AngAndBoys

MSC has gotten some fairly bad reviews, which worries me. And, I went to their website the other day and it wouldn't work! Bad omen! ;)

Anyhow, they sent me an email telling me about their deals, is what prompted me to look at their site and read some reviews. I wonder how they found me though as I've never been to their website before. Interesting stuff. Of course, I'm a cruise fanatic and haunt several cruising websites, so I guess they know me.

I did the WiFi on my upcoming Escape, but only because I have teens only in that cabin, and they already got the dining package. For them, it's a slice of wonderment to keep up with friends back home.

Joining the chronic rule breakers club. As of last time I sailed, TX tax collectors have no idea what's in your bag, wherever you bought it. There is just no reason to declare anything to them. That being said, if you're sporting a visible liquor box, I wouldn't try skipping it. If not, ignore them. It's conscientious objection as far as I'm concerned. That last money grab as you're leaving, after you've poured who knows how much into tourism already is an embarrassment to our state. I need to write my congressman, I think.

I've gone solo on NCL and Carnival. NCL is easier for your first time because they have solo cabins and activities. But only on Epic, Getaway, Breakaway, Escape. They set up dinners and stuff. Have happy hour every evening, easy to meet people.

On CCL, when I go by myself, I do set time dining and have always been seated with other solos/singles. I meet tons of people through roll call. Don't just look at roll calls here. Other places have them and they are sometimes busier elsewhere.

Like others, I meet tons of people at the casino, bars, etc. I bring my books and music and do whatever I want at all times. It's fabulous!! Seriously liberating!

As far as ports go. I either stay close to ship or take an excursion (another way to meet folks) or find someone on roll call or even in cab line going to same place and ask to share. Have never been turned down. Ha! Be prepared for people to be a little freaked that you're alone. I hope your skin's not too thin. :)

You also might consider a hosted singles cruise. They bring a host and plan activities onboard and ashore. They are usually a couple hundred more than if you booked same ship yourself, but they will match you a roommate if you want. I haven't tried it, but did meet a lady coming off one in Miami airport and she just loved it. Just Google singles cruises and 2 companies come up.

Last but not least, have you considered doing a shorter one just to get your feet wet? Either way, go for it! Life is short! Get your kicks while you're still young enough to get em!

If you end up renting a car, you might consider one of the condo hotels on the seawall. They are reasonably priced and are the size of a small apartment. They have balcony overlooking the ocean across the street. They have a bedroom, kitchen, fold out sofa bed, bunk beds built into the wall in the hall. I've stayed at The Victorian recently, and it is an older property but well maintained, loved the balcony! The other that comes to mind is Casa Del Mar, same concept, but I don't know how they are as I've never stayed there. Only thing is, nice and reasonably priced as they are, I don't know how you'd do it without a car. I had one, so don't really remember noting what was in walking distance and you'd have to get a cab to the port for sure.

If you want to stay right at the cruise terminal, stay at Harbor House. You could walk from there. It's on the opposite side from the beach, but does put you in the historic area, The Strand with lots of shops and restraints.

I noticed Carnival prices going up in the last year too. I've been looking at other lines, but haven't really found anything significantly cheaper for the dates/times I checked.

Word to the wise, those unlimited drink packages on NCL come with around $120 fee for 18% gratuity, which, according to their boards, is not actually going to the workers. I'm sorry I don't recall the exact amount of that fee, but the solo cabin on Escape with unlimited drinks and 4 nights free specialty dining in mid June came out to $1492 with prepaid gratuities at 13.50/day. Not so cheap, even for a no solo supplement, but I wanted to try the ship, so that's what I'm doing.

I didn't price compare on that one because I specifically wanted that ship and that time frame, but other times, lines, and ships that I've compared lately, Carnival has been some better in price, most of the time. I'm not adverse to trying others, but I keep getting casino rates that I can't refuse on Carnival, so I mostly stick with them.

I did notice on my researching that HAL has some killer deals on really long cruises, like more than 30 days, if anyone's in the market for those.

Oh boy. I'm confused now. I am platinum and about to go on my first Premiere, out of Tampa. So, do I need to go to Premiere check in for anything or just do regular VIP check in? Does Tampa even have a lounge? I am leaving in 2 weeks and I guess I'm quite clueless.

Isn't Taste Bar New since the upgrades? It's located at the end of the casino bar, in front of the band area. It's easy to miss because it's just a little kiosk cart type thing. Seems like it opens around 5 and just for a short time, maybe not even every day. Check it out! Good food for a little pre-dinner appetizer stop.

20something cruises in and I've got one coming in 2 weeks that will be my first:

Cruise on Paradise. I don't recognize the layout at all, so don't think I've been on this class before, so I'm stoked about that!

First time on Premiere cruise! Whoop!!

First time leaving out of Tampa.

First time flying in day of, in the winter no less, pray for me and don't beat me up too bad. I was dying to do this cruise and couldn't secure arrangements for my kids for night before, so.....

You can easily add them to your account online. Go to Carnival website under Manage>My booking. Right under the words My Cruse Manager close to top on left of page, see tabs with your booked cruises. There is a tab there to add a booking. You need ship, sail date, confirmation number.

I've booked as solo and added a friend later twice, have not been charged more for the added person either time. The CCL rep said they are more than happy for a solo to add a guest because it's pure revenue for them with the cabin already paid at the double solo rate and the extra person spending on board. So, no surcharge. YMMV.

Anyone know what PC4 gets you? Mine doesn't say anything about cash, so maybe none?

Also, I've never been on a Premiere and just recently started getting the offers. Most of the ones I've gotten are for 7 days and shorter is really more realistic for me. Do they offer shorter ones often? I've got a short one booked this month and I'm hoping more are forthcoming.

I can't even imagine one with 98 people, sounds like a total cluster and a lot of work to organize. Most I've seen is 30 people. Anyhow, I've organized a few, secured prizes from the cruise line and brought my own too. I also take myself to the bank and get 100s of dollars worth of change so I can do an instant pay out at the end. I keep a spreadsheet to track everybody's buy in, payouts, winning amounts, and act as all around sheep hearder/cheerleader. I let it be known up front that it will be my card going in.

Do you realize how much extra work goes into doing one of these? And as another poster said, the points gained are usually minimal.

There is a limited bar menu while in port. Once they are however many miles out, they convert to fill bar. I don't drink the hard stuff, so don't know which of those are not available, but I know the beer in port is 12 oz cans instead of the 16oz aluminium bottles. It costs less, at least. Anyhow, this has to do with Tx collecting tax on alcohol from Carnival. They have to pay it while docked, so they stock a limited amount for port. Or so they tell me.

And you get the spa amenities? How cool is that?

We had a stroller with us this time, which was a new dynamic for us, and essentially limited us to elevator usage. To get to the Ionian Bar on Deck 4 we were always going up to 5, across, and down; and if we forgot to go up from the entrance of the Ionian to 5 we were in the mid-lobby between dining rooms that took us right up to the center of the casino bar. Deck 9 pinch points couldn't be alleviated by using Deck 10 because there was only an elevator forward.

 

I got the hang of it really quickly but it always was a (minor) PITA.

 

We were in the Ionian Bar one time when the kids club was wrapping up there and they were calling a parent who couldn't figure out how to get to the bar (not hard once you go once or twice) and the staff gave up and brought the kid to the parents room. I almost never see that bar mentioned in reviews and after dealing with the layout I know why!

 

Maybe without a stroller we could have eliminated a lot of this, but that's how the cookie crumbled.

 

I wonder why they're designed like this? Is it because of the central galleys?

Ah yeah, a stroller would be a complicating factor! Yeah, it is because of the central galley. That's what's blocking those decks. ,

To clear a couple things up regarding sailing out of Galveston: You fly into Houston. There are 2 airports here. If you are flying Southwest, they only use Hobby (HOU), which is good for you because it is closer to port. Maybe 45 minutes. The other is IAH and it's maybe an hour and 15 minutes away.

Don't know if it will matter, but Spring Break around here tends to be earlier in March. My kids are out week of March 12, and believe me, that is reflected in cruise prices out of Galveston that week. I imagine Florida's Spring Break season goes on longer since it gets more of a northern crowd, so you might see better prices on cruise, hotel, and flights coming from here.

