P&O princess

Yes, it is possible for me but mine is the 4 day cruise (3 nights) leaving on 19 Feb 2015.:D

Thankyou! That's the exact cruise we are looking at. I didn't think of it as a 4 day cruise, I always only count the nights. That makes sense though!

I haven't tried but will post it here if it is possible later.:D

Thank you!

Hi,

I have a question for those who are booked on the 3 day cruise in Feb15....

Are you able to book the Beverage Package through the pre-cruise planner? I was advised by a Royal Caribbean customer service person on the phone that it is available on this sailing. However, the advertising on the packages states only for cruises of 4 days or more.

Would like to get confirmation before we book.

Thanks

Oh, interesting! I didn't realize the Honolulu to Sydney trip was already for sale in Australia. You're right, this makes no sense at all that they wouldn't release the ONE cruise in between. And it's 11 days, so the itin must be similar to the May one, which I'm very happy about!

 

So thanks, this does help in my planning. It seems a matter of when I'll change my cruise to this one, not if.

 

I hope they don't wait until Jan 2015 to release it. In the meantime I guess I'll check Legend on Carnivals website every day too!

 

Probably the pricing would be similar to the May trip if that helps you to compare. Maybe we will end up on the same cruise! :)

 

Jenn

 

 

 

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Hi Jenn,

I know, it seems odd to delay the release of that one cruise in the middle (and of course it's the one we are interested in!!).

Yes, I guess I will use the May 2015 cruise as a guide for both price & itinerary for now and keep my fingered crossed for an earlier release than Jan 2015!

Thanks for posting, after I read your message I took a closer look at the itin and the port times seem decent. We are now booked on the Oct 17th cruise! :)

 

Still just a placeholder, I'm hoping for a one way on Legend Sept 2015, but I would be happy enough if we ended up sticking with this one. Same price as Royals cruise, but 5 extra days!

 

Hawaii here we come!

 

 

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Hi there,

I'm from Australia and have been watching the Legends itinerary with very keen interest, as it heads down here this year. I am also following it's movements to & from the US as we are looking at doing a US trip in Sept/Oct next year.

The Legend sails from Honolulu to Sydney on 26th Sept 2015 - and you can already book this on the Carnival Australia website. So I am certain the Vancouver to Honolulu sailing will go ahead - just not sure why Carnival haven't released the bookings for it yet?? The last cruise available for sale at the moment seems to end in Vancouver on 15th Sept. My guess is that it will be an exact mirror of the Honolulu to Vancouver cruise in May 2015. This looks like a great cruise, but I'd really love to see the prices.

I wish they would hurry up with this too! As I am trying to decide if we should sail back to Sydney from Honolulu, or do the Vancouver to Honolulu cruise to see a bit more of Hawaii. It's hard when I can't even compare prices yet!!

I hope this info helps with your planning. In the meantime, I will be stalking the Carnival website each day for more info :-)

not new ships, second hand ones....one is 20 years old and the other one is 22 years old

True! But we never get new ones, do we :(

Wow! I just saw on the P&O website that 2 new ships were coming in 2015, and was wondering where from?!

Hi,

We cruised in April last year on the Jewel. We had pretty smooth sailing, but there were days where it did get very windy up on the top decks. The kids club never closed due to bad weather whilst on that cruise.

However, it was quite a challenge at times, navigating the stairs to get there & back. Especially late in the evenings trying to carry sleeping children back to the cabin!

It's a shame they don't have internal access like the Pearl.

We chose YTD when we cruised on Spirit in December 2013.

 

If you go before 6pm or after 8pm there is barely any line and you get seated almost straight away (a tip from the Maitre D).

 

Sometimes there were 5 of us going to dinner (with in-laws) other times three of us (young daughter) and then a couple of times it was just me and hubby going. Each time we were always seated on our own table. One night we got there at around 8ish and they actually seated us downstairs on our own large round table right in the middle.

 

We cruised for 10 nights on YTD and never waited more than 5 minutes to be seated, and never had to share a table.

 

You can't pre-book table times on YTD, first in, first seated.

