DPTexas

Excellent about the passport as some cruise lines and countries/ports require 3-6 months left before the passport's expiration date. Open-loop cruises generally require cruisers to have valid passports with (generally) at least 6 months remaining after the last date of the cruise. Each cruise line has their specific requirements, as well as countries. (I should have mentioned this in my original reply.) A PVP is a Carnival Personal Vacation Planner that can be assigned to you. They help with bookings. Some people use them and some don't. We do when we are booking an out of the ordinary cruise. They can supposedly also see availability that does not show up on the website. We have found ours very useful at times. Looks like y'all are all set so the only thing left to do is . . . start the countdown! Happy Cruising Everyone!

We enjoy the CT each cruise. We don't drink alcoholic beverages so that is not a consideration for us in the price. We thoroughly enjoy the experience, the food offerings (at least 7 courses) and the company. Yes, it is a lot of food so you have to pace yourself, but in our experience well-prepared and presented. We also enjoy trying all types of foods which is important b/c during several of the CTs in the past, there have been diners who won't eat fish, vegetables, etc - which greatly limits the food and increases the cost of what has been tasted. Last time, they adjusted the menu for someone who was gluten free and she seemed to enjoy it as much as everyone else. Also, we factor in that the cost of the experience on land would be far greater. That being said, there are other purchase options (Cheers package, jewelry, art) on the cruise that we don't participate in, so this is our "splurge". We used to stalk the FTTF, but no longer as the price has out-paced its value. Happy Cruising Everyone!

I do not believe it is Carnival's responsibility to inform cruisers of requirements for entry into a country - such as a Visa, etc. It has always been our position (and understanding) that it is our individual responsibility to find out what is needed as each may differ. Your TA or PVP may be able to help, but I would strongly suggest to not rely on them, but to visit each port and/or country's website to find out particular requirements. Research this yourself and most importantly - check your passport expiration date!! I would also suggest you visit Carnival's website to read the "Cruise Ticket Contract Terms", "FAQs" and "Have Fun. Be Safe" sections that can be found in the footer at the front page of its website. The Cruise Ticket Terms is long, but has a lot of info that (I suspect) most cruises have never read. The FAQs section under "Know Before You Go" has a sub-section "What travel documents do I need to bring?" and the "Have Fun. Be Safe" section answers the vaccination and testing question (not required, but suggested - but this is for most departures and cruising aboard the ship). Again, for Visa's and other documentation required by certain ports and countries, it is best to go to the particular website to find out. Most ports require photo identification (and your Sail & Sign Card) to get back aboard ship. Carnival will have that info for each port - usually in print form in the staterooms and discussed during pre-port meetings. Hopefully I've covered this well-enough. Others may be able to add additional information. Happy Cruising!

Congratulations and best wishes! Even though your cruise is next year, I want to comment on a few things when y'all first board the ship. I think many first time cruisers try to pack too many activities into their first few days and end up overdoing it. Use the HUB app to see what activities are available each day. Some are available multiple times during the day or during the cruise - others are not. Prioritize and plan your activities much like you would on a land vacation. If you accidently miss an activity - see if it or a similar one is available later. The HUB app is great b/c you can tag the activities you want to attend and it will send a reminder. Also use the HUB app to check in for breakfast and dinner if you are eating in the main dining room (MDR). As soon as you embark, do your muster safety drill first - get it out of the way, making other cruisers and the Captain happy. It's a requirement and best done first. Your boarding pass shows your muster station location and any employee will point y'all in the right direction. Then, if the rooms aren't ready (on most cruises they are ready around 1:30), go grab some lunch - lots of choices there. After lunch, go to your stateroom to meet your room steward and unpack. They will ask about your cleaning preferences (most times, but not always) and see if you have any special requests (distilled water, a robe or ice). For the rest of the cruise, your room steward and MDR dinner servers will remember your names. It's crazy how they can do this! Then, after you are settled in, I would suggest taking some time to walk the ship to get your bearings. We still enjoy doing this no matter how many times we are on the same ship! Your choice of an 8-day cruise is great b/c there is plenty of time to enjoy your time together making memories. Happy cruising everyone!

Last year, we sailed on the Panorama out of CA, flying in from Texas. We planned (as we always do) to fly in the day before. Then, the FAA system failure happened a few days or so before our cruise. That made us rethink our plans, so we flew in 2 days before. Luckily, our plans were flexible and we didn't mind having an additional hotel expense for the peace of mind it brought and bought. Even when sailing out of Galveston, as we usually do, we always drive in the night before. I know a lot of people can't, but I am so glad we can. Happy cruising everyone!

