sammee

1 hour ago, Mangrove Snapper said:

I received an email today for 20% off premium WiFi if you bought it with a photo package or a shore excursion.  I’m buying the excursion and that internet package anyway so I bought it today.  

I just did the same thing. I noticed an excursion that had been missing is finally back for Nassau, I was thinking about it and than received that email. 

What a great review. I definitely to hit one of these cruises heading north. Your review made it even more tempting.

They can search all they want, anything to keep that smell off the ship. That crap actually makes me sick.

Hope they straighten it out soon. I'm planning to pay off my cruise and book a few things.

33 minutes ago, MistyRo76 said:

Interesting about Poogan's being haunted! 

 

And the culinary tour is definitely high on my list for our next visit! 

Here's a link for a little info on it, pretty interesting   https://ghostcitytours.com/charleston/haunted-places/poogans-porch/

You on this cruise and Jeff/Patty on the Venezia cruise are keeping me pretty busy. Keep those pics coming. Not sure if I'm more exciting about the cruise or Charleston, lol,

26 minutes ago, MistyRo76 said:

 

They used to say Poogan's was haunted by Poogan and fa ormer resident, Zoe. I went there in 2010 on my first Charleston trip. I thought it was limited than too. I'm sure the culinary tour is different now, but we did it back than too. Than was fun with lots of samplings. Definitely try it if you get the chance.

1 hour ago, MistyRo76 said:

Page's was very good! But honestly, the best meal of our stay in Charleston and maybe even entire vacation was our first night at ACME Lowcountry Kitchen! If you've never been, give it a try! 

 

And you'll enjoy the Sunshine. For an older ship, she has a lot of add-ons and upgrades for dining, entertainment, etc. 

I'm sure I will, I love the older ships. My last cruise in Charleston was on Fantasy.  I'll have to keep Acme in mind. We're going at a good time of year, so walking around downtown will be fun and easier with nice temps.

I was in cabin 5300 last year. I had bass noise issues. Definitely not engine room or other mechanics. I've heard that before and it didn't bother me. Somebody else said the same thing in another thread, I think it was noise on Pride? Other than that, it was a great room. 

Love this review so far. I'll be on Sunshine at the end of April next year. I see Page's is just as good as ever. Can't wait to eat there. We'll be staying over in Patriots Point area too,

52 minutes ago, Homosassa said:

LHP, your complaint does not surprise me.

 

The stage flies for the theater extends up above the stage for several decks.  This open space will carry the sound  of  any audio using the sound system of the theater (shows, movies, games, etc.).

 

We had a similar problem on HAL's Zuiderdam when we were assigned an interior cabin that was above that ship's theater flies. The bass frequencies especially carried.

 

Like you, when I commentated on the problem on Cruise Critic, I was discounted because  "the stage is several decks below your cabin."

 

On the other hand, some people researched "flies" and commented that they now understood the problem.

 

Some Bass seems to carry more than other noise. Had that happen on deck 5 of MG. Had it happen at home by a not so nice neighbor too. It's one of those things we have to hope to plan and avoid because no sound machine or earplugs work with it.

I've been stalking this forum waiting for your review. The wait is over! We had cancelled out Thanksgiving cruise. You are so right about the weekday travel there. As much as I hated to do it, my husband was so relieved we didn't have to mess with that. We will eventually sail her, but for now, we'll cruise looking through yours and Patty's eyes.

4 hours ago, Elaine5715 said:

Considering you can charge up to $5000 a day to your S&S and that daily number is increased when there it is a Premier/Elite/Ultra, you can bet people are spending more than $100 a day

That's one thing I won't do. I always bring cash just for the gambling. Same thing I do when we go to Atlantic City. I can not trust myself to let loose on the account or a credit card.

4 hours ago, jiggs said:

Punny

HaHaHa, I didn't realize I did that until you replied.

I know better than call it a free cruise, maybe almost free, lol.  $100 per day for husband and I, occasionally on the last night another $100. I usually get the $200 deposit free interiors and upgrade a couple hundred for a balcony, sometimes less.

I just like paying a lower rate (including gambling expenses). Never hit anything big, but that's okay, it's fun trying as long as I don't go overboard.

5 hours ago, Pellaz said:

As I read Carnival's press release, the price was increasing by $5 per day, not $10.  It was confusingly written, so I could well be reading too much, or too little, into it.  

 

Either way, lock in those drink packages sooooon.  

It's word games, got the email too. Am I correct in saying the price goes up if you wait until you are onboard to buy? This is above the "Buy now" button in the email - "

So I'm guessing, it's 59 now, but will be 69. Now if you wait until you get on board, 74, that would be the extra 5?  Either case, I'm not getting it, I don't drink enough anymore. 

19 minutes ago, Haljo1935 said:

Oh no 😢 😕 😞  hope the Spring one is awesome and makes up for canceling.

Thanks, I'll be meeting up with friends on the spring cruise and than family afterwards, so it should be great. I guess this cruise wasn't in the cards for me. Almost gave it up 2 months ago. My husband had trouble getting it approved. Got through that only to have all kinds of havoc this week. But maybe I'll treat myself to a $700 cabana this time. Maybe.

