Acheavacci

One of the reasons I choose to cancel with full refund rather than take the OBC was their ability to add stipulations for the OBC.  The unknowns were too risky for me.  

We cancelled our Feb 14 2021 cruise.  Had put a 100% refundable deposit of $1,000 on two cabins.  Cancelled on Sept 25 2020.  The $1,000 was refunded to our credit card on October 3 2020.

On the news this morning they were discussing how colleges and dorm life are similar to cruising.  Large crowds in small areas is the issue on hand and not going very well for some Universities.  Large groups parties and little social distancing without masks is the main concern for cruising as well as University life.  I live near SUNY Buffalo and they have not resumed yet.  Next week the students will start to move into the Dorms.  It will be interesting to see the effects since the area positivity rate is currently around 1.8%.  The outcome of Universities and Colleges resuming limited in class instruction and dorm housing will definitively impact how and when cruising will resume IMO.   

On 7/23/2020 at 12:50 AM, SNJCruisers said:

Greetings from El Dorado Seaside Suites in Riviera Maya MX.  This is the view of our swim out suite towards the swim up bar.  Current capacity at 30% with social distancing not a problem.

This looks like paradise.   

Not at all with the rate of increased positive to testing (percentage) cases.

When cruising resumes I wonder how many ports will still be closed.  We have a timeshare in Aruba.  According to La Cabana, Aruba will allow US citizens to enter the country on July 10th.  We will have to pay for Covid insurance of $15 per day (per person I believe), the option to upload negative Covid 19 PCR test result that was taken with 72 hours or travel or pay for a rapid test on arrival and quarantine our-self until test results are back.  If all countries with ports require this how will Carnival proceed?  Will they rapid test all passengers and/or allow us to submit our own test result.  It's not only a matter of company liabilty and safety but also an international concern.    

Family and I live in Western NY.  Niagara Falls, Letchworth Park, Finger Lakes, Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, Zor Valley, Presque Isle (PA) are all within 1.5 hour drive (at the most).  We will do a lot of hiking and boating this summer.  

They will either go to prepackaged items only or revamp the store and have staff portion candy for the customer. Grocery stores in my area discontinues all bulk isles and pre-package everything with no plans to bring self serve back.  They have also eliminated the salad bars and buffets at Wegman's grocery stores. 

I was never a fan of self serve items.  I've have seen many customers not using the tongs provided.  

Passenger temp checks and more use of face masks from staff and the option for passengers.  It's will be interesting to see the evolution of cruising going forward. 

I applaud Carnival for helping.  I feel that this pause in cruising is going to last a lot longer than first announced.  My workplace daily meeting (now remotely) said we are anticipating 30 days of 25% workplace workforce in NYS if rate of infected does not flatten.  

Thanks for the review.  We were on the Breeze, same itinerary, Feb 15-22, 2020.  Loved all the ports.  Agree with you on the flow.  That took some time for me to understand the flow (all was good by Friday).  They were painting the ship when were at Amber Cove and St. Thomas ports.  

Oops, thanks for clarifying deck 0.  Thanks for the imfo.

We currently have a cabin on deck 1 midship on the Horizon.  And, to my knowledge, the gangway is on deck 1 when at a port.  Can anyone tell me if there is a lot of traffic going by  the cabin?  How bad was it?

23 minutes ago, Saint Greg said:

 

You know everything. The people I work with know nothing.

My employer (healthcare) asked us to self disclose if we had been out the country in the last three weeks on March 1, 2020.  I did and now I have to go to employee health for a temperature check until March 23.  I understand the concern and the last thing I want to do is jeopardize their health.  

On 3/10/2020 at 10:28 PM, maryhou said:

so is there any must see areas of the ship to see?  Something we might miss just walking around.  We normally enjoy hanging in the sports bar, but they don't have this on the Breeze.  Did you notice are there other areas to watch March Madness by chance?  We will be on over spring break and there will be tons of games

 

Red Frog Pub on Deck 5 had the games on their TV's.  

31 minutes ago, HakunaMatada said:

take the amount of obc you have and transfer it to your casino account, then go to the window and cash out.

 

Did this on the recommendation of the board.  I played a few rounds and was up by $20!!  

