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I never used to, but about a year ago, my mid-size bag arrived with 1 wheel torn off (and a sharp screw sticking out the bottom where the wheel was - I hope nobody got cut) and a 3 in tear in suitcase itself. It was the Breeze's first cruise in 15 months (after the shutdown) and I didn't have the heart to complain (although I was worried about getting my stuff home on the plane after the cruise). But we managed to remove the screw from the bottom and the bag made it home. I think the huge piles of luggage and the fork lifts can be too much for the smaller checked bags. Anyway from then forward, we only travel with a carry-on and backup if at all possible (the free laundry for Platinum is life-saver for us).

I was just thinking the exact same thing - I had no idea! I actually like both balcony and inside rooms for different reasons (depending on ship). The common areas of the Dream class ships can be so brutally packed on sea days, so I prefer my own quiet balcony on those ships, otherwise, I love the quiet darkness of inside cabins (I sleep so well) on the ships where I know I can find a quiet secluded public area when I want to.

Well... I can't really think of anything, except someone mentioned yesterday about electrical/AC issues and toilets not working for a period of time on their ship. AC and working toilets are a must for me, but beyond that, almost anything is better than being at home sitting in an office working. 😄

Yes! Another benefit of the Spirit class ships (they also just don't feel near as crowded in the public areas as the Dream class ships to me either). We were recently on Miracle and loved the aft pool serenity - it always had at least 50% of the lounge chairs available and was very calm/quiet (even over the 4th of July weekend when the ship was full).

This is what I love about Carnival - we saw everything. I love seeing the families all dressed up for portraits, but as mentioned, you will also see people dressed very casually too. Wear what makes you comfortable - I don't think you will feel under dressed.

The 3000 sq ft window in Mardi Gras Grand Central.

It varies by ship. We had the delicious filet with our eggs on Radiance in June and Miracle over the 4th of July. But I agree, I have heard that is not the case on all ships. I've heard the inconsistency explained as a supply chain issue.

This is interesting to me, in over 20 Carnival cruises we have only been offered an upgrade once and we were in an aft balcony (sorry, I don't think it was the Pride though). But it does make me wonder if those rooms are more targeted for upgrade/upsell (whatever you call it) offers?

That is unfortunately to hear - it really seems to vary by ship. We just got off Miracle on Tuesday (also on the west coast) and the steak and eggs was one of my favorite meals. They used really good tender cuts of meat. But thank you for letting us know, I'm on Panorama in September and will order something else.

Maybe not. Yes, typical rooms are smaller on Mardi Gras/Celebration, but we've been on Mardi Gras twice (once in the Havana Cabana and once we had connecting extended "hump" balconies) and we noticed the more confined space, but there is just so much to do on that ship, we were hardly in the room. Because of that, we have gone down to a regular balcony room for Celebration, and an inside room on Jubilee. I would have loved to do a Havana Cabana again, but I just couldn't justify the added cost when we spent so little time in the room.

We did have to go to the LAX-it Lot (sorry forgot about that). We always walk there, but they do have shuttle.

We took an Uber mini van (we had 5 passengers) from LAX to Port of Long Beach about 3 weeks ago. The cost was $70 before tip.

I also meant to mention - (just an FYI) this ship has exactly 1 electrical outlet per room (hasn't been upgraded yet with the USB ports) so we had a tough time keeping 3 phones charged. Other than that, we really enjoyed the ship. She is one of the older ships but has lots of character and a fantastic crew. Even though we were near capacity, it never really felt crowded. This ship has a great serenity deck on the back (that was never crowded) and many areas within the ship with quiet couches and tables (on deck 2) where we would read. If you like the casino, they do some fun drawings/games (I think they gave away about $1000 total with most winners getting between $50 - $200 each). So...funny you should mention covid - this was our 9th cruise since cruising resumed last summer, and the first time (that I'm aware of) that I came home sick with covid. I'm definitely not saying I contracted it on the ship. During the course of my trip, I was on 3 planes and stayed in 2 hotels (in fact the RIU in San Francisco was incredibly busy/crowded with lots of international travelers so I kind of lean towards that as being where I picked it up, but I really don't know). But I have to say, I feel like I have just a typical cold/flu. I haven't even missed a day of work.

The sticker is no longer necessary, everything is electronic now (it will show up when they scan your card). If you want a drink before you have a chance to pick up your card at the room, show them your boarding pass and that will also bring up the free drinks associated with your card.

