ashley@cruisecritic

when I was onboard my last cruise, (Hawaii in May - Hawaii to Vancouver) there was a promo to book a cruise that had a great itinerary, one stop was panama, one was Columbia, a few were in the Caribbean. I believe it was 11 or 12 days, I thought it ended in Pt Carnaveral (sp) started somewhere else.... it did a little bit of South America and some Caribbean. I believe it was October or November of 2016 and now I can't find it. Can anyone help me. I called Carnival, which didn't help.....sigh:cool:

 

Hi there! Cruise Critic actually has a "Find a Cruise" tool that can help you with this: http://www.cruisecritic.com/cruiseto/. It'll help you filter using the parameters you want.

What a shame she lost it, and how nice of you to try to track her down. Did you find it on the ship or actually in Puerto Rico? If it was on the ship, which ship was it, and what were the sailing dates? That might help someone to identify her.

Hi there. Sorry I'm chiming in a bit late on this, but I'm 30, and I've cruised on Breakaway, Getaway and Oasis of the Seas. I've also done several Carnival ships -- not Breeze, but I've been on a couple with the FunShip 2.0 upgrades that people have been mentioning.

 

In my opinion, Oasis is great, but it's so big that it can be a little stressful trying to do and see everything onboard. Carnival ships are great, too, but overall, I think Breakaway and Getaway have the best young adult feel. They also offer a great selection of activities and shows that are entertaining for adults without giving off a kegger vibe. One thing I will mention about Norwegian, though, is that there tend to be a lot of opportunities for spending extra money onboard, to put it delicately. (Of course I don't know your son or his friends, and this is just based on my experience, which could end up being totally different than theirs.)

 

For me, the most boring ship ever can be ridiculously fun with the right group of people. Because they're traveling together, they'll have a good time on any of the ships you've mentioned, but if they want to increase their chances of meeting other cruisers their age, they should look for shorter sailings. Hope this helps!

Having sailed both lines, I can tell you that MSC is heavily European, meaning that the service is more hands-off. A lot of Americans aren't used to that, and it can come off as rude when it's not intended to be. That said, Divina was a European ship that the line tried to make American. The difference between Divina and Seaside, in theory, is that Seaside is being designed for an American audience from the beginning. I'm curious to see what the product is like after it's "Americanized," but I'm still not sure you can make an apples-to-apples comparison between an MSC ship and a Carnival ship.

Saw that there was a change in the Dream port. Today they were in Cayman and not Belize. Any guess why ? Will ours be changed?:confused:

 

Hi there,

 

Just checked in with Carnival PR, and the ship was always scheduled to call on Grand Cayman yesterday, not Belize. There was no change. Quote: "This was the itinerary for the Dream, and we didn't deviate from it." Not sure if this helps, but I figured I'd pass the info along.

 

[quote name='SevenSeas70']OK, maybe it's me, but I know how to fill out forms and click "send." My problem occurred when I tried to send CC a criticism of the price drops on their weekly list for Celebrity. A few of the drops are listed as greater than 50%, but a large number are exactly 50%. We all know that Celebrity, along with a number of other cruise lines, create a phony list price and then offer 2-for-1 pricing, or half off (for each of 2 px). I was disappointed that Cruise Critic would help Celebrity in this deception.

When I tried to send the email (About us ->Contact Us -> Questions -> Send this email) an error message popped up, its link doesn't work, and you wind up on the title page. So much for Critic.

It reminds me of a sign I once saw which said, "If you want credit, go to Helen Waite at our credit department. (Sorry :D )[/quote]

Hi there,

I've forwarded this thread over to our tech department so they can look into the email error message, as well as the price drop issues you're having. As another poster noted, price drop results come from a week's worth of data that's pulled in from a feed, so I can assure you no "deception" is happening on our end.

Will be boarding in three days and was hoping to find out what the lime situation is , and if there are none what are they doing about the mojitos

 

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

 

No limes on Legend of the Seas as of last month. :(

Are the balcony dividers able to be opened between the adjoining Grand Suites on Oasis?

 

Hi there,

 

I was recently on a sailing with another cruise line, and I was told by a handful of crewmembers that some sort of new law prohibits it for safety reasons. I'm not sure how much truth there is to it, though. Doesn't hurt to ask! :)

I have been on a total of seven cruises over the last twelve years, and of those six have been out of Galveston. Being from Austin, I just can't beat the convenience of a few hours in the car and then on a ship! The other cruise left from New Orleans and was the one and only time I had a bad cruise- Not sure how much of that I can blame on the port however. I want my DH and I to try a different port but I don't know what the best one would be... I know we'll like almost ANY itinerary, so I'm wondering if the way to go would be to try one from Florida, give NOLA another try, or go somewhere even further away... Any advice??? What ports do you prefer?

