alreadypacked

Wow, thanks for posting the beautiful photos of the graduation festivities! Congrats and best wishes to Tracy and your family. My DH is in law enforcement too--so I truly appreciate the sacrifice you all make to keep the rest of us safe.:)

The mentality of the new management....:D

That would be my suggestion. Not sure specifically sure what you're referring to, but when I think of the mentality of the new management, I mean Gerry Cahill and how he seems to be whittling down the product.

I recall my cruises on CCL a few years back--food was tastier, entertainment was waaay better (I haven't seen a good piano bar player in the last 3 cruises!), Lido deck bands were really bands, not just 2-man duos playing a synthesizer...need I go on?

I know operating costs have risen and so forth, and maybe it's the same cutbacks on other lines, but we are willing to find out. Much as we love CCL, we are looking into different lines for next year.

Day 6: Traveling Home

 

The following morning, we had breakfast at 8:00, and proceeded to the self-debark area. There was a lot of confusion about this.

 

 

 

Getting off the ship was a breeze after all that. Busses were waiting to take us back to the parking facility. We were in our car and off to NJ in no time.

 

 

 

Only one problem- we’re from NJ and we needed gas! We don’t pump our own gas! Here’s a pic of Rae pumping gas for the first time, LOL!!

 

 

 

 

Took 13 all the way home and crossed our favorite bridge again. Since it was Sunday, there were lots of families sailing and fishing in the Chesapeake Bay. Just a beautiful sight:

 

 

 

 

Thank you for following me in my review! Feel free to ask any questions, and happy sailing!

Great review! I had to laugh about Rae pumping gas for the first time--I'm originally from New Jersey too, and when I first moved to FL, I pulled up to a gas station and didn't have a clue what to do! I had to ask a customer at the next pump to show me, LOL!

It's appears the late night babysitting cost is going up. It starts at 10 PM, used to be $6.00 per child, $4.00 for each additional child. I can understand the normal cost going up $0.75, but forcing a 15% tip??

 

In January, my DD had a blast. She received a small booksack, a sort of rubiks cube, a journal, and bandana. The counselors returned her to our cabin about 3:15 AM. I tipped at that time.

 

I don't understand them raising the price on a good thing. We have used the afterhours care once or twice on every cruise, Usually until midnight. I only agreed to the Night Owl in January because it was $4.00 cheeper and they walked them to their cabin at the end. Will not do it again if the prices they stated stay in place.

 

Of course, those who have never sailed will probably like it, or be not aware of the change.

I wonder if CCL cut the salary for the camp counselors and is making it up by forcing the guest (parents) to cover the pay cut by way of the 15% gratuity.

Also, it has been suggested recently that CCL (Gerry Cahill) is tailoring the product to newbies who have no idea what came before (thus alienating us long time-frequent cruisers).

Thanks!

 

 

 

 

 

Such a pain, right? :D He also bought a Hawaii PD shirt!

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, but you REALLY have to ask for it (or at least from my experience). We only got it the second time we asked, after explaining it to the waiter. Has it always been like that, or was it easy to get before? I only knew about it from reading reviews on CC. And, you are right. It was delicious! I heart cheese too! Yum!

In 2004, every time I ordered the fettucine (which was basically every night:D), it came in the parmesan bowl--I never had to ask for it. That was my first and only time on Princess, though. Maybe a more frequent Princess cruiser could shed some light on this for us.

 

 

I had the fettuccini with parmesan bowl and grilled veggie salad to start with.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Haven't been on Princess since 2004--glad to see they still have this dish! I love, love, love cheese, and this was perhaps the best fettucine alfredo dish I had ever had. Did I mention that I love cheese?:)

And he made me take his picture in front of the Waikiki police station as we passed it too.

 

 

 

 

 

LOL! I can relate. My DH is a cop too, and we always take his picture in front of police stations wherever we travel. :)

Great Review! Loved your B2B2B2B Review also! Best of luck to Tracy in her new career. My DH is a LEO here in the states. I have a lot of respect for all you guys and gals do!! I couldn't do it myself (I'm a total wimp), but I can't imagine what we regular citizens would do without you. Thanks for helping to keep us safe!!

If you want the staff to get a fair wage without it coming out of tips, you can plan on your cruise fare doubling or tripling.

