I don't mind the change. I can't think of much that costs less today, except for maybe going out of business sales.
The changes do accomplish one thing - the packages are that much father removed from being "just a drink package". There is value beyond alcohol - there was before, anyway.
I don't consider the midship pool to be the main pool on Venezia. It is the aft pool. That is where the DJ and sailaway parties were.
As for stairs, I don't recall thinking there was a lack of them and think I walked from the highest deck to the basement.
If you never clean a refillable bottle, you will eventually find things growing in and on it.
Obviously some cruisers don't practice good basic hygiene or there wouldn't be as many or as severe of outbreaks and passengers wouldn't have to be reminded to practice good basic hygiene. Over and over.
These days it is hard to find a garden hose that is rated for potable water. Makes you wonder what they are making them with.
As contagious as Noro is, if you prevent one case you have likely prevented many more. Noro virus on cruise ships in 2023 is already at a 10 year high.
https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/11/health/norovirus-outbreaks-cruise-ships-wellness/index.html
How many lab studies have been done on filling water bottles? Passengers were not allowed to get their own drinks on one of my cruises earlier this year. They had to be served. and forget water bottles.
Save receipts and ask Guest Relations for reimbursement. With thousands of cruisers to deal with, and very little time, it is not surprising that everything didn't run smoothly. A little surprising that anything worked at all.
I had not heard that so looked it up. It isn't related to their loyalty program though.
https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/news/2023-press-releases/news-07242023-AARP-onboard-credit.html
Every little bit helps.
Nope, but Princess does count sea days OR number of cruises. 15 cruises of any length on Princess will put at their highest level. If cruising solo, you get double credit. Full suites get more. Their loyalty program should really be the model for all Carnival brands.
I received a number of those notices since cruising restarted. Carnival would need the correct email, of course, and perhaps you need to check spam settings.
and of course, there are paper menus on display outside of the MDR as backup.
Odd that some think their phone security really protects them. Even VPNs can be hacked.
The staff is far better at personal hygiene than the cruisers. Why do you think whenever there is a Noro outbreak, one of the first steps taken is to not allow cruisers to serve themselves?