falkcor

i don't think the site need restrict posters regarding reviews. and in fact, that's one of the things this site is very good about - compilation of reviews on cruises - it is i am certain what drives a lot of the traffic, and in fact how i found it so many years ago just by searching 'carnival destiny reviews'. i read literally probably over a hundred reviews in the 'member review' section before i ever even came over here to the boards.

now on the board side, there is an option within this message board infrastructure (vbulletin) which allows for 'reputation' points. if you find a post helpful, etc. you can basically 'like it' and the poster accumulates reputation points, which often results in a customizable 'level'. it's already there actually - 'cool cruiser', 'blue ribbon cruiser', '5,000+ club' etc. that's based on post count but having read here for years i do not find post count as an entirely accurate predictor of whether the poster is helpful, accurate, or to be 'trusted'.

that might give an insight to a poster's credentials basically. i know there are some posters even with thousands of posts who i know to basically discount for better or worse, based on previous history (that i've read)...

take it all with a grain of salt and make your own generalizations while researching, but still always approach a cruise with an open mind and make your own DECISIONS. a lot of stuff that matters to a lot of people does not to me, and i could not care less about these issues as per my own personal enjoyment or experience. they're entitled to their opinions, and i'm entitled to not care about the same things that may be important to them.

i went to nassau and freeport in january. it was in the middle of a 'polar vortex' so it was at least 10 degrees cooler than it normally would be, or so i am assured. we still did a beach and snorkel excursion in freeport and went about our business in nassau.

on average, it will probably be high 70s.

here's a way to check far out forecasts from the weather channel:

https://weather.com/weather/monthly/l/Nassau+The+Bahamas+BFXX0005:1:BF

for some reason i think that's stuck on september but you can change the month.

i walked around in shorts and a short sleeve shirt.

op, yes they can move you as explicated above.

in fact, sometimes they will not even let you book a room at less than capacity. they refer to these as 'capacity controlled' cruises - they will typically be during peak times, like holidays, spring break, or summer / high demand sailings.

your chance of being moved depends on that. you say your cruise is in november. if it's the first week of november it's probably not a big deal - but i it's the week of thanksgiving you would have a higher chance of being moved. it's all supply and demand.

auto tips. i don't pre-pay, they will post to your account while onboard automatically (i don't need something else to do up front). i've never touched them.

i pay additional tips to those deserving depending. i tend to leave room steward a few 'extra' especially with notes (like please make sure to keep ice, etc.) or give it to them when i make any requests, give bar servers tips at the point of service, and extra to dining room servers etc. during the course of the cruise too.

I wonder why the need for Dry Dock on the Breeze. Isn't this a fairly new ship? We are planning to sail on the Breeze in Feb. 2017.

typically cruise ships are dry docked on a 3-5 year cycle. newer ships of course at the higher end of the spectrum of about 5 years. relatively routine things are re-painting of the hull, equipment upgrades or maintenance, and general hotel upgrades (paint, tile, carpet etc.). these tend to be around 7-10 days and should be considered routine maintenance. it's like the 30,000 mile or 60,000 mile type maintenance on a car, which are more thorough than an oil change but not that involved regardless.

'dry dock upgrades' - like the evolutions of fun type upgrades which require structural changes or new installations (such as waterworks as an example) will take longer than the 1 week - 10 day type upgrade. then of course the extreme example is the destiny -> sunshine transformation, initially planned for something like 45 days ended up taking more like 60 as i recall.

not all dry dock periods are equal - breeze's first will be more 'routine maintenace' and she is about due.

nice compilation of the discounts out and about. while nothing 'new', it's nice to see them all addressed in one spot - i'm sure it will help someone out.

great bottom line - 995 for 4 on a 5 day cruise - that's pretty great, way to go. B)

Looks like a muster drill back in the day when you were suppose to wear your life jacket (and DON'T put the whistle in your mouth)

why would they be on the bow of the ship, away from muster stations then?

given the photo credit (as pointed out above) from 1998, i'd bet it has to do with the fire on the 'ecstasy' in 1998... they more likely went there because it was furthest from the fire aft.

it's pretty incredible they decided to use an 18 year old image from an entirely unrelated event. this is why i do not watch or listen to msnbc.

(my comments as also posted on the other thread)

very cool, this is exciting news. i can't wait to see what they make out of a 180,000 ton ship for CCL.

also interesting to see CCL move away from fincantieri, which has built all the recent new ships.

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here's an article from back in june when they were discussing the orders, with 2 for aida confirmed (at that time - which appear to have been shifted back in queue):

http://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/12701-carnival-next-gen-ship-details-lng-180000-tons-2-for-aida.html

Based on Carnival Corporation’s innovative new ship design, each of the four next-generation ships will have a total capacity of 6,600 guests, feature more than 5,000 lower berths, exceed 180,000 gross tons and incorporate an extensive number of guest-friendly features. A major part of the innovative design involves making much more efficient use of the ship's spaces, creating an enhanced onboard experience for guests, said Carnival.

i guess we're looking at about 6,600 pax. i really am interested to see how they design that.

here's an article from back in june when they were discussing the orders, with 2 for aida confirmed (at that time - which appear to have been shifted back in queue):

http://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/12701-carnival-next-gen-ship-details-lng-180000-tons-2-for-aida.html

Based on Carnival Corporation’s innovative new ship design, each of the four next-generation ships will have a total capacity of 6,600 guests, feature more than 5,000 lower berths, exceed 180,000 gross tons and incorporate an extensive number of guest-friendly features. A major part of the innovative design involves making much more efficient use of the ship's spaces, creating an enhanced onboard experience for guests, said Carnival.

i guess we're looking at about 6,600 pax. i really am interested to see how they design that.

very cool, this is exciting news. i can't wait to see what they make out of a 180,000 ton ship for CCL.

also interesting to see CCL move away from fincantieri, which has built all the recent new ships.

Here's the original thread that was posted right after it happened. Has a couple good pics and a firsthand account of someone who was there:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2395566

shhhhhhhh. i don't think you're supposed to post in this thread anymore. you're going to get us in trouble. lol.

im going to go read it now. it really is kinda shocking if this is as i see it. to some of the other comments - the captains are from italy, who needs a pilot... fuggetaboutit. lol.

what were they thinking

if you're looking for people more in the 28 yr old age range, a 5 day cruise would be a better bet than a 7 day. shorter cruises attract a younger demographic than longer (time off work, cost, etc. are some factors)

that said, on any cruise, i've always met people around my age (i've been and still am roughly around your age range + a few years). i'd say the most 'people around my age' i encountered was on a 5 day out of miami late september... however, the 'most active' 'people around my age' was probably splendor 8 day out of new york in january - we'd see most of them every night lol.

go for the shorter cruise if you want the max of that demographic though.

it's kinda crazy, i really wonder what 'allowed' that to happen - in terms of whether the captain / crew improperly estimated the effect of their passing, etc. or whatever else.

i bet there will be a better marina and those affected will have nicely refurbished or nicer boats haha.

it's funny they link vista to 'costa' and the 'costa concordia' - it's nowhere near that level of criminal negligence... but a more naive or passive negligence, perhaps. i haven't paid attention, i'll go see what others are saying on the other thread(s). would love to see what cheng has to say about it.

if you earned a free casino cruise that indicates to me that you spend some time out and about around the ship (at least in the casino!).

based on ship, i would choose sunshine. it has so many more venues, and in that regard even things you might be comped for (things like free steakhouse dinners, etc. i read about) than the smaller fantasy class ecstasy. if ship is important to you, i'd pick sunshine for sure.

on itinerary, you say you love bermuda, so that indicates to me that you've already been there. the sunshine itinerary has a port you haven't been to, and includes stops at HMC and grand turk too. 3 ports vs. 1 (albeit you love it), i'd pick the new and more varied experience of that itinerary myself.

so for me, i'd say a win for the ship and itinerary on sunshine - that would be my pick.

