tonit964

Another awesome review! Thank you for taking us along with you. Always enjoy reading them and appreciate all the work that goes into it. 

I’ll be on Deck 1, starboard forward on the Firenze at the end of August. I’ve never been on Deck 1 but I’m thinking it’ll be fine. Cabins above me and I’m assuming I-95 is below me. Maybe except for the anchor dropping in the wee hours of the morning for our Cabo stop. 😁
If I’m not mistaken, the Firenze got the statue of David from the Pride? 
Loved my Pride cruise many, many years ago. 

Have an awesome cruise!

6 minutes ago, BoyMom_05 said:

Thank you! I’ve been checking the website to see if it pops back up because once it sold out they took it off the website. I’ve also been calling my PVP daily for updates. 

 I think you're going to have to be really diligent in checking multiple times per day for a cancelation. As others have said, I wouldn't wait for someone to notify you.

I would think there would be cancelation between now and sail date. Best of luck to you!

2 hours ago, jimbo5544 said:

Enjoy your cruise.  Let us all know how it went when you return.

Thanks and I sure will. 😊

Yeah, not having cheers on the second leg would be a bummer.

I went ahead and booked the Firenze for 8/31/24. It's a milestone birthday cruise and will be my 20th Carnival cruise so I'm excited about it.

27 minutes ago, teknoge3k said:

A 4 day vs a 7 day would be a no brainer for me, regardless of ports. A 4 day cruise you barely have time to take your shoes off. 

It would be a b2b with a 2 day but I agree, a longer cruise is always better, so that extra day is great to have. 🙂

9 hours ago, DPTexas said:

If you miss the iconic "whale tail" on the Firenze, then go on a whale excursion in Cabo San Lucas where they go to give birth because the water is warmer.  We went in January during the height of the whale sighting season and were not disappointed. Since you are going in September, you may miss that because I believe it starts in mid-December through April - but check.  Even if it is too early, the beaches and scenery are breathtakingly beautiful.  The excursion also included going to the Arch of Cabo at the land's end where the Pacific Ocean becomes the Gulf of California, where we also saw plenty of sea lions, too. 

 

On this itinerary, a must see excursion in Puerto Vallarta is the dinner show "Rhythms of the Night" which was very entertaining and fabulous.  Book that excursion early because it seems to sell out quickly. We thoroughly enjoyed that itinerary and hope you do, too.

Happy Cruising Everyone!

Thank you for all of that information. Not sure what I’m going to do in the ports yet.

6 minutes ago, staceyglow said:

I was on the Venezia a few weeks ago, and I can assure you the lack of a whale tail did not affect my enjoyment of the cruise one bit.

I know, it sounds silly and it wouldn’t affect my enjoyment of the cruise at all but every time I see that big C on the stack, it’ll just seem wrong. 🤣

@jerseygirlinAZ @DPTexas

Thank you for your input, I think I’m going to go with the 7 day on Firenze. Kinda wish it had the iconic “ whale tail “ though. 😁

I'm torn between these two cruises and hoping for some help. The cost difference is minimal so not a factor and these are West Coast Long Beach port cruises. Both ships are new to me, ports are not.

Carnival Radiance 4 day 9/2/24 - b2b with a 2 day 9/6/24 going to Ensenada & Catalina. The 2 day does not offer Cheers.😩 I've never done a B2B before, might be kinda fun.

Carnival Firenze 7 day 8/31/24 - Mexican Riviera

I appreciate any input to help sway me one way or another.

TIA!

17 hours ago, Lilfeat said:

I've already taken a loss, have y'all finished kicking me already? It's not your loss, why are you guys so bent out of shape over my stuff? Can you help me get it back?  I never said the cabin steward stole my bag, I honestly don't believe there was anything in it that he would want, however the location of my backpack could have been easily overlooked by the steward.  All I wanted when this first occurred was for a Carnival Rep to have the Steward check the exact location of where I left my backpack on the same day in which I left it.  But I can clearly see how he could have missed coming across it. I used 10 Clorox wipes to clean my filthy cabin, if he didn't clean the cabin prior to me coming then chances are he didn't clean the cabin for the next guest, therefore he would have not have seen my backpack because it was not in plain view. Yes, I reported the filth to Guest Services.  Instead of giving me the beat down, be kind and help me find my bag, if you have a story like mine share it. If we live long enough we will make  mistakes, for those who have made them know how costly they can be.

OK, I’ll play. What would you like us to do that you yourself aren’t able, to help find your backpack? 

4 hours ago, JLewinFL said:

Sid..we make our own margueritas! We agree..on the ship you always ask for Patron Repasdo or Anejo.

Oh wow! Now, that’s what I’m talking about! 

14 hours ago, SDPadreFan said:

West Indian Pumpkin Soup. I always get 2 big bowls.

This has been a favorite of mine for years, I noticed on the Panorama last October, it tasted just like tomato soup. Was disappointed it wasn't how I remember.

On 4/25/2024 at 11:07 AM, Lilfeat said:

I unfortunately left my black backpack on the Carnival Venezia cabin #2400 last November 2023. I was unable to return to my cabin to retrieve it and was told to file a complaint on line. I filed 3 complaints and received the same response. “After a full investigation we are sorry to inform your backpack was not turned in to our Lost and Found Department or to the ship Security or Guest Services Office.”  My case was closed with no luck in sight!
Once the ship has cleared, No one has access to the cabin accept the Cabin Steward. I would like for Carnival to have a conversation with the Cabin Seward in locating my backpack. These cabin stewards should be held to a higher standard. We do not cruise free and are expected to pay gratuities per person in the stateroom. How can this be allowed to happen? I don’t understand. 

