EllieinNJ

My husband ordered the pasta and seafood the last night. It came with two mussels, two small shrimp and maybe three calamari. He was very disappointed.

The bbq fish Branzino was just BBQ sauce. I had to scrape it off. Tasted like ketchup.

That was the one meal I hated. Chicken was hard as a rock and tasteless. People at other tables didn't like it either

We are on a side to side cruise doing the Radiance/Panorama in April and there were no direct flights to Long Beach from the NY/NJ area. So flying into LAX and staying in El Segundo two nights, touring LA then taking an Uber/Lyft to port. Staying at Queen Mary between ships.

If all else fails I'd try Elliot Advocates. They really try to help in situations like this.

Tomorrow's the big day. Getting excited.

Been looking at this cruise and there are very little Fantastica balcony cabins left. Nothing in roll calls. Does this mean mostly Europeans and non us residents on her? Hopefully trouble will be ended by then. Too early for airfare quotes but seems NY to Dubai and back to NY from Rome runs about $1100pp. Any thoughts?

We booked Prima for December. Yes, crappy reviews and same tired ports but wanted to experience for ourselves what it is all about .

My first time reading your reports. Quite entertaining.

What a great review. Even though I have grandchildren older than Ian I still enjoyed your blog. We also are going in April and leaving from LAX and was worried that I have a 2:45pm flight that puts us in NJ at 11pm. We could have taken an 11am flight or a 1pm flight but now I think we will stay with the original if it takes so long to get an Uber/Lyft,

Bummer.

Doing the Radiance in April with a side to side on the Panorama.

Is there an Imax theater on board? I thought I read that Vista class had Imax but couldn't find it on the ship's floor plans.

Looking forward to the rest.

According to the 1000 members each of three different FB groups this cruise is mostly made up of casino people with a great comp. This is only my 4th Carnival cruise so just a lowly gold but got a great price last year during their birthday celebration.

Looks like we'll be having great weather for embarkation...low 50's.

Sorry, wrong date

Looks like the weather will be great this weekend...low 50's.

Try looking at some of the large internet TAs.

I always look for group rates from travel agents. Besides getting a lower price they have enough inventory so you can pick a cabin in whichever category you want, no additional charge.

I have a question and hope it's not too off topic. We had fcc applied to a cruise for December. It's not listed as a payment like Cruise next but as a discounted price of the cruise before taxes. If I want to bid on a higher cabin later in the year will they base the offer on the original price of the cruise or on what we paid?

I, too, have lived in the NY/NJ are all my life and have yet to do a fraction of the amazing things to do here. I remember a few years ago St. Greg did a cruise report when he sailed the Magic out of NYC. He spent a few days in the city before the cruise and did so much that everyone was amazed at how he got it all in. There are three different groups for this sailing on FB and most seem to be out-of-towners. Lots of them have tickets for Broadway shows and many are getting together before the cruise to explore and dine. Unfortunately in February the weather may not cooperate with some plans but hoping there will be no snow on embarkation day.

Hi. We will be on this cruise too. Looking forward to reading your take. Ellie.

What?? No Barry Manilow?

We are doing the 7 day Panorama on April 27th. Couldn't see flying all the way out to California just for 7 days so we added the 4 day Radiance as a side to side from April 22-26. Then we will stay at the Queen Mary in between. This, too, will be our first Mexican Riviera cruise. We are coming in 2 days before and staying at the Fairfield Inn in El Segundo. There is a free shuttle from LAX and they have free breakfast. There is also a private tour of LA for a very good price. There is also a supermarket in walking distance where you can pick up soda. Then we will Uber to the cruise port. Have not yet booked any excursions but will follow all advice like you. I did notice Rhythms of the Night had gone up $20pp since last year. .