Towel Critter

Yes, thank you, although I had no idea my seemingly innocent question could or would generate THIS much discussion. LOL!

 

Considering I am an oddly formal type, I love dressing up, I have no issues wearing dresses from casual to formal. I grumbled up a storm when my office went jeans all the time recently. DH on the other hand, does not share my sentiments.

 

As he stated, we have a game plan now that should please everyone - from us to the folks who would rather see everyone dressed up.

 

Happy Cruising everyone!

Probably most folks that post questions about dining room attire have no idea it is THE most argued topic on CC. Happy cruising! :)

Hi

 

So I am trying to understand, I thought I understood that it was 1 1/5 - 2hr. travel each way. Ferry and bus. Is this not the case?

 

has anybody done the Carnival tour?

 

thanks

The ferry ride is 45-50 minutes, plus boarding and waiting time. I've also ridden in a taxi from Playa Del Carmen to Tulum, and though I don't remember the exact travel time, it is probably in the neighborhood of 50-60 minutes. That is a total of at least an hour and 45 minutes actual travel time. There will also be time lost waiting at various points. I think you can safely assume close to 2 1/2 hours from the time you exit the ship until you set foot in Tulum, assuming there are no other delays and about the same amount of time coming back..

I've been to Tulum during a land based vacation and it, especially the beach area, is gorgeous. However, I would not consider doing an excursion there while on a cruise with an outside tour company, especially if the ship is only going to be in Cozumel for eight hours. Too little room for error imho. Also, since you arrive in Cozumel at 12:00 and the park closes at five, with a minimum of two hours travel time to get there, you will only be at the park maybe 2 1/2 hrs at most, probably more like 2 hours, assuming it stays open until 5:00 on that day. It's your call, but I wouldn't do it.

Hate to hear this, especially since we have a coastal cruise booked for our upcoming visit to Princess Cays. I'm not overly concerned, but it does make you stop and think about it. Hopefully this was merely a mechanical problem and not something similar to what happened to the water taxi in the Playa Del Carmen/Cozumel area

 

I'll be watching this for updated info.

Not exactly sure if this is a fair generalization. I am a fairly young cruiser (26) and have been lucky to cruise for sometime now. I personally love to dress up(dark suit with a tie), as do my 5 sisters(ranging from the ages of 18-28).

 

There are many people who have decided to dress more casual recently, not just “younger cruisers.”

Good for you! :)I'm glad to hear you enjoy making dinner on a cruise a little extra special. I do think you, at 26, are an exception rather than the rule though, judging by what I have observed.

The problem is that some around here think that isn’t enough and are clearly bothered by it since they go to war or make disparaging posts on every related thread. Most of us are more in the live and let live crowd. Be clean, comfortable, and don’t make a ruckus. Want to wear a suit and tie? Fantastic! Want to wear shorts and a polo? Great! I’m far more concerned about if you are clean than I am about your clothes. This is, after all, a budget line geared toward the lowest income group of cruise customers. Those that want a more formal experience have many other options just in the Carnival Corp family alone.

Great! We clearly agree on more than we disagree on. That's a good thing. :)

I read your post just fine the first time even without customs in all caps. Again, I have never seen anyone express disdain towards those who enjoy dressing up (whether it be because it is their "custom" or otherwise). I am all for respecting others customs and in certain scenarios the respectful thing to do is to abide by the custom (for example, if you are in someone else's home).

 

But we are talking about being on a cruise, so unless you are suggesting that the only way to respect someone's customs is to actually partake in it, I'm not sure why my response led you to believe I misread what you said. I've seen lots of opinions from both groups about how they prefer to dress, but a quick search on these boards will show you that the number of those who show disdain towards those who dress casually is much greater than those who show disdain towards those who enjoy dressing up. It has nothing to do with seeing what I want to see, because what I would want to see would be everyone respecting each other AND their customs.

I want to address something in your post I didn't have time to address before. You mentioned that sometimes the proper thing to do is abide by someone else's customs, like for example when you are in someone else's home. I agree with that. That is why I feel it is right to abide by Carnival's written dress code. To not do so, imho, is disrespectful. And I'm not talking about dressing to the nines. I don't do that either. I'm talking about simply respecting the rather lax dress code that is in place, which I do. Put on clean pants or shorts or dress (long pants or a dress on elegant night), take a shower if you've been sweating, wear a clean shirt or blouse, leave the sweaty tank tops, ball caps, and gym attire in the cabin, and you are abiding by the dress code, as best as I can tell. That really isn't a lot to ask of someone. To not be willing to do those simple things does show a level of disdain, disrespect, or whatever to me.

I read your post just fine the first time even without customs in all caps. Again, I have never seen anyone express disdain towards those who enjoy dressing up (whether it be because it is their "custom" or otherwise). I am all for respecting others customs and in certain scenarios the respectful thing to do is to abide by the custom (for example, if you are in someone else's home).

 

But we are talking about being on a cruise, so unless you are suggesting that the only way to respect someone's customs is to actually partake in it, I'm not sure why my response led you to believe I misread what you said. I've seen lots of opinions from both groups about how they prefer to dress, but a quick search on these boards will show you that the number of those who show disdain towards those who dress casually is much greater than those who show disdain towards those who enjoy dressing up. It has nothing to do with seeing what I want to see, because what I would want to see would be everyone respecting each other AND their customs.

