CatlinSTJ

We will be doing a mix. It all depends on your comfort level traveling abroad and in the specific ports. Carnival excursions are usually more expensive (not necessarily alway), but will guarantee that you won't lose money if the ship misses a port or miss the ship if something happens and the tour runs late, but they tend to be larger groups and less personal. Private excursions are often smaller groups and may give you a bit more flexibility, plus they usually cost less. If you're booking independently, definitely read reviews and make sure you won't be charged if the ship skips the stop and that they are responsible for covering the cost and hassle of getting you to the next port of something does happen. Companies such as Italy Tour Sharing and others are known for being very reliable.

Next cruise: Carnival Vista - July 2016

It's not the fanciest, but our crew on the Ecstasy was awesome and we had a great cruise. My kids actually preferred the youth programs on the Ecstasy to those on the Breeze.

Next cruise: Carnival Vista - July 2016

We've had both experiences at the family shows, it's really a mixed bag and you never know who you'll end up with. One show was really just the profanity removed, but luckily most of the adult humor went over their heads. On the Breeze, we had separate comedians for the adult and family shows and it worked out much better and was truly a family friendly show as he was great at engaging the kids and teens. (I'll have to pull out the FunTimes to see who it was, great guy though!)

Next cruise: Carnival Vista - July 2016

Most US issued credit cards will not work in European credit card machines because they require a Chip/PIN card (not chip/signature). This has been discussed online (here on CC and just about every other travel forum) for several years. US magnetic debit/ATM cards will usually work in European ATMs...assuming you are within your daily withdrawal limits. But one should always notify the issuing bank of their itinerary and also notify all the major credit card companies. We also advise that folks carry enough Euros (just get them out of an ATM at your first EU port) to cover the situation when a credit card does not work.

 

 

 

Hank

We were in Europe in 2012 and had no issues using our credit cards even though the US had not added the chips yet and they were already standard in the EU. Besides notifying the card companies of your travel plans, it's a good idea to request a PIN number for the card. Be aware that this will process as a cash transaction, but when nothing else will work it will allow you to make purchases when the machine requires a pin as well as the chip.

Next cruise: Carnival Vista - July 2016

I think that's the toughest part of this whole venture, but possibly the most exciting as well! I would book it as there are only a few remaining, you can always call and change cabins later if the pics and reviews aren't what you were hoping for.

Next cruise: Carnival Vista - July 2016

We noticed about a week ago that our July 1 sailing went from about 70% capacity to nearly sold out suddenly and it really makes us wonder. Commented to my DH that if Carnival has rooms blocked for works 2 months after the scheduled inaugural that it's not good.

Next cruise: Carnival Vista - July 2016

Our cruise went from showing plenty of available staterooms to nearly booked over the past couple of weeks. Not trying to start anything by speculating, but I have to wonder if something is up. Final payment date is coming up in just a few weeks so it will be interesting to see what happens.

Next cruise: Carnival Vista - July 2016

UPDATE!!!!!!

 

 

 

His ID came in the mail today, we are so relieved. Our cruise is tomorrow. Thank you all for your advice. Now time for me to pack. :D

Hallelujah!!! :)

Next cruise: Carnival Vista - July 2016

Our cove Balconies on the Vista went from about $2400 to $3000 each. I hate dealing with the new mobile interface, but the last time I checked a couple of weeks ago there were still plenty of cabins in that category left on our sailing.

Next cruise: Carnival Vista - July 2016

Quite frankly, I'm not sure why it would matter. If two adults are going to share a room with their three kids, then it's not like any hanky-panky is going to be happening during the cruise anyway. You might as well just sleep in separate beds. It's definitely worth it to save that much money!

That's what Camp Carnival is for ;-)

Next cruise: Carnival Vista - July 2016

Ken, sorry I forgot to tell you about Tom's port guides. This is a non commercial site out together by an avid cruiser and he has put together many good PDF's on the major Med ports. Because it is a sole labor of love, information might not be totally up to date, so you might have to check other sources to make sure things have not changed. Here is the link to Marseille:

 

 

 

http://www.tomsportguides.com/uploads/5/8/5/4/58547429/marseille-06-28-2013.pdf

 

 

 

Glancing through I didn't see a reference to the MuCem ( new museum in Marseille) so as I said, you should always cross reference and check his links for the most recent information.

This is excellent! I'm not the OP, but this is exactly what I've been looking for, so thank you for sharing.

Next cruise: Carnival Vista - July 2016

It usually works for me, the only issues I've had is because of having booked multiple cabins, sometimes they'll approve one and toss the other as a duplicate.

Next cruise: Carnival Vista - July 2016

In the mornings we split up and had the girls get ready in one cabin and the boys in another. It was perfect for us and we are looking to do the same with three balcony cabins next year (we added a couple more to the mix since that point and need the extra cabin).

