pcvtmom

As always, your pre-cruise review was astonishing! I've toured many US cities (vicariously) through you! I can hardly wait for your Bermuda cruise review!

I'm glad to see this topic addressed, but what a shame that it HAS to be brought to people's attention. One would think that it is understood. Thankfully, we've never experienced the behaviors mentioned in recent reports, but overall, entitled behaviors are becoming the norm. 🙁 Happy and safe cruising to all!

The Sky Ride is free. It was not operational most days during our 8 day cruise, for some reason. I answered too quickly. My bad. 🤥

Thanks, BermudaBound 2014! This is very helpful information! I've printed off your response to put in my cruise file for referral.😃

Serenity on Horizon has a bar, salad bar, and hot tubs...no pool. And yes, #4 is the only thing on your list that it free. We didn't indulge in any of the pay items, so I can't speak to the price.

I got one of these before our cruise back in February. I put it in my travel folder, and BOY was I glad. The QR codes in our room with Platinum/Diamond info never worked, so I referred to my letter to collect my goodies. I'm keeping it until the protocols for this change.

We've found the same issue for our January cruise. Hotel Maya has "no rooms available", but when I add a night, they have plenty. I'm not paying that price for 2 nights when I only need one, even though I'd love to stay there.

I checked the cruise line's shore excursions first, but Carnival isn't offering a luau at any of the ports, sadly. Hence, my concern about getting back to the ship on time. It appears that Oahu is our best port to schedule a luau, since we have an 11:00 pm departure.

Thanks, Princeton123211! We may just head back to the harbor at Kahului, if that's the case. I'm just happy to understand my options, at this point.

On their website, Polynesian Cultural Center says that guest will be returned (with their transportation) by 10:45 pm, which is too late for our Carnival cruise. The ship sails at 11:00 pm. I've been looking for options WITH transportation, but it's really limited. For those in the know, would Chief's Luau or Paradise Cove Luau be a safer bet, since they are much closer to the ship? I sure wish the cruiseline would offer a luau, with pickup and return at the port. Arranging transportation is a pain! Even if you book the luau transportation (and they don't all offer this), you still have to get to and from Waikiki.

Thanks so much, CruiserBruce! I just booked Pacific Whale Foundation tour from Ma'alaea Harbor. We will plan to Uber or taxi there. According to Google Maps driving directions, it's only about 13 minutes. Sweet!! Looking at Ma'alaea Harbor information, it would seem we could easily spend most of the day there. Beaches and the aquarium, along with some great sounding restaurants, look very promising. This is why I LOVE Cruise Critic!

Our January Carnival cruise doesn't offer whale watching in Maui as an excursion, so I'm looking into booking an independant company. Never having been to Hawaii, I have no knowledge of the area. How far is the cruise port from the areas where these companies launch? Is it walkable, or necessary to get Uber, taxi, etc.? Thanks, in advance, for any information! Added later...I see that the port we arrive at (Kahalui) is almost 30 minutes away. Anyone have suggestions for transportation across the island that won't tear up the budget? 😁

Our January Carnival cruise doesn't offer whale watching in Maui as an excursion, so I'm looking into booking an independant company. Never having been to Hawaii, I have no knowledge of the area. How far is the cruise port from the areas where these companies launch? Is it walkable, or necessary to get Uber, taxi, etc.? Thanks, in advance, for any information!

We always stop by one of the bars and request an empty wine glass for our carry on wine. We've yet to be refused. We fill it up in the stateroom and carry it to dinner, or to the Lido to listen to music.

We're on this cruise with you! I booked our return flight (out of LAX to Dulles, IAD) for 1:15. Looks like we'll make it, unless the flight times change, get cancelled, etc. Thankfully, United has LOTS of nonstop flights back to DC, so there should be options, at least.

We did book with a sale code for a cruise back in February. It was R (something?) that was being offered. So offers do come around, but I believe they are few and far between. When we booked, cruising was opening back up, ships were at reduced capacity, and Carnival was making great offers.

If you have a preference (we like #10 or #9), go to the excursion desk asap, as stated above. They'll want your fins sizes and drink choices.

I, too, thought about blaming you, Megan!! Glad you admitted to it. 🤣

This is true. However, we used up our OBC by buying a few Carnival gift cards in the Cherry on Top gift shop onboard. We're putting that toward a future cruise.

I came down with Covid on the way home from our Horizon cruise in February. Masks were still mandated on the ship, at that point. I STILL got it, although I was very vigilant. I rarely take an elevator on any cruise, wore my mask, and only sat with my husband during dinner. I could have contracted it anywhere to, from, or in Miami, for that matter. I was vaccinated and boosted. It's just highly contagious, even with personal responsibility in place. Luckily, it was mild and over rather quickly.

https://www.carnival.com/-/media/images/explore/onboard/bars/menus/coffee-bar-menu.pdf Here's the menu for the coffee bar on Ecstasy.

Sunshine has an awesome pool in the Serenity area. I wish Carnival would plan this for more of their ships.

Yes, it was one of my favorites!! The only things that comes close, for me, would be the Funfetti Cheesecake and the Creme Brulee.

Sunshine is one of my favorite ships. We've sailed from Charleston many times, and that's coming to an end in 2024. 😔

Sunshine definitely has pizza, but it may go by a different name. I've been on her many times, but never paid attention to what they were calling it. No worries!