Lovtotravel2

While we may complain that we want chocolate, no one picks a cruise based on that, its ports and price. There comes a point where you may be willing to pay more for the extras, and Carnival Corp has the Princess Line or Cunard to meet those needs. But Carnival has the lowest price point, and fun places to sail and will have that market without chocolate, but only if they keep the price down, and throwing away a lot of chocolates wont keep cost down.

I love the people I meet on here, and have made great friends, but we are the hard core, small percentage of cruisers, my 4-5 cruises a year is nothing compared to what some people do, but we are the 1% There are somethings I miss as all the Cruise lines evolve but they are a business and have to adapt. We also used to have more leg room, meals, and good service, but even when that went away we still buy plane tickets.

Some of these changes will push us to do what the want us to, and that is upgrade to a more expensive product, then they can fill the lower cost cabins with new customers who want to try it.

I am getting excited about warm weather and two weeks on board. Single guy traveling alone here. Who else is going?

Ready to get out of Minnesota

None of the ships I have been on had them and I am very glad. there is no sound proofing between balconies for for you to listen means everyone has to. I have had enough afternoons on the balcony ruined from people playing load music on a balcony.

I am no Carnival Cheer Leader, but I know you get what you pay for. Carnival gives a great low price cruise with incentives for repeat customers that keeps people coming back.

The drink at brunch coupon, turned into lines of people standing at the door to main dining room just waiting for a bar waiter to get them a drink, they didn't go into brunch. They tried a bloody Mary stand on some ships.

While some of us used the coupons, many didn't, and the program was replaced with water for all Red and up repeaters, so more people now get a perk that wait, people want bottles of water to take off in ports.

Match Play was still going strong in January

Flat Iron steaks are considered a good cut of steak, more fat then the sirloin it replaced, yes its called marbling and gives it more flavor. Try it you may realize its pretty good.

I pick my trip based on ports first, ship second but any Marketing 101 course will tell you A. nothing is for free not OBC or FREE Drink Packages, it is either included in your overall price for the cruise or its used to fill ships the Cruise line has problems filling.

All of the Cruise lines are looking for ways to control costs to keep pricing low or add low cost items they can charge a lot for to keep profits where stockholders want them. The same as every other business in the World, in most cases but most notable on a cruise ship, we would not pay the price if there really were just keeping old programs and adding expense and upping the cost of the cruise.

I have done it, and will be again in January. First if you buy alcohol give them room number on 2nd leg and that you are back to back, they usually catch it them self and it will not be given to you at the end of leg one but will come at the end of week two.

You will be asked to pack, but your steward will help get it moved to your new room (I do love staying in the same room, you do nothing), just take your items you are not comfortable having moved with you. After everyone is off, you will have met other B2B at the service desk, they give you your new card and walk you off to customs as a group, then right back on.

About the only bad thing is since changing room you will have to be out in the morning, but can hang out in lido.

its worth it, B2B is a wonderful way to travel

on the Conquest for first two weeks of January, anyone know what the Dive in Movies are going to be?

I am not a Carnival Cheerleader but it seems they got you off fast unless I missed something, they have no control over the budget cuts that have left Homeland Security reducing staff at immigration check points. Its betting to be a pain at the airports and cruise ports how long it takes to check back into the US

We've sailed out of Houston (Galveston) with no issues whatsoever other than the crappy hotel in Galveston (I selected it from the Internet based on location and price so that was my fault...) we stayed at the night before embarking.

 

And that my DW's checked bag didn't make it on our non-stop flight (the airline's fault, of course) but did make it prior to cruising (since we stayed a night before in that crappy hotel so I guess that was good planning after all...).

 

The ship both left and returned on time and we missed no ports.

 

We were happy I planned ahead and had a rental car reserved to return to the Houston airport - others we saw didn't and they ran out of cars so they had no timely and easy way to get to the airport.

 

Bottom line: we had no issues cruise-wise sailing out of Houston. We would do so again.

You sailed out of Galvaston, that is not the same as Houston. I agree with you the Galvaston port was great the week before, very organized and well run.

The rain and missed ports were not great, the limping into port at an 18% list to starboard and getting tossed out of bed when the winds hit the ship left a lot to be desired.

But the real problems are:

Sailing from Houston, big mistake, hard to get to port, fogged in, but that's the norm. Bad Luggage handling, long waits to get on board. Finally sailing out 20 hours late. Your in Texas too so no drinks or fun while stuck there.

