craig01020

Iceland Intensive interests me for Summer 2026...BUT...only 3 ports?! The 2025 Iceland itinerary has 4 ports.

I'll check it out when the cruises are actually released, but I already booked Iceland on HAL for Aug. 2026, which will be hard to beat: four ports and a covered main pool for $4,850 for two in a balcony cabin, with tips, wifi and drink package.

I use Cruiseplum to track prices on cruises. You can see dynamic pricing in action on this chart from one of my booked cruises.

I've used these on many of my cruises:  https://a.co/d/5Y1rQQu

A few years ago I was at an all-inclusive resort enjoying my vacation when multiple buses showed up with hoards of people in a group. They completely took over the resort. I escaped to a different resort. Not an experience I'd like to repeat.

While it's true that "no cruise line will tell you" about large partial-ship charters, that doesn't make it right.

Maybe they're not building new ships because they'll be absorbing ships from other Carnival brands after they take delivery of new gargantuan ships.

My wife and I are not young (65 & 61). I've sailed on 5 different cruise lines, only once on HAL (Rotterdam). I appreciated the calm atmosphere. Was it perfect? No, but it was a beautiful ship and just the right size. My impression is that HAL is cruising for grownups. I just booked the Rotterdam again for 2026 to Iceland (it was less $$$ than an Alaska cruise).

I've become a big fan of HAL.

I priced out Aug. 2026 7-day Alaska cruises in a balcony cabin, but it was cheaper to sail on Rotterdam to Iceland, so that's what I booked.

7 minutes ago, KyloRen said:

as soon as they deemed the bigger was closed

???

22 minutes ago, jsglow said:

Yeah, Miracle and Splendor are certainly over the top. But it'll be darn boring when everything in life is muted beige. Ever notice how all the cars nowadays are about nine different shades of grey? Booorrring.

I agree. I don't mind wacky, but it took my eyes awhile to adjust on Splendor. 😵‍💫

Carnival cruisers tend to be colorful, not beige anyway.

7 minutes ago, UPNYGuy said:

That’s the MDR

Looks like the Splendor's atrium (see pic).  Joe Farcus at his best.

1 minute ago, UPNYGuy said:

Personally, if itineraries are identical, it is whichever ship is to your liking. IMO I feel the miracle has the worst decor in the carnival fleet. The mdr looks like a Tuscan theme gone wrong, and all the bathroom doors have heads with mouths at awkward heights 😆  

Thanks. I've been on the Splendor which is pretty wacky. I have three Miracle cruises booked for next year, so I guess I'll find out. 😂

Good morning. I was checking out the July & August 2026 Alaska cruises on Spirit and Miracle. They have identical itineraries. I've never been on either ship, but I believe they are identical. Are there any factors why you would choose one over the other? Thanks.

23 minutes ago, everbeentoseabilly said:

Correct!

They must be popular because 1179 and its neighbors are not available on an Aug. 2026 cruise I was looking at. 💞

3 hours ago, everbeentoseabilly said:

We were just onboard a week ago for 3 weeks in 1179. It was very quiet

Looks like there would be no traffic in that dead-end hallway either.

What are the odds that Celebrity offers the same "Iceland Intensive" itineraries for 2026? 😤

41 minutes ago, Pyxie said:

 

I wouldn't be surprised if the cruise sells out before then, but hope it works out. Fun Select is refundable up to final payment.

I'm not looking at the eclipse cruise.

2 hours ago, Pyxie said:

 

I've seen the Fun Select fare available since the cruise released.

I'm still waiting for PB4 (refundable) which goes by many different names. I'll check back Sept. 1 when Early Saver expires.

The only rate for these cruises is the Early Saver fare which has a non-refundable deposit, and expires at midnight tonight. I'm planning to wait for the refundable deposit (PB4) fare.

Are the Early Saver fares so low that they're worth the risk of losing a deposit?

16 minutes ago, Pyxie said:

I would say the Eclipse sailing is not underwhelming, but that's only 1.

You're right. I meant the itineraries as a whole.

Just noticed that Carnival's 2026 Europe itineraries are out and they're underwhelming. Mostly a copy & paste from 2025 with 2024's ship.

Still waiting impatiently here. 💞

Just wondering...will magnet decorations stick to Grandeur's stateroom doors?  Thanks.

40 minutes ago, Cuttersmom said:

You don’t say what embarkation port you booked for, but one thing that was an absolute bonus-embarkation at pier 26 in FLL happens on Deck 1. No need to mess with an elevator to get to your cabin or fight for one during disembarkation. 

Thanks. The cruise leaves from Rotterdam, Netherlands.

Good morning all,

Just booked cabin 1099 on Rotterdam's main deck (deck 1). I carefully chose a deck under shops, but have no idea what is directly under the cabin. BB King's is one deck up on the port side. I'm hoping to avoid any noise issues since we'll be on the other side of the ship. I specifically avoided triple or quad cabins because of HAL's recent policy regarding 2 people in a cabin that has more capacity.

Has anyone here stayed in or near this cabin that can provide their experience? Thanks.

24 minutes ago, TiogaCruiser said:

Is the cruise advertised as “3rd and 4th sail free?  Just wondering if that fits in the mix.

No.