The stupid tax. First, let me apologize for the greed of my state. It is quite an embarrassment to me. That being said, it is on an honor system. You have to voluntarily go to the booth to pay. If your cigs and booze are in your bag and you don't go to the booth, they won't check. There is one person standing in the crowd trying to direct people over there. Almost nobody goes.

The port and staggered arrival times. Oh boy. I haven't experienced that yet so can't comment. Watching the threads about it, the solution seems to be to get there after 11:30. Seems like it bottlenecks earlier. Also, it does not appear to be well organized at the moment. I am hoping it gets better as they work out the kinks.

Fog. Goodness. I've only been caught in it once. Didn't get off the ship til after 12. I did not cry. They planned activities for us and opened the casino. It was bonus vacation!!!

People in Texas are super friendly and you might enjoy the experience of a different kind of crowd. Witness 10 gallon hats and starched Wranglers in the dining room. Pig roping on Lido! Haha, :/...about the pigs, not the hats. Galveston is a destination in and of itself with lots of attractions. I cannot, however, recommend the beaches, especially to someone who is used to Fla and Caribean. The water is pretty brown and not very clear. It has to with the Mississippi River churning up the sand in the gulf. Also lots of seaweed and jellyfish.

Anyhow, I didn't want you to write off Galveston because of some bad reviews. I swore to never go out of New Orleans again after the first time it took more than 2 hours to get through the check in line. I finally did when Triumph was being fixed and I wanted a quick getaway. Second time, breezed through that port in 15 minutes. So, who knows?

Dream Class, decks 3 and 4 have the galley at the middle aft area. It sits between the 2 dining rooms. Triumph class as well. It is just something you get used to. You cross on either deck 5 or 2, which should never be more than 1 flight away, presuming you're on whichever of those decks you want to get through. It IS confusing and frustrating at first, but you get used too it.

Hello all! I guess there's another thing I didn't know about Carnival. Can anyone please fill me in on details of the seaday brunch. I know nothing about it. When does it start? Where? What does the menu include?

 

This sounds like something my family and I would really enjoy!!!!!!

 

Thanks a lot

Heimey

Basic Information here:

http://www.carnival.com/cruise-food/seaday-brunch

Menu is found under 2nd link here:

http://www.carnival.com/search?q=Seaday%20brunch

I highly recommend the steak and eggs. Don't go near the cereal encrusted French toast.

5/29/2003 Celebration, 4 day.

~raises hand~ Also grandfathered in to Platinum and currently sitting at 86 days with 18 cruises. The vast majority of mine have been 4 days, 8 of them on same ship. I'm sure I'm not the average as my pattern reflects the fact that I live an hour from port and can take advantage of weekend cruises. But, I cannot do 7 days when school is in and can't afford to do multiple cruises during high season. 2.5 years till the youngest graduates, then it's game on!! If I have any money with 3 in college at once . :p

Could some of you that have done A Is speak to cost difference with cruises? When I priced them for this summer, they were more than twice what I usually pay for all of us (myself and 3 kids) to cruise in an ocean view for 7 days. I was a little put off by that. But I'm wondering as I have no experience in AI if I was just looking in wrong places.

I don't know if the platinum Diamond check in is changing too though? I read in one of these threads that Platinums were checked in at the main lines on the roll out of this program. Whether that was a one time deal or the new norm, I don't know.

I'm really curious how a 10AM check in will work out. If Royals ship is in on same day, and both ships haven't debarked by then, parking lot could be a total cluster. I'd definitely go for off site parking going that early. I almost never get there early, but I got there between 10-11 last summer and it was insane. It took us an hour to get a bus from parking lot to terminal. No, I am not exaggerating at all.

Just a correction for you, I might be a minority but I don't choose to be gay any more than you choose to be straight. I'm feeling the truth lies somewhere between how the room was set-up last, with a slight judgement call by the steward to not change the twin setup until that request is repeated.

I think he was talking about the bed choice, not the lifestyle "choice". :D

Anyhow, I wonder if the steward questioned you more because he thought he misunderstood you? Like it took a minute for him to grasp the situation and he just thought he misunderstood because of language, being tired or whatever? I say that because it happens to all of us from time to time, you know? Like maybe it took him a minute to make the connection that you guys were a couple.

I don't know. Just throwing it out there. At any rate, I hope you and your partner were able to have a nice cruise. :D

Thanks guys!