evandbob

We travel enough to justify purchasing an annual travel insurance policy to cover unforedeen events. We also travel enough to justify not using "bargain" carriers like Southwest. Hopefully the OP and others in this sad situation caused by SW (90% of all air cancellations are said to be by this one carrier) will get reimbursed for their losses.

For us, the convenience of parking at the port is well worth the added cost. Only concern at MIA port is an alleged increase of break ins, which occur at some off sire places as well. See port of call discussion for more. .

I'm Diamond Carnival and receive some of their casino discounts for premier and elite sailings. Once we started cruising Celebrity, we got casino fares of just taxes, fees and gratuities for mid ship mid deck balcony cabins on their newest ships. With free casino offers from Celebrity, we've only sailed Carnival on MG twice in the last year, while taking 6 Celebrity sailings that totalled less than 1 on the MG!.

For our "usual" week or 10 day Caribbean sailings, we pack up our clothes the night before we drive to the cruise. With maybe 100 cruise and land vacations behind us, we could probably each pack our 1 carry on 22" luggage blindfolded. The shorter amount of time our clothes spend in a suitcase, the less wrinkling can occur. I may gather up my meds/hygiene 2 days prior. Now cold weather sailings are another story........

Last few sailings on Edge, Apex & Equinox had Heiniken 0.0.

I may continue to book Carnival's newest ships like the MG & Celebration. But after 40 plus Carnival cruises, I haven't been interested in booking their older ships. even with free casino fares for OV or inside cabins. Been there, done it, not interested any more. Value wise, Celebrity is a winner for us now. Better ships & decor, MDR food is more to our liking, and just seems a bit classier than Carnival.

MG had 1 drink limit Nov 2021 and Nov 2022. We stopped going to past guest parties when they started to limit the hors doevres served. Did like the little pulled pork on a bun. We're non drinkers, so booze amounts/limits didn't affect us. Anyway, we much prefer the usually smaller Captains Diamond get together, I've had several humorous chats with Captains about Italian grandmothers. If the Diamond brunch get together is large, on some sailings over a 100 guests, then it can be fun talking cruise histories with other Diamonds (as long as it doesn't turn into a we can top that contest).

I'm not sure the OPs statement is factual, it's probably based just on their own opinion and observations. I've read many postings on both sides of this issue, seems to be purely a personal choice either way. Anyone have any factual #.s to support (or contradict) the OP?

If the OP decides to pursue loyalty rewards with 1 cruise line, I suggest that a choice be made between 3 different lines that appeal to him, are in his price range, and has desirable itineraries and departure ports. He will find some differences between the perks offered from 1 line to the next. He should also be aware that perks can be awarded through casino play instead of thru the # of cruises one has booked on the same line. However, if he sticks to 1 line, he will never know what he is missing. I cruised mostly Carnival and now have their highest loyalty level. However, Celebrity gives me better perks like no fare balcony cabins on their newest ships thru their casino program, so I've been cruising that line lately. We've also done Disney for a 3 generation family cruise, Princess for the Med & Alaska, MSC and NCL for pricing and haven't regretted branching out.

Most everyone assumes the brother and sister were booked in the same room, and then question the delay in reporting him missing. What if they had separate cabins far apart or even on different decks?

We have over 40 cruises with Carnival, but maybe 12 with our preferred line, Celebrity. Seems Celebrity has given us way more free "comped" casino bookings, while Carnival only "discounts our fare. Getting a free cruise on a better quality line beats 40% off on a lesser quality line.

We would dine at the steakhouse a 2nd time, since it has several excellent entries we enjoy. A filet mignon the 1st time, maybe lamb chops the 2nd? Also, many of Rudi's tables for 2 are kind of smashed together, so having an intimate dining experience for a couple is next to impossible.

The article quoted above states in its last paragraph, the unrelated deaths of 2 cruise passengers whose inflatable tour boat capsized in Antarctic waters.

There's the possibility that the fraud occurred while the OP was using email or an unsecured account while on board the ship that has nothing to do with the physical card. This is generally the way most credit card fraud occurs. Naturally the OP has posted his story with the facts that support his slanted conclusion.

Expect more Greenland ports to develop as their ice cap keeps melting with temps warming up and the country returns to being a Green Land again!

The Carnival shower is indeed tiny, and the plastic curtain imo, is irritating and tiresome. Many of Carnival's "fluffy" or obese guests will have trouble adjusting to the small space. The newer ships like the MG have glass doors instead of the plastic shower curtain {at least in the balcony cabins I've sailed in}.

Even with just 2 in a balcony, one can relax outside and the other watch tv or read or nap inside. At times, a little space apart is welcome. An inside cabin doesn't afford that possibility. I've sailed solo in inside and balconies, but always balconies as a couple. JMO, YMMV.

I've sailed the Conquest class ships (which include Freedom) maybe 20 or 25 times. They were my go to class ship back in 2010 or so. Freedom is now 15 years old, and compared with the newer Dream, Vista and Excel classes, shows its age and wear and tear. So I stopped sailing Conquest class ships when these newer ships were built. IMO, Freedom can't begin to be considered in the same thought as the Mardi Gras. Pricewise, not much difference either. Value overwhelming to MG, IMO. Perhaps the Vista class ships are now where I used to consider the Conquest class, and the Conquest class has assumed the same negative feelings that the Fantasy class used to give me - once solid and dependable, but now old, tired, and past their peak. YMMV.

Sounds like a land resort might be better given the constraints and dislikes the OP has offered.

Thanks. My last Glory sailing looks like Oct 2017. Perhaps the conversion to sliding doors on the added balconies occurred after that date?

I don't think any of the Conquest class ships, including Glory, have sliding balcony doors. I seemed to remember complaining about the loud noise the slamming hinged doors made when being closed. I also think there are too many balcony decks in the video for the Glory as well. I would guess it's a newer ship, like the MG.

Perhaps, perhaps not. The long line can be a combination of factors, like cruisers questioning a high bar or casino bill (can't remember ordering so many drinks or casino room charges), seeing extra or overcharges, yes, Carnival billing does make mistakes, some may even want to pay off their bill before leaving the ship, etc. Unless one asks each person on line, there is no way of knowing why they are there. You might overhear 1 or 2 guests at an adjacent agent explain their problem, but that doesn;t mean the entire line is there for the same reason.

We've eaten in the steakhouse perhaps 30 or 35 cruises, only had one subpar experience, most were fine, and there were several exceptional meals and service. Our last 2 times on MG we also ate at Rudis. We find the food and service at the steakhouse is far above the MDR level.

There is a gratuity included in the $48 charge per person, so for normal service, we usually don't add any more. But for exceptional service we'll add extra.

Oh well. Since I prefer a higher deck, I would take the upgrade anyway. But the Op has to make their choice, why not take the upgrade and then compare it to their previous cove experience to decide which cabin suits them better?