LJN22

I have a couple of Carnival cruises upcoming in which I have several hundreds of dollars of on board credit due to canceled cruises. If I wait to get on board to buy the drink package, can I use the obc toward that purchase? I would think so, but I wanted to check. Thanks

It is the Jones Act that is at the heart of the problem. The Jones Act states that a ship cannot leave a US port, go to US ports and return to a US port without stopping in a foreign country unless it is registered in the US. Canada is not allowing cruise ships (at least until July) therefore, ships cannot do Alaska. The only ship that could is NCL's Pride of America. Also, I am not sure SF or Seattle is allowing cruise ships this summer. I do not think cruising to Alaska will happen anytime soon.

I bought 100 shares last week when the price was $8.55. My question is how do I get proof to Carnival that I own the stock?

I just bought 100 shares at $8.50 a share.  I wonder how far down this thing will go.

How long do the Drive Wise gift cards usually take to be delivered after ordering them?

Thanks. I just saw that as I was reviewing my booking.

I have not sailed NCL in the past but will be on the Bliss in April. When do luggage tags and other paperwork become available to print?

I just did this. Thanks. My room went up a grand total of $10, but I get $200 on board credit. It is a good day!

Does anyone know about the possibility of the Legend going through an extensive dry dock when it heads to Europe in 2021? It appears as if it arrives in Barcelona on April 10th and then does not sail again until May 17th.  That is what I see (unless I am missing something). I am sailing on that ship in Europe that year and I would love for it to look a little "fresher" before I get on.

40 minutes ago, rcprncss said:

Being in that room, was it a problem with music or bass noise from the Havana bar when you are trying to sleep?

I sleep with a noise machine all of the time, but I do not think noise would have been a problem regardless. 5208 is well up the hallway away from the band.  The band is actually facing away from the room. The only noise we ever heard was the sound of water running. It may have been a drain line from a washing machine or something like that.  Noise in the evening was never a problem for us.

2 hours ago, Joebucks said:

 

 

Thank you for the elaborate explanation of why it is not marketing by explaining how marketing works. Here is the very first Google result for the marketing definition

 

 

Maybe my original post made it sound like marketing was always a bad thing. It's not. Most of us sail Carnival because they have marketed correctly towards us.

 

At which point during a dry dock refurb does it mean a ship has to be renamed? There is no other reason to rename the ship other than marketing. The "fact" is that Carnival is making this ship more marketable.

 

18 hours ago, Joebucks said:

It's all marketing. Customers fall for marketing.

 

What sounds better to the average person? Come sail the Triumph that is almost 20 years old or come sail the "new" Sunrise, with new venues? 

 

I think what's even more interesting is that they have clearly elected to skip over the Fantasy class. Does that mean they don't have a future?

I disagree that it is all "marketing." Look at the before and after of the Destiny to the Sunshine. It was a completely different ship. if they are adding new venues and cabins and drastically changing the public spaces, how is that marketing? A lot of people do not want to go on old, outdated ships. I look at videos of the fantasy class ships and I would never sail on them. They are horrible looking. So many of the early Carnival ships are Joe Farcus floating nightmares. They need to update and that is what they are doing. The fantasy class will also have a future for budget cruisers, but I think they are trying to expand the market a little. When you look at all RCI has to offer and the new Norwegian ships Carnival really needs to step up their game and it seems as if they are doing it now. I sailed the Horizon last year and I am sailing her again this year. She is a very nice ship and the public spaces are visually pleasing. 

The Triumph may be 20 years old, but if they change everything inside and out (including mechanically) then it will not seem like an old ship. That is an extensive, lengthy and costly dry dock. I sailed the Sunshine last year and loved that ship. Not trying to start a fight, just giving my two cents. 

Do you think they will offer this sailing again in the fall of 2021?  If so, I am planning on doing it for sure. I am just not sure if Carnival is going to continue to have a presence in Europe or not.  I remember Duffy saying they were not going to and then they pretty much sent the Legend there almost immediately. 

I stayed in an interior Havana room (5214) on the Horizon last July and have the same room booked again on the Horizon for this July.  The Havana interior rooms are small, but the Havana area is worth it.  We loved it back there.  It was quiet, peaceful and not too crowded.  I think it is worth it and I actually wonder if I will like sailing as much without that type of area. I even had a pizza delivered to me back there while I was resting in a clam shell.  The pizza arrived in 11 minutes after I ordered it.  I would have waited in line longer than that.  Plus, being on deck 5 is wonderful. There are a lot of great things and spaces on deck 5. I say go for it.

I see that you can currently book a cruise through April of 2021. Does anyone know when Carnival will make available the remainder of the 2021sailing dates will be available?

