foodsvcmgr

For both the main Britannia as well as BC, are negative changes lately reduction of choices, reduction of quality, shrinking portions? Any or all of the above? For frame of reference last travelled BC on QM2 in 2018.

Anyone seen a full listing of these throwback themed sailings? Seems like many of the long lamented favorites from the past will be making brief returns.

I’m no longer seeing a dining request for time and table size in the pre-booking process. Is this done after initial booking now through the personalizer? Also for those who have cruised multiple lines since the restart, has regular Britannia dining suffered from cuts in selection and quality to the degree of HAL or Celebrity that are being reported on CC? Thanks for any input.

There are many spots at HMC down the beach that are well protected by pine trees. You can position your chair to get decent sun protection for free and without struggling to bring your own umbrella.

Here is a shot I took of the then new Ecstasy berthed in Philadelphia in front of the Walt Whitman Bridge. She was open for tours on her delivery voyage from the shipyard to Miami.

We have used Defrantur for transfers, afternoon tango show and other tours. Highly recommended.

Has open seating only been found to be the case on any other ship at present?

Ernie - another outstanding and balanced review as always. We liked NA in prior years also and next HAL cruise is in 11 months on ROTTERDAM T/A. Hope food budget loosens a bit by then or it will be a long 15 days……especially if no more “always available” selections.

Year round is good news, as Jamman says let’s hope for some interesting Winter itineraries.

They are giving you a ticket for the first person if you buy a ticket for the second person. My point was that unbundling from a package with most cruise lines results in a lower cruise only rate.

What I don’t get is how giving away free tickets can be so profitable for NCL that they won’t give you ANY discount at all for not using this promo and booking your own flights?

I think the major reasons for the strange hybrid concept are: Lack of funds to convert the ships to full Carnival. Possibility they may revert to Costa at some point. Concern that marketing them as straight Costa would produce lesser interest and yields.

I would bet far greater percentage of formal wear on NYE than most any other sailing.

Check Cruise Industry News as well as the Carnival website for more details on the Costa by Carnival concept. Names confirmed to be changed to Carnival Venezia and Carnival Firenze. A hybrid paint job with a blue Carnival bow but retaining the Costa funnel logo. Still no itineraries.

Got tired of waiting so I booked a 5 night Bermuda in May on Liberty of the Seas. Paid an extra hundred for refundable deposit so I can switch to Costa if they eventually offer something better or more interesting. But no details since the initial concept announced in June has turned me off. Was concerned about availability and prices tightening up if I didn’t pull the trigger on something. I wonder how many other bookings Carnival has potentially lost by their foot dragging?

Here’s another spin on this which may be part of peoples thinking, certainly mine. I go to work unmasked every day in New Jersey since the mandate here was lifted in June 2021. That’s why I am highly disinclined to pay to take a cruise and wear one. If however I worked in a medical office still masking daily, continuing to do so on ship would not be a big deal at all.

Travelwide - you may be correct, I’m 63 from New Jersey. No indoor masks mandated since June 2021. Not interested in taking a cruise to be forced to put one on.

Brummel - Agreed. Either the protocols are done or they are not, not continually moving back and forth. Let the market decide. Let the guest do what they are comfortable doing based on their personal judgments.

Interesting how the cruise lines blamed their restrictions on foreign governments but when those governments finally withdrew the onerous rules the cruise lines are in no hurry to react accordingly.

Argentina dropped all Covid restrictions this summer, check their government website to see if anything changes.

Vacation Yes - that’s good to hear. Enjoy your table and your cruise.

So the consensus seems to be that closer to sailing, maybe after final payment, I will try to email the Dining Dept. If I get no response or the wrong response I’ll look for the DR Mgr. right after boarding. Did that for many years before some of the lines offered a choice of table size as part of the online reservation process. Thanks all!

Thanks all, e-mail it is! I realize most ships only offer a few inches separation from the next table, but at least that offers the option to converse or not with the neighbors, not the obligation of a large table. Appreciate the speedy replies.

What is the best method to request a table for 2 in late traditional dining (Liberty OTS)? Is there a way online, by phone, or have to wait till onboard? Any experiences and guidance appreciated.

For a mid 60’s couple used to Princess, HAL, and Celebrity, any pluses or minuses for a 5 night Bermuda on Vision from Baltimore vs Liberty from Bayonne next Spring? Will sail before schools are out, would the older ship with less bells and whistles tend to draw an older crowd? General condition of either ship in a standard balcony? Thanks for any info and suggestions.