OPINIONS NEEDED: Carnival fans who have tried "upgraded" lines. . . what is the advantage and is it worth it?

[KmomChicago]

1 hour ago, firefly333 said:

I started with princess, and did 3 on her. Princess left the Galveston  market so I branched out to carnival and got tired of their food and alternated with rcl. I've done 3 on ncl, also celebrity and big red boat .. trying to remember.

 

You mention value and cost. With carnival bringing in jubilee as their 7 day cruise, they went higher than rcl. I can book allure and harmony for less. While I will book jubilee not now at current prices. 4 of the 5 on allure and harmony are lower than I can book jubilee, and 3 of those are inside city park balconys. My boardwalk costs a bit more but within $50. 

 

When I'm on carnival I miss free offee in diamond club, 5 vouchers a day for drinks and my free wifi. Just being honest carnival is more expensive unless I book shorter cruises which i wasnt very satisfied with. I booked carnival dream 14 days because it's out of Galveston and goes to new ports ... same reason as radiance 10 day next January. Group rates start at $1100 (10 days) vs jubilee where I dont have access to cheaper rates and starts at $1098. 

 

I did enjoy NVL and the food. I'd do ncl again and will.

 

Princess and celebrity fine but nothing special. I dont like celebrity went to all inclusive and feel like I'm paying tips and drinks etc for 2. 

 

Thank you so much @firefly333. All things being equal we would sail Oasis class again before we would sail Excel/Excellence class again. Money was a little tighter for us almost 5 years ago when we booked it for March 2018, so I opted for an inside guarantee. The room was on deck 10 just a few steps from the forward elevators, super convenient and easy for our then 12 year old to find. It must have been close to 200 SF and was pretty and extremely efficient and comfortable. We fell in love with Central Park and with the Royal Promenade, however, and would love love love to get rooms with views of either, if we do make it back to that class. 

 

I too thought Celebrity was not particularly different / elevated from others, but I do think their evening shows were very good. The Edge class ships are certainly eye-catching. I think they are already walking back from the AI and allowing cruise-only fares but I am not sure. 

 

 

[LatinaInTexas]

42 minutes ago, KmomChicago said:

 

Thank you so much; this is exactly the kind of detail I am looking for. I can actually get an MSC weeklong cruise for free right now through My Vegas, but only through early fall, and we are traveled out for the time being so we won't be doing so.  However I am going to keep next summer and fall open and consider something like this if they keep providing these incredible last minute deals. 

 

I think I would like NCL entertainment quite a bit; I have always sort of dreamed of trying Princess, being a child of the Love Boat era. It's not a burning desire but there is a little tiny ember back there and I may use them when we (most likely) eventually do Alaska. Or maybe HAL. I always wanted to try them too, but again we are in the bonus round of the bucket list, so anything we manage to get to at this point is fine, but not really mandatory. 

 

If we could drive to a port in a half day or less, that would be the deciding factor for sure.

Call me crazy but I'm about to cancel my August Horizon cruise and book a My Vegas comp cruise on the Seashore in its place😮

[KmomChicago]

53 minutes ago, JimmyTheSaint said:

We're Gold with Carnival but will hit Platinum later this year so it's fair to say it's our favourite cruise line. We like the Fun ships atmosphere, vibe or whatever you want to call it. The food's good and we like the entertainment.

 

We've also cruise RCI, NCL and MSC. We haven't tried any of the premium lines as we're not at all interested in dressing up for dinner, lectures at sea or going to bed at 9pm (only joking, well half joking). The great thing about cruising is there's something for everyone.

 

Having done one cruise on each of RCI, NCL and MSC we haven't gone back for more. NCL was the best of these but since they've gone all inclusive and hiked the price up we haven't felt the desire to cruise with them again. No point paying for things we aren't going to avail of.

