norwane

Hello!

I am considering booking a cruise to the ABC islands next year.  Right now, it looks like my options are Celebrity or Carnival.  I've been on Carnival several times and do enjoy the laid back vibe (I also really, really appreciate the fact that Carnival now has Pepsi products, so I have Diet Dew available 24/7!!)  However, the last Carnival cruise we took, everything felt a bit cheaper?  I did feel like I was in a Walmart much of the time (that is not a slam, as I shop there myself!)  If we did do the Horizon, I want to get the Havana aft cabana's.  How are those?

My friend wasn't wild about all the kids running around.   Would there be more or fewer kids in the Havana area?

So, is Celebrity better than Carnival?   I wouldn't mind a bit more upscale, but I don't want to be around people who are hoity-toity, if that makes sense?

Thank you for your wisdom and advice!  🙂 

Hi all!

I saw that there was a Hamilton museum in St. Kitts?  Is this something that is a can't be missed for Hamilton fans?  Or are they just capitalizing on the Hamilton name?

TIA!

I just booked a cruise on Princess that leaves in a couple of weeks.  😀 I have Carnival stock.  What information do I need to prove I own stock?  Given the time frame, will they give it to me??  Also, my roommate, is retired military, are there potential benefits for her?

TIA!

Thanks for all the info!

I'm asking our TA if we can be put in obstructed adjoining balcony cabins.  She is saying can't be done - its too close to the cruise (in 3 weeks)??   Does this sound accurate to you all???   😕

Hello!

I'm new to Princess, having sailed with Carnival previously.   What are the 'obstructed' balconies on Princess like?  Namely E614??  8th deck?  Do the partitions of the cabins next to each other open?   How expensive are the drink (alcohol) packages?  Internet packages?   Do both passengers in the cabin have to get the drink packages?   

Any other tips, tricks or words of wisdom about Princess?

TIA!

Hello!

We are looking at booking the Magic for 2022.  We're looking at the deck 6 extended aft balconies.  Can the balcony dividers be removed?   We will have 2 cabins, next to each other.  They don't need to connect, but we do want to be able to have the balcony dividers removed between our cabins.

Anything I should/need to know about the Magic or the deck 6 aft cabins?  Good?  Bad?

Thanks!

We are currently booked to go on the Breeze in January 2021.  It is a group of 4, with 2 cabins adjoining.  2 people in our group (the other cabin) say they are not going, but haven't cancelled yet.  Even if there was a vaccine developed tomorrow, I still think they would cancel.   I'm kind of on the fence, and want to see how things play out and if the cruise gets cancelled.  There is an open aft cabin, 2 decks higher.  I love aft cabins!

Should I switch cabins or would that be throwing my friends under the bus??

Hello,

We are currently booked on what was the Radiance and is now the Breeze for January 2021.   The consensus in the group has been to cancel, due to COVID concerns.  Since Carnival changed the ship, I believe the letter from Carnival said we have until 9/30 to cancel.    We only have a small deposit down, and have trip insurance.   If we lose our $50 deposit it won't be the end of the world.   Should we cancel now or wait to see if Carnival cancels the cruise entirely?   Any pros or cons of canceling now or waiting?

TIA!

Hi - 

we were booked on the Ovation on 6/19/20.  We did get trip insurance right after we booked the cruise.   We had actually cancelled at the beginning of March because of my husbands health issues (that and I divorced his sorry butt!).    Now, the cruise has been cancelled.   

I'm trying to complete the trip insurance forms.   It would be much easier to just say the cruise was cancelled, rather than sending doctors notes, etc.....

Is there anyway RCI would treat us the same as other passengers who hadn't cancelled their cruise a few weeks earlier?

Any suggestions as to how to complete the trip insurance forms - do I mention his health issues or just say the cruise was cancelled??

Hi - 

We are sailing out of Seattle to Alaska in June.  We've never been to Washington State.   I'm thinking of going out a few days pre-cruise to see the area.   Any recommendations of 'must-see' in Seattle/Washington?

Thank you!

Hello~

Can the balcony dividers be opened in between cabins on deck 9 of the aft cabins on the Freedom of the Seas?

Hello~

I'm looking at booking a cruise to Alaska on the Ovation.   Is there a big difference in the Ocean view with large balcony versus the ocean view balcony???   I see that it is about 10 feet difference.   Would I notice the difference?   Is it the 10 feet worth $800??

Okay, thanks everyone!  DH would definitely get the soda/water package, so it is good to know he wouldn't have to get the drink package too.   Would it be better to get the drink package right away, in case they raise the prices for next year? 

Also, my son will be cruise by the time we cruise.   How is the teen center?   When he has gone on cruises in the past, he hated the kids area.   should I try to convince (aka bribe) him to go the first day to see if he meets some people he would want to hang out with??

Also, I will definitely need the drink package, as this cruise would also include my ex and current husband!   As long as my ex and I don't discuss politics and money we should be okay.   We typically get along pretty well.  My philosophy is that I love my son more than I dislike my ex.  Or, am I crazy to think I can go on a cruise ship with my ex on board?!

