ctlyf

On 5/1/2024 at 1:57 PM, RocketMan275 said:

The cruise lines do not control the embarkation terminals.  Those personnel work for the port.  

I've cruised three times since the re-opening, once on Princess and twice on Carnival. We had scheduled arrival times with all three... both carnival cruises had lines for people who arrived before their assigned time. Even pax with priority boarding were told to adhere to there assigned time, but I don't know if they made any of them wait. In both Canaveral and Long Beach, I saw lines of people who had arrived as much as 1-1.5 hours before their time (the arrival time was on the sign at the front of the line, with the Carnival logo on it). I'm sure they complained later about the wait, while pax who arrived in their assigned window walked right by.

I understand the terminal is not run by the line, but there must be some coordination... Carnival does it. If NCL wants to enforce arrival times, they can. 

On 4/23/2024 at 2:02 PM, The Traveling Man said:

Well, it seems that the OP has left the building and this thread already has been hijacked a dozen different ways, so here goes:

 

Your story concerns getting back to port in time for debarkation and travel to the airport for your trip home.  Not a bad story, lots of intrigue, dramatic plot twists and turns, I give it an eight. 

 

If we include all manner of travails which might befall a cruise passenger, though, I'll put my Star story up for contention for "worst ever."  In December 2016, the NCL Star was less than halfway through a 270 day "around the world" voyage.  They really didn't sail around the globe, just from Denmark, through the Suez Canal, to China, down to Australia, and finally back to the Star's next home port of Athens.  Leaving Singapore, one of the two Azipod propulsion units gave up the ghost.  Travel for the next month was slowed to half speed, meaning lots of missed ports, shortened times in port, etc.  Lots and lots of unhappy campers posted frequently on CC about their woes.  It  took a month of limping along before the itinerary brought the Star back to Singapore, where an unplanned couple of extra days in port resulted in the Azipod being repaired.  YAY!  Back to normal speed and the originally published itinerary.

 

That lasted barely 24 hours before the OTHER Azipod broke down.  Back to slow speed and missed ports throughout Southeast Asia.  We were following along, voraciously reading every post on the several CC roll calls for the various segments of the cruise.  We were booked to join the Star in Sydney in early February 2017.  By that time, NCL already had all but given up all hope.  They offered anyone on our cruise and the ones following ours a full refund, without penalty, to anyone who chose to cancel up to and including the very day prior to their scheduled embarkation. 

 

Well, we decided to stick to our plans.  NCL was offering some FCC, so even missing a few ports, it seemed like the thing to do.  We departed Sydney on time, but were unable to get to Melbourne as scheduled.  NCL gave us an unscheduled overnight stop in Melbourne, and another whole day to tour the city before we departed early in the evening of 9 February 2017.  We limped out of Melbourne on one propeller, bound for New Zealand, where almost half of our port stops already had been cancelled due to our slow speed.  About 1:00 AM on 10 February, I was awakened by an eerie stillness.  Yep, now both propellers were out of service and we were adrift in the Tasman Sea.

 

It took a couple of days before the tugboats that came to our rescue were able to get us back into Melbourne, where we enjoyed a lovely extended vacation in Australia.  They finally did get both Azipods repaired, and by the evening of Valentine's Day we were underway at full speed for Auckland, missing all of our intermediate ports in New Zealand (eight stops were planned, as I recall), making it into Auckland just in time to disembark our passengers and take on the next group, bound for Singapore.  We were B2B, so we were able to spend a day in Auckland before rejoining our ship.

 

So, we missed all those ports in New Zealand, but we received a ton of FCC, enough to afford another B2B to Australia and New Zealand the following year.  At the time, though, we thought this was the epitome of ship happens.

I really wish CC would allow for more reaction emojis... you're story warrants a 🤯 at a minimum!

I was just able to book the Thermal Suite on Breakaway for our Dec 1st sailing. We're not in a suite, just a regular balcony cabin, and do not have any Latitude status at all, as this is our first NCL sailing.

On 3/2/2024 at 4:58 PM, ctlyf said:

Ship - Panorama

Deck - 5 (Havana)

Stateroom # - 5205

Stateroom Category – Havana Interior

Starboard or Port Side - Starboard

 

Quiet Stateroom? (With comments on problems) – Yes

 

Was stateroom a connecting stateroom? - No

 

Balcony View - Give comments on view, noting if location of any obstructions was an issue. – NA

 

Balcony Size? Normal or oversized for class? - NA

 

Was wind a problem? - NA

 

If an aft cabin, was soot a problem? - NA

 

Any specific problems with this cabin? - not a problem specifically, but the TV is on the wall beside the bed rather than in front of the bed.

