Lurkyloo

Lovely! Can't wait! :cool:

The reviewer probably should not go on vacation to any foreign country if they are going to apply "American" standards as to how much people get paid and whether or not it is "fair".

Very good point!

Hey there Jamericannn! 146 days to go! :) I love to cruise, I love the experience, and bottom line - nobody is forcing them to work on a cruise ship. I wouldn't mind paying more so that the staff could make more, but the ones I have talked to seem content and happy to be sending so much money home. They also get free room and board. Some are only working for a few years then returning home with the savings. I have to assume that most feel that they are making enough money to accomplish goals.

Sometimes the moral high ground is a slippery slope. If the reviewer feels so strongly - and they certainly have the right to their opinion - then they need to stay home in the U.S. because as was pointed out, people in other countries are not being paid as much as workers in America either. And they need to stop buying stuff from China and Mexico as well. We have no control over what is paid in other countries and Cruise ships are not registered in the U.S. (Probably for that reason, sadly). But the truth is, many could not afford to cruise if staff were paid at U.S. rates. I try to make it up by being very generous with cash tips above and beyond the mandated tips at the end of the cruise. (In all my cruises, I have only not tipped above and beyond once and it was a Steward that I rarely saw, never had personal contact with who didn't even bother to make the beds and tidy up one day or leave even one towel animal the whole 7 day cruise. Didn't ruin my vacation and the rest of the staff were great, but I didn't feel he deserved anything above the mandated tips.)

We probably can't change Cruise Ship policies, however we can all make a difference by being generous with those we come into contact with. Carry $1 bills around and tip cash for that drink instead of putting on your S&S, and tip your Steward, wait staff and even that favorite bar tender generously at the end of the cruise or even as you go.

That's just my opinion, which along with $3 will get you a small coffee at Starbucks! ;)

Any time after 12 noon meets the recommended flights times.

Thanks! :)

Anyone who has previously cruised The Glory and flown out of Miami Airport - what time is the Glory usually in? How long does it take to get off the ship? I am looking at a 2:00 flight, and apparently a cab from Cruise Port is about 20 - 30 minutes. I am not sure if 2:00 would be pushing it, but every cruise I have ever taken we have been off the ship by 9:00 so it sounds very doable... What do you think? Next nonstop isn't until 8:00 and not really wanting to hang around the airport.

I am generally not one to push time limits and always come in the day before when flying in, but going home? What's the worst that could happen, you get home late? ;) (Half kidding - I am sure it would be a pain and costly but at least we wouldn't miss the ship!)

Would appreciate any opinions from people who have cruised Glory and flown out of Miami Airport.

We always eat breakfast in the MDR instead of Buffet - the food is made fresh and the atmosphere is more relaxing! As others mentioned, brunches on Sea Days are excellent. (Times are different for brunch so make sure you check - we came too early for brunch day :))

We took it Vancouver to Hawaii last year in Sept. Weather was very nice. Vancouver was lovely, we took a tour around it and wished we had taken an extra day there (Although it was already getting a bit chilly in Sept.) The Legend was great and we loved the CD (Jen) and her group - they made the cruise so much fun! We took 3 days in Oahu at the end of - very nice vacation! :)

We got our first upsell call for the 10 Day Vancouver to Hawaii cruise on the Legend - aft Balcony to Suite for $500 total. We passed on it with no regrets. I definitely wouldn't take it for a 6 day cruise, but that's just me - enjoy your balcony! :)

We did Vancouver to Hawaii on the Legend last year - loved it! Glad you enjoyed it too!

I enjoyed my Royal Caribbean cruise - had a great time. BUT... I found the people a bit stuffy and uptight. Carnival cruises are just more easy, breazy, and fun. It is a bit more casual and the people just seem happier and more relaxed. Don't get me wrong - if someone books another cruise line when there are a group of us going I'll go and always have a great time. But when I am the one making arrangements, I always book Carnival. :)

Don't cruise lines have a responsibility to disclose such information. I am traveling on Carnival and understand their vacation guarantee is good for 24 hours and most club venues don't open until the 2nd night of a cruise. I think that is rather deceptive, especially for 1st time cruisers.

 

Please share and suggestions or any thoughts you may have.

Thanks for reading my post.

Julien

Just bad luck, especially for new cruisers. I always check out what is above and under me when booking a cabin, although I have to admit until I had a bad experience on our 3rd cruise I never even thought about it. We were right under the lido deck. Music and noise didn't bother us at all, but about midnight every night you would hear them stacking the lounge chairs to wash down the deck so for about a half an hour it would be "Screach - SLAM! Screach - SLAM!" then at about 5:30 "SLAM! - Screach" as they pulled them down then dragged them into place! Personally, I would have preferred music until 2 AM lol

Now I get a balcony with rooms above me and rooms below me - no nasty surprises! Hopefully your next cruise will be more peaceful! :)

Hello lovely folks...

 

 

Am I too old/young for Carnival? What's the 40-something dynamic on a 7 day cruise to Baja? Is it a wild 24-7 frat party or loaded with screaming children? That's my non-educated stereotypical view of Carnival.

 

I am 60, and have cruised on Carnival many times, Princess twice, and Royal Caribbean once. My all time favorite line is Carnival and when I am the one making the arrangements that is the one I choose - and not only because it is always the least expensive either. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed my Princess and Royal Caribbean cruised a lot but for some reason, I just have more fun on Carnival. And we are not wild and crazy "frat party" drinkers either! ;) I have never found children on board to be a problem, I think you will love Carnival!

