petesweet

I'll be emerald after upcoming cruise and have been hell bent on getting to Diamond. But the more I think about it, really.. whats the point? The drinks are a great benefit but I always buy the drink package so that negates any benefit there. I once ducked a rope (on accident?) and boarded with the Diamond +'s and that was pretty sweet. Still I think we boarded after the suite guests.

 

So I don't mean this in a negative way, I do want to get to Diamond, but what makes this level so special for people? From what I see priority boarding and free drinks. But if you're boarding after Suite guests and buying the drink package, is it just a status thing? More pull at guest services?

 

Really just curious..

The only Diamond benefit I have ever used was the free picture. I'm a cheap date!!:D

OMG!!! This is the worst thing can happen to us... I am always one of the first person to be in line... and have boarding #1 or maybe 2... We just booked our next cruise in october... and we will be gold... with 74 pts... so only one left to be platinium and the earlier time is 12h30-1h00 slot... THIS IS TOO LATE... especially because our flight is arriving at 6h00 in the morning... :(:(:(

You certainly have my sympathy! I'm like you.

I believe this will end up being a good thing, but I was just caught blindsided because neither Carnival nor my travel agent mentioned this change. I caught it just be accident. The information is there, but since it is new, I felt it should be highlighted somehow.

Happy sails.:)

Kathy

Thanks so much; I really appreciate the positive feedback.

 

I'm sorry I missed the Fantasy while she was in Charleston, but now that we've been on the Ecstasy, I'm looking forward to going again.

 

I see you don't have too far to come if/when you go on her. Happy planning!

Two months from tomorrow we'll be onboard!

Kathy

Wonderful review style. Thanks for your hard work. Have loved the Fantasy and look forward to her sister.

Happy sails.

Kathy

I think I read somewhere on CC that they do have vans that accomodate wheelchairs. I don't think ours did. Someone posted that the Charleston Ports Authority has been helpful, hopefully they could give you more info about how often they run, if they radio in to send on, etc. Enjoy your cruise!

Anyone with a mobility problem will find the ports staff to be extremely helpful. Love the general attitude of that crew in Charleston.:)

Happy sails.

Kathy

A search on this subject didn't help me find anything.

This month Carnival's new policy (already in effect on some ships) about requiring us to select our embarkation time goes into effect on the Ecstasy. No problem for us - we have already signed up for our preferred (earliest) time to board; however, the policy as stated is very strict. I wonder if anyone has experienced any problems.

(Interesting that our travel agent did not alert us to this - I discovered it quite by accident.)

Happy sails.:)

Kathy

We always do interior. I might consider a balcony or a suite for something like our 10th anniversary, but we don't spend a lot of time in the room to begin with, and love how dark it is when it's time to sleep. Saving money is also an excellent benefit

 

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I'm with you there. Always inside. And I LOVE B2B, so being in an inside makes that affordable for me.

Happy sails.:)

Kathy

Based on the link provided above, here's what I read:

 

Over-the-door hanging organizers may only be used if they are fire retardant and do not damage the door. (Must hang inside the stateroom)

This is NOT a ban on the organizers. It just sets the criteria for their use.

 

With this information, it looks like we can still use ours in the manner that we do. Now back to your regular programming. :D

I think Carnival must be using the wrong term when they specify "over-the-door organizers" since they also say they have to hang INSIDE the cabin. Have you ever seen one of these outside the cabin? I mean I'm not going to store my hand lotion, binoculars, sunglasses, scarf, gloves, book, etc., OUTSIDE my cabin!!!:eek:

Kathy?

2 boxes of Cinnamon Toast Crunch

 

I don't have very high standards.

I had to laugh at this one! I never feel that my cruise has really started until I have my INDULGENCE of Kellogg's Frosted Flakes with whole milk. I would never do that at home.:)

Happy sails.

Kathy

Carnival is doing a great job passing out water.

And you are doing a great job with your updates. Thank you. You think so logically and pass the information on so clearly.

(I am only on page 3 of your report, and there are 34 pages, so no doubt all the mystery is solved by now. I just don't want to "read the last page of the book" ahead of time.:))

Kathy

If Carnival books a large group, should they tell other customers about it before the ship sails?

 

I just found out today that our Sept 27th cruise has a very large contingent of Gothic passengers on board. It seems as though this group does a cruise annually and its members dress in black Gothic attire, and several Goth bands play throughout the cruise. This is beginning to look like this cruise in NOT going to be the quiet, relaxing cruise that I paid good money for. I believe Carnival should have notified all of those that booked this cruise to let us know. If I had known about this group, then I probably would have rescheduled my cruise.

 

Just chiming in to offer sympathy to you in your situation. My inclination would be to cancel, but there are so many factors to consider. So sorry for you and your family.

We (two 70+-year-old women) ended up on a cruise with thousands of bikers a few years ago. It was loud, but ended up being a hoot, but I don't think your situation would be the same. (Our biker group's specific activities were held in a separate place on the ship.)

