tncap

I booked the transatlantic on opening day and got an excellent solo rate.

I'm so glad to hear so many folks will not return to Galveston. I can see the lines getting shorter and the rates going down. Thank you all.

I wish. Texas always commands high prices!

I fell in love with Galveston the first time I sailed from there. I love it.

2018 will possibly be the next European season.

Bingo. The next Vista-class ship is already under construction and when it enters service in 2018 will coincide with Carnival's "return" to Europe after October later this year.

Great location- right on La Ramblas, nice room with free wifi and the best is 24 hour food! They have a very nice buffet with a good selection and the wine and beer is complimentary! Staff was helpful and friendly. Highly recommended!

Good to hear. I will be there for four nights in October and had been meaning to look up the WiFi situation.

Category 4K on Spirit-class ships is what you are referring to, though they aren't obstructed ocean views such as category 6B on the Vista. They are interior French doors.

Thanks for the review. Will be on board in less than a week.

I've seen it in a few of the fun times. It's called Electric White Night. It's held later in the nightclub and those dressed in white get $1 off their drinks. I'm a stain magnet when I wear white so I won't be participating in the white night. But, I will go check it out.

Generally, everyone receives the discounted drink prices regardless of what you're wearing.

Hi, Just wondering if anyone will be on the Transatlantic from Barcelona on 21st October. Me and my partner are first time on Carnival, so would love to meet up with any "non Carnival virgins". The ship looks like a lot of fun, so really looking forward to it!

I'll be on the transatlantic. When do you plan on getting to Barcelona? I get in the evening of 17 October.

I certainly hope the 129 stands after you reach final payment. They may have just put a place holder price for the taxes and fees when you booked.

I recently found out why it is so low. When originally scheduled, the cruise was not scheduled for a partial transit. When the schedule changed they raised the port fees but honored the lower fees for those already booked.

Taxes and fees for a 10 day partial transit cruise are over $300, while a 10 day non Canal Caribbean cruise are normally less than half of that!

I'm doing a partial transit 14 day cruise next year and somehow only have $129.14 in port fees and taxes. I just did a mock booking and they are now at $309/pp.

On the Imagination this week the most expensive liquor that most bars carried was Grey Goose VX at $15 per serving.

I booked the transatlantic on "opening day." Solo porthole for $1,243 and $200 OBC.

Watching it OnDemand right now. Thanks for the heads up!

One vote here for Full Transit! This is such an incredible experience and full of history.

Read "The Path Between the Seas" by David McCullough

One of my favorite authors. Definitely a must-read for anyone interested in a Panama Canal cruise.

I am curious as to what your expectations are with a "full facelift", what would be done above a normal dry dock.

2.0 upgrades such as the Inspiration just received might qualify.

My friend ordered a Red Bull and Grey Goose and it was $25

Except the ships don't carry Red Bull...

Wish they did though, much prefer it to Rock Star.

Yep - Pinnacle Bar which will become the Alchemy Bar in September.

Airfare to Barcelona has been a hot topic for a roll call I'm in for later this year. There are five main avenues people have taken:

1.) Airfare through the cruise line (much success with this one so far)

2.) American Airlines reward travel

3.) Cheap Fare Guru

4.) 1800FlyEurope.com

5.) Booking direct through Icelandair

Hope some of these options help.

The TVs on the opposite walls of the bar may still be there but the TVs on the wall behind the bar are clearly missing. Interesting note.

Thank you for the updates! I may do a quickie on Inspiration later this year.

I'll be boarding that day as well. I Made will be in the aft bar (Pinnacle Bar) most days. He will have a listing of what sports they will have on and he is happy to change a channel if nobody is watching anything.

Luggage Express is currently only available on cruises 6 days or longer in the ports of Port Canaveral, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami and Seattle.

Well the rep from Enterprise just said that they are not doing one way rentals from Hobby to Galveston anymore. I did give her the date of 9/9/16 so maybe they will be discontinuing the one ways?

It may be something they are planning to cancel in the future. I'm doing the one-way rental in late April.

I believe your safety drill guy was named Daniel and he's also one of the singers of the Playlist Production team. I agree he was very drill sergeant-ish. That said, I kind of enjoyed the way he called out all the passengers that kept messing with their phones, their tablets, their cameras or their drinky-poos when those things aren't supposed to be out during the safety drill.

That's him. He enjoys hearing himself on the mic way too much.

That being said, I love the crew overall on Imagination. Did a B2B on her in December and doing another one in a couple of weeks.

Last time, I did the park & cruise package at the Holiday Inn Long Beach Airport. I didn't realize Long Beach had a Metrolink station. Since there is also one at work I may look into just taking the train down this time.

Looking forward to reading the first review on this as well. The Imagination will be getting the same upgrades later this year.