 

RCI was good, very similar offering to Carnival but a couple of negatives, first being they were very pushy with trying to upsell at every opportunity, secondly the timings of the entertainment at night time meant that a lot of things overlapped so you had to miss some things. We would go again if we found a good deal.

 

MSC was terrible, stunningly beautiful ship but everything else was awful. Food, entertainment and the general atmosphere onboard was the worst we've ever experienced. Never again.

 

The Carnival vibe is definitely a big point for us. We play about half of the trivia games onboard, sometimes more. We really like the Fun Crew and their overall attitude. We've never had any problem with the food. Thanks for the comments about MSC. They do seem to be sort of polarizing. They are not high on our list but if we get a free My Vegas cruise on them we would give it a shot.

[KmomChicago]

24 minutes ago, kelkel2 said:

We sailed Princess… did we have a good time? Yes. Would we sail them again? If the price was right. … the food was so yummy, even in the main dining room. 
What I didn’t love.. I kind of felt out of place. My husband and I cruise them when we were in our late 20’a early 30’s and I just didn’t feel like the majority of the entertainment was geared toward us. I personally would rather listen to a DJ or a singer with a guitar versus a string quartet in the atrium. Did it ruin our cruise? Absolutely not. We had a great time. But I think Carnival does a much better job during the lunch time of having different venues to eat at. Guy’s, Blue Iguana, shaq’s etc.. i think Princess had pizza? But this was also several years ago so thing could be different now. I felt like they had the buffet and the dining room for no cost and that’s it. I felt like Carnival’s breakfast was better too. Again , could have changed since then. 
We really did have a nice cruise and we would go again for a good price. 
but, ultimately we learned we really do enjoy Carnival.
 

Thank you. I am getting into the AARP sort of demographic myself, but I am not going to sit around in a room for an hour listening to anything other than maybe a 60's-70's tribute band. 

 

If I want a quiet relaxing time, I could just staycation and close my bedroom door with a stack of books right here. I can cook for myself or have all sorts of Uber eats delivered if I don't want to bother. Much cheaper and less hassle than traveling.

[firefly333]

1 minute ago, KmomChicago said:

 

Thank you so much @firefly333. All things being equal we would sail Oasis class again before we would sail Excel/Excellence class again. Money was a little tighter for us almost 5 years ago when we booked it for March 2018, so I opted for an inside guarantee. The room was on deck 10 just a few steps from the forward elevators, super convenient and easy for our then 12 year old to find. It must have been close to 200 SF and was pretty and extremely efficient and comfortable. We fell in love with Central Park and with the Royal Promenade, however, and would love love love to get rooms with views of either, if we do make it back to that class. 

 

I too thought Celebrity was not particularly different / elevated from others, but I do think their evening shows were very good. The Edge class ships are certainly eye-catching. I think they are already walking back from the AI and allowing cruise-only fares but I am not sure. 

 

 

And celebrity now has some solo rates but not out of Galveston where I would have to fly but wouldnt have to pay for the extras for 2. There are some very good celebrity solo rates right now.

 

My TA has rcl group rates that are refundable and a little to a lot cheaper and I get my balcony discount. If I book direct I dont get my balcony discount. So  extra $250 off and refundable.  So he might have a total price of harmony inside $1159 or city park balcony $1199, less than $50 difference because of my balcony discount. Plus its refundable. $1199 is the highest of the 3 harmony in my signature. Jubilee is over $1200 lowest inside. 

 

TAs get special group pricing on rcl that is always refundable. If carnival had this I'd have more carnival. They are letting rcl out price them. But a TA is needed. Carnival the price posted is pretty much the price. I didnt do well with radiance, but I wanted Panama and Columbia. $550 × 2 is the best he could do for 10 days. I have carnival dream 14 days for the same reason, the ports.  From Galveston. I just dont want to fly. Adds stress. Yes I could fly to florida and get the ports I will see on dream but it's so much easier to drive.

