LSEA

No, we have never been in this situation. Please let us know if you get a cabin!

You found the bbq on a cruise ship to be a massive disappointment. Shocking really. If you can't get amazing bbq from a huge hotel at sea then what is one to do??

Before buying another lock for your luggage, go to YouTube and view the videos on how to get into luggage with a ballpoint pen. If your luggage has a zipper on it, a lock is worthless.

We had some luggage come open and spill out onto the conveyor. Now I always use a lock to prevent accidental opening, not intentional opening.

I just hope that the article helps people who would be a nuisance on a cruise to indeed NOT book one.

 

Then we can all enjoy ourselves.

 

 

:D

Great point!!!

This is a great review. Thanks so much for taking the time to share!

Fabulous adventure! Thanks for sharing!

Happy Thanksgiving Canada!

Drazil does have a legitimate observation about the nature of the Armed Forces today; it is a choice. Choosing a profession where people try to kill you has it's risks... Anyone entering the service in the last 40 years has done so voluntarily knowing these risks.

 

Oh and yes I'm a vet, did six years in the Navy punching holes in the ocean on a sub.

Thank you for your service. You volunteered knowing the risks and many of us feel tremendous respect for your choice. I would serve if I was conscripted into service, but not sure I would have the courage to volunteer.

I think it might be fun to dress like an officer for a couple evenings on my next cruise. I am thinking of a white epaulette shirt, shoulder boards, white pants, white athletic shoes; maybe also a simple name tag. This is just to go to main dining room, casino, bars--no interest in trying to get in crew only areas. Any issues with pranking as a cruise ship officer?

 

Its all about the fun.

To answer your question, yes, I suspect there maybe some issues with "pranking" as a cruise ship officer. But hey, don't know that for a fact, so if you want that kind of attention, go ahead and give it a try.

I don't think it was wrong. The corporations like NCL absolutely are shifting their labor costs to the consumers. THAT is what should be getting everyone's ire up.

end quote Doesn't every corporation shift their labor costs to the consumers? Maybe its through tips, maybe it's through a higher cost for the product. However it's done, consumers pay.

I always enjoy your posts but this one is tops. Great deal. I teared up a little bit when I read it... and we are complete strangers... this is the best of the internet today!

No. Suppose a 5 star hotel and Motel 6 were under the same corporate ownership. Would you want the people who have earned points at Motel 6 to get to stay at your 5 star hotel for free?

 

DO?N

Across our many years of adventure we have stayed at many 5 star properties and a few Hotel 6's. So yes, we would be happy to share a 5 star property with people like us. There is nothing exceptional about us, we are average people. Clean, well mannered, respectful. What implies otherwise?

I bring a small solar / windup am /fm /wb Radio. ( from LL Bean )

 

It has a light too!

 

And it can be used to charge a cell phone in a pinch. :D

 

I love listening to local radio throughout the islands.

 

Even if I don't know the language, I can still enjoy the music :):)

 

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What a terrific idea. We have something like that and I'm going to pack it the next time we cruise.

Thank you for posting this.

Hello, just off a first cruise on the Magic here and am wanting to comment on the picture waste I witnessed.

 

I saw everyone getting their pictures taken and we ourselves posed for and bought quite a few, but I was completely taken aback by the massive stacks and stacks of photos at the end of the trip that were just going to go into the garbage bin.

 

It seemed an enormous waste of photo paper and ink or chemicals.

 

I know the carnival higher ups do not spend their days reading these posts, but is there any way to get them to consider a less wasteful method for selling photos?

 

In this digital age, I don't understand why the pics cannot be viewed online or at special kiosks and then only actually print the ones you wanted to purchase.

 

When we did our dolphin encounter in Grand Cayman we were directed to a computer screen where we had to select which photos we wanted to purchase and those were printed out so there was no waste.

 

Perhaps there could even be a channel on the stateroom tvs where you could peruse the pics in your room and make note of its number and then have only those printed.

 

We need to all work together to protect our beautiful planet for our children and this just seemed so wasteful especially when you multiply it by all the ships on the fleet.

I'm well aware of what my children need, thank you. Did you enjoy the Magic?

The 3 night Sensation out of Port Canaveral was, without a doubt, the most horrendous cruise experience in my 34+ years of cruising.

There is something about the way you phrased that... that really gave me a chuckle. Care to elaborate? Seriously... I am thinking of a quick Mother & Daughter cruise this summer with my young teen...

I searched the boards, but didn't find anything matching my question specifically.

