gotscrapz

I would freak out. LEGIT. I do check every hotel, cabin, etc we stay in. My daughter knows- she waits until I "do my checks" to bring anything into the cabin/room and then she also knows we don't put bags directly on the carpet etc. The whole family knows when we return from a trip anywhere - nothing comes inside until it has been cleaned and temperature treated. We change in the garage and then proceed... is this overkill? Maybe. But we have a friend that ended up with bed bugs and it cost about $3k to treat her home (including the follow-up treatment) and then buying all new beds and pillows etc and having to toss so much stuff and then one child had horrific bites and a reaction. They had to stay with family for the 1st week of the treatment and disrupt morning bus/work travel. It was a lot. My fear is that one day I will find some on a cruise and freak out because they may not have another cabin to move us to? So I will continue with my "routine" and just hope for the best! I do really feel for anyone who has to deal with this, truly. I do realize even with my "system" it's still possible but I try.

Thank you for doing this review. I have not yet sailed to Alaska and am comparing cruise lines atm. Love all of the pictures! I need that Miracle pin - it's adorable - well for a warm weather cruise lol!

I have been eyeing this cruise as well. I have never sailed Princess but I am open to try it. I liked their Alaska itinerary and found the same with the mini-suite.

I want to add that my kids loved the kids club on Carnival - all ages. Only my youngest had been in the teen club on NCL (the others were older) and she hated it.

I don't think it's a particular ship. I do think it can be particular to demographics, length of cruise, and time of year. I think shorter cruises in summer or spring break to Mexico or the Caribbean tend to have younger and rowdier crowds. I have seen some things on Carnival for sure. I have never seen a fight or anything on Norwegian, but I am sure it happens. For ref I am Platinum on NCL and Gold- almost Platinum on Carnival - these 2 lines are the only cruises I have sailed in the last 20 years.

Thank you! After thinking about it, I always wear a nice dress to dinner anyways lol. I did recently buy a fancier one for one night though.

Last sailed in 2021 on NCL and it was a 7-day, I thought there was 1 cruise elegant? But maybe 2? I don't remember anyone being very dressed up but also it was pretty empty - ships had just started sailing post covid. I will be on a 6 day on the Mardi Gras in September and since it will be hot I am hoping for only 1 tbh lol. It's the Caribbean, I need cocktails and the pool and I am good. If anyone can confirm the number of nights cruise elegant on the Mardi Gras 6 day cruise I wold appreciate it- even better if you know the night.

We have switched over to NCL after many many Carnival Cruises. I had forgotten that I have back the Mardi Gras for this coming September sometime in 2021, and that is when we last sailed on Carnival - the Panorama. I decided to keep the cruise and I am looking forward to it. I will say what I said in another thread. NCL brings comfort and class, but Carnival brings the fun. On NCL the service, beds, bathrooms, etc, and food, included drink and other packages are amazing. Not comparing apples to oranges but also the Haven is beyond an amazing experience. The shows are true Broadway-caliber shows. Sailing spa suites or balconies on each line - NCL wins hands down for us. But - the Carnival people are fun. The fun squad and cruise directors are fun. The food inmho is awful, but hey I always lose a few pounds because I am literally hangry the whole time lol. But we always have a blast. We have met people that have kept in touch with and cruised with from well over 10 years ago. I will continue to compare the itinerary and prices on both lines, but honestly, I think we are solid on NCL at this point. This CCL cruise was already on the books before we started cruising with NCL. I am excited to try this new class of ship on the Mardi Gras and I have enjoyed the Havana area on ships before. But honestly to have the drink package, wifi, etc included for often a better price and to have amazing food vs inedible, I choose NCL. But we will see if, after this next cruise, I feel different? I will say that I am very flexible and if friends pick a cruise on either line I would go with the majority vote- but if I am choosing for myself it'd be NCL. I am looking at an Alaskan cruise through between NCL, Princess, and Celebrity at this point though because some lines have longer itineraries. Not an RCL girl though. I am gold on CCL and Platinum on NCL if that makes a difference?