 

Over the years, I've sailed from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, New York (Manhattan), Charleston, Baltimore and San Diego. My favorite is Charleston. There's only one ship in port, so you'll rarely experience delays, and the city is wonderful -- a great place to visit pre- or post-cruise. You could also try Houston. It's only an hour from Galveston, and the facilities are great. (I haven't cruised from Houston or Galveston, but I've been on visits to both port terminals.)

Hi all,

 

For anyone who's interested, we're chatting live for another 20 minutes with HGTV's Genevieve Gorder, who's in charge of cabin and loft design for Quantum of the Seas. Hop on over and join us if you've got a question for her! http://live.cruisecritic.com/Event/Cruise_Critic_Live_Quantum_of_the_Seas_Decor

Hi all,

 

For anyone who's interested, we're chatting live for another 20 minutes with HGTV's Genevieve Gorder, who's in charge of cabin and loft design for Quantum of the Seas. Hop on over and join us if you've got a question for her! http://live.cruisecritic.com/Event/Cruise_Critic_Live_Quantum_of_the_Seas_Decor

My husband and I will be going on an Alaskan cruise this July and are looking at the summer dog sled excursion in Skagway. My husband has a bad back so I am wondering if any part of the excursion might cause him pain (jurky movements of the 4x4 or the dog sledding parts)? There isn't any warning message on the excursion information but I would like to hear from people who have done it to get the inside scoop.

 

Thanks

Patty

 

Hi Patty,

 

Ditto to everything rocklinmom said. My boyfriend and I did the same excursion last year in September, and it was fantastic. You get to meet the dogs at the end and play with puppies, too! Enjoy!

That cruise critic has the (very obviously) wrong information down for category 7a staterooms on at least the magic on both the deck plan pages and the review page?

 

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/cabinguru/deckplanreviews.cfm?ShipID=33&Category=7A

 

I don't remember it being wrong before, but I may have overlooked it and not read the description when looking at deck plans...

 

Hi there,

 

Cruise Critic contracts with a third-party provider for its deck plans, so if we've got it wrong, they likely have it wrong, too. I'll pass the info on to our Product Development team to see if we can do something to get it fixed. Thanks so much for catching the mistake!

Hi all,

 

Just a reminder that Cruise Critic has port-specific information, too: http://www.cruisecritic.com/ports. Click on your region, and scroll down (near the bottom) for a list of ports in that region.

 

We also have shore excursion member reviews, which are helpful when deciding what to plan in each port: http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/shoreexcursions/.

 

:)

That Pharrell song "Happy" is starting to have the opposite affect on me. I'm curious as to whether recent sailings have this song on a continual loop. :eek:

 

Yesterday, I had 3 quick errands, and each store I went into had that song on. Its driving me crazy.

 

We sailed a million years ago for our Honeymoon and the Macarena just came out. Goodness - it was EVERYWHERE. I feel that this will happen with Happy. :(

 

 

Yep, it's becoming as common as Margaritaville, the Cupid Shuffle and Hot, Hot, Hot. I just got off of a 15-nighter with a different cruise line, and they played it. Over and over. Every. Day. It did make me want to dance at first, but by the end of the second week, I never wanted to hear it again. And, of course, since I've returned home I've been hearing it on every radio station I turn to. :-\

Hey there Cruisecritic! Long time lurker, first time poster.

 

I am in the process of planning a group cruise. August 23, 2015 out of Galveston on the Navigator OTS. All family and friends. My grandmother has previously planned all of our family cruises and this is the first time I am taking the reins. I have already contacted Royal and received specifics from them, just wanted to post this and see if anyone had any advice for me. Anything that I may run into that you can warn me about before it's too late.

 

Some specifics: As of now, planning on at least 8 staterooms with double occupancy. 4 balcony cabins and 4 inside rooms currently planned. I would like to have them all be close to each other. Would everyone think this is a possibility booking this far out? Bringing with a handful of first-time cruisers so I want to make sure everything is perfect for them.

 

Anyway, you all have already instilled me with tons of knowledge from my years of lurking and I thank you all for that. Just any FAQs or things you think I should know will be greatly appreciated.

 

Hi there,

 

The editorial section of Cruise Critic's site has a whole page on this very topic: http://www.cruisecritic.com/cruisestyles/area.cfm?area=37. This article will probably be the most helpful to you: http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=272.

 

Good luck! :)

Thinking of a 2015 Alaska Cruise. Have only done carirbbean cruises. Have been reading and starting some research but need some expert help to start me down the path. Am thinking late May-maybe not as many people/kids that time of year but is it really too cold? How best to decide the cruise/land portion? Know we want the denali experience for a few days and in my initial research looks like with the land plus sea you typically leave from one port and fly home from say Anchorage, does this add alot to the overall price of this type of cruise. And finally since we are usually only sun seekers, if crusing in May to this destination, I assume there will be no deck chairs or loungers put to use? Any and all help is appreciated as always from this incredible resource of knowledge! Thanks in advance!

