Ima Desert Diva

I guess this question could be answered by someone who has cruised with other cruise lines ~ but I am a Carnival Loyalist, so here goes.  I'm pretty sure I've received information about this before, but I'd like to hear a cruiser's experience on the subject.  "Do I book a cruise as early as possible, to get the best prices and best selections of decks and cabins?"  Or, "Can I wait till perhaps a couple of weeks before a cruise is to set sail to book?"  I'm wondering if cost would more for me to do it that way, or less?  Could I get a really nice cabin that had a last minute cancellation?  Or would I be at the mercy and discretion of the company to squeeze me in somewhere of their choosing.  Like next to the laundry and under the pool deck?  

Earlier in the year, I went on a 7 day Mexican Riviera cruise.....  A great time was had!  Especially with the good luck I had in the casino playing video poker.  My winnings were certainly no big windfall, but it was $2,000.00 ~ and that's a pretty big win for a cruise casino!  Anyway, in these nine months since that cruise, I receive a multitude of post cards inviting me to book another cruise at A FANTASTIC CASINO RATE.  I also get phone calls from a Carnival vacation planner.  Thus far, I've not responded to either.  Oh I'm going cruising again be sure of that!  Love it......  But when I'm ready, I'll let Carnival know.  Getting down to my "query," are these "special promo deals" really that special??  Can I save a couple of hundred dollars booking another cruise.......or will I simply get an offer to encourage me to gamble more?

I have read many articles WiFi on cruise ships is not that great. In fact, mostly pretty bad.  I did purchase a package on a previous cruise, (which was not Norwegian) and it was awful, and a waste of money.  I spoke with a Customer Service Agent @ Norwegian about this, and she assured me the service on "The Joy" would be great, as it is a newer ship, and technology was better.  But really, would a Norwegian employee tell me their WiFi was terrible like most of their competitors??  I have little interest in emails or Facebooking while enjoying my cruise.  But I am traveling with two other couples, and I want for us to be connected, as it seems it would be easy to lose one another in a crowd of 4,000 on such a large ship.  I was told, by this same Customer Service Agent, if I had the Norwegian phone app, for a $10.00 fee, I could attach a chat feature to this app to enable me to stay in touch with my travel companions while on the ship.  Has anyone done this, and does it work effectively?? 

Thank you to the cruise community for your responses.  I guess I have to "wait and see".  I hope I am pleasantly surprised!

I booked a cruise for January on the "JOY".  First time NCL cruiser.  I opted to choose the "sail away" balcony option.  I am making random payment installments on my cruise fare.  My question is;  at what point in time, generally speaking, will I be notified of the assigned location of my cabin?  Will this information automatically appear on my account receipt, or a separate email notification ~ or what?  

I am not a novice cruiser, nor a veteran ~ but I do have a few cruises under my belt!  I have always been a Carnival loyalist, but I have "temporarily" jumped ship and booked a 5 day cruise to Cabo & Ensenada on the Norwegian "Joy." in January 2020.  I've watched nearly every YouTube video about the Joy, and it appears to be a very impressive ship!  I have a couple of questions being brand new to Norwegian.  I booked this cruise because of a special "promo".  I chose a "Sail away" balcony, in which my stateroom is chosen for me, whereas I've always made my own choice.  They tell me I will get the balcony that I asked for, but will they put me in a less desirable location?  I made my decision to go this route and be at their mercy because of the prices.  Secondly,  I understand there are 20 different dining venues, and only six that are complimentary included in the cruise fare.  Are the other specialty restaurants really expensive?  And with the complimentary selections, is the food generally good?  Lastly, are the beds comfortable!??  I love my creature comforts ~ I have found Carnival's beds and pillows are very comfy for me.  I'm rather picky that way!  😏

I am not exactly a "Worldly" cruiser, but I do have a handful under my belt.  Carnival by the way, is my cruise line of choice.  They truly are "Fun Ships!" Hoping this question is not too absurd.  I've done the Mexican Riviera cruise three times now over the last two years, as it's previously been so affordable.  Also, Carnival's home port in Long Beach, CA. is a convenient location for my travel needs.  My question is this, while perusing Carnival's web booking site, it certainly seems the prices for this particular cruise have gone up substantially for 2020.  Is this my imagination, or are we are we now paying for this brand new ship, "Panorama?"  If that's the case, bring back the "Splendor" or "Miracle!" They are beautiful ships and more bang for my buck!!

