five.

@dropbackandpunt I have a friend wanting to do Zoom calls on Horizon this coming week. Curious if you were able to tell if Starlink had been implemented yet and Zoom calls might be an actual possibility. I told her that if it had not, it would probably be a no-go.

Yea, if I had known I would not get a refund, I would definitely have spent it on something...

I went digging deep for more information on the NCL offerings, since they are the best.

Note these threads and CC members were useful in helping me compile this information on NCL:

@Angelo_R 

@BirdTravels

Spa Passes

Attn: NCL Experts - Best Spa Thermal Suites

Norwegian Prima *LIVE* – 7-Night Western Caribbean – December 3-10, 2022

Do thermal suite week pass prices fluctuate?

These ships have no thalassotherapy pool:

Joy, Pride of America, Spirit, Sky, Sun

Dawn Class (Star, Dawn)

Some or all: Separate sauna, steam room, showers, and lockers. Shared heated lap pool, jacuzzi, stone loungers. Shared and separate lounge chair areas aft of the ship.

Location: Deck 11, Aft

- $199/pp for 7-day cruises (used to be $119)

Jewel Class (Jewel, Pearl, Gem, Jade)

Some or all: Separate sauna, steam room, showers, and lockers. Shared therapy pool, jacuzzi, stone loungers. Shared and separate lounge chair areas overlooking forward.

Location: Deck 12, Forward

- $199/pp for 7-day cruises (used to be $119)

Epic Class: (Epic)

Spa Thermal Suite

The Epic was the first mega Thermal Suite. Located aft with a outdoor sun deck, coed and unisex saunas and steam rooms, large relaxation rooms, and coed saunas with large windows looking out at the sea.

Location: Deck 14, Aft

- $299/pp for 7-day cruises (used to be $199/pp)

- Mid & Aft Spa Balcony/Spa Mini-Suite/Haven Spa Suites on Deck 14 have free access included with price of room.

Breakaway Class (Breakaway, Getaway)

Spa Thermal Suite & Salt Room

Breakaway and Getaway came next, installed over the bridge provided partial forward views. They introduced the salt baths. But the saunas moved to the interior.

Location: Deck 14, Forward

- $299/pp for 7-day cruises (used to be $199/pp)

- Mid & Forward Spa Balcony/Spa Club/Haven Spa Suites on Deck 14 have free access included with price of room.

Breakaway Plus Class (Escape, Bliss, Encore)

Spa Thermal Suite, Salt Room, Snow Room

The Escape kept the forward position right over the bridge. Beautiful 270 degree views with loungers and heated stone loungers wrapping around the bow. Saunas were back with beautiful ocean views. And the Snow Room was introduced.  

Bliss and Encore, the Thermal suites were moved aft to make room for the Observation and Horizon lounges. Both are smaller due to their location.

Location: Deck 16, Forward (Escape), Aft (Bliss & Encore)

- $299/pp for 7-day cruises (used to be $199/pp)

- (Escape) Mid & Forward Spa Balcony/Spa Club/Haven Spa Suites on Deck 15/16 have access included.

- (Bliss & Encore) Mid & Aft Spa Balcony/Spa Club/Haven Spa Suites on Deck 15 have access included.

Prima Class (Prima, Viva)

Spa Thermal Suite, Salt Room, Snow Room, Charcoal Sauna, Aromatherapy, Two Story Waterfall

Location: Deck 16, Forward

- $339/pp for 7-day cruises

- Mid Spa Balcony on Deck 15 have free access included with price of room. (Haven Cabins do not include access!)

25 minutes ago, Cruise Suzy said:

Did you look on the back of your beverage card?

Got my hopes up with that one.

But no, the front is maroon and white and says Beverage card, with the amount and my name and cabin number. The back is simply the HAL logo with a P/N in the top right corner.

Thanks for that tidbit. I might see if I can reach out to customer service for more info.

We had about $60 left on our card and there is nothing in the statement related to it, so I'm not sure if that is still true. This is from a cruise we got off on 3/18 on Nieuw Stat. The beverage card was purchased online directly through the booking on HAL's website.

We also had a one small charge $4.50 that we have no idea how it ended up on there. We were never even in the vicinity of that venue the whole cruise. Oh well, our fault for not paying attention to the statement that last night / morning. I had been checking daily and then that small charge hit the last night and I just assumed the beverage card balance would be refunded, but it never was.

Had another thread pulled up in another tab:

In that thread someone mentioned that the policy changed in July 2022 and you no longer get a credit at the end of the cruise. But if anyone is able to actually point me to the terms and agreement policy, I'd appreciate it.

I had read on here that if we did not use all of our beverage card that it would be credited to our bill at the end of the cruise. I just reread that thread and now notice it was from 2018 and the card was purchased with OBC. In our case it was purchased ahead of time with a credit card. We had about $60 left on the card. So two predictable questions: 1) can we get a refund for the amount we didn't spend? 2) if not, can the card be used on another cruise?

I don't see anyway to pull up the beverage card on their website to look for any terms and agreements and we don't currently have another booking to check by doing a dummy purchase.

Thanks!

This is a sort of repost from this old thread from 2009:

Ships with Thalassotherapy Pool?

