Sea&SkiCruiser

I just checked, the cruise is now open for booking--most cabin categories are available.  

I've been elite for almost 2 years and have yet to receive an e-mail about early booking.  I also heard about it here on Cruise Critic and was able to book our desired cabin at about 7:40 a.m.  I too noticed that all the aft suites were gone.  I'm amazed but not totally surprised the cruise sold out so fast.   

We are currently on the Pride.  My Carnival hub planner is still showing Norfolk for our debarkation on the 28th.  We parked at the Monticello Ave parking lot--easy.  I'll post if I hear anything different.

Just heard on our Washington, DC evening news that Carnival is moving its operations to Norfolk.  We're on the Pride April 21st sailing.  Norfolk is okay for us.

We were in a suite on the Caribbean twice the past year.  Additional perks:  fruit basket which was replenished; automatic canapes and chocolate covered strawberries on embarkation and formal nights; lotus spa shampoo and conditioner; and slippers and upgraded robes.  If you don't want the canapes on formal nights, call room service to cancel.  Afternoon tea service is upon request. In reserve dining there was an additional entree offered every evening in addition to a pasta or desert created by the head waiter on alternating evenings.  The first sea day we were invited to a suite "happy hour" in the Wheel House to meet with the ship's officers.  

Currently on the Caribbean Princess.  We left Port Everglades at 3:00 p.m. today.  Early this evening the Captain announced that due to weather tomorrow we would skip Princess Cays and have a sea day instead.  Around 9:30 this evening the Captain announced that due to a medical issue we would be returning to Port Everglades (about 6 hours travel time).  He indicated that we’d then proceed to next port of call, San Jaun for Wednesday.   Seas a bit rough.  Just hoping that we make it in time for the person having a medical crisis.

Stacy, I enjoyed reading your live from.  Safe travels home.  See you soon.  Nancy

6 minutes ago, Ken the cruiser said:

That location looks awfully familiar! 😂

 

Ooops.  I should have said that the VS on Dolphin deck are deeper than those on Emerald "deck."

24 minutes ago, Ken the cruiser said:

While sitting on our balcony enjoying the warm afternoon, I did some checking on aft-facing balcony sizes on the Grand class ships. And confirmed something interesting that we recently discovered. The covered aft-facing VS balconies on the Dolphin deck are about 5 feet deeper than the similar cabins on the Caribe Deck. Just something I’d thought I’d pass along in case some of you may be thinking about booking a Grand Class VS in the future and weren’t aware of the size difference. But don’t tell anybody! 🤫

 

 

 

They are also deeper than those on Emerald.  Wonder where we are....  We won't tell.

Ken, I will be interested to know what you hear back about the wine tasting, whether suites are included.  A year ago we were platinum and in a suite.  We were told it was only a free elite benefit, not for suites.  We are now elite and it was included in the elite benefit letter we received on board.  It was not listed on the suite benefit letter signed by Duncan, Hotel General Manager.  We did not attend today.  We did last cruise and thought it just okay. 

Hi Ken!  I have been following along as we are on this cruise.  We are also in a suite and just recently reached elite level.  Our experience in our past two suite experiences is that we received our laundry back the same day or the next morning depending when we turned it in.  So yes, I do believe we have priority over elite.  We really enjoyed the suite cocktail hour this evening before dinner.  We are avoiding the theater for health reasons but AJ in Club Fusion tonight was awesome. 

5 hours ago, seagunthera said:

I just booked an Owner's Suite for NYE on the Discovery and am interested to know the answer to this as well. For $10,000+ for a 7 nighter, I'll be annoyed if spa access has been taken from me!

 

We are booked in a full suite on an upcoming cruise and was also concerned about some benefits disappearing.  I found the following under FAQs: Onboard Experience/Stateroom Services:

"Mini-suites include a welcome glass of sparkling wine, two televisions, a sitting area and a spacious closet, while full suites offer all of these premiums plus complimentary laundry, and use of the Lotus Spa® Thermal Suite (on select ships, excluding Discovery Princess℠, Sky Princess®, Enchanted Princess®, Royal Princess®, Regal Princess®, Majestic Princess®, and Grand Princess®), one-time free mini-bar setup and use of our Disembarkation Lounge."

Notice the exclusion of Discovery Princess, etc.

I enjoyed reading your review.  Looking forward to your wrap up and final thoughts.