 

Hope this helps!

Thanks pinknotes. That's great. Most nights I'm thinking we will be arriving before 6pm, so we should be fine.

Thank you!

Hi Kimmerz81,

We are going on the 3rd March. So if there is anything specific you want me to find out, just let me know and I'll give you a report when I get back.

We did the Aquarium last time we were in Noumea and the kids enjoyed it. It only took around an hour (maybe less, can't exactly remember) to go through. So there's plenty of time to do other things. Entry is 2000 francs for the family (pretty good value for Noumea!)

Thank you.

We are sailing next month and chose YTD for the flexibility with children.

Another question.... Are you able to book in advance?

On P&O we had anytime dining and when at dinner we were able to book a time for the next evening

We have chosen Your Time Dining for our upcoming Carnival cruise. (2 adults, 3 children).

Can anyone tell me...

1) Will we be seated on our own as a party of 5, or with others?

2) Is it the same if only myself and my husband dine there?

Thank you

No probs

Thanks, I have just emailed you :)

shudie and Mel-leigh the programs should be in your inbox.

Hi ladies,

I'd love a copy of the kids club programs, but would prefer not to publish my email address. Would it be ok if I emailed either of you and you could forward me the programs?

I'm not sure how to (if you can?) PM 2011CruisingFamilyof4.

Thanks

Such fantastic information - thank you!!

:)

Did they ever combine the younger age groups (2-5 and 6-8) for any of the activities?

Hi again Family Cruiser if you are still reading... (and anyone else that can help)

I have heard about Showtime in the dining room and had a couple of questions. ..

1) Do they do it every night?

2) Is it the same each night?

3) What time is it on? We have anytime dining, so I guess there's a chance we could miss it.

I was just reading a review of the Spirit when it was in the States. The person wrote that the room was bigger than expected with plenty of under bed storage. I think it was an ocean view balcony, queen with bunks...not sure if this helps or not?!

Excellent, thank you!

where do you find the Noumea pastry shop?

From my searching of suggestions/things to do in Noumea I found this pastry shop... it's Le Fournil Gourmand, address 16 Rue General Gallieni

I'm hoping it's the one that everyone talks about... If anyone can confirm this??

Does anyone know if there is room under the bed to put a suitcase?

1. Bingo I think was $30 for 5 games, the cards could be bought in the morning and then just before the session started. Usually it was played every sea day, but the Fun Times will have all the info.

 

2. WATCH OUT FOR THE ARCADE!!!! The games were I think only $1-$2 BUT it adds up...especially if your child is old enough to be by themselves!!! The good thing is you can put a daily spending limit on their cards or a total spending limit! I have heard of stories of $75 being spent in the arcade!!

 

3. Camp Carnival is separated into different age groups, 2-5, 6-8, 9-11, 12-14, 15-17. I had a child in 2-5 and 6-8. The 7 yr old loved it, she was in there as much as possible, to the extent Stu, the Cruise Director, was always asking about her as he never saw her! The 4yr old loved some sessions, but truthfully I think she realised if she didn't go, she gets mum and dad to her self! She loved all the shows at night though. As each age group is different, let me know what group and I will tell you more.

 

4. We bought the "Bubbles Package" for the kids, it was $5 a day and you had to buy it on the first day. We don't drink a lot of soft drink (the 4 yr old was in shock that she could have one!) but I got it a) we are on holidays and b) they could go and get a drink whenever they liked and if they didn't finish it it didn't matter. The package included soft drinks and juices (orange, pineapple and cranberry).

 

What is your dining time? If you have Anytime Dining, go early especially with kids as then you don't have to wait for a table, this way you also get to choose your wait staff (i.e. if you want the same staff, you just have to ask). The can order from both the kids menu and the normal menu and they can have as much as they like! Our 4 yr old ordered Frogs legs and loved them.