Adding extra room cards is easy at guest services.  I also gave each child a cabin card to ours incase they needed anything when we were not there or if an emergency arose.  Just remember to bring a sharpie and mark (in code) what card goes to what cabin.  We didn't,  OMG what a site some nights trying every room key to get into a cabin😂

Fantastic review.  I am living vicariously through reviews until our Feb 2021 cruise.  I read all of your past reviews before our first cruise in Feb 2020.  It provided me with so much valuable information I wouldn't have know being a newbie.  Thank you for all the effort you put in!!

On 3/8/2020 at 2:17 PM, Gatordad815 said:

Hi all! I’m reluctantly beginning to accept the fact that we will be canceling our Spring Break cruise plans (Breeze Eastern March 21). While the virus itself doesn’t scare me (two healthy adults in early 40s and two young kids ages 4 and 6), the risk of a quarantine with 2 kids in a 185-square foot room or some other unforeseeable situation does concern me. In looking at alternative options to use the FCC this summer, I see 2 cruises that interest me: the exact Breeze Eastern itinerary we are already booked on (Amber Cove, St. Thomas, San Juan, Grand Turk) or the Horizon 8 night Southern itinerary (Aruba, Curaçao, La Romana, Amber Cove). All ports but St. Thomas would be new to us.

 

We haven’t previously sailed Carnival (prior family cruises have been on Oasis class ships). Given our kids’ ages, and taking into account the bells and whistles and general condition of each ship, as well as the different ports, which itinerary would you recommend? 

 

Any advice from the expert Carnival cruisers would be appreciated!

 

 

I went on the Breeze and had the same itinerary that you are researching.  I loved all ports.  The kids camp on the Breeze looked great and many families raved about how the kids didn't want to leave.  I don't think you can go wrong with either.  It would come down to airfare and if I could go the extra day.  Is there an extra sea day on the Horizon?  I find sea days a little boring and would rather be home or at another port.  

1 hour ago, Organized Chaos said:

Despite all the moans & groans from people yesterday when Nassau was announced, it appears a lot have gone ashore. Lido buffet isn’t crowded. It’s still quite cool outside (69°) and windy, so not many in the pool area.

 

I don’t like the smoking area on deck 11 aft. A lot of people like to stand on the aft decks to watch the water, us included, and I don’t want to smell smoke while doing it. The other deck 11 smoking area is starboard side overlooking the pool. Another bad spot for it, in my opinion. Well, good for the smokers, not for non-smokers.

 

On our way to have the Pasta Bar for the first time

I agree on the smoking areas. On the decks.  People were not adhering to only those areas either.  And vaping was everywhere.  Hello, you dont fool anyone!! 

The smoke from the casino on the Breeze wafted out to the atrium.   It was so strong we couldn't enjoy the entertainment or fun shops in the evening.   There were ionizer machines in the casino.  The smell was not as bad walking through as it was outside the casino.  

Enjoy your cruise!  We will be on Horizon In Feb 2021.  Can't wait for your review.

That's is fantastic customer service.  I am sure this panic pre pandemic is taking a hit on their bottom line.  The cruise industry is taking a beating on the stock market.  

On 3/4/2020 at 5:47 PM, tandemcruzr said:

Thank you for your review. We went on our first cruise in 2004. 4 day out of Cape Canaveral on the Fantasy. We are now booked for number 50 and 51 on the Radiance in November.

So, you may find that it can be habit forming. We are retired so we have a lot of free time to cruise. You may get there too.  🙂

 

Do you live within driving distance from several ports?  That's the disadvantage of living in Western NY.  Either fly to Florida, New Orleans or Norfolk or drive 5-6 hours to the port.  Not too bad to drive to the east coast ports, but I don't want to cruise from a cold weather area November - April.  

On 3/4/2020 at 7:29 PM, hurricane0226 said:

Thanks for the review, sorry about the high rough seas. Well I missed the breeze, that I booked a back to back on

her for Mar 7, and Mar 14,  three days from now,  Eastern, and Western. cannot wait. Once again, thanks for

the review

Back to BackL!!  I loved the Eastern itinerary and the Breeze. 

The cruise itinerary I booked for next February goes to Montego Bay, Cozumel, and Grand Caymen.  It is on the Horizon out of Port Miami.  

9 hours ago, maryhou said:

Oh no who was the piano man/woman?  That bums me out, we are cruising on the Breeze in acouple weeks.  Hopefully maybe there is a new person

 

His name was Craig.  He played beautifully.   But I didn't think he was very personable.