MamaToMany

Is anyone else having difficulty with the app AND the website? I’ve got the app updated to the most current version, but am unable to book any dining, entertainment or shore excursions for my 1/19/24 cruise. Months ago, when dining first was available to book, I had no difficulty booking what I needed. Now the website tells me there was an error and to logout and try back later. The app refuses to let me select a party for dining or shorex. It lets me select a dining or excursion time, then just gives me the little spinning widget instead of allowing me to select a party. SO frustrating! Anyone else? Or any help you can offer? I’m worried I won’t be able to check in for my cruise when that opens next week. 

Definitely go to the waterfront on deck 8! On our cruises on the Bliss and sister ships, it seemed like folks didn’t really discover it until a couple of days into the cruise. It’s a wonderful spot!

I cruise solo once or twice a year, and it seems like cruises with low/no solo supplements are becoming less common as ships sail at higher occupancy. If you want to travel last minute that’s another story, but then airfare can be costly. 

I booked Prima for January in a solo studio, even though I really wasn’t crazy about the tiny cabin. It was the only affordable option for me at the time of booking. Last week I noticed that the solo balconies has been added to my sailing and was able to upgrade for only $300. I gained an extra specialty meal and still have studio lounge access. As a non-drinker, I love the idea of a dedicated espresso/cappuccino machine! 
 

All in, I’m on the ship in a very nice balcony on deck 12 for right at $1,300, including insurance but not gratuities. I’ll be curious to see how long the solo balconies last in inventory, because I didn’t see many at all offered. Maybe 8-10?

4 hours ago, RocketMan275 said:

People are confusing "Do you absolutely have to have a passport" with "It's a very good idea to  have a passport".

This. Very much this. It’s a very good idea. Better to have and not need, than to desperately need and not have. Every time.

Thanks @john91498. I’ll definitely be supervising my daughter in the Lou ge as well. She tends to be a bit of a barnacle and hasn’t loved kids clubs on RCL or NCL. I’m really hoping she enjoys them this time. The solo mama would dig a few hours up in the Serenity area…

Honestly, it’s nice to just bite the bullet and do it. My kiddos all have has passports for years now, and we’ve found them to be hugely convenient. They are 19, 18, 15 and 11 now. My now 19yo was invited to Ireland last year and it was the trip of a lifetime for him. There would have been no way to get him one in time, so we were very glad he already had one. Sometimes interesting opportunity present themselves, and it’s nice to be prepared. The only regret is from my now 18yo son who has to live with his younger self in his passport photo for the next 10 years. 🤣  If you’ve got time, definitely get those passports.

Who can share their experiences in Family Harbor rooms? I’ve got an aft balcony in FH on a Panorama sailing next May. I’d love to know all about what to expect, including potential noise issues from the dining room above, engine noise, tips, tricks, or anything you’d like to share. I’ll be traveling with my 12yo daughter on a girls’ trip, and am hoping she will maybe find a few friends in the FH lounge. What can you tell me? TIA!

Thank you for the wonderful reviews and photos! Can’t wait! Thaanks for great photos, @MistyRo76

20 minutes ago, MistyRo76 said:

Would love to hear what everyone thinks of JiJi for dinner. Is it worth the upcharge?

Hello all, I’m a semi-seasoned cruiser and have some experience on NCL, Royal, and Celebrity. I’m looking at a Panorama sailing at the end of May in a Family Harbor aft balcony on deck 2. Would love some experienced Carnival cruisers to chime in!

Are there many noise concerns being underneath (on deck 2) the MDR? How about issues with soot, as it’s an aft balcony?

I’m traveling with my 12yo who has been on 2 cruises, and my mother, who has never cruised. Do you feel like the offered activities will span a wide age range? I’m primarily interest in keeping my 12yo busy. She hasn’t loved kids clubs in the past, so the many onboard offerings look appealing.

How would you compare Carnival’s food to Royal or NCL? (I realize that’s a highly objective thing…)

What else should I know before I go ahead and put a deposit down? 
 

