cruiseDH22

3 hours ago, NYcruzzer said:

Did you post this topic on the Carnival Board ? I bet you'll get more insight from recent cruisers there..

Yes I will do that

35 minutes ago, SugarStar00 said:

It's not that bad. I cant help much because i'm going on my first NCL cruise in a few weeks, but I've been on many Carnival cruises as well as Princess and Celebrity. Carnival is definitely a lively crowd, everyone is there to have a good time, and they do! In my experience Carnival has a ton of kids, and most of the parents let them run wild, so I would pick a week that is NOT during a school break. The food is subjective, I think its pretty low quality in the MDR and buffet but the other restaurants like guys burgers, the bbq, blue iquana and all the newer ones open during lunch are pretty great, which I missed on other cruise lines. There is a good amount of entertainment on Carnival, comedy all week, piano bar, shows etc, something every night where the other lines I've gone on didn't have that. I think NCL might be comparable in that regard but don't know yet.  Plenty of variety with the bars too if you're a drinker. Carnival does a lot well, but the product is definitely changing, more nickel and diming but I think that's the same of all cruise lines now. Let me know if you have any specific questions maybe I can help. (I'm also from Central CT, Manchester to be exact)

HI neighbor - we are in Newington. I think they all nickel and dime. NCL no exception.  But we find that they give you the drink package and other things up front. Most other lines charge extra.  NCL-no 15 drink limit.  From what others are saying we wonder if we should stick with NCL.  We love NCL. If you are going on either the Escape or Encore: **DONT MISS CHOIR OF MAN!!**  Food is good on NCL! Thanks for your insights. We may just go on NCL for our next cruise and try Carnival next year.  Kids and I don't mix. Happy cruise! Would love to hear how you enjoy your NCL cruise. Will look for a post from you when you return.

Carnival that bad, huh?  🤨

Wifey and I have done 4 or 5 NCL cruises.  We are interested in a Carnival Cruise to Bahamas or Caribbean out of NY later this year.

What will we expect, not having experienced Carnival before.  What will we miss, and what can we expect in general?

I will probably post this on the Carnival forum as well, but looking for some expert insight and thought I will start here.

(Once you NCL you never consider anything else?)

Greetings!

We are considering a cruise to Bermuda in Nov 2023

either from NYC

or a Florida port

We have been advised that we don't want to go to Bermuda in late fall or winter.  too cold

Please reply with information of the climate both on the ship and in Bermuda for this month and also for winter into spring

Both port locations please

TIA!   oh hey! a new cruise line - TIA?  🙂

The The Bayamo is on the Escape and Ocean Blue on the rest.

What is the difference?

We thought Bayamo was fantastic on Escape.  Ocean Blue on Getaway was great but we didn't have the same impression but perhaps it was what we ordered.  Bayamo seemed to be a bit more "tucked away" which may have made a difference.  Also of course - first impression.

Any thoughts?

By the way, on the Escape, The Sugarcane Mojito bar that sits right outside Bayamo is great. The two guys who tend bar there are really fun guys. "Newman" and I cant remember the other guys name.

Got it ......Thanks!!

Greetings,

We were just on the Gateway and I found a ship map that I put on my cell phone   This was a cutaway of the ship  the sideways view that you get when you get the daily paper      Shows all the decks and whats on it so you can see where the restaurants and things are on it. 

We are sailing on the Bliss in March and I now cant find that diagram.

Anyone know where they are?

2 hours ago, K32682 said:

 

 Putting a tin foil suit on your passport seems a bit silly. 

And the tin hat on my head!

Yeah  a few years ago someone took the task of testing these RFID sleeves for credit cards and some didnt pass the test   So I got apprehensive     But I shouldnt worry too much   and yes a packet of sleeves isnt a big expense.

THANKS ALL FOR THE REPLIES.

They say locks keep the innocent people out. 

When leaving our luggage outside the stateroom the night before, one of the stewards walked by and said, "you need locks, locks".  I guess there is some experience there.

Nervous about all these locks because whatever brand I choose to look at on Amazon there are a small percentage of negative comments that these locks freezing up or failing in some way.

But they all have a percentage of one stars with such comments.  I  guess it does pay to take the chance and use them.  Better to be locked out of your suitcase than have something missing.

I am concerned about passport security with the RFID chip

Sometime ago I read that you make your passport or credit card secure by making an aluminum foil pocket for it.

I have done this with our passports. A heavy aluminum foil pocket, or sleeve, for the passport.

We just cruised and I noticed one of the security people either getting on the ship or in the tsa check in-line was extremely amused by my envelope.

Am I making a fool out of myself by using this, or is this a legitimate security effort to protect my passport from being electronically read?

We fly and cruise usually with 2 check-in suitcases in addition to our carry-ons.

I am planning on getting these locks for the 2 check-ins:

https://www.amazon.com/Forge-TSA-Lock-Pack-Indicator/dp/B01N7ILPEL

I am relatively new to air travel and cruising.  I don't notice if others commonly lock their suitcases.

Is this choice of lock adequate?