BelowDeck4us

56 minutes ago, AL3XCruise said:

I'm sure many people share that opinion, but a small amount of research would show them what ships and lines would be the best fit for their preferences.  Someone who spends thousands of dollars with no research and then complains they didn't like the way reservations were handled is the antithesis of a smart consumer.

I couldn't agree with you more!   This is one of my biggest pet peeves about travelers who write reviews.   For example, when we're not cruising we like to book vacations at very large, sprawling resorts, because they usually offer additional amenities or activities.  Yet invariably you see negative reviews from people complaining they had to do too much walking.  Uh, really, you don't say??  So you can take the time to write your review afterwards, but not take the time before booking to learn about where you're staying, nor read the reviews of other uninformed travelers like you who have made the same comment previously?

All I could think about was the new cooking classes they're offering on the Panorama.  You ask how that relates?  I couldn't help but think they had started a "pilot" (no pun intended) class on the Glory and that a passenger was captaining the ship.  😏

The weather conditions were clearly known, including the gusty winds.  So for those who've captained a vessel, if the windy conditions are known, shouldn't you give a wider berth to all obstacles, in anticipation of what happened might just happen?  I'm probably overly simplifying the situation when I compare it to driving in ice and snow, in which case you leave a greater following distance to the nearest vehicle.  But again, I've never operated any type of boat, let alone a cruise ship.  

Just glad to hear there were no serious injuries.  Ships can be repaired, sometimes people can't.  

Though I haven't been on the Panorama or her sister ships, online videos of ocean suites on her sister ships show the TV is fixed and can't be moved.  The TV is in the corner and angled towards both the bed and sofa.  

Well, if pineapple can go on pizza 😝, then I'm look forward to my next frothy, cold, and scrumptious strawberry-pepperoni smoothie!!  😋

I can certainly understand that seafood is an acquired taste.  But for those of us who like seafood, it's always nice to have the option when ordering a meal. That said, I echo the comments of others.  In general the seafood served on cruises is substandard and the fish can be downright awful.  On my last cruise I actually thought the food overall was very good, except the night when I order the fish for dinner....which was mushy and had no taste.   

If you're statistically looking for the best chance at the warmest temps and least chance of precipitation, then it's mid-July through early August.  But as others have pointed, with Alaska weather there are never any guarantees.  ☺️

I see the classes available on our February cruise.  There's about 15 available in all.  Most are $30, but the $59 classes come with dinner.  Funny thing is.....each class shows availability for only one date and one time.  Either they are selling out very quickly, or perhaps Carnival is gauging interest before adding more, or staggering release dates/times for other reasons?

1 hour ago, xcell said:

Springbreak for us in Ontario is between March 15-21 and for the private schools its for 2 weeks.

 

Our friends in NY, their kid's break is from the March 15 to the 28.

 

I think it varies A LOT, so hard to escape the kids.

Agreed.  It definitely varies much more than decades ago.  It seems now spring break can occur anytime from mid-March to mid-late April.   And then you have the districts that also have mid-winter break that's generally mid-late February.  So it may be hard to find a week that's guaranteed kid free in late winter-early spring.  

In our public school district, there's holiday break (formerly known as Christmas break), mid-winter break and spring break (that's 3 1/2 weeks off in just over 3 calendar months), which explains in part why our district usually gets out in the 3rd week of June.  

What about suites?  They get priority debarkation.  Where do they fall in the order?

11 minutes ago, Sauer-kraut said:

There's more to life than football....

Say What?  😮

Perfect. Thanks for all of your quick responses and additional thoughts about deck 15.  We're going to go ahead and book the cabin.  

On the Breakaway and Getaway, is the hallway secured to The Haven suites on deck 15 , meaning you need your keycard to access the hallway, just like on deck 16?