Never!  I always get the Cheers package.  I love the cost certainty it provides.  I never have to worry what I am charging to my S&S account.  I always average at least five drinks per day.

Had Saffie as CD on the Pride in 2017.  She was not bad.  I do not see her listed anywhere.  Anyone know what happened to her?

I have FTTF for my Horizon cruise this July.  What is the earliest time that I can arrive at Port Miami?  Thanks

I have not sailed RCI as of yet, but have a cruise booked for August 2019 and I was wondering if you can pay for your cruise with the RCI gift cards that are on the AARP website? I have paid for Carnival cruises that way in the past, but was not certain about RCI. Thanks.

Pig & Anchor has the best I have ever had. They use a vegetable-infused vodka. They are incredible!

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Is the free lunch from the Pig & Anchor still served al fresco on Deck 5 or inside in the restaurant?

I did not eat lunch there, but I saw a lot of people outside on deck 5 getting food...so I assume it is outside.

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I noticed in my post that many words ran together after I posted it. Ugh! I think it is fixed here.

A short review of the short four-day sailing on July19th out of NYC. I read a negative review of this particular sailing this morning and it made me want to write my first ever review. The ship is really quite spectacular. I was very impressed with the layout and the amenities it has. My wife and I were in an interior room in the Havana area and thought everything about the Havana area was great. The staff members were pleasant, courteous and very helpful. I just want to highlight a few specifics and give my opinion.

 

Havana area and bar: As I stated earlier, this is a special place. It is quiet and relaxing. It is basically a cruise within a cruise. When we would venture out to the other areas of the ship and see the mass of humanity we were glad that we had our own little oasis to return to. At night theLatin band (Mambo Magic) was fantastic and had the place hopping. I really believe if you can afford the upgrade you should do it. This area is well worth the extra money.

 

Restaurants: Sincethis was only a four-day cruise we decided not to do the main dining room, butinstead did specialty dining.

 

Lunch: Guy’s Burgers are free, and they are the best burgers at sea. We also had lobster rolls at the Seafood Shack. Two lobster rolls and fries for $12 is not a bad deal. Our last sea day we had Pizza delivered to us in the Havana area from the Pizza joint on Lido. It arrived 11 minutes after I placed the order and was hot and delicious. This is something that Carnival is piloting on the Horizon through the Hub app. You place your order and provide a selfie along with your location on the ship and they deliver it to you for $5. Hopefully this will be used on all ships in the future.

 

Dinners: We ate dinner at Guy’s Pig & Anchor the first and last nights of the cruise. The food was delicious. I cannot recommend this place enough. If you like BBQ ribs and chicken, then you have to eat here. They also offer a limited menu for lunch at no cost. We also ate at JiJi Asian Kitchen and Cucina del Capitano, and both meals were very good with WAY TOO much food to finish.

 

Bars: All of the bars we visited were fantastic, but I have to point out a few of our favorites. The Pig & Anchor was great. Dorde and his staff were awesome. They also serve aBloody Mary that is to die for. Simply the best I have ever had. They use a vegetable infused vodka that is just over-the-top. They also have a few really good beers. I thoroughly enjoyed the Parched Pig SmokedPorter that is brewed on the ship. We also enjoyed the Atrium Bar especially when the string trio, Imprint, was performing. We always enjoy the Alchemy Bar and the one on the Horizon certainly did not disappoint. The folks working there not only made great drinks, but they also entertained while they made them. They were very friendly and offered to make specialty drinks that were not on the menu. We loved it!

 

Ship layout: ThePromenade is really well designed. The use of the outdoor spaces to enhance and accompany the indoor spaces is really special. When I cruise I love to be constantly aware of the ocean. This ship really nails that. I really loved the way created the indoor and outdoor spaces on the Horizon. Lido is also quite big. The buffet area is really large with a lot of selections. Idid not really eat there, but I did frequent The Sweet Spot every day. Yum.

 

Features: SkyRide…I waited in line but gave up after twenty minutes or so. It looks like a lot of fun and I will certainly do it next year when I sail this ship again. WaterWorks was very nice, and the waterslides were fun. Kids will love this place.

Comedy: We saw one comedy show in the Limelight Lounge. He was okay, not great, but okay. The space is good, and the bar staff hustled as usual to make sure your glass was always full.

Playlist Productions: We were already booked for this ship for an 8-day cruise next July out of Miami, so we only wanted to see one show,Celestial Strings. We saw it, but it was not actually the show. The seas were kind of rough as we made our way back to NYC, so the show was modified quite a bit. The string trio performed while the cast sang from stools set on the stage. I was disappointed, but I understand why they had to do it. The ship was really rocking that day.

