NCTribeFan

I haven't gotten caught up with the entire thread but wanted to post a few of my thoughts about our 1/13 sailing. We disembarked Carnival Magic that morning, retrieved my travel companions' van and drove to Port Everglades. Parked at an off-site lot that was great. Got to the pier fairly early. Went to check-in, and when she took my photo, I noticed my cabin number was NOT what I'd booked! "Wait, that isn't my cabin!" Oh, but it is. I'd been "upgraded" from my wonderful Large interior on Main (that I'd selected when I booked last April while on Rotterdam) to an obstructed OV on Deck 4. I was not happy. Went directly to Guest Services and said I wanted my original cabin. No can do. Sold out! I was sure my account was flagged as Do Not Upgrade since I have every profile on every line that way. I'm very particular about my cabin selection. The cabin itself was fine and I'm sure many people consider it to be an upgrade. I never, ever book OV cabins. On rare occasions, I'll book a balcony. Otherwise, I want an inside. On top of the dismal view of the side of a lifeboat, the curtains weren't true blackout curtains and there are lights along the bottom of the catwalks out there, so I wasn't sleeping well thanks to the big, grey rectangle in the wall all night. Went to the Mariner party a couple of nights later and had a word with the Hotel Manager. I was very pleasant but expressed how disappointing it was to book a specific cabin and then, surprise! You've been moved to a cabin you would never book. Also noted that I had to chase down my suitcase because, of course, you aren't even sent an email recommending that you may need to reprint your luggage tags because, surprise! You've been upgraded! He said he'd see what he could do. Next night I had a VM from Daniel at GS. He said he could move me to a regular interior on 6, but I declined since it was all the way forward and I was concerned with movement. He called back later and said he had one aft on 7, so I agreed to move. So, there I was, at 9:30 at night packing up my stuff. Cabin was fine. Nice and dark. Small, but to be expected. Great cabin stewards. Still, I paid for a Large Interior and ended up in a lower category. Yes, I asked to be moved, but I never wanted the Surprise! Upgrade. Talked to Daniel again and he said my account was not marked for Do Not Upgrade and that I should make sure that I request that for every booking going forward.

LOL. Yes. I board Magic tomorrow then Eurodam next Saturday. I have no idea which ports we're visiting on which cruise. Somewhere I have a spreadsheet with it all. Just get me to Miami today and I'll figure it out then (maybe). 😁

I definitely am looking forward to having dinner in Tamarind again. So they're still giving out 150th Anniversary tote bags! Here I thought I had something that was going to be a collectible! 🤣 I had to ask for mine when I was actually ON the 150th Anniversary TA in April on Rotterdam. I had CO so got three of those (B2B2B) and left 2 behind. I requested the 150th bag from my steward and received one when I got my tiles. I'm heading to the airport in about 30 minutes. We're having some weather here but it appears my plane is coming up from FLL on time so, hopefully, there won't be any issues with the heavy rain and high winds that was forecast. Sailing tomorrow on Carnival Magic then boarding Eurodam on the 13th for an unusual side-to-side that includes changing ports as well as ships on the same day. I only have Social wi-fi on both sailings so probably won't be able to keep up with the rest of your journey after we board tomorrow, but I do have T-Mobile, so have data while in port. I'll try to check here for updates.

I board on the 13th Sailed Eurodam in November 2021 with only 500 passengers and it was fantastic. As for entertainment, I couldn't care less about the main theatre shows but think the BB Kings bands have consistently been the best live music I've heard on 40+ cruises on a half-dozen cruise lines. Looking forward to trying some of the new Emeril's offerings in the MDR. And really love Tamarind. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

I'm really picky about music. I have many, many musician friends. I absolutely cannot listen to inferior singing/playing and want to hurl if someone is off key. It literally hurts me. Seems that the vast majority of people just have no ear for music and if something was a "hit" then it must be a great song, so let's dance and cheer to things that never, ever should've even got any air time. Yes, I'm harsh. 😄 I universally detest piano bars. Even talented singers/pianists pretty much HAVE to play the hits, whether it's their style or within their vocal range. So you end up with pounding on the keys and shouting into the mics and people sit there and just love it! Ugh. My main complaint on Vista/Signature class ships is that the piano bar is directly across from the casino and, especially, really right across from "my" roulette wheel. I can't stay in the casino when they're over there screeching and banging. Hey, probably keeps me from losing more money! I was able to pretty much avoid them entirely while on Rotterdam. Sadly, that won't be the case when I'm on Eurodam in about a week. I certainly hope I don't ever encounter any non-service dogs when I sail. I'll be a real "Karen" about it.

