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i don't think I was being vague or leaving anything out in my first post. For you to use this sort of language is disingenuous. The excursion on carnival and on viator share (as I mentioned in my first post): -the same marketing photos -the same staff names in the reviews -the same locations, lunch, and actual activity provided Carnival denied it saying there wasn't transportation provided by the third party and that the meeting location was unclear, when it is very clearly mentioned on the third party site.

No, i'm saying that Carnival is selling the same excursion I found online but denied it based on transportation, even though the excursion doesn't require formal transportation as it leaves from right next to the cruise port docks.

I would add that maybe you give them information as things come along in the process. I.e. if you're four weeks out, you start talking about checking in online, three weeks inform about formal nights, two weeks coordinating travel planning beyond basic details, etc. One step at a time, and no more than what is actually needed at that time. The reality is is that while a lot of information on these boards and youtube reviews is great, cruises are supposed to be easier vacations that most folks just "show up" to with only the info given by the cruise line.

thanks for sharing your experience with it. They had shared that the one i linked to didn't include transportation to the actual excursion, but theirs doesn't either (even if it is implied). In every single way, the two excursions are comparable and even the names of the staff are the same in the reviews. I emailed them back to have them reconsider, but was surprised it was denied in the first place.

The consensus around these boards is it depends on your specific situation. As a solo cruiser, the key was an amazing way to start the cruise early, get a nice sit down (calm) lunch where I could meet some folks and walk off of the ship and be landside on debarkation day in 15 minutes. I also found their holding my luggage on embarkation day and delivering it to my stateroom was really nice. I was getting the internet anyway, and the key ultimately only costed me an additional $20 for those perks. It's definitely not designed for everyone (by intention and design), but for those who fit specific cruising profiles, it's another way RCL makes some extra cash while doing relatively little.

If we're talking security here, I'd like to mention that google is only helpful if you find the primary source. While these boards are certainly helpful, the link you took a screenshot of is not from the Carnival website.

I'm currently having the go around with carnival guest solutions support over a clear case of "same shore excursion, same provider, same names mentioned in the reviews on the third party website as carnival's and same photos used, yet $30/per person higher price with Carnival" situation. I know Carnival and every cruise line marks up excursions as a money maker, but am wondering if anyone has had any success with the line's ""best price guarantee"? For those that have had success with this guarantee program- what did you point out to them that tipped the scales in your favor? For those of you who haven't, what happened?

@TxTeach79 is on Mardi Gras and just made this post indicating there were multiple comedy shows and comedy entertainment options happening at the same time right now. I imagine Celebration will be operating similarly, as others have noted.

Sure, but when you look at the marketing of it and the defining "feature" of it, it's very clear who that ship is being designed for. Most of the available open top deck space is very clearly designed for families and children. But to OP's statement- Symphony of the Seas for approx £700 less per cabin. If that were true, their budget would be so much leftover for waterpark and excursions that I would really go that route over any of the other ships.

Pretty sure they're promoting it as 100% more family and child oriented than any of their other ships with that huge waterpark/beach area and the surfside neighborhood concept. They've essentially split the ship in two- the front of the ship is for adults (serenity, etc) and entertainment, the back and deck areas for families and children

It's really all over the place. When I renewed mine in June of this year by mail, it took about two and a half weeks from sending it in to having the new one in hand. My husband needed a new one (had never had one) and we submitted that on 10/7, application status is showing "in process" going on week 7.

Have a safe flight! Thanks for taking us along as always, it's been fun joining along 🙂 Looking forward to your next review!

I also appreciate the view from that space- it's incredible. it seems like Carnival has been embracing ocean views and people still looking outward vs. their competitors focusing more inward.

I need to do some research about that venue and the tech behind it. like, a few posts ago there wasn't a huge LED screen in the middle and suddenly it pops out of nowhere! It's neat to see the tech they've invested in on this ship throughout your review!

That would be a dream! Is it an affordable island to buy a place on?

You have two options here, really. 1) Continue to worry about it 2) Believe the Carnival rep, wait a day or two and let the system catch up to itself and see if what the Carnival rep said was true. You called the company responsible, you have to be okay with their answer. FWIW, FTTF was available for about two hours today on my own cruise planner, and by this evening was completely sold out for a sailing in three weeks, aka a TON of people bought it today. The systems are slow, give it some time to catch up, and if it doesn't, call Carnival back next week.

Give me all of the fairy toast and rainbow churros. I'm here for it!

100% agree. If we had more tender ports and weren't on a carnival excursion, I'd certainly be considering it, but with two out of three ports we're visiting being non-tender ports, the value for cost doesn't quite make sense for us. I wish they'd follow RCL's lead with "The Key" and include the internet plan with it, or a nice lunch. I know Carnival is doing FTTF for the entire stateroom, whereas the key is per person, but the value just felt better with RCL's program than Carnival's program.

I'm confused- who was sailing from Brooklyn? Are you thinking NJ with RCL?

Same for 6 night on the Dream.

If you have the AA app, you can sometimes (YMMV) check to see where your bags are in the app as well. I've never had a bag problem at Charlotte, especially as Charlotte has one of the largest AA operations on the east coast and runs pretty smoothly.

That's what key west is known for! You've gotta check out Schooner Wharf Bar if you can make the walk (it's not that far). It's got a great view of the marina and water plus has a really neat vibe overall and has money stapled to every surface (dollar bills). We also always enjoyed Irish Kevins, although it's loud. Poke in the Rear is a great pit stop for nourishment as well.

Um, they were commenting on a specific disaster where the captain was found to be grossly negligent. It has nothing to do with the muster system, and everything to do with who gives (or didn't in that case) the order to muster.

Was on Freedom (4 day) in May and they didn't have it as a regular offering. I chose to upgrade to it one night in the MDR because I had an OBC, and I wasn't super impressed with it either.

This alone tells me that you paid attention to them somewhat if you remember the experience of them. You remember that part of the deck where you all had to cram together to learn about safety- which is something we forget about because we're in "vacation mode." Let me be clear- in person mustering works if you can tell me about it in this way. As others have commented, it's as much about the crew practicing with the crowd as it is about passengers getting acquainted with where they're supposed to go and how to get there. Adults (and children) learn in many ways- it makes sense to have mustering happen in multiple formats (but definitely in person as well).