 

Gratuities are a large part of the reason that labor is so cheap on cruiselines, which keeps your base fare low.

 

The other reason that labor is cheap on cruiselines is that the lines recruit from impoverished countries where job opportunities are exceptionally limited. When you make flippant comments like, "If they don't like it, they can move on," you're showing a stunning lack of understanding of how the rest of the world lives.

Bless you!! This is absolutely true. Thank you for saying it!

Thank you all for your prompt responses--I get how it works now!!:D

Hello all--

I've done a search on this topic, but still unclear on a few points.

1. I have read that you can bring a bottle of wine onboard, but several posts lead me to believe that there is no limit to the number of bottles you can bring. Can anyone clarify for me--how many bottles of wine are you permitted to bring onboard NCL ships?

2.On other lines that I have cruised, a corkage fee applies only if you bring the wine to the dining room. But I have read that on NCL a corkage fee applies regardless of where the wine is consumed (including even if you only consume in your cabin). Is this true? If so, when and where do you have to pay this corckage fee?

Any other info or tips regarding bringing wine onboard would be greatly appreciated by this NCL newbie! Thanks:)

Friday, Aug 27th : Hyatt Summerfield Suites

 

We got up at 8:00 a.m, tipped Gregory (cabin Steward) and had breakfast on the Lido deck. We disembarked at 9:30 a.m. and took a taxi to Hyatt Summerfield Suites to meet Tracy’s parents who had arrived the night before. We were all excited to see them since we had not seen them since our vacation last year.

Let me say that I adore her parents, her mother Rosemary is a sweetheart and her father Peter and I are like good friends. We golf, play Cribbage and have beers at the local pub whenever we visit Wales.

 

 

 

 

 

Love the Hyatt Summerfield, free breakfast, free internet, free airport shuttle or within a 3 mile radius of hotel. $53.20 a night, taxes included (Priceline). Spent the day shopping at the Dolphin Mall.

 

I love the Dolphin Mall!! I have gotten some of the best deals ever there, and I'm a real bargain hunter! Love the review--keep it coming.:)

Our family of five were at Playa Uvas August 5. Carmen was so warm and welcoming when we arrived! She gave us a tour and set us up with chairs and an umbrella. What I loved most was the snorkeling! We were all snorkel "virgins" and I was a little apprehensive about it, but it was a terrific experience! My kids spent the afternoon out snorkeling and having the time of their life! It is not a large beach club, but it was clean and the service was terrific! A word of caution - like others have said, the beach is not soft and sandy. It is quite rocky and water shoes are highly recommended! I would not hesitate to go back or recommend Playa Uvas to anyone! We loved it!

Uvas sounds really nice, but I am not into snorkeling. I just like to wade into calm, shallow water and relax and float around, but the rocky shorline at Uvas concerns me.

Is it possible to wade into the water comfortably if I have on water shoes? And is the water relatively shallow with no sudden drop-offs?

Wonderful review and I greatly appreciate your attention to detail!

Totally freaking awesome review, Darth!!!! Thanks. My husband & I are considering a short cruise on this ship. Your photos have convinced me!:)

Brilliant review!! Keep it coming!:)

I don't know if they jump boat to boat but me and my fiance and two friends saw the group music asia aboard the carnival valor last year. If you sail the valor you must see this group if you are into classic rock!! I thought i was watching journey live!!! If anyone has any info on if they jump around boats please let me know!! Thanks a bunch!!!

We saw them in 2007 on the Facination. They are the best cover band I have ever seen. The lead guitarist nails the Freebird solo.

 

Do a search, I read recently that they are on the Sensation. This was, I think, a couple months ago. Not sure where they are now.

Agreed!!! We saw them on the Fascination in 2007 also. They are awesomely good! The last night of the cruise, the crowd was calling for encore after encore and would barely let them go. We've been looking for Music Asia ever since!!:)

You don't think he is going to read it do you? The address you have been given is one that is used by his AA who forwards the mail to an appropriate department for answering. His personal e-mail is private.

I have sent letters to and emailed CEO's of other companies before, and while they themselves did not contact me, one of their people did and I received excellent customer service.:D

How do I email Carnival CEO, Gerry Cahill? :confused: