freeholdfriends

46 minutes ago, MotownVoice said:

Don’t bother unless you plan on gaming or streaming movies.   If you have teens, you might win points with them.   Otherwise if all you’re doing is checking on emails, sending texts and moving your money around 300 minutes will probably be all you need.   Even if you do run over just drop a few bucks in the internet cafe and you still won’t be anywhere near what that overpriced package costs.  

The 300 is fine for me but My friend is an insomniac so she likes to stream movies when she can’t sleep so unfortunately, the top tier is a necessity for her. Plus, because it’s a transatlantic,there will be multiple sea days. I guess we’ll have to suck it up and just buy it on line🤪

We are new to NCL and have booked the Sun for a transatlantic next April. We are given the free 300 minute plan but we’d like to upgrade to the top plan . I’ve read different opinions on doing this. Should we buy the top plan on the internet site? It claims to save us 15%? I also read that it was better to buy the plan on day 2 onboard. Can some experienced NCL cruisers advise the best way to upgrade? Thanks for any help.

We just got off this cruise. We had a fantastic time. The tenders were a challenge at times. We only booked Carnival excursions so we didn’t experience the wait times and problems others did. Every single employee we saw was friendly. Our head waiter Dragon was a true professional and extremely friendly. My friend has food allergies and happens to be a vegetarian so she was concerned with the dining menu and offerings. The care they took with her issues was unbelievable. They even prepared special dishes specific to her needs. Their system was A+. However, the new menu choices have been more limited and I was somewhat disappointed. Food is very subjective and I’m sure others might have different opinions. The ship is dark and a little outdated in decor but we enjoyed it. The Spirit class has always been my favorite as it’s smaller size is easier to get around and we never waited in line for anything. I would sail her again in a heartbeat. 

18 hours ago, fuddrules said:

 

Just to specify for others - this was for this specific cruise only.

 

I  boarded the June 19th cruise - we left London via train at 9:40 am (Charing Cross Station).  Arrived at Dover Priory at approximately 11:30 am. 

 

Found a cab just outside for the fixed 8 euro price to the port.   Dropped off at the port at approximately 11:45 am.   

 

Walked in the terminal and saw many CSR's waiving their paddles at us to get us checked in.   

 

Had a snafu with Verifly but the check-in was still roughly 10 minutes.  Walked as fast as we could to the ship check-in "ding" handheld. 

 

Piece of cake experience for us.

I am the one who said boarding was easy. It did take a long ride from London but the boarding was the fastest I’ve ever had and we didn’t have vetifly. The traffic congestion was not Carnival’s fault.

16 hours ago, mz-s said:

 

Yesterday you said boarding was quick and organized. Today you admit the port was a mess and it took 3.5 hours. Why should we listen to anything else you say about this cruise I guess is my question now.

Our trip from London took 31/2 hours but once at the terminal about 15 minutes to register and board. I really don’t care if you read about our experience. The port issues caused delays for some people and resupplying the ship but it did not affect our experience 

The Dover port is a mess but we took the Carnival shuttle from central London right to the terminal in Dover. It took 31/2 hours but we boarded at 3. Original sailing was 4 then 7 and finally pushed to 10. passenger boarding was problematic for some happyand delayed but so was the take on of supplies. This really wasn’t the worst boarding and everyone we interacted with was very pleasant and happy to be on this cruise. All staff is 100% masked but it’s easy to see that they are very friendly and pleased to be employed and sailing again. Our wait staff is outstanding and conscientious as my friend has food allergies and they check and double check that her food is safe.  So, we’ll see how the rest of the cruise goes but so far our only complaint is we don’t like the cookie selection in the buffet. LOL😁

19 hours ago, Eli_6 said:

Day 1 of our UK cruise on the Pride.  We have been having an amazing trip in Europe leading up to this.  We have been here for a week and just boarded.  So far, the cruise part of our trip has been a pretty big let down.  I know Carnival isn't responsible for the problems in Dover, but there us plenty of other things they are responsible for. As we were walking the mile to the port, we were passing departing passengers.  Almost without exception, they were talking about how awful their experience was.  Some of them saying it took 5 hours to get off the boat at one port. One lady said she sat on a bus on a CCL excursion for 6 hours. 

 

When we finally got there, we were directed to some sort of barn/garage like building that was not a terminal.   They kept us in that hot holding tank (seemed a bit like a garage)  with no chairs for about two hours at the port past when boarding was supposed to have boarded. 

 

Once boarding started, hours late, it was a mad house. There was basically no priority and just a free for all.  They never even looked at or asked for our negative tests, etc.  One platinum guy almost got in a fight with a suite guest trying to board before him. 

 

Once on board, things weren't much better. The doors between our connecting rooms were locked and they could not find the key.  So, spending $$$ for a vista suite adjoining to an aft balcony to get the adjoining rooms was pointless.  Can't get sangria because they have no fruit.  Can't get fruit because they have no fruit.  Several other things we always look forward to on Carnival they don't have (like red frog happy hour) because "this is Europe not America."  For the first time EVER I have encountered not only one but several rude staff.  I was screamed at by one of the spa personnel.  The lines at guest services are soooo long so if you have anything to take care if, plan on half your day.  The suites/plat/dia line was longer than the regular one. My kids can't swim because the swimming pools are freezing and the one and only spa open to kids had about 40 adults in it...meanwhile the one at the gym was empty but it is 18 and up.  My Guy's Burger was cold.  My dinner thus far has been cold. And the previous posters discussing the ships condition were not wrong.  

