sgttami

Been going to both for over 50 years (before cruising) so I'll say that either one is OK for me. Nice hotels, restaurants and beaches and plenty to do in either port.

My Steakhouse dinner is almost always a casino comp so I tip in cash. How much depends on the service.

Just got casino offers for winter 2024 that include Venezia from NYC. Interested! Have to book before January 5, 2023. Checking them all out!

Whenever I've sailed from Baltimore on Carnival the casino was always open before the first MDR seating as long as the ship left at the scheduled time. And I was right there when it opened!!!

Excited to see winter sailings from NYC again. Looking at January-March 2024, 12 day, 9 day and another 12 day, 9 day. 42 day total. Afraid to go for it all because I don't know the ship. Perhaps a trial run is in order. LOL

Nice to see a different ship in NYC and it's one of my favorite ports to leave from. Just wish any ship sailed from NYC in winter. Miss those days!

My son bought this to keep in his car for when he's on the road and has to stop to eat and doesn't want to go into a restaurant. He said it's been great for catching sloppy food spills that end up on the tray and not in his lap. I wouldn't take it on a cruise since I don't go to the buffets but it would probably work if you needed it and it would pack easily. I'd hide it in the cabin closet when not in use since I could see the cabin steward taking it away thinking it was from room service. (Unless you get a bright red!) As mentioned, there are always crew around to help you carry what you need.

I travel solo so couldn't provide TIPS for traveling with that many people. LOL Great ship and easy to navigate and have met a lot of nice people. It's not the bells and whistles of the huge ships but there was always something to do and I was never bored. The young kids I met always seemed to be having fun! Enjoy

I cruise with just a carry on so everything I need is with me at all times. So much easier. Haven't checked luggage on a cruise in about 20 years.

Just tell family that if they don't hear from you "ALL IS WELL" That's the cheapest way I know...L O L

I can't tolerate it with 2 people. When my sister and I sail together we get our own cabins. Makes for a more pleasant cruise (LOL)

My last 7 cruises have been out of Baltimore and no one has ever touched my carry on.

30 years of cruising out of different ports and cruise lines and have never had a bag opened/checked/inspected.

Always picked Starboard because it was the smoking side on every line/ship. Gave up one habit and still book Starboard out of habit!

I love staying on the ship. I did 14 days and never got off at any port. I'd been to them all and just wasn't interested in dealing with crowds. A very relaxing 2 weeks and was never bored.

I was on Journey's 1/2020 on Pride when they were wheeling off pallets of Coke from the casino bar to make room for PEPSI. Seems there were a lot of PI$$ED off people. A few were grabbing the last cans as they were being taken away...LOL I wouldn't know the difference between the two as I'm not a big soda drinker. However, if they were wheeling my Coor's Light's off to make room for something else, I might have been grabbing a few off the pallet.!!

I'm not a dessert eater except for Carnival's Baked Alaska and Bitter and Blanc.. Look forward to those when sailing Carnival. Otherwise, no favorites. I always find something satisfying to eat somewhere on the ship.

The increase in food prices shouldn't be a surprise. Going to the supermarket has turned into sticker shock the last year. Something I never really noticed or paid attention to before. I equate those ice cream machines with self serve soda (Ugh, nasty) so it's something I never used and would never miss if they cut it down to an hour a day. Cruising will continue as a popular travel venue and people will pay the price if it's something they want. All inclusive vacations still nickel and dime for everything in between. Smooth sailing! .

I was on the 2nd sailing of RCL Serenade of the Seas (9/2003) and we got a lot of stuff similar to this including the once sought after computer Aqua Mouse. Must have been leftovers from the inaugural! A fun trip celebrating my 50th birthday and the only time that I sailed a ship that was truly brand new. Everything was immaculate and I can still remember the "new car smell" of the ship/ Good memories!

10% off if you purchase pre-cruise. That's all I've ever seen!

I 'll get a deli sandwich (ham and cheese or tuna) and bring it back to the cabin and keep in fridge for late night munchies after the casino. I always pack Zip loc bags! Other than that, I've never eaten a meal at the buffet on any cruise.

Carry on. Carry off. I travel with one bag that has everything I need for the duration of my trip. Easy for me. The only time I checked luggage and put it out for debarking was my first cruise 30 years ago because I was told that's what you had to do. Lesson learned. Never listen to those that believe they are experts in everything! ( HA HA)

I'll take a can or bottle of soda, beer or wine before I drank anything on tap. Years ago I saw the taps being cleaned when I worked at a bar/restaurant in college. Saying it was nasty is being kind. I'll happily wait at a bar!

My hand pay winnings on slots were always in cash but other winnings went into the Player Bank and then I "cashed out" when I was done. Sometimes it should have been sooner rather than later....HA HA

I always tip in cash with DOU everywhere and tend to tip more when drinking in the casino because that's where I usually am and dealing with the same servers for the whole cruise.