lasvegascruising

I'm not even a football expert (maybe a novice if that) and I was yelling at the television "why can't they catch the ball?" Kelce looked like he was in pain watching it unfold. GO CHIEFS!!!

Megan, I have heard stories of trouble on ships and now I truly believe it (I'm not one that searches out youtube videos of this kind of stuff). I am leaving tomorrow morning for a 4 day on the Radiance. I am glad you shared this with us because I will be more alert than I think I would have been. I just can't wrap my head around how young people could do this to you. I have really enjoyed all of your live reports and am going to miss you if you really never cruise Carnival again, but understandable for sure. I followed your reporting for the Dec 22 Panorama because I was going on the same cruise. I did come up and introduce myself to you when I spotted you at Red Frog. You were very nice, don't change!

"Snitches ruin Glitches". That is freaking hilarious!! Serves me right, should have checked cruise critic yesterday instead of goofing off! I would take an "after the fact" discount in a heartbeat.

"Sound of Freedom", I've heard it is soul crushing. I want to see it but kind of worried about it being too sad. I work with a guy who said it brought him to tears, crying. Another employee thought that it was strange that it had that type of effect on him and he told her(who has no kids), "I have six kids". Your thoughts?

I was on the Panorama last December and saw several dogs walking around the ship, leashed, with their owner. Yes, more than two different dogs. I was very surprised. One day I was at the service desk and noticed a dog. I asked the lady helping me about the dogs I had been seeing. She just kind of shook her head and said they are allowed on board. I did not see the place where the owners were taking them for relief. I don't remember seeing "working" dogs at the terminal or on board. What I do remember is every morning when I went out on my balcony smelling pot. I think it stinks and don't enjoy the smell. Luckily it was not coming from the cabins next to me or above/below me. I think that would have been worse. I read somewhere the dogs on board/at the port are looking for explosives. Do not know if that is true.

Roseflyer....what a beautiful picture of the Panorama!! Put a smile on my face. I have a trip planned for December 2 and I am so excited.

We used Galveston Express.

Marcyjane, we've done it two different ways. #1 Fly into Hobby and stayed at place near the airport that offered free shuttle service. When we landed, we called them to pick us up and take us to the hotel. Next morning had them take us back to the airport and took the cruise line shuttle to the port. #2 Fly into Hobby and had booked a shuttle service in advance. Once we landed we called the shuttle service to let them know we had arrived. Met the shuttle and the driver took us down to our hotel in Galveston. We took an Uber to the port the next morning. For us, it really depends on what time we are arriving at Hobby. #1 we didn't get in until about 5 pm so staying near the airport and going down the next morning worked well. I didn't want to get to Galveston at 6 or 7 at night. #2 we arrived at Hobby earlier in the day and if I remember correctly, we got down to Galveston around 3pm. It was a whole lot of fun that evening. We walked to a place for dinner and that evening we sat around the pool area talking to all kinds of folks that were also cruising the next day. Can you post what you end up doing? I am always looking for new information that may be helpful in my planning.

Well, what a difference a day makes!!! I am staying on a Friday night which now shows $444 per night and you are staying on Sunday night which now shows $153. The same weekend!

Mexico is HOT. Even in the winter. I have never cruised to Mexico or the Caribbean in what I would call "summer", June, July or August. I think I would pass out from the heat & humidity and I live in Las Vegas.

Hi Sprocket! You mention that you have stayed at the Westin and have it booked again for Dec 2023 at a great rate. We are taking a cruise on the Panorama Dec 2, staying at the Westin on Friday night. I was lucky enough to book a while back at $197 for the night. I checked today and the rate is at $440. Now, that is a huge difference. I am asking myself, did I get a great rate like you did OR not? In your past experience, how did you get to the port in the morning?

I have three cruises booked, leaving from Long Beach. Sept 2023 Radiance, Dec 2023 Panorama and May 2024 Firenze. Driving from Vegas in Sept, flying from Vegas in Dec and not sure yet about the mode of transport for May. The hotel prices in Long Beach are so expensive in my opinion. Good luck finding a decent price! I guess it depends on what one considers decent, yes? Driving down in Sept and staying at a Hilton property in Seal Beach, flying in Dec and booked the Westin. I booked a room a while back and got a basic king room for $197. It is now over $400. I hope that when we arrive, we don't encounter any issues. I only say this because there was one cruise we took from Long Beach, had the Residence Inn Downtown booked. When the shuttle dropped us off, we walked to the front desk the clerk said, "I've been trying to get a hold of you, we are sold out". What?? I have a reservation. Well, it turned out okay because Marriott moved us to the Renaissance, paid for the taxi ride over there and paid for the room. My only point of posting is that depending when one is cruising, downtown Long Beach hotels, the ones listed by Bruin Steve, are super expensive. Of course, in my humble opinion.

We have become the folks who carry on all our luggage. For a seven day, we take two airplane type carry-on's and one larger suitcase. We find our way to the lido deck and stay put until it is time to go to our room. We have found that we like to have our belongings with us and when cabins open, we proceed to our cabin, unpack and start our vacation. I have read so many stories here on Cruise Critic of folks not getting a piece of their luggage delivered. This is what lead to my "carry on" only policy. We are the ones that find a spot outside on the Lido deck, grab a drink, one of us gets a plate of food that we share, enjoy the music and watching the other guests that are as excited about the cruise as we are! So much fun!

Yep, same for me. Did the Mexican Rivera beginning of December 2022. The last day back, a sea day, I had on warm clothes all day. Didn't bother me at all. By the last day, I was done with the hot tub, pool, water slides, and hot sun. It was good to be bundled up nice and warm enjoying the ship inside and out. Be sure to bring plenty of "summer" clothes for the days in Mexico as it does get hot. For me, on this trip, it was much colder on the last sea day vs. the first sea day. I was glad I packed warm comfy items.

Oh jmac99, say it isn't so! Only once for the MX Rivera? I've done the 7day cruise 4 times and going on my 5th this December. Each trip we do something different in port and each trip has been on different ships. We live in Las Vegas so it is a little easier to do the Rivera then to fly east. I hope latebuyer gives it a try and reports back.

Mismaloya is a bit far but WOW! So beautiful. You should look into a trip there. I have seen folks rent a car for the day and find their way down there. I have talked to a couple that were staying in PV and took the city bus.

Mike45LC, you are one lucky person. It would be great to live close to a port (not great enough for us to move to another state!). We are going to do our second time driving to a port (out of 14 cruises). Las Vegas to Long Beach in September. latebuyer, we have done both, Mexican Rivera and cruises to the Caribbean. If you have never cruised the Mexican Rivera, you really should. It is amazing in a whole different way. Nicer ship, cheaper airfare, sounds like a win to me.

Great questions and I am waiting for replies. My experiences that worked out well. Fly into Hobby the day before and stay at hotel near the airport (free shuttle to hotel). Took hotel shuttle back to Hobby morning of the cruise, hopped on cruise line bus to port of Galveston. Next, fly into Hobby the day before cruise, booked a shuttle service to Galveston hotel, Uber next morning to port. The only reason we did option two was that I stumbled upon a great price for a room down by a pier and a restaurant on the pier called Jimmy's on the Pier. Please post what your final choice is.

Not sure if you are a hot tub person, but I loved the hot tubs on deck 5(I think that is the deck). I always hit the hot tubs first thing in the morning. I like to be one of the first guests to use them.

john91498, How did Carnival inform you the ship was above capacity? Was it an announcement over the loud speaker, a notice in the cabin? I'm taking a trip on her this September and just wondering how I will know the guest count. I do not want to wait in line for one or two hours to get off the ship or get back on.

I second Little Italy. You could do your own tour by just stopping in at the places that look good to you. A small plate here, a small plate there type of "do your own" tour. I love Filippi's Pizza Grotto. Order a small pizza or sandwich. Also, Princess Pub & Grille, loved it! There are so many restaurants on India Street that you really could have a blast just walking and stopping in at any of the establishments. Don't forget to save room for a "sweet treat" stop. In fact, any of the three areas you mentioned will be so much fun. I think you would have the most fun doing your own tour. San Diego is such an amazing place to visit. Good luck!!

I agree with pinto18. The ferry boat is very rickety. The walk from the drop off point over to the Stone Island beach area is not close and not an easy walk, parts of it are very rocky. Maybe we took the wrong path? I had sandals on and thought I might twist my ankle walking across the rocks. I really had to watch where I put my foot down. It's not crazy difficult but depending on one's age, etc, I would be careful. Water taxi to Medano beach...good luck getting out of the boat and onto the beach. The waves can really toss the taxi boat around and trying to crawl out of the boat via ladder, well let's say I have been banged up. We once just walked to Medano beach but won't do that again, too far. Take a taxi. Medano beach seemed to me to be more roudy. Stone Island was very peaceful and pleasant. Had a good time at both. Good luck and have fun!

The last two times we were in PV, we walked off the ship and there is a company that sells "city" tours. It is in the "port" area so no need to walk out of the gates. December 2022, we paid $35 per person. It was me and hubby and four other folks. We had a nice driver who spoke english and spanish to each of us. The tour was about 4 hours and we covered a lot of spots. I think is it a great price, felt very safe and enjoyed it very much. The vehicle was a large SUV. My husband sat in the front seat next to the driver. I sat behind him and in the bucket seat next to me was another person. Three folks sat in the third row. We were all very happy with our seats and no one ask to switch. After we got back, we walked out of the port area and over to Walmart. That was kind of fun in its own way. Didn't buy anything because we did not have pesos. If you are looking for a simple, inexpensive thing to do, I highly suggest it.

I have two experiences. Last December went to Lety's on Stone Island. Food, drink and ladies restroom top notch. As we were walking back to the dock to catch the ferry boat, a women had a sign set up on her property "bathroom $1". Well, lets say I needed to stop. I gave her a dollar and she gave me toilet tissue. The bathroom was a small building with a regular ole flushing white toilet. Just no sink to wash hands. Saved the day and I didn't have to worry about making it back to the cruise terminal building. We really enjoyed our afternoon at Stone Island.

Many people ask me why I sail with Carnival and I tell them that Carnival has the best lunch choices and evenings are filled with so much stuff to do. I have only sailed on Royal, NCL and Carnival for comparison.