 

I'm paying $518 to fly to miami next spring break. I think air fare right now has to be considered.  And the same ticket on American is now $642. Idk how people cannot factor in airfare. 

[KmomChicago]

57 minutes ago, BoozinCroozin said:

Only been on two cruise, Carnival Magic and NCL Breakaway. I would consider the ships equivalent for comparison. There are pros and cons to both. If you could mix the good of both you would have a great cruise.

 

Carnival: It is just more fun. I can't put it into words, but the people just have more fun and the line entertains during the day. Gets people doing stuff on the Lido deck and feels like a party atmosphere. The casinos are more lively and realistic. The lack of late night dining options is one thing I absolutely hate on Carnival. It is bland pizza or room service which is expensive and extremely small portions.

 

NCL: Looks and feel are a touch nice. Not having to count drinks, O'Sheehan's open 24/7 for real food are the two biggest advantages NCL has over Carnival. Entertainment wise, the Lido deck was boring. You got to sit there and listen to random music, but nothing entertaining. Limited crazy games, nothing to get the crowd to party a little. Call it what you will, but our captain blew stopping in Roatan and cut Costa Maya out of doing practically anything. NCL's private port in Belize is nice but insanely expensive. Not something I would ever do again. 

 

In all honesty, if you could eliminate the 15-drink limit and have a 24-hour bar/restaurant that serves a standard menu, Carnival would have it all for me. On our cruise 8-night cruise, I hit the 15-drink limit 6x. The 2 days I didn't were port days. No, I was not stumbling around drunk or anything but literally having to think about having a drink or not because of the count is crazy for $550 for the week. And the limited dining is ridiculous. You could have a set menu: burger, nachos, chicken wings, salad, etc. Easy menu always available, and included.

Thanks, I agree with all these points. And on top of it, I don't ever drink more than 2 boozies per day, so that's not applicable, and I am mostly an early to bed early to rise person, so the late night food dearth is noticeable but not really an issue. We just go to the Deli around 8 or 9 and bring a couple sammies up to the room. 

[KmomChicago]

26 minutes ago, keels81 said:

 

I had a way too long post that disappeared about my love for Crystal (RIP) but I completely agree with you!

 

For us, the destination was the Crystal ship itself and what a destination she was. I just loved that my husband and I could enjoy each other, sleep in, take our time with dinner, etc., without feeling rushed or crowded. Virgin Voyages felt really similar to Crystal -- the ship is a modern, trendy destination ... I didn't even get off the ship in Key West. I would've paid a higher fare to have cocktails included on Scarlet Lady, but the offerings and program were top-shelf and I didn't feel the prices were unreasonable compared to what I pay for a quality cocktail at a nice bar here in New Orleans.

I am keeping Virgin way over on the bottom of the short list. They do seem to have several positive attributes and during off season you can find some great prices. 

[KmomChicago]

25 minutes ago, LatinaInTexas said:

Call me crazy but I'm about to cancel my August Horizon cruise and book a My Vegas comp cruise on the Seashore in its place😮

 

WHY ON EARTH WOULD CHEAPO KMOM CALL YOU CRAZY FOR THAT?

 

You are my hero, @LatinaInTexas. Please please please come back review the overall experience including, if you don't mind all the $$ deets. I know you have to pay for port fees and taxes, plus I assume they will want gratuities.  What kind of room do they give you? Is it for two people? Etc. Etc. Etc. 

 

I saw those cruises and I know exactly the ones you are talking about. If DH and I didn't just recently do Vista in April without our teen, we would be running off to do one of those right now.

[KmomChicago]

13 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

And celebrity now has some solo rates but not out of Galveston where I would have to fly but wouldnt have to pay for the extras for 2. There are some very good celebrity solo rates right now.

 

My TA has rcl group rates that are refundable and a little to a lot cheaper and I get my balcony discount. If I book direct I dont get my balcony discount. So  extra $250 off and refundable.  So he might have a total price of harmony inside $1159 or city park balcony $1199, less than $50 difference because of my balcony discount. Plus its refundable. $1199 is the highest of the 3 harmony in my signature. Jubilee is over $1200 lowest inside. 

