gcbranscome

1 hour ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Not going to be able to revamp her much with a sailing right before and right after the one missing on the 15th.  It's a potential charter

Yeah, maybe that's what it is but I was told it was getting revamp starting February 2025, so I was guessing because I didn't know how long that would take.

Hi...I think the Allure is getting revamped around that time.

On 12/3/2023 at 9:18 AM, The Collector said:

I was around $250 for 4 adults, for about 5 hours.

Thats a great price! Were you able to go in the St.Peter’s Basilica or was that not included?

On 12/2/2023 at 7:13 PM, Ashland said:

We've done their private tour before and loved it. Just us and the driver/guide....but once at the Vatican we booked a private guide for this venue....RomeInLimo organized everything.

Great…I’m actually thinking about booking with RomeInLimo. If we do, will they wait if we get tickets for the Vatican or will they book all this stuff for us?

5 hours ago, The Collector said:

We took the Rome in a golfcart tour and really enjoyed it. Our driver asked us where we wanted to go and planned our ride around our list. He also added a few hidden gems. We booked through Viator

This sounds great! If you don’t mind, how much was this excursion? 

Hi! We just booked a Western Mediterranean cruise out of Barcelona for June 2025.  I have cruised before but never booked so far in advance.  How far out before a cruise does Royal allow you to book excursions?  Which excursions would you recommend for Rome?  Thank you!

6 hours ago, RobInMN said:

No. Post dry-dock, she has a 4 night on April 11th, and a 5 night on April 15th, then an missing 7 days before starting the Western Mediterranean itinerary on April 27th. 

 

 

Ok good!! Thank you!

On 11/10/2023 at 7:25 PM, RobInMN said:

It's already been confirmed that Allure is going to be amplified early in 2025.

 

This is the Amplification.

 

This thread was just updated 2 days ago:

 

And tidbits in multiple posts in this thread.

 

If they do the amplification in the spring of 2025, should I be worried about our cruise out of Barcelona on June 1, 2025?

On 11/10/2023 at 4:51 PM, bigque said:

I just booked a Western Med cruise on Allure for 2025. Has anyone heard of and when Allure is going to go In for Amplification??

I literally just booked a Western Med cruise on the Allure in June 2025.  I haven't heard anything about an amplification, but I sure it doesn't effect the summer of 2025!

Hi! I’m a 1st time Carnival cruiser and my family is divided into 2 cabins. 3 of us are in an Ocean Suite with priority boarding and the others are in an interior. Can those that are in the interior cabin, get on with us, in the ocean suite since we’ll have an early priority check in time or will we have to split up? Thanks!

9 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

I think there's a misunderstanding - you can't book the shows until you are on board -your check in DATE doesn't affect that in any way. If you are talking about check in TIME at the terminal, yes, that may affect when you get on board and may slightly delay your ability to book shows, but very unlikely you can't get in the shows you want.

Yes, those of us that cannot check in until April 14th will get the late check in times, therefore effecting when we can book shows. Hopefully, they won't be sailing at full capacity and this won't be a problem. I'm just going to call. Thank you.

34 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

You probably don't - what you see as the promised check in date online, may not be the real date. Check in date won't affect your ability to book shows.

I was reading posts from people we are sailing with and we were discussing why we have different dates.  Some of us have April 13th & some the 14th for our May 29th cruise.  As of now, I think it will effect reserving spots for shows considering you can't book until you get on the ship.  All those who have the earlier date will reserve all the early times and will have the ability to book shows first.  I've seen people complaining about shows being sold out when they went to reserve shows. I'm hoping it's just a glitch. I'll have to call.  I was just hoping someone already beat me to it and had the answer. Thanks!

Hi! I was wondering if anyone knows why there are 2 different check in dates for cruises on the Oasis.  I wouldn't care, but considering you can't book shows until you are on board, things like the comedy shows might be sold out for those of us who are scheduled for the 2nd day. Any idea why we don't have all the same day? TIA!

On 10/11/2021 at 8:53 PM, cruisegus said:

with the lousy time they are now offering no dinner till 6:45 or later

These times are exactly why I called RC back and reserved the early time for traditional dining. 

On 4/10/2021 at 5:19 PM, Tapi said:

I’d pick Mardi Gras for the better itinerary and the “new ship” factor. But I do feel that Royal provides an overall better cruise experience than Carnival. 
 

With that said, we’ve done the Oasis class (on the Allure). It is something that must be tried at least once. These ships are truly like nothing out there. They have the biggest “wow” factor I’ve ever experienced on any cruise ship. There’s SO much to do onboard, that the itinerary comes in a distant second place. There was so much to do that we actually had to cut back on what we wanted to do because, simply stated, we didn’t have enough time. 
 

