BlerkOne

I've cruised South America a few times and dining times were never shifted later. Last time there were many nationalities represented.

Yes. The Sound of Silence.

Not as much as you, but pretty much every cruise. I guess we are too busy enjoying the food and conversation to notice distractions.

Never notice.

SMH

Carnival has handed out so many casino deals that pickings are slim. If you don't like Carnival casino offers, try Disney offers.

Not this older American crowd. But there are what, 6 time zones across the US? That's a lot of different hours. They must think everyone lives on the East coast.

I see a change in our future.

Complimentary tea choices are limited, but you can bring your own. The Brits I know think Americans are lightweights when it comes to drinking.

I hope not.

Passenger Vessel Services Act of 1886 - confusing people for 137 years +/- and growing.

https://www.carnivalcorp.com/news-releases/news-release-details/carnival-cruise-line-introduces-carnival-jubilees-senior

A number of cruise lines mistakenly still refer to the law as the Jones Act. Princess is not alone.

It very much factors into the break even calculation and whether there is value to either package to an individual.

and also caters to gamblers. I would have thought we both know Carnival's target market are novice cruisers who tend to spend more. In my experience, the people I see most vocal at Guest Services removing tips tend not to be cruise virgins. Carnival's price point is low, but the Fun Factor is high and has something for everyone. As cruisers mature, they may decide a different cruise line better suits whatever their needs are.

Love Hotel Gaudi. Last time I arranged for van transportation to the port for us and an abundance of luggage. Had a Mercedes Van and the driver was prompt and loaded all the bags. All paid for in advance. Good communication from the company. Not the cheapest - 57 euros - but hassle free. I'll probably use them next year again. https://www.welcomepickups.com/

or Why single them out? Cruising is optional. Some things aren't.

Real wages are outpacing inflation. The stock market will take off - if you snooze you lose. Carnival has had targeted discounts for some time. Bookings and occupancy and onboard spend continue to increase.

Both are generally available, but even if you decline the Free at Sea, you are still paying for it. You just escape paying the service charges. NCL doesn't offer price protection fares like Carnival does, and neither does Princess. This is one of the reasons NCL holds prices higher until after final payment and then it is too late for those who already booked.

The market has driven a lot of businesses under. as has lack of employees. It is true demand for air travel is lessening, but that is normal as we are approaching the end of summer. The leisure traveler makes up the bulk of passengers; the business traveler is still the cash cow.

Cartagena does. So do Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao.

I still maintain that, on average, Carnival cruisers will drink more alcohol than Princess cruisers. That alone explains Carnival's alcohol package costing more on Princess. But we have already seen one increase in the cost of the Princess packages and I wouldn't be surprised to see more. Princess Platinum and above get a 50% discount on WiFi, so there's that. It seems like more people threaten to pulls tips on Princess, so that is one reason for Princess to bundle them into packages where they can't be removed. As I've said before, Carnival Corp offers a number of different cruise lines, with something for everyone. Choice is good.

Something isn't right there. Curacao is a distant foreign port, but I don't think that matters. The Panama Canal cruise has to have a distant foreign port or that cruise wouldn't be legal.

Airlines have had to cough up record amounts of money to keep pilots from striking. Prices will only keep trending up despite an occasional hiccup. The UPS settlement is going to drive the cost of many goods and services up. Business travelers account for the vast majority of airline profits and they are still going to travel. Carnival doesn't bundle because they don't want to. Not because of competition, but to avoid competing more with a sister cruise line. Carnival offers choice - most people don't want to be forced to buy a drink package. I doubt there will be mass cancellations, but if so, those with the most ships on order (not Carnival) will be in a downward spiral.