 

Our cruise in May on the Splendor was fantastic.   So far, this has not been. And it stinks even more when you have flown halfway around the world for this and looked forward to it for 3 years. 

 

 

We are on the same cruise but clearly we are in an alternative reality. Boarding was quick and organized and they most definitely checked our Covid cards. The staff has bent over backwards to be helpful and always have a smile on their face.and a pleasant greeting for. Our food has been fine. Yes, the ship is showing her age but nothing to be so upset about. We are enjoying our cruise tremendously. We are both platinum and hadmatginal wait time at the Guest Service desk when we want a question answered.

Thanks. 

I will be on the Pride in July on the British Isles cruise. This my first cruise since the pandemic. Does Carnival still supply you with those wonderful white robes if you ask for them?

9 hours ago, kwokpot said:

You don't need 2 hours in the Rijksmuseum especially if you have limited time, unless you want to ponder every single painting. Allocate 1 hour and instead take a canal boat ride. 

I agree. ☝️Plus if you have anymore time go to the Anne Frank museum and then stop for a drink and some bitten balls at a street cafe.

8 hours ago, michelleveade said:

This was the letter we got in our cabins. 

What type of port to airport shuttle  is available? We were going to take Carnival’s shuttle but now I’m not sure we would have time to get tested at the airport before our 4pm flight. If we schedule at the port how can we make the Carnival shuttle? Can anyone suggest the best way to schedule the test and coordinate a shuttle to the airport?

Hi. My friend and I are booked on the July 22 Pride British Isles cruise. I read somewhere on these boards that Carnival will test you on the last day. Does anyone know how this works? I would think you would have to get the results before leaving the ship. Any info on this would be welcome.

Pride out of Barcelona disappeared too. They were scheduled for May of 22. Completely wiped from the website.

1 hour ago, ScottsSweetie said:

The current and accurate information is that many posters here on several different threads have noted that refunds have been received, cruise dates have been changed or FCCs have been issued. It would appear that Carnival is ready to work with cruisers unable to meet current requirements, but really you'll just have to call Carnival and start the conversation.

I am one of the ones  who received the full refund. About a week before canceling I called Carnival and was told I could shift the sailing or receive a refund. We thought about it for a week and then decided it wasn’t the right time for us. We called Carnival

and they very easily canceled the reservation. They were very customer friendly.

We were given our choice. We elected the full refund. We booked everything air, insurance, excursions thru Carnival so one call canceled everything. We did not use the insurance it was just a complete cancel and refund. It was a tough decision as we had fantastic non stop flights and a VIP rate of $585 for a balcony +taxes etc. I commend Carnival for the way they handled this.

We cancelled our September Alaskan cruise yesterday. Masking for about 10 hours flying in from NJ and then all the masking on the ship was just too much for us. Carnival canceled everything with one phone call, air, cruise, insurance and excursions. They were wonderful and zero penalties. We just decided it wasn’t the right time for us. We have another Mediterranean cruise scheduled for next May. Hopefully, that will be a go.🤞

We just booked the Sept. 7 sailing. We were originally sailing from Italy to Greece but ultimately decided it might be too risky to sail overseas right now. We have been on the Miracke twice before but it was about 10 years ago. We are debating on whether or not the Cheers package will be worth it for us. Could you please post the cost of wine/glass and perhaps, a frozen cocktail or martini? Thanks in advance and please enjoy your trip.😁

57 minutes ago, Joe817 said:

What the hell is Gazpacho? Is it like menudo or tortilla soup? 

It’s a delicious cold tomato/ vegetable Spanish soup. It’s a little spicy but delicious.

On 7/15/2021 at 12:09 PM, ScottsSweetie said:

It looks like night 7 entree page is a repeat of the first formal night. Perhaps it was posted incorrectly?

 

Also - NO GAZPACHO?!?!?!

 

I'm disappointed that there is no 'Port of Call" section - I try to eat a lot of fish when cruising and it seemed like they were heavy on that selection.

 

Hoping these are all temporary.

What happened to the Gazpacho??  It was my absolute favorite😫

4 hours ago, phoenix_joy said:

And we are on Getaway starting Oct 14 out of Rome - 🤞

So are we. But, with all the new variants we are worried that masks will become mandatory on the ship and while in the ports. 

We are booked on the Getaway in October sailing from Rome. We specifically picked this ship because it requires 100% vaccination. If that changes, we will cancel. 

We are taking the refund. There is too much uncertainty about future cruises. If things work out and we can cruise again, we will just pay for it  and be happy 

4 hours ago, 3dogmom said:

Well crap. I sail April 18th! 

Exactly what I just said. How can they still send the Escape to Europe? Who is going on a Med cruise now?

1 hour ago, pamrose228 said:

Im on the Escape TA April 18. Last two ports are Florence and Rome. We already have 2 Portugal ports 4 Spanish ones and one French. Where else can they divert us?

praying by End March this will be under control. 

I am on the cruise with you. Maybe Greece? I can’t think of where else they could go

18 minutes ago, Russiamomm said:

I’m on the same cruise.  I don’t have a real problem with changing the itinerary.  Changing the flight home from Rome would be the bigger challenge I suspect.  We’ll see what happens.

We are on the cruise too. Changing flights will be a nightmare for us but I am afraid that the ports could be significantly changed. I was on the infamous Carnival Miracle cruise that went from the Caribbean to Newport Rhode Island and it was not fun. But, you can’t compare a Caribbean cruise to a TA Mediterranean cruise. I am worried that the virus will spread to Spain, France etc. This virus is no joke and I would rather cancel the whole cruise than jeopardize anyone’s health.