I have cruised Carnival 5 times, Princess twice and Royal once. When I book for a small group of friends/family, or just for ourselves it is always Carnival because I just have more fun on a Carnival Cruise. Royal was very nice, but seemed a bit "stuffy" to me. Had a great time and would go on Royal again if a group of friends/family were going, but would book Carnival over Royal if I were the one selecting a cruise. Same with Princess, but Princess is the one that I like least.

I could care less about what people say about Carnival (usually they are people who have never even cruised Carnival!) I pick the cruise that offers good value and good times - and to me that is Carnival!

Didn't used to, we used to drive to port (1 1/2 hours away) and didn't realize how many other things can go wrong (illness, accident, etc...) so now we always do. Thankfully, we have never had to use it but I travel more confidently knowing that we are covered. Always make sure the policy covers your needs - not all policies are created equal!

I'm an ex smoker and don't particularly enjoy smelling it, but if it is outside and the ship is moving it doesn't bother me. Might catch a wiff or two here and there but I don't let it bother me and I wouldn't call security. I try not to let the little things bug me on vacation.

Can anyone recommend a decent inexpensive waterproof camera? Like under $100 preferably?

 

I have a really nice DLSR with multiple lenses that I usually drag around, but I want to pack lighter and be more in the moment of the vacation rather than worrying about that perfect shot...

Thinking a cheap point and shoot waterproof camera would be best since I am doing water activities at every port.

 

Thanks!

My sister and I went to Hawaii and had lots of water sports and snorkeling booked. I didn't want to bring 2 cameras so I bought one that would take good pictures on land as well as under water. Paid more than I would have liked, but it is a good, sturdy, all purpose camera that takes beautiful shots! Looks like they have gone down in price since I bought it (Paid just over $300 without the cards and extra batteries a year ago) I am very picky about my photos and this one, as well as taking great underwater shots also takes wonderful shots on land - I recommend it to anyone who just wants to bring 1 camera on a trip that includes water sports but still wants super pictures! https://www.amazon.com/Waterproof-Cleaning-Original-Accessories-Included/dp/B01H2MHA88/ref=sr_1_17?ie=UTF8&qid=1466441329&sr=8-17&keywords=Nikkon+underwater+camera

Is it really possible that someone could be that stupid/lazy/inconsiderate???? Good grief - I would ring the room steward as soon as I saw it and have it taken to their cabin. (Or lost and found if the tag wasn't on it). Sorry if that happened to you! People suck at times! :mad:

We had the aft extended balcony on the Legend, and I had heard stories also, but we didn't have any issues at all - loved being at the back of the ship and watching the wake...

1. If you are already booked, do you still get the $25 OBC or is it for new bookings?

Funny you should ask - I called Carnival this morning to see if we could get onboard credit, but the Cozumel Plus cruise price was more than the price we are booked at so it made no sense to switch. Different cruises, of course, may differ but I suspect the Cozumel Plus cruise prices are higher so if you are already booked you won't get it.

Ours in October is marked Plus also (Oct 24 Triumph out of NOLA) - time still the same 8A-5P.:(

Ours for Glory April 2017 is now marked Cozumel Plus, and times still 8 - 5 as well! I'm confused - how much more time can we expect to be there?

I like Caribbean beaches better than the beaches in Mexico. Water is clearer and warmer and there is just something about the Caribbean that just makes me smile. We have done the Mexican Riviera twice and the Exotic Mexican Riviera onces. We love Mexico - but for relaxing beaches we will take the Caribbean every time! :)

I have been on Royal Caribbean once, Princess twice, and Carnival 5 times, and have another booked. Royal Caribbean was very nice and I enjoyed my cruise, but it seemed somewhat subdued. Princess was also nice and I enjoyed my cruises with them as well. But when I am planning the trip, I always go to Carnival not only for price, but I just have more fun. Hard to explain, but I just really like Carnival! Give it a shot - you have to be really trying hard not to have fun on a cruise no matter who you cruise with! :)

I wouldn't say Princess is better than Carnival, my favorite cruise was on Carnival actually. I like Princess, I like Carnival, I like Royal Caribbean - but I always go on a cruise with the attitude that I am going to have a great time and I have never been disappointed. Perhaps some of the other cruise lines are fancier, but I'm easy - put me on a ship in the water or the way to someplace I want to go, add in friendly room stewards, and friendly attentive wait staff and I am going to have a good time.

If you go in with an attitude to relax and enjoy - you will... :)

Enjoy!

Never mind - just read in another thread that if auto tips are left on, they can keep any above and beyond! Whew! :)

Quick question - I have always left the auto tips, but tipped our steward and wait staff in the dining room (and sometimes like a bar tender who was awesome and remembered our names and preferences etc...) I assumed that as long as I left my tips, they were able to keep the above and beyond... I believe it is that way on Carnival. Is it different on Princess?

(I have sailed Princess twice before and just assumed it was the same)

Thanks for any info you can give me...

We just notice if the CD is really good (Butch) or really bad (Jen). But otherwise, most of the time, we don't notice, check, or care who the CD is.

 

 

 

 

Uuuuugh! [emoji13] How ironic. That's the same Jen that I referenced above. I guess she does make an impression, just not the same one with everybody.

Hahaha! Different strokes for different folks I guess - we loved her and all her goofy cronies! They were so much fun! :)