Ozzie26

In July we were a party of 8 and loved it.  Great service, great food and amazing views. Well worth it!!

Just off the carnival Mardi Gras and they brought quest back with a new name. “Adult Game Night”. 

I thought we were the only couple who collected ornaments when we traveled. I love the search and more importantly I love reminiscing while I decorate the trees. We did have to add a few extra trees over the years. 

I usually go to the casino cage to get ones when I run out. The line is usually shorter but only open when casino is open. I am D+ and also Prime so it’s 1$ for the simple drinks( wine,shots)and 2$ for anything more complicated. (Espresso martini, frozen Mojitos) 

Our first cruise was on Carnival Imagination in 2002. We flew from Philly to Miami and were in awe of everything. We had booked bunks because we didn’t know any better and told the TA to save some money. We were hooked. 30 Carnival, 48 Royal and 1 Celebrity complete. 2 carnival , 5 Royal and 3 celebrity booked. Helps that we moved to Florida in 2002. I do miss the Elaborate Midnight Buffet. 

I was very excited to see progress. I would love to not test at all but it is a change in the right direction. I would like it to be effective earlier as I am booked on a 3 night leaving 8/5. I do have 4 more weekend cruises booked as well as 4 more 7 day cruises in the next 8 months. I never believed the testing was beneficial and have sailed 16 times since July 2021 including Alaska from Vancouver last month. No problems with Covid - when I finally did catch it, I most likely got it at work which is unfortunately a necessary evil for the next few years. 

Oct 2005, we sailed Carnival Fantasy from Miami for a 2 day cruise with an overnight in Nassau. My brother was getting married at Sandals and it was the easiest way for us to attend the wedding. We were in Orlando and everyone else was SE PA. Everything was fabulous until the day after. Hurricane Wilma hit south Florida closing the Port of Miami for days. We were hit by a rogue wave so hard the slot machines pulled out of the floor and spilled coins everywhere. Fortunately no one hurt and out 3 day became a week long. 

We were one of 4 couples sailing on the Radiance in July. I ordered a blanket for each cabin and 2 for myself. It was better than expected, cozy and soft. I was concerned with getting it home since we are from Florida but no issues. It it was very lightweight. The only problem was we had such great weather we never used it. If you can’t find it online you should try to call. Best souvenir ever.

My countdown started with the first cruise after the restart last July. Since then I have sailed 14 more times and the countdown to my next cruise begins the day I disembark. I cruise in 15 more days with another 14 cruises already booked. Hopefully my countdown will never actually end. 

We just returned from Alaska and are happy to say that all our worrying was not necessary. Flew Orlando to Toronto to Vancouver so we did Canadian customs at the Toronto airport. It was a breeze, maybe 10 minutes only because we used the kiosk and we do struggle with technology. Planes were on time and upon arrival in Vancouver we had our luggage and a taxi for 4 adults and lots of bags within 30 minutes. We did have a hotel for the one night then took a taxi to Canada Place where we went through US customs even quicker. We flew Air Canada up and Alaska Air back. Anchorage to Seattle to Orlando . Prior to the travel day both flights were adjusted a few times but on travel day everything went smooth. All in time and luggage no issue. Having said that we were very prepared and did Arrive Canada as well a a pre customs declaration for entering Canada. 

I am posting from the Seattle airport as I return home from a week in the Radiance.  A few things to mention - totally stressed precruise. Flights both to Vancouver and from Anchorage had been changed a few times each. Booked excursions were cancelled, rebooked, changed many times. Arrive Canada somewhat confusing. Very tight connection in Toronto where we had to go through customs and I had been watching the chaos at that airport. With all that said it was awesome and amazing. Much easier than anticipated and so very grateful we did it. Worth every stressful minute.

Pleasantly surprised to see her. We are watching her now from the Independence of the Seas. We last saw her from the Mardi Gras the day it happened. Cruise lines are resilient. 

11 hours ago, waytoodeep03 said:

 

 

Yep I figured there was a catch. The cruise is $25 on carnival but the taxes and port fees are $511 dollars. Why?

Your port stops are in the US. All US ports charge more then most other countries. 
Definitely go. We sail the Caribbean almost monthly but are going to Alaska in 3 weeks. 

No tips but I am following and probably just as excited. We board the Radiance on July 1 and have cruises the Caribbean 12 times this year but Alaska is an entirely different experience. 

We have done 14 cruises on 3 different cruise lines since restart. We are also currently booked on 15 more over the next 18 months. We sailed on the Allure with 800 passengers and just got off the Carnival Mardi Gras with over 6000. We have no expectation of business as usual for now. We are just glad to be sailing again.  Staffing is an issue because of Visas, supplies are an entirely different issue. All said if I was unhappy I would not continue to book but I have adjusted to the new normal. I am expecting things to get better as we have had some very bad experiences but the good outweighs the bad. Just please appreciate the staff that is working so very hard to do the best they can for us.

Irky from Turkey. That is a blast from the past. I remember him from the Monarch days. I don’t know for sure which CD it was but could possibly have been Marc Walker. He was in Port Canaveral for a long time. They did make a great team.

We are on the Independence now. We live 30 miles from the port and it’s the least expensive 3 day getaway for us. I can go away and use no PTO from my job. Any beachside hotel anywhere in the state would cost much more. 

We are currently on Harmony and will be back on the Independence  in a few weeks.  I am required to mask up at work 10 hours a day. If wearing a mask is the hardest thing I need to do each day count me in. I am so grateful for the opportunity to vacation and specifically cruise. The “no smoking” in the casino is an unexpected plus!  😊 Everyone  has to decide for themselves what is tolerable. I myself will waste no time waiting for this to end.  If Covid doesn’t catch me something else may. 

We were also on that  sailing. I can confirm that yes the sauna and steam rooms were open. Used them Saturday and Sunday and completely alone both days. 

You can also call head and they will take care of it for you.  No charge which is unlike Carnival  who charges you for the water. 

We are on the Allure now and I have been using my diamond voucher at the Cafe Promenade for specialty coffees. No problems at all. 

8 Days southern Caribbean on Adventure of the Seas February 2020. Had 14 cancelled since that one. Already sailed Carnival Breeze in July 2021 and currently on Allure of the Seas. 

We sailed the Breeze on 7/19 and encountered a few problems that were quickly forgotten. I think everyone’s opinion is based on their expectations. For us just getting back on board after almost 20 months and 14 cancelled cruises was awesome. We did fly to Houston from central Florida and used Carnival transportation and we did arrive late to check in but still worth the trip. Next month we drive 30 minutes to Port Canaveral and sail Royal Caribbean’s Allure and only hope we have as much fun.

I've been on almost 50 cruises and I have to completely unpack and put everything away as soon as I can. I obsess over this but when done it's VACATION no matter how long or short the cruise. ( I still overpack because you never know)

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48 cruises and we have them all.

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