My husband wishes! Our bunch is all girls, he'd have a room to himself! LOL

Next cruise: Carnival Vista - July 2016

We've done it with our family of 6 and even similar ages. The first, we had connecting OV cabins, which is nice because you can use them basically as one big suite. On the second, we were next to each other but not connecting, still OV. On the last on the Breeze, we had a balcony with DH, me and the youngest, and the 2 teens (oldest had moved out) were across the hall in an interior room. Not as ideal and harder to keep track of them. When we cruise this year on the Vista, we're in connecting cove balconies with the youngest two, now 16 and 8. It can be done and fairly easily :)

Next cruise: Carnival Vista - July 2016

Yup - no limit. I've submitted about 4 in the past couple of weeks and our cruise is still 5 months away :)

Next cruise: Carnival Vista - July 2016

I did not find any with airport shuttles offered. I'm sure they exist, but we'll be just as happy to grab a cab and pay less for the hotel. We were able to book a family suite with separate bedrooms for about €150 per night within walking distance to Las Ramblas.

Next cruise: Carnival Vista - July 2016

I was able to get our first price drop on our July 1 Vista sailing! Not a huge drop, $58 per stateroom, but we'll take it.

Next cruise: Carnival Vista - July 2016

Yes, you can do that. I ordered cheap phone with a European SIM and number online before our last trip that included (I think) 40 minutes of talk time and texting. This was more as a backup and in case of emergency than anything, and we did use it a couple of times. I believe I paid about $30 and it was shipped to me.

Also, depending on your phone, you may be able to order just a European SIM card and use your existing phone. That would make it even cheaper - more in the $10-$15 range. Do a web search for European travel phone and lots of options will pop up.

Next cruise: Carnival Vista - July 2016

Guys if Carnival's offering doesn't tempt you you can always pick one of these up in Italy. I had one in Rome this summer and it wasn't as bad as I though it would be and was 8 Euros.

 

 

 

 

 

That's hilarious! I have to admit to stopping in to get a pistachio McFlurry last time we were in Rome.

I don't mind paying a reasonable upcharge and look forward to seeing what they offer. DH is (mildly) allergic to shellfish, so I don't get it nearly as often as I'd like. Great to have it as an option, if nothing else.

Next cruise: Carnival Vista - July 2016

It truly depends on the child. We have 4 girls and typically give them $50 each for a 5 day cruise. My youngest was 5 on her first cruise and will pick out a stuffed animal from the shops and that's about it, maybe some candy. Second youngest has cruised from 11-14 and barely spends any money, ever. Next daughter cruised at 16-17 and will blow through her limit the first day or two and start hitting the younger sisters up to buy her stuff. Oldest cruised from 15-19 and will buy stuff throughout the week, figure out what she has left the last night, and make every effort to spend down to the last penny if possible.

Our next cruise is 8 days in Europe and just the youngest two are still living at home and going with us. Not sure that they'll need any more for the longer cruise as there is only one day at sea and a lot of time in port. They will take $50-100 of money they have saved up for souvenirs in the ports though.

Next cruise: Carnival Vista - July 2016

My kids preferred the programs on the Ecstasy to those on the Breeze. The spaces on the Breeze were definitely larger and fancier, but there seemed to be less adult supervision and interaction, especially for the teens.

Next cruise: Carnival Vista - July 2016

Just finished booking our airfare from JFK-BCN. Paid $764 per person roundtrip nonstop flight going there and a 4 hour layover in Madrid on the way home. We actually live in North Carolina. However, the airfare around here is $1465 nonstop. Considering we had to purchase 5 tickets we will visit my parents in NY for a few days pre-flight and a few days post-flight.

Which airline did you book? We're still looking at our options and trying to decide which airline and hub to fly out of for similar reasons.

Next cruise: Carnival Vista - July 2016

I can see everything except for Greece ports (maybe they are not ready). Can't book though which is frustrating. I really wanted to do something in Provence but we may just stick with wandering around the Old Port of Marseilles so we can splurge on Cinque Terre.

Look under "Other" at the end of the destination list, a lot of the new ports are listed there including Corfu, Rhodes, and Izmir.

Next cruise: Carnival Vista - July 2016

I can see them by going to Explore > Shore Excursions, can't book yet though. We're not cruise newbies, but even we're having a bit of sticker shock at many of the offerings. $69.99 for Taormina on your own? That's one expensive bus ride! I would love to do the Arles & St. Remy de Provence Tour, but at $159.99 apiece I don't see it happening, but at least that includes a tour and lunch.

Next cruise: Carnival Vista - July 2016

Interesting! Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

Next cruise: Carnival Vista - July 2016