Greener123

Sure, have one day exploring Etna and the other going around the small town - Taormina etc and have some cannoli. Better than trying to squeeze both in on one day

Are you implying the signs weren’t real or that the local authorities in these ports just suddenly changed their laws? this is clearly NCL’s doing - whatever they weren’t prepared to do earlier in the season they’ve changed their mind

Reposted the above but from John Heald, some of the text on the above statement is cut off, so if you couldn’t read it, here it is in full.  “Dear Carnival Pride Guests, We are writing to share an important update. As you know, we boarded technical experts overnight and we anticipate completing the repairs and getting the ship back to Dover Monday morning. We are happy to share that we will be able to operate a cruise with an abbreviated itinerary departing from Dover Monday, July 24, and returning as originally planned on Sunday, July 30: Monday. Dover Tuesday. Fun Day at Sea Wednesday. Belfast, Ireland Thursday.Holyhead, Wales Friday. Cork, Ireland Saturday. Fun Day at Sea Sunday. Dover. If you choose to take this cruise, you will be entitled to: • Prorated 3-day refund of your cruise fare (and applicable taxes, fees, and port expenses as well as any shore excursions for missed ports of call), Cheers/Bottomless Bubbles beverage packages, pre-paid gratuities and Wi-Fi packages. • For guests already in Europe: Reimbursement of an additional night’s hotel stay for Sunday (up to US$300 per night) and a food per diem of US$100 per day, per person. • For guests who have not departed for Europe: you are eligible for this onboard offer and the hotel and food per diem for Sunday only. We will also reimburse the change fee for your airline tickets for the same class of service if they can be rebooked. We realize flights are full this time of year and there may be limited options but we wanted to make this offer nonetheless. If you do not sail, you are entitled to the full refund of your cruise fare and a 100% future cruise credit (plus applicable taxes, fees, and port expenses, and pre-cruise purchases) that was previously communicated.* While we had previously said you do not have to take any action to cancel your reservation, because of this revised itinerary, we are asking ALL guests who want to cancel to call us by 11:59 EDT on Friday, July 21, to insure timely cancellation of your reservation and the processing of your refund: • From the U.S. and Canada: Dial 1-800-CARNIVAL, or contact your Personal Vacation Planner or your travel advisor. • From the UK: Dial toll-free 0808-234-0680 and then choose “already booked” when prompted. All guests should follow the instructions from our communication on Wednesday to submit authorized expense reimbursement receipts. If you choose to cancel, your refund will be returned to your original form of payment and your future cruise credit will be forthcoming. “ This I think is a brilliant offer and still allows you to enjoy the beauty of Ireland and Wales and yep, I’ll say it, have $500 to spend on board which I think is fabulous. So the crew are waiting to welcome you on board and I hope many of you sitting reading this now here in the UK while enjoying a full English breakfast of bacon, sausage, fried egg, ferried bread, baked beans and grits will take this offer and get ready for some FUN Cheers

John Heald, he said anyone that had the cheers/unlimited bubbles already would get it continued free of charge.

Reading all the updates from Carnival I have to say I’ve been extremely impressed with how they’ve handled all of this. The compensation package for those cancelled seems generous, for those already travelled some good arrangements and possible options still to come, and those on board lots of options - I’d definitely be staying onboard, nice quiet ship - free cheers package - all sounds good to me

From the earlier topic about the speculation it seems the Joy is going back to an earlier configuration re the observation lounge… not the end of the world, never experienced the galaxy pavilion but from reviews on here (although most likely the aged and infirm 😉) it wasn’t very well utilised and is better off as a thermal suite

Yes. Carnival have said recently that they’re running at 107% currently

9:30 is too early for breakfast to close, especially on a sea day (if that’s the case) and then 21:30 is too early to close for the evening… but given that O’sheehans is available negates that slightly, while on MSC Virtuosa the buffet was open until 2am for snacks (Pizza, sausages/hotdogs, sandwiches, cookies and cakes)

Cruise dinners when I first started were 6 courses and a proper dining experience every night. You had your head waiter, assistant waiter and drinks waiter and got to know them much better than now. midnight gala buffets and chocolate buffets with all the sculptures were a sight to behold.

Buffet is good for everything except dinner. MDR breakfast is more of a “treat” but you have to get up earlier.

$185 I think, so not the minimum or the top but somewhere in the middle, I’m sure some may have got it for minimum bids but I’m not unhappy with that price

Email just came through… upgrade accepted to balcony 😁 I know I’ve probably paid more for it than others, I put in some fairly decent bids, so somewhat disappointed not to get a spa or club balcony… but for my partners first cruise I’m very happy to get a balcony over inside for a better deal than booking up front

Breakaway 23rd Sept

Looks like some people have got confirmations of their upgrades on my sailing… stil 86 days out. All of my club and spa balcony bids are showing as expired, but the standard balcony bid is still pending so fingers crossed that comes in 🤞🏼

Can’t ask for more than that at this stage…