I'm going to seriously consider buying a spa pass for my sailing. I've only spent a few hours in the spa (I think that was back on Zuiderdam several years ago). I loved it. With so many sea days, and typically a few when it's cooler outside, I can see me taking advantage of those heated loungers.

I loved sitting up in the Silk Den and reading during the day. It was usually one of the only places I could find that didn't have piped in pop music blaring all day. I just don't understand why they can't/won't turn that nonsense down (or off) during the day when venues aren't in use. That looks like a fantastic cabin! I'm envious, but I'll be happy in my large interior on Main.

I have a pile of drink coupons that I've been collecting. I'm close to 4*. I've sailed HAL several times since the restart for about 60 nights total. I don't recall receiving Mariner lunch invitations, cocktail party invitations, or free wine tastings on any of my sailings post-Covid. I sail Eurodam on the 13th. We'll see if I receive any Mariner invitations then.

I'm sailing soon. Thought I'd already posted that but apparently not! And a new booking as well. Thanks! Eurodam 01/13/2024 11 day Eastern Caribbean Wayfarer Koningsdam 01/11/2025 17 day Circle Hawaii

I had a stop in Bimini on an MSC cruise. I didn't do anything; just rode the free trolley around to get an idea. Not built for "tourists" in that there isn't a bunch of Authentic Island Crafts and Chain Bars at the pier, so there will be folks who claim there's nothing to do. That was a couple of years ago and very few cruise ships were calling there, so it may be more developed. I know Virgin has a private beach for their pax. Oh, and speaking of Michigan, not only am I an Ohio State fan, but my Alma Mater is Appalachian State University. The little NC mountain college that, at the time, had won two consecutive national titles in whatever the 2nd tier of NCAA Football is called (bowl subdivision?). They went to Ann Arbor, blocked that last-second field goal and and beat Big Blue. I was so proud of them! Anyway, I've started walking through the house and when I see something I might need to pack, it goes in a pile in my bedroom. I fly to Miami on Saturday, so I won't pack until Friday morning, then will get my nails done that afternoon. I haven't sailed since I did 26 nights on Rotterdam in the spring (which was fantastic). I feel like it's been as long as we were grounded during Covid! I need some food porn!!

I'm also on the 1/11/25 sailing.

I board Carnival Magic on the 7th, then we disembark in Miami and drive up to Port Everglades to board Eurodam on the 13th. Looking forward to your thoughts. Well, other than the fact that you're Ravens and Michigan fans. What can I say. I'm originally from Cleveland. 😁 I sailed Eurodam solo in November 2021 when she first arrived from Europe. It was my first post-Covid sailing and we only had 500 passengers. It was fabulous. Everyone was just so happy to be sailing again and with so few passengers, the service was phenomenal. I'm really looking forward to sailing her again. Loved the ship. Bon voyage!

I didn't get any new offers. It's been a while. I board Eurodam on 1/13. We'll see if my casino play triggers any new offers after that. I've often wondered if when you have another cruise or 3 already booked, they see no reason for the incentives. It wasn't until I cut way back on my Carnival sailings (well over 30 sailings) that I began receiving better casino offers.

Thanks for sharing so much detail. Looking forward to trying some of those Emeril offerings in MDR. I have some friends that are boarding tomorrow. I have to wait until the 7th.

Love those J cabins on Vista and Signature class ships. Have one coming up on Eurodam in a few weeks. I use cruisedeckplans dot com. They have a "deck drag" option where you can see what's above or below, assuming the decks you're comparing are to scale (that aren't always). I prefer starboard (so you aren't under BB Kings) but a bit further aft than 1031. You'll be under the piano bar, but they don't play late into the night (I'm not sure about the schedules because I avoid piano bars like the plague but they keep me out of the casino some nights, so that's OK 😁 ). 1053 is my favorite.

