CruizCuz

Thank you, thank you all for the excellent opinions and advice! I will schedule a 7 day instead of the 3/4 combo. It definitely makes sense what everyone is saying. I had just heard so much about B2B's and thought that was a way to do it. I really don't like embarkation/debarkation days and HATE muster drills, so thank you for the reminders! LOL!

Thank you for starting this thread. Our upcoming cruise on the Sunshine (in 7 days!), we will have anytime dining. We have ALWAYS had early seating, but usually traveled with groups/family. This will be a celebration of our 25th wedding anniversary and really the first time we have traveled with just us. We decided to do anytime dining because we wanted a little more privacy and were hoping for a table for just the two of us. We figured this would accomplish that easier. I'm glad to read that the earlier times aren't as crowded, as we will probably stick with the 6-6:30 times.

So, I've been reading these boards for years. It seems that B2B cruises are very popular. Because of that, I placed that on my YOLO list. SO, from those of you who have cruised both a 7 day cruise and a 3 day/4 day B2B, which did you prefer and why? It seems to me that the day you are getting off, then back on the ship, is almost a wasted day? However that said, it would be so awesome to leave the ship and get to return!

We ALWAYS bring a box fan for not only cooling, but the "white noise" to help us sleep. We purchase one brand new for less than $20. We have never had a problem. If it's not new in the box, they often will inspect it prior to embarkation. We put a luggage tag on ours and check it with our luggage. We have been on most ships and never had an issue.

We've been on the Elation twice and enjoyed the Gatsby's bar -just outside the comedy club. The bartenders were great and good at concocting special martinis for us. Maybe not Alchemy but good bartenders!

I agree with the above poster's statement. There are martini tastings, and I found this bar to be great, with the bartenders willing to make almost anything. That said, I also found that it was best to go during "off" times. When it's busy, I felt the wait times for drinks was long and more standard. I know the casino bars can be "smoky", but some of the best bartenders were there as well.

Following this thread, as we leave on the Sunshine next month as well.

Thank you for your review! I love reading things about the Elation, as I have sailed on her several times. She will be missed when she leaves Jax. I feel the staff on the Elation is some of the best. Oddly, I have had experiences with staff on the larger ships, that weren't so great. I would happily sail on the Elation any time!

I would like to say your photos were great. as someone who has cruised a lot which means different to many people, I think I am in the 40plus club, your tone seemed to me as negative towards carnival. Maybe your expectations are too high. To me a cruise is how you make it. Trust me I have been on several all inclusive cruises and I can find things wrong with them,. not sure if you had great time, but please pay four times what carnival charges and then write a review with your current mindset of perfection.

And this is why I often don't write a review. I would personally like to thank the original poster who started this thread. Too often, you either read a totally negative, or a totally positive review. I felt this review, accompanied by awesome pictures, was honest and the opinion and thoughts of the poster. I am going on the Sunshine in a few weeks. I, like the poster, will have a wonderful time regardless. However, that said, I will also stay away from the things that didn't work and veer towards the things that were recommended. My expectations are completely realistic. That doesn't mean everything will be great or even good. It doesn't mean that I will have a great time no matter what!

Do you do this for every cruise? If so, you must have quite a collection of fans and power strips by now.

Yes, I do this for every cruise. I have read on these boards, that there have been times when cruisers have not been allowed to bring one or both, on board. Since my cash output on both is less than $15, often I have left the fan behind in the room. For me, it's worth having a better cruise experience. And we always need power cords. I use a "ton" of them for Christmas decorations.

I have only had one problem with being hot in the cabin. And even though it was only that one time, I decided that having paid a lot of money, taken the time off work, made kid/pet care arrangements and all the other details that go into a cruise, that I wanted it to be as nice an experience as I could plan.

I bring both and never have a problem. The reason is because I bring new ones. I go to a discount store and get a box fan for about $11. I get a power cord for less than that. I leave the box fan in the original box, unopened and the power cord with it's original packaging as well. This way, they are both in good condition and I have NEVER had a problem or issue.

I stayed 2 days in the Gothic Quarter, which is right in the heart of the city. You can spend an entire day just walking around the area as there is so much to see. Also took the HOHO bus (it's an easy walk to the terminal). They have 2 or three routes that take you all around the city. Sagrada Familia (sp?) is magnificent & a must see. Also check out the Boqueria (sp?) which is one of the largest markets in Europe. Loads of great restaurants, make sure to try some tapas. It's been several years since I was last there, if I can recall some other things I'll come back & post.

Thank you thank you!!! I am writing down all of this information. I know we will have limited time there and it truly helps knowing about the favs!

I haven't been on Brilliance in a few years but really enjoyed my previous cruises on her. Doesn't have all the bells & whistles of the bigger ships but as you'll be in the Med it really doesn't matter, as you said you'll be ashore the majority of days. I had a balcony on deck 8 once and the view was fine, no obstruction from the life boat covers as they are directly below the deck 7 balconies. Enjoy your cruise & Barcelona - one of my favorite cities in the world!

I know I should ask this ? in the ports of call section, but since you said you loved Barcelona, what did you do there? When you traveled, did you use the ship tours, or research and find your own?

