Joebucks

What information are you basing this off?

Insurance is not a protection wing for the slightest inconvenience. This is the slightest inconvenience

I don't know if it's me, but I don't understand the problem. Would it be that your flight is 20 minutes too early? I've never heard of an issue any a flight being too early.

Because news articles aren't graded on fact or logic. It's about how do you pique interest with the headline, and gain viewers. Since this is not a current reality, they have to reach into the speculative future, where anything can happen. While I agree with you on the grand central area greatly needs to rethink its capacity, it's small potatoes to the overall business model. It could be addressed if you task some design engineers to figure out how to fix the space, or just having more show times. Overall, the excel class seems to be pretty popular for Carnival. They are probably kicking themselves for originally scrapping the pinnacle class idea.

It's probably a bit concerning. I wonder if the cruise lines can even really see that far ahead. I do think they are onto something with the Venice class though. Regardless of what is going on with it now, or the New York market's limitations, I think it presents an interesting opportunity. As much as I love my Carnival experience, having that same experience each time can lose its luster. I think it's hard to doubt these ships have garnered a lot more attention than we expected. Theming presents an interesting alternative if massive new builds are not an option.

While many people here will fight to the death about why they deserve whatever it is they want, it is true, we are spoiled. Cruising has changed every decade, and will continue to. It couldn't be more clearer that the old model isn't what everyone today wants. Some say they want it, but at today's prices. Some want it, and can get it if they want. If a line modifies its product, the market can decide if the changes are not fair. They rarely do though. There are billions of people in the world that will never be able to afford such a vacation. Think of that very first cruise for a lot of people. Even if it was on a cheap mass-market, to the Bahamas. For many (of us) that trip had its magic. It was an experience that was new. There was entertainment. There were beautiful ports. There was surely some food for you. Now we poo poo on almost everything because we've been there, or expect something else. Remember, an experience is not allowed to change. Ever. Cruise lines are not impacted by having shareholders, disruptions in supply chains/labor costs, surging inflation, changing customer behavior, and so much more. My parents and grandparents would have loved to do what I can do. They were lucky to go to the beach at the great lakes for a weekend. Do we have to love every change? Absolutely not. Are we spoiled though. Absolutely.

Mr Sanchos is one of the most overrated things (if not the most) I have done at a port. The place itself was nice and it is a fun atmosphere. That's where it ends for me. Drinks were awful. Food was poor too (and boy do I hate going to Mexico and eating generic slop instead of local tacos). It is now $68 per person. The obsession over "unlimited or single price" vacation experiences clouds the judgement of many. For $136 for a couple, there are many more enjoyable options out there that you can get sufficient and better quality for a similar price.

Maybe I'm using the term "world cruise" lightly, but you can get 30 day cruises on Princess for under $3000 a person.

I would spend $14k on a cruise, but it would be a "world" cruise. For a normal time duration, there is no chance in hell. I always get a chuckle at these kinds of write-ups. If you have the money, and enjoy the experience, then just say it. There's nothing wrong with that. Especially as we get older, our interests and financial situations evolve. If you're going to try to convince me you saved money because of the ultra-scary "nickle and dimes," then you're wasting your time.

Cruise cash is great when grandma sends it as a gift to enjoy your vacation more. You'll be sure I will spend it. Otherwise, don't buy it in huge amounts to try to "trick" yourself into thinking you have some sort of package that doesn't exist. No one will admit on this forum that they forget the surefire trick of cashing it out. It happens. So does overspending. If you want to buy gift cards at a discount for saving money, go ahead. Otherwise, cruise cash offers you no benefit.

Honestly, it is so subjective. Also, that all we know about you is that you've tried Royal and don't have any kinds. It really depends what you are looking for. Some people will die on the hill of a brand that they chose at random or were lead to believe was the only choice for them. It might be best to try various ones. That way, you can discover what is important to you. Some people also enjoy the variety. Everything has its pros and cons, regardless of the internet's trials and tribulations of finding a secret opinion of which is the "best."

