Sinbadssailors

We all have preferences when booking a suite. You do you.

Also received this email and not at all happy about it. The bathtub is being removed from our suite and none remain available with tubs - moving down to a veranda is our only option - on a cruise we booked 6 months ago. A bathtub is a luxury at sea, while showers are easy to find. And having the butler draw a shower doesn't have the same cachet lol. Won't see that phrase selling suites. I think the "under utilized" is most irritating. How does anyone know how long I spent in the bathtub last cruise? Would've been our first Oceania, but we're cancelling. Lots of other lines out there.

The US is experiencing food shortages and we didn't leave the EU. It's unfortunately a problem in many parts of the world. Hopefully they can restock at another port. I sailed out of Dover years ago. Sounds like the experience hasn't improved. Pull up chairs on that fantastic VS balcony and enjoy the view of the cliffs at sail away. The first day can be chaotic, not sure why. There's a chance they'll work out the kinks. We were just on a Spirit class ship and food was good and hot/warm when seated by the railing - but cold when we were seated in another area, even after it was sent back (which we usually don't do). Tell the maitre d' and maybe things will improve. I hope the rude crew was a one-off. Spa staff is a concession, but I would still say something.

We were just on the Legend in June. Spirit class ships are a nice size IMO. Quiet hallways with portholes, outside the theater, when weather isn't cooperating. Few people ever go there. We have WhatsApp on our phones and use wifi calling to stay in touch at sea Late night food was a real problem. We gave up after the first night. The pizza line was terrible. And one guy making pizza. Pizza line tended to be long most of the day. We ordered room service a couple times and yes, there's a charge after breakfast, but it was much faster than pre-covid. Chair hogs were the worst I've seen in years. Serenity was hopeless by 8:30, the rest of the ship only a few loungers available by 10. We missed the dive in movies, but they showed some in the atrium a few times. The comedians were great. Ours was a 6-day and they had 3 comedians alternating, doing 2 or more shows a day. The comedy club is much better on Spirit class. Get there at least 20+ minutes early, but not required to line up outside. And I swear it seats more than on the newer ships. The live music was also very good. A guitarist, piano player, a band or 2, and a violin trio. Casino was mostly not smokey. We seemed to be on a casino cruise. It was packed every night, both slots and tables.

I want longer cruises with better itineraries. Princess checks those boxes. And Azamara. Neither is stuffy, overdressed and/or dull. I've done almost 40 cruises on many different lines, but love so much about Carnival. We come back to them often for relaxing fun.

I was on the June 19th sailing and had the same experience. It was awful. We just wanted to park, but were in a long, mostly-stopped double line of cars. Everyone had to wait for people ahead to slowly unload their bags and put them in luggage carts. No provision was made for those of us not checking bags(it was only a 6-day cruise!) Only then did we get to the booths to pay for parking - where, in 2022, we still had to sign the credit card receipt. Seriously ---- why aren't people allowed to park and then get their bags to wherever? Like, say, at an airport?! Stupid waste of time. I won't sail from Baltimore again, knowing this is their normal procedure.

I know many who want to cruise but are afraid to book because of the testing. Afraid to pay and plan and take time off work and arrange baby sitters, pet sitters, house sitters and transportation, Only to have it all snatched away by a (likely asymptomatic) positive result. Afraid of a policy seemingly designed to destroy the cruising industry and all that depends on it. This news that someone, anyone, anywhere is dropping this nonsensical requirement? Absolutely relevant

Yes

I don't understand taking the time to type that when it would be quicker, and actually helpful and friendly to just say, yes, it's still required. We're fully vaccinated and boosted and had to test 2 days prior to our May 1 sailing. Ours was a B2B and we were tested again on board, 2 days before the end of the first week. No masks required on board. Not even the last night(May 13), when crew in the dining room were suddenly wearing shields with their masks. So there was clearly an issue on board. FWIW, we both tested positive after returning home (1st time for both of us, 38 days cruising since the start up). Whatever, we recovered. It's the risk we take traveling right now.

I'm ecstatic to hear this. No more fretting over not being allowed to return to my own country. If someone is permitted to fly in, with no idea what that person's been doing, then ships should be able to stop testing before arrival also. Covid has been mutating down to sniffles and a possible headache. Number of cases means nothing. Lock downs didn't work, vaccines didn't work, boosters don't work, testing doesn't work, and there's no herd immunity. Nothing works to stop the spread. Don't travel if you're still concerned about it.

We applied 2 weeks ago for our 6/19 sailing out of Baltimore. My husband's approval came 2 days ago. Nothing for me. Carnival's email said: BERMUDA TRAVEL AUTHORIZATION The government of Bermuda requires all guests, age two and older, to register on their health portal and apply for a Travel Authorization. We encourage you to start this process here as soon as possible and no later than two weeks prior to sailing to allow ample time for your application to be processed. This whole thing is stupid. Covid requirements are bad enough without this nonsense. I've never been to Bermuda, and I'll never go again.

I only play slots. On the Meraviglia in September someone came to my seat on the last night and had me fill out the form and sign for the 30% voucher. We got one free cruise offer in the intervening months. Ended up booking the Seashore 14-day online and then called the casino number to tell them. We sailed last month. I handed in the voucher my 1st night in the casino, and collected the $75 cash that came with it. The host said I needed 2000 points for the voucher for the 14-day/B2B, which wasn't too difficult in the end. About 10 days after we returned, my credit card was refunded the promised 30%.