 

TAs get special group pricing on rcl that is always refundable. If carnival had this I'd have more carnival. They are letting rcl out price them. But a TA is needed. Carnival the price posted is pretty much the price. I didnt do well with radiance, but I wanted Panama and Columbia. $550 × 2 is the best he could do for 10 days. I have carnival dream 14 days for the same reason, the ports.  From Galveston. I just dont want to fly. Adds stress. Yes I could fly to florida and get the ports I will see on dream but it's so much easier to drive.

 

I'm paying $518 to fly to miami next spring break. I think air fare right now has to be considered.  And the same ticket on American is now $642. Idk how people cannot factor in airfare. 

 

To your point, we booked both our RCI cruises with American Discount Cruises, one of the many online TA companies, because the deals were better than booking direct with the line, and the various perks made the overall cost slightly better with this agency than with any of the others we checked. As you note, Carnival is the same regardless so I always book direct on the website. 

 

I agree with the airfare problem - it's always been there for us. We can't just book the cruise and figure that's our payment. We also have to either park at a Chicago airport or pay for a ride to and from. The expenses add up and impact the rest of the budget. 

[cruizergal70]

15 hours ago, tinkr2 said:

I don't think it is that at all. The luxury cruises are smaller so they can go to different ports. As such they do not have room for slides and go carts. And while clothing doesn't make the food better, small ships like Oceania, Regent , Crystal etc.have considerably better food. You're not being charged for filet, lobster, scallops etc. And they do not dress fancy, they do dress nicely .

The entertainment is a huge drawback for us. There was a lady with a harp on our Azamara cruise.

Everything you just said speaks to perception. I totally understand going to different ports and needing smaller ships. However, that doesn't make it "better." It's just different. As far as food, you have to be someone who believes (i.e. perceives) filet, lobster, or scallops to be "better." I can have those things any day I want. They aren't "special." I'm not impressed when those things are on a menu.

 

Have you been on the forums for some of the "luxury" lines? Many people speak of the absence of things is what makes a line "better."

[kctwinmommy]

15 hours ago, UPNYGuy said:

 

I am actually glad I saw MSC mentioned. The Seaside class is one of our go-tos if it is doing an itinerary that we want to do. MSC is a great line, and has one of the most wide ranging buffets I have seen. You can walk around the buffet on the Seaside and get standard fare, but also cuban and Mexican fare, vegetarian, Asian, and sometimes Indian food. The Ropa Viejas is better (and spicier) than I make it. 

Yeah, when we cruised them in 2002, it was on the Melody. She was a small ship for sure! I don't remember a lot about the food, although it was a lot of different things for sure.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MS_Melody

[jsglow]

4 hours ago, elklemi said:

Platinum with Carnival and is my "go to" line but I have been on Windstar twice, once was to the BVI and hit all the small islands main cruise lines can't and with less than 300 people it was truly wonderful. Went to islands I had never heard about. Second was on their small (148 pass.) sail ship to Tahiti. Their level of service and quality of food is amazing and their beach BBQ's and BBQ on deck are so great.  Yes you pay and totally different but If you are more inclined to sit and watch the water, small ports without a huge crowd of people, no shops or pool games but I really enjoy both.

Also have done 4 Star Clipper cruises which are on sailing ships also and go to the small ports and islands Carnival does not.  This is not as upscale as Windstar but I enjoyed it and cabins are smaller but they have cruises with no single supplement. In January I am sailing them to Costa Rica and Nicaragua  on the Pacific coast.  The best thing about both is with such small numbers service is amazing and people are easy to meet and enjoy sharing experiences. 

Wish I could do more of these but cost and covid have been tough but I do plan and try to do at least one of these each year and Carnival will be my choice for the rest of the  year.  I have done three Carnival cruises this year and another planned in December. 

