Cruising_Addict

Oh yes, I definitely read your land vacation reviews as well! I enjoy all of your reviews. But was also selfishly hoping that you weren’t going to give up cruising for land vacations. 🙂 We are cruising out of Tampa on the Carnival Legend Christmas week to Panama, Costa Rica and Grand Cayman. Panama and Costa Rica are new ports for us and while I would love to do a cruise that actually goes through the Panama Canal (we are only stopping in Colon), I haven’t been able to find one that’s much less than 14 days. We have four dogs and I have a hard time leaving them. So I try to keep our cruises to 9 days max.

Totally agree! My recent trips have been an Alaska cruise, a Norway cruise and a trip to Vegas from the east coast. The long flights kill me. Just booked our BOS-TPA flights for December. Nonstop, just a bit over 3 hours. What a difference! I would love to sail out of California again, but it’s such a trek from the east coast to the west.

Ahhhhhhh!!!! I am just noticing this now and I'm so excited! I have to say that during the pandemic when I was really missing cruising I dug up your old reviews to read just because they make me feel like I am on a cruise. So I'm looking forward to ready this one since my next cruise isn't until December. 🙂

My question was regarding searching for flights to book. Not concerning Fly2Fun flights already booked.

Does anyone know if Fly2Fun is not working? I’m less than 300 days out so the 321 day max isn’t an issue, but when I try to search for flights, nothing comes up.

Yup, that’s exactly what we experienced on our B2B. We did two 7 day cruises so we got the $250 Unfortunately you screwed yourself by doing a 6 day and a 7 day. You would have made out better doing two 7 days.

We just did it on the Pride and yes, it’s definitely worth it. Food is outstanding, the treatment you get from the Chef is a wonderful experience, and getting to meet nice people to share a dinner with is a lot of fun.

Exactly. This is why my response to that question is always, “Sorry, no one can answer that because we are not physic. It’s always best not to book something before late afternoon.”

No they don’t. @Elaine5715 is correct. You have a choice between red or white.

Nope, not just you. I feel the same. I need to pick my cabin and know exactly what room I’m going to be in from day one.

Hasn’t it been like this at all ports for awhile now? I’m pretty sure it’s why Diamonds, Platinums and Suites get to check in online 48 hours before everyone else. To give them a chance to get the early spots.

Boarding the Pride for this exact same itinerary on the 30th. Do you know what time the ship started boarding? I’ve heard everyone was off by around 8 which is early to clear a ship. I’m just surprised that the earliest check-in time is still 10:30. Also, you would happen to have copies of the menus, do you? Trying to figure out what night to book the Steakhouse. I like to plan ahead. 🙂

Because alcohol is legal. The drugs you speak of are not legal, at least not on a federal level. Which Carnival follows.

If they know for a fact that they are not going to eat in the MDR every night then choosing Your Time Dining (what Carnival calls it), would be the best option for all of you.

You can always try, but there are no guarantees. Or, if Your Time Dining is available now, switch to that. You can then go to dinner as early as you want. Starting at a half hour before Early Dining.

You reserve an arrival time. Not a boarding time. You never know what time you are going to board. The time you pick when you check in online is the half hour window to arrive at port.

I wouldn’t take any euros, personally. We live in a largely cashless world nowadays. Europe is no different. And tips aren’t a thing in Europe like they are in the US or the Caribbean. Personally, it’s one of my favorite things about cruising in Europe.

I echo this sentiment. If your son has such specific needs that are dire to him actually surging the cruise, then it sounds like, unfortunately, cruising with him isn’t something that is either feasible or that you should be trying to do. I would sincerely suggest a land vacation where you can bring with you whatever you need.

We had the exact opposite experience last year. Seattle port was the easiest embarkation we ever experienced. There were plenty of porters, and the staff there was great.

Same! And I’m on the east coast so I actually have to stay up until Midnight. But it’s worth it to get that A01 boarding zone. Though my husband thinks I’m crazy for wanting to be among the first to board. Last time we literally were the first. 😁

No one is forcing you to pay additional gratuities above the standard ones. It’s completely optional. So the answer to your question is $115.64 per person ($98 x 1.18), plus whatever additional you might want to give.

Unfortunately no one can tell you if you will be ok because they can’t predict the future. Delays happen. When embarkation. With traffic to the airport. With TSA security lines. Personally, I never book flights that early. Just don’t want to risk it.

Great to hear! Thanks for the feedback. I had already booked this tour with this company for our upcoming cruise in a few weeks. Decided to take a chance because they are half the price of what the cruise line is charging for the same tour. It’s good to hear that you had a good experience.

Exactly why I don’t book with travel agents. I’m sorry that this is happening to you. It’s unfortunate to have to learn this way. Hopefully they will get back to you soon. Good luck.

I mean, my husband and I are Americans and we don’t fit the stereotype of what people make Carnival cruisers out to be. We are empty nesters. I’m in my 40’s and he is in his 50’s. He doesn’t drink, I don’t drink that much. We cruise to relax and see the world. We never hang out in the bars or nightclubs onboard. Nor on the lido deck. We relax, we do trivia, we explore the ship and ports, we go to shows after dinner or we watch a movie on the big screen (if we are not too tired)…we have a wonderful cruise every time. And we never leave we complaints. We have sailed during spring break and have never witnessed any unruliness. Perhaps because of our lifestyle and places on the ship we avoid. Who knows. But we love Carnival for the value, because there’s always something to do, because the staff is amazing, and because we simply have fun. So by all means, try it out. I truly believe a cruise is what you make of it. As a side note, we are sailing out of Dover in a couple weeks for the first time and really looking forward to visiting your neck of the woods for the first time. 😉