Any chance that Carnival will base more ships in NYC next year?

 

2016 wasn't the greatest to catch a Carnival ship out of NYC.

 

MARAPRINCE

i do not think they will base more than one ship out of NYC, and as i'm sure you're aware what they do send is only seasonal at this point. looks like we have sunshine out of NYC again next year. carnival thinks very highly of sunshine, it is of course one of their 'newest ships' :rolleyes:

other lines are more committed to the NY market with RCCL anthem of the seas (and vision / rhapsody), NCL breakaway (and gem), regal princess, etc. - among their newest / best ships, and including year round options.

they made a big to-do about basing a ship year round out of NYC a few years ago, but that didn't last long. i don't see them back tracking, it seems they have ceded the NYC market to the competition. i think part of their problem in strategy was refusing to deviate from the 8 night cruises with splendor, and severely lacking itineraries. i did the port canaveral, nassau, freeport itinerary in january so i can say that.

oh definitely, go for it. they certainly will not care. i've gone back for seconds, and at least thirds more than once. just get back in line and grab another serving. seriously they are individual hors d'oeuvre sized portions - have you never taken more than one mini hotdog / pig in a blanket sort of thing at say a party, etc.? it's the same thing, you just get a plate each time. no worries here. :)

No baby. Just got back from picking up the other two couples from Galveston.

oh man, that sucks :eek:

Sorry got jaded from those that post with other intentions here- should not have assumed. Plus is hard to get all the intentions out of just writing.

no worries. not jaded here, not judgmental or questioning. just curious. that is all. i read mentions of posts, and wanted to see them, that's it. i'm sure we'll see plenty tomorrow.

Take it for what you want. Not posting links as is a closed group and can not do that.

got it. again, not questioning your proposition. i was just curious and not willing to search the internet all night to find an obscure face book post. also wasn't sure if you were aware you could even post that stuff (that are not groups, etc.)

just seemed since it started to get to 'someone from carnival acknowledged' basically (paraphrased) - well, where is that.

interested to see what happened. hope all are well. i hope to be on sunshine sometime soon :eek:

so where is a link to any of these posts?

you're not allowed to promote face book groups here in lieu of CC roll calls and such - granted - but i believe the filters and mods allow links to news (such as from john heald, etc.)...

i'm not saying i doubt it but it hasn't hit the news yet. let's see it.

in my experience, typically piano bar until 1-2am, dance club / disco until about 2-3, aft lido bar open until 4. casino bar open as long as 'people are playing' but that seems to cut out by about 2-3. the aft lido is the 'official' bar open the latest, and tends to go to 4am on the dot. don't ask how i know that.

you might be able to order drinks (beer at least) after that from room service - but i typically take the 'bar open the latest' closing as an indication i should go to bed. ;)

Thanks PattBenatar, they are both mobile however I was slightly concerned whether it may be something of a 'party' ship:eek:

the shorter the cruise, especially if over a weekend, the more 'lively' the crowd will likely be. cruises while school is out will have more kids and families. 'the fun ships' is carnival's thing, but that doesn't mean it's all 'booze cruise'.

that said, i do not and i bet a lot here don't know exactly what the australian demographic is like on the spirit cruises down under.

worst: beef stroganoff, penne mariscos, and i couldn't find much alligator in the fritters, they were almost exclusively breading.

best: stuffed mushrooms, prime rib, short ribs under the 'filet', bitter and blanc, fig date cake, cheese plate, and room service reuben & potato salad for late nights.

Can you do this with anytime dining? do they have some sore of a menu?

i've seen a couple people inquire about this - so here's a sample menu (subject to change / substitution) but it gives you an idea of what to expect:

To this day, i make sure that the balcony door is open just a little bit so that no one will lock me out again:(

that's why we put the washcloth in the door :o

fool me once... :rolleyes:

we made sure it didn't happen again, regardless. ;)