Kathy

Friend and I are on the Fantasy November 13. Is that the one you are on?

Be sure not to miss the afternoon tea on the Fantasy. The tea is MUCH NICER on that small ship than on larger ships.:)

Happy sails.

Kathy

NCL is always my last choice for a cruise (I prefer traditional dining), but it has a couple of good things you might be interested in.

1. I love that upon initial embarkation, I can go to a regular dining room and be waited on rather than battling the buffet confusion. (Of course, I suppose I could always forgo eating the minute I get on the ship!!:D)

2. For those who have a bunch of NECESSARY carryon items, I understand NCL has a place where these can be stashed safely until the cabins are ready. I have never had to use this feature, so I don't know if it is still available. But I see people (especially with little children) hauling so much stuff around while trying to eat in the buffet upon embarkation that I would think this would be a nice feature.

Happy sails.:)

Kathy

I can't remember which deck number is used; however, if you have a physical handicap, they are wonderful about helping you. My husband used a walker, and he was directed to the crew entrance on dock level and then to an elevator. Same with disembarking.

Otherwise, there is a rather long, uphill walk to embark/disembark. I always have my luggage checked, so it is not a problem for me. (For self-debarkation, of course, it is DOWNHILL all the way!:D We always self-debark.)

Happy sails. Hope you enjoy the little Fantasy as much as I do.

Kathy

My thanks for the responses. I was not paying enough attention to the dates. Fantasy it is. We will surely miss her when she leaves Charleston.

Kathy

It has been awhile since I checked cruises out of Charleston, and I was surprised to see that not only was our favorite little ship (Fantasy) scheduled but also Ecstasy and Sunshine.

We like to cruise for quiet relaxation and would like opinions on which ship to pick. We cruise in the fall when school is in session, and we don't care about ports. Many thanks.

Kathy

 

NCL can raise fees, add charges, etc. and, while I may not agree with the way in which they were implemented, I'll deal with them as services that I may or may not choose to use. However, I will definitely not be told when or where I can consume a plate of cheese, fruit, pretzel rolls, etc. that I paid for, along with the balcony that I paid for in order to relax how I want to . . . .

That was beginning to sound like the much-touted "freestyle cruising" until you take it in its context.:D

Happy sails.

Kathy

Just returned from the Epic, and in every port we were, Palma and Marseilles, there was loud music (reggaeton...) playing outside of the ship to welcome the passengers back to the ship and also to say good-bye at 7am :confused: Playing music is okay, but for a cruise I would have thought of something more relaxing and not this kind of music.

 

Me and my family felt so embarrassed of this kind of music being played. It felt like going to a cheap/all-included resort :rolleyes:

 

Is this the common thing nowadays? I do not remember this kind of practice in my Med-cruise three years ago with the Epic.

Woe is me! If it is louder than the music ON THE SHIP, I don't know how I could bear it.:( The decibel level in all venues of all cruise ships these days is actually unbearable and caused me to stop cruising. (I made an exception for the one group cruise I have just now scheduled.)

Kathy

So in order to keep their environment beautifully clean Ive decided I will pack some zip lock bags . . . so when I visit the buffet and fancy a snack I can put the snack in my zip lock bag . . . .

This is what we have always done. Can't figure out how NCL can police this stupid new rule.

Kathy

Looking forward to the rest of your report.:)

Kathy

I did once not do a dessert still got a plate from wait staff

 

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Same thing happened to my friend. She said "Nothing" for dessert, and this is what she got. Cute.:)

Happy sails. Kathy

On Sea Days they have the sea day brunch, it typically runs from 8:30- 1:30 continuously. It is held in one of the dining rooms. There is no charge for this. With only 2 official sea days, there were items I did not get to try.

And you no doubt know - but others may not - that there is a beautiful afternoon tea on sea days. I was surprised how many seasoned cruisers overlooked this until they saw us going in. It's listed on the daily schedule, but easy to miss unless you're looking for it, I guess.

Well worth it to put it in your daily planning.:)

Kathy

If you are looking for a quiet spot to read on any Spirit Class ship there is an area forward on deck 3 that wraps around the Main Show area. On the Pride it's called - Sunset Garden Interior Promenade. You'll love it - it's quiet because no one knows it's there ;). Tables, chairs, sofa or 2 all by the windows.

Thank you for your response. I had earlier made a note of the Sunset Garden, but this seemed different, so I wanted to see what this was. The Sunset Garden apparently has portholes, and this has large windows. Seems like there will be plenty of places to park myself and read.

Again, thanks. Happy sails.:)

Kathy

These are the seats outside of Alchemy, it is a good area to read except 5-10 when Alchemy Bar opens and when people line up for the dining room fixed seating times.

Thanks. Sounds like it will fit into my schedule.

Kathy

image by alrichards4003, on Flickr

What is this area, please? I always look for quiet spot to read.

Thanks.

Kathy