Love this board, and loving the live threads going right now. Looking forward to hearing from you all. Thanks in advance!
 

Love your reviews, Sid! Thrilled to keep you company this week as you adventure with JinxyB. Gonna be a blast!

I’ve always had good luck booking for 2 and then changing the number of guests once onboard. It should just take a quick stop at the restaurant reservations desk and they will have you all sorted out! 

39 minutes ago, ontheweb said:

I think I would have liked that larger static menu, but it is no longer there on the Prima.

Would anyone be able to point us to the new MDR menus for Prima?

5 hours ago, justhappy said:

I have yet to do the White Pass, that’s in August weather and RockSlide willing, but I’ll have to agree with you, I don’t think anything can rival the Durango and Silverton route.

 I did read an article a while back that when a train route from Silverton to Animas City built by Otto Mears closed in the 1930s, parts of the train were sent to the White Pass RR. I’d love to find out if that’s true.

This is a helpful response! I live in Durango and have ridden the D&SNGRR many times. I’ll be on the May 11th Alaska cruise on Sun and just couldn’t decide whether I wanted/needed to experience this train too. Good food for thought! And yes, it’s really hard to beat the Durango -Silverton route. Phenomenal.

So happy to see you starting this thread! I’ll be on this sailing with you. Hoping we cross paths!

We have 4 kids, 3 of whom are over 12 and we pay full price for. Our daughter will be 11 on our spring break sailing, and is a really adventurous eater who would be really bummed to be restricted to the kid menu. How strict are they about making kids stick to that menu? Or is there some way to pay the difference between the kid package price and the adult price so she can order what she wants? On NCL last year, they let her order whatever she wanted, and she loved it! She’s not a huge eater portions-wise, so often only eats an entree or a large app and a little dessert. 

To clarify: I just need my completed XPress Pass and my passport to board the ship, yes? I can get a luggage tag at the port and don’t need all of my e-docs printed. I have order emails and all of my documents saved on my phone, so I can reference them if needed. I leave tomorrow, and I’m having a last minute panic. Haven’t cruised in quite a while, and never on Celebrity!  TIA.

23 minutes ago, NMTraveller said:

Ahem.  This is what Celebrity said they were going to do.  Why would they not believe Celebrity?

Good question. 

5 minutes ago, LMaxwell said:

I saw that too. And people are commenting that they don’t believe it and this must be taken between meals. There are going to be some sad folks when they get onboard and see this for dinner. 

8 minutes ago, BlerkOne said:

Complementary breakfast is one thing, but I can't see spending $12 for a sandwich to be delivered 

Ah. I misunderstood the first time. No- I will not be spending the extra money for hot breakfast. Coffee and pastries? Maybe so. We shall see. I sail on Saturday.

3 hours ago, BlerkOne said:

I can't see solo cruisers ordering room service.

Why not? I occasionally leave my family home and sail solo. A quiet breakfast on my verandah is absolutely lovely, and I enjoy having it delivered right to me!

So- my Move Up page changed today. Two of my bids show that they are expired, and one shows pending. All are greyed out and cannot be changed any longer. Is it possible that I won my move up for the one that still shows “pending”? Haven’t seen a CC charge just yet, so unsure if this maybe means good things…

ETA: This is for my sailing leaving 1/21.

Just now, RichYak said:

I wouldn't even bother checking stuff like that until the day before your sailing at the earliest. Things might be added in bits and pieces over the days leading up to Sunday, but I wouldn't expect it to be complete.

Thanks! That was what I was thinking and hoping. 

I sail on Apex on Saturday 1/14. As I browse the cruise planner in the app, I see one show (Rockumentary) on one night only in the theater for the entire week. I see one show in Eden on one night as well. There is some live music showing in different venues, mainly Eden and Grand Plaza.  The vast majority of the “entertainment” looks to be DJs. 
 

Is there a chance the planner is still just incomplete? On the X website, I see so many more shows and entertainment listed than I’m currently seeing. Or is this another cutback?