mumofsons

Thanks so much for taking us along! Your review has been great and in just two weeks DH and I leave for Barcelona to join you on the way back! 

Amazing pictures and as always enjoying your posts! Thanks 

Strange question but I read somewhere that the doors aren’t magnetic on this floor. I bought a bunch of magnetic decorations for our transatlantic Freedom and just need to know if I need to come up with another game plan.

Thanks for the info!

As a healthcare worker - I have been exposed many times over the last couple of years.Luckily, I have not had covid.  I have also cruised 4 times in the last year and felt quite safe - First two cruises were b2b on Horizon - there were less people and maybe that is why we felt safe - no covid after two weeks.  The third was Panorama out of LA and I had a bad cold before leaving and tested four times the few days before we left and was not covid positive - fourth was a quickie on the Conquest - again bad cold right before and I tested four times  again pre cruise and was again negative.  On the Panorama and the Conquest there were alot more people and I think the ships were back to almost full or full capacity. 

Our experence I quess was that the ships were very clean and I did see hand sanitizer everwhere and I always had some in my bag and DH and I did use it very often.  

People need to do what is comfortable for them.  No matter where you go in the world you are going to find covid.  

FYI there are even healthcare systems out there that are relaxing some of the mask rules - I wear a mask at work but when I am out and about now unless there are alot of people I don't wear a mask.

For those of you that have had covid - sorry that you had to experience it - anyway you look at it - it isn't a pleasant experience. 

Was on the Conquest last week for a Mon-Fri four day.  There were alot of families and lots of beautiful dresses and suits.  After 20+ cruises DH and I don't formally dress.  I wore a dress - nothing fancy and he wore a golf shirt and dress shorts.  We always sit by ourselves so hopefully don't offend anyone.  I would say about 50% were doing the same as us.

so here is a weird question - I am not a wine drinker but do enjoy Bailey's and Rum - do I buy my bottles at the airport at the duty free? Or do I have to find a store that sells liquer in Portugal? 

none lol - we avoid the buffets. 🙂

When I am in the carribean I do get the cheers - but our 13 day trans atlantic the cheers will cost as much as what I paid for the cruise so that is a no brainer for me.  I have read so many posts saying that you aren't stopped from bringing liquer on board in Europe so I plan to bring a couple of bottles to enjoy. 

DH and I got off the Conquest on Friday morning. For us it was a very cheap quick getaway that we absolutely enjoyed.  The staff although obviously short were hard working and never grumpy and the service was excellent.  I have always tipped extra to my room stewarts at the beginning of the cruise and our stewart probably knocked on our door two or three times a day to check if we needed anything. She filled our ice bucket twice a day and if we napped in the afternoon she would remake our bed.  I asked her how many rooms she and her partner were responsible for and she said 53 - absolutely insane.  Our favorite place to sit was lobby bar and our bartenders all were getting ready to go on vacation and told us that that Carnival was extending the contracts from 6 months to 8 months.  They weren't complaining but that is a long time to be without seeing your family. Like some previous posts alot of these hard working people have little kids that they are just trying to do the best for their families.  I have never thought the tips were too high and I have never removed my tips.  We do try to tip extra to the people that we have enjoyed talking to as they work hard behind the bar/in the dining room and for me the coffee shop as well as our room stewarts.  Its also important to fill out your carnival survey when you get home because these hard workers get recognition when mentioned.  I always take pictures with the staff so I correctly spell their names so that they get the recognition they deserve.  

if this is on a Spirit class ship - we have stayed in obstructed view on Legend, Miracle - if you book after the first four life boats you will be ok.  Basically you just can't look down into the water - just out.  The savings on these sailings were pretty good. Usually we just love listening to the water and being able to have a little privacy just to sit and talk or read - drink coffee etc.  I usually look to see what is available on these rooms anytime we sail on a Spirit class.

Good luck

Although my toe wasn't broken after a 350lb patient on a stretcher rolled over it - it was red swollen and painful.  I went to an orthopod and he actually said to tape it to the next toe for support - and to wear crocs.  I absolutely hate crocs but tbh - they saved me.  Your husband will absolutely be fine on the tracy arm boat ride - not sure about the others.  

Hopefully by the time you go things will be better.  A broken toe is no joke! Good luck

Thanks for doing this - hubs and I will be on the TA in October bringing her back to the states!

I have forgotten how early we can check in - is it 16 days pre cruise for Diamond and Platinum?

I bought one years ago before they started to push the Dr. Suess stuff. His shirt is covered with all our ship pins since if I put them on a lanyard or hat I would surely lose them.  Freddie comes on every cruise with us 🙂 

Have stayed in Havana area - Panorama was our third Vista class - honestly out of the three the Horizon is our favorite.

We were on the Panorama the last week of February.  In the words of DH - it was not in our top 5 cruises. However - we think the food at the Pig and Anchor is top notch! DH loved the prime rib and I really enjoyed the ribs.  Sides are very good - really worth the small upcharge.

We were on Panorama on Feb 26 and I am pretty sure it was capacity

I would say yes - We were on horizon in the fall and although there wasn't as many people as now I think you will be fine.

We had an inside Havana room on the Vista - I would recommend 5th floor just for access to Ocean's Plaza and the Havana Bar/pool area.  We did hear music but it didn't bother us at all and was usually finished by 11pm.  If you go to bed early or a light sleeper it might bother you.  I would book again in a heartbeat but DH felt too enclosed - I spoiled him with too many balcony rooms 😁

Spirit class ships are my absolute favorite! Pride is the only one we haven't sailed and hopefully if all goes well - we will be sailing her in October for a transatlantic. Fingers crossed :)!

I have stayed in the obstructed balcony many times as the spirit class ships are my favorite! - tbh if you book anything past the first four life boats it isn't a problem.  You just can't look down and look at the ocean but you can look out and see it.  The first four life boats are a different style I guess since they block the view entirely.  We did a 15 day Hawaii in this room and had no issues.  

As other's have said - for a port intensive cruise I wouldn't hesitate to do an inside on the floor that you desire since you probably wouldn't spend too much time on the balcony anyway.  We booked the transatlantic for October and I almost changed it to an inside since we could have gotten it for $100 each for an inside state room. - that is insane

Hope this helps

A little insight to whether it is worth it or not.  In the fall we did a back to back and I bought Cheers for the first leg.  On the first day of the second leg we ordered two drinks - it was over $20 so I decided to go ahead and get it again but if I had bought it before getting on the ship - I would have saved myself 10%

I checked in 16 days out and got a 1pm boarding which I am not too happy about.  I called Carnival and they said there was nothing they could do.  If the ships are sailing at 90-95% they should bring back boarding for diamond and platinum members.

Here is my experience with this.  We are sailing on Panorama on 2/28 and booked an inside Havana - I had a ton of OBC - I called one day because hubs isn't that impressed with Havana - (we have sailed previously on Vista) so I wanted to move to a balcony - the Carnival rep said well you booked with a casino rate so we can't move you since there are no rooms left for that rate - if you want to change you would lose your OBC - didn't sound correct but I said thanks but no thanks.  A couple of days later called again and I got it changed without penalty and the balcony room was cheaper.  I personally loved the Havana area - but even in families - different strokes from different folks 😂

When do they put these upsells on your planner? Do you get some kind of message from Carnival?