angiegal

Here is my opinion, this is not just for the OP but anyone who talks about putting cash on your S&S card. First off WHY would anyone put cash on it? The only reason I can think of is they do not have a credit card. I do understand some people do not have a CC, well then you would have no choice. However, if you do have a CC then I would use that then pay off the card when you get home or like another poster said "give CC but at the end go and pay the cash". I feel if you can be disciplined enough to put only $100 on your account each day and only spend that much, then why can't you just use the CC and spend only $100 a day? I know you need some cash on hand on vacations but if you do $100 p/day that would be $600 that can get lost or stolen. We have a vacation account with our bank and we just pay off the CC as soon as we get home so we do not get charged interest.

We have a credit card but choose to use cash on our account instead because, honestly, I suck at budgeting my money on vacation. If I put $500 cash on the account, that's all I'm going to spend. If I use my credit card, I'm more likely to spend more than I budgeted for. We do bring a credit card with us while traveling, but we don't use it unless we have to like when checking into a hotel, renting a car, etc. I know my own spending habits and cash works better for me. We use cash as often as possible in our daily lives, too, because it helps us stick to our envelope system of budgeting. Not everyone wants to live in a cashless society.

We've only used FTTF once and I haven't decided whether or not to use it on our next cruise. The one thing we found beneficial was having our cabin ready when we boarded. Yes, standing in a shorter line in nice, but we rarely use guest services and we've never had a very long wait for embarkation without FTTF. For us, the value was being able to take our 18 month old straight to the room and give him a break from the craziness of the day. We also had quite a bit of carry on luggage with us because of a diaper bag, sodas, etc and it was nice to be rid of it right away. It also allowed my husband and daughter free to explore the ship empty handed right away while the youngest and I rested. Personally, if I wasn't traveling with a small child, I would probably skip it.

Thanks again everyone!!!

I'm enjoying your report! We are taking a Alaskan cruise next year and are trying to choose which cruise line to book. It's great to hear a Carnival review!!

The new policy and picking up cards outside your room is a significant improvement over the "old way".

We are on the Sensation. Are they using the new policy on all the ships leaving from Miami?

We just got back from our cruise out of Port Canaveral Florida, We checked in during our assigned time window (1 - 1:30 pm) and were on board in less than 10 minutes! It was smooth and extremely fast. We went out of Miami last year and although we had an assigned check in time it was complete and utter chaos, the lines were long and it was more like a free for all. Maybe the port has a lot to do with the lines.

Yes, this is what I am concerned about! I vaguely remember seeing that Miami was chaotic and we've never left from there before. I have some anxiety issues and constantly check boarding passes, passports, and driving my family crazy until we get on board so maybe FTTF is a good idea ;p

Thanks for all of the quick responses! It sounds like if we just arrive at our time, we will be good to go! I think my biggest fear was that we would wait until our check in time and find out that no one else did so we would get stuck in a big line.

We aren't leaving until October, but when completing online check in, I was given the option to choose a check in time. My question is two fold: first, is the check in time actually enforced? This probably sounds like a stupid question, but if our check in is 12:30 to 1:00, and we arrive at 12:30, are we going to be stuck in a huge line? Or do you plan to arrive at the port at noon so you're ready to check in at 12:30? Second, does FTTF have an effect on the staggered check in? We've only used FTTF once, but found it really helpful to be able to drop off our carry ons in the cabin as soon as we boarded and liked not waiting in line. This time we have 3 cabins, so it hardly seems worth it to pay $150 for FTTF if the staggered check in is efficient. We would just find a place to park ourselves with our bags until our cabins are ready. TIA

We had an extended balcony on the Pride in December 2015. It wasn't longer but it was deeper, which made a huge difference! Our balcony had one lounge chair, two chairs and one table.

I don't know about plumbing issues, but we cruised on the Paradise in 2012. There was a "sewage" smell in a few areas in the back of the ship. I remember reading about it before our cruise and reporting back that we did, indeed, smell it near the stairs on a few decks a handful of times during our cruise.

We done both and prefer anytime dining because we like to be flexible, especially when traveling with children. We've never experienced more than a 10 minute wait, but I've read that others have had to wait for a table, especially during peak dining times. As far as assigned dining, in our experience, we were seated with families with children in the same age ranges of our children.

fyree39, I want to put my 21 year old son and his 22 year old girlfriend in an upper/lower cabin because I prefer to be naive ;)

And thanks for the info on the anchor. I never even considered it! I'm still going back and forth on the Sensation or Victory. Either way, its a short trip and there are still quite a few option available so I'll definitely consider them both.

