PrincessArlena'sDad

Is Azure adults only by policy, or did kids just not go there? I know on Pride, Tides is in serenity, so is adults only, but on Glory, isn't serenity deck 12 forward?

Thanks for the review. We have one booked for July on the horizon.

While we were swimming we looked up and saw our snacks being eaten. By a chicken. We got revenge at the buffet lunch.

The fury catamaran is good for both children and mobility challenged, actually. That's one of the reasons we chose it, as this will be my 82 year old father in law's first cruise.

True, but never hurts to ask. And if they say no, you can still book a Dreams Studio sitting. Might as well ask first.

I guess, based on the package restrictions, the photographers aren't supposed to do large groups, but maybe they will at times they aren't busy, and there are no lines?

This might be throwing a curveball at your group, but the fury catamaran sail and snorkel (which is what we settled on) might be a good option for you. It leaves from the cruise ship pier, so transport isn't an issue. Snorkeling is about a half hour, but the option is there to relax on the boat. Then you have an hour and a half on the beach, drinks included, with some water inflatables and (I think) kayaks and paddle boards included, and then back to the port. For our itinerary, we get back with plenty of time to explore the port before all aboard.

Please let us know how they work it out. Thanks!

My FIL did the online renewal. Submitted Nov 30, received Jan 15ish, about 6 weeks later.

It says that the turn around time is supposed to be as of the date they received it, not the current processing time. They received my kids applications on Feb 2, and I received them last week, about 9 weeks total. If it says not available, you should call them at the number. They probably never got the application. Also, if you leave within 2 weeks, you can call them to have it expedited. I'd call today, see if they can get it to you.

You could try this: shoreexcursions@carnival.com

Have you considered a Princess cruise? Either to Alaska or Western Carribean. Western Carribean would be the same seas, but less kids/party atmosphere.

Last time we booked a HMC cabana was 2018. It was $370 I think. We considered doing the villa, but decided $499 was too much. Wife sunburns really easily, and umbrellas/clamshells don't offer enough protection for a full day at the beach. She'll still burn. Not sure we'd pay $700 either, so we'd have to think really hard about booking an itinerary with HMC.

So the Mahogany Bay cabana: I booked that in Nov for $375 (cruise is in Aug). I actually got the last one. It is now listed at $499. Selling out 9 months prior to the cruise is a big hint that it was underpriced, I guess.

Supply and demand pricing plus consumer psychology makes the most money.

Pretty sure departure was 5pm. We had FTTF that cruise, so we dropped our carry ons in our cabin as soon as we boarded. I'm not sure when they were open to all.

We've cruised out of Baltimore twice. Both times boarding began between 12 and 12:30. Earliest check in time was 11:00. This was 2018.

I agree to an extent. But, not so much for the villas. There are only 5 of them, and thousands of passengers on the ship. 99% are not getting a villa, regardless of the price. If the villas cost only $100, but thousands of people who would have rented one couldn't get one simply because they didn't do it fast enough lead to better feelings? Of course, they'd be better off building 5 more of them and charging $600 each, and easily get $6000 of revenue per day, as opposed to the $5000/day they are getting. Now, for other optional items, like beach umbrellas, floating mats, then, yes, maximizing revenue could lead to decreased customer satisfaction, which, in the long run, less revenue. Happy customers tend to spend more. Annoyed customers spend less.

It's a lot of the excursions, as well. One we booked back in Nov has gone $25 per person. The other went up $10/person. Glad we booked it when we did!

Have fun! We'll be on her in August! How are you getting to the port?

We have Larry's booked for our July cruise. For our family of 5, it came out to about $50 more than the lowest quote we could find, but chose Larry's because of the great ratings/reviews. For the amount we're paying for the cruise/airfare/hotel, it's worth the $50ish more for the company with the better CS record.

I booked with a TA, connecting cabins with DW and I in one, kids in the other. TA called Carnival to make sure the cabins were linked, as required, and we paid the deposit with gift cards, so they had to call Carnival anyway. Carnival representative failed to properly link the cabins. Kids cabins were cancelled by Carnival, without notice to us or the TA. I only noticed because I was looking at excursions. I called TA. TA still had booking on their system, so they hadn't been notified of cancelation. TA called Carnival, and was told it was cancelled because not linked. They said they could rebook it as cabin was still available (thankfully) but the VIFP rate I had used was no longer available and it would be $500 or so more. TA booked the cabin at the higher rate to make sure no one else took it, but said they would work out the rate change. TA calls back a couple of hours later to let us know what happened. TA records all calls, and TA got in touch with Carnival manager, played the recording that clearly had the request for the cabins to be properly linked. TA got Carnival to reinstate the original rate plus an additional $50 OBC for our troubles.

Only things we have bought/would buy are the charms, if someone falls in love with one. But, they are pretty inexpensive.

newer map https://www.cruiseplanet.co.jp/pdf/holland/halfmooncay_map.pdf

Found this more recent one. halfmooncay_map.pdf (cruiseplanet.co.jp)