StephPS79

Not really if you consider you can book multiple cruises under the the same offer. We just booked our cruises through 2025 with DOU Everywhere, that saved us future thousands right there, and we're good for the next 2 years.

Ha, yeah, after a few times of booking the steakhouse on the first evening, I learned the lesson of The Funship Effect, and decided it was best to just plan that for another night lol.

I believe you can “buy someone a drink” though and it won’t count towards your 15. And shareables do not.

All passengers regardless of drink package.

My offers were improved, already went and booked all we could squeeze in for 2025, and made a few swaps for things already booked! My partner’s offers remained almost identically to what she already had, but hers had been better than mine already. So I don’t think there was a general reduction in offers.

We are on Celebration 2/25/2024 - Miami hotels are sky high that weekend! I realized yesterday the SOBE Wine & Food fest is 2/23-2/26, so that explains that! Saturday the 24th is the Celebrity Chef Pickleball Tournament for a thousand bucks a pop, maybe we'll try to scope from afar...🤣

ALWAYS!

I'm not sure what point to take from this comment, but as it relates to this post, my experience on Carnival has been better than my experience on Royal Caribbean, regardless of the ship itself. Royal Caribbean's price tag is exceedingly higher than Carnival's. Do I think Oasis of the Seas is superior to any ship in Carnival's fleet? Absolutely! Do I think that justifies a poorer experience with a higher price tag? Not a chance.

I haven't been on Venezia, but I've sailed a few different Oasis class ships, including Oasis, along with some various size Carnival ships. What I always find myself saying, Oasis class ships are beautiful ships, they win on this ship itself, hands down. But whatever reason, I have more fun on Carnival. A pretty ship is nice, but that doesn't complete the cruise experience.

Yes, it is still under In Room Food and Beverages, but only available on cruises 7 nights or longer, so if your cruise is 6 nights or less, it won't be available. Also limited to 1 bottle per stateroom.

I, like many here it seems, am still recovering from The Holidays Hangover, so I am happy to have something to keep me entertained for another week while I try to "work"...lol Maybe by February I'll find the motivation to be productive...

It seems the issue here is that the offer code probably included drinks on board for a companion, so whoever was booked in the same cabin would get the Cheers package. Once hubby was moved to the other room to accommodate the minor policy, the Cheers package was lost. Booking him originally with the infant wouldn't have granted him the Cheers package either.

I was just about to reply with this! It's not blowing your bar money in the casino, it's about not blowing your regular cruise cash in the casino. If you buy the bar cash, there is no chance you can cash it in on the machine to gamble lol. Some people might benefit from that added roadblock when the drinks are flowing!

@HelloItsMeB might need another recovery day after this one!

Yes, you will sign for every drink.

Maybe a story to make you feel a bit better - my brother had a similar situation last November, on Wonder OTS - in the Solarium. At the time, the area in the front was quiet. It was a single use restroom, but since the area was pretty deserted, he decided it would be okay to "go." Also, not planning ahead, he had undies on under his swim trunks, but then I guess decided he was going to do a little pool lounging, so decided this was an opportune time to remove the undies. Needless to say, this whole endeavor took several minutes. When he emerged from the bathroom...holding his undies...there was a line of guys about 5 deep waiting to use this restroom...I think he said just about the same thing you did, and planned to never return there lol.

I made the dreaded mistake on our last cruise. It was even more complicated as it was the first week of November, and Daylight Savings Time ended on Embarkation night. Then we were in Costa Maya, but no idea what timezone my phone was in, but my alarm ended up being an hour behind. Who can keep all that straight on vacation?! Flip-flop, flip-flop. Look, I'm just trying to relax! Oof. Yeah, ended up missing that excursion completely.

I actually love Conquest class ships, but I might be slightly biased, since Glory was our first ship lol. I wouldn't hesitate to book a Conquest class if it were a cruise we were interested in. I actually really like the layout. I like the atrium and how it is used. There's no Ocean Plaza, so a lot of the events are in the atrium area. I like the exterior deck off the lobby on deck 3. I also really like the stadium-type pool deck. While I do like large ships, it's not the largest ship, and I enjoy that. And, for whatever reason, I love a Farcus-styled ship lol. However, if you are one that is bothered by a ship's age and wear and tear, and limited restaurants, it might not be the ship for you.

Holy Schnikes! After about a week away (Christmas VAC and I avoid the computer as much as possible when not working lol!) - I come back to this news, albeit a little late to the show and 4 pages deep. Merry Christmas to me!

Rush rush rush seems by choice. You could opt to sit an a lounger all day long if you chose to do so.

As someone who has done both, I will take a cruise over camping 1000 times over. But TBH, I dislike camping quite a bit lol.

Same!

And this is why food is subjective. I actually quite like the Reuben at the Carnival deli, and think Carnival's buffet is hands down better than RCI. Was on the Wonder in November, and the buffet, while set up well, had mostly cold, flavorless food. And that's RCI's newest ship right now.

Hence, the cost-saving measures, or "cutbacks" as everyone likes to say.

I do mind the price increases. I like that there are price-points for everyone, me included. I haven't experienced any "rougher customers," and I appreciate having an affordable option. And if I'm being truthful, I find the crowd on Carnival to be much more fun than other lines I've sailed. I agree prices have increased, but this isn't specific to Carnival, or even cruising. But, if you feel the value isn't appropriate to the cost, you did the logical thing and adapted by looking at other options.