I am enjoying reading about your adventures.  DH and I did this cruise on the Crown over Christmas and New Year’s.  Luckily the weather and seas cooperated and we were able to visit all four ports.  If you haven’t already, I too encourage you to visit the shore excursion desk.   After I looked at our pre-purchased shore excursion tickets I noticed that something wasn’t right, that they had given us the wrong tickets for the PCC.  The tickets indicated a buffet, no luau.  I inquired about it at the excursion desk and was told that the PCC no longer does the luau with the pig in emu.  The guy at the desk said that Germaine’s also quit doing the pig in emu.  Well, imagine my surprise when we arrived at the PCC to find out that there was a luau, one that we had paid for but weren’t able to attend.  I was just a little upset, but managed to enjoy visiting the villages.  The buffet was good.  We loved the show and were able to stay until the end.  On a sea day on the way back to LA I visited the excursion desk again and expressed my dissatisfaction with the lack of a luau and requested a partial refund.  I was told that they would check with corporate and get back with me.  About a day or two later we received a “goodwill credit” of $50. each on our account.  It’s worth a try if you haven’t tried already.

Wine packages were offered on our recent Crown holiday cruise.  Quote from the patter:  "It's time for wine!  But the chance to buy a Holiday Wine Package is limited!  Choose 3, 5 or 7 bottles of wine -- or select from champagne and sparkling options -- and get up to 64% off retail price.  Ask our bar staff or dining room servers for more details."  I don't know if it was just a holiday offering or will continue on future sailings.  I also don't remember the wines offered but the 7 bottle package included a variety of reds and whites, some of which we were not interested in so we did not purchase. 

Our credit is also listed under the "charge" column.  It is the same amount we had as leftover refundable OBC when we left the ship.  I am assuming that amount was referred to corporate for refund.  I don't know why your amount differs from your last statement.

I also just returned from a cruise and received my statement.  Check under primary card holder's folio for last line item "Referred to Corporate Finance."  That's where I found my refundable credit.

Yes, we took it Dec 28th.  It was running about every 30 minutes.  Recommend you get in line early.  When we returned to the terminal the line was extremely long with a lot of crew members.

16 hours ago, LawDog61 said:

Thanks for posting such a great review.    I am on board for the Jan 31 Hawaii run and wondering……are vibrations still an issue?   How is the Wheelhouse music and party band?  

We are also on this cruise with an aft vista cabin on dolphin deck.  Vibration mostly noticeable during docking but otherwise not an issue.  We had a lot of movement during the crossing but are hoping the ocean will be calmer on the way back.  We've found the lounge music/band entertainment (Wheelhouse/Fusion/Crooners/Explorers) that we've sat in on to be mellow and just okay.  We have not attended any shows in the theater or parties on deck 15 so I can't comment on them. 

On our recent cruise tour, my DH used ship-provided distilled water which he transferred into smaller empty water bottles.  Easier to pack/carry that way.

2 hours ago, Tedferg said:

I am not spending all that money to eat with the Crew 🙂

 

Back in the day in 1998 on my first cruise which was on RCI, my DH, our friends (another couple and two single ladies) and I were invited to dine at Chief Engineer Harold’s table.  He joined us on formal night, was a delightful dinner companion and treated the table to some very nice wine.   After dinner he met us in the night club and “bought” a couple of rounds.  The invitation to dine at his table also included an exclusive tour of the engine room, water treatment facility, etc., with him.  After all these years and many, many cruises, I must say that was one of my best cruise experiences.  So eating with the crew wasn’t too bad🙂

I love the old Love Boat and have been watching the new one only because it’s between Survivor and Amazing Race.  It’s hokey and boring.

We were on the 3 August Grand sailing.  Show times were 7:30 and 9:30.

5 hours ago, joyandjerry said:

Thanks for the info! A mess for all involved. In a few minutes, we are doing our online COVID tests. All packed and fingers crossed!

I submitted our negative tests at 11:00 this morning.  Anxiously awaiting TA.  Let us know when you get yours.  Thanks. 

15 hours ago, Mcarsey said:

I have a quick question concerning JVD.  Do you happen to know why your reservation was cancelled?  We are sailing in March and have this excursion booked, the 1030 slot.  But with the itinerary change with us leaving Tortola at 2 PM now, i don't see them having the 1030 trip.  I wad curious if you had this scheduled originally.  I tried to get an answer from NCL, but had no luck.  Do you know if they still had 2 trips to JVD?  Thanks in advance.

We were on this sailing and booked the 10:30 Escape to JVD soon after excursions opened up on line.  We were switched to the 8:15 time slot and had a wonderful beach half day.  We found out about the switch upon boarding, tickets were in the cabin.  If you booked early you might be okay, otherwise I also recommend you change to 8:15. 

This was our first time on NCL.  It was a great cruise but I agree there were way too many kids.    Luckily we are not pool people so avoided most of the ruckus. 

I question the accuracy of the reports.  I was on the Emerald Princess over Thanksgiving weekend.  It was a 15-night cruise from Ft. Lauderdale to LA through the Panama Canal.  We disembarked in LA on December 3.  It was not an Emerald Princess cruise over that weekend from LA to Mexico.