kmc500

Lido and Serenity always packed from 8am on.

We just got back from the Sunshine yesterday, and found that as well. We've sailed on Carnival 15 times on 10 different ships, and the Sunshine was by far our least favorite.

Interestingly, we sailed in a spa suite, and it was one of our favorite cabins on Carnival. It had a sitting room separate from the bedroom, which was very convenient for us. The bathroom was larger than the one we had in our hotel room in Charleston, and the deck was great.

As mentioned above, the crowds in certain areas of the ship were horrendous, including Serenity and Lido. Also, the service (one of the main reasons we sail Carnival) in many areas of the ship seemed lacking. I don't know if that was related to a problem on Sunshine, or something that is fleet wide since we last cruised in late 2015.

Kevin C

The Casino staff keeps track of players and this is where the "Georges" will get more service including return invitations and Jerks do not unless they are big losers.

So true, but shhh, don't tell the jerks, they may change their act!

Nah, probably not.

Kevin C

I dont think that is stupid. I sail in Nov also and would like to make other plans ASAP

It isn't stupid to be concerned, but the fact that Carnival has yet to make a call on the cruise scheduled for Sunday probably makes calling them about a November cruise somewhat of an exercise in futility.

Kevin C

This is not entirely true. Whether you have enough oxygen or not if you build up too much co2 you will die. It's not an instant process but it will kill you. When you see movies in which someone blocks the outflow of the exhaust from the car directing it into the interior to commit suicide what they are dying from is co2.

Sorry to veer off topic, but not true at all. People who direct exhaust into the interior to commit suicide (and are successful) are dying from CO poisoning (Carbon Monoxide). The main difference between the two gasses is CO's toxicity. CO does not occur naturally in the atmosphere (it is the result of oxygen starved combustion) and will kill with concentrations as small as 700 ppm.

Although high concentrations of CO2 can kill (due to asphyxia), CO2 does occur naturally in the atmosphere and concentrations as high as 5000 ppm are allowed in the workplace by OSHA. It can take as much as 80,000 ppm to be life threatening.

Kevin C

In ten cruises, I have NEVER, EVER, MET ONE RUDE EMPLOYEE ...no matter which cruise line I have been on.

Same here. Could be just anecdotal evidence, but on our 12 cruises, I can't remember a single rude employee, so for someone to note that nearly all of the employees were rude seems incredible.

Kevin C

I find it amazing that people can jump to conclusions based on so few facts.

The possibilities are endless, and we do not know much. Myself, I believe that the ships crew reviewed all the facts and made the best decision they could.

I agree. We do know one incontrovertible fact, and that is starting at 4 AM, and continuing for some time, every single person on the ship, including the kid hiding, knew that he was being searched for and that he should come out. Did he think they would give up looking for him?

It certainly would not have made it worse for him to present himself during the first announcement, rather than waiting for the door to door search.

Kevin C

ummmmm when were the railings raised?

I wonder that myself. Been sailing since 1994, and on some older ships. I don't remember any 36" railings or any height change.

Additionally, there are no regulations that the US could impose that would affect foreign flagged vessels anyway.

Kevin C

Granted this passenger is an idiot. However, the original posting is from a cruise line industry publication. It states that passengers ALWAYS go overboard in certain ways: murder, suicide, carelessness. It states it could never happen otherwise. Uh, accidents do happen.

Any chance you could describe the accident that could result in a passenger falling overboard that would not also be related to one of the likely causes mentioned in the article (recklessness, and or drunken behavior, suicide or murder)?

Odd things certainly can happen, and accidents happen all the time, but that doesn't mean that falling overboard "accidentally" is not caused by the causes noted above. Unless it is suicide, the person going over the rail probably did not mean to do so. It doesn't absolve them from responsibility.

Kevin C

I imagine there is a lot more to the story than what we know. I spent years in law enforcement and every single time I saw a news article about something I was involved in, it only presented about 15% of the actual story.

I agree. Off topic, but I also feel that news reporting has gotten so much worse over the years. I think that for the most part fact checking is a thing of the past, never mind getting the whole story, or even getting the part of the story you are reporting correct.

Sad times for the fifth estate.

Kevin C

I'm curious....Had you cruised during the past 12 months? There seems to be a trend that those of us who cruise frequently do not receive any "special offers". <SNIP> You reward people for NOT cruising????

We just came back in April, and we have the player's club offer.

Not sure there is any reward involved, but rather an incentive to get someone to cruise.

Kevin C

All Players Club Members should check the deals being given right now:

Thanks for the tip; we also are being offered a free cabin on some amazing cruises, with very reasonable up-charge for a balcony, along with OBC. I don't know if we can get away, but it sure is tempting and nice to know.

Kevin C

What the heck? I was happily reading away and suddenly it stopped on page 6? I feel like I'm reading a novel that I can't put down! :)

Me too! And worse, the novel I can't put down is missing the last 10 pages - yikes!

Kevin C

That was fine outdoors, but a little weird when I had to wear them indoors at the shows, shops, and restaurants! On future cruises, I'm definitely going to be packing an emergency backup pair.

oops no way to now comment on this comment without a new post.

 

 

 

We were on the Glory this past Feb and even with Guys and other venues along lido, had lines inside at all places. And rumor had it ship was not full.

Interesting. I happened to check out the specs on the Royal Princess. The same amount of pax as the Conquest, but larger by 30k tons. That could surely make a difference as well.

