Who Cares?

Does all the Serenity decks have an adult only pool? Last year cruised on the Freedom and LOVED the pool in Serenity area. In March we are cruising on the Dream. Does anyone know if the Dream also has a Serenity pool?

Conquest class has an adult pool at the back of the ship but that is not the Serenity area (though it is serene without kids there). As far as I know there are only hot tubs in the Serenity area with the exception of the Sunshine (though I don't really consider that part of the Serenity area as it is next to the main pool).

You were lucky. Bringing a bottle into the dining room, already open or not, can result in corkage fees being charged.

Actually, more often than not, you will not be charged a corkage fee in the MDR (but don't be surprised if they do as they are supposed to). On the other hand, have been charged a corkage fee every time I've brought one to the steakhouse.

Hi everyone, we just booked a cruise for spring break from Charleston SC.

Wondering if spring break cruises are usually more crowded than usual?

We have sailed carnival before but never on the Ecstasy, how is the kids club? The food? Is the serenity area really full most of the time?

The serenity area on the pride was my favorite place on the ship!!!

Compared to the pride, how much bigger or smaller is the ship?

Also what is parking like at the pier, pricewise?

Sorry for all the questions, and thanks for any info you guys can give me. :)

All ships usually sail full but on shorter cruises and spring break cruises there will be a higher ratio of college age kids and drinkers.

Have never used the kids club so can't answer that one.

Food is has always been good in my experiences.

Ecstasy is slightly smaller at about 75,000 tons versus the Pride at about 88,000 tons. Serenity at at the back of the ship and has a hot tub there as well.

Haven't parked at Charleston before but at other locations it's between $15 and $20 per night of the cruise.

He seems "high ranked" to us as customers, but is not within the organization. One of my parents works for Carnival in a corporate capacity. John is a contract employee that the Carnival customers seem to like, but is certainly not top brass.

 

As far as the OP being able to visit another ship, I'm sure (as others said) this is a security issue.

And yet all the rule breakers point to JH saying it's okay to justify breaking the rules set up by Carnival. it cracks me up! :D

We sail Carnival mainly when "the younger generation" goes with us because they truly like the activities that are geared to them. Otherwise we tend to choose other Cruiselines when our group is "adult".

 

Personally I would rather limit my number of cruises, even on Carnival, and choose more expensive options: balcony rooms, money for the steak house, money for food and drink extras, more exotic shore excursions, longer cruises, interesting departure ports where we can extend our vacation.

 

Does Carnival pull you in because of its price points? And are the number of cruises more enjoyable than a cruise where you can "frill up" your vacation?

I'm the complete opposite. I much prefer to book cheaper cabins on a less expensive cruise line and spend more days at sea. I don't need "frills".

Yes, you can drop off your luggage. Actually, you will probably be able to check in, drop off your carry ons in your room, each lunch, then go explore the city. We have done this many time. Usually in our room by 1 to 130 :)

Sweet! This was just the answer I was looking for! I was just searching thru this thread because I have read numerous times that boarding doesn't start till later on this cruise. In your experience, when do they usually start general boarding? We will probably arrive at the terminal between 11:30-12:00pm.

 

Thanks so much!

The answer above is only true if you have FTTF or are Platinum or Diamond. otherwise, you are breaking the rules as you are not allowed to drop off luggage in your cabin until the cabin is ready.

Nope, no exceptions which is a good rule. Once one class of people think they are special and that the rules shouldn't apply to them, others start expecting the same.

Some might not consider this more restrictive, but I did. The Platinum drink coupon must be used at a sea day brunch. The Gold coupon must be used on the last day, but can be used at any time that day and in any bar. Does anyone else feel this way? I know, don't look a gift horse in the mouth, but it just seemed kind of bassackwards.

Two different animals. The Platinum drink coupon at brunch used to be given to Gold as well but then was replaced by a bottle of water (which the Plats get as well). The Gold drink coupon on the last day replaced the loss of the Gold/Plat/Diamond party which is now just Plat/Diamond.

