Astromaid

I also was on the Pride last June from Dover to Norway and have cruised Carnival several times. I was disappointed in the food on the Pride. In the Main dining room the service was inconsistent and food was mediocre. And I usually like the buffet at lunch and I was unhappy that most of the time two of the stations were always closed so there were less options to choose from. My guess is that they were battling with being shorthanded and I hope with time that is smoothed out. It didn't cause me to eliminate Carnival, I am going on the Celebration in a month and that should be a whole different experience. Would I go to Europe with one of Carnival's older ships? It would take a lot thought.

Back on topic, I buy packages of the tiny battery operated tea light candles. Just enough light for late night forays in the bathroom.

My husband thanks you all for the conversation about grits. I was reading this thread and decided to surprise him by making them this morning. @Clay Clayton, I bought them from a mill in Cherokee NC when we visited the Smoky Mountains this fall. Not really close to Raleigh, but they are way better than what we get in the grocery stores in Michigan.

I wanted to walk along the sea to get to the fort and found instructions about walking the Paseo de la Princesa to Paseo Del Moro, which sounds beautiful, The article says the walk ends at a door leading into El Moro, but then it says the entrance there is not open. I was also hoping to explore the fort. Does anyone know if you can get in this way now?

My husband and I like scenic cruises and I was looking for something a bit different from the mainline companies. I started reading about Hurtigruten and think it sounds interesting. Love the idea of remote ports, casual, lectures, and small ship. We did an Uncruise in Alaska and loved it. I first looked at Maud, but then saw Spitsbergen and got excited about the itineraries in Scotland. . Then I read the reviews and was appalled. I noticed the reviews were from last spring and the itinerary was new. Wondered if it ever got better with time. As several mentioned, I would hate to pay the price and not be able to land at half the ports. Maybe summer would be better weather? I also did not see a way to preview the shore excursions, to confirm they would be of interest to us and also pricing. Thanking in advance for any suggestions.

CCWineLover, yes I have done some planning. We are flying into New York on Saturday and staying near Times Square. We are going to use the hop on/hop off bus, it was a successful option in London last year. We plan on touring the Intepid, Empire State building, ferry to Statue of liberty, Central Park, and take the 9/11 walking tour. And maybe walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. I am trying to talk my husband into doing a broadway show. I have an idea of what we are doing in Reykjavik, but that is not as firm. I do have an apartment rented that includes a rental car (through VRBO) My planning slowed up as my mother is having issues and I have been spending a lot of time with her. It worries me a bit being a new ship that it will get delayed. Others more familiar with Viking don't feel it should be an issue.

We are also on the June 7th cruise but only to Iceland and then will spend a few days there before leaving for home. We will spend a few days in New York City too, should be a great trip!

Is there a Seadogs on Celebration? I have read there is one on Mardi Gras.

Thank you all for the suggestions, I have switched to anytime dining. I especially like the idea of no show time. It irritates me that service is stopped and I tell Carnival this everytime. Let the waiters be waiters, I go to the theater for entertainment.

Recently sailed on the Vista and especially on the Pride, we were very disappointed in the service in the main dining room, long delays between courses, wrong food brought. We have never done the lido for dinner. Our favorite parts of the sit down dinner are the soups and all the different appetizers to try. Does the buffet offer the same items as what is in the main dining room?

I have cruised quite a bit, but never on NCL. I am interested in the free at sea offer, but I don't seem to be able to find the details. I am guessing that you get two specialty dining, not unlimited? Also when the restaurant is priced ala carte, is it limited to one appetizer, one entree, one dessert?

Thank you for the update. We are also on the June 7th cruise for our first Viking cruise. I did not realize the ship would only be on her second itinerary. If I had I probably would not have booked it based on a couple of new ships having had to postpone their first several cruises as they fell behind schedule because they were not finished.

Oh, too funny! I guess I am more tired than I thought!

We are considering a cruise on Sympathy going to Aruba and Curacoa. My concern is how these islands handle the amount of people that will be coming off. We are not beach people, we are more interested in island tours. We have been on Explorer of the Seas a long time ago and Carnival Vista recently, but mostly cruise on smaller ships. Sympathy is catching my attention due to the variety of entertainment, food and public areas.

We were in Labadee in 2005 I think. found some loungers under a palm tree grove looking over a rocky coast, hardly anyone around. It was an amazing time. I am guessing that everything is built up and full of loungers now.

Thank you, that helps with planning. Sad to see that I have six tendered ports.

I am new to Viking, how do you know if it is a tender port?

I am interested in trying Princess and am looking for Southern Caribbean in March of 2024. Princess seems to have nothing listed for 2024, are they typically slow in posting their itineraries? Both Carnival and Royal have theirs listed.