sammee

Great review. I was on Divina last August. My review writing skills are bad so I didn't even attempt one. I agree with most of what you said, except the pizza, lol. I didn't like Carnivals and never bothered with it, but ate it almost every day on Divina. But we're all different. That lightshow they put at night was something else. I actually like the deep pools, except I wasn't paying attention and my first dip, wow. We stayed on the ship, but our balcony gave us a great view. We'll be doing Meraviglia out of Brooklyn next month. And than back to carnival Venezia for Thanksgiving. Now to find something for the summer. We're done sticking with one line. They are all similar and have their goods and bads.

I was contemplating the 499 a few weeks ago, but unexpected car repairs came up, and I held off. I forgot about it, thinking I had time until I saw this thread. Ouch, not happening for sure. That's nuts

On 3/22/2023 at 6:43 PM, luv2kroooz said:

I would absolutely believe it. We experienced that first hand during Corona. After much efforts and outside help, we finally got our money back. They will try to hide behind their contract at every turn, over and again, even when they their contract isn't even on their side. If there is a way for them to keep your money, they will do it. I also thought Tony's video was a little scattered today. He didn't really explain. I mean, how can you purchase a bus transfer online after final payment, without entering a valid credit card? I guess I am just confused about what really happened, but absolutely not surprised with NCL behavior. To keep thousands of someone else's funds after they have paid for a cruise is wrong. Cancel the unpaid bus transfer, but don't cancel the "paid for" cruise. I mean that doesn't even make any sense to me.

Very true and than some. I had to file a dispute to get my money back at the beginning of Covid. They tried to lie to the bank, but at the same time, they sent them the documents that backed up what I had, so oops on them. I won. That would have been my first cruise with them. The sting was starting to come off until I read this story. I will never consider them again, there is no trust.

8 hours ago, Gambler458 said:

Hi,

How did you pick which cabana you wanted?  Was it worth it?   I'd like to get one next month.

Are they near a bar and food?

Thx

They picked the cabana for me. I don't know if you can choose your own, our instructions were not clear. We got to the rental desk on the island. They brought us to one. We didn't pick, but it was near the food and bathrooms. I didn't buy any bar drinks, so I can't answer that. On day 2, we just got one of the free umbrellas and chairs that are the first section when you get off the ship. To me, I could have gone without the cabana, except for the bathroom and lunch convenience.

Lucked out and found a family member to chauffer me for the Brooklyn cruise. $315 for a 7 day cruise, yikes. Bigger yikes for November out of Manhattan - 10 days for $450 vs the $454 I paid total for the cruise itself. I'll probably  be going to do the ferry route, hoping the new ferry opens on time in South Amboy instead of Weehawkin.

7 hours ago, Benthayer Gonbak said:

 

There are actually a lot of people that request wheelchairs because they can’t walk long distances.  That service just takes you to the ship and then leaves you to go back to shuttle others. 
 

for what it is worth, I think the distance to the lower level entry is much shorter. 

Thanks for the info, but like I said I don't need the w/c. It's only that ramp that takes the wind out of me. I can walk the whole distance of the ship (with some sitting breaks, lol). I try and keep moving within reason. Been on Pride & Legend numerous times, just never occurred to me to ask to use that entrance for embarkment day since I'm not using walker or wheelchair.

4 hours ago, Benthayer Gonbak said:

I spent a lot of time with a walker still moving to the side!   I suggest you ask for a wheelchair to board, it can take slightly longer but it works boarding.  At one port in Canada the tides changed and I came back to multiple double backs that would still challenge most wheelchairs!  I asked the person checking the cards to get to the gangway to call and request  wheelchair.  If I never see a gangway that steep again it will be too soon.  Fwiw, these gangways were port specific, I believe Halifax! 

Don't need a wheelchair. I wouldn't want to take from someone that does need it. Just need help with the awful ramp. I use my rescue inhaler before I start the walk, but of course it doesn't help. Just need that little help of avoiding it entering the ship.

I knew you could go that way if you asked at checkin. Good to know there's somebody on the way out. I keep saying, I can do this, take my inhaler and have to keep moving to the side for others to pass while I rest it. I really need to own up to it now that I've been on both Pride and Legend many times.

Had this offer with drinks in casino and 100 per person OBC. So we booked for November.

9 minutes ago, BroadwayGirl said:

Where are you in Ocean? My husband works in Ocean and we live in Mercer. We live near the Hamilton Station. Its a much safer station than Trenton to leave your car and easy to get here via 195. No transfers needed...direct to NY Penn 

 

 

I also agree with the previous poster who said getting a weekday cab at the port when debarking is impossible based on past experience! We purposely planned our Venezia cruises to come back on weekends.  I have a journeys cruise for 2024 booked and it comes back on a Friday...I'm dreading it.  

I didn't realize about Hamilton, thanks for the info, but I just priced out Hamilton w/parking, Pt Pleasant with uber to get there, and Long Branch with no idea how to get there, lol. By the time all is said and done, might as well pay the parking. A bus is a possibility as I'm real close to the Toms River terminal, but now seeing this about taxi's on weekdays, yikes, plus the luggage. I'm starting to regret booking out of Manhattan or Brooklyn, got a double whammy going here.

11 hours ago, SAM527 said:

In the past I've gotten a ride to the Point Pleasant Beach train station, I don't believe you can park long term or overnight in their lot. You have to switch trains in Long Branch then that takes you to Penn Station then just a taxi or Uber to the cruise terminal.

