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TopoftheE, thank you! My thoughts exactly, especially if alcohol or horseplay was involved. Here's an idea, don't get so drunk and don't lean over balcony railings on a tall ship in the middle of the ocean. me

I am sorry this happened for everyone involved, especially the man who is lost at sea, his family, and friends. However (if his own actions are to blame), it the same thing as having a true accident, negligence by the cruise line, or foul play.

I think those who commented on not getting second chances, etc. are correct. If it wasn't suicide, he did not intend for it to happen, however, he can still be at fault and we can learn from it.

Yes, someone should be held responsible if he was drunk, he should be held responsible. If he was in college, than he knew better. I am sorry someone was not with him, so he did not get into trouble. But I think that while it is a horrible tragedy and I feel sorry for his friends and family, it does matter how it happened. It was not gross negligence on the part of Carnival, people who drink should be responsible for their own behavior and control themselves

Because sometimes you want some downtime at the end of the day or night, or you have kids who want to relax, because you don't often have a chance in your "regular" life to watch a whole movie uninterrupted, there are tons of reasons. Why are you making a judgmental comment? If you don't know the answer to what movies are being shown, just move on

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I don't think the gaming system was available the whole time it was open, just certain times

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The teen club is open throughout the day, but is very independent, not like Splash Academy. They do have organized activities but the kids can come and go as they please.

In my experience, it really depends on the other kids at the time of sailing. My 3 did not like the kids clubs (they were 8, 10, 13) My 8 didn't like it because she was in the little kids group (6-9) and felt there were a lot of 6 year olds. My 13 did not like it because, at our sailing, there were more 16/17 year olds, my 10 year old thought it was too chaotic. They all only went the first night and did not go back.

It is my one complaint of NCL, the other lines have a better breakdown (IMO) of the kids clubs, they do 6-8, 9-12, and 13-15, 16-17 or so. But again, on your sailing, the kids might be different. If I can find the teen activity sheet, I will post it

In our experience on the Getaway last year, they were very strict on the age breakdown, no moving up, even with a sibling. None of my kids (13, 10, 8) loved it or went after the first night, which was fine with me. However, this year we are trying CCL, primarily because their age breakdown is different and my now 9 year old will be in a 9-11 group and not 6-9, so she will not be in the "baby" group, lol

I would call and ask both the ta and ccl because the ta could have their own policy and for ccl it can depends how you booked it. I had a deal direct with ccl that was $99 down and full payment 30 days before. So I don't think its the same for everyone, depends on how it was booked

Thank you for this review! Going on the Magic in April, also with an 11 and 9 year old!

In the past, on NCL, my kids did not use the kids club, but may try it out on CCL. Did your kids go? And do you happen to have any schedules? No pressure! :)

Sounds like you were off to a good start, thanks again! Looking forward to the rest

Do you or your kids watch the Family Game Night tv show? We do and all really enjoy it, that is what this is based on.

I, too, like the better deal. It is why I have told my kids that we will likely never be on a Disney cruise because 1) they don't allow minors in their own rooms (my husband does not cruise) and we like to get adjoining balconies or 2 rooms for more space and 2) we can go on 2 or 3 cruises/vacations for the price of 1 Disney cruise.

I have sailed on NCL and we loved it, I also thought we got a pretty good deal for what we got. I have not been on RCI, so I can't compare. However, all that being said, in your case, I might go on the RCI cruise because of the friends, that would be what makes it worth it and not worry that it was less expensive on CCL (for this one instance). It would be worth it to me to have the experience of going with people I liked to pay more $$

If it's any consolation, I had a similar issue. I wanted myself and 2 kids in adjoining cabins, so I was a single and a double occupancy. There were several adjoining ocean views (which is what I needed due to kids ages) and they wouldn't let me do it, because they were noted as triple occupancy cabins. I was told I would have to pay for 3 people per cabin to do it. I ended up with a balcony and an interior. One month out, some adjoining OV are still available, but they won't do it.

If the minor is under 12, cannot be in a balcony, has to be next door or across the hall from parent/guardians

If or over, can be in a balcony

If 14 or above, (may be 12, not sure) can be within 3 staterooms of guardian

And yes, a single person will pay supplement, I am booked with 2 kids in 2 rooms, and the booking shows me alone (with supplement) and kids directly across the hall

Do you have any of the kids club or Club Ocean schedules? I am looking for the 9-11 year olds, on the Magic in April

Thank you!

Camp Night Owls

For the convenience of our guests, Camp Carnival and Camp Ocean offer Night Owls for children 6 months to 11 years, allowing parents time to enjoy the nightlife without having to worry about their little ones.

When?

•Night Owls is available each evening from 10:00pm-1:00am.

•Night Owls is not available during the hours that Camp Carnival/Camp Ocean is closed or during their scheduled activities, which typically run from 10:00am-1:00pm, 2:00pm-5:00pm and 6:00pm-10:00pm.

How much?

•$6.75 per hour plus a 15% gratuity, per child

•No discount for additional children

•Fees are due upon pick-up and paid via Sail & Sign Card directly to the Youth Staff on duty. Cash is not an acceptable form of payment.

•Any child left past 1:00am will be charged double (for the time period beyond 1:00am) and will forfeit Night Owls privileges for the remainder of the cruise, if the policy is abused.

Where?

•In the Camp Carnival/Camp Ocean facility with a ‘slumber party’ type atmosphere, including movie time, toys, video games and room service snacks. 6-11 Years have fun playing video games, arts & crafts and more.

•Children sleep on pillows and blankets. Cots are not provided.

•For infants, Pack & Plays are available for usage.

•Note: Carnival Cruise Lines does not offer any in-stateroom services.

Sign-Up

•During the day, parents can advise the Youth Staff if their child will be participating Night Owls.

•If previously signed up and they decide to change plans, parents are asked to call up and cancel.

•If there are no children participating by 11:00pm, the Night Owls service is cancelled for the evening.

•The services close after the last child is picked up if past 11:00pm.

Sign-in/Sign-out Policy

•Children are not permitted to sign themselves in/out after 10:00pm. Children must be signed in and out by the Parent/Legal Guardian or the authorized persons over the age of 18.

•After 10:00pm, 9-11 year olds must be picked up by their Parent/Legal Guardian from Night Owls (as per day time policy, they are allowed to sign in/out).

•The adult is required to present their Sail & Sign card each time they drop off and pick up their child. For the safety of the child, there are no exceptions to this rule.

Under 2 Infant Care

•On Port Days, care for infants begins from 15 minutes before the first tour until 12:00 noon (or from 1:00pm until 5:00pm for ships arriving in port after noon time). Port Days are for drop off only. Fees Apply: $6.75 per hour plus a 15% gratuity, per child.

•On Sea Days, Under 2 time is scheduled from 8:00am-10:00am. During this time, parents have the option of leaving their child in the care of the Youth Staff. Fees Apply: $6.75 per hour plus a 15% gratuity, per child for this service or they can stay and use the Camp facilities at no charge. Please note that this time is designated for the use of Under 2’s and their parents only.

•Each evening, Night Owls is available from 10:00pm-1:00am. Fees Apply: $6.75 per hour plus a 15% gratuity, per child. During this time, there will be children from other age groups (2-11 years) participating in Night Owls.

Potty-Trained

Children do not have to be potty-trained in order to take part of Night Owls. Parents must provide the Youth Staff with diapers and toiletries to be used for their child. However, if children are too big to be changed on the diapering table, they will not be changed by the Youth Staff. The parents will be contacted to come and change the child. After the child is changed, they may come back into the program.

Late Night Parties

In addition to the Night Owls program, on selected nights of the cruise, we have different parties which offer FUN, MEMORIES AND GREAT VALUE. Advertising is mentioned in the Camp activity schedules, digital signage at Camp Carnival/Camp Ocean and Night Owls postcards (see below) are delivered to the child’s stateroom. All kids who participate in the parties will receive fun premium giveaways!

OWL JAMS

Ages: 2-11 years

Hours: 10:00pm-12:00am

Fee: $13 per child, per party, plus 15% gratuity

Activities Include: video games, arts & craft, music and more; snacks and beverages included

FUN ‘TIL ONE

Ages: 6-8 Years

Hours: 10:00pm-1:00am

Fee: $20 per child, per party, plus 15% gratuity

Activities include: Theme nights, dancing, singing, video games, and more interactive activities; snacks and beverages included

FUN AT SEA

Ages: 9-11 Years

Hours: 10:00pm-1:00am

Fee: $20 per child, per party, plus 15% gratuity

Activities include: Competitions, video games, sporting events, pizza and more; snacks and beverages included

Note: Limited space available

I think the price differences are because the number of hours covered by each party is different. The one that is $25 or so covers from 10 to 3, while the others are fewer hours.

I also think, but am not sure, that they also have babysitting, which is different than the parties. The parties are parties, in the club, or wherever and involve (obviously) lots of kids. I still think babysitting is available, that can be done in your stateroom, and is just the kids you pay for, not a group activity.

Now, I have only done one cruise in my adult life with kids, on the Getaway, last year, and none of my 3 (13, 10, 8 at the time) were thrilled with the kids clubs, so we just did our own thing. We are going on the Magic this year for 3 primary reasons: not having to fly to Florida (we are from southern CA), the kids club ages are 9-11 (so my now 9 year old will not be with the "little kids", and the ship has a ropes course and sports square (which was a huge hit with them on the GA).

My point being, I know nothing about Carnival! lol But these policies babysitting vs. Night Owls parties are what I thought I understood from my research. But, please you much more experienced Carnival cruisers, chime in!

Prices seem much higher to me this year, than last year at the same time. I sailed on the Getaway over Easter, had 2 adjoining balconies (2 in each, 4 people total) and the UDP included for about $3000 total. This year I am looking at 3 people total and even in 1 balcony, it's much higher than what I paid last year. All the lines seem to be up, interesting since fuel has been lower Any thoughts?

An awesome person on this board emailed me the 9-11 age group from 2011, so don't know if the fees have gone up, but am happy to forward to you, what is your email? At least you would have an idea. I didn't look too closely, since I know it's too late for my kids, but the cost was not much something like $8-$10 for the parties that were 2 hours and $25 for the party that was 5-6 hours , and for babysitting it was an hourly rate plus gratuity, I think. Not sure how much thought, I will keep looking.

St. Thomas- Captain Nautica through NCL, excellent! went to 2 great spots, staff helpful, friendly, etc. took early tour and had time to walk over and do the sky ride gondola and lunch on our own. I had my 13, 10, and 8 year old and they all enjoyed, even my nervous 10 year old boy

St. Maarten - http://www.soualigadestinations.com/soualiga_destinations/Welcome.html

Amazing! On our own, Captain Bob, look him up in tripadvisor, also highly recommend, took us all over to snorkel, hot lunch on beach, saw planes, etc.

I am sorry you feel the cruise is not going well. As the daughter of a gambling addict, who grew up vacationing in Las Vegas all the time, I do have trouble sympathizing about the low payouts, those hotels in Vegas weren't built because people win, it's always in the houses favor. I do understand not minding the losing as long as you get to play awhile. I don't play at all anymore, but when I did it was for very little $. blackjack $5 or less bets, and liked it when it would last a couple of hours. So that I get, but I don't get complaining about it, as a gambler, you know it can go quick. Hope your week improves. Bad food would not make me happy either

Hi,

I am not sure why you were told that, but kids can be booked separately if they are right next door or right across the hall, and no balcony if no adult booked in the room (under 12) and up to 3 doors away and balcony ok, if over 12.

This is Carnival's policy, other lines have similar, except no problem with booking balcony for under 12 on NCL, RCI, Celebrity.

You can go to guest services and get whatever keys you need. Bring a sharpie or nail polish to mark them, it can get confusing, lol!

I am on the Magic on 4/5 and have a balcony and an inside booked. I would have loved 2 balconies, but they wouldn't let me do it. It is for myself and 2 of my kids (ages 11 and 9). My 14 year old and husband not on this trip.

This will be our first Carnival cruise and if we like it, looking forward to next year when I will have a 15 and 12 year old, who I can book in one balcony and myself and 10 year old in the other, and not have to pay single supplement and go back to everyone in a balcony, lol!

Hello,

Do any of you TA's or experienced Carnival cruisers know if they ever open up the unsold cabins designated for 3 or more for less passengers?

I have 2 cabins, a balcony and an inside for myself and 2 kids (who are only 11 and 9, thus no 2 balconies; older daughter and husband not on this trip). These are forward, which concerns me because of movement, etc.

There are a couple of sets of midship OV, adjoining, which would be great but they wouldn't let me book them because they are for 3 or more passengers. It's not a huge thing, but I am wondering when they might make them available, if they are not booked and I would try and change the room assignments.

I booked under the 99 deposit, final not due until one month before sailing. We sail April 5 (Magic), payment due March 5

Thank you!

Stacey

Thank you, no wonder I couldn't find any info when I searched on my own!

Hello,

I was wondering if someone could tell me how the future cruise certificates work on Carnival? I have only done 1 NCL cruise and am going on the Magic in April. In particular, I am wondering what they charge and how much OBC you get?

Thank you!

Stacey

Why would you assume that? We had cake on NCL last year and it was great!

Now this is only my experience, but none of my kids loved the kids club last year on the Getaway (13, 10, 8). And to answer your particular question, my 8 year old really didn't like it because she was in the 6-9 age group

It's the primary reason I am taking them on the Carnival Magic this year, as their age groups have her (now 9) falling in the 9-11 category. She felt like there were too many 6 year olds on our sailing, lol. So my guess is, it will depend on how many other 11 or 12 year old boys there are in the group for your son.

I didn't really mind, but thought it would be nice for them (and for me, as husband did not come with us), however it didn't work out. My 13 year old didn't like it because NCL does not split the teen group either, so she felt like there were too many older kids in her group and she wasn't comfortable. So again, I think it depends how the breakdown is on your particular sailing.

Also, my kids met others while doing many of the activities on the ship, even when not with the organized kids club group