Itried4498

Thank you. 

I called - tickets are valid only the day they're purchased so hopefully on Sunday the weekend pass will show via the app!

Firenze.  I'm not a huge fan of B2B... everything repeats itself.

On Sunday morning we'll be arriving into MIA and taking a cruise out of Port Everglades (there's more flight options into MIA from LAX, otherwise we'd fly into FLL).  We are taking TriRail from MIA to FLL and would like to purchase the tickets in advance.  On the app, the only option is to purchase a weekday zone fare for $3.75.  On weekends, there's a day pass available for $5 but only via onsite kiosks.  

If we purchase the weekday zone fare via the app, would it be valid for travel on Sunday as well?  Or, better yet, is there a way to purchase the weekend day pass on the app??  Time will be tight - we'd prefer to spend an extra hour on the ship and not waiting for the next train :).

Thanks, sorry for the dumb question, we rarely use public transportation!

We had Georgia a couple times on the Miracle (she was on the ship for about a years, sans a break or two).  We loved her - she went above and beyond.  For example, she and other crew put on several shows during what was suppose to be trivia.  Very corny no budget shows using whatever they could find as props but highly entertaining.  

She loved interacting with the guests and was always mobbed.  One of the cruises was over Thanksgiving and she had flown in her family from Australia.  I think it was because it was her 24hrs birthday or something like that.

Surprised she’s on the Celebration alraa was day, those gigs use to go to the senior CDs.  Although I know Carnival has had a hiccup in fining and keeping CDs…

There's a handful of itineraries with a late port night, and there's a smaller number with two days at a specific port, but the days of true overnights seem to be over.

For example, Carnival has a handful of itineraries with an overnight at Cabo and a handful with an overnight at Ensenada.  But in both locations, you need to re-join the ship the first night  -- as late as 8PM in Cabo and as early as 5PM in Ensenada.  You are no longer allowed to get a hotel -- you need to get back on the ship.

It's incredibly rare these days to come across an itinerary where the ship is docked overnight and you can come and go as you please.  Carnival regularly did this at Puerta Vallera and Ensenada in the past...

8 hours ago, Bill Miller said:

Sad news indeed. I encourage all who travel to consider an annual travel insurance policy. Several companies offer trip cancellation and medical coverage. I have an annual policy we used when the wife busted her hip walking the dog a day before a cruise. Cancelled cruise cost recovered.

An accident out of your home country requiring medical treatment can be devastatingly expensive. Bon Voyage!

Not an instance in which insurance will help.

They were literally mowed down by a Hilo Hattie's shuttle bus.  Hilo Hattie's and/ or the operator of the shuttle bus (if it's outsourced to an independent contractor) almost questionably be responsible for all medical bills and costs incurred from the incident.  There will be additional settlements and/ or judgements as well.

On 4/5/2024 at 6:43 AM, ArthurUSCG said:

Disney is expensive because it can be. There is more demand for the produce then they have supply. This is why DCL can double the size of their fleet while still raising prices.

Another way of putting it is that Disney has a dedicated, cult like fan base who won't be happy with anything but a Disney experience and are willing to pay for it.  My oldest brother and his wife are good examples -- huge Disney fanatics that live, eat and breath Disney.  They live in a crappy house in a crappy neighborhood, she works two crappy jobs and every penny they make goes toward Disney (many weeks DVC, DCL, etc.).  You can't even have normal conversation -- you could say 'did you hear about the horrible tragedy this morning down the street from you, in which numerous people lose their lives' and he will respond with 'OMG - speaking of horrible tragedy, Tiana's Bayou Adventure's soft opening was pushed back a few days.'  These aren't rational people.  Hence why DCL's prices are in the stratosphere.  DCL offers an excellent product but you have to be a Disney fanatic to convince yourself it's that much more exceptional.  

47 minutes ago, dolphinsfan246 said:

Galveston has quickly become their top homeport. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if they got a second Excel class ship for shorter cruises in 2027/2028. The only problem is the itineraries can be so boring. But that’s the way of the industry now, pivoting more towards the ship as the destination and the ports as an afterthought. 

