pe4all

Thanks for a great review - very concise. Australia is on my bucket list - but after a 17 hour flight to South Africa I can't imagine doing such a long haul again, so it will have to wait until I forget the pain of that flight - just like childbirth - lol!

When we sailed from NY on DOUE everything was covered Day 1 except sales tax. I think it was .11 on a soda.

We also did it - worth every penny. It books up quickly, so grab it!

We have also done this. If Carnival does not think it do-able they probably won't allow you to book it online. We have had that happen also.

Definitely try zooming with a friend from wherever you decide to do the interview. As others have said - your cabin is probably the best place (quietest, no one walking in) to do the zoom. However - just a heads up - when we were on Magic in January our cabin was a "dead" area - very poor internet connection. Had to go out to get any kind of good one. That is why I advise trying today to see if it works from wherever you decide to do it. And Good Luck!! Let us know how it went!

Along for the cruise! Loved the Horizon Havana area. Looking forward to living vicariously through you, as I do with all the "live" reviews!

We were on Magic 2 weeks before you, and I cannot tell you how many people in our roll call came home sick. We wore masks when indoors or in crowds, and came home fine. Purrelled our hands anytime we touched anything. I do have to comment on Guest Services - the lines were horrendous. I actually started going there at 6 a.m. if I needed to, as it was empty then. Even the Diamond/Plat/Handicapped line had lines, as I think faster to the fun people were allowed there also. We love the smoke-free casino. That is one of the major reasons we are going back on Magic in January for our 4th time.

Just looked it up and realized we have been using our pvp 15 years! She works from home in Miami.

I have also had my pvp for many years. She is wonderful - gets right back to me. Even provides her cell number for contact any time. Answers emails within minutes.

Looking forward to your review - especially the sloth adventure! Safe travels.

If there is an excursion you really, really want - book it asap. Popular ones do close out.

We had no problem with them. I wish I could say that about other passengers who couldn't get the hang of them.

Fantastic pics! Saved me a few hours of touring if I ever get down there - lol!

One can never count on flight delays/cancellations, traffic, accidents, etc. We were just in Miami for our Magic cruise - Miami Marathon 2024 weekend, which we knew about. Cruised same weekend last year 2023. Last year - no problem getting to the port. We stay at Holiday Inn Port of Miami - literally a 10 min. drive away from cruise terminal. This year - due to construction - it took us 40 min. to get to terminal. Had to literally circle around the whole area. Luckily our Uber driver was fantastic, and knew all the little ins and outs of that area, but even he was getting frustrated as roads were closed. Now - if you had a flight delay on top of the traffic, or were driving in and did not know the area - not sure what would happen. We always come in a day early "just in case."

Great review, as usual. Thank you for taking the time posting it. Cruising with family can be stressful at times, but the memories it creates for everyone is fantastic. Our "kids" still talk about all our family vacations. with our Galapagos cruise being the winner at this moment!

Carnival's offer seems generous to me. Another reason trip insurance is important - that would cover the hotel/motel stay in most cases.

Carnival does not skip days between cruises. One comes in, same day one goes out. I am sure Carnival will have to make some kind of "give-back" to those affected by the 1 day delay. At a minimum they should pay for a hotel, as I am sure people have flights and are in, or coming into Baltimore today/tomorrow. And people will be missing their flights home tomorrow also. Those on the next cruise will probably also get some obc also for missing a day of the cruise. Hopefully whatever mechanical issue there was is solved and the next cruise will go off- just a day late, which stinks, but is better than nothing imho.

Have they given you an update on when you will arrive back in Baltimore?

We debarked Magic 8 day on 2/4. The night before we got a letter in our cabin stating the terminal change, and a shuttle would be provided, or else you could walk with your luggage. We did not have a car, so can't help you with how busy the shuttles were. Hope that helps.

Have been on all the Conquest-class ships, which includes Freedom. Have not been on Vista, but was on Horizon. Unless you get the Havana area I would go Freedom - but I prefer "smaller" ships. Horizon was just too many people for us - even with the Havana area (aft wrap) making it more manageable. Lido was a nightmare. But - 6 day v 5 day would make me lean towards trying Vista for the heck of it.

I second going into LGA or JFK the day before. Though not a pilot (native Long Islander here) we also have a saying: "if someone spits on the runway at JFK/LGA there will be a delay."

They did the same on our Magic cruise also. German chocolate must be popular, or they have an excess of coconut they have to use up somehow.

Fantastic, well-rounded honest review! We love the Liberty, and the conquest-class ships! Welcome to Carnival. Try a longer cruise next!

I thought that was a picture of your reuben sandwich at first glance - lol!

Did you have travel insurance? If so, that would cover your cancelled flights. Then you could just bypass Carnival. But as Mike45LC mentioned, I would now send everything - receipts, correspondence you have had, calls you have made - to Carnival - return receipt, registered mail. Though sfaaa just wrote that CCL refused to refund their lost airfare as it wasn't booked through CCL....