Tryingtocruise

Thanks all.  They didn't respond to my form submission within the 48 hours, so I just called and it the call was less than 5 mins.  They dropped the price by $360 total and said if it goes down more, call again.  🙂

On 3/15/2024 at 5:45 PM, Illbcruzn4life said:

I got $100 off last week when I called my PVP and it has gone down another $60 since. I was a shocked as the next guy to see not 1 but 2 reductions. This is for the Mardi Gras.

Do they do multiple reductions?  I got one about a month ago for about $200 pp and it's gone done again by about $180pp.  I filled out the form for the 2nd but nothing has changed yet.  For the first one, they just dropped the amount due.  BTW, this is next October's 16 day trans Panama Canal cruise on the Spirit.

Hi all!

We are coming into Nordfjordeid on 7/29 and scheduled to arrive in port at 11:00 and Geiranger on 7/31, arriving in port at 07:00.  I know cruising up the fjords themselves is really the highlight and what I want to see.  Can anyone give me a rough idea of what time we will actually be entering the fjords?  I'll try to ask someone on the ship (HAL Rotterdam) beforehand, but as an over-planner, I'd love a rough idea now.  Also, I plan on being on deck during the exit, but I know dinner and other activities may interrupt that viewing.

Thanks!

I've taken my small (3" blade) in my notions bag and had no issues.  Never even knew that rule existed.  Like everything, I guess it depends who does your security check.  

Hope that helps.

I was planning on using my no foreign transaction fee Mastercard.  If I have to use my American bank debit card, am I going to get hit with a transaction fee?  Is there some prepay debit card that is an option?  I'm not really excited about using my debit card as it doesn't offer the same protection as a credit card.  For reference we are going to be in Amsterdam 6 days prior to our Fjord cruise, with maybe a day trip to Delft.  

Thanks for all the info!  DH and I decided to pass this time.  Decided we would rather spend the money elsewhere.  It's our first time on HAL so we figured we would experience the MDR and be "normal" cruisers for the first time.  DH did say we would consider it for the next HAL cruise.

I'm thinking about inquiring about Club Orange for our July Fjord cruise on the Rotterdam.  I know the biggest benefit is a cabin upgrade.  I am also very interested in the priority boarding and small dining room but I'm not sure just those options are worth the additional cost.  

Right now we are booked in a standard Verandah cabin on deck 7 - category VE.  If I can add on Club Orange, can my cabin upgrade be to an aft verandah or a spa verandah?  

If a spa verandah, are any spa accesses included?

I also realize that Club Orange may be sold out.  I'm just trying to figure out if it is even worth inquiring about.

Thanks for the help.

Just a heads up - the Spirit is due to into a 6 week dry dock in early 2025.  We'll be on the 2nd cruise after dry dock - Miami to Seattle through the Panama Canal.  The first will be the TA cruise from Barcelona to Miami.  I have no idea what they do on a dry dock this long, but I'm really hoping they will add some dining options like Teriyaki, etc.  It may alter what is available in August 2025.

If anyone has any insight into what changes could be made in dry dock, I'd love to hear it. 

On 2/18/2024 at 9:25 AM, Essiesmom said:

Google Grenada Invasion.  Oct. 1983.  Both ti es I visited and took tours, the guides were telling the story.  EM

How old am I that I remember when that happened.  I was in college in DC and we couldn't believe the US would invade a country like that.

So excited to see this.  We're on the Spirit for 15 days - only 3 port days - next spring (Panama Canal transit) and I'm a little concerned about how much the Spirit has to offer.  Looking forward to seeing your impressions. Have a safe trip!

35 minutes ago, pirate4me2 said:

What!! I love Rosa Regale! I NEED this!! 

Me too!  It was fabulous!

1 hour ago, willdra said:

Whoa that looks delicious! Please report back and let us know how it was! 😍😍

It was fabulous.  We went with the only goals of picking up the latest Passholder magnets and having one of those.  Success!!!

On 1/31/2024 at 8:43 PM, willdra said:

When we walked out of the ride, another parade was getting ready to start. We crossed over back into Adventureland so we would be in the area to pickup my Dole Whip order at 6:30. We sat in the Tiki Hut waiting area when we got there. There’s a very good restroom back there, which we utilized. At 6:30 I picked up my Pineapple Whip. It was everything and more! It lived up to the hype, and no lies were detected. It for real made my mouth ecstatic. I ate it slow to enjoy it while we sat and people watched. After I was done, we did the Jungle Cruise cuz it was a short wait.

 

The wait for Jungle Cruise was short for a reason. That ride was super super mid and dated. I was glad we only waited 20 minutes. It was after 7 when we exited, but the park was still very full. We checked the app, and Peter Pan had a 30 minute wait. It was a very quick walk through the castle to get there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We're going to WDW tomorrow just to try this: 

 

 

 

4 hours ago, csm5986142 said:

We were recently on the Spirit for a 16 day Panama canal cruise, and I agree with everything you have to say about the ship.  I was a little worried we would be bored with it being a smaller ship, but it was just so pleasant and relaxing, it was great.

We have experienced all of the carnival classes and agree, Spirit is one of the best.

