freewilly

On 2/19/2024 at 9:36 AM, jerseygirlinAZ said:

 

Yes, it is Dover. Not sure what I was thinking. We even are going to the castle pre-cruise. Thanks!

Go to Canterberry  whilst in Dover area. It is a wonderful little place to see.

12 hours ago, ann2 said:

Declansdad, this is off topic, but I am old and technically challenged, so please forgive. We are also on the Legend this summer and are flying from Florida. Which airport are you flying into?  
Trying to arrange transportation to Dover…

Thanks!

Trains from Heathrow Airport to London on Elizabeth line then on to Dover are really  EZ . we did the  the Carnival British isles cruise last year  from Dover.  Happy to answer questions. Allow yourself a few days in London. We were delayed flying out of US  by Storms in US..so we will need to make trip just to see London. lol

We always book interior and get same lame offers. I guess they think  folks want a window . Not interested in being on deck 1 or 2. Pass.

1 hour ago, MisterOJ2 said:

 

Yeah! We're booked into a 4K cabin - one that is in between life boats and has a pretty decent view, all things considered. We're pretty happy with that, but after we booked it my wife noticed it is also over the piano bar, so now we're wondering if we might get extra noise from that at night.

We look for cabins by the rectangular shapes between the life boats. These have a better view. Yes. I would definitely avoid being above the piano bar.  Also, avoid booking above the sliding lobby doors going outside  on deck 3. We have booked 4134 a few times. View ok but Always quiet 

Yes.. it is a learning curve.. We went on Carnival Pride in August for our 35th anniversary.

We noticed less children on our cruise

More experienced cruisers

The trip is very port intensive 

Overall it was a nice change from the Caribbean 

• allow a day or 2 post flight to rest and recuperate 
• If you can fly a non US carrier- we were a day late leaving US because of US storms, not as much an issue for those coming and going over the pond.
• The trains and public transportation are EZ to use in UK
• We visited docked in Greenock over night so we were able to go see the Royal Military Tattoo ( I am highly recommend) also this was the same week as The Fringe Festival. These occur the same time each year. 
• The Carnival Legend will be taking the exact trip.. August 9-11th 2024. A great time to be in UK especially Edinburgh. We also visited Belfast, Cork, Holyhead, Dublin, Liverpool, overnighted in Greenock (that allows you time to go to Edinburgh. Plus this ship has the 4K cabins.. they are on deck 4, come with sofa have full length floor to ceiling windows and are priced as interior rooms. Leaving me more money to spend seeing the sights in the UK and Ireland. Plus, it leaves from Dover England so if you want to work in trip to Calais, France on the Ferry you can squeeze in France! Happy anniversary!

We went in August  of 2023 -  Bucket list trip. We sailed on 

Carnival Pride  because we have status with Carnival and they do our laundry, so we could pack less. We also were familiar with the Spirit Class ship. We arrived early to London.. saw Stonehenge then next day went to Canterbury and next day we sailed from Dover. Spent 9 days  seeing England, Wales, Ireland, Northern Ireland,and  Scotland. We bought tickets to the Tattto in January as Carnival offered excursion to/from tattoo that did not include the ticket. We saw Dublin, Belfast, Greenock, Edinburgh, Cobh, Liverpool, London and a few more spots! We had a blast!  We were in Edinburgh during the Fringe and Tattoo.. could not have been more fun. Best of luck with your planning. I see the Carnival Legend is doing this same cruise August 9-18 2024. 

On 1/10/2024 at 1:51 PM, Alexintheboro said:

Horizon-Cabin 3211-Dull Red color FWD-S

Looking at this cabin how did you like it? Loud noise from Lounge above?

Does the bar located in thevYTD Dining room ever open for pre dinner drinks?

On 11/15/2023 at 3:00 PM, bar1068 said:

Totally agree about Alchemy on Sunshine (we sailed the Liberty years ago, well before she got an Alchemy bar, same with the Breeze). If I recall, Sunshine may have been first ship to get an Alchemy bar. We sailed the Sunshine TA and spent LOTS of time at Alchemy!

 

As for Magic, we sailed on Magic in November 2021. Probably what we were most disappointed in were the bartenders. They simply were not good, could not make drinks the way we prefer and have had them made at other Alchemy bars. We had to show them how to make a "very dry" martini. Same with the bartender at the Steakhouse bar! But we also were not fond of the location of the Alchemy bar on Magic...I'd guess same location on Breeze. Sort of wedged between the Red Frog Pub bar and Ocean plaza. Was way to busy and noisy for us. Alchemy seemed more like another party bar rather than the toned down more "intimate" and interactive bar we enjoyed on other ships, which includes Vista. We felt it's location on Vista lent the Alchemy bar to be the more interactive experience we prefer.