Whatever you all choose  hope you have calm winds and smooth seas.

Echo elk.  Love both the Windstar and Star Clipper. Completely different experience that a typical 'big box' cruise.  The key is the intimacy and the ability to get into tiny, out of the way ports. There's differences between the two lines that I won't expand upon here.

 

We find Carnival to be a wonderful product for our basic cruising needs.  We save Princess for destination cruising where the objective is to get places we haven't been further away from home.  But Pride is doing that very nicely here later in 2022 and again in 2023.

[keels81]

55 minutes ago, KmomChicago said:

I am keeping Virgin way over on the bottom of the short list. They do seem to have several positive attributes and during off season you can find some great prices. 

 

If you liked all the quick eats options on the Mardi, you are going to LOVE The Galley and other locations on the VV ships. They'll blow your mind.

[staceyglow]

2 hours ago, KmomChicago said:

 

 

We spent just one day on Mackinac Island, rented bikes and rode around, and took photos sitting in the rocking chairs on the Grand's porch. I would possibly like to recreate that trip in the next couple of years.

Just a heads up, Kmom.  We were on Mackinac Island last summer and they did not let you anywhere near the hotel if you are not a guest.  There were security staff on the walkway up to the front porch stopping people.  We told them we wanted to eat lunch there, and they would not let us through.  It might have been a Covid thing, but it sure didn't look like it.

[BethID]

I have been on Carnival, NCL, RCL, Holland, and Celebrity.  We are in our early 50s with two college age children.  We pick our cruises based on price and then ports. I would cruise on any one of them again.  I just wish we could take advantage of all the pricing specials; my husband is a teacher and can only cruise on school breaks and summer. We also don't dress up too much on any of the cruises. Slacks and golf shirts for dinner.

 

Our hands down favorite is Holland. When we cruise, we are there to relax and enjoy each other's company.  We can find plenty of quiet places in the shade to spend time together.  We don't need all the extra things like water slides and flow riders.  The food is good and the entertainment is good. We also like that you can watch recent movies in your cabin.

 

I just tried Celebrity out in May on a cruise to Alaska with my mom. I really liked the atmosphere and thought their employees were terrific.  The food was ok. We didn't starve, but nothing really wowed me either. This was the most casual cruise I've ever been on. We wore jeans and sweatshirts to dinner in the MDR most nights. Of course, Alaska tends to be more casual and port intensive.

 

I loved the entertainment on NCL.  We also enjoyed the ship.  We got a killer deal for the 4 of us. However, I don't like how they have gone toward basically an all-inclusive model.  I don't want internet service...one of the reasons I cruise is to get away from that. Also, I may drink one alcoholic beverage a day so a drink package is not for us. Same with the specialty restaurants.

 

I did one cruise on RCL and it was my least favorite. I didn't like that we could hardly find anything to eat after 9 pm.  With two hungry teenagers, that was their biggest complaint. Entertainment was very good. My kids enjoyed the flow rider and climbing wall, but it was a one and done.

 

Now onto to Carnival. I cruised them 12 years ago when we first started cruising and my kids were little. We enjoyed it very much. We like the trivia and comedy shows. Thought the food and entertainment was good.  We are cruising them again in less than 2 weeks on the Panorama.  We live in the Pacific northwest and like that it is easy to get there. I look forward to trying them again.

 

I would definitely cruise any one of the lines again if the price was right. We are there to relax and spend time together as a family.  My sea day is sleep in, eat, read, nap, eat, read, nap, dinner and entertainment, bed and repeat. I can do this on any ship!

 

 

[KmomChicago]

1 hour ago, staceyglow said:

Just a heads up, Kmom.  We were on Mackinac Island last summer and they did not let you anywhere near the hotel if you are not a guest.  There were security staff on the walkway up to the front porch stopping people.  We told them we wanted to eat lunch there, and they would not let us through.  It might have been a Covid thing, but it sure didn't look like it.

