Cruzayear

Thank you so much for posting this, now I know we need the Cheers program.

So there are 11 of us sailing on the Vista 6/11, 5 adults ( Mom 62, daughter 27, daughter 20, sister 31 and myself), 6 children ( daughter 13, nephews 10,12, & 13, niece 5 and grandson 5) We are driving down from Jacksonville and looking for the best budget ideas for hotel and parking. We will be driving 3 cars.

 

We sailed on the Liberty out of Miami years ago but things have changed a lot since then. What are your suggestions?

Thank you for your kind concern about our educational level. You're a lovely person to care.

 

I clarified how many drinks my husband will probably drink on the cruise later on the thread, if you would like to read a bit further. He'll get a lot more than $14 a day out of Cheers, just maybe not $55, which is okay. We aren't going to be guzzling the most expensive drinks we can find just to break even, though.

 

And I do believe you missed the whole point of my post.

 

Still--have a wonderful day and I hope you are cruising soon, in whatever style you prefer.

 

Best response ever, love the way that you handled this post!

Thank you for your post as I have never been able to justify in my mind paying for Cheers when we both only drink 4 to 5 drinks a day and mostly on sea days - I am rethinking things. I really wish they had a Cheers Light package that was $30 a day for 6 or 7 drinks - I bet Carnival would have a lot of takers!

 

Enjoy your cruise!

 

This would be a great option!

You have plenty of time to cancel. Why not just do that? You're already regretting things. It will probably get worse as you work yourself up until next June. You can try the Vista in 2018. Prices may be lower and you may get different itineraries.

 

I'm okay now, I was in my feelings when I posted this :D

I am coming back to Carnival after a few years with RCI. Cutbacks are happening on all mass market cruise lines. The Oasis Class ships are amazing though, I love the Allure, but I am looking forward to the Vista. Now you have something to look forward to in 2018.

 

Yes, we are pumped about both about both cruises :)

Are there specific "cutbacks" related to the Vista that you may have been expecting? We're doing the Vista this coming January and the Oasis the following year. DW tried RCCL this past spring and loved it. I'm a bit concerned she was "spoiled" because, by "hook or crook" she wound up in the "Ben and Jerry Sweet" and had all sorts of perks not available to regular RCCL cruisers. But I'm glad she's willing to move away from the only Carnival mentality.

 

Nothing specific just wondering if for the price we paid should I have booked RC. I'm over it now and I'm sure that we will have a good time as always. My family is really excited about just going on vacation period. :D:D

Yea, carnival is like a Comfortable old shoe. I'm thinking about a new pair. I was wishing for the vista but I've been watching some of JHs videos and it looks like every other carnival ship. I'd like to try something different.

 

These were my thoughts after we booked. I'm sure it will be great but I can't wait for RC in 2018.

to the OP...Really?:rolleyes:

 

Yes, really and that eye roll is right back at you. #thanksforplaying

You might consider letting others pay that sticker shock for the newbie in the fleet. I waited until the Allure and Oasis prices dropped before booking them, and the ship was still shiny and new;)

 

The Oasis class are amazing ships, but it is a very different sailing experience. So I suggest giving RCL a try as the Vista will still be there and likely not at a premium price

 

I already booked the Vista, we'll just hope for the best.

I went on the Sunshine based upon my TA's recommendation and I didn't enjoy it either. In fact it's the only one that we didn't enjoy.

Clorox wipes

 

bottled hand soap for each cabin

 

Lysol spray

 

liquid body soap

 

We also love our 32 oz insulated cups with the straws attached. I can fill with ice and water to sip on all day.

 

OTC drugs, because they are so expensive on the ship.

 

Empty gift card to swipe for the safe.

 

Extra batteries for the charger.

 

We bring our own beach towels too.

 

Small string backpacks ( especially for the children ) they come in handy while shopping and hold bottled water.

 

Cheap water goggles for the children.

I love reading others opinions.

