Joebucks

The whole market is in red. I swear, about half of the discussion of Carnival stock is actually discussing the market. When the market goes up, this place cheers Carnival. When the market goes down, they don't know why Carnival is dipping. This is way more doom and gloom than called for. All-time high in revenue, making a health profit, paying down significant debts. Those are all wins. They still have a ways to go to reach pre-pandemic financial stability. Oil and wages are up for everyone. That is not a cruise-specific issue.

Surprisingly, I saw a few Blanton's on my Celebration cruise, and I didn't even go in the steakhouse. I know I saw it at Guy's and Alchemy. I used my gold voucher drink for it. I also had an AMAZING Sazerac cocktail from the latitudes bar.

The one I choose at random is the best because I know best things

Both were fun. I found the food and drink at Mr Sanchos to be trash.

Can't go anywhere without hearing this nonsense anymore on how everyone is a victim of healthy food having all of these crazy hurdles. What barriers are there to a salad or vegetables? People just don't want those options. Remember, everyone is on vacation and needs to gorge themselves on every food and drink option. There are many cheaper options out there than chicken tenders and many simpler options out there than meatball subs. It's no gourmet food, but I'm really glad it's back. Between the strip loin and elimination of late night snacks, those were honestly the only things that somewhat bothered me from the recent "cutbacks." It's nice to have included options at night besides Pizza. Dare I say, that Celebration spread is even better than what they had before.

Honestly, I'd check out Royal or Carnival. I don't think teenage kids are going to enjoy MSC or Celebrity.

This happens anytime anything goes away. Like people who say they wish Toys R Us wasn't gone, but then buy their toys at Amazon and Walmart when it's here. The ships are gone because no one sailed them. But anyways, I'll play the game. I'll go Fascination because the only thing I feel I'm missing from before these ships left, was the San Juan itinerary.

From what I remember from our Celebration cruise in January, the Circus was scheduled for 3 nights. There were 2 Love and Marriages. Most comedy shows also had 2 viewings. It was very very nice to have so many opportunities to see the shows.

Don't over plan, but don't completely wing it either. Have a general idea of things you might like to try, especially once you reach the port. Come in with an open mind and willing to try new things. Don't let one component of a cruise ruin your day when there may be 20 other things that could make your day.

Only 3 for me, and it was enough. I was itching for some more variety. I love a good sea day here or there, but it gets old too many times in a row. Especially if the weather is not good, that day is a buzzkill.

Cruising was shut down for 15 months, with people earning no points. Then, cruises were sailing for about a year at far less than full capacity. Those numbers don't add up to some golden age of people cruising more than ever and reaching platinum.

It's tough to compare things that are so different. You'll probably find that entree for entree, you will find a higher quality on Celebrity. On that note though, it doesn't mean it's the superior choice for everyone. Some people may actually enjoy some of the quick options that lines like Carnival have.

I never understood why people let trivial things ruin their vacation. As long as it isn't 3am, it doesn't ruin my day. While I try not to do it myself, I'll admit there have been times where the wind takes it. I know the balcony people love to proclaim that it is a quiet, serene place, but that is not always the case. I am curious why the cruise lines don't user sliding doors though. I'm sure those slamming doors have caused injuries. Perhaps sliding doors aren't as sturdy?

I'm not sure I understand the sanitation argument. Is it because people touch it and then slide it around? Do plates hover? Make no mistake, it is a food waste measure. People are more likely to grab more food when they can carry it more easily.

I started around 2017, and remember those same feelings. Previously. we had ignored it largely due to public opinion. People really dogged on cruising. How dirty it was, the food was trash, it was boring, everyone was scum. I even knew a few people personally who cruised in the early 2000s and just weren't impressed. We finally gave it a try, and it was the complete opposite (to us at least). What an experience! Perhaps those people all missed the memo that they had access to the most important, pampering, special touches: lobster, twice a day cleaning, and a danish delivered to your room. If you read these forums, you'd believe that cruising was the gold standard until COVID. Well I'm here to say, the exact same complaints were alive in 2017 when I started cruising, as they are today. Sure, some things aren't as good as they were in 2017. However, some things, are better.

I agree that you're head is the right place more than many. The "CFAR" selling point may be the most colossal waste. However, I still suggest many re-examine the whole "bankruptcy" fear. First and most importantly, how many people might not realize that their primary health insurance already has international coverage. Not all plans do, but it's certainly worth a look. With that coverage, the need for additional coverage may plummet or even become worthless. The travel insurance might require that you use your primary insurance first, and then they may only cover a deductible or nothing at all. Now if we have insurance because we're scared of the possibility of some out of pocket costs, we're getting further away from bankruptcy fears. If you seek primary medical travel insurance, you're likely paying more, again out of a fear of some out of pocket costs. I think the public has a general bias that anything that involves "travel" has a golden value that supersedes all normal logic and thinking. Then there's also the risk factor to consider. You can definitely find those horror stories out there where someone was injured and it was a nightmare. What they often don't tell you is that it was an out of shape, 60-year-old, with a bad hip, who slipped on a rock during a jungle tour of the falls. A 30-year-old going to a beach in Mexico is not the same risk factor. Everyone is free to make their choices. Again, I just advise to know what you already have, know what you need, and know what options are out there. "Insurance good" is not enough. For me, I found a reasonable HDHP health care plan that has international coverage. I also regularly contribute to my HSA account rather than to pay unnecessary travel insurances and higher health premiums to boost some companies' profits. Between my coverage and savings, it is virtually impossible at this point that a medical event either at home, or overseas, could throw my financial situation off. Also, an even more unpopular topic. I have begun to take better care of myself. Eating better foods, exercising, getting essential nutrients. Those things also pay dividends.

Travel insurance is one of the biggest wastes in most cases (and insurance in general). Now, if you are a 75 year old, with health issues, going from continent to continent for a month, I could see it. Know what you have, know what you need, compare the best options. The fear instilled into young, healthy, people to buy "any" policy for a short Caribbean cruise is unreal. If I bought insurance on every trip I took, I'd be so far behind. Insurance is also full of exclusions. No two policies are the same. Even that company you went with 3 years ago, may have changed their terms. They are not plans that throw money at you at your slightest inconvenience. They generally cover, statistically unlikely events, with plenty of protections for the organization. Now, I will say that I use my Chase Sapphire Reserve for travel for "travel insurance," and well the total bundle of that product just makes complete sense for me, for travel. My health insurance also covers me internationally. Doubling, or even tripling up on coverage would be absolutely pointless, and that's not up for debate. Now what is non-negotiable to me for out-of-country travel is - A passport - Small amount of cash - A credit card with a decent limit The fear some of you have with credit cards overseas is also pretty wild. I've had cards hacked here in the states too. The CC company always takes care of it. Much better than losing cash or being limited in cash overseas.

Came in to say this. The things people buy because they are on vacation, never ceases to amaze me. I guess it could be fun in some cases if you have a large group, and want the privacy. Not for me though.

The "feeling" that you are getting something is every marketers dream. Again, I can completely understand if you like the overall product better. What you will not sell me on is being handed a coffee or a drink in any capacity is worth thousands of dollars extra. I love a drink as much as the next person. However, I believe beverages are the most overrated part of vacation. For many, they are the center of the universe. Booking only certain lines because of how many you can get for "free" or how "free" of a package they include.

This can't be a serious post. I want free things so badly that I will jump from RCL to Seabourn to get them. I'm sure there are other things you enjoy about the Seabourn product, and there is nothing wrong with enjoying the experience. The free espresso being a breaking point is just absurd though. The obsession over free things time and time again has shown that it really has less to do about actually saving money vs a perception of "unlimited" or "included." The best part about cruising now vs 1995 is the amount of choice has increased tenfold. Almost any type of experience you are looking for, is available on one of the lines. For some strange reason, people think they can select any line they want, and expect that it caters to their needs. Especially mass-market lines that serve the needs of the vast majority of cruisers.

I find myself in-between bringing every piece of luggage I own and liberation by traveling with a backpack. 1 suitcase for me. Whatever the weight limit is on the airline. I still tend to have a few shirts that go unused.

To me, a suite on a cruise ship is a larger than normal room that people complain about because it doesn't have an extra wall, free everything, or a butler.

How did you come to this conclusion? Are the airports only for the locals to visit other places, but not for others to visit?

The best comment in this thread. The green movement is a great political weapon to attack the things you don't like. As a post just above said, cargo ship pollution is good pollution because we need the things. We will whine about cruise ship pollutions but all of the other buses, planes, boats, etc. that we are not told to hate, are basically moving trees. Not to mention the damage to "fragile ecosystems" that occurs from the very existence of people including their recreation, littering, construction, and whatnot. I have no interest in debating intricacies of particular cities. I'm sure they exist, and have truth to them. They are not all that exist. The fact is, I think back to the thread asking if we are spoiled, because the world is. Everyone wants what benefits them. Everyone continues to crowd in the same places. Cruising is one of, if not the most affordable ways to see popular destinations. With that, brings "undesirables." You're lying to yourself if you think there's no truth behind locals and especially wealthy locals in areas like Key West who want to enjoy their city without 1000s of riff raffs coming in and "ruining it" for them. I can understand the negative impacts of ever-growing passenger ships into ports that stay the same size. However, it is a more complex issue than "cruise industry greed." The unfortunate reality is the world's population continues to grow and people continue to want to gather in the same spots.

Because what is the point of cruising if I can't try 5 dishes every night? I'd rather just stay at land where I get no entrees each night! People have been complaining about food quality since the beginning of time. Apparently, the mass markets all started as a 3-Michelin star meals, and feel a tier each year. Now on year 15 of downgrades, it is inedible. I agree with you. We ate in the MDR every night in January. I might have had one meal that was just ok. Which is honestly better odds than I would get at many land-based restaurants. I can put away some serious food. On many cruises, I do. At dinner, I can rarely go beyond a salad, appetizer, and entree at that point. The 3 entree thing is simply FOMO. You can stuff yourself all day, hit up the buffet at dinner, get unlimited apps, and 2 entrees. Yet, they seek out the limitation.