I'd bet PC & Miami generate more revenue than Galveston but that could change really soon.  PC, Miami/Fort Lauderdale, Galveston and Los Angeles/Long Beach/San Diego is pretty much where most of the growth capacity has went post-pandemic.

47 minutes ago, jimbo5544 said:

Macro 101, how many ships are sailing from PC, LB, Galveston, et al and how many from NO?  Then add other cruise lines to the same question.  There are other factors without a doubt.  I have been told that Galveston is Carnivals best home port.   I got that info from someone who should know the answer.

Yup, my point is that things aren't always the way they appear.  Just taking this a step further... for winter 2026, if we segregate the 3/4 day local cruises from Long Beach from the rest of the itineraries, the average fares from Long Beach (for simplicity, I used the published fares for two adults) are about $20 less per night for the 3/4 day local cruises whereas the other cruises average a slightly higher rate.  Those 3/4 days have some of the least miles traveled on them and are heavy on alcohol sales.  

21 hours ago, Saint Greg said:

My argument has been New Orleans should have a vista class ship before Long Beach should’ve had two. So it makes sense to compare the two. If you know of any TA discounts for cruising out of New Orleans on Carnival, please send them my way.

I understand your argument.  Looking at 2025, New Orleans consistently has higher fares than Orlando and Miami.  If published fares told the entire story, it makes no sense Carnival is adding capacity to PC, LB, etc. but not NO.  Post-pandemic, fares have soared at many of the secondary ports and I doubt it's pure demand driven.  You can maximize revenues by selling a product at an inflated price and highly restricting discounts to select groups. 

7 minutes ago, Saint Greg said:

 

What I know is I'm always looking for the cheapest price on an interior and Panorama is always at the top of the list. It's been that way for years. And now Firenze is right up there with it.

 

Fine... I decided to do a little random search I wouldn't normally do. A balcony for four during the summer. I first tried fourth of July but it's sold out. So I decided the last week of July. I came out with a total of $3,652 on Panorama. And $3,619 on Liberty.

 

So in that case the really old ship with no bells and whistles..not even a waterpark for the kids...is selling for the same price as the much newer Panorama.

 

Let's do Firenze and Valor on the 5-day that same week. 

 

Valor $3,190

Firenze $2,732

 

Unfortunately I don't have time to search for every category on every cruise for the entire year, but I've seen enough over the years to have a good idea of how it would come out.

 

 

 

I didn't compare New Orleans; it often has higher pricing than PC/FLL/Miami at the moment and I'm not convinced it's demand based.  RCL's published prices for New Orleans and Tampa are high, but there's heavy discounts (and/or incentives) if you purchase through select travel agents, which isn't something I've seen before.  Disney is exiting (its limited presence) from New Orleans and per some unconfirmed reports, auxiliary revenues were poor.

5 hours ago, Saint Greg said:

 

It is underserved. That's why the cheapest 7-day out of New Orleans on an old ship like Liberty is still more expensive than the cheapest on Luminosa, Firenze, Panorama, Magic, and Venezia. That's why NCL canceled a bunch of European cruises and a transatlantic to bring Getaway to New Orleans two months earlier this year. I'm not arguing for an Excel Class ship in New Orleans. But Dream or Vista class for sure. Especially when Long Beach has the two lowest priced Vista class ships. And one of them is "new" and hasn't even sailed yet. It's clear Long Beach is overserved. I could make a case for Excel New Orleans if they ever drop Mobile which takes a lot of passengers within two hours of New Orleans.

 

https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Norwegian-Getaway-Epic-move-to-Caribbean-in-fall

 

But again, you're largely basing your conclusions off one-off teaser rates.

If I price a 7-night cruise for four people (two adults & two teens) on the Firenze out of Long Beach in October, interior & balcony rooms are running about a TOTAL of $100 less then the Marid Gras and Celebration (both of which have higher taxes & fees, so the actual difference is less).

If I compare an 8-night cruise on the Panorama to a 7-night on the MG and 8-night on the Celebration next summer, the Panorama is running $300-$400 cheaper for an interior, but balcony prices are between $100 less and $200 more.

If I look at 6-night cruises on the Firenze during Feb/Mar 26 vs a similar cruise on the Vista out of PC, interiors are running $100-$300 less but balconies are going for $100 less to $100 more.  

So yes, interiors tend to sell less at LB, but balconies, suites, etc. are on par with the newest ships.  Supplement for the third and fourth person is often more out of LB than Florida.  And RCL said the LA-based Navigator was generating among the highest per person, per day auxiliary spending in the network.  

If you dig deeper, I don't think things are as they appear.  

21 minutes ago, cfabar1 said:

It is also the amenities that cater to families....

 

As much as people can complain about disney, they still do turndown service - that is a huge advantage for families.

 

We have done DCL twice - both post-pandemic.... Way better food than RCL...

 

Nursery is also very nice, very few cruise lines offer that feature for infants.

What people complain about is the cost.  Agree turndown service is nice but if you contact guest services I'm confident you could get a simple turndown service (one lines that discontinued twice daily room service).  If that doesn't work, slipping your room attendant a few bills will :).

And everybody has their opinion on which lines serve the best food.

1 hour ago, WhaleTailFlCruiser said:

My guess is Mardi Gras gets moved to New Orleans and one of the newer ships takes over in PC. Then they put the second one in Miami possibly doing the 6-8 day cruises Horizon is on and then move horizon to pc and put vista in nyc full time. 

No way an Excel ship goes to New Orleans anytime soon.  I'd say four of the five ships will be homeported in PC and Miami (possibly a return to Fort Lauderdale) and the fifth at Galveston.  Possible seasonal service at NYC & Europe.  

Outside chance Long Beach gets one, with possible seasonal Alaska.

3 hours ago, gopackgo21 said:

Would love to have one on the West Coast, but with Cabo being the most popular stop, I don’t see how it would happen. I have been on all 3 excel ships. They are easily my favorite but I’m so over the ports. We haven’t even gotten off the ship the past few times on half. 

RCL is sending the Quantum of the Seas to Cabo and MSC the Bellissima.  Why are we thinking an Excel class ship can't do it?

12 hours ago, MyriamS said:

Disney recently released new summer 2025 itineraries for Europe, so I had a look and, yep, they are twice as expensive as Princess, Celebrity etc. Itineraries are nothing special either.

 

Maybe it's better this way. I would be willing to try them if they were affordable, but my partner swore never to see foot on a Disney property again after a very bad experience in one of their parks. So with those prices it's easy to give them a pass.

 

It is my feeling that Europeans spend less per holiday day than Americans (because our holidays are longer, we need to stretch our budget) and have less loyalty to Disney (not that kids don't love Disney characters, but going to Disneyland is not the must do family holiday), so perhaps their audience are American flying to Europe who don't mind the high prices. 

 

It's not just Europe.  It's a combination of a small fleet, huge demand and cult like following that enable Disney to charge huge monies for its itineraries.  We are doing a 7-night Mexican Riviera on Princess (utilizing what's currently their newest ship).  It's less than $3,000 for two adults / two teens in a balcony with Princess Plus for the adults and soda packages for the kids.  Meanwhile... Disney's lowest price for a similar itinerary departing the day after was over $4,500 for an interior and $7,000 balcony (without the added inclusions, sans soda).

4 hours ago, Stockjock said:

As I mentioned, I was contacted by MSC and asked to delete a post about Bellissima sailing from Los Angeles, "...as this news has not been officially announced yet." (direct quote)

So I really don't care how adamantly they are denying it.  And "ghost entries" sailing from L.A. every 7 days doesn't make sense.  There's an old saying, "If it doesn't make sense, it isn't true."

P.S. I don't personally believe that the Next Cruise staff would be included in such high-level decisions, but if they did know (doubtful), certainly they aren't going to risk their jobs by announcing something that corporate has not yet announced.

I'm crossing my fingers but this wouldn't be the first time the Port's website posted schedules prematurely.

8 hours ago, dallasdan said:

I think Carnival might be catching on that I message was working without paying for Wifi.  There was some kind of glitch in their system that allowed it to work.  My DW had the social plan and her I message worked the whole cruise in October.  I did not pay for a plan my I message only worked for the first 2 days.

It's been hit-or-miss for years.  We've used the same phone, traveled on the same ship and had different results on different sailings.

