bunnyette

What a nice positive review.   All the talk about bad service & inedible food had me concerned.

thank you.

Great review so far!

On 8/17/2023 at 2:44 PM, Jamman54 said:

Don't forget that the Hampton Inn and Home2Suites are connected if you don't want to splurge for a Suite. We've done both and loved it! 😎

Agreed, we stayed at the Hampton inn in Cocoa Beach and the hotel was great as well as the great beach access.

3 hours ago, wrk2cruise said:

Funny just received an email from Viking about SA sailings.

Thank you!  Off to check them out

Darn, the price I got was very good and I liked the ports.  Got the email from my TA today.

21 hours ago, ldtr said:

I have heard differing reports about the tree. Some saying that it is unlikely to be saved that the damage is too severe, others saying that in can recover, atleast in part. Only time will tell.

 

I have made an initial donation the Maui Community Foundation.  I recommend them as well as Maui Food Bank, and Maui United Way. 

With all 3 the money donated will stay on Maui.

We spent our honeymoon in Hawaii and did part in Maui…donated!

When the cruise ships are able to stop in Lahaina again, every passenger needs to get off and spend some money.  This lovely town will need it.

When we boarded the Pride in Dover lat summer, we went to our cabin and dropped off our carry on.  Even though the cabin wasn’t ready we were able to get our key cards…

59 minutes ago, daydreamer16 said:

I forgot it was in there, at the bottom of my tote bag☹️

Aargh, I got caught sailing through airport security with a bottle of water in a side pocket of my knapsack.  I wasn’t too upset to give that up.

2 hours ago, daydreamer16 said:

The Spanish TSA people kept telling me it was a liquid. M&S make a very thick jam, not liguid! My husband said the guy probably took it home for his family! Not nice!

That’s why you wrap in you clothes and keep it in you checked luggage 

8 hours ago, Les43 said:

At some point after we leave the ship , I will do a final wrap up post and overall review of the cruise along with any bits I may have missed. Until then, we are off to enjoy the final few hours of food and the drinks package before normality (and a diet) beckons! 

Don’t forget your day in Malta…😀

4 hours ago, Joanne G. said:

I haven’t seen free cheers, either, and I’m onboard.  Where did that information come from???
 

For a reality check - the compensation for those B2B passengers who bailed on next (now cancelled) cruise is generous.  Full refund and 100% FCC.  For those of us who chose to stay onboard, with the expectation of a 2nd cruise, just a shorter one, and very little time to make up our minds to rebook our flight, cancel any post-cruise hotel reservation, and get on a list for a charter, the situation is currently not looking so rosy.  
 

Sure, the ship is becoming more empty.  We could get off in Kiel this afternoon and evening, but I personally didn’t want to venture too far from the ship.  There isn’t much to see within walking distance.  Everyone has to be to be back on board by 10:00 tonight because we are moving to a different pier in a cargo area.  Per a letter we got tonight, we won’t be able to leave the ship for “several days” as German immigration authorities only want to process passengers in the cargo area who are disembarking permanently, not those returning to the ship.  The letter went onto say the necessary repair parts are “on the way” to the ship.  
 

It’s becoming harder to imagine what kind of shortened itinerary could be put together if we are here at least for several more days, then have to sail to Dover, and then be back in Dover for the July 30 cruise.  To Le Havre and back?   To Zeebrugge and back? I wouldn’t mind either or both of those, but Carnival can’t even make plans without knowing exactly when the repairs will be completed. 

 

I know I chose this option, and Carnival doesn’t owe me anything.  But spending a chunk of the next “cruise” in a cargo shipyard was not something I anticipated. I will make the best of it, but in hindsight, I’m not sure it was the best choice.  
 

I agree that all indications are that Carnival is doing a fabulous job taking care of everyone who would have been disembarking tomorrow.  
 

 

Are you able to change your mind and leave?

For those already in Europe…turn lemons into lemonade and explore the UK, or take the train to France or other parts of Europe.   I feel bad for everyone who was looking forward to this cruise though.

3 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

Definitely do it if possible.   When we did it, it was a repositioning cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Valparaiso via the Canal and then Valparaiso to Buenos Aires.   Incredible trip.   If you do let me know I have a great AirBnB place we rented for a week.

Yes we were on that cruise!

On 7/6/2023 at 12:09 PM, gumshoe958 said:

Most convenient for the cruise terminal is the Best Western Plus Dover Marina Hotel. But it’s still a mile/20 minute walk so you may want a taxi - the receptionist would help get you one.

 

There are a few other hotels in Dover town centre including a Travelodge and Premier Inn but they’re all pretty basic. It’s not the nicest of places - the castle and famous white cliffs are its saving grace. Most Brits would only ever go there to catch a ferry to France.

Actually while basic, the Premier Inn was clean & comfortable with an excellent breakfast and very helpful staff.  It’s fine for one night.

Glad you’re back!  Please take it easy though, @Deck Chair Queen doesn’t want another scare I’m sure.

Excellent review so far, looking forward to more!

52 minutes ago, GenerationX said:

Meanwhile, in the world of adult passenger behavior, while we were in the arcade, the captain came on the PA about 45 minutes after all aboard to say that we were still missing passengers.  He said the ship had been in contact with them but they were still waiting to return a rental car and he said “I cannot make 5,000 people wait for 1 or 2 who are so late.” and that we’d be pulling our lines and leaving without them.  Key takeaway:  if you decide to venture out on your own in port, probably a good plan to schedule your day to be back at the ship AT LEAST an hour before all aboard (personally I try to plan for 2 hours before when going independent) to give yourself some wiggle room in case things take longer than expected.  Unless you’re on a ship’s excursion that got delayed, the ship probably isn’t waiting for you.

Ah yes, thinking the ship will wait for you!  Many years ago on the Celebrity Century during a Mediterranean cruise, the ship pulled out of Livorno, then it slowed to a stop, up comes the pilot boat, wearing life jackets this couple climbs into the ship.  An expensive trip as we found out they had to pay for their short trip!

Get well soon Norris!

7 hours ago, lazydayz said:

We are booked at the Premier Inn North Terminal.  Hope it’s ok.  Only one night so I will risk it. Lol

We stayed at Premier Inn, wonderful, close (relatively) to Dover Castle and good buffet breakfast.  Front desk very helpful with getting taxis to the port.

More excellent writing!

Your visit with your family was touching, I have some lovely cousins in England but last time we got together was 2010!  I’ve been 3 times since…2 land tours, one cruise.  Thank you for sharing that part of your cruise with us.  We stopped off in Belfast last year on a cruise with another line.  We did the hop on hop off bus as it took us to certain areas we wanted to see.  Lovely enjoyable day, with hot& sunny weather!

Looking forward to another review!

There is a shuttle run by the tourism office.  £10 to the centre of Belfast.

Love this part of your cruise!