ilovetexas

After realizing the 1-2-3 Go promotion was back, I got on Celebrity's website to see about adding another cruise next spring. DH and I usually cruise Celebrity without the kids but I thought it would be nice to add them to one.

Too bad the website doesn't understand 3 in a room. It keeps changing it back to 2. It doesn't matter what I do...it changes it back to 2. Thinking it might have been that particular cruise where there were no rooms for 3 available, I tried others. No dice. I could call my TA and have him check the prices but I like to do a little of the legwork in advance.

I'm looking at other lines now. Way to lose business, Celebrity! Don't dangle an offer in front of us (25 extra points if booked this weekend) if your website can't handle it.

And as I've been typing this post, the site has gone down for maintenance. Good grief.

Halfway through the adult comedy show on Conquest last week, a mother brought in her two boys who looked to be about 10 and 12. The place was packed with so many of us standing, I doubt a Carnival employee even saw them so I don't know if they would have made an issue of it or not. I didn't find the comedian very funny and the jokes were extremely ADULT ONLY. Why on earth would any parent bring a child to an adult comedy show? It was uncomfortable for those of us around them!

My DD, who turns 17 next month, asked if she could go to the Love and Marriage show. I told her that Carnival specifies she be 18 to attend and she wasn't allowed to go. Do I think it's stuff she hasn't heard before? No. Do I care? No. Our "host" asked us to comply with their request and that is what I'm teaching my child to do.

I just got off the Conquest yesterday morning and we had our door decorated....briefly. Some jerk tore the head off of our flamingo. We used adhesive putty and it worked fine; came off cleanly. About as cleanly as the flamingo's head probably did. :mad:

Gambee did a Disney review?!?!?! I'm so excited, I'll have something new to read this weekend.

Getting started now....thanks Gambee!

Awesome live report and photos Chris!! How much did you have to pay the Capt to wear that Packers hat. :)

What is the drink on the right in the photo? I thought I'd seen most of the MB drinks but don't recognize that one.

 

I see Lois was at dinner with you in Blu....looks like she's having fun, as always. Tell her Hi!!!

Ok, I caught up!! Chris, What a fabulous review and I'm so glad you enjoyed your day...I love Nachi Cocum.

Librarylady19, Since Chris is off enjoying his cruise right now, please allow me to answer your question...I am about 98% sure that drink on the right was a Cazarita. I had almost all of them and managed to have that one twice. Your Reflection review is what made me try the Molecular Bar in the first place and I'm so glad I did.

I've only made it half way through the live review but saw these pics and just have to say....I MISS ANDREI at the Molecular Bar!! We were on Silhouette March 17-24 and spent considerable time with him every evening. ;)

Tell him the woman he tried to kill with the extra spicy "South of the Rio" two weeks ago says hello!! Enjoy your cruise :)

SHIP: Silhouette

CABIN #: 1504

DECK #: 11

CLASS: AQ 2A

AREA: Forward Starboard

BED NEAR: Bath

QUIET?: Mostly. Some unidentified banging during day. Probably crew doors. Could NOT hear treadmills.

BALCONY VIEW: Great! To left, you can see bridge officers working.

BALCONY SIZE: Normal

WIND A PROBLEM?: Only on very windy days (we had a few).

SOOT A PROBLEM?: No

PROBLEMS/COMMENTS: Two doors away from relaxation area for spa, very quiet area that you have access to. Convenient to Aqua Spa and Persian Garden as well.

Thank you both, Cal and Sandi, the info on Blu and PG is appreciated. Now, if I could just pick between the Silhouette and Reflection for mid March. AQ on Silhouette is $400 pp less than on Reflection that week. $800 covers airfare and the upgraded drink package for two; that's significant!

Pam

Thank you so very much for this wonderful review! I'm hoping for a return to Celebrity for a spring cruise and it was nice to read all your posts and see the pics. I'm trying to decide about AquaClass; I'd do it just to veg on heated loungers and gaze at the ocean for 7 days.