 

Any other comments? Layout is sideways, which made it feel more roomy. Additionally, the layout means the desk with the plug-ins is on the same wall as the head of the bed... it's much easier to string an extension cord or power bar without it going across the floor and becoming a tripping hazard. I was worried that being behind the elevators would be noisy, but we heard nothing.

14 hours ago, Kingsmom said:

9 days, 22 hours and 29 minutes!!!

 

I've never done the single digit dance but I am now!!! 

 

We are headed out on the Panorama next Saturday for the 6 night cruise to Cabo (2 days) + Ensenada (1 day).  My DH and I have only ever cruised once before way back in 2004.  So we are very excited. 

 

I've been religiously following all of the "lives" on the Panorama (as well as other ships and lines) and although I won't be doing one myself, I am happy to look into anything anyone is curious about.  I do plan to write a brief report when we return.  I'll also try to get details from my older teen and his buddy on what they liked and didn't.  I've had a hard time finding info from an older teens perspective on cruising and the Panorama in particular.  

 

If you had to pick your top 3 MUST DO's on Panorama, what would they be?

 

Edited to add:  DH and I have Cheers, boys have BB and none of us have WIFI or specialty dining (yet). 

We're on the same cruise. First time on Panorama, first time in an inside cabin and first time in Havana area. No kids with us so no pointers on that but it sounds like there's some great options. 

For those recommending Quest, is it interactive for everyone, or only certain participants? I'd love to watch but not necessarily participate, if that makes sense. 

5 hours ago, 3smithboys said:

We have 5205 book for Spring Break this year. It’s the same cabin but on the opposite side of the hall. It’s our 1st time on a Vista class ship & our 1st time in a Havana cabin. We booked this cabin because it was recommended by several people on CC, and we are very excited.

We have that same cabin on Panorama next month. The sideways layout seems so much better... it's also our first time on a Vista class and Havana, and our first interior. 

Yes

Obviously experiences differ. We had excellent food and service at the steakhouse on MG last year. I was excited to try Chibang as I'd heard such good things and honestly we were very disappointed in both food and service. Ate at Cucina twice (both were free at the time, now I hear second visits are an upcharge). The first time was unimpressive... slow service and cold pasta. We went the second time on Elegant Night... very few people there, much better service and better food, plus we got to sit outside on the deck. Rudi's was amazing and well worth the cost. And agree that Shaq's was great, Guy's is good (same as other ships), we found the pizza only ok. Last tip... check out Street Eats... menus change daily so if you don't see anything you like one day, check back next day... you never know!

On 1/7/2024 at 5:48 AM, ontheweb said:

 My bad. I was thinking personal cruise something or other. I'm sure it is not my first mistake or will be my last. 

FWIW, I had the exact same thought you did 🤣

Here's a link to a YouTube video for cabin #6340

https://youtu.be/2VaQqPDqrTs?si=gjt-KOkAOZvmfJrc

I don't know if it's the same as OBC from TA or granted with room bookings, but I used shareholders OBC to buy FTTF.  If your cruise is last minute, is FTTF even still available? My experience is it tends to sell out shortly after being released.

We had a spa Balcony on deck 17 Fwd... not all the way to the front but close. Being in a spa cabin, we were able to take the dedicated elevator to deck 5. I don't recall any problems with getting to the dining areas, but we also don't have any mobility issues. 

I can't speak to the Excel suite, but if you have a TA, try calling them to see if the suite is actually taken. We had something similar happen on a Princess cruise. There was an aft balcony I had my eye on and when I finally decided to pull the trigger, it was gone. I called Princess direct, and when I asked if there were any aft balcony cabins available, he said there's one, and told me the cabin number. It was the one I had been thinking of, so not sure if was on hold and was just released or if there was some other reason it appeared to be unavailable. 

On 12/8/2023 at 7:39 PM, Mike45LC said:

I have had two cruises with overnight stops in Cabo.  On one, the tenders stopped service overnight; but we were allowed to stay ashore all night if we wanted to.  [Me, I stayed in the cabin I had already paid for, instead of paying for a hotel ashore.]  On the other, the tenders continued running (but only one per hour) all night long.  A lot of people parties at Giggling Marlin and other party spots ashore.

 

Mz-S's comment about the casino makes a lot of sense.  When the ship remains anchored in the Bay, casino and shops are all closed.  When the ship leaves port and cruises around, the ship can make more $$$$.