In the earlier post you said, " I can't say I've ever noticed any younger people express contempt toward THOSE who enjoy dressing up. However, there are often posts expressing a lot of disdain towards YOUNGER PEOPLE who prefer to dress comfortably and casually on vacation." This is what prompted my capitalization of CUSTOMS, for emphasis. There is a big difference between disliking someone's customs and disliking the person. I'm not going to sit here and search all the older posts on the subject and count which side posted more negative comments toward the other (I sincerely doubt you took the time - hours and hours - it would take to do it either), so I'll just give you that one on the basis of you say it is so. Happy cruising! Seriously. :)

 

 

 

That's an interesting perspective haha. I can't say I've ever noticed any younger people express contempt toward those who enjoy dressing up. However, there are often posts expressing a lot of disdain towards younger people who prefer to dress comfortably and casually on vacation.

Reread my post. I said disdain toward the CUSTOMS of older folk. Sometimes we see what we want to see. I've seen contempt from both groups toward the preferences of the other. But that's nothing new, just as disdain from the younger generation toward their elders isn't new. It's sort of a rite of passage, at least in the first world. Fortunately, most outgrow it and eventually become what they swore they would never be. :-)

Same here.

 

do not see how anyone can do exceeded my expectations when you know exactly what to expect on a cruise.

I have wondered about this too when filling out surveys. You're right. If you know exactly what kind of service you are going to get, then how could that service be exceeded? I suppose it could be, if a staff member went above and beyond what they are expected to do, but I don't think any of them have the time to do that anymore. They barely have time to do what is expected.

People wait 15 minutes or more anytime they order a pizza on land, why would one expect different on a cruise ship?

 

On the Vista in May the line moved fairly quickly .

Agreed. The difference is you don't have to wait in a line for your pizza at a restaurant. It would be better if they would give you a ticket and then bring it to your table when ready. This isn't going to happen. Just saying it would be better.

No, you will not feel out of place, especially on a short cruise, which attracts younger cruisers, who apparently have a lot of disdain for the customs of us older folks.

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I do remember the CD imploring guests to fill in the "exceeded my expectations" box when they had given out written surveys towards the end of a cruise.

I remember this happening too, on multiple cruises. They seem to have stopped doing it though. Haven't personally experienced it in a few.

Yeah, a common occurrence on excursions. I've not experienced outright begging for tips on board, but I have experienced strong "hinting" a time or two, though honestly, not on any of our recent cruises. I don't think Carnival would be happy about it if they were aware.

You won't see much discussion about ports on this board, because any threads about ports get moved pretty quickly. I've never been to Freeport, but have been to Nassau quite a few times. I always enjoy Nassau, even though some here would have you believe it is the armpit of the Caribbean. You can find plenty of worthwhile things to do there. We really enjoyed the Atlantis tour. Last time there, we went to Twin Brothers restaurant. The conch salad was really good. There is shopping, of course, and beaches, and the straw market is a must see for first timers. In short, don't allow others here to discourage you. Is it my favorite port? No, but for a first time cruiser Nassau can be pretty exciting. For a seasoned cruiser, with a good attitude, it can remain enjoyable as well. Happy cruising!

Where?

When a poster doesn't mention a cruise locale, I think it's pretty darn safe to assume Caribbean. Don't you? If they were going cruising in Alaska, Antarctica, or the Med, I do believe they would have specified that.

Hot during the day, cool at night. Since your walk to dinner at the main dining room will most likely be indoors, you will not sweat in your dinner attire. If you opt to dine on Lido deck at the buffet, it will have cooled down by dinner. It gets pretty cool outside at night. Usually a cover-up of some sort is needed to watch a dive-in movie. You will need something on your feet during the day on the deck, as the decking gets hot enough to burn bare feet. Hope this helps.

If one has the means and can easily afford FTTF, sure, why not? Having those perks do not make or break a cruise though, so if money is an issue, skip it. I've been fortunate enough to enjoy Platinum perks for a few cruises. They are nice. But personally, I would not pay a hundred bucks for them. If I were to lose my Platinum status for some reason, I'd just go back to doing it the way I did the first dozen cruises. Not a biggie.

HMC is beautiful and you can't go wrong with that choice. Having been there a few times, I'm looking forward to my first visit ever to Princess Cays in September though.

Fly on a magician, hypnotist, vantriloqiist...

Flying on a magician might be fun. :D Seriously, I agree. I miss those acts. Variety is the spice of life.

I'd like to see them reverse course, get away from trending toward mega ships, and get back to building ships the size of the Conquest class ships, with more public space and fewer passengers. I'm probably in the minority here, but I'd LOVE to cruise on a brand new Conquest class ship.

Rather than making payments on a cruise, why not put the money into a savings account so that you earn some interest? It's a much better option than depositing your money into Carnival's account and letting them earn interest off your money (since it is your money until the final payment date).

Wouldn't want to miss out on that twenty-three cents for sure. :cool:

Was just wondering how many of you really don't care too much about the ports?

 

For me, My cruise is 90% about the ship. Sure I like some ports, but I don't go crazy about them. I do get off the ship and do stuff with my wife, but we don't go bizerk anymore. We been to most ports in the carribean, so sometimes we just enjoy the quietness of the ship.

I feel differently. I enjoy the ports as much, if not more, than the ship. Of course, that depends on the port. Sure, once you've been to most of the main ports a few times the new wears off. Then It is a matter of finding new things to see and do there. At roughly eight hours per visit, it would take a LONG time to see and do everything there is at every port. I find that a port starts getting a little stale for me after about four visits. After that is the time to get creative. I've never once just stayed on the ship. Just how I roll. :)

Ditto. What everyone else has said. FB messenger.

The second option is giving you onboard credit, which you are probably buying by paying a slightly higher price.

 

Early Saver is giving you price protection, which means if the price goes down you can get credited for the difference.

 

The third one is giving you an automatic two category upgrade.

 

Those are the difference I see. No, there isn't a huge difference in price.