I was on a Princess cruise and was in my cabin on embarkation day, I pulled the curtains all the way back from the balcony and noticed on the floor by the desk there was a passport.

I had just met my steward so I went out into the hall and gave it to him, he said the occupants of the cabin that morning were looking everywhere for it. He said he would bring it to guest services.

Can you imagine the previous occupants blaming the steward for stealing the passport or what if I decided to not turn it in.

It makes zero sense the steward would "steal" your backpack and much more likely someone walking by the cabin took it. Unless, as another poster said, you forgot and left it somewhere else.

This is why I always put cash on my account now. I go to GS the first day and tell them I’m putting cash and to delete the cc.

I’ve never had a problem with mysterious charges anymore when I return home. 

8 hours ago, Snaxmuppet said:

Yes, the apology came afterwards... when corporate discovered the impact it had. It was just inexcusable IMO and not something that a corporate apology remedies for me.

Exactly. Once MSC found out who they were, they apologized.

6 hours ago, XBGuy said:

At the risk of being unreal.  We only buy wine by the bottle.  Some time ago I did a spreadsheet comparison of my cruise costs Standard Pricing vs, Plus Pricing vs. Premier Pricing.  I found that the packages do not pencil out when I bought by the bottle.  The 25% per bottle discount that is offered with both the packages did not offset the price of the packages.

 

Because of a domestic situation, we have been unable to cruise for the past couple years.  We hope that this situation is resolved at some time in the future.  When we do resume cruising, I will rework my spreadsheet.

 

Returning to the thread topic, I did think of something that I do not believe has been mentioned.  There used to be a fun event offered in Vines called Stammtisch.  One of the Vines servers would facilitate a conversation comparing multiple wines.  Attendance was limited to 10 or 12--however many chairs there are around that big table.  After the session was over, the server would open up one more bottle--typically, one of the wines in that day's program--and participants were able to sit around, enjoy that last bottle and chat.  I always enjoyed it because it was a small group, the participants were, generally, more than casual wine drinkers and conversation was encouraged.  This program ended quite a few years ago, much to my disappointment.  I would love for Princess to restart Stammtisch or something similar.

 

 

Your post reminded me of the Happy Hour BOGO for $1 at the Wheelhouse they used to have. Not so much a wish list because of the Plus/Premium pkgs now but so much of a nostalgic thing. 

Used to go with the family and my dad who has long since passed would absolutely love this time together in the afternoons. I really miss it, thanks for reminding me of it. 😊

52 minutes ago, Cruisemeister2002 said:

I would like to see packages available that have choices that can be mixed and matched. Maybe if you don't want 15 drinks in a day as some days especially those where you may be on an excursion most of the day you'd have to be an alcoholic to down that many between late afternoon and bed time. Also one part of the package is two gym sessions, personally I have never been to a gym in my life and don't intend to start at 74. I know that it will be pointed out to me that Princess informs the customer of what a package costs and entails and you have a choice as to whether to take one out or not.

The 15 drinks a day is just the limit they impose. You don't need to come anywhere near that to make the package worth it.

Best of luck to you.

I can't imagine Princess allowing you to go back to your original cabin. It would be a nightmare for them if everyone that didn't get the location they like wanted to go back.

4 hours ago, cr8tiv1 said:

If you list it on the app, you will receive a "free" personalized chocolate/mousse cake.  You will also be celebrated on any digital board as you pass by with your Medallion.  Wait staff will sing to you.

 

If I were you, I would make plans to decorate your cabin on your own.  I find Princess' packages to be extremely expensive.

 

You may bring flowers onboard (but may not take them off/not supposed to).

 

 

The digital board celebrating your special occasion is very cool. This was for my birthday on the Sapphire a couple of years ago.When you get close to the board, it does an animated thing where confetti explodes on the screen. 

20 minutes ago, Lady Arwen said:

I would love to see a total ban of all indoor smoking, including the casino.  It’s time, Princess.

I agree completely but currently Princess is saving me a ton of money by still allowing smoking in the casinos.

I will not drop one penny in there as long as it's smoking.

For those saying they could have been late due to an accident or needing to go to urgent care or whatever, in the daily planner on all of the cruise lines I've been on, they list a port agent and phone number in case you have an emergency while onshore and they recommend you bring it with you.

I'm sure many don't pay attention to it but also I'm sure many do.

On 3/26/2024 at 10:37 AM, kirtihk said:

Yes.  There are too many so to speak something's to live with.

I knew/got what you were saying about the validity being less than 10 years.😉

15 hours ago, indexcards said:

Let me wrap up this discussion with what I learned from this exprience.

 

1.  Do not take any advise from Princess reps on telephone.  

2. Read all fine print sent out by Princess.  IE get it in writing.

3. Renew your passport whenever you book a cruise if it is going to expire in less then 6 months after such tour..  

 

Then have fun cruising, and thanks again to all

 

 

Well, at least now you won’t have to think about it again for 9 1/2 years. 
Enjoy your cruise!

5 hours ago, rowingmachine said:

We have never booked a cruise so far ahead (November '24) on Sky.. We have been invited to book our 'free' speciality dinners and excursions and thus downloaded the app and booked our dinners.  The excursions did not appeal.  Is this not somewhat far ahead to be doing this? Is it easy to cancel or rearrange.  I know I'll be on the cruise ship but really no idea how much I'll feel like a 16 oz steak at 19:10 on 4 Nov, but DW as lead passenger got the reminder email and thought we might miss out! Surely these venues are not that sought after.

Another way of looking at it is you may definitely be wanting a 16oz at 19:10 on 4 Nov. 😉

Have a great cruise!