ldubs

For our SF sailing we had options starting at 10:30 I think. We opted for 11:00. I actually didn't know we would have an option to select arrival time. It kind of came as a surprise when Mrs Ldubs did the check in. As another poster said, one of the benefits of a later check in is the cabin will likely be ready. We normally like boarding later. For this trip we are traveling with a group and going with the consensus.

We do that too. And, more than once we've purchased cheapo zip up nylon type bags to carry the "extra" stuff home.

Thanks. I read somewhere on Carnivals site that the lido breakfast would be open to 9:15 am. All of the feedback indicates that a 10 am pick up is probably a good bet for our cruise. If we learn something different on board, we can always contact the car service I suppose. But I'm thinking 10 am is pretty safe at this point.

Apparently everyone has an opinion but no one really knows the answer (not that I don't share some of the opinions). I saw that RCI provides a contact point for anyone testing positive within 14 days of a cruise. I find the 14 days surprising. Anyway, as already suggested you could contact Carnival and let them know. If they don't want or need the info, then no harm done.

I think a good example of what you are saying is the Alamo. It shouldn't be visited without a strong sense of what happened there.

Thanks. And our bags will be easier to spot too if we wait past our groups tag is called. 👍

If things go according to plans, we will visit The Last Supper in Milan later this year. Apparently they limit viewing to small groups of 15. Hopefully that will improve the experience. I completely agree with the Mona Lisa being a bad experience. Even though disappointing, I'm glad I at least got to see what could be argued as among the most famous paintings in the world. I"ve been talking to Mrs Ldubs about one of these days visiting Waterloo because of what happened there. I suspect it will be pretty disappointing. But I would still would like to just be where it all happened I guess.

This is one that might normally be thought to be not worthwhile. For us it was just the opposite of a disappointment for any number of reasons.

I'm assuming in general all suites and junior suites have balconies -- yes?

That is terrible. Boom boxes are specially banned according to Carnival rules. It is sad that security did not respond appropriately.

Yep! ✋

Thank you everyone. This was very helpful and appreciated. Even though we would be considered "express debark" we will plan on leaving along with the one of the later disembark groups.

I agree it is good to go inside and all around for a close up look. I found the more modern facade on what I guess most would consider the back side to be very interesting. It is such a contrast to the front facade.

I honestly had no idea door slamming was a big issue. I normally wouldn't let any door slam and can't say that I've ever had an issue in a hotel or cruise ship. Now that I've read this thread, I will probably hear doors slamming all night long on our next cruise!

That wasn't a door slam. That was someone running a lawn mower outside your door! 🤣

That seems early. We have been on enough cruises I should know this. I've just never really paid attention I guess. Or more likely, just did what I was told when I was told. 😄

Not asking to overstay. Asking what the last disembark group might be. I sure like the idea of a B2B!

Blarney Stone. In a slow line up a spiral staircase. Then: "NEXT". Lay down kiss the stone. Spray with windex. Pic available at the exit. "NEXT". Lay down kiss the stone. Spray with windex. Pic available at the exit. "NEXT". Lay down kiss the stone. Spray with windex. Pic available at the exit. Actually the old castle and the incredibly worn spiral staircase were pretty cool. The Blarney Stone -- I enjoyed watching Mrs Ldubs participate. Not that I think she needed any help being more persuasive. LOL.

How long can we stay onboard on disembarkation day? Or, asked another way, what time is the last assigned group to disembark? We will be disembarking Carnival Miracle on May 31st in San Francisco. Because we will be taking a car service home, we figure we will have a leisurely disembark day. And or course, we need to let them know when to pick us up. I'm pretty sure the cabins have to be vacated by 9 am. Not sure when they will kick us off the ship. Haha.

Don't really know. Do the larger cruise ships still leave from Venice? I thought they were using alternate ports these day. We were tendered and were dropped right there in town. We used the ship's shuttle going up to Oia and then to Thira. Took the tram back down the hill to catch a tender back to the ship. First time we took a shuttle bus from the pier to the town. Second time we took a small ferry boat. We took a shuttle bus (short ride) to the town. I like TheOldBear's suggestion to visit the ports-of-call forums. There will be a lot of detail there.

One size does not fit all is very true and a constant theme on these forums. I never really thought of it before, but after reading this I kind of realized I like riding around in those little tourist trains. Last one I remember was in Bellinzona. We were walking along and kind of just stumbled upon it. It was about 80% school kids on a field trip which made it kind of fun. It was a terrific way to get around to the three castles.

I have no problem with this. Though I have no difficulty interacting with someone wearing less formal clothes. To get back to your question, what someone else is wearing has no impact on how my food tastes. However, the most well dressed person will severely impact my enjoyment if they constantly whine about everything not to their liking and make rude judgmental remarks thinking somehow that is witty social interaction. Let's not forget politeness and manners. Those trump how someone is dressed every time.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa was one of those places I was not excited about seeing at all. Just along for the ride. But when I saw it from a distance I thought it was actually pretty cool. I would not spend much time there though. Of course we took the obligatory goofy photo with Mrs Ldubs holding it up. haha. I forgot about the Little Mermaid. It was kind of cool to put it there, but yeah, kind of meh.

The Parthenon the first time we visited it. We walked up from the Plaka. When we finally arrived huffing and puffing, it was covered in scaffolding. Major Bummer! Happily, another visit years later was terrific (we didn't walk it again, though). The Mona Lisa. The standoff for security and the crowds really make it hard to appreciate the painting. Felt kind of like a "tick the box and move on" moment.

16 -- Sweet!