Tyme2Cruise

I have no problem with Family's cruising with their children. We are, as one poster stated, from the "older generation"and know that kids will be kids. We learned our lesson on a Carnival Dream Easter cruise 3 years ago, when there were 1200 kids onboard and they did what kids do, in abundance. So we decided to never book our Carnival cruises over spring break or holidays. So far that plan has worked great for us.

People cruise for many different reasons. Some cruise for the destinations, a particular ship, or particular port of embarkation. On Carnival we tend to Cruise on the Dream class ships and hope someday to cruise on the Vista class. We have been to most, but not all, destinations in the Caribbean, so now we pick the ship and choose an itinerary we like. We also always drive to the ports, so for us that is important. So you need to figure out what is important to you. Just remember that whatever you do, you will be on a cruise ship, and there's nothing better than that. :D

I haven't been on the Dream for awhile, but I do not recall anyplace I would consider a pub style bar. It would have been nice to see the Red Frog Pub after dry dock, but that did not happen. :)

Wondering how rough sailing is out of New Orleans? I've booked the Dream for next January.

 

 

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We are also cruising out of NOLA next January. The historical data for the Gulf of Mexico, that I found, stated that we have around a 45% chance to encounter seas in excess of 5 feet. How much in excess of 5 feet I do not know. So, that means we have a 55% chance of having relatively smooth seas. IMHO it's a crap shoot anyway, so you get what you get. ;)

Usually there are two outdoor areas (may or may not be covered) and the casino bar (half of it) for smoking. That is all that is allowed on Carnival ships at this time. The only major line I know of that still allows smoking on the balcony is Holland America.

Excuse me, but that is incorrect. Starting January 2017 Holland America no longer allows smoking on any balconies. ;)

Ok honest question...haven't cruised Carnival in about a decade and need clarification...is smoking allowed on the balconies? Last time I cruised Carnival it was but last month when I cruised Royal there was no smoking on any balcony...

 

THANKS IN ADVANCE

It is NOT allowed. The policy can be found on Carnival's website under FAQ. Just search smoking and it will show up. :)

Never smelled smoke on the balcony! 30 plus cruises and never have I smelled it. It's all in your head. Pot, I have smelled. Unless you are on the balcony 24/7 with your neighbor out 24/7 smoking, it's almost impossible. Ridiculous! Everyone complained, got what they wanted and now the casino is almost unbearable! All the smokers, who might've popped out on the balcony for a cigarette, are all forced to the casino. SMH

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WOW! Never in 30 cruises, that 's amazing. I wish could say the same. You are correct about the Casino; it is now the smokers lounge. I love playing Texas Hold Em, but cannot on Carnival because of the smoke. Maybe someday they will have non smoking days and nights in the Casino, but I'm not holding my breath. :D

Excuse me but you are making way too many incorrect assumptions here. First of all, I am fully grown and I DO follow the rules and I don't smoke on my balcony the very few times we get one. Not worth the money since we can't smoke on it any more. Second, there are more smokers on ship than you probably realize due to the number of foreigners on board. While smoking rates in the US are probably around 18-20% of the population, the numbers are higher in many other countries and they cruise as well. Third, you decided to jump on someone because they said "who cares" as if their opinion is useless because it's different from yours. Many of you non-smokers may not want to smell smoke (breathing it is really a big stretch, especially on a balcony) but many other non-smokers "just don't care".

 

I will say it's funny how many non-smokers will say grow up, be an adult and follow the rules when it comes to smoking on board while carrying 6 rum rummers in various parts of their luggage. ;p

You are absolutely 100% correct about one thing. I really don't care what someone else's opinion is on this subject. They said "who cares" so I responded. They have every right to their opinion, just as I do. I also have a strong opinion on those that smuggle booze on board, but that is for another day. For the record I am an ex smoker and I hear we are the worst. ;)

And a lot don't, me included, so what's your point? :confused:

The point is that you are not allowed to smoke on your balcony. So grow up, be an adult, and follow the rules. There are far more non smokers than smokers and many us don't want to smell or breath smoke. If people want to smoke, I don't give a rat's patoot, just do it in the designated smoking areas.:cool:

To us booking a balcony has nothing to do with smoking, nothing. We would not sail without a balcony, so many great perks, love it. Yes, people smoke on the balcony, we smelled "both" cigarettes and pot, who cares.

Really... "who cares" What kind of a comment is that? A lot of people care, me included.

Just off the Magic in early March. We were in a spa suite and had a great time, we would sail her again. The only negative was the smoke in the casino. Probably the worst I have experienced on any cruise ship. We drive to Cocoa Beach, but do pick up and drop off people at the Orlando Airport. It takes about 45-60 minutes to get to Cocoa Beach. We had dinner at Grills Seafood Deck and Tiki Bar. They have an outside seating area with a singer. The food was good and we had a nice time. We also had fish and chips at Preacher Bar and it was great. :cool:

I can't answer for everyone but in our situation that "low cost passport" would have set our family back around $850 when we first started cruising. I did my research and decided that a closed loop cruise presented a very low risk that did not warrant that kind of expenditure. We decided then that we would wait until the time came that we actually needed a passport for our travels as we did want to fly to Europe for vacation at some point. Every traveler has different travel documentation needs. I know many people in my community that only travel by land into Canada and they have a passport card or an Enhanced Drivers License. Yes, they could spend the money on a passport if they wanted to, but why?

 

If the only travel someone can do is by closed loop cruise every year or two then it might make more sense for them to just use birth certificates. Yes, something might happen but for most travelers the risk that something might happen is slight, so it all comes down to how much risk one is willing to tolerate.

Passports are good for 10 years. $850.00 amortized over 10 years, is $85.00 a year. That seems to me, to be "low cost". We don't want to risk being stuck outside the USA for any reason, so for us any risk which can be avoided, is well worth the price. YMMV

The short answer is yes. However, as other posters have stated, I would highly recommend a passport. In the event of an emergency and you needed to be back in the USA quickly, you will need a passport. You can get an emergency passport when out of the country, but it is a hassle and takes time. I'll never understand, with the low cost of a passport, why all travelers don't have one. Better to have a passport and not need it, than to need it and not have it. We never leave the good ole USA without them. :)

We are also sailing in January and I check it every day; still nothing. I have had his happen before but it has been awhile. It's no big deal, we are all in the same boat, so to speak. :cool:

We are embarking Easter Sunday so I will bring ear plugs just in case.

We did the Easter cruise a few years ago out of NOLA. There were 1200 kids under the age of 18 on that cruise. We had a spa suite on deck 11 so it was mostly quiet there, although we caught a 12 year old messing with our message board. We finally took it off the door and put it in the cabin. The rest of the ship was not so quiet. We had a nice cruise, thanks to the spa (no kids) but will never cruise over spring break or holidays again. Good call on the ear plugs. ;)

Has anyone sailed the Dream out of NOLA recently? I am thinking about booking a cruise in October. I haven't sailed on a Dream class ship. Would the Dream be a good choice? Please provide any reviews or advice.:cool:

C'Mon man! You've ask this question before and it has been answered. What are you afraid of? Just book the Dream and go on the cruise. It's got all of the same stuff (with a few exceptions) that the other dream class ships have. It just got out of dry dock and those that have sailed it, said it looks great. I have sailed the Dream 3 times and have never had a bad cruise. Book it Dano. :cool:

Both ships are similar. Magic has the Red Frog Pub, Dream has sushi bar. Decor is different, but not a deal breaker. Magic has the ropes course and it was fun, once. My only real complaint on the Magic was the smoke in the casino. I like to play Texas Hold Em, but because of the smoke I did not gamble at all. Sailing the Dream next year because of the Itinerary. To me it's 6 of one half a dozen of the other. YMMV :cool:

We cruised on Holland America Zuiderdam for 10 days in 2015. We are going on the Eurodam in 2018. We like the laid back attitude of Holland America, and you do not get the constant announcements. We enjoyed the entertainment and really liked the crows nest. Great service and crew. The buffet was superior to Carnival. We tried any time dining, and will not do that again. The service was slow, so we only did it 3 times. We usually had dinner at the buffet, and never had a bad meal. Not as many activities on Holland, so if you like to be on the go I think Carnival may be better. The spa area is nice and we used it daily. We are Grandparents and felt right at home on Holland. YMMV

Per Cruise Critic:

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=1470

 

Princess Cruise's package costs $56.35 per day, per day plus a 15-percent gratuity, and includes all drinks up to $10.

Kind of stinks for those who like top shelf brands.

 

Holland America's Signature Beverage package allows 15 beverages a day -- Each drink must cost less than $8. If one passenger in a cabin opts for the package, anyone who is 21-plus years old in the same cabin is required to purchase it as well... Different demographic.. Too many cheaters.

 

Other "cheater beater" cruise lines: MSC and Costa. All in the cabin have to purchase. Same demographic as Carnival?

Oops! I was wrong about Holland America. :eek: Their website was not clear that both had to purchase. However someone else also posted the details in another blog. Thanks

Agreed. I think they ALL offer drink packages for the sole purpose of making money and while I have a limited Carnival experience, I really dont think Carnivals demographic differs all that much than the other cruiseline I have frequented in the past :)

We have cruised Princess and Holland America the past two years. The demographic definitely is different. Both offer single drink programs as well. I agree that Carnival will more than likely never change the Cheers program; too many cheaters.

You could always put her in her own cabin to make it work......:rolleyes:

We have a spa suite on the next cruise. So she has HER room, I would be the one put in steerage. I'll just pay as I go and have a great time. I do wish Carnival would change the policy to be in line with Holland and Princess. However, I doubt that will ever happen.

Was it worth it? We will bring Wine but after having it all-inclusive I'm spoiled now.

My biggest complaint is that Carnival makes both adults in the cabin purchase the package. DW doesn't drink so to me it's a giant ripoff.. I guess there are too many rule breakers that would share drinks, so they don't trust anyone. I'll just pay as I go. :cool:

I agree 100% to get a full passport. Better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.

cruzer 452, tymetocruise, lighten up, like you could really tell if they were 17 or 18. The spa personnel could not give a crap. You think young adults will be splashing around and yelling, I think not. Sailor05 have a great time. Enjoy your cruise and the spa.

Not the point! Parents should set an example for their children, and follow the rules. The rules apply to all of us, not just some of us. The end.

I have often thought about buying the cheers program. However Carnival's policy is that both adults in the cabin must buy it, and DW does not drink. So for me to break even I would have to drink for two and that would not be a pleasant thing for anyone to witness. ;)