willow028

Thanks hallasm - much appreciated!  I double checked and we do show an 8am arrival - and yes, looking at the Kiel Hbf - should have included that.  Thank you!

Hello - we'll be cruising the Baltic ports in July with a stop in St. Petersburg, but it is not the last stop. 

Will we need to clear customs before disembarking in Kiel?  The last port is Visby, part of the Schengen zone.

Trying to determine if we can realistically catch an 11:10am train or if we will be stuck waiting for a 17:00 train - better safe than sorry, but would rather not wait if the 11:10 is realistic!

Thank you both!  Tenpin - I really enjoyed your Baltic review - that may have been the tipping point in me deciding to book this cruise!

Any other tips or thoughts about Costa in general are appreciated!

Thank you Tenpin - that is most helpful!  Our room rate includes the Brindiamo package and I was trying to determine if I should upgrade or not to be able to order what we drink most without worrying about cost. I had originally planned to book a cabin type that included the Intenditori package but had to take what was available for the cruise we wanted.  

I really appreciate the information about the normal gala dress code as well!  I did not want to pack clothes for the two males that won't be worn more than one night with all the other travel we will be doing.

The English bar is nice to know as is the introduction.  My grandmother's first language was Italian and although the family does not speak it much since she passed away, I've been able to do okay on past trips to Italy.  My stepson is a bilingual English/Spanish speaker and we both speak and understand passable (although grade school level) German.  We're definitely excited about the fact that Costa will give us a more European experience than other cruise lines.

If you have any other tips or advice about the Favolosa you'd like to share, I'd love your input and suggestions.  Thank you!

We just booked our first cruise on Costa and I've got a couple of questions I'm hoping someone can help with as I can't seem to find the answers in their FAQs.

First - can someone please explain to my American self the difference between "spirits" and "cocktails"?!  I'm looking at the beverage packages and this has a me a bit confused - for example if I wanted a vodka and soda would that be a "spirit" or because of the mixer would that be a "cocktail"?

Second - we're on the Favaloosa - do they have a shop that rents men's apparel for the gala night?  We'll by flying, taking trains and what not - I am not hauling around dress clothes for my husband or stepson that they'll only wear once - but would be nice to have the option to rent on board for photos and such.

Thanks to anyone who has input or any other advice for our first Costa adventure!

I did a forum search, but those terms don't narrow down results much! I'm looking at a river cruise from Moscow to Saint Petersburg using Russian Cruise Company and am interested in any first hand reviews as I can't find much online.

I'm a solo traveler on a budget who prefers to stay at AirBnB flats over four star hotels, so I'm not looking for luxury - just a solid cruise experience with fantastic new places to explore. (I've been reading threads before posting so thought I'd throw that out there - I know this won't be luxury and I don't want or need that!)

Thanks for any input or guidance as I know these companies often lease space - the specific ship is the M/S Fedin for July of this year.

This is great info - does anyone know if the packages above are also available on Zuiderdam? Different pricing I'm sure for a longer voyage unlimited but even knowing the option was available would be a huge relief.

I just called to ask for a 24 hour extension on final payment, and was told they couldn't do it, but since my cruise isn't until September, they'd send a late notice rather than cancelling and I'd have until the 27th to pay (basically a four day extension).

After reading the post above, I'm really not quite confident that'll actually happen - anyone had any experience with that recently?

The answer to this is really going to depend on where you're coming from and what you're used to. I've cruised in late December and mid-February and both times were reassured the weather was normally wonderful - and I'm sure it was for those leaving 10' of snow - but for us from the desert, it was actually warmer at home (and I sure wasn't hanging by the pool at home!).

No location on the OP's post but noticed some of the replies were from cold weather states so thought I'd toss in my .02 ~ love my friends in cold weather states but will never ask their opinion on vacation weather again!

I'm another back up pictures daily person - after three different cruise experiences of photos being deleted/camera being reformatted/shooting too many videos I filled up my memory card halfway through a tender port day, daily downloading is a must. I have an inexpensive Google ChromeBook that I swear weighs less than my iPad and boots up in seconds - I quickly download and then turn it back off. Never use the Internet on board or on land but knowing I could on my own device if I had to (although I will use it on the plane when free) is also nice.