I have tried them all, but the balconies are great for places like Alaska, where there is a lot to see while you are sailing. One thing I like about the inside cabins is the total darkness. Your body is not influenced by the light, so you get as much sleep as you need.

We are in the process of planning our 2018 cruise to Alaska on Princessright now. That's definitely a balcony-worthy trip!!

There are quite a few of each available for our upcoming cruise and we've been in inside, ocean view, and balcony, so I figure why not try something new. Advantages? Disadvantages? Thoughts?

We've always used insuremytrip to compare policy options. We've never had to use it *knock on wood* but I consider it part of the cost of any vacation.

Thanks for all the opinions! We're gonna book it :)

I think I am just thinking way too much about it. My husband said watching the pier runners in Cozumel will be fun ;)

Background first, we've been on 6 Carnival Cruises, all but 1 have been 5 days. Our schedules make it hard to take longer cruises. I'm trying to find a cruise that will work with my two adult children's schedules and my husbands. The only thing I'm coming up with is the Sensation from Miami over Columbus Day weekend (Thursday to Monday, I believe) with stops in Key West and Cozumel Plus. It will be my husband and I, our 22 year old son and (soon to be) daughter in law, our 19 year old daughter and our 3 year old son. I see cruises as a time to relax and am in bed or on my own balcony by 10. My 19 year old is a lot like me: she's more likely to be reading a book than partying. The older two will definitely be out drinking and having fun into the wee hours. Hubby is a mix. He likes the casino, karaoke, and and a few drinks. The littlest guy will hang out with me or try the kids programs. So.... Having said ALL of that, how much of a "party boat" atmosphere will we encounter? I honestly don't remember much that I thought was out of control or offensive on any of the past cruises. I have certainly seen my share of really drunk passengers, people making out in hot tubs, etc. But something about this cruise makes me feel like its going to be a different vibe. The ports, a holiday weekend and leaving from Miami I guess??? Am I just over thinking it?

I can see why it would make it harder. First, its an interruption in their "work flow" so to speak. They also have to now clean around your bags not to mention not being sure if the bag was from the person before you or not. Plus, there's 2000 passengers, so everything is multiplied. If one person dropping off bags only delays them for 2 minutes, the 30 people dropping off bags delays them by an hour. There's a reason they ask you to wait until 130. If you want in before then, book a suite or purchase FTTF.

We went to the fair recently where it was crowded and lots of wagons. It was horrible. In a crowd, the heads of ur kids are right at backpack/purse level and people were accidentally knocking kids in the head. Strollers offer more protection.

I've been using a wagon for nearly 20 years and have never had anyone's bag hit my kid in the head.

We use a radio flyer wagon at home all the time. I've never used one on board, but if the cruise line says the fold up wagon is OK, I'd go for it! (I've actually been considering buying one of these, BTW). The don't take up any more room than a tandem stroller. In my opinion, the only thing I've ever noticed as a problem is that it takes more work to pull with one hand than to push with two. As a side note though, I am pretty sure these are only to be used for kids 18 months and older.

I would definitely go to the dining room as much as possible, but if the kids aren't cooperating there's always room service. And for me, personally, baby wearing is a life saver if we are on our own! My toddler is content and my hands are free to get a tray at the lido deck or do anything else :)

The problem with eating with your hands is this. Lets say the guy in front of you in the buffet has noro on his hands. He touches the tongs to get a bun for his burger. You then touch the tongs and your hands are now contaminated. You pick up the bun with the tongs, and it stays clean, but when you pick up the burger to eat it, your hands have transferred the germs to the burger, which you now ingest. If you used a knife and fork to eat with, even after your hands had become contaminated (after your hand washing), your hands would never have touched the food, so it would not be contaminated.

 

And yes, I know pretty well how many people have touched the utensils, and its not that many, which is why they are wrapped in linen.

See, I have a toddler. Anytime we eat outside the home thge last thing we do before eating is an antibacterial wipe for hands. People have touched, coughed on, sneezed on, etc. the tables, chairs, trays, cups, and everything else. The flatwear wrapped in linen is no exception.

We are taking our 18 month old at the end of November. DH and I will each have a free night while the other stays with DS and our 17yo DD will stay with him a few hours another night. If we decide we want any other time, we plan to use Night Owls. I'm not being a sanctimommy, but my feeling is that I just don't know what will happen when I'm gone and at 18 months, he's too young to fend for himself if the situation arises or tell me if something happens. Night Owls is affordable and adds the safety of more than one adult with him.

There were some freebies you get with the package, too, right? Like a flash drive or something? I'm on the Pride November 30th if that helps