Same here. We used to get it all the time (when we could), but for our upcoming 8-day cruise it is $139.99 (!!), and still available the last time I was looking at excursions. It was of value before, but not at that price! I remember when we would watch and pounce on FTTF, but not anymore. There are better options for spending $140 on a cruise. Plus, one more cruise after this one and we are platinum, so that will solve itself (unless they change the VIP loyalty program).

Go to your "Booking and Order Details" tab for that cruise (in case you have more than 1 booked) and "Edit Booking". It should show up there and give you the option to cancel. HTH. Happy cruising.

I am surprised no one earlier edited your comment to ". . . the sugar straw that broke the camel's back.", but that would open up a whole new line of (off-topic) comments. LOL! 😉

We originally rented a clamshell for our recent Sept cruise, but I reread the reviews and decided to cancel it. It was so hot that day we decided to stay onboard and really enjoyed it. During dinner in the MDR that night, a diner told us she rented one and when she went to claim it there were none left. She was not offered a refund either. So, it appears the over-selling is correct and also maybe "over-claiming", too. Also, if I remember, the reviews said they are hot b/c the clamshell design obstructs any breeze flowing through it. I reserved one for our Sept 2024 cruise and already cancelled it. It may be a great deal, but with such a poor reservation system (or lack thereof) it isn't so great if you can't get one - especially after paying for it. Happy cruising everyone!

Thanks for sharing the photo - I think to take photos too late! This parade is always fun to watch, including seeing the adults also having a blast.

Under the "Categories" drop down, look for "Specialty Dining" b/c that is where it usually shows up. I looked and it shows available dates for our upcoming 2024 cruises and even through 2025. It is always fun watching the parade (I believe on deck 5) after the breakfast. It appears to be a very popular breakfast, so book it ahead of time if you can. Hope this helps. Happy cruising everyone!

We have received an email survey after each cruise and have replied to each one. I keep a note in my phone on names, positions and positive comments during each cruise and use those. Sometimes I take photos of the staff badges which helps with spelling and positions. When leaving our last cruise in September, both the room steward and lead MDR staff us to be sure to fill out the survey. Our room steward told us that recently Carnival starting having the reviews read to the staff and they receive benefits for their names and positive comments mentioned. Both said it helps when their contracts are up for renewal and will sometimes give them extra time in port or especially for promotion purposes. It does take effort to remember, but it is a great way to end each cruise.

This was so helpful. During our cruise in September, I was tip-toeing into vegetarian/vegan eating so I tried some vegan menu options and some attempts from the main menu which was encouraging. I have always enjoyed the food on Carnival so I figured the vegan/vegetarian options would be enjoyable and they were, except the Indian options were too spicy for me. I've since gone completely vegan so this is helpful for our cruises scheduled for 2024 & later. I know I can eat on my plan while my family enjoys their regular options. (I plan to bring my own salad dressing though.) I realize the menus may change in the new year, but at least this gives me an idea of menu options. I'll know I'll miss some foods (chocolate panna cotta) but with many vegan options I will be able to enjoy a wonderful dining experience while cruising. Again, very much appreciate the time you took to submit the reviews, the menus and photos. Take care and happy cruising everyone.

I have 2 pet peeves. My first is when guests use their phone on speaker mode w/o using earphones - including those listening to music or streaming movies. I was reading on deck on our cruise last month and a lady sat down next to me streaming a movie without using earphones so I could hear the movie, too. I kindly asked if she could turn the volume down and she did, but I could still hear the movie, so after awhile I simply moved. Isn't that what earphones are for and the protocol discussed on Carnival's website? My 2nd pet peeve is what affects me the most . . . not being on a ship right now! 3 and done for 2023 and our 2024 doesn't start until Spring. So, I'll visit CC and plan virtual trips in the meantime. LOL! Happy cruising everyone!

The Hawaiian Shrimp Poke was an appetizer on the Dream and it was delicious! Happy cruising everyone!

My long-standing tradition is to get teary-eyed when driving up to the port and first see the Carnival ship and whale-tail funnel! My family smiles b/c they know it's going to happen - every, single, time! 😊 I love cruising and only wish I had started earlier in life! Happy cruising everyone!