 

A few final thoughts: I have read complaints about the “confusing” elevators on this ship and I think if you have problems figuring out these elevators you may just want to stay home for your own safety. The elevators work by selecting which deck you want to go to and you are assigned an elevator that will take you there. There were roughly 5,000 people on this cruise and we never waited long for an elevator. I just do not understand why people complain about them.

Hopefully you sail this ship and determine for yourself. A cruise is what you make of it.

We did not eat there, but it smelled delicious. The place was packed every evening until at least 11pm. I will try to go there next year.

A short review of the short four-day sailing on July19th out of NYC. I read anegative review of this particular sailing this morning and it made me want towrite my first ever review. The ship isreally quite spectacular. I was veryimpressed with the layout and the amenities it has. My wife and I were in an interior room in theHavana area and thought everything about the Havana area was great. The staff members were pleasant, courteous andvery helpful. I just want to highlight a few specifics andgive my opinion.

Havana area and bar: As I stated earlier, this is a special place. It is quiet and relaxing. It is basically a cruise within a cruise. When we would venture out to the other areasof the ship and see the mass of humanity we were glad that we had our ownlittle oasis to return to. At night theLatin band (Mambo Magic) was fantastic and had the place hopping. I really believe if you can afford theupgrade you should do it. This area iswell worth the extra money.

Restaurants: Sincethis was only a four-day cruise we decided not to do the main dining room, butinstead did specialty dining.

Lunch: Guy’s Burgers are free, and they are the best burgersat sea. We also had lobster rolls at theSeafood Shack. Two lobster rolls and fries for $12 is not a bad deal. Our last sea day we had Pizza delivered to usin the Havana area from the Pizza joint on Lido. It arrived 11 minutes after I placed theorder and was hot and delicious. This is something that Carnival is piloting onthe Horizon through the Hub app. Youplace your order and provide a selfie along with your location on the ship andthey deliver it to you for $5. Hopefully this will be used on all ships in thefuture.

Dinners: We atedinner at Guy’s Pig & Anchor the first and last nights of the cruise. The food was delicious. I cannot recommend this place enough. If you like BBQ ribs and chicken, then youhave to eat here. They also offer a limited menu for lunch at no cost. We also ate at JiJi Asian Kitchen and Cucinadel Capitano, and both meals were very good with WAY TOO much food to finish.

Bars: All of the barswe visited were fantastic, but I have to point out a few of our favorites. The Pig & Anchor was great. Dorde and hisstaff were awesome. They also serve aBloody Mary that is to die for. Simplythe best I have ever had. They use avegetable infused vodka that is just over-the-top. They also have a few really good beers. I thoroughly enjoyed the Parched Pig SmokedPorter that is brewed on the ship. Wealso enjoyed the Atrium Bar especially when the string trio, Imprint, wasperforming. We always enjoy the AlchemyBar and the one on the Horizon certainly did not disappoint. The folks workingthere not only made great drinks, but they also entertained while they madethem. They were very friendly andoffered to make specialty drinks that were not on the menu. We loved it!

Ship layout: ThePromenade is really well designed. Theuse of the outdoor spaces to enhance and accompany the indoor spaces is reallyspecial. When I cruise I love to be constantly aware of the ocean. This ship really nails that. I really loved the way created the indoor andoutdoor spaces on the Horizon. Lido isalso quite big. The buffet area isreally large with a lot of selections. Idid not really eat there, but I did frequent The Sweet Spot every day. Yum.

Features: SkyRide…Iwaited in line but gave up after twenty minutes or so. It looks like a lot of fun and I willcertainly do it next year when I sail this ship again. WaterWorks was very nice, and the waterslides were fun. Kids will love thisplace.

Comedy: We saw onecomedy show in the Limelight Lounge. Hewas okay, not great, but okay. The spaceis good, and the bar staff hustled as usual to make sure your glass was alwaysfull.

Playlist Productions: We were already booked for this shipfor an 8-day cruise next July out of Miami, so we only wanted to see one show,Celestial Strings. We saw it, but it wasnot actually the show. The seas werekind of rough as we made our way back to NYC, so the show was modified quite abit. The string trio performed while thecast sang from stools set on the stage. Iwas disappointed, but I understand why they had to do it. The ship was really rocking that day.

A few final thoughts: I have read complaints about the “confusing” elevators on this ship andI think if you have problems figuring out these elevators you may just want tostay home for your own safety. Theelevators work by selecting which deck you want to go to and you are assignedan elevator that will take you there. There were roughly 5,000 people on this cruise and we never waited longfor an elevator. I just do not understandwhy people complain about them.

Hopefully you sail this ship and determine for yourself. A cruise is what you make of it.

Does anyone have images to share of the FunTimes for the 4 day Bermuda cruise on the Horizon? Thanks