kctwinmommy

Interesting question and love how you asked it! We continue to cruise Carnival mostly because we're used to it and most of our cruises have been with another couple and it's usually what they pick. However, I know they've done another line a few times. For us, it's the price we like (and we can, like you, certainly afford many others) and it's a good way to get us someplace warm. We did use them for Alaska as well, but again, because the price and itinerary was what we wanted. Oddly enough, our first cruise was on MSC in 2002. Back in the day, businesses would get "spam" faxes. My police department and my dad's fire department both got a flyer for an MSC cruise that was BOGO for all military and first responders. So on this small MSC ship, my parents opted for one of the I think 6 suites, and it was like $2000 for both of them! Something crazy like that, for 12 days! Our room was like $1000. Now I will admit, I don't remember a lot about the ship itself, but man, the entertainment was a hoot! But that's also because it was a European based line, so it was not very American in the entertainment and food. Which also meant it was more risque! LOL! We had a great time, but we had nothing to compare it to. We did do RCI to Europe in 2017, but again, it was because it had an itinerary we wanted to do. And again we enjoyed it, it was a bigger ship so it had more activities. Which, since we've often cruised with our son, that was important to us. Now he's heading off to college and I think we'll be looking at other options, but mostly because we want to try something else. But it won't be at a major expense. We will still look for deals and for places we want to go. We do want to do a Viking River Cruise, but I wouldn't compare that to Carnival simply because it's not the same kind of itinerary. My parents started with Princess and now do Viking, and they love them. But it's because of options Viking has (wine service, included excursions, etc...). I'm also like you, I'm not needing a lot to "impress" me, just happy people, decent food (I know I won't starve), and warm, sunshine! I don't care much about decor or if the ship is older, as long as its safe. I can't say I'm a big Carnival "cheerleader," but they work well for us and I've had very few complaints.

Just took the survey. I mean, I know not a lot of people spend time in their cabin watching TV, but at least they're trying. I know we would watch more when our son was younger and we (well, me! LOL!) would be waiting for him to come back from the teen club. But on this cruise, because of some trouble sleeping for me, I did watch some movies later at night. The one question that was awkward for me, was how much TV do you watch at home. I won't lie, when I'm home during the day, and I only work very part-time, the TV is on all the time. LOL! It doesn't mean I'm actually, actively watching it though.

It's interesting, on the Pride in April was the first time we've ever played some slots in the casino. It's just not our thing. But our 18 year old son was with us, and there wasn't much for him to do, so we went with him one night. Being a former smoker myself, many years ago, I'm actually fairly sensitive to it now, so I really do try to avoid it whenever I can. But I didn't even notice any in the casino for the 20-30 minutes we were in there. It may have just been an odd time, who knows, but I'm just thinking about it now, how I actually forgot smoking was allowed.

Yes, they will potentially seat you with other people. And everything is pretty much back to normal, so there isn't any real distancing. I'm not sure if you can request that to only have a table for your party or not. Or do anytime dining and request it that way.

Personally, we always like a balcony room. But you're right, I feel it's especially warranted in Alaska! It's so great to watch the scenery while sitting on your own balcony.

Oh shoot! I'm sorry, it was for the poolside cabana, I didn't pay attention to your title. This was their review for that one though.

Look in the DR page here on Cruise Critic. Someone recently posted a review of these cabanas! It was great to read because they gave some good detail, and I think a video even. I may have seen that somewhere else, just can't remember. We booked one as well, for the 3 couples we have going.

Yikes! We were actually supposed to go there on an MSC cruise in 2002. It was our first cruise. We boarded the ship on embarkation day and found out shortly after that our stop there had been canceled. Turns out, there was a coup going on at the time. We were quite thankful to NOT end up in that! LOL! Glad you guys were all OK on your experience!

Yep! Like others said, some will sell out, especially animal ones. I would book it now, and you can always cancel if you change your mind. We've done just a few excursions that weren't Carnival ones, simply because for some things, we really like the peace of mind we have being on a Carnival one (knowing we can't be left behind). And I think it's fine if others want to do independent ones too, you do what's comfortable for you.

I would ask this in the Amber Cove page, unless it gets moved there anyway. I know you're asking if the hilltop ones are worth it, not if a cabana in general is worth it. So maybe some people on that page will be able to offer an opinion. We've never been to the cabanas there. We went to Amber Cove about 6 years ago, or whenever it first opened. We were diverted from another port, so AC wasn't even fully opened yet. We just did a last minute decision for a day pass a resort right there. This time we did decide to try a poolside cabana. For the 6 of us (3 couples, possibly one more joining us), it's a nice deal. Yeah, we know it doesn't included cocktails, but not many of us drink anyway. The best deal for that, off the ship, is Mr. Sanchos's in Cozumel. LOL!

We returned just fine, not sick with anything. So we didn't test, no reason to. But then I couldn't accurately answer your second question. LOL! Since we didn't have a reason to test, we didn't. However, we've all had Covid before, last year.

Maybe look on the Carnival website at the various reviews that have been left for the excursion. I can't remember, but you might be able to even ask questions to the reviewer. But you also might find some reviews left that talk about the timing.

Yep, I printed ours out and brought it to customer service when we sailed. We hadn't paid our gratuities in advance (we normally do, just didn't for some reason this time). Plus we booked some excursions and our bubbles package once we got on board, so it went right to that. It was pretty easy to do.

I'll have to try the suggested way to do this. We just bought stock 2 weeks ago. I didn't even realize there was a benefit for it on the ships. Good to know!

I wish my husband had that when he bought Amazon stock in like 2000! We could have certainly bought more at the time (both fully employed, no kids). But for some reason, he bought it on a whim and only bought like 20 shares! Now we did get lucky with our Ferrari stock. We bought 100 shares of that as a gift for our son, as he loved the high end cars (who doesn't! LOL!). Bought them at almost they're lowest price in 2016, and they have done well. We don't do much in the stock market personally, but we got lucky with that one.

This! We laid out the rules for our son before we started cruising with him. He didn't start until he was 12. So we always told him, nobody in our cabin, he doesn't go in anyone else's cabin, and no going into places he knows he shouldn't. He always would check in with us periodically and he had to go to dinner with us (but the teen clubs closed during that time anyway). We allowed him to stay at the club until midnight, or later, if there was something going on, unless we had a really early activity (and that was really only in Alaska). He's shown over these years that he can be trusted. He's not perfect of course, but he's shown us that he makes good choices. Just make sure your kid(s) know what is expected of them! And have fun!

You're welcome! We loved it! We also did the all inclusive. We had done a lot of busy, active excursions that cruise, and the ports were back to back to back to back! LOL! So we really needed a day of relaxation. It was perfect!

We gave one large tip. I can't remember if my husband gave him some at the beginning and more at the end, or all of it at the end. They were really great and friendly, we were never short on drinks or food. Loved it all...

Yep!

He didn't have to say anything at all... I don't know! I was just commenting on what he said, since not all people who work in customer service actually belong there. Because let's face it, there are still people who show up with all the papers, still trying to pull them out, looking through things, figuring out what they need, etc...