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Advice regarding Carnival Australia

oskarNZ
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banzaii

banzaii

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8 hours ago, oskarNZ said:

Question:  Do I need to pack bug repellent for any of the New Caledonia ports?  

 

7 hours ago, MicCanberra said:

We always have some with us but have never needed it.

 

5 hours ago, SinbadThePorter said:

 

Only if you intend to be out after dark.

 

There is Zika and dengue there, although you would be unlucky to catch it.

 

Having seen the effects of these mosquito hourne diseases, we don't take sny chances.  Multiple applications of the good (deet) stuff in all New Calidonian ports.

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oskarNZ

oskarNZ

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Hi - me again.  😅

Sorry about all the questions - you are all just so helpful.

 

I’ve been reading quite a few posts lately where people have been comparing Carnival to other cruise lines.  I’ve been taking most of the Carnival criticisms with a pinch of salt as my family and I see pros and cons to all types of travel experiences (from budget to luxury) and I’m really looking forward to this cruise.

 

But I was just after a bit of extra info on a couple of things that I think might disappoint us if we aren’t prepared with what to expect.

 

1. The Smoking Policy.

 I hear that when cruising from the US, there is a lot of smoke in the casino.  Are the smoking regulations tougher when their ships are based in Australia?   I’m really not a fan of cigarette smoke, so would be keen to know what parts of the ship we should avoid.  

 

2. Announcements.  

I don’t think any cruiseline could be worse than Costa where the cabin announcements were frequent and were all read out in 5 or so languages. By the time they got to English, we’d well and truely tuned out.

Irrespective, I’d prefer that whatever ship I’m on, the announcements weren’t piped into the cabin at all hours of the day and night.  Has anyone found this to be the case on any of the Aussie based ships?  I can’t tell if some Carnival reports are perhaps exaggerating just a bit.  

 

Thanks in advance.  

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MicCanberra Holiday Sharing Rare

MicCanberra

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8 hours ago, oskarNZ said:

Thanks everyone.  It’s good to be able to make an informed decision and we’ll take some just incase.  

It is easy enough done, we use a small tube of Bushman's which has 80% DEET so very effective with the bugs (when we have needed it).

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MicCanberra

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1 minute ago, oskarNZ said:

Hi - me again.  😅

Sorry about all the questions - you are all just so helpful.

 

I’ve been reading quite a few posts lately where people have been comparing Carnival to other cruise lines.  I’ve been taking most of the Carnival criticisms with a pinch of salt as my family and I see pros and cons to all types of travel experiences (from budget to luxury) and I’m really looking forward to this cruise.

 

But I was just after a bit of extra info on a couple of things that I think might disappoint us if we aren’t prepared with what to expect.

 

1. The Smoking Policy.

 I hear that when cruising from the US, there is a lot of smoke in the casino.  Are the smoking regulations tougher when their ships are based in Australia?   I’m really not a fan of cigarette smoke, so would be keen to know what parts of the ship we should avoid.  

 

2. Announcements.  

I don’t think any cruiseline could be worse than Costa where the cabin announcements were frequent and were all read out in 5 or so languages. By the time they got to English, we’d well and truely tuned out.

Irrespective, I’d prefer that whatever ship I’m on, the announcements weren’t piped into the cabin at all hours of the day and night.  Has anyone found this to be the case on any of the Aussie based ships?  I can’t tell if some Carnival reports are perhaps exaggerating just a bit.  

 

Thanks in advance.  

There is no smoking in any of the ships here in Australia (Casino included). They normally have two or three locations which are usually easily avoided. One is on the promenade, the other is up on the pool deck in one corner that is under cover. They sometimes have an extra area by the rear bar top deck but that may only apply to some ships.

 

I doubt that Carnival will be doing any language but English unless there is a major component of foreigners aboard. BTW, I have only done one Carnival cruise so far. They certainly do not do it on any of the other lines when cruising out of Australia.

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oskarNZ

oskarNZ

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12 minutes ago, MicCanberra said:

It is easy enough done, we use a small tube of Bushman's which has 80% DEET so very effective with the bugs (when we have needed it).

Australia makes my favourite bug spray (RID), but it’s really hard to get here in NZ, so I order it in advance from an online pharmacy.  I like it because it works well, but doesn’t smell too strong.  

Might be time to order some more.  