 

Just to add, We recently sailed on the Celebration and Mardi Gras....While we did visit the Alchemy bar often on both those ships, we were disappointed with the location of Alchemy on those ships as well. Way way way to noisy and busy. While we found  the bartenders to be of the same expertise as others, the open area where Alchemy is located jammed next to the LimeLight lounge and next to an "major walkway" that led to the Steakhouse and Aft dining room. Plus overly loud music from the bars one deck below. We actually enjoyed the Golden Jubilee and Brass Magnolia bars on those ships more.

 

Sorry for the long winded rant!!

Agree on all points! ABDS

We are looking for a zone 1 or 2  London hotel that is clean, convenient to the tube for under 300 per night.. Does anyone have experience with either of these Gloucester Millennium or Resident Covent Garden  or can recommend another? TIA 

Just took first MSC.. if you book.. book yacht club or bid it after booking another experience. Night and day between experiences. 

5 hours ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

 

My best advice, if you're not ordering a drink in the YC, is to order another one waaaaay before you normally would. You have to wonder if this isn't part of the MSC master plan - give most people some type of drink package, then make sure guests can't maximize the drink package. Having said that, I'll rarely drink more than a few/several drinks in a day. I've probably never hit double digits.

 

Second MSC newbie advice (funny, again alcohol related 😉 ) don't expect that they'll have their full selection of drinks available... or food in the sports bar (as they advertise).

 

Tom

We sailed Feb of 2022…CCL.. the Alchemy was out of all Bourbon the entire cruise. We would pop down to the steak house get  glasses of Blantons and head back to the Alchemy for the alchemist to make us some drinks and participate in the Alchemy shenanigans. 

😀

7 hours ago, IsanTom said:

I've been reading the reviews from April, mostly 4 night cruisers, and they are really bad. April cruises were during Spring Break when the ships were packed with lots of children. I'm sure the cruises were at capacity and more. The CDC inspection was also during or after Spring Break which is why the ship wasn't prepared for this being over worked and short of people needed to take care of this over capacity of cruisers. I personally would never take a Spring Break cruise because of this. I have only taken about 6 MSC cruises, but I have not experienced the overcrowding that happened last month, so I feel bad for the first time cruisers who experienced long waits for everything and running out of food. Incredible! I'm looking forward to our Seaside cruise on May 14th and I believe I will enjoy a nice experience, as I have before on MSC Ships. I will write a review after I return. Happy cruising to all!

We will be on this sailing.. Now we are empty nesters no Spring break cruises for us.  Any MSC newbie advice?

17 minutes ago, Boozy O Croozy said:

We've been aboard Seaside all week since 4/30. Nothing but crew cleaning, for in Yacht Club amazing. Everyone keep in mind that CruiseLaw news is the TMZ of cruising.

 

There are no issues on board, everyone is having a blast.

Great to hear! On her later this month. We figured we will be on the cleanest ship or the dirtiest.  Either way.. we are on a ship having fun. 

She is headed to dry dock January 2024.

The Hotel Richmond http://richmond.rometravelhotel.com/en/

DH sent his request in and was told no as We booked with TA rate.. Should send it in again or is this SOP? When booked with a discounted rate?

Hubs and I both getting error message while attempting to log in website. Anyone else or is this only a pox upon my house?

Check out Cat D interior on Deck 5. Added during the change from Destiny to Sunshine. Close to Ocean Plaza. 

I have cruised both. The sunshine twice in 2022 and Elation in 2009. The two ships do not even compare. The Sunshine has been updated with added rooms and dining choices. 101 tons.. the Elation is my least favorite ship of my 25 cruises. It is small and very limited in its offerings. Look at the deck plans of both to compare the amenities. 

We had the same issue. Following

On 2/26/2022 at 5:13 PM, mz-s said:

 

Is Jijis still open for lunch at no charge?

Yes

On 2/26/2022 at 5:13 PM, mz-s said:

 

Is Jijis still open for lunch at no charge?

Yes, still included at no charge for lunch.😁

23 hours ago, mz-s said:

 

I hope the No Crowds / 70% capacity can hold on for a few more days. I board her on Monday!

 

My Thanksgiving cruise on Freedom last year was almost eerie in how empty it was sometimes. Never having to wait for an elevator on a holiday cruise was amazing. I don't expect it again.

We were hesitant to sail her.. We have sailed Princess, Celebrity, RCL, Holland and CCL. We really enjoyed sailing on the Sunshine and have more trips scheduled on her. We really enjoyed all the dining options. Try Ji Ji.s, this is one of a few ships that have this concept.  Go visit Dusan and Zoltan at the Alchemy bar and they will mix you a  magical drink! Over all Enjoy your Cruise.