Haljo1935

Sad we will not have IMAX on Venezia.

Is FTTF really worth the extra cost? I know value is subjective, but I'm struggling to decide if I want to add for upcoming B2B on Venezia RT NY. Not yet sold out either week, but they're really pushing hard, so likely will be. Been a while since I've done B2B on Carnival, so not sure if I even need it 2nd week. I'm gold, cabin mate is blue. Thoughts?

There's an entire thread about the lack of ice and/or ice buckets on Venezia. Hope it's getting sorted out, but we'll bring plastic zip bags to get ice from Lido just in case. Sounds like we'll be ok bringing canned Coke out of the carton - sister doesn't drink Pepsi. Any recent experience w/being confiscated?

Those Malaga sunset pictures are stunning @Saint Greg. Hoping for one even half as nice when we're there in a couple months. I believe your cabin was on the side - were you port or starboard? We will be true aft over the wake.

Certainly agree about the shorter cruise party reputation and have experienced/witnessed all of them except 4 & 7. I'm concerned about what I might expect on upcoming 13 day Venezia given the very recent reports.

Thanks for the heads-up on tea charges and selection. Have only been on Carnival 1x since Covid restart and didn't even notice the tea. On HAL, there is a huge selection of tea available at no charge and I find myself there several times a week. So I would have just not even considered there would be cost and also no real selection when I'm on Venezia B2B in a couple months. I will be sure to pack some tea to avoid disappointment.

While not needed for the cruising aspect on closed loop itineraries, a passport just makes it easier and eliminates any concern about getting home in case evacuation is necessary while outside the US. Also nice to have if you decide to take an unplanned excursion.

I believe you do pay the additional tax on all purchases (actual languageis above in another post), the focus is just more on alcohol because shops will be closed until that magic mile marker is reached, so only real opportunity to spend is on booze.

No experience in those particular cabins or the Mardi Gras. But on other ships I have been on in extreme forward cabins, the railing is metal and it completely blocked my view when seated on the balcony. For me, that was a deal breaker - I spend a lot of time sitting on the balcony and the view is an important part of the experience. If someone just likes being outdoor and doesn't care about the view, it's probably ok. We had a clear view of crew smoking and whatever else they did on breaks, but they were far enough away we couldn't tell who they were, just how may of them were there. The area was clean, never an eyesore. Yes, much more wind extreme forward than other locations. Movement doesn't bother me, but I did notice it more up there. It is a long walk from those extreme forward cabins to anywhere (except other extreme forward cabins, lol) so you might want to consider that for 80yo in laws. Safe travels - enjoy your cruise!

Welcome to HAL @The O Mariners! There is no self service laundry like you've used on Princess. There is laundry by the bag or unlimited for the length of your cruise. Depending on your itinerary, bag will be about $20-$30 ea for however much you can fit in. The price for unlimited laundry is under "packages" in your booking. For an 11 day non-European, it's $93.50. On a recent 7 day it was $59.50. There is also pressing service; it's included in laundry, so you only need to use it if you're not having items laundered.

I don't remember it being that high last year when we were looking at it, but we were on a 7 day, not 14 day) cruise. Maybe it changes based on the length of the cruise, plus whatever price increase you know they've done. I just don't know last year's cost...

There is pressing service available if some wrinkles get past all these good tips 😀

All good - was supposed to be funny, but clearly fell flat.

That's like when I'm having a conversation w/someone about XX then get an ad for XX on my phone. Big Brother is always listening...lol.

We did not have an actual separate area April 29; however, it was opening day of the season, so it could have changed. Everyone was able to sit where they wanted and listened for their group to be called. Safe travels - enjoy your cruise!

Hey @motravelerken that was a great question to ask since you haven't booked one before and this is the place to come for answers. How are we supposed to learn about things in which we have no experience if not from those who do? So, thanks for being proactive and asking beforehand vs crashing the party. 🙂 Safe travels - enjoy your cruise!

You are fortunate you've not had issues. Every time I talk with a live person at CCL (any brand) they always ask what my name is because it has too letters to fit so the last fee aren't shown and looks strange. When I explain what it is, they offer to "correct" the system by splitting it up into two shorter names and move one to the middle name slot. Please, don't - my name, crazy as it may be, is my name and TSA likes it just fine the way it is, lol.

Yes, you absolutely may have my butter; I will even ask for extra!!

For sure @3rdGenCunarder for sure!!

I haven't checked SWA because of its location, but will do that. DFW is so much more convenient than Love Field.

Thanks - that is good info and so foreign to me. Guess too much time away from Carnival. Plus I know I didn't have paper boarding pass my last 3 cruises w/them. But I will on this one - I want on that ship!!

Not in front of my computer just now and don't have the patience to try this on small.phone screen, but there has been a box you can select to add someone from another cabin and there's an option to "give a gift to a booked cruiser" although I doubt that 2nd option will let you pay w/OBC.

Ha ha - I think we were posting this at same time! You win - I had to uninstall and reinstall the app, then got frustrated and used a diff phone. Grrrr...

Update for everyone interested in the Rotterdam 1873 bagged coffee: Finally found the coffee package that includes it (had to use a diff browser, but that's for a diff thread) and it IS still being offered; it'sunder Packages. As I got to it through a current 14 day booking, the price may show differently for someone else. I was off just a bit on what's included. Includes: Bag of 1873 beans 2 mugs $25 coffee card Someone, was it you @horseymike or @jthek mentioned trying to order from GDC so maybe this solves for how to take some home.

Sorry @ncshp955 I have only done the land part after the cruise, so I'm not able to help. Hopefully others who have will weigh in shortly.