Just got back from a four day'er to Ensenada on the Inspiration. Second time for this cruise, and I enjoyed it even more than the first. We had a brand new CD, with my cruise being his first week after being promoted from "The Fun Squad" You would never, never know that he wasn't a "Veteran" CD!! CONNOR is AWESOME!! I can't say enough good things about him, but here's the short list; He engages with all the passengers, old and young. Super high energy. His enthusiasm was so contagious. When making announcements over the PA system, he spoke clear and concise which was very much appreciated! In my travel group of 4, I can say we all just loved him, and he made our cruise very special and FUN! I predict CONNOR will go a long way with Carnival.

I'll be sailing again in 8 days and I can't wait!! I spent a good amount of time on my last cruise in the casino. Not because I was winning however! Just good fun. I had ordered a couple of drinks at the casino bar and had nice conversation with a couple of fellow cruisers. They had casually mentioned, that whenever they wanted a cocktail, no matter where they were on the ship, they always came to the casino bar. Their reason being, the bartenders were more generous with their pour and made stronger drinks. I never really noticed the difference, but they seemed pretty sure of this because stronger drinks loosen up gamblers to spend more money. (True) So they felt they were getting a bigger bang for their buck in the casino. Any truth to heavy handed casino bartenders I am wondering?

I am not a "seasoned cruiser," but I'm working on it! Not a seasoned gambler either, but I do enjoy playing slots, as long as I'm winning a little something back. I too wondered something about what was mentioned in the original post. The first day out at sea, slots seemed to pay off better and the other days that followed. Does anyone know if the casino staff programs the machines to do that? I've posed that question to a few fellow gamblers and most seemed in agreement. Anyway, regardless.....it's just good fun. I never expect to get rich.

I feel your pain!! I'm kind of a "Newbie" cruiser myself with four under my belt now, and another coming up in 19 days! Whooo Ya!! I start getting the blues on my last sail day..... I truly am hooked on cruising! I saw the best advise repeated on here several times.... BOOK ANOTHER CRUISE! ..... In between cruises, I watch a lot of YouTube cruise videos, and live vicariously through others! Crazy huh??

Does anyone know if the "Liverpool Band" signed another contract with Carnival? My daughter and I were on the Miracle last year in doing the Mexican Riveria cruise in May, and they had just signed on with their first contract. If anyone else has heard them, you'll know how AWESOME they are!! These four guys were discovered playing at a club in Puerto Vallarta. I know good things will happen in their career. They were THAT GOOD! I hope to see them sometime ~ somewhere again!

"cdavid46"..... Thank you for your response! I checked out the link for CD's on my upcoming cruise. Very helpful! There will be a different CD than the previous. In fact, I didn't see the other's name at all? Perhaps he retired his "sea legs!" Thanks again!

I am fairly new to cruising, now having four under my belt. I am totally hooked, and can't think of when I've had a better vacation experience! So much fun, and the "best bang for my buck." :cool:I am going on another cruise the end of this month, and I've done this same one last year. I was curious if my cruise line, Carnival, rotates their staff/crew members? More specifically, am I likely to have the same "Cruise Director" this trip as I did last time? Same ship, same destination. Make no mistake, he was a great guy, and kept the fun going! But I had the most difficult time understanding him! ie: announcements, etc. He talked SO FAST! I thought, "It's just me" as I am slightly hearing impaired. My travel companion however, who has perfect hearing said, "I wish he'd slow down, I can hardly understand most of what he's saying!" So, I'm kind of hoping for someone different.... :rolleyes: