Surfwench

I do hope one important detail is changed forever. No more communal serving spoons and tongs in the buffet, touched by 4000 of my closest friends, lol. 

Cruised first voyage of the season a few years ago - mid-May. We had an aft balcony and later said entirely unnecessary. I had heard of the legendary cold, (we live in Florida), and had spent $$$$ in winter gear for the trip. LOL, average temp was 72 every day except Glacier Bay and Tracy Arm day. During the glacier days we ended up spending the entire day outside on the highest deck forward of the stack, (we were on a CCL cruise). Primary reason for being there instead of on our expansive aft balcony is the naturalist is looking forward and speaking about the sights coming up. So if she says "Mama bear and cubs at 11:00 o'clock" not only can we not hear it on our private balcony, we are likely to miss it entirely as wildlife doesn't stand still and pose. Biggest Alaska tip .... bring binoculars for both of you, sharing doesn't work with wildlife. We did and best decision. Yes, it was cold and windy on that top deck, (which kept the crowds away), but it was a good chance to use the -0 rated stuff we dragged along. We could run from port to starboard in seconds to catch every memorable sight. Oh, and if you don't own a good camera, rent one with a lens for long distance shots. Camera on your phone only good for selfies. Have fun, its a memorable trip. 

On the Rotterdam 16 -23 December.  There is no aft pool, but hot tubs with an unusual waterfall and ankle deep wading area between them. I too saw the pictures of loungers and tables sitting in shallow water before our cruise, but that is not the case presently. The hot tubs were nicely heated and the bartenders very good, so no complaints. Because of the low passenger count the Lido pool was never crowded. We didn't have 20 kids on our cruise and only 1 or 2 of them swam. 

Took our first HAL cruise on the Rotterdam just a few weeks ago and could not be happier. We've cruised Carnival and Royal 10 times or so, but after a week on the Rotterdam our future cruises will all be on HAL. The Rotterdam is a lovely ship with graceful lines. It is tastefully decorated with artwork throughout the ship. She's an older girl, but VERY well maintained. We had a Lanai cabin which was fun, no problem with privacy or our reserved loungers. Here and there at the edges you get a peek at her age. There was some type of black waterproofing brushed around the tub faucets where they joined the wall. This would have been objectionable if the water pressure and hot water availability hadn't been so outstanding. And the TV was laughable, BUT we don't cruise to watch TV in our cabin. 

In size she compares with the Fantasy class ships on Carnival. But that's where the comparison ends. Staff, food, entertainment were all far superior to the Carnival Fantasy class  offering. Plus we stayed in port longer than the other cruise ships and enjoyed a beach resort, (Maya Chan), almost to ourselves because the Carnival cruisers had to skedaddle by 1:30! 

I wouldn't hesitate to sail on the Rotterdam again. Book with confidence!

I'm sure it is not the wait staff on podiums gyrating to Gangnam Style while your food gets cold waiting to be served.

Judging from the diners reaction it seems to be a very popular feature. It looks like the waitstaff for the most part enjoys it as well, a nice break from their humdrum duties. I've seen many passengers get up and join the dancers too. The MDR has all the ambience of a Luby's warehouse cafeteria, so I can't think how a little music and lights can ruin the dining experience. Better to go to the Steakhouse if you feel that way.

I was on the Legend the cruise before her last dry dock and upgrade. Everything was fine, as always. There were a few places taped off on out of the way decks that had piles of construction stuff, but other than that, I noticed nothing else amiss. The first few cruises after a signficant dry dock/upgrade however I believe can be more problematic. Especially if all construction was not completed on schedule and they are still working on some venues.

I would like to see no dancing in the MDR during dinner by the waiters. The MDR may not be "fine dining" but it is dining. My DH and I do dress a little nicer for dinner and the dancing takes away the ambience. We have never encountered dancing at the restaurants we go to even Chili's or Burger Barn or Trulucks. Carnival is the only cruise line we have seen this. This is just mt opinion.

Hmmmm....The Columbia restaurant here in Tampa has nightly Flamenco dancers and its a very tony place. There are a few very nice Greek restaurants in Tarpon Springs with traditional Greek dancers on the weekend. I would say a floor show is a mark of a finer restaurant.

Thank you. Yes, he will be 6 months on our cruise. I'm a pretty modest person, though having a baby and nursing has changed that a lot. I don't want to have to run to my cabin every time he's hungry, for your reasons posted, and because I want to be able to enjoy myself.

 

My LO also HATES covers. He will never eat as much when he has a cover over him. Who can blame him?! I wouldn't want to eat with a blanket or cover over my head and face. He's also like an oven, so he gets hot very quickly too.

Mine always pooped after feeding.... you have to go back to the cabin for the diaper change anyway.....

Doesn't hurt to call and ask. I have all the info in front of me so I can immediately determine if it is a deal and ask, "how much to upgrade to a suite?"

That's how I upgraded from an ocean view to an aft extended balcony for $160.00 a few years ago.

Good luck. :)

The nerve of them! An outrage. If you want the extra sea day, stay on the ship. :)

Don't know if this has been posted here yet. Spirit will go to china seasonal and miracle will stay here. http://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/14739-carnival-ship-shuffle-spirit-to-china.html

<fingers crossed> PLEASE send the Miracle on a Panama Full Transit in 2017!!!!

Our stateroom was serviced twice daily -- Glory last December. I've seen pictures of the cards they ask the passengers to fill out -- you can choose morning, evening or both. This has been confirmed by friends who have recently returned from another cruise aboard the Glory. I love my towel animals and fresh Fun Times. :)

ewwwww....never leave your drink unattended anywhere, in a yeti or yak or whatever. :eek:

We will be on the Carnival Breeze in June, and we are those 'we are on vacation and we are not dressing up' people. :D

We've been there and done that in the past, but it's been about 10 years since our last cruise.

Is the only dinner option on elegant evenings the buffet? I'm not a buffet fan. Any advice for dinners on elegant evenings for non-elegant people?

Thank you!

You could eat at Bonsai Sushi, Cucina Del Capitano, or the Steakhouse in addition to the Lido buffet, Guy's, Deli, etc...

You really think he used poor judgement???

Yes, but now they're married and have children so no use rehashing things. :rolleyes:

When I order room service at a hotel, which is not included in my rate, it always comes on a rolling cart.

You've been watching too many old Hollywood movies.

Setting the trays out in the hall is standard with most hotels. Some of the fancier ones ask you to call when you are done and they'll come back to pick it up. No way am I letting the smells of my room service meal stink up the place all night. It is good manners to place a napkin over the uneaten portion of your meals. I've noticed Carnival needs to send the tray picker upper more frequently .... on occasion I've seen dishes/trays left for HOURS.

DH had to fly last week for work. He was perfectly healthy when he got on the plane to return home Thursday night. He started feeling poorly Friday night and is still sick. Cough, breathing problems (he is asthmatic), fever. He is already on an antibiotic for another ailment. Everything he gets turns into bronchitis because of his lungs, so we're just waiting for that. Dang air travel! :(

I fly minimum once a quarter for work. I've been giving SERIOUS thought to wearing a surgical mask from the airport gate to my destination. 3 years ago a trip from Florida to Texas to Wisconsin and back again left me with pneumonia. :eek:

I was on the 4/8/16 sailing of Sunshine with a large group from the unnamed site. Lots of us ended up getting sick by about day 6 with cough, no energy, no appetite. Some have fever, some ended up in the hospital.

 

One day you start to feel the worst has passed only to feel totally horrible the next day. This is the first in over 30 cruises I've ever gotten ill. And it's horrible! At this point I don't care if I ever see a cruise ship again---but I have 3 booked.

I flew to LA for work last month and came down with the flu on the trip back ..... high fever, chills, felt like I was going to die. Sick, really sick for 2 weeks with 2 weeks to completely recover. Ended up in the ER for 24 hours when I couldn't get my fever down. I had a bed in the hallway because there were so many flu cases. You could tell who we were because they slapped surgical masks on us when we walked in.

Some bad bugs out there this season. Seems kinda unfair to blame the cruise.

She's an old rust bucket, but they keep her maintained. I NEVER complain about smoke smells but the years have not been kind to the casino and the place reeked. However, same excellent Carnival staff and NO crowds. Always could find a lounge at the pool and a seat at the comedy club. Nice for a quick weekend getaway, nothing more. Entertainment both show theater and comedy club was 2nd tier. Food was great.

This is silly. I'm pretty sure if a ship runs aground they need to send divers down to check for damage and can't just continue on with their cruise like it was a scratched knee.

Sorry to hear about the medical emergency, positive thoughts for a happy outcome.

Carnival Horizon sounds too much like Event Horizon .... scary movie :eek:

In defense of Brand Ambassadors ... I'm a kind of brand ambassador at work, tasked with passing along information from corporate. Believe it or not, corporate changes their mind, sometimes last minute without warning. Pity poor brand ambassadors who can only sing the song they are given.

How about Carnivale? or Festivale?

Panorama? Prospect?

Zephyr? Tradewinds?

Enchantment? Bewitched?

Then my memory is faulty. Imagine that. A 65 yr old guy who doesn't remember what ship's Steakhouse has tablecloths.

 

:confused:

LOL, things start to blur after so many cruises. Maybe you dined there on cruise elegant night and they trot out the tablecloths for that like in the MDR?

Thanks for your review, OP. I love comparison reviews. The one Royal cruise I took I was disappointed with the food, but impressed by the entertainment. And there was maybe 1% or 2% fewer "woohoo" passengers. I'll stick with Carnival for right now, (almost platinum), but looking around for different itineraries and ship experiences. :)

The newer ships do not have tablecloths in the Steakhouse. Breeze did not. However, the tables were made with a highly lacquered exotic wood and were beautiful.