Thanks, I was checking things last night. I thought I saw something that transfer, but wasn't sure.I've never used a bus or train, so it's a learning experience.

50 minutes ago, jerseyjjs said:

Being from Jersey, we have the option of taking the NJ Transit train to NY Penn Station then taxi to the Manhattan cruise terminal.   Lugging the baggage and not knowing who will sitting in your car is a detriment but haven't had any problems yet.  🤞

What county are you in. I'm in Ocean County. Never even though about the train. Car service is not looking promising.

You can warn people til you're blue in the face, they still fall for it. Just like the phony profile friend requests, scam online stores ads, etc.

22 hours ago, audcc77 said:

I’ve used the same plastic slinky cord they used to hand out free at the casino. It looks cheap but it’s so light that I barely notice it.  
 

 I started using a lanyard when I began leaving my card in the slots in the casino. 😂

I have the same ones. And use for the same reason, lol. Actually, I carry a small purse and hook it to the purse when not in the casino. 

3 hours ago, Jamman54 said:

If true that would not be good. We've used a car service before so we would probably do that instead. 😎

Well they certainly made a liar out of me. They deleted 2 lines on their page, so we all pay 45/night no matter what. Glad I didn't opt for the 2 week cruise, parking would have been more than the cruise. I had a casino deal, lol. They get you one way or the other.

Looks like 450 for me, mine is a 10 dayer. Brooklyn went up too, I'll be paying that in May for my MSC cruise.

Just a heads up. As of 4/1, parking is now $45/night. I didn't realize it til somebody on fb commented on it. 

59 minutes ago, njhorseman said:

Count the number of nights on your cruise itinerary. That's what you'll pay.

Thank you, that would be 10 nights. Some ports would charge for 11 days. Got nailed for 8 on a 7 day in Port Canaveral. Just making sure of that. At least I have a lot of time to explore other options.

Still trying to decide for my upcoming cruises. For Manhattan, I have a 10 day cruise booked. Am I getting charged for 10 or 11 days. I've noticed some terminals will charge for your disembark day while others don't. Info doesn't show on their web page. I'm guessing the same will hold true for my Brooklyn cruise.

Glad I saw this, I have one booked out of Manhattan for November and knew about that one, now Brooklyn for May.  Yikes. Hoping I can get a family member drive for Brooklyn, since it's Sunday - Sunday.

18 minutes ago, Florings said:

I never thought the popcorn was that good, no flavor at all for the most part.   I had never thought of taking my own snacks onboard until last cruise when my brother suggested it... we took store-bought popcorn, both buttered and cheese flavored (BOGO at Publix) and it was worth carting it onboard in a tote bag.   I'm doing it again this weekend when we board for the southern Carribean.

It reminded me of the popcorn we give to the animals at our local zoo. No taste whatsoever. What was worse is it smells so good when you approach the area. You can't wait to take that first bite and than nada. I'd gladly pay the 3 bucks, if we had some salt and butter on it.

21 minutes ago, audcc77 said:

😞 Ugh.  I was wondering about this. 
 

That’s going to really hard to justify as we pay that for 2 people as well.  
 

In fact, we only use it until 2 o’clock usually.  
 

 

Same here. If other family members were going, I'd think about it.

Last March,2022, I paid 359.99 for regular cabana on HMC. It's priced at 499.99 for my upcoming November cruise. I think I'll skip this one. Can't justify that for 2 people. An extra 50, I may have. I realize prices are rising, but 140 extra. a clam shell and a float will suit me fine.

7 hours ago, bvhboat said:

Just booked the November 20th sailing.

We will be driving in from the Philadelphia area, how's the parking?

I'm on that sailing too. Coming in from NJ, south of Jamman54. Unless something happens and a family member is available, we're going to drive and park at the pier. I checked a couple hotels thinking of doing a shuttle. Priced ubers, taxis. I even thought about the bus to port authority. But in the end, I've resigned myself to sucking it up and paying the 400. Just haven't found savings enough to warrant the extra time and stress. 

46 minutes ago, StephPS79 said:

A lot of people have a lot negative to say about the casino offers, not sure why.  Everyone has a different opinion on what "a lot of money" is when spent at the casino, and love to say, "well they aren't really free" because you have to spend some money in the casino.  

 

Our current situation is - we have 3 different offers (interior, ocean view, and balcony offers) for a free* cruise that can each be used 3 times.  So that's really 9 cruises we could book.  This round of offers, you do have to sail by May 2024, so a little over a year, and could we really take 9 cruises in the next year?  We couldn't, but some people could.  

 

We have spent no where near the amount of money 9 cruises would cost.  We HAVE booked about 3 of these offers.  I'd wager (haha get it) to say, we've spent less than the 3 cruises would cost, and may book maybe 1 more. 

 

And we have fun doing it.  

 

And, given past experience, after this current round of offers expire, they send a new round with further dates.  

 

But for whatever reason, there will always be naysayers against casino offers.

Always people talking saying you spent all this money and they have no clue. I usually only get interiors or balconies, but lots of time I can get a cheap upgrade. Same here,  It's like a Buy One Get 3 offer, lol. I scored Venezia, 10 days for this coming Thanksgiving. Interior, but I'll take it. Before I stopped working, always those claiming I have a problem, hahaha. Husband and I only do slots, once in awhile husband will do a table, but he doesn't give a card, so no points there. Best part, my slot machine money doesn't come out of the checking account or charge cards. I save my money for all my online surveys, rebates and other earning pages.