5 minutes ago, Jamman54 said:

Of course! 😁

Can't wait to see it. Especially this one. I just had to cancel my November cruise, so not cruising until Spring, the horrors, lol.

1 hour ago, Jamman54 said:

We are on! First drink at the lobby bar! 😁

Have a great time, are you doing a review when you get back. I'll be looking forward to it if you do. 

1 hour ago, MsTabbyKats said:

Sorry about that!

In general, a buffet offers lots of options, and you can get what you want and as much of it that you want.

 

In thinking back, I never really cared for Carnival buffets (compared to NCL buffets).  Not as many choices....food not as good.  On the last cruise (Magic...Sept 2022) the only thing I really liked was a specific panini from the deli in the buffet.  And there were lines for that!  I tried the MDR...and had a piece of salmon that areminded me of cardboard.  The waiter brought a subsitute...spaghetti in cheese with bacon.  No thank you.......

 

So...as you can see...as a generalization....when I go on Carnival I don't put on weight (which is a good thing)....but overall....despite the upcoming cruise being a wonderful value...with a cabin in a wonderful spot....I'm seeing too many potential problems.

 

Our (mine anyway) current preferred cruising venue is Yacht Club in the MSC Meraviglia.  It's not because of prestige or snob appeal....it's much easier and safer to navigate.  Not to mention the pizza (which I could live on for a week)!

 

 

I've heard the same thing here and there about this ship among other things. I'm going with a smile and will see how it goes. I love that tray idea.

You had to mention MSC. MSC pizza is great and the yacht club ruined me. I get it being easier to navigate. Sitdown was right there if you chose and a nice buffet in the afternoon, not as many selections, but tasty and easy to navigate.  I just don't have the budget to continue on those YC prices.

23 minutes ago, BlerkOne said:

We lost a number of cats to coyotes when we moved to our current property  and before we figured out what was happening. We thought some had just run away, but nope.

 

We now have some coyote dispatching dogs, but one in particular doesn't always know the enemy. Or it could have been a hawk or owl or a raccoon. Maybe even a snake. I found one of the chickens that a dog probably snatched but none of the others. The circle of life.

 

 

The raccoons seem to get along with the ferals. They may bicker over the cat food but nothing major. I caught them playing tug o war one night. Those raccoons know how to use their hands. No matter what spin we put on it, still sucks. I take it hard when they disappear.

3 minutes ago, BlerkOne said:

If you followed my last cruise you know about the feral cat that found us and then had a litter of 4 kittens. Unfortunately, something must have grabbed Hammy (my favorite) because he disappeared shortly after we returned from that cruise, along with a couple of hens.

 

 

I've had a few of my ferals disappear over the years that really made me sad. Pretty sure coyote got them.

1 hour ago, ninjacat123 said:

How much for the umbrella?  I have seen people bring their own beach umbrellas on HMC.  TIA!

Yeah, I've seen that too, Looks like $34.99 Details - Umbrella Rental: Relax under your very own umbrella on Half Moon Cay's stunning beach. Powdery white sand, turquoise waters – the perfect combo. Your umbrella comes with a carry bag, ultra-base, canopy, towel hooks, and nifty tools for beach setup.

13 hours ago, Jamman54 said:

The cabanas and villas that people are enjoying now and probably the rest of the year were most likely reserved before the price increase. We will be in HMC on the Vista in April, and there are over 10 cabanas still available. They have been available since this past April. They used to sell out very quickly. 

Yeah I can remember doing the mad dash to guest services when I booked a last minute cruise that the cabanas were "sold out" online.  My November Venezia cruise shows over 10 available on both types. My April cruise on Sunshine shows Villas sold out (probably before raise) and cabanas over 10 available.

Now I noticed they added something new. Umbrellas, not sure how that's going to work. The way it reads, it sounds like they give you a bag with all the equipment to set it up yourself. I forgot the exact price, but cheaper than a clamshell. We may try that in November.

20 minutes ago, Earthworm Jim said:

 

If your implication is that Superstorm Sandy was nothing more than a thunderstorm overhyped by NY media, you are badly misinformed.

 

Per Wikipedia: Hurricane Sandy (unofficially referred to as Superstorm Sandy)[1][2] was an extremely destructive and strong Atlantic hurricane of late October 2012. It was the largest Atlantic hurricane on record as measured by diameter, with tropical-storm-force winds spanning 1,150 miles (1,850 km).[3][4][5] The storm inflicted nearly $70 billion (2012 USD) in damage and killed 233 people across eight countries from the Caribbean to Canada

We wish it was overhyped. So much destruction. There are still homes that haven't been rebuilt, sadly just abandoned. I was lucky by about 2 blocks as far as home getting flooded out. Lived there for 25 years and never seen anything like it.

1 hour ago, skywalkr2 said:

I can't believe this discussion is still going on here lol

That's because Carnival decided to sweeten their own wallet by taking away the A/C from cabanas and villas yesterday. I'm sure we'll see even more going on.