nycruise1

Just received this letter as well but not surprised. A 12-day cruise out of NYC will attract many D/P cruisers. It is my first Journeys cruise, curious to see if it is that much different. My first Carnival cruise was over 30 years ago so maybe they will have activities I remember from 'back in the day'.

Surprised to see Early Seating at 5:30 and Late 7:45. We are also on the Feb 11 sailing. How was check-in? When did actual boarding start?

Open the pools earlier. They stay open until midnight and are hardly busy the last few hours. Mornings don't open until 8 and I would like to go in before breakfast before the Lido gets crazy. Same with the hot tubs, it doesn't take 8 hours to clean them. Roll out gelato to all ships, currently on Vista class at lunch.

10 day Venezia to those ports in a heartbeat. 2 extra days for less money and I enjoy easy ports where you can just walk off and relax and HMC is so beautiful. That said I did enjoy Horizon and ABC so you will be fine either way.

It has been about a year now. Agree with you it is much more cumbersome trying to find specific dates.

This makes a lot of sense. It would also encourage former loyal cruisers to get reacquainted and possibly reinterest them in sailing more regularly with Carnival.

We are on this sailing too! Not sure why this one is so late. We have had check in times 10 - 10:30 multiple cruises since the restart. Final boarding is 2pm so 4000+ passengers will need to check in during a 2 hour time span.

I once got to the port with 2 boarding passes printed on the same sheet of paper (front and back). They did not like that and sent me to someone who reprinted them out on to separate sheets of paper. Only took a couple of minutes. I would think they would have done the same had I only had an electronic copy.

I love walking out onto Lido when we first arrive. Getting through check in and boarding, going to muster, probably dropping off carry-ons in the room, then when I see the Lido as I come out of the stair case. Warm air hits you, music is playing, pools look inviting, and the view of Guy's and Blue Iguana and passengers are particularly happy and excited. That "we are here and there still are 7 or 8 days to enjoy" feeling.

Totally different reasons, but it is possible to get some perks or discounts when using a TA. I use a big box agent and get $ back after the cruise based on the fare paid. On occasion the TA has a lower price than what is showing on Carnival's website. Not often, but now and again.

I do hear what you are saying and never fully thought about it. We eat in the MDR every night and certainly don't mind the auto tips. But you are eating often in the pay restaurants so in essence you are tipping twice for that meal. But if you do tip individually next time would you tip at the Lido? Wait until someone is cleaning up after you have finished and give them something? Many times we finish and leave and never see the crew member who cleans up after us at the buffet.

This goes waaaaaay back. Bob Hamill did an act with a dummy (puppet not a person). His wife was also aboard and she did a number with him one night. We had lunch with Eric Brouman. He was eating lunch by himself on Lido and we said hi and chatted with him. Cant remember if he asked us or we asked whether he wanted company but in either case we wound up eating our entire lunch with him. At one point he mentioned that Carnival preferred newbies and not veteran cruisers. He said he did not feel that way but corporate did. Jaime Dee high kicking on the atrium bar. Emma Nixon had some great atrium parties too. Kirk Benning had the most interesting Q&A session.

I have never sailed with him, but if this truly is the sole cause of his dismissal, I feel it is an overreaction. He could have been asked to issue a public apology, something to the effect that it was a poor choice of words and he got caught up in the moment. Had he made a racist or sexist or homophobic comment, I would have seen that differently.

I would be happy to but I think I would need your profile name for that group? I had something similar happen to me and after some up and back with her she approved me.

We are doing b2b on Magic January 2025. Especially love the 5th deck, with 4 hot tubs, pig & anchor and ocean plaza. When Lido is busy we sometimes hang out there. That might be the deciding factor for us over Horizon/Vista which we have been on each. Horizon/Vista have gelato with toppings on Lido every day. Probably more similarities between these classes than differences. Decisions, decisions...

It is in June so at least all the outdoor deck activities would be fine. Have not booked yet. Still in the "thinking about it" mode. I have had 2 sea days in a row numerous cruises and enjoyed them, just not sure about 8!

I see a Journeys transatlantic with 8 in a row. I am fine with sea days, but is that just too many, like a Groundhogs Day unending loop? What I like about port days is the ship empties out and while I normally disembark for awhile, there is time either before or after leaving to enjoy escaping the crowds. Anyone been at sea for a similarly long time and how has it been? I know there will be some additional Journeys activities but still wondering.

Wow I would love to try that. Was it good? Was it at dinner? They only seem to have the cakes and cookies lunchtime.

What a wonderful feeling. Our cruise returns that day (though we are not cruising out of New Orleans).

Looks good to me. My only complaint is that I eat too much already. Oh well couple more pounds added to an already gluttonous cruise 😄

Is it 1 appetizer 1 entree 1 dessert only? Are multiples of anything allowed? New menu has good offerings, might want to try a few.

Venezia has 2 unique Italian style burgers at Guy’s, at least one with mozzarella cheese. Give them a try.

I consider being on before 11 a "victory" and it has happened a few times with 10:45 or 10:50 the earliest. But technically on a b2b we never left so dont know how to count that. We met in a lounge and they checked us in and out and gave us our new cards without having to leave the ship.

One slide the twister one is kind of slow and not too exciting, at least compared to some of the other ships. Green Thunder is another story. It literally has a floor that slides open and you freefall drop for a bit. Not for the faint hearted though some love it. Did you notice Chopsticks at lunch, an Asian buffet on the Lido deck? I believe they still have it.

Wasn't my first, so that is not why I am voting for Festivale, but it had a unique feel. I believe it was not purpose-built for cruising, and it had the feel of an old-time ocean liner. Lots of actual wood on the Lido deck. Definitely different than any other cruise we have sailed on. Not sure how successful it would be now, but would be nice to experience it again at least once.