I've never understood why this topic continually resurfaces.  A lot of us are cheap and have searched for the magic spell that enables us use iMessage without paying for WiFi but none of us have found it.  Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.  We don't know why but we've tried to figure out.

Even when it works, it's intermittently.  If you need access to iMessage, there's no other workaround besides purchasing a WiFi package.

9 hours ago, jimbo5544 said:

I bet the board is really disappointed they are no longer the “costco special”.  

I'm extremely disappointed.  There's a whopping two sailings available at the moment; there's significantly more offered from Florida (albeit on bigger ships and higher price points).  The Venezia has the most offerings, which probably partially explains why the ship is being moved to PC part-year. 

1 hour ago, Saint Greg said:

Of course 3/4 days are going to be cheaper than 5-7 days. It’s not deceitful at all. I know they’re consistently up there because the way I search for cruises is I set it to 7 days and sort by lowest price. LB is always on top. That’s why I went on panorama in 2021. It was cheaper to fly to LAX and cruise on Panorama than it was to drive a few hours and get on Vista.

 

I meant 3/4 day itineraries from Florida are cheaper than 3/4 from LB.

5 hours ago, Saint Greg said:

It’s pretty darn consistent. Search right now. Not counting Australia. The cheapest 5 day is Firenze.

...

I wouldn’t rule out excel either. I think I’m the one who suggested it. Carnival obviously loves the port. But for years now they’ve had the cheapest cruises and that hasn’t changed.

 

That's slightly deceitful as many of those prices are for a single cruise.  Looking at the fall months, Miami and PC have far more cheaper 3/4-day itineraries.  And while LB is often the lowest priced cruise for 5/6/7-day itineraries, the pricing disparity isn't that large.  I've been researched cruises for mid-Oct to mid-Nov for awhile and the pricing gap on the MG/Celebration is definitely coming down.

Los Angeles-based itineraries were the "Kirkland Signature" special at Costco for many years but now there's more Florida-based itineraries.  Definitely think times are changing.

On 2/23/2024 at 8:56 AM, Saint Greg said:

And im not lobbying for it. Panorama is still the fourth newest ship in the fleet and it’s consistently the cheapest 7-day cruise. But it’s there for a reason…and that reason is it sales… so I assume carnival would love to put an Excel ship there.

 

That's not quite as true these days.  The pricing disparity has softened -- most weeks this fall, the base fares on the Excel ships aren't materially different than those on the Firenze.  A year ago, LB's local newspaper asserted that Los Angeles sailings often lead RCL's systemwide network in alcohol, spa, duty free, etc. sales.  

It's been an interesting few years, though.  Carnival has dramatically increased capacity with the Panorama, Firenze and Radiance.  RCL entered the market with Navigator and is adding as second, Quantum-class ship.  Princess debuted its newest ship and added summer sailings.  MSC is expected to launch service next fall (alternating with Alaska in the summer).

But there's also signs the market didn't perform as expected.  Princess has reduced the number of calls and is the ship mentioned earlier to Australia (although it will return in a couple years and is being replaced with a similar ship).  Norwegian has cut the number of calls from LA/SD, as has Disney.  Celebrity tried and exited the market (and RCL's second ship may be here temporarily to fulfill contractual requirements for initial subsidies).

That said, I wouldn't entirely rule out the Excel ship coming to LB.  With all the new capacity coming into the Florida, it's going to get interesting.  (If the Excel does indeed come to LB, what an amazing feat to go from the Miracle to an Excel-class ship in less than a decade).

I wonder if this will ever happen.  MSC had talked about coming to the West Coast since 2019…

1 hour ago, twangster said:

 

How many consecutive cruisers in LA are typical?

 

I’ve done two B2B on the Navigator.   Both times there was about a dozen people, so maybe 6 staterooms.  Three people (solo travelers) were on ship for over 30 days. One woman was spending 6 months.

2 minutes ago, pyrateslife4me84 said:

I see so many comments online from people wanting to do Royal “on the cheap.” I’m sure that’s why Royal provides an old ship, hoping that you will then book the more expensive new ships for your second cruise.

In an alternate universe where every Royal ship was a Quantum or Oasis Class, prices would be lower.  The reason they’re so high is because demand exceeds supply. 
 

ironically, those “old ships” help Royal maximize its profits.