Let's be real, children behaving poorly is on the parents. Whether it is their lack of skill, caring, etc. By and large, many of them just don't care. They don't apologize. They want others to weep for their problems and to allow it.

Carnival hasn't lost control, America has. Not only this, but the worst offenders have been conditioned to think of themselves as victims.

I will not under any circumstances wait in the guest services in the first night, as long as I can get in my room and we have our luggage. However. I will almost always wait in the maitre d line the first night to make sure our dining arrangements are correct.

I think we got sushi twice on our last 7 day cruise. I didn't give a crap about some unfounded hypothesis that it would be rancid or botulism. In fact, the sushi was top-notch. I wasn't thrilled about the elimination of late night snacks. However, the late night sushi was an acceptable substitution for a small price.

I believe I saw some of those itineraries and they were tempting. In your scenario, I wouldn't do it. For me, one of the biggest buzzkills is cold sea days. Now imagine for a second that its cold and you are confined to the room (or where ever else) with a stranger you don't jive with for 12 days. Godspeed.

I guess I can understand if you're in your 70s, not as mobile, and have done these ports 50 times. However, people really overdo this stay on the ship thing. Apparently, an island is good for a zipline, a tour, and 1-2 other excursions, and then it is completely worthless. I've been to my local downtown more times than I can count and I might go again today. However, a tropical island only has a few good uses. For a good chunk of people, it's probably trying to recoup the huge costs they put into suites, balconies, drink packages, etc. While I can appreciate the perks of a quieter boat, on the average 7 day cruise, I'd already had my fair share of time on the boat. The bad part of cruising is its convenience spoils us, and we stop enjoying things that were magical on day 1. I've been to Cozumel quite a few times, but that doesn't mean I can't enjoy it again. Call me crazy, but a beach day is a beach day. I've never been to a beautiful beach and told myself I wish I wasn't there.

I think it's a subconscious thing for some people to find things to not like as that is the cool thing to do. I sailed on the Celebration this year. At my own fault, I was dreading long lines and crowds as I fed into nonsense on the internet. Aside from the atrium which lacks enough seating, I never experienced that. In fact, the dreaded Pizza and Punchliner crowds were actually better experiences than they were on other Carnival ships.

There's a difference between made differently and made poorly

The truth is, there are plenty of quiet spots around the ship. Some like to associate the entire ship with Lido. For me, nothing beats the Serenity area. Give me a padded chaise, and a view of the ocean. I can spend a whole day there.

It's hard to get a bar anywhere to make a decent cocktail. The world loves to push onto you $10-$15 huge margin drinks, without the slightest idea on how to make them. The sad truth is most bartenders are just there to serve you a beer or rum and coke. As an old fashioned fan, I probably get a good one 1/3 of the time. With that said, this is another reason I like Carnival. Alchemy is a safe haven where II get mostly excellent drinks. On my last Celebration cruise, Lattitudes was very good as well.

Enjoying the review. looks like a great time!

What an absolute mess. They must not understand cruisers enough. People were looking for things to complain about before this cruise ever existed. Now, no matter the new ship "it's too big, it's too small, I needed the location I had before, this has ruined my life."

Excel and Costa have added some much needed variety into the Carnival fleet. The cash-strapped cruise lines are probably taking notice that you can garner interest without a $1 billion new build. Themes can be an additional business model that hasn't been as deeply explored.

I've tried it before and absolutely hated it. I also don't care for it much during brunch, but I'm not going to miss brunch because of it. I honestly don't see any benefit to YTD (for me). We love fixed, early dining. Around 6 pm, we have nothing going on 95% of the time. You've already done everything at the sea day. You've normally also returned from port and had enough time to shower. I don't need to be lounging around at 6 pm. If anything, I almost like that schedule so it makes sure we are ready for the nightlife. Checking into the app is annoying. Waiting around is silly. Being placed where ever isn't always fun. The interactions with the dining staff are far more stuffy than fixed. We also don't care to eat later. If "everyone" is doing YTD, why is there almost always a wait list for the early, but never for anything else? Now with that said, I am intrigued by the Excel class YTD system. Being able to choose any restaurant gives me an actual benefit to YTD.