Greyhoundcat

30 minutes ago, Denversail said:

She is now 25 minutes late and won’t answer her phone. I’m considering calling an Uber. 

My father would have already left without her. Hope she turns up soon.

Couple of questions please: Can two coffees be purchased at same time with a card? Thinking of purchasing one card to share between 2 of us, aware of the 15 per day limit. Does it also include regular coffee (not espresso?) Assuming yes, but don't want to purchase it if it has to be espresso based drinks. We like regular coffee and iced, and occasional mochas. Thanks for any info. 

19 hours ago, Jeremiah1212 said:

Jeez. Tough crowd. Normally rules are rules but this is far from an ordinary situation. You will probably have to make contact yourself via an executive to get attention on the issue rather than a customer service agent reading off a script. 

Agree %1000. 

17 hours ago, klfrodo said:

Would I like to have cream or Half & Half for my coffee in the morning? Yes.

Do I expect it? No

Your expectations are too high if you expect to travel internationally and expect foods, spices, and condiments to be the same everywhere in the world as you have at home.

Just returned from 3 weeks in Europe and a 13 day cruise. I am currently sitting here enjoying a cup of coffee the way I prefer it and looking forward to a glass full of ice with some cola in it.

I expect to pour half and half if the container says that is what it is. 

Does anyone know if paid coffee has real half and half available? 

1 hour ago, Cruise a holic said:

Been on Disney- maybe less drunks- but screaming obnoxious kids running around all over the ship.  Limited escape for adults- the restaurants are pretty and creative but the noise will ruin your vacation unless you also have screaming kids!  Food wasn't great and service was rushed.

 

For a relaxed cruise, try virgin voyages.

Respect this is your opinion. Our experience on Disney (6 times) has been the opposite. Beautiful cabins with many designs for families, gorgeous private island, good food (very subjective of course).  Were lucky enough to be in concierge once. What a treat. 

19 hours ago, paulfoel said:

 

Maybe. Not so much away from others I'd say maybe away from others who want to be loud and boisterous.....

Not sure if there were only 500 people on a smaller boat you'd be able to avoid though.....

Seriously thinking next year, Disney Cruise. Yes its more expensive but, surely, no-one goes on there with the intent of having a 7 days drinking party? Or do they lol? 

Disney has a nice product. We enjoy it very much for what it's worth. 

We did use facial recognition. It was a breeze getting off the ship in NYC. 

8 hours ago, HappySails4U said:

Thanks for  your review !!  We are also on a Venezia sailing into Canada next month so nice to hear that for the most part things went well !!      I have read that the buffet line can be challenging with everything from salad to entrees in one continuous line.  Did you experience issues in that area?

Thank you for this question. There is another thread on this topic that really puzzles me. Yes, there is a line. It didn't bother us at all. We are well nourished people with enough $$ to pay for a cruise. We don't expect instant gratification and are content to wait in a line.  We didn't notice anyone cutting in line or being rude at all. FYI: we ate at the buffet the entire 4 day cruise. Pizza, burgers, tacos, are all available outside and away from buffet if one wants to avoid it. 

Common areas temperature were just fine. Can't comment on elevator (don't use). Never requested ice because the refrigerator was the best one we ever had. Rained most of the morning in St. John (only port). Lots of construction near port. Just walked around, didn't do excursions. Ask for coffee card at first order at Java Blue. You get punches on first purchase. Well worth it for us.

Embarkation: Very smooth compared to the Magic last year from NYC....that was terrible.  Arrived at our correct time, parked the car and pretty much walked right on. 

Met our Room Steward while dropping off our bags (Platinum perk). It wasn't the best interaction and only slightly improved the next 4 days. However, the room was always spotless. We never know what load someone is carrying in their life, so we let it go.

Ship: We liked it. Really appreciated the abundance of spaces to sit with couches, chairs, cubbies on deck 10 with chairs next to the windows. Deck 5 also has many areas to kick back and relax outside. There have been complaints about Lido's configuration, lack of openness etc. We didn't mind it, but can see how it is weird at first. People split between the interior pool area and the truly outside pool. Didn't notice it being crazy crowded. Many kids in the hot tubs. We don't use pools or hot tubs...just an observation.

Theater does seem a little small and I just don't get why they have those giant pillars that obstruct a chunk of views. 

One of the prettiest Serenity areas we have seen. Didn't spend much time up there, as we liked the cubbie on Deck 10 better. 

Food:  We never ate in dining room, only buffet. It was just fine for us. Not a ton of variety, but certainly good choices. Why do they put the Asian lunch at the Seafood area at the back of the ship? This made no sense to me. We only found it the last day. Java Blue coffee is wonderful. We used it a lot with the punch card. Got a couple free ones over 4 days.

Entertainment: Now this is where Carnival shines. A husband/wife duo and the House Rock Band were just amazing. If Carnival is smart, they will keep their contracts!

Cabin:  We had a balcony on deck 7. Only observation is that the carpets could already use a cleaning. Balcony is bit smaller on this ship. However, the chairs do recline!  There is a refrigerator that keeps cold. Shower with real door is great. 

