silverfoxcruiser

Wow. Just. Wow. Really?

 

It must be nice to be so elite that one can turn down a free cruise based on the cabin category. I bet you return holiday gifts if they didn't come from the "right" store.

 

If I ever reach that level of elitism, somebody please shoot me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Exactly what I was thinking!

Abracadabra, hocus pocus, bibbidi bobbidi boo, pull a rabbit out of hat, it's time for some Magic!

 

 

Carnival Magic, that is! I have to say that this was a REALLY fun cruise. I take a birthday trip every year (past trips have included Hawaii, Vegas, and Punta Cana), but this was my first time celebrating my special day of June 19 on a ship. Welcome back to all the repeat readers of my reviews. To those of you who have no idea who I am, whether you're new to CC or maybe have been living in the wilderness of the Serengeti the last couple of years, allow me to introduce myself.

 

 

My name is Kimberly, and if you haven't figured it out yet, I live in Georgia. Traveling is literally 100% of my life as I work as a flight attendant and take A LOT of vacations. This was trip #3 for me this year. I won't name my airline on here (it falls somewhere on the list between Air Tahiti and Yemen Airways), but if you ever see me on your plane, tell me you read my review and maybe I'll sling you an extra bag of peanuts. lol :p Even though I look really young (so I've been told), I turned 35 on this cruise. This was my 13th time sailing Carnival. To those of you who have been asking for a travel blog from me, I was hoping to have it done before this review, but it's only about 75% finished. It's getting there I promise! And for those of you who have asked over the years and might be wondering if I've found love yet, the answer is still no. Single and holding for 5 years now. I got 99 problems but.... Nope, just got the 99 problems.

 

I had three traveling companions this trip. No one wanted their pictures posted, not even on FB, so I'll respect their wishes and not post any of them. However let me give a quick introduction of them as well.

 

My mom- She's a retired teacher from Memphis and this was her 4th Carnival cruise. She finally got her gold card! After keeping her anonymous in the first two reviews where I traveled her, I finally included pictures of her in my Breeze review. She was pretty adamant about not posting anything of her at all this time, so I won't. Unfortunately she got the dates wrong of when we due to set sail and would have to miss a church program where she was the chairperson. She didn't realize this until a few weeks before leaving. Unlike her daughter, my mother never uses bad words or swears, but I'm sure she wanted to when I told her she had to fly out on June 13, not the following week. She kept it secret from the whole church except the pastor and maybe 1 or 2 other people, and this will be significant a little later.

 

JJ- This is my 18 year old cousin from Dallas. She graduated from high school just before the cruise and will be headed to The University of Houston this fall with 47 credits already under her belt. This is her first cruise, first lengthy vacation, and first time leaving the country.

 

CJ- She's JJ's mom also coming from Dallas. Although she's not a blood relative (JJ is related by her father), she's still family. CJ has been unable to work for the last few years because of an illness that left her partially disabled, and there were a few times on the cruise when she needed special assistance from Carnival. This was also her first cruise and first time leaving the country.

 

Ok, so now that you know the full cast of this story, here's our originally itinerary. It ended up getting reversed because of Tropical Storm Bill, which now would have me in Cozumel on my birthday instead of at sea. Oh boy! :D I'll post the revised one a little later.

 

 

Really Carnival? That countdown clock tho!

 

 

About my reviews- they are long, very detailed, and VERY PICTURE HEAVY. This will not be a short "I had fun, the crew were great" review. If it was in front of me at any point, chances are good I have a picture of it. Also these trip reports are very time consuming to put together, so please be patient with me as each cruise day's post of sorting, editing, and uploading pictures, writing, posting on here, and responding to comments can take a full day. Don't expect this to get done overnight.

 

Those of you still here for the ride, enjoy!

And know I'm going to enjoy! Thank you for the time and effort -- and a

BELATED HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! silver

Beautiful family, fascinating. Thank you. Silver

Thank you for persevering and figuring out how to do it. Be very proud of yourself and your capabilities! I'm really enjoying your review.

P.O. Beautiful family!

Just need to keep this on 1st page. Really enjoying. Thank you!

Lambie - really enjoyed your review, especially all the wonderful pictures. Thank you SO MUCH for all the time and effort! Silver :D

Robbb!

Lambie -- it's Silver. Subscribing. So glad to be able to read.

Hahahaha!!! that's the best part :) I'm glad you could make some light of the situation!!

My thoughts exactly....making lemonade for the future!

