maracalone

One of my friends was on that ship. She has a different opinion about what happened. She saw the woman hit first. I have seen the same thing happen on my cruise. A man slapped a woman in the atrium while the hubs and I were on our honeymoon cruise (Pride 2008).

However, here are details not provided regarding my Pride cruise. The woman slapped then hit the man with a closed fist before we arrived to the martini tasting. In my career--in all careers--you should always investigate before assuming. Or choosing a side.

Now, I am going to say something that might anger some people. If a PERSON hits a PERSON then that PERSON knows the consequence. Equal force. I would never hit a man without expecting to get a hit back. If I cry that I am a woman, then that is sexism. Why should I be able to physically abuse someone and not expect the abused to strike back? That is against the law. Abuse is against the law no matter the gender.

Now, if you saw a woman getting abused without provocation while on your cruise, you are also acting against the law. You should report it as soon as you see it. You have aided and abetted. Would you walk away while a man beat a woman on a public street?

So. I guess that makes you as much a party to the abuse as you claim Carnival to be. Unless the man used excessive force. Then that should be reported to the authorities s well. I'm guessing your fiancee reported and filed a fomal complaint because he was an eye-witness?

I ended up with a connecting cabin just by asking PVP to place me on Verandah deck. Luckily, someone else reserved the other room first. TBH, I'm looking for a certain floor and placement. I know the floor number and rely on PVP to do the rest.

TBH, if you want something then you better be the bird that got the worm. If you want a connecting cabin then watch for it from the get go. But I am also a no nonsense person, so I don't get whining. No matter the cruise line.

So straight talk? Please for the love of all that is holy, cry less and study more. I missed the excursion I wanted but it was my fault. Accepted it and moved on.

Okay. Here's my two cents for what they're worth (maybe nothing at all).

My Dad tried to get us to visit Alaska a la carte--as in book hotels, "middling" restaurants, locations, rental car, parking, etc. to see if it was cheaper to visit this way.

Two words: No. Dice.

No matter complaints, this is the best value for the money. Are there things missing from when we cruised in 2010? Yup. Is that going to impact us or our cruising experience? Nope.

Here's why:

1. I am on a freaking floating hotel. For a room with a balcony and view of the shore/ocean for 7 days it would cost a minimum of $200 in California. I paid $1,634 for each ticket. Already this costs $1400 here. And don't argue that you can find "cheaper hotels." You totally can. They stink. I've stayed in them while visiting Venice Beach.

2. I get food. "All I can eat" food. To eat like this at the Golden Corral in San Bernardino is about $10. Then adjust for tip et all. Now do this three times for 7 days. Now it's $70 a person. So $140. And this is the meaning of crap food.

3. I get food in the MDR that is pretty good (for me it's great...and before you judge, I've eaten and rated Michelin Star restaurants...not being uppity but giving perspective). So a good meal where I can get as much as I want that includes choices like lamb chops, escargot, and the like for 7 days is...entitled? No. Shuck the entitlement. This would be--in California--$600 for two people plus tip. But let's be ding dongs and not include the tip for argumentative reasons. So 2 people @ $600 for 7 days = Do the math.

4. Parking, right? Live in California. $40 a night along the beach. And this is being "nice." 7 days? $280.

I could go on and on and on. And you can totally find stuff cheaper in Alaska but not by much. There are places that charge so much they make California blush. All in all, it was cheaper to take an Alaskan cruise with Carnival than arrange everything ourselves. I am getting a balcony, entertainment 24/7, food all the time, stops in places planes sometimes cannot even fly into, etc.

Will I miss certain things? Yup. But I tell you this. I will ask my stateroom attendant what time is BEST for him/her. If my cruise doesn't use tablecloths? Who cares? The best restaurants in Cali don't do it either. And if I don't get "the best service" then I will just compare it to California. I get service like people speak of when I pay $500 a plate.

And for those who will be asking "If it's your 10th anniversary, why didn't you choose a different cruise line?": I didn't because I enjoy Carnival. I like the weirdness of the decor; I like the price (obviously); I like the ship design because I know it (biased, of course since I have nothing to compare it to); I like the price (I mentioned this already...but!).

Again, this is my own two pennies. Rub them together and you can totally heat a tiny portion of a stateroom. As in an inch.

Love hearing this! Our friends tried to get us to use Celebrity for our anniversary sail but we chose Carnival again. So very happy you had a great time. :)

329 days until Alaska...le sigh.

I'm interested in hearing about this, too, because we signed up/received our confirmation for our June 2018 cruise. The current tasting menu looks awesome. Even if it changes, this is still supposed to be a great experience!

I realize all wines are priced differently, but has anyone compared the Fun Shop price vs the onboard price? I plan to bring 2 bottles in my carry-on and thought about purchasing 2 more to be delivered to my room vs buying them at dinner. Any thoughts? We are going on an 8-day cruise lol, hence the "volume" :)

 

 

TIA,

 

Tallyfins

We can bring two bottles pp now? I thought it was only one. Just wondering!

We have 4 total from trivia: 3 Pride and 1 Paradise. They sit on a book shelf in our guest room. :D