dacsmom

Carnival is having a pretty nice sail now. I just saved $250/pp on my Horizon sailing October 2020. I lost the $50 obc so saved $200. It was still worth it for me. Just an FYI. The price reduction form was not as easy to find on the Carnival site anymore, so I googled it and it came right up. It was approved within a few hours.

Definitely book now and watch for price drops. I usually try to book the day the itineraries are released. 

Unfortunately it happens on all the cruise lines. More so to those who like to book when the itinerary is first released. I hope you find an alternate date that fits your large group.

I request that they do not take my towel animals away. I like to keep the collection all week.

I loved Vintages on the Allure. They had the best sangria, and the tapas were wonderful.  On the Anthem they did not have sangria and the tapas had changed and was from Jamie's. Not that it was bad at all, just not the variety they had previously. 

3 minutes ago, ULCajunCruiser said:

 

Bob, I believe that is the Starbucks menu.   Deluxe Beverage Package can't be used here.   Is the Cafe Promenade menu the same???

Cafe promenade serves Starbucks brand coffee and you can use the beverage package there.

The Solarium Bistro on the Anthem is wonderful for dinner too. I ordered the Salmon from the menu and the salad bar is wonderful. There are so many options. 

I loved Thenford Grey Tours. He really loves his island and goes out of his way to make sure everyone has a good time. I would tour with him anytime.

Thanks for the information. I am also looking for snorkeling tours and I did not think anyone could come close to Sail Calabaza in Barbados. 

Another vote for Giovanni's

14 minutes ago, Host Clarea said:

 

Were you required to purchase food to get the "free" shake?

No, I just walked up and got my milkshake. I hope they did not change it though. I did not buy the drink package for my next cruise, but I do remember milkshakes being listed as included when I bought the last one.

The only reason I would be hesitant to book the first cruise after drydock is the risk of cancellation if it takes longer than expected. So my answer is no, I would not book it.

You could not pre book the Escape room on the Anthem. I went to Two70 and booked when I got on the ship. It was so much fun.

I was on the Anthem in September and used my deluxe beverage package for a milkshake at Johnny Rockets. 

4 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

I haven’t read reports of check in times being enforced for non US sailings.  There may have been the odd one but it is not common.

Good to know, thanks. I was surprised when a relative told me that they could not check in until their chosen time, it was probably just an unusual sailing. It was a Mediterranean cruise. Hopefully one day I can see if it was true, but I have to wait until I retire to enjoy that part of the world.

1 hour ago, Desert Cruizers said:

They can't enforce 3000 + people to arrive at specified times, but can hope some will arrive at their assigned times to reduce large numbers arriving at once.  

Other cruise lines enforce it, and it works well. Carnival will not even let you into the port building in Miami if you arrive before your check in time. But you get on the ship very fast since there are less people trying to check in. RCI does enforce arrival times for non-US sailings. 

Almost every cruise that I remember has a sign at guest services that says the ship is full and no upgrades are available.

The Vidalia onion tart

Usually as soon as the itineraries are released. 

I have never heard horror stories about credit card holds. There are debit card holds that can last for a few weeks after the cruise, depending on your bank policy. No one can really answer that question unless we know what you have prepaid, how much you drink, and what you have already preordered, and any specialty dining you are looking at. I have had cruises where I paid for everything ahead of time and maybe spent $50 on board. I have also had cruises where I have had a $1000 bill at the end of the cruise.

I like both lines. The Oasis class is special, and you cannot really compare the Magic to the Oasis class. I like the buffet on Carnival. I like the shows on RCI. I am a mega ship fan, but it sounds like you just want a nice, relaxing vacation. I think you will find what you are after on the Magic.

I don't know what ship and port, but generally you can get to the port around 10:00 ish and breeze right through check in.

I am booked on the Mardi Gras, so that has my vote. It has so many new features. I have been on the Sunshine which is the refurbished Destiny and it was a great cruise, but they fit a lot into a small space. I am afraid the same will happen with the Radiance. 

11 hours ago, Cruisegirl6 said:

That is easy for me to answer.  First, Royal Caribbean is my favorite cruise line, with this being said, your not choosing an Oasis class ship which if you would be doing I say choose that instead.  The Radiance is an older ship came out in 1998, is a much smaller ship, older, was last renovated in 2016...assuming your cruising in 2020 as you mentioned the Mardi Gras and she doesn't come out until August 2020, I say the Radiance in my book is small, older and will be 4 years from her last renovation, I would not choose that ship.

 

Now to explain why I would choose the Mardi Gras, she will be new, she will be big, she have all the latest updates.  Carnival is not known for their food but I have to think the Mardi Gras will offer you the most quality/selection/variety than any other Carnival ship.  They want to market it right, they want to be successful and they building this ship to compete with the other cruise lines that have these mega size ship.  

Don't shy away from the size of it, honestly, some mega ships depending on how it is built meaning the layout can feel crowded but Royals doesn't and I am hoping that they plan the layout accordingly to avoid the crowds, which I think they will do since they want to compete with the larger ships.  

 

Its a difficult for me to give you anymore info as I don't know the itinerary but assuming your talking about the cruise in September from NY to Canada?

 

I pretty much go this way....Royal one less night over Carnival would always be my choice, but a new Carnival ship to a smaller Royal ship that was last renovated in 2016, I choose Carnival Mardi Gras.

The Radiance is a Carnival ship. It is the refurbished Carnival Victory coming in 2020.

I go back and forth between lines and like them both. I do like the food better on NCL, but that is so subjective. I say give NCL a try and see for yourself. NCL does have more upcharge restaurants, but Cirque show, Food Re[public, and Teppanyaki grill are so good and not available on other lines yet. O'Sheehans pub is included and is really good. Paying the service charge on the free perk works out less cost wise for me. Even if it turns out you are not a fan, hey you are still on a cruise.