SMSACE6

OP, sorry for the problems that you are experiencing.

Three years ago, while cruising solo, I needed the use of a cane. I had on previous cruises, while travelling solo, on a few occasions had my full plate of untouched food removed while I went to get a beverage (at a nearby station), but the ninjas had swooped in and took it all while I was briefly not watching.

So on that cruise three years ago, I decided to just get my food. I was able to do this with cane and plate on the other hand, but I do understand that not all people using canes can safely do this. I did, and I chose just to eat first and get my drink later. Not every time, but often, a roaming staff in the buffet noticed that I did not have a drink, and offered to get me one. Or an employee came around with a trolley of various drinks. It was on a different cruise line though.

I am currently looking at Royal as a possibility for my next cruise, and am reading lots of good things. I am very fortunate now that I have recovered enough not to need my cane anymore.

I am not sure if you are open to other cruise lines or not, but in my research to branch out to other lines, I see that Norwegian does have dining rooms with open seating, for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and you can choose to dine alone if you wish. You will get a menu and be served all courses with a beverage. Just a suggestion, but there is always something out there that might better suit.

Hope you enjoyed the rest of your cruise besides the buffet and room service issues.

My Mom and I had one of those rooms on the Liberty some years back. I don't think it would have been too bad except for one of the people in that room coughed and coughed and hacked and hawked, spit, you could hear it all, and it went on all night. I think it is the only time I had a connecting room on a ship. I have tried to avoid them ever since then. But if your neighbors are not making excessive noise it should be fine.

I am loving your review! I do love solo cruising (except when I cruise with my Mom), that is always better!. Congratulations on the weight loss! I do know how hard it is to do! You look great! Look forward to the rest of your review when you can get to it.:)

Thanks for your review! I am glad that you were able to still enjoy your cruise given the change of itinerary. Also glad that the weather was still pretty good. Thanks for posting.:)

Very nice review! You certainly made the best of the situation. I am glad that the weather was at least still pretty good. Thanks for your review.:)

Other than cash the best gift you can give a crew member is a positive mention on a response card. Trinkets end up in the trash, a place neither positive comments nor cash ever end up.

agree, cash, and or a positive mention on post cruise followup, and review to the cruiseline.

They love cash!

It does not matter how much. I have gotten huge HUGS, from wait staff in the MDR, and from room stewards, after I have given them cash tips (over and above the already prepaid daily service charges).

You do not have to give extra, over and above the already daily service charge, and the staff will always treat you well regardless, but my experience is that a little extra cash is always very much appreciated by the ships staff, and hugs and huge smiles usually happen with a bit of cash put in the hand. Just my experience.

thanks for the review. Sounds like a pretty good cruise to me.:) Sorry you did not get to do your original destination. Bermuda is sooooo beautiful. But it will still be there for you to visit in the future.

If you thought Halifax reminded you of a European destination, you should venture up the St Lawrence river to Quebec City. It is a beautiful cruise destination, and you might even think you are in France.

Sorry you did not like Sydney NS, or Saint John NB. There are some very wonderful places to explore just beyond the city limits. And really, these are places to do some tours, and you can pretty much trust the local tour operators to be reliable. Being Canadian, I guess I am always a bit saddened when tourists to our country don't really have a great experience. That said, I also know that it must have been a disappointment to not get to your original destination.

Thanks again for your review, great review, and certainly glad you got to cruise after all the previous uncertainty.:)

Nice review! Thanks for posting. Liberty is still my favorite Carnival ship!:)

Most, I would like better smoke control in the casino. Ideally, it would be a smoke free casino, however I doubt that Carnival will ever do that. So, outside of a smoke free casino, then I would like to see a casino with a real separation between smoking and non smoking areas, and at very least a better air filtration in the casino.

I would love to see some solo cabins (inside is fine with me), and those rooms to be priced a bit more favorably for solo cruisers, then the current 200pc pricing in regular cabins.

I would love to see a Tandoor station in the buffet. However it seems Carnival is bent on getting rid of Tandoor, if not a dedicated Tandoor station, I would love to see some consistent offers of Indian food at the buffet, both with meat and vegetarian.

Last, I would like to see a theaters like in the older ships (the ones where the chairs cant be moved around), and better shows than playlist, somehow I don't see that happening either.:(

A&L_Ont, yes I surely did enjoy your review, and very much enjoy the humor too! I think, I was just being a bit too sensitive at that moment, and don't want to come across as a complainer. I will definitely be looking forward to your next review. October is not that far off. I know that it takes a lot of time and effort to make these reviews, so will look forward to more of them. Please disregard my momentary loss of sense of humor. I went back and read, and I got my sense of humor back LOL.

