know you didn't have any problems. Also, hoping some recent cruisers might make some comments. Not used to so little Roll Call activity on any ship.

ECSTASY cruisers: new to Carnival & to Charleston. Any parking tips? good signage of where we should drive? drop off bags, then park? No interest on our Roll Call and can't figure out why? What's with the ship not having heat in the cabins? was this a one time thing, or do we need to bring hoodies? Thanks for any suggestions. Figures crossed we don't have plumbing problems or A/C - heat issues. :rolleyes:

New to Carnival. Their Loyalty Program doesn't inspire me. As VIP cruisers, what can you share w/me. Just moved to a Carnival "home port" area, so see Carnival cruises in my future. TIA

Sorta new to Carnival. What is a Ship on a Stick?

Any cruisers registered for this 7nt ECSTASY cruise out of Charleston, SC?

Celebrity drinks hours used to be 4-6p! There was an outcry when they changed it to 5-7p. Still far too early for us to be washed and dressed. Then what do you do between 7 and dinner? I far prefer RCI's hours.

I believe that X only do '3 drinks on the card' if there are 500 Elites or more on the cruise.

 

Hope you are both keeping well!! It has been a long time!!!

Happy to see YOU posting. Much to "catch up".

I still have the same e-address if you care to drop a line.

Happy Easter!

No pain, just not the same. X does best w/Wifi, but imho, RCI does better perks. Wish X would let us us do drinks in bars instead of going to the designated lounge.

Prefer how RCI operates their Loyalty Program. I prefer the RCI breakfast & cocktail hours in the dedicated Lounge. Celebrity falls short of the RCI loyalty experience. (RCI "owns" Celebrity). I like the free photo from RCI (X doesn't match perk). What IS preferred is how Celebrity perks the Wifi credit. Your minutes can be used throughout the course of the cruise; whereas, RCI, clocks your minutes from point of activation. Two very different cruise experiences. Losing perks never fun, but still prefer the Celebrity experience.

No

One bag free, and the bags are small.

Money off - can’t remember how much- other laundry

1 free dry clean item

Cocktail party with small drinks and crowded room.

Helaine

30 items = 1 bag (can use 2 bags)

D+ on RCI. equates to Elite on Celebrity. Sailed REFLECTION, 11nts, Concierge Class - perks: 5 xtra credits, ntly. Fresh flowers, upgraded Everything in Cabin. Lovely. Elite perks included: Wine Tasting, Senior Officers Party, Backstage Tour, Elegant Tea, Private Departure Lounge. Complimentary Laundry was extensive, including 30 items Wash, Dry, Fold, one time. Some Bingo, also Casino perks. Internet pkg: 90 minutes per person, during entire cruise. Better than the "hours" from RCI (imho). No free photos, but one free Scoop of Gelato. Looking forward to EQUINOX. (howdy to Merion_Mom)

cruised ANTHEM, 3x, w/o reservations. showed up for dining, PRIOR to 6pm, and never turned away.

as stated, jacket required for GRANDE, but have seen the jacket worn w/jeans and sneakers. ugh.... why bother, imho.....

 

imho, WJ consistently served an appealing evening offering - just have to find your own table and "go fetch".

 

Theater is more strict - they do "card" to see if you have rez - depending on your RCI loyalty status, you may or not get seated prior to the last 15 minutes.

 

ANTHEM is pure luxury, in the affordable price range, imho.

 

May you enjoy the seas always and all ways.

Prices are ridiculous:eek: considering to stay further away from ft Lauderdale, driving in maybe an hr or two. Just can't justify pricey stay for 1 nt. Any ideas on that thought? I just don't know the area at all.....

Thanks, clarea. Link was very good. Now, to find out Where the HARMONY will dock.

Great lodging suggestions, everyone. I really need to get something reserved.:)

I have the same question; however, we are driving down from north east. Need info on port-parking. Hoping for a reasonable price for our 1nt pre-cruise.

Alaska is the most expensive cruise we've ever sailed, but we keep booking it. :rolleyes: Love the land/sea pkgs and worth every penny. We sail high season because that is when the weather is best. Otherwise, less pricey in May, September - weather mostly not accommodating - rain/fog can prevent seeing all that Alaska has to offer.

imho, save up, sail high season, go with a land/sea pkg. Might cost $10,000 with air, etc., but will make you memories to last the rest of your life.

And, if you do get there, pay the money to do the Skagway Rail Experience. Have done it RT by Train; also, train up, bus back. Both experiences were great. One time, we rented a car and rode up to Emerald Lake - WOW!!! Hard to advise which way to go.

Don't compare the Caribbean prices to Alaska. No comparison in the experience.

 

Enjoy the seas always and all ways.

poor Gigi :mad: Would like a picture of that