About Nassau: It’s true, it’s not the best port, but there’s still a lot to do and many ways to get away from the tourist trap crap. A lot of the negative reviews that you may read reflects “port fatigue” from seasoned cruisers who are more annoyed at the countless times they’ve been there than anything else.

 

With a little bit of research you can have an awesome day in Nassau. Last time we were there, we spent the day on a private boat that we reserved just for our family. The captain took us snorkeling, to a secluded spot where we swam surrounded by huge turtles, and then he took us to a secluded beach with pristine, white sand where there wasn’t a sign of civilization in sight. Truly an amazing day. 

Thanks for you help! We have decided to go on the Oasis! 

On 4/10/2021 at 6:45 AM, KmomChicago said:

 So here is my take on destinations on a cruise. First off, if you specifically have a desire to visit some particular port, fine, great, NOW you have a decision point that you can work around. 

 

Without that specific desire to visit one particular place, I don't really feel like any ports are all that much better or worse than others. Nassau is not a port I love, and yet I have been there several times - there is an unfortunate gauntlet of "greetings" as you get off the ship, a lot of aggressive vendors trying to force their wares upon you. But once you get past that, we have enjoyed the shopping, the Pirate and Pompey museums, and Port Charlotte - all on our own.  There are paid shore excursions at just about any port and they might be required in the future anyway, precluding the ability to just walk around places you might not enjoy.

 

There are almost always beach options, as well as things like bus tours, boat tours of varying types, and active things like kayaking, cycling, ATVs, jet ski rentals, ziplines, etc. If you are planning to do these kinds of activities, the line will provide very similar options at each port and it won't really matter where you are doing them. 

 

Another option that I always enjoy is: staying on the ship. The morning of a port day is glorious on a huge vessel with most other passengers onshore. Finally you can get that lounger in the Solarium/adults only pool deck which will be nearly empty. For free.  All the same sunny warm weather you wanted, without paying extra for sand in your swimsuit, a bus ride to somewhere, and the possibility of extra charges once you get there like photo packages or gratuities, etc.

 

You can walk around the ship (after your tanning time) and take photos of every deserted space and have it all to yourself, because, you deserve to be one of the few occupants of a massive floating pleasure palace.  I have a pic of such a situation on Adventure of the Seas in August 2019 in Bar Harbour Maine, while my husband and kiddo took a haunted walking tour and I, well, didn't. It was just me and the lifeguard in the Serenity area.  It may seem crazy to some but I actually hope for one such port stop on every cruise. 

 

A port day that doesn't interest you can be a good day to sleep in and do just about nothing before or after sea days packed with onboard activities, or an exhausting excursion at some other port. If you buy a drink package it's a great day to get your money's worth without long waits at the bars or for the cocktail servers. Our nonalcoholic package on Oasis included smoothies whipped up at the spa snack counter. 

 

I give all this detail only because you are a first timer and regardless of which ship you choose, you'll learn a lot about what you and the family enjoy about this kind of travel. Too bad Canada is not letting us get near their pristine shores this year, because I would say the northern ports actually ARE quite different from anything in the Caribbean area. 

Wow....thanks so much for all this information!! As I said earlier I thought the Mardi Gras was going to win out, but as of last night our family decided that because my kids and husband are so active and I’ve been dying to go on this class, we have chosen the Oasis! We are booked and ready for next May! 

22 hours ago, skrufy said:

I would choose the Mardi Gras. Old San Juan is fun to walk around, but have your walking shoes on, it’s up and down hills. If you like lounging around the pool or beach, Grand Turk and Amber Cove are for you. Grand Turk is a small island, its attraction is Margarettville and the beach.The only attraction to Oasis  itinerary is if you have kids or like an amusement styled island, Coco Cay is for you. We are not Nassau fans either, we avoid it at all costs. Have not been there in 10 years.

Thanks so much for this information! Lounging on the beach is exactly what I want to do and the kids and my husband want to zipline, so the Mardi Gras sounds better!

On 4/7/2021 at 8:26 PM, rkacruiser said:

The itinerary of Mardi Gras is more appealing to me.  Mardi Gras is a significantly newer vessel than Oasis of the Seas.  Never sailed on Oasis of the Seas, but, I would expect, especially for Mardi Gras' first season, Carnival Cruise Lines will go "all out" to make their guests cruise experience the absolute best that it can possibly be.  

 

Thanks!! I think the Mardi Gras will win out!

On 4/7/2021 at 7:32 PM, navybankerteacher said:

Orlando and Nassau are two of the "must avoid" ports on my list. The other itinerary is not particularly thrilling, but San Juan is certainly worth a visit.