By the way, sounds like a great cruise, glad you enjoyed it!

Kevin C

Hearing how relaxed and spread out the food options are in the lido makes you wonder why Carnival can't figure that out.

I think they have for a couple of reasons. First, the additional dining venues of 2.0 have made a dramatic difference IMO. Just off the Conquest and there were no lines to speak of anywhere (and this was during a major school vacation week). Definitely a dramatic improvement over pre 2.0.

Second, since both lines are owned by Carnival Corporation, I would guess there are no secrets between them. If one of them has something really "figured out", I would guess the other will soon follow.

Kevin C

Wondering if Guy's Burgers is open for lunch on embarkment day. Is it open most hours day and evening or just days?

Absolutely. Simply no better way to start your cruise in my opinion, than to have a Guy's burger!

Kevin C

I just got off the phone with Carnival. These suites are brand new on the Freedom. I was very lucky to get this price since its the price of the old rooms! I snagged an awesome deal they said! Thanks everyone!

 

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These were just added during the Freedom's dry dock. You got an incredible deal and will absolutely love the cabin!

Wife and I are recently off the Conquest and we had 9203. We loved everything about the space, including the master, living room, forward facing floor to ceiling windows, and enormous deck, but I think the absolute best thing was having two bathrooms!

Have a great cruise.

Kevin C

I guess I over-baked them.

 

I read that some bake it in a pan of water.

We do it the same way we make creme brulee, by placing the ramekins in a roasting pan filled with water.

Comes out fabulously. Make sure you have the correct recipe too; there are a few floating around.

Enjoy!

Kevin C

Not to be rude or insulting, but what is the difference between going on the Conquest or the Splendor. I've not been on either and have the Splendor booked for Sept 2014. Are the options on the Conquest that much better than other ships that would make you cancel the cruise? I can understand about switching decks and would have a discussion with them about that, but I don't see where having the 2.0 features are that much of an issue.

It would be a giant issue for us now, at least if we were planning on the 2.0 features such as Guy Fieri's and the Blue Iguana. The upgrade in the food quality on Lide deck is incredible since those changes. I love the Fantasy class ships, but I would think twice now about sailing one without Guy's burgers! :)

My wife and I love to cruise and have been on a number of them. It is a relaxing time, the food is good, and being able to disconnect from the world. So, it really doesn't matter if there are 2.0 features or not. We just enjoy the "cruising life".

Steve

We do too Steve, but once you sample the changes, it is tough to go back.

Kevin C

We've enjoyed all of our cruises, including the Splendor. We were moved to the Conquest from the Freedom for April 2015 and are going to give her a try, even though she doesn't have Serenity.

I think you will love it anyway. It has an adults only pool in the aft that is very quiet, and all of the 2.0 stuff other than Serenity.

We just got off two weeks ago and wish we could go back. What a great cruise ship with wonderful crew!

Kevin C

We've done several. Note: Do check with guest services to make sure you are on the list. We didn't book the B2B at the same time and we were not on the list. Had to go to Guest Services to get the letter with instructions. Also did not get "hotel" gift until we brought it up. Going to do another next January and will verify during the week. It was wonderful watching everyone else pack and know we didn't have to do it.

Lib

That was the highlight of our B2B last year as well! Not having to pack up and get off at the end of the cruise was an incredible feeling. It is also one of the reasons that should we do another, we will make sure to have the same cabin on both legs - who wants to move?

Kevin C

Besides, why should they trust that superior service, fulfilling constant requests will result on any gratuity from you? And so what, if an up front tip results in you getting better service than their other cabins? Oh, because if one of these who are naysayers might be in that cabin.

Very well said. It is exactly the point of the upfront tip for us. If there is an issue, and the service levels slip on the fifteen or however many cabins our steward team attends to, whose service level will slip first?

Kevin C

Kinda shocked by the number of bitter and cynical people on here. To tip or not is a personal choice but to try to talk someone out of tipping seems kind of vindictive towards the person they are tipping...I worked as a server for years including some very high end establishments. I gave everyone excellent service but if someone slipped me a $20 when they were seated I'd make darn sure that once they took two drinks of water, it would be refilled. Can't see how someone would be offended when we all know that everyone LOVES money. They aren't working there for the opportunity to travel. They are working for the money.

Nice to hear from someone who was a service person. I was as well as a kid, and feel the same way.

I always go out of my way to meet the room steward on embarkation day and tip him and his/her assistant well. It seems to work well for us, and I have never got the feeling that they have been insulted by it, as a matter of fact, far from that.

Kevin C

Unfortunately, no - we asked several times for the can to pour, but they said that they had to give it to us in a glass (probably based on our package because I saw others with cans... I'm guessing they purchased the soft drink individually). They would also leave the opened cans sitting behind the bar until they were empty. So your drink could very well come from two (even three) different cans.

My wife and I just got off the Conquest Sunday and had the same problem. We had the Cheers program and could only get a glass of soda. We were able to get around it however, as we also received the "drinks on us" card in the casino, and interestingly enough, we could get a closed can from a casino waiter (along with a glass of ice).

Weird rules. Off topic, we had a wonderful cruise.

Kevin C

thanks! :)

Thanks for taking the time to write the review; great pictures.

I have been considering cruising from Baltimore to avoid flying (we're 9 hours from the port, but it is drivable). Your review was helpful.

Kevin C