Ilovesailaway

There will be instructions and QR codes on pieces of paper on the desk in your stateroom. They are not trying to keep secrets. I assume it has been changed in part to lessen the load for the housekeeping staff. But if less people claim the pins and waters that is also a win for Carnival.

21 hours ago, terrydtx said:

If you are interested here is the Mt Etna, Taormina and winery tour 

Thank you for that link. It looks like an amazing experience.

Amazing info. Thank you all for taking the time to give such detailed helpful responses. 

Wow so happy I posted this. Thank you everyone for your responses. I am even more excited for this trip now. 

DW and I will be cruising on Oosterdam with this itinerary. I believe that some of these ports are tender ports. For those that have done this itinerary or been to these ports with HA did you find the tender process to be quick and reliable?  I ask because I am considering booking private tours but would like to know if that is advisable.

Also what nights would be our gala nights? And if you can provide any other specific advice for cruising HA with this itinerary I would greatly appreciate it. This will be our 2nd HA cruise.

Thank you

Tuesday, May 30    Barcelona, Spain        5:00pm
Wednesday, May 31    Marseille, France    8:00am    8:00pm
Thursday, June 1    Cannes, France    7:00am    6:00pm
Friday, June 2    Florence / Pisa (Livorno), Italy    7:00am    7:00pm
Saturday, June 3    Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy    7:00am    7:00pm
Sunday, June 4    Naples, Italy    8:00am    7:00pm
Monday, June 5    Strait of Messina (Cruising)        
Monday, June 5    Taormina (Giardini Naxos), Sicily, Italy    10:00am    11:00pm
Tuesday, June 6    At Sea        
Wednesday, June 7    Corfu, Greece    8:00am    6:00pm
Thursday, June 8    Kotor, Montenegro    8:00am    11:00pm
Friday, June 9    Dubrovnik, Croatia    7:00am    6:00pm
Saturday, June 10    Trieste, Italy    2:00pm    
Sunday, June 11    Trieste, Italy    Disembark    

I know some larger guys that use the showers in the men's locker room (spa/gym area) because they find the ones in the cabin too small.

Very helpful.. thank you chengkp75.

3 minutes ago, starstruck05 said:

I don't think it was as big of a deal as you are thinking it was. (Not knocking your experience,  just going from MY experience) Had it been a passenger safety issue, TRUST, you would know and been directed on what to do. The ship will be completely silent and announcements will be blasted in all the rooms and halls. The ones you heard were really only specifically for crew first and foremost. They would never involve passengers unless absolutely necessary. 

Thank you for your logical response. And I agree that if the problems had escalated to the point of needing to direct passengers it would not be as casual as what I saw.

I kinda wanted to start this post to see what other peoples opinions are on having such a new ship have what seems like a lot of issues. I don't know if it's just working out the kinks?

8 minutes ago, kdr69 said:

If you didnt end up in a lifeboat whats the issue?

Wow I didn't think of it that way. Onboard fires, passengers not hearing or choosing to ignore alarms? 

Well I feel better thanks

14 minutes ago, BlerkOne said:

Are you sure none were drills?

An announcement was made after the incinerator incident explaining the problem and that we were clear... I couldn't hear exactly what was said because no one even bothered to quiet down to listen.

The automated announcement with doors closing was not explained but the surprised and concerned response by the staff seemed genuine. 

I do not believe these were drills.

We did have your standard drills and practice alarms during a port day but they were very careful to announce that they were only drills.

The incinerator alarm/code was in the first couple days and the automated instructions with doors closing was toward the end of the cruise.

I was in the 820 area when the automated announcement happened. Passengers didn't seem concerned and just kept on eating and drinking. Several higher ranking staff quickly went to the mid stairwell and started going down while looking for updates on their phones. After seeing that I went to the outside deck to look around but saw nothing.

The incinerator alarm elicited a similar response by staff and a similar utter lack of awareness or concern by passengers. I was sitting next to a family member of an officer at Latitudes when the alarm went off. Her family quickly found her, whispered in her ear, then ran off... came back after all clear.

Honestly as concerning as the alarms were the complete lack awareness by the passengers is mind blowing. 

Just off Celebration and I had a great time. The food was great. No long lines. Friendly staff.

Now my concern:

To my knowledge there have been 3 incidents already that have required an emergency response plan to be initiated. Fire in the engine room, fire or smoke alarm in the incinerator area, and a random automated announcement of technical difficulties and directions to follow crew instructions with doors closing off compartments of the ship. 

I honestly don't know if its common for a new ship to experience issues like these but this all occurred in the span of 8 days and as I said its just the problems I am aware of. A lot of ppl who were on the ship with me during some of these problems had no idea they even happened.

I would pick the Celebration. I like that ship and itinerary better. But so much more needs to be considered... cost and convenience of travel to each embarkation port, hotels, ground transportation... just to name a few. Maybe add a day in Miami to make it an 8 day.

Wow that's a little concerning that multiple announcements were made about a potential problem in the engine room. If they were concerned enough to start making multiple rapid announcements then were kinda  like... oh never mind we are all set... wait huh?

I type this as I sit at Miami hotel getting ready to board Celebration in the morning.

I should add that when I asked about Celebration I specifically asked about ordering steak at Rudi's the Steakhouse.

I know that the OP is asking about MG but when I asked the same question about Celebration everyone told me to book the steakhouse over Rudi's 

My question was about having a solo meal but I find it odd that these recommendations are the opposite.

I also vote for Riverside Hotel on Las Olas. And if you can book the executive tower corner balcony. I could see the ships from my balcony.

I purchase cheers for the the convenience. I don't keep track or try to win. What I love about cruising is carefree spontaneity. Cheers allows for that. Whatever wherever... no worries 

I board Celebration Sunday but I'm in a 4a

Cabin envy is strong right now lol

Still very excited to see, do, drink, and eat everything... 4 days and a wakeup 

Try going on their logging into their website and looking at what special offers you are eligible for using your VIFP #

If they see you looking that might trigger some action

wow, that 1st pic in #126 could/should be a postcard

if anyone remembers those lol

17 minutes ago, jiggs said:

I'd be on 10 sailings a year if I didn't have to pay airfare to get there.

I agree no such this thing as a free lunch... typically.

I have points for air and hotels but I know that doesn't mean free. Those points are worth a lot and I still would need to pay grats, taxes, port fees, travel meals...

Still, you give me a cabin and hopefully drinks I'm in lol.

Jimbo these are great pics, thanks for posting.

I love cruising out of POM.

Well, to be honest I love sailing away anywhere on any ship lol.

But Miami sail away is pretty awesome.

43 minutes ago, jimbo5544 said:

One strange looking aft on the Seascape

Kinda cool... very symmetrical. 

1 hour ago, sunonfire said:

Stupid question time     -  are the 8 cents slots marked and are there many of the 8 cents machines?

I have seen penny slots... maybe betting multiple lines makes it an 8 cent play?