Hog Rider

Hello

About a month ago I started looking for spring break cruises for my wife, teenage kids and myself. We planned to depart out of port Canaveral because we were already in the area. The two cruises that looked the best were the carnival victory to the Bahamas or the Norwegian spirit to eastern Caribbean. I liked the itinerary for the spirit much more than the victory but ended up booking the victory because the spirit had only average rating both here and on other sites. Did I mess up by reading too many reviews and placing to much emphasis on the negative reviews for the spirit? Has anyone else noticed that there are a lot of negative reviews being written? Had I ready reviews before my first cruise I probably would have never booked it. Could it be that some people have had excellent cruise experiences so if they have only a good experience they rate it poorly? Please help.

Spirit has more to offer. Check their sales. Cruise like a Norwegian!

NCL has newer ships at that port. Check them out.

I will be traveling with my sister who is not platinum. Can she go with me?

NO. She can when she has 75+ days.

Not Brilliant. Buy FTTF go to front of all lines.

Do they still offer behind the scene tour on cruise ships like carnival victory?

 

If so can you book before you go?

 

How much is it?

$150 buckaroos mate. Bloody fine tour if you like seeing the laundry room.

Generally its just me and DH so I don't know, but those who have experience booking for multiple people - would booking 3 to a room solve that issue and then just switching one of the people back over once you get on board? Or too much hassle?

Switch to where?

I am going on the freedom and it will be my 1st platinum cruise. When is the past guest party if anybody remembers?

Really not much to it. Watered down drinks and an old film. Was more funwhen the Golds went too. They are party people!!!

It all depends on how many Diamond/Platinum cruises are on that cruise. The fewer the D/P cruisers, the more FTTF slots are allowed.

Diamonds Plats and high posters hate it. FTTF Rocks.

Smokng areas.

No it isn't. I just sailed HAL and smoked on the balcony. Price was lower than Carnival. One side of adult pool, outside on one of the lower decks. Casino had area for smoking. Not in shops etc or auditoriums.

You should go re read to comprehend.

For a special request?? Is it on fb or his blog? Not sure I know where that is

 

Thanks

He is not a cruise critic fan.

HAL might be the last cruise line to allow smoking on balcony as well.

Cigs Cigars and Pipes on Balcony.

Cruise Critic has a story out now on the most friendly cruise line for smokers - and it's Holland America!

 

HAL is having a great sale now too. Smokers can cruise for a bargain fare and not be hassled. You are free to smoke in most public areas, even on your balcony! You can vap in your cabin!

Most of your info is false.

True, but I have to assume those cruisers to those brands are not going to come on this board to read that.

They might be here. Heald watches it too. LOL

I booked a suite and an oceanview with FTTF out of Long Beach on DEC 1. Are suite guests permitted in the FTTF lane so I can check in and board with them? It's their first cruise so wanted to do that if possible. Anyone have experience with this? thanks!

FTTF is the best thing on Carnival. Great to go to front of all lines for $60

Stopped reading at the "Walmart"line. Real original. Makes absolutely no sense at all.

Walmart of the seas. Everyone knows it, come out of the dark ages. See the light. FTTF is the only way to fly.

I just got off of the Breeze, and now they scan the Sail & Sign account cards as you enter your Muster Station. About 20 passengers didn't show up at our station, and they were all called out to report to the drill.

Other lines have done this years.

You already have 95% smoke free.

I think grabbing something small or prepackaged like some milk, an apple, piece of cheese, sauce or butter is ok. For the prepared food you should wait in the line like other people waiting on their turn to get food.

They have lots of bacon. Jump in and go.

Carnival is not the cheapest like Walmart anymore.

It's sad really.

 

There was a time one could boast that you did not need loyalty perks on Carnival to make up what the other lines were lacking.

 

Those days are long gone. Carnival has gone from pay less, get equal or more, to pay less; get less. And the less column grows with every passing week.

Agree. Cutbacks everywhere. What did they add of value? Guys. LOL

How sad of Carnival. The continual cost-cutting moves every year. I can remember not that long ago when all it took to be invited to the past guest party was one previous cruise. Now I read all the platinum and diamond members applauding the new restrictions on the past guest party, saying it is overcrowded now.

 

I would encourage you to look at your list of benefits and compare it to the benefits for Gold and Red. There is a lot there that Carnival can modify and take away. And considering all the areas Carnival has cut from over the past 5 years or so, I would like that list looks awfully cushy right now.

 

This move by Carnival shows how much they appreciate the return business. It surely is not what it used to be. And to take away a benefit from Gold members that they have already earned, and probably utilized is nothing short of insulting.

Why be loyal? Just buy FTTF.

It will be fun to meet some of the peeps here. LOL

Not for porters or room service.

To tip or not or how much is up to each person to determine for themselves, however, they do need to know the facts.

Porters are paid by cruiseline. No need for tips.

- Porters (per bag)

- Bartenders (every couple of drinks)

- Room Stewart (per day/week)

- Room Service delivery person

- and nyone else I might have forgotten?

 

 

Thanks!

 

 

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Tips are already taken care of on Sign and sail. Who care who gets what?