The OBC has nothing to do with Early Saver. The OBC could have been part of a special or given by a TA or a host of other reasons. Upgrading to a balcony means you might lose the OBC (based on the reason it was originally granted). You will need to call Carnival or your TA and ask them specifically if you would lose the OBC if you upgrade to a balcony prior to asking/paying for an upgrade.

While respondents here have said their past cruise was safe, none of them can know how your cruise will turn out. Indeed, they couldn't have known this tragedy was about to happen.

 

Some of the passengers on the ill fated Ecstasy cruise have said there were several elevators acting up and in need of repairs, it wasn't just the one.

 

Many CC cruisers advise not going on a cruise just before or after a dry dock refurbishment.

 

I stopped going on these older ships about 10 years ago. I understand your desire for a low cost cruise, but maybe another ship?

Same accident could happen on a newer ship as well. As you stated, no one will ever know ahead of time what will happen on their cruise but 99.999% of the cruisers out there will never have anything to worry about.

On the Sunshine back in March they didn't have any 2 man bands on the Lido. I'll have to wait until my upcoming Valor cruise this March to see if it's changed.

Yes, they charge you immediately. Nice thing though is you will have a smaller final bill when you leave the ship.

If you have OBC you may want to wait until boarding to book unless it is a tour that routinely is fully booked prior to boarding (such as the horseback ride on HMC). That way you can use your OBC to pay for it.

Most of my cruises it's been around 1330 but it will vary based on port and ship.

I'd give an arm and a leg to spend 14 consecutive nights on a cruise ship again. I did it over the summer on an NCL ship of similar size and had a blast. If you can afford the time and cost, go for it! :)

Ecstasy is a wonderful ship. I think you will have a grand time.

So Carnival Corp announced today new ship orders from Fincantieri for 4 ships, one for Princess, one for P&O Australia, and two for Costa Asia. This is in addition to the order last summer announced for 4 ships, two going to Costa and two going to Aida (someone fact check that, only going by memory). So it looks like that means for Carnival Cruise Line, the only new ships between now and 2022 will be of course Vista and possiby her sister ship due for delivery in 2018. I say possibly because I find it very curious that absolutely no details seem to be coming forth on here. I wouldn't be a bit surprised to see her join the Miracle and Splendor in China. Anyone else have any information that I have missed? I am getting very frustrated that Carnival is simply letting its ships continue to age without seeming to care.

Armchair quarterbacking. :rolleyes:

Some times switching to a different browser can help.

This is true. IE is a piece of crap. I've been using Google Chrome for several years and it runs faster with fewer hang ups than any other browser I've ever used.

I have had no issues whatsoever with the website. Have you tried calling? I wouldn't waste 2 HOURS on a website when a 10 minute call would suffice.

With the ES rate the price may go below what you would have received in OBC so there is still hope.

FYI Miami is the most expensive for parking at $20 per night.

: Did you ever think that this woman was recovering from cancer? Maybe she wasn't but I have a cousin in IOWA that is a cancer survivor & her hair never grew back after her surgery.

There always has to be one in the crowd who wants to rain on everyone's parade. :rolleyes:

Carnival stopped being "fun and active" years ago. Other cruise lines have added activities for the active families. Try looking at Royal Carribean. On the Freedom Class ships and bigger you will find it tough getting bored. You can rediscover cruising on other lines like many have!!!

I just came off the RCCL Independence of the Seas last month. EXACT same things done on Carnival are done on RCCL. Don't kid yourself on RCCL being better......they are almost exactly the same (except pricing for the most part).

You could call in an ask. Just don't get upset if they say no. A lot will depend on how full the ship is booked.

I don't cruise to increase my heart rate. No thanks to the running track. Dancing yes, anytime. Walking the ship is enough or me.

I concur. I cruise to relax, not do aerobics and such.

I would pick port as well. Also, due to the ports we usually leave from (Miami and Ft Lauderdale), most of the action is on the port side for sail away.