35 foot seas? Yikes. I'd better stick with lower deck and midship for my cabin locations. I'm a huge proponent of Ginger Root. My first dozen or so sailings, I took only 4 or 5 nights because I couldn't handle the sea days. The "old" style Dramamine made me a zombie. I only read about Ginger Root after I discovered Cruise Critic. Either it's cured me or I sailed often enough that my inner ear decided it had been over-reacting. I start Ginger capsules 2 days before I sail and take 1 a.m. and 1 p.m. (with lots of water). I will also often take 1/2 meclizine on the first evening. Usually, I don't need any more after that. I will take 1/2 as needed (because even this makes me a bit drowsy and as I drink more when I sail, I try to avoid it). I don't recall the casino being closed for long periods during my Hawaii cruise way back about 13 years ago on Zaandam. But then again, there are a lot of things I don't remember from, oh, a week ago! 😁

I was just going to start a thread and found this. I liked that it showed any OBC. That way, if it didn't match what I was expecting, I could get it straightened out prior to boarding. Can't see me standing at Customer Service arguing that I should have $$$ but they're only showing $$. I do print my CCL s/h email and take that with me as well as the emails for any pre-sailing purchases, but why not just include a summary page showing all of this? I didn't need all the extra wording but would really like to still have that summary page.

I just found a video of 4027 and very much like the looks of that layout. Much better than 6112 & 6127. Just not sure I'd want that far forward due to motion issues. Maybe for a Caribbean sailing on this class ship in the future, though!

I think I missed it, or maybe you didn't want to announce just what cabin you have, but I'm thinking of switching cabins for my sailing.

PRO TIP: Ginger Root capsules. I've suffered from motion sickness my entire life. While I've never actually barfed while cruising, my first dozen or so sailings were not as enjoyable as they could've been because I either felt nauseated the entire time, or I was in a daze from the old-type Dramamine. I read about ginger root here after discovering Cruise Critic. I start 2 days prior to sailing and take one a.m. and one p.m. (with lots of water). It's pretty much cured me. Only if it's very rough will I take 1/2 meclizine before bed. I sailed Rotterdam for 26 nights starting in early April on the 150th anniversary TA with 10 nights added on at the end. I loved it. Also had Club Orange and loved the separate dining room. Sorry you had bad weather.

Did I miss what cabin OP was assigned?

Thanks for sharing. I was on Eurodam in November 2021, just after she returned from Europe. It was my first post-Covid sailing and there were only about 500 passengers. It was fantastic! Loved the ship. I'll be on her again in just under a month. So glad to hear about the library! I also miss Lincoln Center Stage. I was so looking forward to that when I was on the Rotterdam TA last April (plus the 10 nights following) and was very disappointed that it had been discontinued. Also looking forward to Tamarind. I'd happily give up my Pinnacle dining that's included in HIA for a 2nd Tamarind. I may ask if that's possible when I board on 1/13.

I have to stick with an inside since I did a guarantee and then added CO. Those cabins are all the "sideways" cabins and I believe all have the same layout. Yes, they have a sofa but it's underneath the tv. Only good for piling up stuff (which I did a lot of over 26 nights). So they may have slightly more square footage but that sofa takes it up. It's the tv that's the issue. I don't even need the cabin to be larger (although I love the large inside cabins on Vista/Signature - have one of my favorites on Main on Eurodam in a few weeks). I'd just like to be able to look at the tv without turning my head 90 degrees! Sorry OP. I don't mean to hijack your thread!!

I had 6112 and 6127 next door on Rotterdam. Sideways in the little connecting hall. Nice cabins except the tv is 90 degrees from the bed, making it difficult to watch for any length of time. And, yep, appears I booked 6112 for Hawaii. I'm thinking I should change to a "regular" inside cabin. It's not that I spend much time in the cabin, especially if the weather's decent out. But I was in the cabin quite a bit for the TA/Scandinavia/Scotland sailing and the location of the tv was annoying. Any recommendations for interior cabins would be great! I want a quite location, midship. Yeah, I'm kind of picky! 😁

Cunard is not in my budget. I do love HAL's Pinnacle-class ships. Just the right size (about 100k GTW). HAL loyalists think they're too "modern" but I loved both Koninsgdam and Rotterdam. Best thing is to book a guarantee and then upgrade to Club Orange. Gets you to the highest cabin category within your category, priority embarkation, separate MDR for breakfast and dinner (love this!), great cloth totebag. Maybe some other perks. Library on Rotterdam. Get there early for a big, comfy chair with a fleece throw, in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows.