michelle.zhang.90

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As it turns out if you own a minimum of 100 shares of Carnival Corporation or Carnival plc, you can get a sweet additional onboard credit. The credit varies based on cruise length and cruise locations. Below is the chart for North American Brands, but the full details including instructions on applying for the credit can be found on this link:

 

 

 

$250 – Onboard credit per stateroom on sailings of 14 days or longer

 

$100 – Onboard credit per stateroom on sailings of 7 to 13 days

 

$50 – Onboard credit per stateroom on sailings of 6 days or less

 

This is not for everyone, but if you travel on Carnival or any of their brands this could be an easy extra return on your stock ownership. Their stock is currently in the $37-38 range.

 

 

 

This benefit is updated yearly and is currently applicable on sailings through July 31, 2015 and the request for the credit should be made at least two weeks prior to the cruise departure date.

Thank you so much for the detailed and quick answer!

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I just read about getting 100 shared CCL for OBC. Would anyone please let me know how much OBC will we get if I buy 100 shared CCL? We booked this 5 days Christmas Caribbean one and we have four people (2 adults and 2 kids).

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Enjoy reading your review! We'll cruise on CB in Dec with two toddlers (4 and 1.5), did you see many kids on it?

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There were many selections of tea bags at the Divina buffet, and the buffet is open 22 hours a day, at least partially!

No extra charge for tea bags or hot water right?

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Thank you for the notes. What is thermal suite?

The soft ice cream machines are only open certain hours, so check your daily paper.

Oh that's disappointing... thank you for the info.

Yes it has a pastry shop and gelateria on pool deck but both cost extra. Soft serve ice cream is free.

 

Speciality restaurants are Ristorante Italian and Eatly. I believe they also do brunch and tasting menus in the Galaxy disco

Thank you! soft ice cream is okay enough for kids.

What about these two specialty restaurants? are they good?

I can tell you that Divina has a kid section of the buffet toward the very back. The offerings are limited, but did look more "kid friendly" to me.

Thank you Logan25, do you know if Divina has ice cream bar or pastry shop or afternoon tea something like that?

And what is the good restaurant on it?

We were trying to decide which cruise to go for this Christmas, Caribbean Princess or MSC Divinia. As now my friends who also have a little child about the same age as my daughter decide to go with MSC Divina, we possible will go with them on Divina. But I have a couple of questions about the food.

With two kids, I hope we can get more options.

On CB, I see they have special restaurants like Sabatini and Crown Grill, could anyone let me know what is the best special restaurant on Divina?

On CB, I see they have pool side pizzeria, burger and hot dog grill, afternoon tea, and ice cream bar, and many other casual dining options open from noon to later evening. I wonder if Divina has something like those too?

Just heard that we may not see Lobster tails on CB if it's 5 day cruise, so disappointed. Anyone knows what will the menu look like?

Will be on CB over Christmas for 5 days. Will we get lamb, duck, lobster tail, escargot at all?

We plan to go to Crown Grill for at least one night. Do we need to make reservation ahead?

Is there a limit to one entree per person, in crown grill or crab shack?

Since it's per person charge, do they charge for a 3.5 yr old child or a 18 month toddler?

CB Crab Shack menu

 

Super! Thank you so much!!!

All passengers pay the same hotel services charge regardless of age. Children often require more work and service than adults so it's reasonable to leave the auto service charge on.

 

The Crab Shack has nothing to do with any chain or restaurant on land. Completely different menu and dining experience so you can't compare them. The dining room food is excellent and I understand the crab shack is very good. I haven't been so I can't give a critique but the menu options are limited compared to the dining room menu. Whether it's worth the extra charge is subjective.

Thank you Pam! Always get useful info from you!

Do children at 1 and 4 yr old pay same gratuity as adults?

Anyone tried crab shack? is it the same as the chain crab shack on land? Does it worth a try? Compare with r the food in MDR, which is better?

Thank you for sharing the pictures! The cabin does look like old and need a renovation. The space is big! I love the balcony, it's so spacious!

Thanks again!

If you would like to see photos of a mini-suite, I posted here: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1959727

This is the "non-standard" mini-suite, but the size is the same. The main difference is no bathtub. (Didn't miss it at all). The sofa opens up into a bed. The balcony was tremendous. Anyway, you can see how much space would be available.

Thank you for sharing the pictures! Is that you who covered face? LOL

Now it is a queen

The space to walk by the bed

Not huge, but OK

A different view of the queen

The bath room from the door - notice the size of the door:eek:

The shower

Back in a sec

Hi Michelle,

Thank you for your comment on my review.

 

Not a trivial question you asked.

 

Pros and cons

 

CB can be a little "tired" at the moment. Not an issue though.

 

CB pros:

Mini suites on this class of Princess ships are incomparably better than a regular balcony on the Divina. More space, larger balcony, walk-in closet, spacious bathroom with a tub.

Food on Princess again uncomparably better. You can try traditional venues like restaurant and buffet, and also International cafe (food included, beverages extra), proper afternoon tea (included), not sure if they offer pub lunch (included) on this ship - on other ships they do.

 

The price is surpisingly less (??).

 

Unlike the Divina, Princess has spectacular wrap-around promenade, observation deck and amazing Skywalkers Lounge.

Princess clientele in general is more mature.

 

Divina pros

 

They will offer more entertaining shows. I am not sure you'll be able to attend all of them (I would skip 2-3 of them actually) with two small kids.

But 3-4 shows are really spectacular. Unfortunately all shows are based on canned music.

 

Central pool on the Divina is more suitable for kids - there are splash areas around.

There is a good kids club.

 

5 days is not enough (for me :)).

Short cruises are less restful. They may have a kind of "weekend trip" flavour - not always though.

 

A suite on the Divina (I believe) will be expensive. There just a few suites outside Yacht Club - extra comfort enclave.

For the price of a suite I would take a cruise on a different ship.

The Divina is for saving.

 

 

Itinerary is very subjective.

I would prefer to have two stops at nice beach islands. But that's just me.

 

Enjoy your cruises!

Thank you so much cruisetrail! Then CB it is for our first cruise! Thanks again!

I would definitely go princess there

Nice ship and great service and food

Better than Mac and cheaper although two days shorter

 

You may prefer the other itinerary in which case all these issues are not worth your decision

 

 

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Thank you! So 100% sure CB has better food right?

You've kinda summed it up yourself. :)

 

Like all ships in the MSC fleet, Divina is a superb stylish modern ship & beautifully-maintained, whereas CB is a bit long in the tooth - though very acceptable.

 

But CB is an American experience, whereas Divina is very Italian.

Many Americans regard Divina's crew as unfriendly, Italians might consider crew on American ships too in-your-face. Food in the main dining room on Divina is very Italian, lots of small courses, & that doesn't appeal to a lot of Americans.

Divina is therefore an acquired taste for non-Italians.

 

CB's itinerary sounds pretty unexciting, but for a first cruise I'd suggest you play safe & sail CB.

I'd suggest the opposite if you were Italian. ;)

 

Just MHO as always

 

JB :)

Thanks a lot for the input! I think that's a good idea! :)

On Divina？

On CB?

PS both are Christmas cruises.

We are first time cruisers (me and DH, both mid 30s, DD 4, and DS will be 18 month in Dec.) . The two cruises I have booked are:

Caribbean Princess ( CB) and MSC Divina. Both embark from Florida.

1. CB is five days west Caribbean, port of calls are Cozumel and Princess Cay, we booked a mini suite for 2300. The good about is we heard the food and the service on Princess is superb. We also like the mini suite. The cons are this ship is old and people say it need renovation and says CB is the worst among all Princess.

2. MSC Divina is 7 days west Caribbean. We booked a balcony for 2800. The pros: new ship, nice cabin. The cons: many bad reviews about food and service.

With two little ones we won't be able to go to all the shows so do not care about the entertainment as much, but we really hoping to get a nice cabin, have gourmet food, and get good service.

Any suggestions which one to go with?

And/or MSC (Divina). Not sure why title was cut. :)

Since we are still trying to decide which one to go this Christmas, I would like to find more info for both. Thank you!