I feel for the NCL crew member and his family BUT as others have said, Roatan is not mainland. One of my best friends is an American expat who built a house in Roatan over 10 years ago and now lives there full time. Her living comes from being a scuba guide/instructor and relies on tourism, as do most of her friends. I spent 10 days with her in 2009 and felt totally comfortable walking around *most* of the island on my own when she was at work. Simple common sense just like in other place you might find yourself goes a long way.

I am super excited to go back in September - she has the day off and will play 'tour guide' to the other three in our group who haven't been to Roatan before - if Carnival does stop this port I'll be as disappointed as when they stopped going to Mazatlan!

I got it too but was scared to complete it in case it was a virus.

Did you get it before or after your cruise? My husband got one after our October cruise and this one did look just like it...

I also got it and completed it. Geeze, I never thought about it being a virus.:(

Never thought about that either as it looked like the legit one ~ did you really complete it before your cruise?! I'm half tempted! ;)

Checked my email and received an email from Carnival titled "We Need Your Opinion" and inside was an invitation to take a survey including the wording "Please click on the link below to take this survey so we can learn more about your most recent cruise experience."

Oooookaaaay but I haven't cruised since October. My husband has a cruise booked with his sons and I did tie my email to his reservation as he's horrible about checking his email... BUT they don't sail until tomorrow.

Not really confused but am amused ~ anyone else ever been asked to give feedback BEFORE they even board the ship?! :rolleyes:

Exactly what you both said! I had on my calendar to call today for final payment as it was due 2/2 and I knew I'd be sidetracked all weekend. I checked the Fare Viewer first and saw the drop so thought "why not ask?" and that took most of the time on hold, being asked questions, on hold, back to work... repeat...

I hate the phone in general... LOL if I hadn't want to just pay off the dang balance at the end of it I would have hung up!

Hoping those taxes and fees drop once on board and the "kids" (all in their 20's) get a bonus as we're only paying for the fare+fees+grats! :)

As so well said above - make sure your drop IS a drop - my rep only came back on and said "approved and total now is" - not even sure if I'd caught the increase then I could have done anything about it.

That's too bad, a decent rep. would have explained that it would be higher.

I almost did that once, then I noticed the tax increase. :eek: Not such a good deal anymore. Sorry you didn't catch it, but i'm sure you won't make the same mistake again. Would have been nice if they had told you about it though. :(

When I called back I did ask why I wasn't told about the increase and the explanation was that I was given the total cost. Which was 100% true and the lack of immediate comprehension that it was an increase was my fault - but it would have been nice to have a breakdown for those like me who were multitasking when calling!

And you betchya I'll never do that again - spreadsheet with total cost will be front and center and I'll verify cost BEFORE I accept any changes!

Hope this helps someone else avoid the same mistake!

NCL in 2009 with a diverse group that included two single men that got paired up so they could both cruise - one a 22 year old "hipster" and the other a 50 year old self described "geek". The 50 year old had a delayed flight and made the ship with minutes to spare before sailing, but his luggage didn't make his connecting flight, and he didn't even care at that point. His roomie loaned him clothes for two days until our first port - which made for some hysterical pictures and a lot of laughs.

And, his luggage did catch up to the ship in Cabo - he was flying Southwest from Kentucky via Phoenix (where the luggage took a detour) to LAX - still not sure how they made it happen, but he was sure happy to be out of his baggy shorts and back into his chinos and button down shirts!

Having sailed on both, most recently on the Fascination, I'd say go and have a great time! We had an aft extended balcony and it was wonderful, as was the crew.

Both ships have a different personality, and we enjoyed them both for what they had to offer.

My husband's cruise with his sons is a few days out from final payment, and in checking rates today (non ES booked) noticed a West Coast sale that would save us $40. So I called, and after 25 minutes on hold going back and forth, the person I spoke to (no PVP, just the general number) got the rate approved. I also made final payment at the time.