I've read differing opinions on the Persian Garden but you said it was always quiet. No noise or over-crowding problems? If you've already answered this earlier, I apologize. Again, thanks for a great review.

Pam

I don't mean to sound unsympathetic so please don't take it that way. I guess I am fortunate that I have never been a position to ever have to cruise solo.

 

My question is, do those that cruise solo do that as a choice? Do they prefer to be alone? If that is the case I think that it would be a premium you would need to pay for.

 

Even if I didn't have my husband, I can always find someone to share my room, a sister or a friend.

 

Please explain to me why some would choose to sail solo, and why they should get breaks when they are in a cabin that could accomodate more people.

 

Once again, please do not take this as a flame, it is not intended to be. I just need a better understanding as to why this is such an issue.

Reasons I would like to cruise solo (notice I said LIKE to, not HAVE to):

1. I have three teenagers at home and need a break from people.

2. I'm enrolled more than full time in a challenging academic program and need a break from people.

3. DH works and can't always get away. Plus, someone has to stay home with the three teenagers.

4. I've always preferred to live alone but of course won't toss DH and kids out the window in order to have my own space. Why not have my own space for a week or so per year?

5. I'm one of the funniest, smartest, and most entertaining people I know; why wouldn't I want to travel with myself?

In answer to your other question, I don't think the cruise lines should be obligated to give solo travelers breaks. They will lose revenue because pax #2 won't be buying drinks, pics, shore excursions, trinkets, etc. I get it and so do most of the others here. That doesn't mean we have to be happy about it.

I think you are UNFORTUNATE that you are afraid/unable/unwilling to travel solo. Don't pity me; I am very comfortable being by myself and don't have to rely on others for entertainment or validation. I didn't take your post as unsympathetic, I took it as impolite.

Just a short while ago we solo cruisers were discussing Carnival's new policy for the 200% deposit. ...

 

I sure hope I like Carnival! Don't like the higher deposit, but once past that fares are better and since they have more ships near enough to sail from, more ports and ships to choose from.

You're going to love the Carnival Legend! It's my favorite.

WOW!! Incredible photos. My dog can take better pictures that I can. ;)

I've been to Cozumel and Roatan but was able to see them in a whole new way. Thanks for that.

I'm planning my next cruise and may have to consider the Dream.

Thank you for sharing your incredible talent with all of us.

I'm glad this thread found it's way to the top again. I've never even considered a suite due to cost but this is my 10th anniversary year so maybe I'll price some. I've also never really given serious thought to NCL (standard cabins on CCL are bigger) so perhaps I should look into that as well.

Regardless of the outcome, it's great information and I appreciate you putting it together for us, Tom. :)

We will be going on our first cruise in August. I was wondering what is the best way to carry your passport, ss card, id, money etc..... when you get to port?

Welcome to cruising. I would say welcome to Cruise Critic but if you've been following this thread, you've by now discovered that there are some seriously obnoxious people on here who find any reason to fight on the boards. :mad:

In answer to your question; the only time I have ever been asked to take my passport off the ship with me was on Celebrity in Alaska when we were actually switching countries during a shore excursion. Other than that, it stays on the ship in the safe.

If I have an accident in a foreign country and have to be airlifted somewhere, my traveling companion will go back to the ship to get my passport for me. That isn't a concern of mine.

Barante-not sure what's frustrating about your MacBook Pro, I love mine:D

Just finished the Girl With the Dragon Tattoo trilogy on my Nook. Right now I'm in school so I'm bombarded with text books :(

For my cruise in June, I'll load up the last of the Mitch Rapp (by Vince Flynn) books. Plus, (Mystery Writers of America Presents) The Rich and The Dead comes out in May. If that's available for Nook, I'll get it, too!

I did not go through all 39 pages of this thread to see if someone already suggested this (I'm sure they did), Cruise Confidential: A Hit Below the Waterline by Brian David Bruns.

It's about his experience as a middle class white American that takes a job with Carnival Cruise Line. You will learn more about what goes on behind the scenes than you ever wanted to know! Great book.:)