We just returned from the Miracle out of the Port of San Francisco and I just wanted to post some information from our trip in case it’s helpful to others. We flew into OAK airport the afternoon prior to embarkation (I always check both OAK and SFO since they are so close together). For us it was better to fly into OAK and out of SFO after the cruise. Anyway, It is super quick easy to get an Uber/Lyft from this airport to the Fisherman’s Warf area. The cost was $44.99 before tip. We stayed at the RIU Fisherman’s Warf. This hotel is in a fantastic location, but it’s super busy and not very quiet. We heard every footstep from the floor above and voices though the wall. It has the smallest bathrooms I have ever seen (but then again, it’s bigger than on the ship so I guess I can’t complain). It was fine for one night. I was initially concerned about safety in this location (from things I’d read) but I actually felt so safe that I got up at 6:30 am embarkation morning and jogged down to the pier and back by myself (felt completely safe the whole time). Miracle was docked at pier 27. Whenever possible, we love to walk to port, and this hotel is an easy walk to the port (but take into consideration we walk a lot and travel with only a carry-on and backpack). It’s about a 15 minute walk (.8 miles). We arrived at 10:05 for our 10 – 10:30 arrival appointment time. The doors to the terminal were locked and there were lines outside separated by arrival appointment times. The doors opened around 10:30. We went through the typical check-in process, and boarding began at 11:30. After the cruise, we had a late flight home, so we picked up a rental car at Fisherman’s Warf (again, about a 15 minute walk from the ship) and returned it to SFO airport that evening before our flight home. If you decide to do this, be sure to reserve your car in advance as they run out.

I agree - under normal circumstances, this is a perfect time (you should not feel rushed, but you won't be sitting around the airport all day). We sailed out of the Port of Long Beach last October, and had an 11:05 am flight home. I prefer a little later than that, but it was fine.

Have a great trip - we have done the Hawaii itenerary twice (but we were out of Vancouver BC) and it's my favorite.

We have sailed out of Long Beach 3 times since cruising resumed. We are not loyal to any particular airline and have flown Southwest/Alaska/Delta. We book flights 11:30 am or later (when returning home) and have had plenty of time (from both LAX and LGB). We are Platinum and use propriety debarkation, and it's easy to grab an Uber/Lyft as soon as you get off. If you prefer to build in time for the unexpected, book a flight after noon. LGB airport is closer/easier to get to (LAX traffic is horrible) and the airport itself is 100 times more pleasant than LAX (it's just a nice quiet little airport, even has an outdoor waiting area - I love it). Many times we have walked right through security (no line at all). But sometimes it just doesn't work out based on price or flights available, so we also have used LAX and it's fine.

You don't have to look at other cruise lines, just book one of their newer ships. We have been on 9 cruises since cruising resumed (from Sunrise to Mardi Gras and several in between). The newer ships are fantastic. I was disappointed with Sunrise (it had just undergone a $200 million renovation like Radiance, yet it was not in near the nice condition of Radiance). There was even one area on the deck stairs that was so damaged, I was concerned it was a safety issue. But like someone mentioned, you get what you pay for. When I book the older ships, I lower my expectations. I'm currently debating booking the Pride. If it were my choice, I would not (based on the reviews here) but friends/family are booked and for the right price, I would like to spend time with them.

I don't think it would get in the way. Yes, the bathrooms are smaller (and just arranged differently) but when you are standing at the sink, the door (where you would hang the organizer) would be right behind you. Whereas on the older ships, it would be to your side. You could always try it and hang it on one of the closet doors if the bathroom door doesn't work for you.

Were were in a Havana Cabana on Mardi Gras (8260) and absolutely loved it. We thought the location was perfect because we were on the opposite side from the pool/bar/lounge chairs. So we could choose sun or shade (we could either stay in our own patio area or move to the public area near the bar/pool on the other side of the ship). Granted the Havana area is smaller than on the Vista class ships, but I actually like that better. Most of the time the pool was empty (even though we cruised during spring break with a totally full ship). And we were guaranteed to always find some quiet lounge chairs on the Havana deck (a bunch were always empty). Your little patio door does not lock (it's just a latch) which we loved because we had family members staying in a Havana interior so they could get access to our patio from the outside (if we happened to be gone or sleeping). You will hear people question how private these rooms could be with a public deck running around the outside of them, but it's only accessible to other passengers in the Havana area, and there are less than 100 Havana staterooms on this ship. After the first day (when people seemed to be exploring) we never saw anybody on the deck in front of our room. We have never had such a calm quiet room location. We were to lucky to book this room during the height of the pandemic (when everyone else was cancelling) and got a great deal. Currently, it would cost me about $1000 over the cost of a regular extended balcony room and I just can't justify that expense. Otherwise, I'd book this room every single time - it was just perfect.

In over 20 cruises we have only been under lido once (not mardi gras though). I did not expect it to be that loud as we were under the hallway near the deli. What I had not considered is that they push carts loaded down with plates over the tile floor and that can cause a loud rumbling noise. Other than that it was not bad.

We are currently on Miracle (sister ship to Legend) and we did have the Plat/Diamond reception yesterday.

I agree - I'm on a spirit class ship now (Miracle) and they never feel as crowded to me. When we first went to Dream class (after being on the Spirit) I hated it... the common areas always seemed so crowdwd with lines for everything. I've gotten used to it now, but still really appreciate the Spirit class for a nice relaxing, not overwhelmingly packed ship.

We prefer Carnival (I'm a bargain hunter and it's tough for us to beat their value) but we have also tried HAL and NCL. I honestly didn't notice much of a difference. Some members of my family preferred the food on HAL (I'm not a foodie and didn't notice a difference). I think it primarily depends on your goal for a vacation. My husband and I are both are in career fields that work way too much and we just want to get away, rest, get some some sun, a little exercise, not dress up, and not think about anything while on vacation. Carnival is a good fit for us at this point in our life (but maybe not forever).