So glad to hear this.  We are booked for the Panama Canal cruise in March/April 2025 and I'm a little nervous about 11+ sea days.  I can pack enough yarn for all the sea days but I'm afraid DH is going to drive me crazy from boredom.

Still happening.  I thought maybe if I put a credit card # in, and only asked for the amount of the gift card to be paid it would take that first.  Nope - charged the card, which I really didn't want.   Left a message with HAL vacation planner.  Very annoying.

On 9/23/2023 at 12:02 AM, kwokpot said:

There are no storage racks on the trains so you need to keep your luggage with you.We took a four face to face seater and put our luggage on the other side;however we had to move the luggage when the train was crowded so it basically had to sit right at our feet. 

Is it likely the train will be that crowded at approx 9:00 am on a Sunday?  We can manage the amount of luggage I anticipate having but storing it on a train may be frustrating.

Thanks.

We are booked on the HA fjord cruise next July.  I was looking at the excursions that are up and a handful are already saying sold out.  Is this possible or have they just not opened reservations yet?  We are probably going to do independent excursions for the most part but we do have excursion credits to use and I'm wondering if I have to book something this early.  Also does it mean I should book the independent excursion now in case they get sold out, particularly the Troll Road in Alesund?

Thanks.

DH and I are on this cruise also.  We're on the west coast of Florida so we'll drive over Saturday.  Very relieved to have dodged the storm for the most part and it doesn't look like there will be any developing while we're gone.  

I'm relatively new to following these live cruise reports, but I really enjoy them.  I'm too much of an introvert to reach out to anyone I recognize but if any of you see a fat, white haired woman knitting, that'll be me.  Stop and say hi.

19 minutes ago, kew1031 said:

Good Idea! I have a couple of easy crochet patterns that don't require much effort. Couple of crochet hooks and 2 or 3 skeins of yarn... 

 Nope - this is it.

13 hours ago, cdoncruise said:

I hope you like your Journeys cruise! We took our first one this spring and absolutely LOVED it. It was 16 days on the Spirit from Miami to Seattle. We booked our next Journeys cruise before we disembarked, we loved it so much. The crowd was experienced and not tightly wound, the vibe was amazing. We made friends. We got incredible Carnival (and general cruising) tips from all the Platinum and Diamond folks. And we were able to get to know the crew so well that when the crew put on a talent show toward the end of the cruise it was an incredibly personal and moving experience.

 

I only went to a couple of the stage shows, so I don't know what (if anything) they repeated but I know they brought on several special acts throughout, I remember a magician specifically but there were others. We're more into the comedy. They rotated new comedians on throughout the cruise, and I think there were 6 or 7 different ones. Before the cruise, I'd been afraid I'd be bored, but the only time I cracked a book or watched any of the tv I'd downloaded was when I got stuck in the room with a 48-hour bug (not covid, I was tested by a poor med staffer in a hazmat suit!)

 

I don't recall any repeated dinner menus, although some dishes were just slightly altered versions of previous offerings. There were many items I'd never seen before, and one day we had an expanded Indian buffet that was phenomenal. We'd been warned that fresh fruits and vegetables might disappear by the second week, but that didn't seem to be the case although that may have been because of our itinerary. We're doing a 12 day transatlantic next spring and I'm interested to see what happens with the food on that one. But to be honest, while it's always fine, we don't cruise Carnival for the food 😂

 

(We also booked a 14 day Princess cruise for next year. I think we're just long cruise people now.)

I'm so excited to hear this.  I just booked this cruise for 2025.  I'm a little concerned about all the sea days, but I'll just have to bring an extra suitcase full on yarn and knitting patterns!  

10 minutes ago, Tryingtocruise said:

I'm trying not to be an idiot but I cannot find anything on the HAL webpage about this.  I even entered "AARP" in the search box and nothing came up.  I looked at my Mariner profile page and I don't see anything there either.  I also looked at the AARP page and don't see anything there.  Am I blind or stupid?

 

Thanks!

Never mind.  I found it.  The answer was stupid.  😂

I'm trying not to be an idiot but I cannot find anything on the HAL webpage about this.  I even entered "AARP" in the search box and nothing came up.  I looked at my Mariner profile page and I don't see anything there either.  I also looked at the AARP page and don't see anything there.  Am I blind or stupid?

Thanks!

Thanks Greg!  First I love your trip reports.  I generally just lurk but they are great. 

Second, thanks for this.  I have a foot injury so I'm trying to avoid long walks which is why I'm looking at Carnival's version versus an outside one.  Last time in Roatan we took an independent tour and the walk to the meeting place is more than I can handle right now.

The pictures from inside the boat is just what I was looking for.  It looks like a great way to see the sea life.

Thanks again!

Billie

Hi - Has anyone done this excursion:  French Cay Glassbottom Boat & Island Adven-tour.  There are no reviews on the Carnival website.  I'd love any information anyone can provide?

Thanks!

So I was just looking at the AARP website.  I qualify for membership (ugh) and the fee isn't a problem but I'm confused how one qualifies for discounted gift cards.  I do not see them listed in the benefits section. Thanks.