Debarkation:  We were off the ship at 6:45 and in our car by 7:00 AM! Platinum passengers gather in the Theater. Super fast. 

Overall:  Comparing this cruise to the Magic last year from NYC, this was hands down a massive improvement in every way.  

Just off the Venezia today. Buffet lines were longer for very beginning of meal times of course. Didn't see any disrespect while waiting. Deli line is in the middle of both lines, but not part of the buffet line. Dessert/fruit in a separate, but close by area. We didn't notice that this was any different than our Disney cruise in February. If you go during peak hours, you will wait a little bit. 

On 8/11/2023 at 8:10 PM, Purvis1231 said:

Many people order a non-alcoholic drink every time they order an alcoholic drink.

Would like confirmation that it is ok to order both a non-alcoholic drink and alcoholic drink at the same time or is this frowned upon? Not trying to take advantage, just want to make the best cost effective decision and not pay every time...yes I realize it is technically sharing a package, but would like to know if it is out of the question to 'share' the package as one of us drinks alcohol, the other doesn't. Edit: Just read both must sign up for program? 

12 minutes ago, shof515 said:

Carnival is providing shuttles to a shopping mall

Carnival going above and beyond. Kudos to them. 

1 minute ago, bunzini said:

I think what bothers me the most is that many likely are taking their first cruise and if they were on this one, it likely will be their last.  Sometimes I think the cruise lines need to think these things through EVEN if they need to arrive late or another day for the next cruise.  It makes them look as if they have no regard for their passengers (or crew) and alienates many from considering cruising.  JMO

Exactly. I am speculating, but any delay would probably cost $$ and we know how that goes with company decisions. What bothers me the most is the lack of communication. Seasoned cruisers saying it wasn't that bad were not there. I am a seasoned cruiser and I would have been scared to death. This event wasn't as bad as some say and was worse than the company will say. Yes, the staff had a huge mess to deal with. I think of them and the very frightened passengers who felt alone.

I hope someone can help me. Trying to keep up with all of the Venezia posts (which are amazing BTW), and when I click on the circle to left of topic to read next 'unread post', sometimes it takes me to the next one, most times it doesn't. It takes me to the newest page only, then I have scroll down to find the next unread post. Very frustrating! Also, sometimes I see a 'star' next to the topic, not the circle. What does this mean?  Thank you for your help. 

9 minutes ago, Jamman54 said:

I want to apologize for the delay in getting this review finished. I had planned to be done on Saturday, but all those GREAT Live Reviews currently on Cruise Critic have kept me distracted! Tonight, I’m going to knuckle down and get this done! Thanks for your patience!

 

Post Cruise  -  (4/28 & 4/29/2023)  Heading home to New Jersey. 

 

We were up at 3:45am to get ready for our drive home. Yes, you read that correctly, 3:45am. You don’t want to be leaving once rush hour starts, so our plan was to finish loading the car, check out, gas up, and be on the road at 5am. Mission accomplished!

 

By 7:30am we were out of Florida, so we stopped for breakfast at the Cracker Barrel in Kingsland, Georgia…..

 

 

We were back on the road heading north at 8:30am. We did make a pit / gas stop in northern Georgia.

 

A little after noon we were approaching “that” place…..

 

 

 

 

 

Now Patti has asked me quite a few times to stop so she could look around, and I was able to fend her off, but since I would be needing to stop for gas soon anyway, I decided to indulge her. She’s happy!

 

 

I consider what’s to follow a public service. If someone that you know wants to stop here, just point them to this review, show them these pictures, and the urge to visit here will vanish. I let Patti do a complete picture tour. The first thing that you will notice is the lack of people. Exactly! Nothing more needs to be said…..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To be continued…….

Way better off at a Buc-ees!!!!!!!!!   We love that place and right off 95 in several areas. 

15 minutes ago, PROCRUISE said:

You can take your arguments to Cyn874, who was actually on the ship and has posted her observations.

Enjoy your next cruise. My 41st cruise is scheduled for 12/2023.

Exactly this. Cyn874's account is how she lived it. She didn't sensationalize it IMHO. Sounds like she is still processing it, and that people were very, very afraid. No one is mentioning that she did not hear ANY communication between the Captain and passengers, during or after. He/she should have known there were frightened passengers and that damage was happening all around them. I don't know why they stayed within this storm system either, but if the bottom line to stay was monetary, shame on the suits.

47 minutes ago, Saint Greg said:

What’s wrong with this picture?

 

Unless you’re Gary Coleman, either the hangers are unusable or the shelf is unusable. 

I saw somewhere in another review that those shelves can be made flat against the wall??

4 minutes ago, Saint Greg said:

Bathroom is a score for me. Love the vanity and counter space. 

Thank you so much for taking us along on this journey. I appreciate all of the pictures of places I'll never see. One thing I notice is there no litter. Makes me so sad how our country doesn't care or take pride in our surroundings. 

On 2/8/2023 at 9:56 AM, mook1525 said:

How do you order food at Cucina on embarkation day? Is it made to order? Will there be waiters/servers walking around?

We walked up the stairs into the restaurant and there were only a few other passengers there. It is a sit down restaurant. The food was wonderful. Totally fine to bring your carry on stuff.