 

Hey there,

 

I just did Alaska for the first time last September. One thing we noticed (and maybe it was just due to the time of year) was that the weather went from 40 and rainy one day to 80 and sunny the next. Be sure to pack layers and at least two sturdy pairs of shoes in case one gets wet. (Balled-up newspapers packed tightly into wet shoes will help to dry them overnight.)

 

Anyway, here's Cruise Critic's Alaska info page: http://www.cruisecritic.com/ports/area.cfm?area=1. It's not pretty, but if you scroll down below the ad links at the top, you'll find everything from port profiles to packing suggestions. Have a GREAT time! :)

Okay, here I go!! Big countdown. We leave next Sunday for our cruise! So super excited!

 

Its been a couple of years since we cruised so please help me remember those last minute important things I might forget???? Or Tips of things to do on The Magic!

 

Excited! :)

 

 

Hi there! We have an entire section on Cruise Critic's main site dedicated to just that: http://www.cruisecritic.com/ftc/. When you get there, click on "Things to Know Before You Go." Our sister site, IndependentTraveler.com, also has a handy-dandy packing list to help you remember everything you'll need: http://www.independenttraveler.com/packing. And, finally, here's our "everything you ever wanted to know about packing" page: http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=1436. Have a GREAT trip! :)

Here's our article on the subject. It highlights the offerings of a bunch of major lines: http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=73. :)

Ashley

I have a question as far as food on embarkation day do you know what they serve? I am just trying to plan as far as my medication goes so I know what I need to do.

 

Sorry! Just saw this now. You can usually find just about anything, and there's generally always something open if you need to take your medication with food. O'Sheehan's (pub food) and the buffet (lots of variety) should both be open on embarkation day.

Sign up for Cruise Critic's weekly deals mailers. It's free, and even if you don't find a Norwegian deal in the mailer to fit your particular needs, you can always contact the deal providers to see if they can help. Here's a link: http://www.cruisecritic.com/newsletter/.

 

We also just implemented a new Price Drop tool, which allows you to track increases and decreases in cruise prices. You can set up email alerts to be notified: http://www.cruisecritic.com/price-drop/.

I just came back from a two-week sailing on Legend OTS, and they allowed us to take a 24-pack of bottled water through in our checked luggage. (We probably could've brought more, but we didn't want to push our luck.) In two of the ports we visited, I asked the folks working the security area by the gangway if I could carry a case of water back onboard with me, and they said yes. They let me right through with it when I returned.

 

They do sell Evian bottled water onboard, but it's ridiculously expensive:

8 bottles for $28

12 bottles for $40

16 bottles for $50

24 bottles for $71

Next year will be our first ever cruise, first of many hopefully! We have booked a three day cruise on Enchantment of the seas for September 2015, deck four room 4546. If anyone could give us some first cruise tips and any reviews on this deck/room, we would be most grateful!

Sailing will be myself, my husband and two daughters aged 15 and 17. We are not big drinkers but enjoy the odd cocktail, is it worth buying the drinks package for the cocktails or just buy as we go? Thank you in advance for any information!

 

Hi there!

 

Cruise Critic has a whole section dedicated to first-timers: http://www.cruisecritic.com/ftc/.

 

You probably already know this, but cash isn't generally used onboard. Your room key will double as your onboard payment method for everything. You might want to take lanyards or wristlets to keep your cards close. You'll need them every time you leave your cabin.

 

Also be sure to turn your phones on airplane mode or shut them off completely. You'll be charged a fortune in roaming fees if you leave them on during the sailing.

 

Bring some magnets. The walls in your cabin are made of metal, and with limited space, you can organize daily schedules and all sorts of fliers that are handed out by the cruise line by hanging them up.

 

Have a GREAT time! :)

Hey All,

 

Took a 4 day cruise on the Constellation a few weeks back. Had a difficult time enjoying my Premium Drink package.

 

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/blog/index.php/2014/04/02/hot-on-the-forums-lime-shortage-leaves-sour-taste/?isalt=0

St. Thomas

St. Kitts

Barbados

St. Maarten

Dominica

 

Not into the usual cruiseport jewelry shops, etc, but do enjoy shopping at small shops and flea market type stands.

 

Is bargaining usual in any of the above ports?

 

Thank you!

 

I've found that if prices aren't marked, bargaining is fair game. If you're in a place where many shops sell the same or similar items, you'll have better luck since everyone is vying for your business.

 

Don't be afraid to tell them what you're willing to pay, pretend that "all I have left is $10," or ask for additional discounts for buying more than one of something. If you don't have luck at one place, try another, and don't be afraid to say you'll come back later (even if you don't mean it). It will give you a chance to browse first to make sure you can't get a better price elsewhere.