Cruise Related

22 minutes ago, keels81 said:

So excited ... can't wait to watch my Saints play the Giants while I'm on-board the Mardi Gras! #WhoDat

Ew. Will always have a special place in my pit of hatred for the Saints for their bounties and what they did to my boy Favre. 

5 minutes ago, BlerkOne said:

Unlike bacon, no shortage of baloney 

Mmm fried bologna and potato chip sammich. Thanks Blerk! Now I gotta make one. 

Just now, Joe817 said:

Do you know for a fact that ejnsb is a plat or diamond?? If they were plat or diamond, I would think they would know, don't you think? It's a common question for those that are not. And congratulations on attaining that level of loyalty. I'm not, and I believe that ejnsb's question was a valid question. 

Lmao no one said their question was invalid? Tone down the hostility bro. I was simply relating my experience with Carnival and boarding a ship. Sorry if that upsets you. Platinum and Diamonds are allowed to drop off their luggage upon embarkation. Simple as that. No invalidating, no disputing, no saying the TC is wrong. I’m simply telling my experience from July. 

32 minutes ago, EngIceDave said:

My check in opens in a couple days

 

It opens at midnight?

 

Feel like the old Southwest race to check in for seating game

Yes, 12 eastern. 

30 minutes ago, ontheweb said:

How do they do facial recognition when people are masked?

They literally told us to remove our mask before standing in front of the screen. 

1 minute ago, Joe817 said:

Basically, you have to lug your carry-ons with you until you are able to gain access to your room. 

Not if you’re platinum/diamond. My email specifically said I was allowed to drop my luggage off even though the room may not be ready. So dropped off I did. No problem. 

2 minutes ago, keels81 said:

 

Yup - I unsubbed too, as well as from a few vloggers in the comments that I previously enjoyed echoing the same sentiment (AK Adventures, etc.) ... they're all chasing the Disney media list at this point and they'll be back on Carnival the minute they get a comp'd cruise or they need the content.

 

I know the Magic isn't a mega-ship like the Mardi Gras or the Horizon, but there were plenty of people on my sailing (about 60-percent capacity). Theaters were full for comedians and shows like Deal or No Deal. Piano Bar still had seating at the bar and was very crowded and boisterous ... but when I didn't feel comfortable, I put my mask on and distanced as best I could or just leave the space and go somewhere else. 

 

The deck parties were too much for me, so I watched from afar. Didn't go to the nightclub. 

 

I truly felt that you had whatever opportunity you wanted to participate in crowded activities or not participate if it wasn't up to your comfort level.

 

PLUS, masks weren't required on the Mardi Gras when they sailed ... so complaining about protocols that have been since put in place was also annoying.

 

Anyway. Loved my experience on the Magic and felt very safe! Also came back and have since twice tested negative!

Was on the Horizon July 18th. Been home pretty much a month now, myself nor anyone else in my group for Covid. People are making this out to be much bigger than it is. I rather be on a ship with 95% vaccinated folks than go to my local grocery store. When I’m home, I instacart my groceries. Peeps are nuts! 

47 minutes ago, keels81 said:

I saw the JJ Cruise video and it annoyed me ... but I will say, on the Magic sailing on 8/7 that if you wanted to be among crowds, you could ... if you didn't there was plenty of relaxing spots to hang out.

 

They were constantly making announcements in the casino, piano bar and theaters about masking and most people were really great about it in large, non-distanced groups.

Yep. I unsubbed after that. Seemed super melodramatic to me, they were on like 4 cruises since the restart. But I felt the precautions Carnival took even before the mask and the test, were good enough. 

Just now, tallnthensome said:

I'd bet against a full family of four unvaccinated getting anything right now...... Maybe for kids under 12. 

You’re most likely absolutely right. Just nothing surprises me these days. So it could happen. Lol 

1 minute ago, tallnthensome said:

You are not vaccinated so you won't be sailing with Carnival anyhow right now. 

They could get exemptions, ya never know. 

Just now, arkaine23 said:

There is definitely a wide gap between covid and zombie apocolypse virus.

Bring on the zombies! 

If you’re platinum/diamond, you can drop luggage off. Don’t expect the room to be ready nor your sail and sign cards to be available. Didn’t get ours until 1:30. But doesn’t hurt to check and see. 

9 minutes ago, BlerkOne said:

I guess it depends on the ship. On Horizon, bar is open 10:30am-1am sea days, 3pm-1am port days. Lunch and Dinner on sea days, dinner on port days. The Bloody Mary's are wonderful.

They truly are awesome. All the different olives oh and bacon, yes bacon folks! Not counting the veggie infused vodka is a treat as well. They let me try some by itself and it’s quite tasty. 

Just now, Terab85 said:

Bummer!  I'm hoping by Sept, they will have gotten it but I guess hubby will have to find something else.

A lot can change between now and then! For whatever it’s worth, on recent Horizon cruises I’ve seen pics of people with the cans of Mich Ultra. 

1 minute ago, Medtech2 said:

I have no idea how to respond to a specific post so I will just say that John Heald said you do NOT have to worry about the timing of your test.  Anytime on Wednesday for a Saturday sailing is okay. As far as antigen vs. PCR, PCR is more sensitive and is slower result-wise. Antigen is quicker, as in 15 minutes, and will be less sensitive as in many more false negatives. I'm going for antigen...

Hit the quote button. 

2 minutes ago, Terab85 said:

I've asked on FB but have you seen any Michelob Ultra at any of the bars?  My hubby drinks that and I've heard there was a shortage.  We cruise 9/18.

Definitely wasn’t there in July. 

2 hours ago, MorganClark said:

 

Thanks! I think I was able to book one of those 4 studios on POA because the cruise is so far out (May 6-13, 2023). On the date, I really didn't have a choice because I will have arrived Honolulu on the Ovation of the Seas (TP from Sydney, Australia) 4 days earlier, on May 2, 2023. I was waiting on RCI to open the books up for Ovation of the Seas' final leg on to Vancouver, BC but then I had the idea of cruising on the POA and then flying home from Honolulu after the POA cruise.

 

Yeah, imo, Celebrity is a very solo friendly cruise line and is increasing their marketing to us solos because they've put 16 Single Infinite Veranda (SIV) staterooms on Edge, then added 8 more to Apex which has 24 SIVs and are adding 8 more on top of that to Beyond which will have 32 SIVs! See what I mean about Celebrity increasing their marketing to solos?

Definitely food for thought! So many lines to choose from. However, sounds like NCL kinda caters to the solo folks with their staff organizing things and what not. Hmmm, hard to make a choice! Ok, so I’m 39 about to be 40, I want a fun atmosphere but I also want relaxed and don’t wanna hear loud music all the time when I’m trying to have a conversation at a bar or something. Carnival always has loud freaking music playing in most bars and it makes it very hard to communicate. Are other lines like this? 

I’d have to do a balcony, so I guess I’m screwed on cost. Not a big deal, it is what it is. Thank you all for sharing your experiences and insight! I’ve learned quite a lot. Now to put what I’ve learned to practice! Still a little nervous, but Halloween cruise here I come! Maybe…..

Happy bday mom!!!! I’ll be enjoying my 40th on the Mardi Gras in September. 

7 minutes ago, chefchick said:

Again, look into all your options.  I think (unlike what it might seem at times here on cruise critic) people on cruise ships (and on every cruise line) are generally a friendly bunch.  Have a great time!

Most definitely will look at my options, but there’s nothing like getting first hand accounts of others experiences. Honestly it’s a little nerve racking to consider lol. Will I be bored? Will I get into trouble? Will I make friends? Will I have a good time? I totally appreciate your help! I’m a bit of a “chef” myself, except they call me a Pitmaster. 

55 minutes ago, trivimp said:

The thing that makes NCL the "gold standard" for many solo travelers is the dedicated solo coordinator who does the daily meetup.  Other lines are finally starting to have similar programs, but NCL does it best, in my experience.  YMMV.

Definitely considering NCL. As a first time soloer it sounds like my best bet. I just hope folks are as friendly on NCL as they are on Carnival, I’m all about making connections when I cruise. 

Sniff, I got moved. Hopefully this is an active forum? 

32 minutes ago, chefchick said:

Many solo cruises under my belt.  I’ve cruised mainly with NCL (which sort of is the gold standard when it comes to solo cruises with dedicated solo cabins, a solo lounge, a solo coordinator, etc) but cruising solo can be fun on any cruise line.  The draw for myself personally is I love cruising and although my husband does as well, he also loves his work…many of my friends also don’t have the time or the funds necessary so rather than stay home, I cruise solo and love it!  I can do what I want, when I want.  Want to sleep in all day or get up in the middle of the night but don’t want disturb those you are with?  Not a problem when you are alone in a cabin.  No sharing the bathroom…do all those cruise things you love but your companions hate, you get the idea, it’s wonderful.  I have, on occasion felt a little lonely and sometimes feel odd drinking at a bar by myself for example, but I find people on cruise ships are generally friendly, but it helps i don’t mind my own company.  As far as excursions, it depends.  I have done both ship sponsored and independent excursions. I also often will just stay in the ship and enjoy the less crowded atmosphere.  Also, by joining a roll call you might have a chance to meet others on your sailing ahead of time.  If you are just looking for more info, there is a solo cruise board here on CC and frankly, my advice is just try it, I bet you will love it as much as many of us do.

Whoa! Thanks! I’ve been wanting to try NCL for a while now, admittedly for the all you can eat wings at their Irish pub,(odd reason I know, but I love wings) so this is a great endorsement! I’ll definitely check out the solo forum. Wasn’t aware there was one! Appreciate the info! Thank you. 

13 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

Rcl likes solos even more. They have some ships with solo cabins, some so secret booking agents dont know they exist lol. No solo supplement on solo cabins, but if I book a regular cabin, as a solo I get 2 pts per day since the cabin is double occupancy. Also at 340 pts solos get 50% off the 2nd pax supplement, or 150% of cruisefare. That's why I'm pushing to get there by dec 2022, just for future cruisefares. All are discounted. 

 

I like both lines equally but leaning to rcl because of solo cost. I think there are more rcl solo cruisers than on carnival. Its known for families and how many can be stuffed into one cabin. It's a niche market lol. 

Ah ok. Maybe I should hit up the RCL boards then. Good advice! Thank you! 

Awesome! Thanks for the tip and tricks and experiences Firefly! Truly hope you have some amazing JiJi’s. Fantastic food every time I’ve had it.