Luggage handling, pay the porter then find out he left your bags at the curb, or when they are loading them on board dropping a few into the sea. Hand to God, when it was delivered they told the people it was in the rain for a while, but now we know it rains salt water in Texas, and Rick Perry says the environment isn't changing.

Missed ports due to sailing from Houston.

But hey more sea days, well with a Cruise Director that is more focused on a really bad morning show, was no where to be found, no updates, no added activities so who wants more dead time with nothing to do.

Meals in the Lido were cold, not sure they ever tried for warm, and forget about hot unless you wait and wait and wait for an omelet. But not sure we can blame the kitchen, since by the time you find a waiter for silverware or a cup of coffee its time for lunch.

Main Dinning room was worse, bad food, over cooked Luke warm and lots of bad service.

Bar service was hit or miss, you got waited on, but it was always a gamble to see if you got what you ordered.

The staff moral was low, few smiles, lack luster service, many areas were dirty, slow to clean up dishes or drink glasses. But watching staff yell at each other is so entertaining.

The shows were so so , had to walk out on the disco one the singing was so bad, but the dancers were good.

Casino, some great staff some so so, bar service slow, but I broke even, and with no ports it was open a lot.

Then there is the coming home, hit by winds and list so bad you roll out of bed, and then sleep at an angle all night, and get in 2 hours late. Slow getting off the ship, and then about half way they though the list they just tell everyone to go, that was a cluster to find luggage and get though customs.

Then there is Texas, as you leave asking if you have booze or Tobacco as they are going to charge you tax to take it home with you. It was amazing seeing that no one had bought any :)

But really the best part of the Port of Houston, and Emerald Princess was getting on a flight out of Texas and knowing you will never be on the ship from hell or at that port ever again.

My advice, if you are not at final payment and can change, do as fast as you can.

The food in any main dinning room is mass produced, they are not set up to do made to order meals and serve the 1000's of guests a night that pass though there.

You are sailing on the wrong price point of cruise lines if you think they will make a special meal if you don't like whats on the menu

You will not be able to charge anything on the ship until you either have a cash deposit or a credit card on file for the trip. You do have the option to go with your verizon gift cards to the desk and have them put them on the account for you the first day but expect lines.

I don't drink the tap water but I do drink the water from the drink stations.

 

I absolutely am not going to buy bottled water (at any time, anywhere). And I sure as heck am not going to haul it onto the ship.

 

You can usually buy a small bottle for $1 from vendors in the ports.

Sorry to burst your bubble but the water from the drink Stations is the same tap water.

This is the same as people at home who wont drink the water in the bathroom but its okay in the kitchen sink, like there are different pipes or water coming in.

LMAO

I was on the last sailing of the Destiny and it was run down and nothing special, so was not expecting much when I got talked into doing the Sunshine. Well what a change, The Sunshine is wonderful, not sure were the crowding was, I was on B2B sold out cruises, and found lounge chairs, seats at comedy, in bars etc when I wanted them. The food was 180% better. If you are going, try all the specialty places to eat, the Asian was outstanding, the Wok at Lunch fantastic, Best Steak house I ever ate at, Sushi was wonderful, and great Italian. The MDR lacked in comparison. My only complaint is I am not a fan of Guys Burgers, to greasy for my taste, but I don't like Five Guys for the same reason, so I ate at the Mexican Blue Iguana and didn't have the long lines at Guys and got better food for my taste, win win. I like trying different ships but will be back on Sunshine again soon.

I had ATT and was able to put international on for a month, and was on line with my apple as soon as we got to port, I was able to use on my balcony with no problems and in every country. It was so much cheaper then using ship minutes

We'll be doing our first B2B on the Splendor in November. We are VIFP gold, in a suite and have FTTF for the first leg. Any tips, tricks or suggestions we might need to know regarding B2B cruising?

I don't understand why you would buy FTTF when you have a Suite that gets you priority boarding, your suite gets you all the benefits FTTF gets, and you don't waste $50

What you're hearing are longtime cruisers who have loved Carnival for years and spent thousands of dollars cruising with them. They have watched as the product has devolved into a fraction of what they used to enjoy, and consequently have become disillusioned with Carnival. I see more and more of that with every passing month.

What your hearing is whining that I bought a Toyota and expected to get a Benz. Products change, correction EVERY Product has changed in the last 10 years. You can buy lower cost bargain brands or Better Quality Brands. Carnival Corp has a range of options, want better dinning, book Princess, want Luxury Book Cunard, want a low cost affordable no frills book Carnival. They segmented their Market as they bought different Brands, but you have to pay for what you want. Royal has done the same thing they are just a step different in each market so you really do have choices if you want them, they are just not free.