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oskarNZ

oskarNZ

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1 minute ago, MicCanberra said:

There is no smoking in any of the ships here in Australia (Casino included). They normally have two or three locations which are usually easily avoided. One is on the promenade, the other is up on the pool deck in one corner that is under cover. They sometimes have an extra area by the rear bar top deck but that may only apply to some ships.

 

I doubt that Carnival will be doing any language but English unless there is a major component of foreigners aboard. BTW, I have only done one Carnival cruise so far. They certainly do not do it on any of the other lines when cruising out of Australia.

Great to hear about the smoking. I’m pleased our tougher laws down this end of the world are having an impact.

 

Regarding the announcements - sorry, just to be clear, I’m not worried about other languages, just the frequency of the announcements and whether they come into your cabin or are mostly in the hallways etc. I read a review where a woman said her kids kept being waken up as the announcements were frequent and went well into the evening. 

Costa was mainly just being used as a comparison to say that even if Carnival is bad with announcements, it won’t be worse than Costa. 😅

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MicCanberra

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13 minutes ago, oskarNZ said:

Australia makes my favourite bug spray (RID), but it’s really hard to get here in NZ, so I order it in advance from an online pharmacy.  I like it because it works well, but doesn’t smell too strong.  

Might be time to order some more.  

Good idea, get one you know you like. The Bushman's one smells a little at application but then is not noticeable.

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MicCanberra

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9 minutes ago, oskarNZ said:

Great to hear about the smoking. I’m pleased our tougher laws down this end of the world are having an impact.

 

Regarding the announcements - sorry, just to be clear, I’m not worried about other languages, just the frequency of the announcements and whether they come into your cabin or are mostly in the hallways etc. I read a review where a woman said her kids kept being waken up as the announcements were frequent and went well into the evening. 

Costa was mainly just being used as a comparison to say that even if Carnival is bad with announcements, it won’t be worse than Costa. 😅

I cannot recall that happening. there is normally a captains announcement once per day around 10am or noon. Then there are other announcements that are done by the cruise director, none of these go to the cabins. I suppose only the really important ones would go to the cabins.

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oskarNZ

oskarNZ

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30 minutes ago, MicCanberra said:

I cannot recall that happening. there is normally a captains announcement once per day around 10am or noon. Then there are other announcements that are done by the cruise director, none of these go to the cabins. I suppose only the really important ones would go to the cabins.

Great.  If you don’t remember it being an issue, then it probably wasn’t.   👍

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Hunter69

Hunter69

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Oskar; Carnival Australia's ship's smoking area's are deck 9 & 10 forward starboard side. If you have seen deck plans it's the front pool area on the right side..  If you have to walk in that area do it on the other side.. I don't smoke, but it hasn't bothered me on over 15 cruises with Carnival..

 The only messagers you will hear in your cabin are the emergency ones. It's usually the only time I hear it is when there calling every-one to muster. The very infrequent announcements are only in public areas. (yes the hallways); not the rooms... about activites & port details...

 

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banzaii

banzaii

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I found myself frequntly running to open the door to hear the announcements from the hall speakers.  I do like to stay informed.

 

Never a problem with announcements in the cabins, but you hear the hall speakers very muffled grom behind closed door.

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SinbadThePorter

SinbadThePorter

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1 hour ago, banzaii said:

I found myself frequntly running to open the door to hear the announcements from the hall speakers.  I do like to stay informed.

 

Never a problem with announcements in the cabins, but you hear the hall speakers very muffled grom behind closed door.

 

Don't the announcements come over the TV if you have it on the bridge cam channel?

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oskarNZ

oskarNZ

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I just popped in to see my agent and after a phone call to the supplier, said she couldn’t put a request on our booking for a table for 3 (ie not sharing a table with strangers).  She said we would need to talk to the maître de once we got onboard.

Has anyone had any success making this request before a cruise with Carnival?

I know nothing is guaranteed, but I was surprised they couldn’t add notes to my booking.  

 

Thanks. 

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MicCanberra

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14 minutes ago, oskarNZ said:

I just popped in to see my agent and after a phone call to the supplier, said she couldn’t put a request on our booking for a table for 3 (ie not sharing a table with strangers).  She said we would need to talk to the maître de once we got onboard.

Has anyone had any success making this request before a cruise with Carnival?

I know nothing is guaranteed, but I was surprised they couldn’t add notes to my booking.  

 

Thanks. 

What dining arrangement do you have? I suppose if you do not like whatever they have given you and the TA cannot change it, then definitely see the Maitre De once on board but well before dinner.

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