sgttami

I haven't sailed on RCL since 2007 but back in 2004 I booked a Balcony Guarantee and ended up with an Owner's Suite. A nice surprise! Looking into sailing on RCL again soon but doubt I'd get that lucky again. (LOL)

I only sailed MSC once (Divina in 2017) and I can't say I had a bad time but didn't have a desire to go on another. The ship was beautiful but I found it to be very dressy all the time. Casual night was more like elegant night! Food was hit or miss and MDR took forever. Crew were OK but not as friendly as Carnival's. I did like that they honored your highest status on another line and was able to use my RCL Diamond+ but that's about it. I prefer the Carnival Comfort and unless I get an offer I can't refuse, I doubt I'd sail MSC again.

I only like the old reel slots. Can't even find them anymore. Looks like Venezia has all video slots. Actually thought of canceling the cruise because of it. I always spent a good amount of time in the casino but refuse to play those stupid, loud machines. Makes me feel like I'm 12 at the boardwalk arcade!😝

For Winter/ without flying: I keep saying I'm going to try other lines but when I can sail in a balcony for 21 days on Venezia in February (from NY) for less $$ than a week on RCL(NJ) or MSC and NCL(NY), it's hard to look beyond the Whale Tail and the casino offers😀 Actually, once on NCL was enough for me so I probably wouldn't go again even if it were FREE.

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Any time spent in Bermuda is a plus. I've gone there via cruises and land trips for close to 50 years. Last time on a cruise was Pride from Baltimore in 2018 and we were there for 2 nights. I'd cruise to Bermuda anytime!

Just to add: I have cruised RCL and Carnival equally (15 each) and they were always with friends/family. My sister and I did the first Carnival together and other than that time, all my Carnival's have been solo. I knew after that first one that I would have no problem going alone because everyone on Carnival was super friendly and easy to talk to. It was just more FUN! I also like that I meet a lot of repeat cruisers, especially when going from Baltimore. There's a couple that cruise every month and I saw them on every Pride cruise I was on. They come right over and start chatting. Sometimes just hanging out and meeting new people is all the fun I need. Enjoy!

If I'd been to all the ports before, it would be CHEERS! The excursions might be a bit different but if it were a familiar port (multiple times there), chances are I've seen it in a prior jaunt! ( One excursion had a different description but was identical to one I had done 2 years before) Chefs table is nice too but I could live without doing it again. Whatever you decide, ENJOY! CHEERS!

It's all gonna change in the near future! When I became DIAMOND on RCL you needed 10 cruises. Then they changed it to amount of days and Diamond Plus is 175. Top Tier of Pinnacle is 700. That's a long stretch to be at the TOP! I will dangle between Plus and Pinnacle till the end of time (LOL) I'm at 127 days on Carnival and my guess is they will raise Diamond above the current 200 and I'll continue to dangle before I ever reach the "new" top!. The old perks were better anyway so I'll just cruise merrily along and not stress about status. A free bag of laundry or a $2 gift of some sort isn't a really big deal!

You never really know where your'e gonna go! (LOL) I once booked a balcony guarantee and got an Owners Suite. My sister booked one and got an obstructed view! It's a chance you take !

I like sailing the same ships: Splendor 5X Sunshine 3X Pride 7X I've NEVER had the self -serve ice cream on a cruise. I've had plenty of Coor's Light!

My beers froze in the fridge on Pride every time I was on and I never stuck anything in the door to keep it open.

I've sailed out of NY over a dozen times and always found it to be one of the easiest ports (other than Baltimore). Looking forward to Venezia this winter and hope it's as easy as it ever was!

I've sailed RCL and Carnival equally, 15 cruises on each one. RCL was in my early years of cruising and CCL came later (2014-present) Every cruise was different from ship size and itinerary to who I traveled with. They were all good. . I'm Platinum on CCL and Diamond Plus on RC but Carnival gets the edge these days because of the good casino offers. Food, entertainment and excursions were all good at the time and I never recall any major complaints when coming home from a trip. Other cruises: MSC: went once on a comp .Would go again. They did match your status on another line so that was nice. Celebrity: Once. Charter cruise through the PBA. Great time. Would go again. NCL: Once was too much. Wouldn't sail them again if my life depended on it! I think every line has their diehard fans and no matter what you decide, a cruise is still a great getaway!

You can easily request a table for one when dining. When I cruise solo, it's what I do. I do not want to sit at a large table of solo cruisers. Once was enough! I couldn't get out of there fast enough! (LOL)

Carnival and other lines haven't lost control. Crew shouldn't be responsible for disciplining unruly kids/adults Some parents don't know how to control their children or don't care. These are usually the same adults that are guilty of rowdy behavior. I've seen it on different lines. The bratty kids accompanied by the wise A$$ parents!

Favorite Carnival Memory: I had been on about a dozen cruises before I decided to try Carnival and was told by friends that I would hate it. Went on Splendor from NY that year in a snow storm (2/2014) and had such a great time that I went four more times that year on Splendor and couldn't understand what all the negativity was about. Had a blast! Have only sailed Carnival since (except for one MSC)

I get the offers too but detest the video slots that have taken over the casino. The good, old Vegas reel slots are long gone. No interest anymore and I used to live in the casino on sea days (LOL)

Enjoying the journey from Page One! Thanks for sharing!

Nice! When I first started cruising 31 years ago, tuxes were "normal for formal" and dressing up was part of the fun of cruising. I worn gowns and heels and the atmosphere was truly elegant on those nights. The MDR food was fabulous (there were no specialty restaurants) and all was top-notch. Everything about cruising has changed and I go with the flow but it's still nice to see people dressed up in true formal attire.

The most I ever had was $800 and that sounded like a lot since gratuities and drinks were taken care of beforehand. By day 3 it had disappeared thanks to my generous casino contributions (LOL) Fun while it lasted!

Wow! Memories! Song of America was my 2nd cruise in 1995. Still love the small ships.

I've tried to stop comparing Cruise Lines as I get older and looking back I recall the times I had on each cruise. Most times it was all about the people I met on the trip/ports visited and experience overall. If you live in a run down apartment and I had a great time at your house, I can't wait to visit again. If you live in a mansion and I had a miserable time , I won't be back.. Every trip was a different experience. Some were better than others even on the same cruise line! Go with what appeals to you and decide for yourself. Above all, Have fun!

I've seen it on many cruises for family celebrations/anniversary/graduation/wedding as well as other groups (on the FB pages). I've never participated because I never cruised as part of a group! Enjoy. I'm sure the kids will love it as part of their first cruise!

Always love your reviews, Jeff! Same stops here on the Florida road trips from NJ, especially Santee and Kingsland and a few Cracker Barrels along the way (LOL) Great pics too!