A co-worker (and fellow "foodie") is able to enjoy cruising on Carnival and enjoy plenty of GF food options. Her experiences while sailing on the Breeze and Dream have been: After boarding and completing the muster drill, find the Menu Mate in the Gathering (buffet) area - it is usually near the Mongolian Wok. The staff will help you with GF options, especially if you plan to mainly eat in the buffet and surrounding food court options. If you plan to eat in the MDR, each night after finishing your meal, the waitstaff will help you pre-order a wide selection of foods for breakfast and dinner for the next day (you can adjust the meals the next day with last-minute taste changes). In the Gathering buffet and places like the deli and pizza locations, the staff seem to be well-educated on what is GF to help with options. For example, in the deli she was told that the fries were not GF but the (delicious) potato salad was and the Blue Iguana has GF tortillas. There is usually a daily GF cake/dessert option in the buffet and you can enjoy GF chocolate melting cake each night in the MDR (it will come in an oval-shaped dish rather than a round one). It appears that Carnival has gone to great measures to help with dietary needs and restrictions, especially with GF options, which has helped my friend enjoy cruising. Hope this helps. Happy cruising!

If your son can drink dairy-free alternative milk in place of lactose-free milk, I have been able to get almond milk each morning for breakfast on all our cruises, but we always have breakfast in the MDR. Not sure of the availability on the Vista or other ships, but we usually cruise out of Galveston on the Dream and the Breeze. In January, I was also able to get almond milk when we sailed on the Panorama out of Long Beach, CA. Hope this helps. Happy cruising everyone.

Not sure if you did this, but make sure you purchased a Premium Wi-Fi package for each of them b/c only 1 device can be on it at a time. If both need to use it at the same time, 2 Wi-Fi packages need to be purchased. It should have given you the option for purchasing for both. We always buy the Premium for each of us b/c you never know when the other wants/needs to be on it. BTW, I have never had a problem with the Wi-Fi, including for occasionally checking in remotely for work while on a cruise. Happy cruising everyone!

In late May, on our debarkation off the Dream (out of Galveston), after our zone was called, those of us with passports exited very quickly, taking longer to walk down the ramp to the visual ID screens then it took to go through the process. But the line for those w/o passports was long, very long. One lady was waiting in the luggage claim area for some family members w/o passports - I recall her family was split - some with passports and some w/o. She said they had already been waiting an hour for her family in the "w/o line" and they were still in the middle of the line. She was not happy and commented that their next family cruise was in Sept and those w/o passports were not going unless they had them. With the current delay times in processing of passports, I suspect they will have to use their DL and BC again. So, glad I renewed my passport just before the pandemic. Happy cruising everyone!

Like many others, my favorite memory was my first cruise which was on the Elation. It was a birthday present from my youngest (adult) daughter. I still remember driving up and seeing her - and getting very emotional. My family knows me too well and simply smile because "it's what mom does". I still get a bit emotional with each cruise when we get to the ship . . . and I hope that never ends. Happy cruising everyone!

Love the idea of a main course dinner salad. Of course, the chocolate melting cake will always be a mainstay, but I hope they keep the chocolate panna cotta - it's also a fav. Did I see Cornish game hens on the menu above? (Yummers!) We love eating in the MDR and rarely have complaints about the food, but we are looking forward to experiencing (and enjoying) the new/updated menu on the Dream in September. Happy cruising everyone!

I occasionally sail with a co-worker who is GF. Locate the Menu Mate in the buffet area where the staff there can help with GF options. They will assist you with your first day meals. Then, it is easiest when eating in the MDR as your waitstaff will help you order your breakfast and dinner for the following day. Then, the following morning after being seated for breakfast, give the staff your name and room number and they will bring your pre-ordered, GF meal. The evening staff will already know you after one evening and will bring your pre-selected meal. They will also bring a plate of GF bread each evening. I believe Guys has a GF bun (but just ask and they will tell you). I do know that the Blue Iguana has GF tortillas, the deli has GF bread and the pizza place has GF pizza dough. There is always a GF dessert in the cake area in the buffet. The chocolate melting cake has a GF option - you just need to let them know. You can tell b/c it is served in a different style serving dish (oval rather than round). My friend has been impressed with the GF options and the staff's knowledge in the care they take in preparing GF items. For example, they let her know that the fries in the deli were not GF but the potato salad was. It has made her cruising more enjoyable with less food stress.

Favs are: the mussels, crab cake, short ribs (definitely), chocolate penna cotta (delicious beyond words so I search for it on the Hub menus), the root vegetable pie/tart (I search this entree, too), and the cold soups (appetizer or dessert). I try to eat 1-2 vegetarian dinners each week, so I really enjoy the root vegetable pie/tart. I tried the Indian vegetarian dish in January when we sailed on the Panorama, but it was too spicy for me. We enjoy eating in the MDR and find a great variety of delicious choices.

Thanks for the heads up! I just used this offer to pay some of the remaining balance for our 2024 cruise! Appreciate you passing it along b/c I rarely check our offers. I guess I better start! 😜 Happy cruising everyone!