grimpil

If all the palapas are taken do they have umbrellas for rent?

Just a week off the Venezia after 30 days of cruising (Feb2-Mar3) I witnessed some of the rudest behavior ever on a ship, not by children but entitled adults. A dude yelling at the Deli girl making a sandwich because she didn't make his sandwich the way he wanted. When someone confronted him he went on about free speech and his loyalty status. Partial plates of food left on the elevator floor several times. There was always a cup or plate on any stairwell despite the staff constantly vacuuming and cleaning stairwells. Insistent saving of chairs in the limelight(comedy venue) despite announcements before every show. Do people forget how to que in lines? Saw many confrontations about this. My wife sat on a cushion in the lido and it was soaked (not from a wet bathing suit) A lady in the casino yelling at a bar server that she should be getting her drinks every 5 minutes. I did see a lot more presence of security on this ship however that could be fleet wide now. The issue with smoke in the casino has been mentioned many times and I thought "oh well they are all smokey".  It was much more prevalent on this ship. The ventilation system needs to be addressed as I could smell the smoke in the MDR some nights and up the stairwell to the 8th floor

Despite the behavior we did have a great cruise and I would sail the Venezia again. Beautiful ship, friendly hardworking staff, great itinerary (journeys cruise). We enjoyed all the meals we had in the dining room but did hear about inedible food (perhaps we are not foodies). Our servers were all great, remembering names and wine choices. Went to the steakhouse twice, once was nice the other time mediocre. Il Vaggio was a pleasant surprise as I was expecting Olive Garden. First time doing Teppanyaki and we both loved it. We also met some of the loveliest people, many from New York and area. The Fun Squad was mostly engaging. I thought MarQ was a fantastic CD. His Motown routine in atrium was so entertaining. The fitness room had plenty of equipment and was never too crowded when we went. Enjoyed the pool in the aft of the ship although it was often overrun with children. 

We stayed in New York one day before and has a lovely evening. We did hop on hop off bus, dined out and saw Moulin Rouge, to times square after and felt safe. Heard from many New Yorkers on the ship that they were moving out of the city because of safety/crime but that is a topic for a different site

On 7/22/2023 at 12:39 PM, bup1224 said:

I would take Chogogo off the list.

If you are looking for a resort with decent snorkeling,  check out a day pass at Avila or the Marriott. 

Taxis to the beaches such as Lagun and Porto Mari are expensive here. 

i thought Chogogo was on Bonaire

We ended up doing a great tour with Waitukubuli Adventures. We swam/snorkeled over champange reef (warm volcanic bubbles ) for about an hour. Then went to see twin waterfalls, swam Titou gorge and ended off the day soaking in natural hot springs. We were supplied a light lunch (roti or Jamaican patty). They were very aware of the timing to get back to the ship with an hour to spare. Highly recommend

On 3/2/2024 at 10:31 AM, EllieinNJ said:

We just came off the Venezia and Dara in the piano bar had a good voice but she was very raunchy while speaking.  I don't mind some adult talk and enjoy the late night comedians but she spoke from the gutter 

We are just off the Venezia (30 days) and our experience in the piano bar was more like karaoke. We heard Dara sing one song, then some guy wanted to sing... i think she was being polite so she allowed him a song then his girlfriend? wanted to sing a song then Dara took a break. The table with the wannabe singers monopolized the waitress for about 20 min, couldn't get an order in and it was very warm in piano bar. We didn't last very long. Went to try a couple other times but the usual fun vibe wasn't there. Disappointed as i had researched her prior to the cruise and she has some great songs/clips on social media

Yes, it was Frizzante bar and the Carnivale bar (at the very aft of the ship)

Just off the Venezia, we had espresso/chocolate/orange, the mocha, and the "black" They were all 13.50 plus 18% gratuity

Would you say that the area to snorkel would be relatively calm and safe for young children. We are taking grandchildren (7,9), they can both swim but have never snorkeled before. Do they offer lifejackets and snorkel equipment?

We did this a few years ago...just be aware that the bus sits there until it fills before it leaves (our experience) I t took at least 1/2 hr to get to valley church. It was  an interesting adventure (quarrels between some of the locals). You can save money but if time is a factor not worth it for us

1 hour ago, mdin said:

We took the free wine offer once. It was a bottle of red Santa Helena. It was not very good imo. We barely drank a glass combined, and left the bottle behind. Not sure what the white wine brand was, but if it's Santa Helena, I'd pass.

 

Rather take the 50% off deal instead. 

Ditto here

17 hours ago, ninjacat123 said:

When I bought it on board, my lead waiter in MDR gave me a lightweight piece of cardboard that had five Wine chits.  You rip off a chit for each bottle you want that night. On the back, it lists the wines you can select from. You can pick a different wine each night or a red and a white for one night (uses up 2 chits) like my husband and I did one night.  If you select the regular wine package it will list those wines on the back, if premium it will be those wines on the back to select from.  And you can take your bottle back to the room if you don't finish it.

Did you try and get the multiple 50% off wine in the steakhouse on the first night. I think it was with you we were having this discussion a while back? Forgive me if i have the wrong person... 

12 hours ago, KKB said:

I am sailing solo--would I get this offer as well?

If so, it says "house wine"--I only drink Pinot Grigio & Sauvignon Blanc (occasionally Prosecco or Champagne)

What is the house wine?

Thanks!

 

I think it is Santa Helena, IIRC. 

On 12/23/2023 at 5:48 PM, ABQrobin said:

For Cobh(Cork) choose Paddywagon tours.  We did a great one with them to the Blarney castle and Jameson distillery.  Loved it.

For Glasgow... Serca tours.  Awesome small tours (only 6 people per van).  Highly recommend.

 

 

I can recommend Paddywagon tours as well. Used them for 5 days last fall to see every corner of Ireland. Well organized and great narration on all tours... nice singing voices as well

We received a survey from the casino for our upcoming cruise on Venzenia. It was asking questions about how much time/ money we plan to spend. It also asked the percentage of time compared to other venues we plan to spend in the casino. Other questions about role of the casino host, comps, drinks for guest etc. I have never received these before (nor never heard of them). Wondering if changes are coming to casino offers?

Just read your next post....glad everyone is okay. Have a great flight and enjoy the cruise

On 11/22/2023 at 9:26 AM, White123 said:

Thanks for your reply.  We are boarding Venezia on Jan 23.   I am thinking we should drive and stay somewhere before manhatten.   Drive into manhatten the morning of the cruise, and park at the port.   

We are on the cruise after you. We are driving to BUF and flying to LGA. The flights from BUF were less than half the price from YYZ.

17 minutes ago, Drazil65 said:

Got off MG yesterday, ordered the 5 bottles presale (15% off offer) before cruise.  Requested 4 of the bottles at different restaurants at dinner and 5th at a bar to bring back to cabin.  They were also selling on embark day in a couple different places on ship.  

When was the 15% discount offered in relation to the sail date? Did you receive an email or how did you know about the discount?

Tap water on the ship is run through evaporators with supplemental reverse osmosis. Probably monitored more than plastic bottled water

25 minutes ago, ninjacat123 said:

My Cruise Manager for my upcoming January 2024 cruise has it available for purchase, with the 18% gratuity not included in the list price (which I'm sure will be included when I do purchase it) but I'm planning on buying the wine package once onboard. We have Steakhouse the first night and I'm hoping we can buy 4 bottles at 50% off there like we have on previous cruises.  If not, I'll get the package.

All my recent attempts to purchase multiple bottles on the first night were denied "by the manager" of the steakhouse. Seems like it is ship specific if they allow it?

Steakhouse Question? We booked the first night in the steakhouse and the only time available was 6pm. I booked it then realized we will miss the NYC sail away. What are my chances of viewing some of the sail away from the steakhouse. Are there many windows?

Off topic... What are the electrical receptacles available by the bed. Most carnival ships have a European plug under the head of the bed for bedside lights which we use for cpap to avoid extension cords. I know @Saint Greg had mentioned all the plugs on his transatlantic review but cant find it now.👌

It didn't show up in my cruise manager list but it came up using the search feature for our upcoming Feb cruise. I could only order the premium package as well (3 or 5 bottle). Our go to wine is the Peter Lehman shiraz (in the premium package) which is $40 IIRC. The 3 bottle package is $124. I hope the package includes gratuity cus if not....

10 hours ago, TxTeach79 said:

This is tough. I'll do my top 5 - Embark ports only. 

 

1. San Fran - passing right by Alcatraz and under the Golden Gate? I'll never forget it. My one and only time there makes it special. So far.

2. Miami - Just the quintessential cruise sailaway from day one. Especially if you get to do the spin. Great skyline, South Beach, tons of cool ships to look at.

3. NYC - obvious reasons. The skyline. Lady Liberty. The bridges. Only reason it's not higher is on me, i've been there a bunch. 

4. NOLA - just the unique nature of it all. Leaving from the heart of downtown. I usually walk from my hotel to the ship. The vibe. The music. Sailing down the river all night. 

5. Ft. Lauderdale - Underrated. Carnival doesn't do this much, but it's got a smaller Miami vibe to it. You pass the beach, beautiful waterfront homes, and the people on the condo balconies go nuts, flying cruise line flags, blowing air horns, etc.

 

Hon Mentions: Barcelona, Tampa, Seattle. 

I agree with San Fran, large fog bank rolling in under the Golden Gate bridge while the sun was setting...Magical. Our first NYC sailaway this Feb so i may change my mind lol

16 hours ago, jam19872016 said:

A month ago so did I 😞. Bacon and mushrooms though since I don't like ham. Actually come to think of it, they were out of mushrooms. 

I think we must have been on the same cruise... Freedom TA?

3 hours ago, Denversail said:

Thank you for posting your review.

 

I do not require a specific font to read. I actually have not found a font I can't read. I must have a special talent that I never knew about. 

Maybe they have never read cursive writing?