Florings

Rough road back for sure, but I absolutely have confidence Carnival and other brands will do it.   Up to this point, cruising was a very popular and affordable vacation option.  It was growing by leaps and bounds and most of the cruise lines were building new ships.

It may take some time, but I have 4 booked and will continue to book them as long as I can afford to.  Maybe the ships won't be quite so crowded for a few months - but it will continue to get back to normal in time.

16 minutes ago, ZoeyVictoria said:

Same here, although the really cheap prices are for upper/lowers.  Add $32.50 pp per day for a regular interior.

I'd climb the ladder to the top bunk for a cheap cruise!   Beats being trapped in my house or work or fighting the crowds in the grocery stores. 😂

Not for one minute do I believe the cruise industry will go out of business - or even go bankrupt.   The government has guaranteed financial assistance to get not only the cruise industry, but the airline industry as well, back up and running.

Cruising has been, for many thousands of people, an affordable, fun way to spend their vacation.  And I don't believe in the farthest stretch of imagination that that won't be true in the future.   Carnival and other cruise lines are taking a bad hit, no doubt about it, but they will be back to their former popularity in time.

Those of us who have the travel lust are not going to be held down by fear after this has passed.

I'm booked for April 30.  I'm still hopeful but also prepared to have it canceled.

Thank you for your review and looking forward to more!

1 hour ago, coevan said:

 

 

hope your not calling  $10 bottle of Cline a good wine. The Steakhouse has the best wines.

I was listing examples from Carnival's premium list, I literally have no idea since I don't drink zinfandel.  I find every bottle of wine onboard at least triple what we pay at Total Wine.

52 minutes ago, pacruise804 said:

Unless the OP doesn't have a credit card linked to the account, why would they need more cash for the items listed?  I personally travel with an emergency back-up of cash, but I'm surprised how many say to take extra $ when they also say to charge everything to a credit card.

I suppose I should have used the words budget more,  rather than take more.  

55 minutes ago, montREALady said:

As in embarkation day? I figured everyone would be tired but maybe we should do that. I was thinking the first sea day but apparently that's elegant night on a 5-day cruise.

Yes, we always book embarkation night, 7pm.  It's tradition for us now.

On 1/31/2020 at 7:24 AM, Debate said:

How are they checking to see if someone has traveled to China?  Hopefully checking passports? Otherwise they could just not disclose.   We cruise in less than 30 days.  I contacted our travel insurance company yesterday and was told our "cancel for any reason" policy has a exclusion for epidemics so no coverage should we want to cancel for Coronavirus (unless one of us has it or is quarantined).   Anyone know what cleaning products, wipes are best to take along?  Thanks!  

Yes, I wonder too how they are checking - couldn't people just say no even if they have been there?

Best wipes I ever found are these hospital grade Clorox wipes.  They are one of the very few that actually kill norovirus.  I got them on Amazon, individually wrapped so you can take them in pocket or purse on shore or around the ship.   50 in a box for about $20 or so.   

Are you asking for your upcoming Miracle cruise?   If so, you will find a nice wine list in the steakhouse.  If you book there the first night and/or the first elegant evening, you can choose wines for 50% off Carnival's published price.   You can also buy "Cruise the Vineyards" wine package before you sail.  They have various packages based on number of bottles you want for your cruise.

For instance, 3 bottles from the premium selection is $116.82 and include selections such as Cline (California) Zinfandel,  Grant Burge 5th Gen Shiraz (Australia), Terrazas Reserva Malbec (Argentina)...many more but I don't see tempranillo or petite syrah on the list.   For the best info on this, call Carnival fun shops 800-522-7648 (it is not offered online).

By the glass, I think you will find basic wines at about $8 or $9 a glass in the MDR and most of the bars.

Thank you for sharing your interesting review.  Sounds like you had a good cruise!  We enjoyed our October cruise on her!

Definitely take more than you think you need.  You could see some souvenir in the Fun Shops you want, or decide to do the Build A bear for each of your kids, or a night in the steakhouse.  Or spend a few dollars in the steakhouse.  Much better to take a bit extra and take it back home - then not to have enough for something special.

I would take a 12-pack of soda onboard and not spend the money to buy them.

Yes, I hope you do too!   Happy sailing.

No specialty restaurants on the Paradise.

I enjoy:

2 eggs over easy at the Omelet station on the buffet at breakfast

Huevos Rancheros from the Sea Day Brunch

Guy's Burger or Blue Iguana Taco Salad for lunch

For dinner on the Paradise, we generally eat at the buffet or deli or pizza - preferring not to bother with changing for dinner on our shorter cruises.

It's a fairly recent change - I think due to no-shows.   We have Breeze and Legend future steakhouse reservations, made the old way and I will just take my confirmation emails when I board.

Still, I wouldn't mind paying for it in advance either.  We always book the first night in steakhouse as a "kick-off" to our vacation.

You can check in at any time, regardless of the time assigned.  Even diamond and platinum are "assigned" a time.   You will board after diamond, platinum, and any wedding parties.

On our shorter cruises, we nearly always skip the MDR and eat either in the buffet or have a Guy's Burger before they close at 6pm.    It is so easy and no worry about changing clothes or eating at a certain time to be able to catch the shows.     I've never found that the buffet food is not up to par with the MDR.  The service, of course, isn't there at the buffet, but I think the food is just fine.

Some alternates to the MDR and the buffet - the deli, the pizza place, room service.  Blue Iguana or Guy's (watch the hours of operation), the steakhouse or other upcharge restaurant.

Paradise Empress Deck, E65.   You could hear the atrium music and activities all hours of the night.  It was a guarantee, last minute cruise.    It was just before Paradise dry dock and there was hammering and drilling in the cabin below us at all hours.  Guest Services did investigate and gave us a sizeable OBC for the trouble, but the noise never stopped...    One lesson learned - I won't do a guarantee again.

On 1/29/2020 at 8:55 PM, klfhngr said:

We got the exact same offer, but it was under the water park and we said no thanks.

I checked the location before I accepted.   We are really happy with the upgrade!  Good location, good price.  The only down side is that I will still have not tried a cove...lol

I got an email from Carnival offering the upgrade.

We enjoy shopping in Guy Harvey and some of the small souvenir shops along the main street.  We like the food at the Paradise Restaurant, a short stroll along the water front from the port.  

Our first trip to Grand Cayman, we took the island tour which was nice.  Our subsequent visits, we just enjoy wandering the waterfront stores and restaurants.

We enjoyed the Paradise Restaurant on our last cruise.  Good local fare.  Inside or outside patio seating.  Very casual and a nice island vibe.  Prices are reasonable and the view is lovely.

I pour my wine in my cabin "water glass" and take it to the MDR, no questions asked.  (I asked my steward for a wine glass, he told me to use the water glass.  It's fine - works the same!)  I did leave the glass in the MDR when after our meal.

Personally, I wouldn't get the cartons of water to enable us to carry on our own water - it is less expensive to buy the 12-pack at $4.95 from Carnival.  

We don't participate in many of the CD hosted activities, so it doesn't really effect our cruises.   We are more relaxers, readers, wanderers and not so much into the scheduled events.

No, not worried at all.   More concerned with flu or noro than coronavirus.   We just wash, wash, wash.  Sanitize our cabin with hospital grade wipes that do kill the norovirus (not all wipes do) and enjoy our vacation.