Thanks for the heads up and no worries. It was memorable only because we felt we were getting away with something. I don't think we were allowed through the doors even then. Riff raff, you know. 🙂

[keels81]

I love what everyone has to say on this thread and it is really making reconsider lines that I previously was disinterested in trying/returning to.

 

I cruise with basically three groups of people -- my Mom, my husband and my girlfriends/#framily.

 

My Mom only likes the really high-end lines (Viking, Regent, etc.). My husband and I have the highest status on Celebrity and Carnival. And girlfriends/#framily -- we do mostly Carnival and Disney.

 

I find the most value in Carnival because the people are friendly, it gets me where I want to go and leaves enough in the bank account where I can do unique/spendy/once in a lifetime excursions like cabanas or private charters for snorkeling or even things like tidepool snorkeling or three-climate summit-to-sea cycling in Alaska. And then I can get back on a ship and not have to make dinner for myself or mix a drink for myself or even clean my room. And then do it all over again the next day. 

 

I think what I'm trying to say is -- the destination is what I pick. Some ships themselves are destinations, some ports are destinations and some journeys are the destination. I'll find a way to make it work financially. I'm knocking off a couple bucket list trips next year and that will mean my cruising funds for 2024 are more available to try new lines.

Edited July 4, 2022 by keels81

[brownc424]

On 7/3/2022 at 4:07 PM, KmomChicago said:

• This might sound stupid, but honestly I cannot quite grasp exactly what people are doing all day on luxury small ships to justify their prices. 
•  

I think I can help you understand. It's the difference between a typical 5 star hotel, and a Real 5 star hotel. I'll try to explain.

 

If you stay at a nicer hotel, let's just say The Roosevelt (A Waldorf Astoria) in New Orleans. In a regular room, as an unknown. You'll get great service all around, all of the food options will be good, you won't have to wait particularly long for help, service, or even a taxi.

 

If you stay at a higher end hotel, generally a more boutique location, let's go with another Waldorf Astoria, The WA in Los Cabos, by the second day every single person, almost without exception, will refer to you by name. Your personal concierge will check in with you at least once a day, sometimes more. Any request you have will be answered almost instantly. Theoretically the food will be better (although I was very underwhelmed at this hotel), and if you have a special request, it will be done without any question. Your preferences will be remembered, and if you come again the next year, odds are Very Good that you will recognize and be recognized by the vast majority of employees from your last trip.

 

That's what I found on Celebrity, in a suite at least. It's a completely different sort of experience, and much more personal. I went to the buffet one day, and one of the assistant waitress for Luminae (the private MDR for suite guests) was working there that shift. She asked how everything was going and offered to get my food for me, we had a pleasant conversation and I continued to serve myself. Every single staff member that I dealt with on a regular basis was the same way. They all did their best to make me feel like they genuinely cared about my happiness, and were willing to do almost anything to ensure it, even if it was above and beyond what was necessary.

 

That's the type of experience you should expect on the smaller cruise ships, and the more expensive lines. A more human touch, and a friendlier experience. That isn't to say that you can't have the same experience on Carnival, or any of the other lines, it's just much less likely.

 

That kind of experience might not be for you, it definitely isn't for everyone. Personally, I only want that experience some of the time. Sometimes I want something similar but lesser, and sometimes I want to be an anonymous cog in the machine and just drink and relax.

[keels81]

1 minute ago, brownc424 said:

If you stay at a nicer hotel, let's just say The Roosevelt (A Waldorf Astoria) in New Orleans. In a regular room, as an unknown. You'll get great service all around, all of the food options will be good, you won't have to wait particularly long for help, service, or even a taxi.