LJ -- Thank you SO much for the generosity, time, quality, and substance in your review! It was amazing! Outstanding! Our only cruise to Alaska was in 1996, and so much has changed -- busier streets, more people, more vendors, smaller glaciers:mad:. I have enjoyed immensely being immersed in your adventures, and have just finished it tonight. (Didn't discover it until about 2 weeks ago). I am now subscribed to your recap of your earlier cruise, and can't wait to be "involved" in your adventures once again. Thank you to Bev, for being so patient also! (I'm sure it's hard to be an "internet widow"! I truly appreciate your time and efforts. Silver

Very HAPPY to read the bolded part of this post....it certainly does give me a more positive outlook of RCCL! :)

Thank you for understanding and supporting my opinion. I have a somewhat jaundiced opinion of customer service, and really don't trust words which are not confirmed by positive corrective action. I am truly glad that Laura and her family are satisfied, and will continue to withhold final opinion while waiting to examine the "new and correct" descriptions which will allow future customers to make more informed decisions. A positive outcome will be a WIN/WIN for all of us. Cheers, laurac22 -- and good wishes for terrific, future cruises!! Silver

Laura -- I'm really glad that they have finally responded, and that you're happy about the outcome. I just wonder how many of these same types of conversations have occurred over the past few years. It's none of my (our)business, but I certainly hope you and your family have been provided compensation for this experience. Otherwise, to me, it's all words, blah, blah, buh. Don't be taken in by professional "kindness". Words mean nothing with no action to back them up -- I'm sorry, but without some tangible effort to compensate for this terrible experience, I feel that you, and your family, have been tooled again. Silver

I plan to check their website again in 45 days -- we'll see.

Laura -- it seems to me that the PTB are waiting for this issue to die down and interest decrease. The longer you (and we) wait for an answer, the bigger the compensation should be, IMO. This is not an appropriate issue to ignore. How many more days until the 30 day time limit expires? Silver

I believe many of us are almost as anxious as you, Laura. The clock is ticking, and I, for one, am already disappointed that you and your family's situation is being delayed and ignored. Shame on RCL. Silver

Laura and her family don't have to trash their own vacation because RCI did not get the furniture right. That does not change the fact that the room was not equipped as represented. RCI needs to come to grips with that essential fact and make amends. I would not pay for something I did not get and neither should Laura.

 

As I understand this thread, Laura explained what she did to try to make the best of a difficult situation. The thread, however, is about how RCI has not yet stepped up to the plate. RCI collected full price for a handicapped room with a queen bed and a sofa bed. The cruise is over, and RCI did not remedy its error while the cruisers were on board, and has not made amends now.

I totally agree, and the longer RCI declines to answer and resolve, the lower my opinion of their service becomes. Sad, RCI, sad and poor response. Silver

We're still waiting for a response to you, Laura, and for a sensible resolution/settlement offer. Yes, reacting to the fire may be of paramount importance right now, BUT I sincerely hope you and your family will be compensated for the hardship and inconvenience. If not, we'll know to continue to look at other cruise lines. Good wishes to you and your family. Silver

I check on a daily basis. As DH's health improves, we are contemplating another cruise. We need to know how (and when), this matter is resolved. Again, thank you, and many good wishes to you and your family.

So, Laurac22 -- no answer yet? Another week has gone by and no response? How very .....unresponsive or caring. Not a good sign.

Laurac22 - Thank you for posting this. I feel I am one of the many silent readers who very seldom participate....but, I am very grateful for this information. My DH has recently has become limited, needing oxygen, but still wants to cruise. Your treatment, (and that of your son, and husband), will make a big impact on our choice of carrier! I've slept on those kinds of chairs, many times in the hospital, and have no desire to use them again. Thank you! Silver

Glad you like it, sometimes I wonder if most people like the complete ship tour or not. :)

Well, in my case, you can stop wondering!! I absolutely love all the details in your reviews!! Silver

Thank you. Tracy is finding police work is very demanding. She is hoping to transfer to the Musical Ride next year. For our non-Canadian friends who may not know what it is. 'The Musical Ride of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police is a formal event showcasing the equestrian skills performed by thirty-two cavalry who are regular members of the force. The event is held in Canada and worldwide to promote the RCMP'. Contrary to popular belief throughout the world, the regular members of the RCMP do not ride horses, some of us have never been on a horse. We drive police vehicles. Went I first went to the UK to meet Tracy's family they were all shocked that I had never been on a horse.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A few years ago, they appeared at the State Fair in Dallas, TX. They were incredible! Amazing coordination and timing. Very impressive! Silver

YAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYY! Another excellent adventure with Mike, Tracy, and their beautiful, growing up looking handsome and beautiful children!! (Was going to say maturing, but that sounds ...pervy?) Thank you, Mikey....this makes me soooohappy! Silver

CruiserFan -- thank you for posting that link. Amazing pictures and fascinating story of his journey! Silver (family lives in Stratford, CT)

We did Alaska on HAL a few years ago, and your review made me want to do it again!! Thank you for the time and effort you spent to share with us. Silver

Count me as another one who is very much enjoying your labor of love. As an amateur photographer who has not had the privilege of cruising the last several years, I am getting lost in just enjoying reliving my experiences through your pictures.

It has also been more than a dozen years since my one trip to Hawaii And that makes this trip even more fun for me even though I have not cruised there.

 

Just wanted to say thanks make sure you know how much your effort is appreciated and sharing is the best part.

 

Keep up the good work. And most importantly keep enjoying and keep posting as I will be enjoying with you your lovely wife. I feel almost as if we have actually cruised together.

 

:-)