Hello~

We are considering going on Ovation next year to Alaska.  It has been awhile since we have cruised with RCI though.  Here are a few questions I have:

- Drink package! (yes, I know it is discussed ad nauseum on these boards!)  I would want it, but my DH is not able to drink, per drs. orders.  I'm guessing RCI requires both adult passengers to purchase the drink package?  Does RCI ever allow exceptions to the rule?

- We fell in love with the aft cabins at the very back of the ship on our last cruise.   On the Ovation, what category are those cabins considered?   Suites or balconies??

- How is the 7 day cruise through Alaska (sailing out of Seattle)?   How is the Ovation?

- When is the best time to book the cruise?  I know they are running a big sale right now.  I also do the MyVegas, game so I would have enough reward points for the 10% off or the OBC, but those rewards would need to be used by the end of 2019.   Do I wait to book until the rewards will be good for next year too??

If we do book this cruise, I'm sure I will have more questions coming, so thanks in advance for your advice!

Thanks!

Hello,

We just got back from our cruise on the Horizon.   The information was accurate, in that the shows were cancelled for the previous weeks cruise, and part of ours, due to the death of a performer.   It seemed to me that Carnival really kept this news and information on the down low.   No announcements were made about the lack of shows.  I did ask a crew member, and he said that the last cast member had just arrived that day (either Curacao or Aruba).   He also said the company (Carnival) has been very supportive for them.  I think it was day 5 or 6 before there was a show??  I believe they filled the evenings with magicians, etc.   There were only two productions done on the main stage.   We saw one show and it was very good.     I would think all of the performers and shows should be back on track now.

I saw someone had posted on FB there were not any shows on the Horizon?   Because a cast member passed away at the end of December?    Has anyone else heard about this?   If they are not doing shows in the evening, what entertainment has been offered?   Will there be shows for our sailing this Saturday?  

That all being said, I'm not worried about the shows - I'm sure we will keep ourselves entertained!    Just curious (and I'm sure my husband would say nosy!    ) 

If this is accurate, I hope the friends and family of the crew member are doing okay.

Hello~

A couple of us would like to do the ATV/UTV thing in Aruba, but I also want some beach time.   There is a Carnival excursion that does the ATV and then beach, but it is only 2 1/2 hours, and doesn't start until 12:30, when we get in at 9.     I'm wondering if there are reputable vendors where we can get a ATV/UTV at the port and arrange for going around the island and then hanging out at a beach?   I've always reserved ahead of time.   How does it work to get one of the vendors at the port?

Thank you for the awesome review!   We only have 6 more 'sleeps' until we sail on the Horizon as well.  A few questions, if you don't mind?

- Were there a lot of long lines and waiting, since the ship is so big?

-It doesn't sound like you had too many meals in the dining room?   Was it because of the food?

-We haven't decided what we want to do yet in La Romana.   Which do you suggest?   The Sauana (sp?) excursion or the dune buggy's?    We are a group of 4 ladies, who 2  like to lie on the beach, and 2 are more active.

- I am probably too cynical   and I'm hoping my question doesn't come out wrong - When I have read about going through the villages in La Romana, I wondered if it felt manufactured, like the tourists are expected to hand out candy and stuff to kids?    

Thank you!!

Hi all- 

We will be in Aruba next week .   I was looking for a reputable ATV or UTV place that could give us a tour and then give us some beach time.  I'm a little nervous about renting one and striking out on our own, because my directional  abilities leave a lot to be desired!      Also, what is the difference between the natural pools and beaches?  Is one better than the other and why?

TIA!

Great review!   Where can you go to eat (without being charged extra!) once you board the ship?

Thanks for doing the review!!

Hello,

Sorry if this has been asked and answered.   How is T-Mobile on the Horizon and the islands we will be going to?   We will be going to Aruba, Grand Turk, Curacao and La Romana.  I will probably be getting the social media package.   I know I need to put the phone on airplane mode once on the ship.

Thanks!

Hello~

We will be on the 8 day Horizon out of Miami.  Is Quest going to be on our sailing?  Does anyone happen to have the Funtimes?      We were unable to get Havana cabins.   Will we still be able to have a good time, suffering on the Serenity deck?!  😉  (Kidding, well kind of!  )   

Also, if one of the people in our cabins has Platinum, do we still need to have FTTF for the person that is not Platinum?   Would the person that is not Platinum still be able to board and debark early?

Thanks!

Hello~

My 3 friends and I will be going on the Horizon in January.   We currently have 2 adjoining balcony rooms, on deck 7.   We were considering moving to a Havana suite, on Deck 5.   So, there would be 4 women and 1 bathroom.  I think 2 of us would have to sleep on the couch.  It would be an extra $200 for each of us.   

Should we switch to the suite or stay where we are?   Is the Havana area worth it??

Thanks!

Thanks for the review! I'm curious, was there a pool in the Serenity Deck area? How was the Serenity area?

Just out of curiosity, how is the banana split? Is it soft serve ice cream?