This is exactly what I have heard from others.  It stinks because the price is right, but the destinations aren't great!

On 4/7/2021 at 7:02 AM, KmomChicago said:

In your situation, assuming the drive to port time is exactly the same, I would pick Oasis.  The ship is absolutely incredible with tremendous amenities and your family is likely to be very happy with it.  There were so many big hot tubs I lost count.  There are many included dining options, more than we've ever seen on any other ship. While it's not the newest ship, RC takes great care of their vessels and keeps them feeling pristine, and Oasis had a major renovation shortly before the no-sail order. Carnival also has a tendency to build in higher capacity per ton of ship and sometimes feels crowded or ends up with annoying bottlenecks in the people flow onboard.  Parking at Port Liberty is extremely safe and convenient and I think was only $20 per day when we sailed in 2019.

 

With all that in mind, please know my family actually slightly prefers Carnival - it's just a vibe we like overall and typically a little cheaper, but it's a weak preference - both lines are really good fits for us. And we have a cruise booked for Mardi Gras this year, not that it will actually go, but we will hold on until told otherwise.  So I guess I am saying both of your choices are really good ones.  

 

There are usually more factors in play, so I would ask more questions - what's the difference drive wise?  If one port is significantly closer that sways the argument.  You could be talking about the difference between getting up early and driving to port same day rather than having to stop overnight on the road. And after the cruise you will want the return trip as short as possible, believe me. A four hour drive vs. a 7 hour drive, for example, would seal the deal in our case. 

 

Do you have any reason to prefer one itinerary? We mostly cruise for the ship and I don't feel any of the ports on either of yours are spectacular enough (or undesirable enough) to impact the decision. 

Thanks!  We are about 3 hours away from Cape Liberty and 15 from Port Canaveral, but we always drive down to Florida to see my parents, so we are ok with the ride.  I'm not sure what we will do.  I'm swaying more toward the Oasis and the rest of the family is swaying towards the Mardi Gras. I will probably lose! LOL!

On 4/7/2021 at 6:43 AM, sparks1093 said:

OP, it's a tough one. We prefer Royal after only one cruise with them (but we aren't willing to spend a lot more to sail with them versus CCL or any other line) but we've taken that itinerary ad infinitum and the Mardi Gras itinerary is much more attractive. We could drive to NJ and would have to fly to FL, which would be another consideration. I want to say we'd do Oasis if only to save the air fare.

Thanks! It is a difficult decision.  I think my daughters would have more to do on the Oasis, but they want to go to the islands that the Mardi Gras goes to.  I am dying to go on an Oasis class ship, but I'm a little nervous about leaving out of Cape Liberty because I hear most of the time it's a pretty rough ride down the coast.  Decisions, decisions...We'll probably do the Mardi Gras.

On 4/7/2021 at 12:11 AM, Essiesmom said:

Itinerary is better on Mardi Gras.  No ship goes to Orlando - they go to Port Canaveral and take a very rushed excursion to the parks in Orlando, where you mostly stand in line.  Or visit the Kennedy Space Center.  Amber Cove and Grand Turk are very similar.  Grand Turk has pool and beach, Amber Cove has no beach but great pool and zipline.  EM

Thank you! I did mean Port Canaveral, I just had Universal on my mind!

On 4/7/2021 at 12:11 AM, Essiesmom said:

Itinerary is better on Mardi Gras.  No ship goes to Orlando - they go to Port Canaveral and take a very rushed excursion to the parks in Orlando, where you mostly stand in line.  Or visit the Kennedy Space Center.  Amber Cove and Grand Turk are very similar.  Grand Turk has pool and beach, Amber Cove has no beach but great pool and zipline.  EM

Thanks!

Hi! I’m a 1st time cruiser and I know no one has been on the Carnival Mardi Gras yet, but I’m wondering if you had your choice for the same week in May 2022. Would you go on the Oasis leaving from NJ going to Orlando, Nassau, CocoCay or the Mardi Gras leaving from Orlando and going to Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Grand Turk.  The price is within $75 of each other both with balcony staterooms. We will not be flying just driving to either port to save money bc we have a family of 5. I have 3 19 year olds so I’m also considering things they can do onboard. Like I mentioned, I know no one has gone on Mardi Gras yet, but if you’ve been on both cruise lines, you could still have an insight. Thanks! 

2 hours ago, AmBear said:

Could happen if people keep infecting others with the attitude, I don't care, I'm gonna live my life,blah, blah, blah.

If this virus continues, and we don't act responsibly, then this government will eventually be forced to react like other countries, close borders, lock down cities, shut off all travel, etc.!

I totally agree!