nhsails

Are we talking Caribbean or in general because some lines do better in certain areas than others?

Done over 30 Celebrity cruises so my take:

More Country Club than Beach Party, not the place for huge deck parties and belly flop contests or you want to dance the night away.

No Formal Nights, but Evening Chic-- think suits and cocktail dress. All around more adherence to clothing recommendations. Country Club or Saturday night dinner in the City.

Great line for couples. Lots of honeymoon. And anniversaries.

Best little nooks and crannies all over the ship, especially on SClass.

Food much better, separate dining for Aqua class and another for suites. MDR has traditional feel, dining vs eating.

Great atrium pool area with nice spa cafe.

Decor gorgeous, muted and every design aspect had purpose.

Best ship art on the seas. Many custom pieces designed for each ship.

Passenger flow is wonderful, more people yet feels less crowded than ships with fewer passengers.

Best suite benefits.

Reciprocal loyalty points between brands, you'll be whatever your highest level is.

Can buy cabin as package or just cabin. internet, tips, beverages*, OBC or any combination.

Fewer ships so itineraries are narrow in Caribbean.

Announcements am only.

Main pool area smaller than CCL.

Specialty restaurants more expensive, but creative menus.

Wonderful spa area.

More personalized, wet cloths on gangplank when you reboard from day, Mimosa's or juice when you board, staff in background more.

*Each person can buy or not any drink package and they have a bunch to choose from including Premium Non Alcohol is great. Cafe included for specialty coffee.

Overnights in ports available.

God awful pizza. But much better coffee all over the ship 24 hours a day.

No waterslides, kids pools.

Good kids program, CCL better.

Unless in suite, bags sometimes take awhile to show up.

For us it's a great fit, for some, they'll hate it as "boring". It's just being honest about what you want for your cruise. Sometimes it's party time, other times, more relaxed, great food and wine, more romantic. Not better just different.

Be honest and you'll make the right choice. But take a look at it. Firm believer in trying all different lines.

Sparks,

Have a Celebrity a Royal and Magic all coming up November-December. "Spa" comparable balconies, within $200 of each other. However, with Celebrity I also get a private restaurant-Blu, tips paid, 300 OBC and beverage PKG which includes coffees, alcohol, sodas and Persian Gardens in Soa. On Royal have $200 OBC and prepaid tips. On Magic, $50 OBC. Shop around and monitor pricing. And again, I promise I'll do comparisons when I get back.

Dee

Another fan here. Have used travel diffuser for years. Use 10 drops sage,cedarwood, peppermint 1 tso vodka distilled water in 1iz spray bottle for bathroom. In room diffuser I use Breathe, lemongrass and wild orange.

Dee

Nice catch Jimbo.

Easy it, yes they did. Like us, they purchase yearly travel plan.

Needs cooperation from line itself for it to ever change and Carnival will never ever do it. Been in lines where chairs are reserved by stateroom. Been on line where pool attendant flags chair for 30-40 minutes for lunch, bathroom etc. If not back, loads up stuff and opens lounger. Been in cruise where they were testing reserving loungers for the week. BUT anything would require a pro active Corporate decision. Not happening with Carnival.

by the way, may want to clarify it was STOLEN information that was released by WikiLeaks.

Any millennial could have told you that LOL.

Any electronic can be "turned" including baby monitors, your Alexa, etc.

Every been in Europe with your smartphone? Chances are extraordinarily high you were monitored.

Hey I'm old, they can monitor all they want on me, boring, but what the Hell.

Dee

4Cruisers.

Short story, neighbors were on Cruise 3 weeks ago. On tour in St. Kitts he fell, broke foot. Ship packed their stuff, had to fly home. No Passport. Took 4 days for embassy to get them home.

We've been cruising for 30 years. Adjust cost and we get balcony for what we used to pay for inside.

Dee

You will need one if something happens and you need to fly home.

I'm with DebJ. There is a difference between eating and dining. We prefer dining. I find American Table menu boring and uninspired, so adjust accordingly. The joy of many cruisers, try many and find a few you enjoy and feel comfortable with. Happy Sailing

Thanks everyone. What I thought but juggling 3 cruises on 3 different lines this year and trying to move $ around for each one.

Dee

Since all lines are different, are gratuities built into fee or added after. Thanks all.

Dee

Thanks all. We booked for 2 nights and 1 at Italian restaurant. Haven't been on Carnival for 19 years, menus looked a bit uninspired so glad we booked specialties.

Thank you Jimbo

Is it free bottle of wine at dinner on first night at steakhouse?

Just a reminder for some. In forums under First Time Cruisers there is a sticky that goes over most common lexicons, I.E: DH, DW, aft, port etc.

Dee

Was just going to ask about cake myself. How do you get it through security and customs? Yikes

And remember the basics:

Your Cabin is on a Deck on the Ship. Promise, someone who has been on either one 3-day cruise or will gladly tell you it's their 4865th will loudly correct you in public.😃 Happy Sailing

Don't forget, RCCL is building and moving ships to Asian markets at a pretty fair clip. So while new payers, Viking, MSC, are sailing more in Caribbean total space isn't as high as you would expect in relation to berths sold. Less US citizens going to Europe, expanded Caribbean.Celebrity keeping Equinox full time in Caribbean starting this year. Supply and demand. With expected tourism to US to be down around 17% may shift pricing again. Who knows but worth keeping an eye on from Holiday 2017 on

Post 911 people weren't traveling too far. Cruises were dumping rates to get people on. Same as airlines and hotels. So fairer analysis would be from about 2010.

I never thought it was allowed. Most islands tell you not to remove. US Customs says you can't bring them in. I know on other lines we sail always a note in dailies and usually verbal reminders. Same as no food or fruits.

Ah, call your CC, not all companies will cover you out of country and many will suspend your account. My travel CC, requires notification

Scan copies of all doc's and CCS you are taking with you include emergency info and medical insurance info. Keep in bag in case.

Do call CCS let them know travel dates and islands

Take 1CC as emergency card

Enjoy