If the weather allows, enjoy the outdoor Windjammer seating aft of Windjammer.

Bob, have you ever been on the Brilliance? Really haven't read much that people have written about her. Thank you for the suggestion about the Windjammer.

I am a Carnival cruiser. However, we have sailed 3 times on RCCL and loved each cruise. This time we are booked on Brilliance OTS, leaving from Barcelona, for 7 days. We are booked in a balcony cabin, #8122. We plan on spending most of our time in ports, so this will be our "floating hotel" so to speak. I wanted port side, as this usually is the side arriving into port. I was wondering if anyone had any experience with this cabin or one similar? Is the view obstructed with life boats or a roof of the cabin below us? How are the side walls on the balcony? Any suggestions or tips for Brilliance OTS? Thank you for your help!

The Ecstasy received Guys, BI, Red Frog, Alchemy, etc last year, just not the extra cabins like Elation.

Thank you for the information! I guess I hadn't really researched the Ecstasy yet, since I don't have a cruise planned for her yet. That said, I really enjoyed the cabin refurb's and extra balconies added to the Elation.

There are literally thousands of posts regarding FTTF. And just as many opinions ;p. We always purchase FTTF when it's available. For us, getting our luggage before anyone else (supposedly) is the last reason for purchase. We enjoy getting on board among the first groups. We enjoy dropping off our carry-ons and often only bring carry ons so that we can be unpacked and having our first drink, before many are even on the ship! BUT one of the best reasons for us is Customer Service. We never wait in a line and always have issues that need to be resolved there. From losing something and needing to visit Lost and Found, to putting spending limits daily on our kids' accounts, not having to spend part of my vacay standing in a long line, is WELL worth it for me. Enjoy!

Thank you for taking the time to write the review. It reinforced my sentiments regarding the Elation. I have sailed her twice and out of Jaxport several times. I found the staff on the Elation to be among the friendliest of all ships I have sailed. We loved her and wouldn't hesitate to go on another cruise. We are going to miss the Elation when she relocates. The Ecstasy is taking her place and hasn't had the refurb yet. I wish Carnival would stop treating Jacksonville like the "forgotten" port. Every time a Fantasy class ship needs an overhaul, they move her to Jaxport, refurb, then move.

I have sailed out of Jaxport 5 times. Arrival and boarding times can vary due to weather (fog) or if the previous cruise had any issues. One time, we couldn't board until after 12 (we had FTTF) because they couldn't find a passenger on the prior cruise. We usually get to the port at 10:30. They allow us indoors shortly afterwards where it is cool. USUALLY we are on the ship by 11:30 am. Our family always purchases FTTF and feel it is totally worth it.

Thank you for the awesome review! My dh and I will be sailing on the Sunshine for our 25th wedding anniversary in August/2018. We are enjoying reading about your experiences, as we have never been on the Sunshine.

We ALWAYS drop off our luggage and usually meet our room steward. We tip him and ask for our collapsable cooler to always be full of ice. We then head to the Lido deck and grab food. Afterwards, we grab a drink (or two) and head back to our room, where our luggage is usually already delivered. We unpack and then explore the ship....via stairs. The elevators by this time are packed!

I wouldn’t spend that much either!! Residence Inn is nice but not $300 nice...LOL

 

The Radisson is fine, just a bit dated like I said. If you are needing a one night before the cruise it will be just fine. We have stayed there many times and the staff is very nice. They have the nice pool, Tiki bar, a restaurant and bar inside. They also have the park and cruise option and the shuttles are great and are always there waiting when you get off the ship.

 

Hope this helps!!

I tend to agree with this poster. The Radisson has the BEST employees of most hotels where I have stayed. Our family has stayed there a minimum of 5-6 times prior to cruising. They are accommodating and very nice. I love the pool and Tiki Bar. The breakfast is great.

Has anyone had one of these with the twin configuration? Is there enough room? Thanks!

My son celebrated his 21st birthday on the Splendor in May/2017. I was his roomie and we had twin beds in an "L" shaped room. The bathroom is not in the entry hallway, which was nice because I could open the closets without traffic of the bathroom. Yes, the room was slightly smaller because of the odd configuration, but the balcony MORE than made up for that. We didn't have any problems and have booked another "L" shaped room for our upcoming August cruise on the Sunshine.

there is no reason the sports bars will not be showing football

Does the Elation have a Sports Bar? If so, how big is it?

OH NO! We are sailing on the Elation this Thursday (January 18th) through Monday. The Jaguars are playing the Pats this weekend. I never thought about them NOT showing the games, and my husband is counting on watching them. Does anyone know whether the Elation has changed their channels yet? I certainly hope not!

PLEASE no flames :D. We have cruised out of Jaxport many times, and can NOT for the life of us, remember how early the port opens? We have FTTF and want to be there as soon as possible. I will be traveling with my parents with various health issues. After cruising MULTIPLE times and trying many different methods, the best way is to get them to the port at the earliest time, check in and wait in a chair. What is the earliest you have been allowed to get into the port and park? Thank you!