staceyglow

My question is where are all these new massive ships going to go? There are only a handful of ports that can handle the megaships, and they appear to be pretty saturated already with their current cruise visitors. They don't seem to want to build the smaller ones that can go just about anywhere, so what happens when they need to retire the old ones? Is the strategy to convince all the ports to build docks that accommodate the big ships? Will the build some small ships in the future so that people will be able to go other places than Nassau, Cozumel, and Grand Turk?

Just because you don't use it doesn't mean that no one else does either. I have used mine on every cruise since I qualified for it. So I am going to say that the redemption rate is at least 75% 😊

I agree. I have never heard that bribes were necessary.

I don't think most people (even if they can follow the story) are going to care.

Blast who? Carnival?

That works, too!😃

While I agree that you save money by not purchasing Cheers, I believe your calculation is a little off. In most (if not all) cases, that stateroom credit would have been applied to anything on your folio, including that $176.50 of charges that you said were non Cheers-related. So it would not be correct to deduct that off your bar bill to compare it to Cheers.

Even after years of reading various complaints on CC, I have never, ever heard of anyone with guarantee cabin not eventually being assigned one. Has anyone else?

If building a couple of megaships lowers the price on the smaller ones and frees them up from the Bahamas and Western Caribbean ports to go to more interesting places, I am all for it!

IMO, from a business standpoint, it was a little underpriced. Like every other product with finite supply and a hard expiration date, the proper price is whatever makes it sell out right before that date.

I won't name names but I was at a Carnival piano bar where people lined up their Cheers package drinks on the piano for the performer, and he drank every single one. He must have had 8 in the couple of hours we were there, including several tequila shots. I have no idea how he could still play and sing after that.

My bad. I am mixing up my ships! 🥴

You don't get the email? I always have. I just got one today for my cruise coming up in a couple of weeks: Dear valued Diamond and Platinum Guests: Welcome back! We want to make you aware of the priority benefits for sailings departing from the U.S. and Europe. D Platinum and Diamond guests will be given 48 hours advance access to select their preferred terminal arrival appointment. Please visit My Cruise Manager on Carnival.com starting at 16 days prior to sailing to complete your Online Check-In and select the terminal arrival appointment that works best with your plans. We will not be able to accommodate guests who show up earlier than their selected terminal arrival appointment. Upon arrival to the terminal, look for the Priority line to check-in (as is customary, this is not available for Carnival Journeys cruises). Once on board, you will be able to drop off your bags in your stateroom, but we ask that you not linger in the hallways or your stateroom. Our team will still be working hard to get the ship ready for your sailing, so once you drop off your bags, please return to the public areas of the ship. Priority luggage delivery is available for checked-bags. Priority debark and water shuttle debark is available at the home port and ports of call (except on Carnival Journeys cruises).* A US$25 in Casino FunPlay®, in addition to any other FunPlay® you might be entitled to as part of your booking, will be provided. Additionally, please remember that certain VIFP amenities will be linked to your Sail & Sign folio for electronic redemption, like how we handle complimentary laundry. Simply claim your benefit, using your Sail & Sign card, and a one-time credit for that item will be posted on your folio and visible on your statement. Complimentary Beverages Brunch Beverage – redeemable in the dining room. 1.5L Bottled Water – redeemable from any bar, restaurant or your stateroom. Chocolate Delight (5+ Day Cruises) A tasty treat will be ready for you to enjoy; just call room service to schedule delivery. Carnival Logo Gift & Ship Pin Please visit our Photo Gallery to claim your Carnival logo gift and your Carnival ship pin. We encourage you to claim your gifts no later than two days prior to the end of your cruise. Your continued support means a lot to us and our great staff and crew can’t wait to welcome you back on board! Sincerely, Christine Duffy President, Carnival Cruise Line *Due to the high number of Diamond and Platinum guests joining us, priority debarkation is not available for our European voyages at ports of call where water shuttle operations are conducted. ReplyForward You can't react with an emoji to a large group

Cucina del Capitan. Lunch is free there, and it it's practically deserted on embarkation day.

I was a little reluctant to use the word "fumbling", but couldn't think of a better one. 😀 I know my way around a smart phone, but I was only a step or two into getting into the right screen to look at the menu when a waiter would say, "would you like a paper menu"? I am not going to turn one down, but I am fine looking at the app as well.

We have only been to Costa Maya once. We took a tour of the ruins through this company: https://www.thenativechoice.com/ It was great. After the tour, we stopped in a local town where they served us a delicious dinner, and even taught us how to make tortillas on a stone over a wood fire. The experience was much better (IMO) than a random beach day, which I have done many other times.

That has not been my experience, especially recently. I have been offered a menu the minute I have started fumbling with my phone. I have even been handed them as soon as I sat down. Otherwise, I use the online menus. I am a little past middle-age (certainly not elderly), but I am starting to wonder if they assume I am too old to use the technology! 🤪

How is that getting screwed?

A few years ago I had to get stitches in the infirmary after I tripped on a curb in St. Lucia. I forgot exactly what the cost was, but it was under $200 (including a follow up visit), far less than what my hometown urgent care would have charged me.

Breakfast definitely. I don't know about lunch. A Journeys cruise with a lot of port stops might be different from a transatlantic, which I have never been on. Even if there is no lunch in the MDR, there will be lunch the other venues besides the buffet (Cucina del Capitano, Guys, etc.)

Same here. They may repeat a certain dish here and there, but the menus are different every night.

We primarily book ocean views. We don't think the additional price for a balcony is worth it. We have done it a few times, but we never spend as much time on the balcony as we think we will. And an oceanview is roomier, because the square footage that would otherwise be balcony space is actually inside the cabin.

The banana split is on the kids menu, but a grownup can certainly order it.