 

In the Atruim at night there is photo back drops set up with photographers at each one. Have a few photos taken, then the next day, head to deck 3 where you can view them. We have family photos done every 3 years, so last year, ours were done on the boat! Really good quality and if you like them, buy them, if not leave them where they are! Nice photo albums for kids to buy as well, one with the carnival funnel, the other with a towel elephant on it. Our girls loved going through the hundreds of photos to choose what ones they wanted in their own album.

 

Take a highlighter (or one colour for each person) and highlight what you want to do. The Fun Times is delivered every night. One the first day you will get the program for the kids clubs for the entire cruise, highlight that one as well so you remember what you want to do!

 

Anything else!!!

Thanks :)

ARCADE - Yes, I'm going to be very careful with the arcade. My boys are 4, 7 and 9 so could easily rack up quite a bill I'm sure. I'm hoping you can add small amounts of cash to their cruisecards at a time. That way, once it's gone they can't keep spending.

KIDS CLUB - I'll have the boys spread over the 3 different kids clubs. I'm the same as you, as I don't think my older boys will have a problem with going off and meeting new friends, it's my 4 year old that will be hesitant. On our last cruise, my younger two were together in kids club in P&O (3 and 6 at the time), so that helped. Any info you've got on the groups would be great. I really like the idea of getting the program for the whole cruise ahead of time - it helps us plan our (adult) activities better too. Did you use the late night program at all? If so, how was it?

SOFT DRINK - Like your kids, ours don't usually drink much softdrink normally. We're allowed to take on soft drink, so we're going to bring on an 8 pack of those small cans of drink each, along with some water bottles.

DINNER - We have anytime dining, and will get there as early as possible. Do they have a kids dinner in the buffet? P&O had an early kids dinner in the buffet (which the parents took them to). On a couple of nights we'd take them there and then drop them off at kids club so we could go to dinner in the main restaurant.

TIPS - Thank you for the highlighter tip! I've always brought one with me, but the idea of different colours for each of us is fantastic!

I think you're other tip in another reply in this thread (about letting the small things slide, and enjoy yourself) just about sums it all up. I totally agree!!

I'm getting very excited just reading all of this. We're heading off in about 5 weeks on the Spirit - and I can't wait!! I've cruised with P&O before, and am really looking forward to checking out Carnival.

I have a couple more questions (to Family Cruiser). Not sure if you'll know, but any info would be great....

* How much is bingo?

* What is the cost of the video arcade games?

* Did your children spend much time in kids club - what did they think?

* Any other general info about cruising Carnival with kids?

Thank you!

Thank you so much to everyone that replied. Lots of great suggestions.

I think we'll definitely try the pastries, but might give the coffee a miss.

I like the idea of the pool noodle or other floatie for the kids - I might even take one for myself!

Kiwi cruiser, if you could give me an update on what Jinek Bay is currently like, that would be great! Also, if you could find out if it is better/different in the am or pm session. Hope you have a wonderful cruise!

We visit Noumea after Lifou, so I guess we can use that as backup if we decide not to go to Jinek Bay. Can you book snorkelling/island tours when you arrive in port, or can you pre-book? (Non Carnival tours)

Hi all,

My self, hubby and 3 children are heading off on Carnival Spirit in March visiting Noumea, Lifou, Isle of Pines and Mare. We have done 2 South Pacific cruises on P&O before but are trying a few different things (for us) on the islands this time.

Does anyone know how much the pastries cost (rough price range) in the 'famous pastry shop' in Noumea? I think they only except Pacific Francs and want to know how much money we should change. We want to make sure we have enough, but don't want to exchange too much.

We are thinking about going to Jinek Bay while at Lifou. I know you have to pay to access the site now (and that's fine with us), but I just wanted to hear from anyone who has been there and get feedback as to whether you think it is suitable for my 3 children? They are 9, 7 and 4. While they don't snorkel properly, they do have a great time swimming under the water with their goggles and taking photos of the beautiful fish.

Is it very deep there?

Is there somewhere to sit on the edge of the water and just play in the sand or is it only a walkway with a staircase down to deep water?

Or if anyone could recommend anywhere else they think would be (more?) suitable for snorkelling with young children on any of the other islands, that would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance for your help!