We've done it on every cruise. We book according to budget and switch rooms once we board the ship. It's never been a problem for us, just make sure that the beds are adjusted the way that you will want them.

All of our cruises have been with Carnival so it's all that we have known but I am starting to have second thoughts about them after reading some of these posts. With the continuous cutbacks to service and higher fees and prices I wonder if I'm missing out on something better.

 

I am booked for Vista 6/2017 but I now wish that I had booked on one of the RC Oasis class ships. I feel this way because it appears that on Vista I will be getting much of the same that we always get but for a higher price. I guess that's why I keep going back to Carnival because it's so comfortable and predictable.

 

There are 13 of us traveling ( 7 adults and 6 children ) so I guess we'll have to wait until 2018 to try RC.

Last time I cruised was about 5 years ago I think and this ban was in the works then. The first thing I came to check on was the water situation when the girls wanted to take a cruise this summer. Sad to see it finally went into effect.

 

I know for most this is not a big deal. Most people drink a variety of things soda, coffee, tea, booze LOL but some of us drink strictly water. One thing you seem to develop when you drink strictly water is a taste for water as in you can taste the difference in brands of water. No not all bottled water is the same. Each company has it's own formula, while they start out basically the same with purified water what they add is different. Thus the resulting flavor is different from one brand to the other. To some it all tastes basically the same, to others there's a drastic night and day difference. It's like saying all red/white wine tastes the same or all beer tastes the same.

 

I have one brand I drink and I take it everywhere with me including cruising. I just put it in a rolling bag and then drink it during the week. At the end of the week I have the bag to pack stuff in that I bring home. No lugging water on board and it gives me an extra bag. But now that isn't an option, at this point I'm not sure what I'm going to do. I've had Carnivals tap water and it's awful. From what I'm reading their bottled water tastes awful too. Sigh

 

Think I'll buy some brita single bottles with filters and see what water from them tastes like. Then maybe I can buy their bottled water and keep it in the fridge and poor it in a brita bottle to get the funky taste out and make it drinkable.

 

As far as the cost goes I'd gladly pay to have them order my water directly from Amazon or whatever service they choose and have it delivered to the port by the case and pay them a surcharge of $20 or whatever and have a case waiting for me in my room when I arrive. That way they know it hasn't been tampered with, I have something to drink all week and they make a nice profit.

 

That would be awesome if they allowed us to order and have it shipped to them. I have found that the only water that tastes good to me is Zephyrhills, anything else I have to force down. I prefer to eat my calories so juice and soda are out of the question for me.

Jacksonville is definitely one of the easiest ports to leave out of. My kids still say that the Fascination is still their favorite even though it's smaller than the others.

 

I really wish we would get it together and get larger ships.

Do you know what the obstruction is for the OV harbor family staterooms? Is it really bad?

I really wish that there were better shots of the obstructed view OV in the family harbor area too. I'm booking the 3 OV and one inside cabin but I love keeping my curtain open. I won't be able to if the crew will be outside of my window.

Following, we are booked for the 6/11/17 cruise and have 4 cabins. I can't wait to see photos and a review. :D

[quote name='SooNet']---- Part 8

After sail away we headed to the Lido deck to see what was happening at the sail away party. Wow can these people dance! Wish I had the moves like some of these people. There was a Latin/Caribbean vibe to the whole thing and people were dancing Salsa style. I also learned about a new dance move The Waffle and video taped it as well. I hope I can transfer some of the videos to this review as well as we did get some good footage]


The dance is called the "wobble" lol! I am so enjoying your review.

Thank you for posting the digital photography website,it has a wealth of information:eek:. I'm a novice photography just got 'the bug' and received my 1st 'real' camera for Christmas. It's a bridge camera Fuji Finepix S3380. I love it takes wonderful pictures. I'm just learning how to use it...i'm still stuck on the "auto mode":).

 

Loving your review so far. Pictures are beautiful!

 

I have the Finepix 3200 and I love it as well! I'm no way near professional but I use it to take photos of my properties.