Kicking myself because she did tell me the total cost, but with all the hold time I was also working while on the phone - I totally did not do the math in my head with the new balance versus what it was before the drop.

Then I got the confirmation email - and taxes/fees/port charges went UP $52, so this "drop" ended up costing $12. I called back, but nothing could be done.

Totally my fault for not paying 100% attention to the fact that the new total would be higher than the old total once the "drop" was applied - posting just as a warning for anyone else who may be seeing that sale and trying for the price drop!

Can't recall using it on a cruise, but as a frequent business traveler, I always carry about 2' of black gorilla tape wrapped around a gift card in a side pocket in my purse.

Uses that come to mind - wearing my old comfy boots to Colorado - freak snow storm hit and old comfy reliable got a small hole in the sole - not good but tape got me through the trip and back home to the cobbler.

Another trip, had a jacket with metal eyelets holding braiding on the sleeve - one eyelet popped off - duct tape held it back on.

You just never know - and it takes up almost no room so why not be prepared?

(Also comes in handy for annoying coworkers during meetings!)

SADNESS! :(

 

My phone and my tablet are both telling me that they're not in range to log on to Carnival Wi-Fi. How do you cope with this post-cruise symptom?

 

(just off the Victory)

I feel your pain ~ my TV won't call up room service menus.

There's only one cure ~ book another cruise!

Did you buy Carnival gift cards using your Carnival MasterCard around Thanksgiving? Don't recall the exact date but I got an email I *think* from Barclay/MasterCard (although it might have been Carnival) saying if I spent a certain amount on gift cards with my MC they'd send me a $25 gift card.

Of course wasn't ready to book a cruise then so didn't do... the ended up booking one last week ~ grrrrr.

Depends on how you booked the cruise. Each cabin will have it's own booking number . Unless you booked four singles the primary in each cabin will to do their own. Why don't they wait until there on board to sort this out.

Thanks ~ I'm the planner of the bunch and it makes me so nervous to not have everything taken care of ahead of time ~ I'd be too afraid they'd screw it up somehow if I let them take care of it on board (oh we'll get around to taking everyone off our card and then oops we forgot!)!

Recently my sister and I and a friend shared a suite. We all registered online individually and set up our own accounts with individual credit cards. Worked perfectly! When you put your information in, it asks if anyone else is allowed charging privileges on that account.

Thank you! Did you just create your own account at Carnival and then add the booking number, or was there something else that had to be done?

Never ran into this and don't see it on here - my husband and his three grown sons are taking a cruise together. I've booked the cruise and pre-paid gratuities, but each will be responsible for their own on board account.

Is it possible for each of them to log into Carnival as themselves with the booking ID and do their individual set ups? Or do we have to do that for them?

Everyone lives in a different state, so it's not possible to sit down and do it together.

I don't mind doing it but might be easier for everyone to do on their own... and as I'm supposed to be the "expert" putting all this together, I'd love to have the answer before they ask the question!

I've never had one, but from what I've read a trundle is smaller than a regular bed, more appropriate for children than grown men! Not sure how tall the 19 year old is, but something to consider.

 

Funny though how men don't want to listen to the wise advice of the women in their llives ... Don't they know we are always right? Lol :)

I know right?! They all said they'd happily sleep on the floor just to have this cruise together so who am I to try and be logical?!

I told them if they find it's too cramped, they can always grab a pillow and go sleep on lido - the boys aren't sure if I'm kidding or not! :cool:

Long Beach has very limited parking options.

Besides hotel packages the only parking is at the port. It's $17/day, payable upon exit. If you go over a 24 hour period you will get charged the hourly rate. We simply keep the parking money apart from our other moneys.

After you leave the structure keep the receipt out as it will be need to be shown when leaving the area.

 

There are other options, but they are far away (60 minutes), are not easy to do nor are they payable in advance.

Thank you ~ I guess I was holding out hope there were other parking options I wasn't aware of beside the pier ~ not happy to know there aren't but glad to have the information!