Regards from muggy Ottawa!

Sounds like a fun cruise Jamman54!

I think I missed your last review, since I am not able to cruise these days, and have been away from the boards, so going back to read your last one too. I bet you and Ryan had blast!

Look forward to more info and photos.:)

thank you for your review! I enjoyed it very much. I was however disappointed when the nasty comments directed at Carnival ships came up. (Cozumel port)

I am by no means a Carnival cheerleader, and the reason I read this board is because I am wanting to branch out and try a different line, probably because I have out grown Carnival, and am getting older, no longer into the "fun ship" demographic of today. I have however enjoyed all my Carnival cruises and really do feel somewhat offended when the line is spoken of in this way. I don't feel that Carnival deserves the hate that is often directed at them by cruisers on other lines. I don't see Carnival cruisers dissing other lines. They are just content to stay within their realm.

I don't really see it on other boards, but this one especially seems to hate Carnival, followed by some posters on the Celebrity board.

Sorry, just had to say this, as I am often quiet and don't respond to these comments, but having enjoyed this review so much, it was almost like being gut punched mid way, by the barbs toward Carnival.

We like a lot of activities.

Our typical sea day:

Buffet

Sun on the deck (not necessarily at the pool)

Burgers by the pool

Poker tournament in casino

Trivia

MDR

Show--usually only comedians

"Game shows"

Casino

Dancing in the club to dance music from 70s-today.

(and our kids like most of these activities too)

 

When we go on shore, that is when we like a beach & relax (tho with young adult kids--18, 20, 23--they like a lively beach)[/quote

 

 

 

Carnival's buffet is certainly inferior to Celebrity's, however, you will find enough to eat that is decent or adequate. They do have a made to order omelet station. buffet for lunch and dinner is ok too, probably dinner buffet is the least enjoyable for me, but still always able to find more than enough to satisfy.

 

There are many places on deck for sun or shade, that are away from the pool. Serenity deck is adult only, and is my favorite deck space.

 

burgers...most Carnival ships now have "Guy's burgers", ala Guy Fieri. You order a burger from the station, and then go to the toppings station and load it up with your favorite toppings, ie customizing your burger. Many people love these, some don't. I am somewhere in between. There is also a wonderful place called Blue Iguana, burritos and tacos again with a separate station for toppings and sauces.

 

Casino....now here is my biggest gripe with Carnival. Their casinos are way too smoky! Casino is I think the only indoor place for smokers to smoke, therefore, many do and it becomes oppressive and very unpleasant for non smokers. Not sure how their poker is, as I have only played slots in their casino.

 

they have trivia, but people are very very competitive... maybe something that goes to other cruise lines too, but I also have to say, I have not participated, just observed from a distance.

 

MDR. Dining room food is far superior to buffet food, and the dining room staff do try their best to please, at least in my experience of 8 carnival cruises. If you don't like something, they will be more than happy to bring you something else. Also, never an issue if you want two appetizers, skip the main, and go to dessert etc. They are very accommodating. In fact, I find all of Carnival's crew extremely friendly and eager to please you.

 

Comedians are usually quite good. There is a family friendly show early around 7.30 pm, and an adult content one later after 9pm. For me (a senior citizen, and far from a prude), I prefer the earlier show, and find the later one too vulgar for me. This just my opinion for me. Also depending on the ship, some of the show rooms for comedians are just too small, and end up meaning you have to line up before showtime to get in to find a decent place. but other ships are fine, ie the conquest class ships that I have been on.

 

The playlist shows are just ok...not my cup of tea, too many flashing lights, strobes etc. but they are short only about 30 to 45 mins max. The music is canned, no live orchestra or band, and this also something that I am not overly fond of, but it is an ok way to spend a half hour before or after dinner.

 

Dancing...there is that! various places during the day and evening.

 

Going ashore,,,in most of Carnival's ports there are usually beaches not far away, and sometimes just right off the ship, Grand Turk comes to mind.

 

Carnival is not horrible really, and gets a bum rep often. I think what you have to do, is keep in mind that their cruises are often much less cost than other lines. So if you go in with expectations in line with the price difference, you will likely be ok, and not disappointed. However, Carnival cruise will not ever be on par with a Celebrity one, or Princess etc.

 

My Mom who has pretty much only cruised on Celebrity, joined me once on a Carnival cruise, and she really enjoyed it, but I had also prepared her for what to expect and not to expect. Hope this all helps.