The OP didnt like the food, show me a Buffet in America that has hot food, very very rare, they gave you free strawberries, but not enough (they were free) and news Flash Carnival cannot control the taste of a strawberry.

Stop buying cheap and expecting the price to stay low and wanting the world in perks, its not going to happen.

I am amazed I don't think I have seen such bad or silly advice on posts before.

Apologies to those suggested call the Cruise line, they will most likely work with you and reschedule.

How about talk to your boss and explain I have a trip paid for, and see what they company may do if they have to ask you to change.

Very few employers are going to ask you to change set vacation plans unless its very important. To suggest a civil suit or to quit your job is just silly.(not my first choice of word) Not everyone works at minimum wage jobs, I doubt they are telling OP they had to have him on the business trip if he is a job were he asks Do you want fries with that. Clearly OP is a key person who is needed, they didn't share all the facts as to why or how it came about, but really you think the solution to the disappointment of missing a trip that can be rescheduled is reason to quit your job. No wonder its so hard to find good workers in America.

I did a port hole on my first curise, last time I will ever be in on. Was mid ship so didn't have the noise and motion, but every time you looked out the port hole and saw the ocean swell on the horizon felt sick. I never get sick on a ship other than this. I had a friend book the cabins you are looking at to save money, it was a rough trip and they didnt sleep for a week, between the waves hitting the bow, the up and down motion as we sailed over night and then the anchor and thrusters in the morning they vowed never to sail again.

They are starting 10-14 and 6 day trips with the pride when it goes to Baltimore. There is a long press release on Carnival web page or John's page.

Its over a year in advance, when we book this far out, you have to expect changes.

You will bet a time to leave and find lots of buses, they load as fast as they can get the luggage on board the bus and they are off.

We just got off the Breeze about a week ago. Had so much fun.We are all ready talking about going on another cruise. This time over Christmas never done a Christmas vacation before. I hope it is going to be warm in the Caribbean in Dec??:confused:

 

Anyways we have sailed on the; Liberty, Dream,Valor,Freedom and the Breeze.

Will we be disappointed if we booked the SunShine? Thanks. If anyone recommends a ship let me know thanks.:D

After doing the final TA on the Destiny I went back to try the Sunshine for two weeks this year. IT IS WONDERFUL, the only ship I have enjoyed more is the Allure by RC. There are the same problems like chair hogs as any ship, but the specialty places to eat are great, the wok at Lunch, or Italian is great. Guys is Guys, greasy burgers cold fries, nothing special there.

It helped to have Butch as the CD for two weeks, but sure the current one is great too.

So let the Sunshine you will enjoy it.

I think the MDR food is OK, not the quality I would ever go back to a place on land for, but matches TGIF or Ruby Tuesdays. I tried every specialty dinning on Sunshine and not one served a meal that was less then Great. Went to JiJi twice it was so good. its no surprise the quality in MDR has gone down, it gets people who like good food to go and pay for it. The real joke in my opinion is eating a meal on the Ledo cold bad food, and people pile it up like they are starving. The only bad meal on Sunshine was Guys, I am not a fan of grease burgers, I don't like Five Guys either, just my taste.

Its too late now that you redeemed, but going forward never take OBC, charge the full amount to your Carnival CC, then a month later, go on and have them apply the dollar value to your Barclay account for a carnival charge. It will be treated as a payment.

The benefit is you will get the double points for charging the full amount with carnival and still get to use the reward. By having them move it before the trip you loose 100 easy points. I do the same when they offer discounted gift cards, charge it, and get double points you come out with even more savings by using the Carnival card.

We were told that they are treated/shocked daily but didn't think to ask how often they were drained or what specific chemical they used. My nose told me that they weren't using clorine.

I own and maintain a public pool and know the work that goes into keeping them clean, I don't have a public hot tub since they are so very hard to keep clean and the chemicals in balance. But I want to dispel the myth that you can smell the chlorine and if they are clean. If you are smelling chlorine there is a problem with either too much Free Chlorine or the pool is out of balance. It is normal to have a slight smell in and indoor pool but if you can smell it outdoors that pool is unsafe to be in.

I have a life, but being a geek about how others do things my business requires i did watch them, they do a good job of draining and cleaning, they cycle though the hot tubs but it seemed to be about every other day they were drained and scrubbed.

Based on what i watched them do, I would use the hot tub on a ship, while you would never find me in one at a hotel were they are accidents waiting to happen in most hotels.

They have their higher price brands there and are selling out, so I think it will be a while before they feel the need to put lower priced product into that market.