carol louise

Another thing: not this time but the previous times when we signed up for the tour, it was several days before the tickets were delivered to our cabin.

Hi, Haljo1935. As I have done in the past on recommendation of posters here on CC, we went to the shore excursion desk as soon as we were on board, which was around 1 pm. We were told there were still three places left, so that’s still good advice.

We took the “Behind the Fun” tour on our June 19 Caribbean cruise out of NY. There were enough takers that they conducted two separate tours of about 10 people each. The tour lasted 3 to 3 and a half hours; our escort was a manager from the Human Resources staff. During a short sit-down break, we asked him questions about hiring, training, and working on a cruise ship. I had taken two behind-the-scenes tours in the past—one on Carnival and one on Princess—but still learned new things on this one. We visited the galley and food storage and preparation areas, the laundry room, the propulsion control center, the crew break room, the bridge (where we chatted and also had our photo taken with the captain), back stage in the theater, and lots of crew area passageways and stairways getting from one area to another, including passing by the medical center and the brig. Since it involved a lot of walking, we were warned about that before we signed up (it’s not suitable for a person with mobility issues). No cameras, phones, purses, or backpacks allowed (we were wanded before leaving the meet-up room, and they took one man’s phone until after the tour). It took place in the morning on the second to last sea day before returning to NY. The cost was $130 pp. Sign up at the shore excursion desk. It was fascinating, and the crew and staff members who explained things and took questions were personable and generous with their time. The mechanical equipment and specialized computers and electronics were impressive to see.

When I cruised Carnival, solo or with my sister, when having chosen fixed seating, I found they put me or us at a table with other adult singles (i.e.not obviously married couples or families), though not necessarily solo travelers. So I would not find myself as the sixth person sitting with a family of five, for example.

P.S. to my comment above: I suggested she check those supposed luggage tags for the second leg and they do not say priority. But we think that may be because she has not yet completed the first leg. She did not book the two legs at the same time, so part of Carnival’s computer still thinks of it as two separate cruises rather than one big one on which she turns Platinum.

I agree with the comment that it varies. My sister is currently on the first leg of a B2B and expects to turn Platinum on the second leg. She did not receive Platinum on the first leg. Since she has not yet achieved that status she is getting emails now telling her to check in for the second leg and choose a boarding time, print out luggage tags, etc. for the second embarkation which is still several days away. Her travel agent and guest services on board have assured her Carnival knows she’s on a B2B and will provide specific instructions about turnaround day. I am pretty sure that since they close the books on the first cruise when it ends she will get a new folio account and therefore a new card, presumably Platinum. I hope so anyway!

That’s good news. I have worked with the same (live) cruise travel agent for many years and value her. Could your friend recommend another travel agent she knows?

I was on the June 19 sailing out of NY on Venezia and did not know of any violence. Of course, I was never out and about at 1 am. Did see the dog strolling with his handler a couple times. I agree that length of cruise (therefore, cost) and season are more important factors than the ship. It’s summer, and Carnival has been heavily promoting Venezia for months now with tv ads. I wonder if they also offered some really good (cheap) deals?

latebloomer, I suggest you do your best to get luggage tags as early as possible. We too had no desire to lug our own bags, but benefited from Platinum being given early numbered tags. When I mentioned "a first" for us, I meant hearing them encourage people to carry their own luggage down.

After the long pandemic period with no revenue, judicious cost-cutting was necessary just to stay in business so we could cruise again!

I was on the June 19-27 sailing. They offer luggage tags for you to pick up at a designated place & time the day before disembarkation. (For Platinum, they brought tags to our cabin with instructions to meet in one of the dining rooms.) They also encourage people to take all their own luggage down (that for me is a first—it may be due to limitations in how much luggage the terminal can hold), with the requirement that you meet at an earlier time than the first of the tagged groups. As it turned out, there were just too many people on board for disembarkation to keep to the schedules, and it all backed up. At one point they halted the exiting for a time to restrict numbers in the terminal. Once in the terminal, it was very quick. I think your six-hour window of time will be sufficient for getting to Penn or Grand Central.

May I suggest you buy FTTF for your sister?

Returned from June 19-27 Caribbean cruise on Carnival Venezia out of NY. It was the many-times postponed and rebooked cruise originally planned for 2020. No flight necessary. We are in our mid 70’s and my husband has diabetes, otherwise we’re in good health. We’ve had every vaccination and booster available, including the latest updated booster—just 3 weeks before embarkation to maximize its effectiveness. We wore KN95 masks for embarkation but decided once on board to just social distance as much as possible and trust the vaccine. We saw just a few masks on board, some crew and passengers, and did not hear of any Covid cases.

Yes, so that’s a risk, too.

There is some risk I think (weather delays, change in itinerary affecting arrival time, unexpected delay in clearing the ship for immigration/customs), and I personally would consider the hotel expense worth it for peace of mind. But if you are flying business, I imagine you have some flexibility regarding last-minute changes just in case?

I was on Venezia last month, and yes you do need the most expensive plan, for streaming.

Carnival apparently had to make a careful assessment of where they could contain costs once they returned to business after the long pandemic period of maintaining ships minus revenue. My guess is that a small enough number of people still used ice in their cabins pre-pandemic—a custom held over from the days when cabins did not all have a mini-fridge to keep beverages cool—that they decided it could be discontinued with minimal effect on passengers’ comfort. I too just returned from sailing on Venezia, and was disappointed that we could no longer leave a room service order for breakfast coffee on our doorknob the night before, but I knew of the change, so we brought insulated mugs and my early-rising husband threw on some clothes and brought back coffee from the Lido to enjoy on our balcony.

Another difference I’ve noticed on Carnival compared to other lines I’ve cruised on is more activities in which the passengers participate, many of them simple things like crafts or a beanbag toss, as well as pool games and shows that involve audience volunteers—these latter two being led by very funny Carnival cruise staff. My sister and I laughed ourselves silly watching a pool contest between two teams of volunteers who were given about 20 minutes to devise a synchronized swimming performance, complete with music.

I agree Carnival lives up to the “fun” description. I have noticed that the cruise directors on Carnival seem usually to have come from an entertainment field, while the CD on some other lines I’ve cruised had a hotel/hospitality background.

I cruised alone 2009 a couple years after my husband had died. I enjoyed it a lot. Here are things I was glad I did: Elected fixed dining (rather than anytime) for dinner. I understand on Princess nowadays you can elect to eat at a specific time, and with others, though not necessarily the same people but those who arrive when you do. Lunch and breakfast I went to alone in the Lido, but was rarely alone for long. Looked for a friendly couple or family and asked if I could join them or I sat alone and others came to me. People are so relaxed and friendly on a cruise. Book some excursions ahead of time, so at least some of your days have structure. Join the roll call and arrange to meet up with them early in the cruise: we got together at the aft Lido bar immediately after lifeboat drill. That way you’ll have some friendly faces to greet now and then as the cruise progresses and you run into them here and there. Nap if you want to. My late afternoons dozing on my balcony gave me energy for really fun late-nite people watching and exploring after the shows were over. Change your mind however often you want; no need to consult a travel companion. And feel sad now and then if it strikes. Bring nice music to listen to. Best wishes, CL