I think I was almost as sad for your cruise to end as I am on my own cruise ends lol! Glad you had a great time! My daughter and I (she was maybe 15 / 16 at the time) did the bus tour in Aruba and Carlos was our guide- he was a blast! Funny because we were originally just going to go to the beach but she always complains about what I pick so I let her pick - she picked this tour. I did not want to go - at.all. But I didn't show it - I smiled and happily signed us up. It ended up being a blast and we loved the island so much that 2 years later when she graduated high school she chose Aruba for her graduation trip- which was also a blast. We haven't cruised Carnival since 2021 - but we have taken 4 NCL cruises since then - 2 in the Haven - which, come on, that's the life! Anyway, even though we love NCL and have switched over, we do have a CCL cruise on the Mardi Gras for September that apparently I had booked in 2021 lol! Forgot until I got that payment notice lol! I am excited to sail on her. Not about the ports, but for the ship and we have booked a Havana Cabana and I know it will be fun. I am looking forward to it. I have to say - NCL brings the comfort but Carnival brings the fun. I love NCL for the comfort, the food, and included package benefits like the alcohol package and the Haven etc. But I have missed the people from Carnival. The staff is great on both lines but I have missed the Carnival passengers and people on this message board. I am looking forward to the Mardi Gras! So for the hijack. I was trying to say in a very long-winded way, that reviews like yours and the friendly people on the message board and on board the ship and what I do love about Carnival. I will be hungry and maybe sober, but I will have fun lol! Thank you for taking the time to write another great review!

I can't even get that cruise to pull up for me so I am guessing it is at max capacity. Since you have many other family members going, can you put each of the daughters in one of the cabins you have booked? One in your room and one in another? Assuming they have room? Less than ideal but I don't think you have many options at this point. I would still keep calling to try to catch a cancellation...

Looking forward to a review or pictures if you decide to post them. I have been looking at an Iceland, Amsterdam, etc cruise. I haven't seen any reviews of these cruises so I am very interested!

I do need to know if you and W went on the swings!? At least for the touristy photo op?

Summer just arrived here this week and looking at Mambo beach in your pics makes me want to swim in the ocean! Won't be until September when I cruise on the Mardi Gras... luckily we have a very large very clear blue lake nearby lol!

Cruising along with you and W.... love your reviews!

Usually read this stuff and think, ok but there's another choice. Looking at that list there is a choice at all for some categories. I know I am overreacting, but darn we paid for the Haven outright, we upgraded everything, they are getting a full price from on several cruises and I can't get a good vodka or glass of champagne. If there we decent alternatives... but there aren't. Ok - letting go for now lol.

Large pump lotion too 🙂

I was on her in September and it was L'occitane as said above even in our spa club balcony suite. Other Haven trips it was L'occitane too.

Also, my daughter won't be happy either .. unless they consider a frappuccino a coffee drink... but not a great feeling here.. I mean yes it's a coffee drink but it's listed separately on their website. She just decided to spend her hard-earned money on it last night. Paid. Specialty Coffees • Teas • Refreshers $12.95* pp/day Ok I am irrationally irritated after a long day lol. I'll be back to see how things are looking!

Just went o look, and headed to bed, at a quick glance, is the only champagne now only the plus and it's a, a .... a rose ..... so I missed it, please. I guess we'll see how it plays out on board. IDK.

And Belvedere is what I prefer.

This is my 1st time upgrading - I hate cheap vodka and I love the Moet & Chandon Imperial Ice and Veuve. Sailing, guess when? May 1. I also try to order the Moet for the room and I couldn't, but I could the Veuve but I didn't because I'd already upgraded. It's BS to change the deal after we have paid.

I am confused by this also. You can have things delivered by room service or in the MDR and a few other sit-down breakfast options depending on the ship. The buffet is self-serve, so they have these things but you need to get them yourself when you choose your other items.

I would be happy to give you more information tomorrow, sorry for the delay. Crazy at the hospital but tomorrow night and Friday before I leave for my cruise I will have some time 🙂

I don't know that one - but I do like the lavender patch - similar?

I rely on Prof Cruise for all menus on cruise lines. Most updated as of 2023 - I linked you to the NCL drink page. She has it all - Drink menus, room service, specialty - all of it. amazing. The drink menus are from December 2022 I think? Recent. https://profcruise.com/norwegian-bar-menus-2022/