kwokpot

SO I did some quick cruise searching and the results are quite interesting. Feb 2,2023 MSC World Europa from Dubai. Trying to compare Apple to Apples (Which is difficult with the way MSC prices their cabins) an Oceanview is $1,356/cabin An Infinite Ocean View $1,616 and the lowest priced balcony $1,476. The reason for this is the room size. Oceanviews vary from 161-172 Sq Ft, IO is 215 Sq Ft , and Balconies 172 Sq Ft with 54 Sq Ft Balcony.

Is Echo and third party Cruise Casino Hosting company? I only know of URComped.

I didn't realize it was available so early either! BTW, what was the earliest time? 7:30?8?

The food quality was fresh and the plating of the meals was beautiful. The pastries below from the Food Hall were Land Based Pastry Shop Quality. The Acai Fruit Bowl in the first picture was fresh and flavorful, Frittata perfectly cooked, and Waffles crispy yet fluffy inside.

Agree 100. I've completed 25 Carnival cruises and my one cruise on the Splendor was definitely my worst cruise with Carnival SOLEY because of the decor. Instead of being happy on the ship the decor depressed the hell out of me.

I never said that. I said Virgin's food rivals Celebrity and may be a bit better. I just got off a four night Virgin cruise, and having sailed on Celebrity 22 times I need to sail on Virgin again (already booked an 8 nt Valiant Lady cruise for January) before I can give a more definitive comparison.

I Love both traditional balconies AND the IV cabins. But I totally agree with your statement about people discussing the IV cabins like it's a real balcony or even a faux balcony, when all it is is an open window and a room divider. That's why I always use the example of a family room with the opened sliding doors analogy.

Yes, there's DEFINATELY, 100% a button where you can choose if you want to share a table in the app.

No need to keep an open mind. There's plenty of Carnival ships without the tackiness for you to try. Despite what some people seem to want to say, enjoying a Carnival cruise doesn't mean you have to put up with dated, tacky interiors. By the same token, the newer, more sedate designs doesn't mean they're not the fun ships.

No the only real balconies besides the Aft facing ones are the porthole balconies.

Your statement is a bit contradictory since on the one hand you understand the benefits of the IV but then you go and mention a negative which seems you don't understand what the IV is. The IV in no way shape or form a balcony any more than is your family room at home is when you open up the sliders and put two chairs facing out to your backyard. The IV is a window in an interior space, so the only way to accomplish what you would want to is have connecting doors and you would have to prop open the doors.

Oh wow, that's great! I'm jealous! Oh the Drag Queen show was lots of fun and not dumbed down for the masses. And I have to say the Scarlet Night Pool Party was the best deck party given by any mainstream cruiseline (Sorry Carnival). We'll be on the Celebration during Thanksgiving this November and have a Cloud Nine Spa Cabin. Yes the Thermal Suite is a bit small for the size of the ship but it has all the needed facilities and I was always able to get a heated tile lounger on the Mardi Gras on two separate cruises when we had a Cloud Nine Cabin.

Although I haven't sailed Viking it's the same target market. Virgin definitely designed the ship for Millennials. I'm a young 60 and enjoyed the many aspects of the ship but the rooms are definitely NOT UPSCALE. They are too small and the decor is Target Chic and resembles a dorm room. We had an XL SeaTerrace(Best room before a suite) and there's not enough storage for longer cruises and not even a closet door.

We've sailed all those lines and like them all for different reasons. Just got off Virgin this week and it was GREAT. Food was amazing an rivals Celebrity(Our favorite line) and maybe surpasses it. The only negative with Virgin are their cabins. We had an XL Balcony, best cabin before suites, and it's SMALL and not enough storage. The design, although attractive, is cheap Target chic and the room reassembles a dorm room. We love the Mardi Gras and the vast array of food choices is mind boggling. Enjoy your cruises!

You are able to schedule disembarkation at 15 min intervals. I apologize if I don't remember exactly but I think 8am was the earliest. It may have been even earlier. You use the app the day before to pick your disembarkation time. Then you just get off at the roundabout at your chosen time. The easiest disembarkation ever! I was surprised and disappointed that CBP did not include facial recognition. Having said that there were 3 CBP agents and we went through without waiting or delay. You're allowed to stay in your room up to 10:30.

That's good to know. I never bothered to inquire onboard. Besides the cost there a couple of design choices that bother me about this spa. First is the absence of real locker rooms as opposed to unisex changing and shower rooms. The other is the substitution of heated marble slabs instead of individual heated tile loungers.

yes

It's in a great location and if you're interested in using a gym and/or spa the Hyatt Centric shares the gym and spa facilities with the Loews across the street. The rooms are a bit sterile but the beds are very comfortable.

Have you considered bringing proctored self tests and doing it yourself in your hotel room? So much easier and simpler. The hardest part is packing the test boxes so the security seal doesn't get crushed.

Have you checked with what Royal offers and how the price compares?

That's considered 'free'. A Casino comped cruise you still have to pay the port fees and taxes. But you didn't pay the cabin fare, so you got a great deal. Don't knock it. Only MSC doesn't charge the port fees and taxes on casino comped cruises.

As has been mentioned the Cruise Planner for the spa is setup for treatments, thus the need for appointments. You NEVER have to make an appointment to use the thermal suite if you have a pass, you come and go as you please(Yes, I know right at the restart where were a few ships that required appts due to covid restrictions. That is a non-issue now.).

The OP is stating they don't want to sail on a Carnival ship that has the old Vegas vibe and enjoyed the videos about Horizon and Mardi Gras. I was just confirming the OP's thoughts.

If you book Vista class and Excel Class you'll be fine. Definitely don't book the Spirit class.