momonthego17 Posted December 20, 2016 #26 Share Posted December 20, 2016 And we missed GT over Thanksgiving cruise because of high winds. Another Carnival ship had been waiting to see if it could dock, but didn't. Our captain decided to move on fairly quickly and we had a day at sea. Just one of those things... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Micahs Grandad Posted December 20, 2016 #27 Share Posted December 20, 2016 Sure, and I don't think anyone here is advocating for any reduction in safety in reaching Half Moon Cay...hence the need for an alternate port with a dock. Having a dock is still no guarantee, as you pointed out. We came close to missing Grand Turk a few years ago due to high winds from a nearby -- but receding -- hurricane (with less than 5 knots to spare). But still, taking the tendering operation out of the equation would be the best way, as Disney did with Castaway Cay. Very true Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaniceB Posted December 20, 2016 #28 Share Posted December 20, 2016 All this talk about HMC makes we want to go there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beachbum53 Posted December 20, 2016 #29 Share Posted December 20, 2016 Add a beach to Amber Cove if possible and if HMC is canceled go to Amber Cove if available. A nice beach at Amber Cove would be a big plus... I'm guessing it wasn't possible, otherwise it would have been done. There are a couple of beach excursions available through Carnival. We went on the Coconut Cove Beach Break. It wasn't too bad. Not the greatest beach we've ever been to, but better than spending the day at the pool at Amber Cove. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruise pup Posted December 20, 2016 #30 Share Posted December 20, 2016 (edited) Always wondered why CCL didnt develop its own private port to control all customer expenditures. I think they were more interested in pushing the "Fun Days at Sea" as someone else mentioned, and rely on bar, casino, bingo and Fun Shop revenue. That's how they could make sure the passengers could only spend money on Carnival. Edited December 20, 2016 by cruise pup Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruise pup Posted December 20, 2016 #31 Share Posted December 20, 2016 I have also wondered about this as Princess doesnt go there for major parts of the year. I was there once on a QM2 cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruise pup Posted December 20, 2016 #32 Share Posted December 20, 2016 Add a beach to Amber Cove if possible and if HMC is canceled go to Amber Cove if available. A nice beach at Amber Cove would be a big plus... I don't think there are any beaches right there. All of the beach excursions are far from the port. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruise pup Posted December 20, 2016 #33 Share Posted December 20, 2016 Sure, and I don't think anyone here is advocating for any reduction in safety in reaching Half Moon Cay...hence the need for an alternate port with a dock. Having a dock is still no guarantee, as you pointed out. We came close to missing Grand Turk a few years ago due to high winds from a nearby -- but receding -- hurricane (with less than 5 knots to spare). But still, taking the tendering operation out of the equation would be the best way, as Disney did with Castaway Cay. I have missed ports with docks in Canada due to wind conditions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winddawn Posted December 20, 2016 Author #34 Share Posted December 20, 2016 Add a beach to Amber Cove if possible and if HMC is canceled go to Amber Cove if available. A nice beach at Amber Cove would be a big plus... On my last cruise in November both HMC and Amber Cove calls were cancelled. HMC was cancelled for wind, and AC was cancelled for flooding rains. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare crewsweeper Posted December 20, 2016 #35 Share Posted December 20, 2016 I think they were more interested in pushing the "Fun Days at Sea" as someone else mentioned, and rely on bar, casino, bingo and Fun Shop revenue. That's how they could make sure the passengers could only spend money on Carnival. Interesting take, but I don't think it has any legs to stand on. Rather, close to "fake news" in current social media parlance. The ship is a "profit center" much like a satellite office for a corporation is a "profit center". But if it were true that Carnival Corp preferred sea days to ports of call, you'd see more cruises with more sea days and less port intensive cruises. Besides, the Captain is up on the bridge cortling like Scrooge over a found pence when he has the CD announce a "Fun Day At Sea" and I'm sure that announcement gets groans and moans from most of the crew. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Micahs Grandad Posted December 20, 2016 #36 Share Posted December 20, 2016 Interesting take, but I don't think it has any legs to stand on. Rather, close to "fake news" in current social media parlance. The ship is a "profit center" much like a satellite office for a corporation is a "profit center". But if it were true that Carnival Corp preferred sea days to ports of call, you'd see more cruises with more sea days and less port intensive cruises. Besides, the Captain is up on the bridge cortling like Scrooge over a found pence when he has the CD announce a "Fun Day At Sea" and I'm sure that announcement gets groans and moans from most of the crew. Agreed, all excursions CCL has monopoly as well as all liquor sales so hmc should be profitable shore day for them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare richstowe Posted December 21, 2016 #37 Share Posted December 21, 2016 I'm surprised Carnival doesn't call on Princess Cays - given that's also under the same corporate umbrella, it would seem to make sense for Carnival to have some itineraries make calls there.Excellent place . The only downside was the 40 minute tender lineup in the hot hot sun to return to the ship . Agreed' date=' all excursions CCL has monopoly as well as all liquor sales so hmc should be profitable shore day for them[/quote']Been reading these silly conspiracy theories since joining CC . These people never explain how annoying your customers is a good corporate decision . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OceansOfTravels Posted December 21, 2016 #38 Share Posted December 21, 2016 I wouldn't like to see this. We will either see something similar to Mahogany Bay, Grand Turk or Amber Cove, all of which are major tourist traps that don't let you experience any local culture. Amber Cove is my absolute least favorite port to date, as there isn't even a beach! At least I can budget a free beach day in MB or GT, but Amber Cove seriously disappointed as a port. However, that is a great or the Dominican Republic, and amazing shore excursions are offered, so I would book another cruise that stopped there, but an excursion is required to see any real beauty. I would actually prefer a continuation of calls at Freeport, as this allows people to do a broad array of things, from shopping, to local favorite, mainstream excursions, beaches, etc. A secluded port may only lead to cookie-cutter shops and a beach, so that's a no-go for me. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cr2zCr8zy Posted December 21, 2016 #39 Share Posted December 21, 2016 I'm on board with that OP. Sent from my SM-G900T using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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