We had the same experience on Princess... I have no idea if the casino or stores were open or closed (we were pretty much just hanging out at Good Spirits until close). But I know we stayed anchored in the bay... we had an aft balcony and we sat out there just looking at the lights. 

1 minute ago, theckenlady said:

https://profcruise.com/carnivals-new-dinner-menus/

So it's listed as day 7... does that mean on a 6- day cruise, there's no beef wellington? 🥺

27 minutes ago, dawnvip said:

Flew YVR to MIA today for our cruise leaving on Wednesday (yahoo!)

 

Used the verified traveller line for US security and was glad to see a shorter line than normal screening. However, was shocked to find that all of the other verified traveller perks are NOT included for US flights: shoes off, liquids and electronics out of bag, belts off, coats off, everything out of pockets. When questioned, the CATSA agent said "its  US requirements".  Ugh

We've not had to do that... I use the Known Traveler number when booking my flights and have always gotten TSA Pre-check.

On 11/7/2023 at 10:04 AM, RCmommy said:

What was it about the cupcake class you did not enjoy?  Too basic?

Very basic. Didn't really feel like there was a plan... we had three icing bags each with different tips. I thought we were going to learn how to make flowers and leaves and such. We asked what colors should go with each tip and were told it didn't matter. We learned a basket weave pattern, rosettes (imagine just squeezing the icing out and lifting up, if that makes sense). The cupcakes weren't really good and the icing started to melt... I didn't think it was that warm in the room but who knows. 

The pasta class on MG was fantastic. Didn't take the cake decorating but did the cupcake class and was disappointed. 

5 hours ago, 3smithboys said:

We are going on the Horizon for the first time over spring break and booked Havana inside 5205. It will be our 1st Vista class and Havana experience. We decided against trying the Havana area (from what people said here) when we sailed on the Mardi Gras & Celebration. 

We're staying in 5205 on Panorama in Feb. First time in Havana and first time in an inside cabin 😬

3 hours ago, Kelownabccan said:

Have a choice of flights back to Canada.....11:35 or 12:25 or way later at 5 pm....what is the best one.......assuming that you could be delayed getting off and then trying to get Uber to Lax....what are your experiences.......looking at booking flights soon to get home........doing the 7 day Mexico cruise in April.....Thanks....

We're in the same situation in Feb. Opted for the 5pm flight. Just didn't feel comfortable with the timing for the earlier flights. 

On 10/6/2023 at 10:21 AM, phoneman69 said:

We did the pasta class's on the Celebration this past month. It was excellent and we had a Great time. Only disappointment was wife wanted a Carnival Kitchen apron and they don't sell them.

Another vote for the pasta class... we took it on MG in Jan. Was excellent and they give you the recipes. Also took the cupcake class... I wouldn't recommend it.

17 hours ago, Dicecatt said:

Yes! We pre-ordered water for a cpap machine.  

How did you pre-order? I booked our Feb 2024 cruise online without a TA or PVP... is it something I can do online or should I send an email? I should know this... it's not our first cruise with CPAPs. 🙄 It's just once it's dealt with, I usually forget about it. 🤯

7 hours ago, Kermarkim said:

My recommendation is to try as many foods as possible in the main dining room especially foods you would never generally order or pay for at a restaurant.  If you don’t like it, you can always get something else.  I did not know on my first cruise over 30 years ago that you can order more than one thing and left a little dissatisfied with some of my choices.   It never happened again😜.  However, Carnival has a new dining room policy:  you can still order as many appetizers as you wish and desserts but only the first two entrees are free (or included). They now charge $5 for the 3rd+ entree which you probably won’t need a 3rd after all the appetizers but it’s still good to know.

 

My other suggestion is to download the carnival hub app and scan each days programs and mark which ones you would like to do.  The app will notify you when one of your favorite activities are about to happen so you don’t forget and miss anything.  The app is free.

I don't know if they still do it, but I think you can order an entrée as an Appetizer... they bring you a smaller portion. I've done that before if I can't choose between entrées. It's worth asking your waiter. 

50 minutes ago, May1cruiser said:

-Enjoy the crew, they are amazing

-Many floors are cabins only, this will save time trying to find everything

-half the clothes, agree 100%

-Star gazing is encouraged. Also sunset/sunrise. Very special while at sea. 

-ENJOY!

Where is the best place to stargaze in Panorama? On Magic, we found the front of the ship was not lit on deck 4 (I think)... not sure if it was by design or not but it made for fantastic viewing.