 

I still like Carnival, but as I get older, and in my 60's now, I find that I am looking elsewhere for my next cruise, and especially one with a smoke free casino, or one that is better ventilated....LOL..that is why I am on the Celebrity board now!:D

 

edit to add...as others state, the shorter cruises 3, 4, or even 5 day cruises, tend to be more party theme, and crowds who fit that demographic, time of year also can make a difference. 7 day or longer cruises will be more relaxed.

 

last edit...lol...something else that I often enjoy on Carnival ships is the movies on deck after dark.! they even give you popcorn!

I just wish I could say it were so many days. Even if it were 450 days. Sadly, I have found myself in a situation where I can no longer travel, much less cruise. Don't know why I still read these boards, except, for posters like Jamman54, and his reviews and some others, who I still love to read and see their photos. Otherwise...I am just pretty sad, that there will be no cruise for me in the near future, and maybe never again.

To all those who are still cruising, even if your cruise is a year away or more, just be happy that you can still go, embrace every day like it is your last. Just enjoy and be happy that you can still go.

Because it's just fun to move "up"and get a new color card!

 

Enjoy your newfound Gold status, OP! :D[/quote

 

 

as previously responded to another poster, sorry I was being negative. And yes, to OP, enjoy your gold card and new status.

Ok, while it's not much, it is still better than being Red, or God-forsaken, Blue.

Don't look at the bright side. Geesh:rolleyes::rolleyes:

Ok, I admit I was being a negative Nellie, but , I don't get to cruise often, and have been doing so on and off with Carnival, since 2000, with just 8 cruises till now... Again, this just my opinion. However...as far as looking at the bright side....I am hoping that some day I will be able to cruise again, or even travel again. Sorry did not mean to be negative, but guess I was.

Yes, Gold you will be, but sorry, the "benefits", are just lacking IMO.

You will get a free bottle of water, and a coupon for a free drink (to be used on the last day, after 5pm):rolleyes:. You might get a pin, and you might not....depending on if they have them or not for that sailing, or if you ask for it....sorry. Don't mean to be a negative Nellie, but I just don't see what benefit there is in gold vifp.

Although I have never sailed on Royal Caribbean ships, in this case I would have to vote or Allure. From all I have seen of Vista and Horizon, Allure just seems to be more interesting, glitzier ( I like that ), and the Vista and Horizon, just don't seem to have that draw for me. Still, I like Carnival's older ships, but given this choice, then it would be Allure.

For anyone who has requirements at the dining table, or preferences, "your time dining" might be the best choice. Barring that, if set time dining, best to make a visit to the dining room on boarding day, see the maitre'd at the specified time, and request a table for your own group. That way, you wont end up being put in an uncomfortable, or undesirable situation in the MDR, if seated with strangers.

There comes a time for some of us, when we outgrow a particular type of vacation, or cruise line, resort type or even vacation type. I have friends who loved to camp every year, said it was the best vacation ever (not for me!!), but as they have reached finally near my age, they are looking for a different vacation style, and reluctantly admit they are no longer willing to camp out, and want more of a vacation, but yes, they finally admitted camping is no longer their thing.

I have not outgrown cruising, but have probably somewhat outgrown Carnival cruises. I don't see that there are so many cutbacks, but just changes that don't really even impact me, but still I feel that I need to try a different line for my next cruise. Most likely I will cruise Carnival again, because I still like them, just feel that after 8 Carnival cruises, I need to experience a different cruise line, cruise experience.

OP, perhaps you are feeling these same things. Perhaps you need to try another line. Celebrity looks good, but for me a solo cruiser who loves anytime dining, NCL is probably going to be my next choice.

OP, you are not alone in your thoughts, hang in there. Try either a different cruise line, or a different vacation type, ie all inclusive. Best wishes for your future travels.

I have on occasion found a thing or two in those shops that I still have and enjoy. I don't particularly look for things there though, and spend very little time in there looking, the only time I found it terrible was when I got stuck in there during one of those frenzied "sell off" sales. Could not get out of there fast enough!:eek:

Oh happy day! Another Jamman54 (Jeff and Patti) review! Enjoying tremendously. Was nice to see the photos of Tampa port, sailed out there a long time ago, still looks great! Following! and Thanks for review(s):)

Have a wonderful time!:)

You should call Carnival in advance of your cruise to advise of the need for special muster, and then when you board you should check in at Guest services to find out the location of the special need muster. At least this was what I was advised to do on my last cruise. I did this and it worked well for me.