Towel Critter

I'm looking into cruises for next year but I have absolutely NO IDEA where to go.. I've done Eastern, Western and Bermuda. However my boyfriend has never been on a cruise. What are the places that are a must see? What type of excursions did you do there?

Have you cruised out of New Orleans? Doing so is a unique experience. Lots of good food and a festive atmosphere in New Orleans and you get to cruise down the Mississippi river until after midnight, finally emerging into the Gulf. It's quite different than sailing from other ports. It's been a few years since I've done it. I'm ready to do it again. The only drawback is that the itinerary is mostly Western, so options are limited on that. BUT... if you should decide to do a Western itinerary, N.O. is THE best port to do it from.

Looking at it right now... free of charge.

Guess we're talking a Caribbean cruise on a Carnival ship.

Well, this IS the Carnival board.;p

Yes, they did. Roll Tide. I'm not upset, but some people seem to be over missing a game. I was just pointing out that if TV channels are that important, to find out if, and how, you might see them on the cruise line of your choice.

 

I believe Carnival was the last mass market cruise line to switch TV packages which resulted in loss of major network channels. I don't believe you will find them on Royal, for example.

Sure was nice while it lasted. Oh well, RTR! I'll miss two games this year while on an eight night cruise. I wish my wife was a football fan. I might be able to talk her into cruising sometime other than football season.:(

What cruise line do you think carries network stations in the stateroom?

Carnival did in the Fall of 2017. It was ESPN, I believe. I watched Alabama versus Vanderbilt. Bama won 62-0. We were docked until 10:00 PM at Nassau. My sweet wife went and got pizza for me during the game. I guess I won't be doing it anymore though. ::( I was kidding about changing cruise lines, thus the big eyed icon. Sorry if I upset you. :*

Our last cruise I got to watch my favorite college football team play right in my own cabin. Man, that was nice! I'm sure going to miss that. After our current booked cruise I may have to reconsider booking times... or cruise lines.:o

You don't have to purchase FTTF time and again. Once you make Platinum, you no longer need, but you will have had some of the perks all along.

Well, you'd have to purchase fttf eleven times, assuming seven night cruises, before reaching platinum. That's eleven times more than I purchased it. Perks are nice, but a luxury, and not required to enjoy cruising. I just realized I no longer know what point we are debating.:confused: LOL. Time to call it quits, I'd say. Happy cruising!

What’s more important to you....free laundry at 75 days or free drinks for 3 hours at 80 days? LOL

I don't drink, so... But actually neither is all that important to me. Being able to drop bags off at my room as soon as I board is another story. That's pretty nice. :-)

I've not yet been to Aruba or Curacao, but hope to in September, so perhaps one of those will become my favorite. But right now, of the ports I've visited, my favorite is San Juan (note* haven't been there since it was devastated last year). I love Old San Juan! It just looks and feels so historical and genuine. I hear it has made a good comeback. My favorites change from time to time, as the new wears off. Just behind San Juan, are the saints, St. Thomas, St. Maarten. Cozumel is great too.

I agree.

 

However, there are those ... cough cough RCCL ... who think having a different color cruise card makes them a more important person or a higher "class" person. (one of my main gripes with RCCL)

 

Clue: They are not :)

Those folks obviously have low self esteem issues, regardless of cruise line.

An example of the difference between buying a perk and buying status for the perk. Some say how they have spent thousands to obtain status that grants perks, I suggest it is cheaper to just pay for the perks if you don't care about status.

If you are only going to cruise once or twice, yes. Over the long haul it is not cheaper to purchase fttf time and time again. I paid the same prices for my cruises that I would have paid even if Carnival did not have VIFP. Furthermore, I did not cruise primarily with Carnival in order to get my perks. They are simply that, perks, and cost me nothing extra. I would have booked the same number of cruises with Carnival, perks or no perks. Therefore, they cost me nothing. Thanks for explaining your question. I wasn't being snarky. I simply didn't grasp what you were getting at. Happy cruising! :)

Would you rather pay $15 for laundry or $50 for free laundry?

Neither. I get it free. I'm not sure I understand your question.

As some point, common sense should dictate that it might be cheaper to just pay for perks instead of status. Unless one is just cruising for status - whatever that is.

For me perks and status are one and the same. I don't think many would be interested in the titles, platinum or diamond, if they didn't have the perks attached to them.

2 x per day is included in your cruise fare. 2 times per day is the standard. It is not asking for "extra" service. Some people prefer having their cabin serviced 1 time per day but 2 times is included.

 

If you do feel the service was above and beyond expectations, please consider an additional gratuity.

 

Enjoy your family time and your cruise.

Please, stop with all this fact and rationality business. :D

We too always opt for twice a day. BUT, we keep our room tidy, so all that needs doing in the evening is putting out dry towels, making the bed, and leaving a towel animal. As long as the room isn't a disaster, I wouldn't feel badly at all about asking for what was the norm for years. I WOULD feel badly about asking for twice a day if my room looked like a bomb had gone off in it both times. Then again, if that were the case I'd be embarrassed to ask for once a day service. :-)

Seems so few want to answer the question....

 

No passport required. A US citizen on a closed loop cruise from San Juan can use an official birth certificate and a gov issued photo id.

Post #2.

Think of a passport as a contraceptive. It isn't necessary to perform the act, but... please, practice "safe cruising." Seriously, it is well worth the investment.

Book a B2B2B2B2B2B2B2B2B2B cruise. That will get you to platinum in only ten weeks! Assuming you already have at least a five night cruise under your belt. :-)

If one wears cowboy boots they are ranch dressing...

 

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:rimshot: :D

I think I have been convinced to leave my sports coat at home, but I am a bit wishy washy. I probably will go with a button down shirt and a tie. want to look good in any pictures I have taken, lol.

That's exactly how I do it these days. I used to take a coat, but have left it at home the last few cruises. Like you, I do take a tie. I like to look nice for my wife. :hearteyes:

As many others often say on her, "it's your vacation, so dress how you wish.":D If you enjoy dressing nice for dinner, by all means, do it. You'll be in the minority, but you won't be totally alone.

Was on the Victory in November and didn't notice any issues. Everything was pretty much in line with what I expect on any other Carnival ship. Don't sweat it. Enjoy your cruise!

Great, we are down the hall from that cabin on Saturday:(

I wouldn't worry too much about it. Chances are it is just that one cabin and the little beasties were brought on board stowed away in a former cruiser's suitcase (perhaps from a hotel). I'm not saying don't be proactive (just in case), but that you shouldn't let this one reported incident place negativity about your upcoming cruise in your head. Have a great worry free cruise! :)

why would you call these people Carnival haters. They are all Plat or Diamond. When you pay your money you have the right to compali, Carnival will worry ehen they start to complain and not cruise. That will be a problem

You know this, I know this. Even the ones calling folks who speak up about things they are unhappy about haters know this on some level. BUT, since the complaint is reflecting negatively on a personal choice they made, they take it personally and lash out. Don't sweat it. The genuine haters know who they are and those of us who occasionally criticize a cutback (but still like and sail Carnival) know who we are. Like you said, we are often P and D folks, not haters at all. Like they say, sticks and stones...

Sounds good! I'll probably still stick with the pizza for a late night snack, but some of these items will appeal to my wife... and lots of other folks. I hope this is available on the Conquest in September.