 

 

You also get access to the best fried chicken and red beans & rice the city has to offer, but that's just me being a New Orleanian. 🥰

[brownc424]

8 minutes ago, keels81 said:

 

You also get access to the best fried chicken and red beans & rice the city has to offer, but that's just me being a New Orleanian. 🥰

To be honest, it's not as nice a hotel as the one in Cabos, but I liked it so much better in almost every way. 

[keels81]

1 minute ago, brownc424 said:

To be honest, it's not as nice a hotel as the one in Cabos, but I liked it so much better in almost every way. 

 

 This comment just literally made my day. Thank you for liking such an important place in the city I love so much!

[cruizergal70]

39 minutes ago, brownc424 said:

I think I can help you understand. It's the difference between a typical 5 star hotel, and a Real 5 star hotel. I'll try to explain.

 

If you stay at a nicer hotel, let's just say The Roosevelt (A Waldorf Astoria) in New Orleans. In a regular room, as an unknown. You'll get great service all around, all of the food options will be good, you won't have to wait particularly long for help, service, or even a taxi.

 

If you stay at a higher end hotel, generally a more boutique location, let's go with another Waldorf Astoria, The WA in Los Cabos, by the second day every single person, almost without exception, will refer to you by name. Your personal concierge will check in with you at least once a day, sometimes more. Any request you have will be answered almost instantly. Theoretically the food will be better (although I was very underwhelmed at this hotel), and if you have a special request, it will be done without any question. Your preferences will be remembered, and if you come again the next year, odds are Very Good that you will recognize and be recognized by the vast majority of employees from your last trip.

 

That's what I found on Celebrity, in a suite at least. It's a completely different sort of experience, and much more personal. I went to the buffet one day, and one of the assistant waitress for Luminae (the private MDR for suite guests) was working there that shift. She asked how everything was going and offered to get my food for me, we had a pleasant conversation and I continued to serve myself. Every single staff member that I dealt with on a regular basis was the same way. They all did their best to make me feel like they genuinely cared about my happiness, and were willing to do almost anything to ensure it, even if it was above and beyond what was necessary.

 

That's the type of experience you should expect on the smaller cruise ships, and the more expensive lines. A more human touch, and a friendlier experience. That isn't to say that you can't have the same experience on Carnival, or any of the other lines, it's just much less likely.

 

That kind of experience might not be for you, it definitely isn't for everyone. Personally, I only want that experience some of the time. Sometimes I want something similar but lesser, and sometimes I want to be an anonymous cog in the machine and just drink and relax.

I hope you know that all of this service is not truly "more human and friendly." The service staff are not your friends, they don't care about you, and they don't think you are special. It's their job to engage in these performative actions. 

 

Also, everyone doesn't believe it's a big deal to be called by name. In fact, it can feel intrusive.

[zentraveler]

[zentraveler]

Just now, zentraveler said:

Sorry about bad formatting and double post!! Did not intend to bold anything.

[LatinaInTexas]

4 hours ago, KmomChicago said:

 

WHY ON EARTH WOULD CHEAPO KMOM CALL YOU CRAZY FOR THAT?

 

You are my hero, @LatinaInTexas. Please please please come back review the overall experience including, if you don't mind all the $$ deets. I know you have to pay for port fees and taxes, plus I assume they will want gratuities.  What kind of room do they give you? Is it for two people? Etc. Etc. Etc. 

 

I saw those cruises and I know exactly the ones you are talking about. If DH and I didn't just recently do Vista in April without our teen, we would be running off to do one of those right now.

Took me a long minute to get the booking done but it's done! I was booked into a balcony on deck 15, Fantastica experience. Reward covers 2 people. The reward stated to be booked in a BL1-BL2 so I'm in a BL5 so I got upgraded on my comp.

Paid $150 X 2 = $300 for port fees, taxes. Will pay another $200 for grats.

My cancelled sailing was for the same time frame from the same port so no extra work or changes, all set to go 8/6 from Miami.

If I were to book this today it would cost $2076 so I'm feeling good about my decision.