 

Our daughter is adopted domestically. We have her amended birth certificate naming us as parents. We applied for her passport 5 weeks ago and sent that birth certificate in with the application. Her passport has not arrived yet and we have not received her birth certificate back yet. We cruise in two weeks and I am trying to prepare for worst case scenario of not receiving her birth certificate back or not receiving her passport on time.

 

We do have a copy of her original birth certificate in which her last name matches ours, but it lists her birthmother as the parent. We also have her official adoption paperwork. Any idea if those documents will be accepted? I am getting ready to call Carnival, but thought I would post the question here also.

 

I am regretting not paying the expediting fee for her passport ...:([/quotie]

 

It's very likely you will get her passport before you cruise but it's wise to think of a plan b. Isn't it possible to get an official copy of her amended birth certificate through the municipality where it was issued?

Ummm. Ok. I can't have decent food because I don't want to pay more ?

Yes, I wondered about that too, but I think it may be a suggestion that we all want inexpensive cruises and then find ourselves less than thrilled with the offerings. Fair enough. Or I could be completely wrong. I never go hungry on a cruise and I have had some excellent meals in specialty restaurants (Celebrity) but most often it is banquet quality in my opinion. Some times decent banquet, sometimes not so much. Also, it's my opinion that the quality of food on mass market lines has declined over the last 5 - 10 years. I don't doubt your experience. It's expectations vs reality. No criticism here.

less than 30 seconds with google

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http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/passports/services/correction.html

This ^^^ Go by what the State Dept tells you. I see you live in the midwest. If you aren'tpressed for time you can take it to the Chicago office and walk it through. You will get it back in a week to 10 days usually, if not faster. Costs more though if I remember correctly. I did this and it worked well. Or, if you don't have time, wait and do you the name change (license, ssn...) until after you get back from your cruise. That way you can travel under your current name. So I guess it comes down to have you already changed your name? If not, how much time between your wedding and cruise?

I will echo what others have said... this is a delightful resource. I just spent the last few minutes enjoying the lovely photos. I plan on returning (again and again) to do more looking around.

LSEA- really? You mean other people have been sick before not on a ship??? Thanks i did not know that was possible. I wonder if it had something to do with deck 6 being flooded with poop water but i suppose you will tell me that is safe and happens all the time.

 

If you are a well experienced cruiser you would be familiar with the forums. Why would i provide that? Oh so you can rip on other sick people and tell them they were sick before they boarded? You probably work for Carnival, see how many complaints were filed since you know it all.

Why the sarcasm? If you are frustrated that people aren't taking your experience seriously, you could clear up any misunderstanding by revealing your source regarding the quarantine of an entire deck and point us in the direction of the other forum posts regarding the illness.

Almost everyone has been sick with a respiratory or stomach bug at some point. There is never a good time to be sick, especially on a vacation. What I think people are questioning, and finding humorous is the unsubstantiated claim that an entire deck was quarantined. It doesn't happen like that. When people report with symptoms of illness, specifically Noro, they are quarantined to their rooms. When the number gets above a certain percentage (3%?) the CDC gets involved. The idea of quarantining an entire deck is ridiculous and funny. Also, I'm not familiar with other forums that would substantiate this instance on the Sunshine. Could you provide a link? Hope you are feeling better.

2 of my kids have finished elementary school thus far. Here's what I can tell you about the last day. NOTHING important happens. Where we live now, they don't even have the "end of the year" parties on the last day because so many kids are gone. Those parties are usually scheduled 2 or 3 days before the last day. Are you certain the last day of school is a full day? Could your child miss or leave early so you could drive to the Breeze? Waterworks would be a deal breaker for me with the little ones.

OMG, just got an email to let us know that the cruise is cancelled. I am beyond sad. Was really needing this vacation, didn't have a day off work since Aug 12 2014. My work was giving me a nice 3 weeks bonus for my hard work and it was a excellent deal for our 28th anniversary. Booked our 3 night hotel through priceline, flight from the maritime to LA, my 2 night hotel in Miami through Priceline and flight back home from Miami. Did not buy any insurance as I booked this less than 3 weeks away from the cruise. I sure hope they repay all our lost and more. :-(((((((:(:(:(:(

I've been in a similar situation of having a celebration and desperately needed vacation get scrambled at the last minute so I really feel for you. There are ships leaving from LA and Miami so maybe you can get something on another line/ship/itinerary and still use some of the flight tickets and some of those hotel nights. Whatever works out for you I hope you enjoy your anniversary and time off!

Thank you for devoting your time and internet minutes to this delightful "live from". I am enjoying it immensely and appreciate your generosity!