My wife has experienced these pools on Carnival Magic, HAL Koningsdam and HAL Nieuw Statendam. We will not be sailing anymore without this feature. I looked for some sort of listing that was across cruise lines with no luck. So I then scoured cruisedeckplans.com and this board looking via each cruiseline. I am sure that I missed some.

The pools are typically housed in the spa in a paid relaxation area and have the names of thalassotherapy pool, hydropool, hydrotherapy pool. They are basically hot tubs the size of a pool and often salt based. These areas often included heated loungers, saunas and fancy showers.

Carnival: (Dream Class) Dream, Magic, Breeze AND Luminosa (formerly HAL Signature Class) & Splendor (formerly Costa Concordia Class)

(Note they will sometimes claim that the Vista class has one, but that tiny thing is a joke and not included in this list.)

Celebrity: (M-Class) Millennium, Infinity, Summit & Constellation

Costa: (Concordia Class) Serena, Pacifica, Favolosa, Fascinosa AND Deliziosa (formerly HAL Signature Class)

HAL: (Pinacle Class) Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam, Rotterdam and the (Signature Class) Zuiderdam, Oosterdam, Westerdam, Noordam

MSC: (Fantasia Class) Fantasia, Splendida, Divina, Preziosa

NCL: verify the ship, but thermal suites are available on all ships except the Joy, Sky, Sun, and Pride of America. I have not done extensive research on this line and have no personal experience. They seem to kind of be the resident expert on the experience and have it across their line.

Princess: (Royal Class) Royal, Regal, Majestic, Sky, Enchanted, Discovery

Viking: Octantis, Polaris

If there are any missing, feel free to post and I'll try to keep this post updated over time. Personal experience is always preferred, so feel free to share. I would also love to know about anything like this at a land based resort.

Thanks! Can't wait

That thread is worth reading through, but it boils down to:

888-628-8107 (inside the US)

206-626-7381 (outside the US)

1) have credit card ready

2) have deck plan ready

3) be ready to make a decision now (others are waiting on the line and no dilly dallying)

4) understand that if you do not take the offer because you want to talk it over with the spouse and then you call back in 10 minutes the offer may not be available and you should not be mad at HAL.

I like to hit up one of the big box travel agents websites and see what rooms are available and have an idea of what I want before I call, that way it can all go fast. It can also tell you if you should not bother, if you are looking for a suite or something, you know they are all gone.

We are leaving on 3/11 and received an offer on 2/3, to give you an idea on the timeline.

Can you stack FCD and shareholder's OBC? I know not all fares work with the shareholder's OBC.

If you are someone who constantly closes background applications, then you have to fight the urge and leave the app open, but even then it's hit or miss whether it will work correctly.

We really enjoyed our Havana interior, it was right down the steps, there was a back stairwell for Havana members. It was great. We prefer Magic over Horizon overall, but if we are going to be on Vista class Havana is the way to go. I won't be trying any of the newer classes.

8 hours ago, kazu said:

N Statendam - 11-Mar-23 - 7 night Tropical Caribbean

I will be on this one! Booked it for Key West and now it's been changed to Nassau. But we'll still be on a big ship.... so happy dance. If they ask us about another free cruise when we're on-board I think we've narrowed down our choices. My wife is like, "that was once in a lifetime." So we'll see.

@Pellaz Thanks for your feedback and additional details. I really liked the bit about stargazing opportunities and the gyro-compass tidbit.

1 hour ago, ProgRockCruiser said:

How recently have you seen adults-only for an aft (or any non-Serenity) pool?.

Sept 2019, before the lockdown was the last time we were on Magic. I will note that we traditionally cruise during times kids will be in school, specifically so that there will be less kids. I can't say for sure about the aft pool kids situation on that sailing. I have a few memories of sunsets at the aft pool, but the sailings blur together.

Most of my tips and tricks have been taken by others. Caveat though, the Magic is my favorite Carnival ship and class, for what we enjoy about cruising.

Spa - thalassotherapy pool is amazing on this class.

Deck 5 - 2 hot tubs per side. My wife burns easy and we can switch sides depending on the sun and she can stay in the shade. We alternate between hot tub and reading in the loungers. Many times it takes until later in the cruise before people discover the hot tubs on that level. And I love that deck goes around the ship, so it's the real place to walk laps.

Embarkation day - BBQ is open and uncrowded. Great food when you get on. The BBQ is open for lunch on sea days as well.

Sail away location - "secret decks" all the way forward on decks 6, 7, 9, 10, & 11. You go past the cabins and there will be doors that lead outside. I think deck 9 has wings, so it might be the best spot. Here is a website with more info.

Relaxation area - there is a spot in the spa area that has lots of couches and cold water and air conditioner and it is open to the public. Picture here.

Ship coins - There is a mystery coin that you can look for from when the ship was commissioned. On the magic it was on deck 14. . Thread about the Magic coin.

Adults only aft pool - Sometimes the aft pool will be adults only. It varies depending on how many kids are on board I think.

Sodas - 12 pack of soda (cans) and 750ml of wine can be carried on

1 hour ago, FlaMariner said:

Thermal Suite.....we get the pass and enjoy going during the off peak evening time....you will many times have it to yourself

So true. We do this most nights and it's usually empty. It's wonderful. Last night on the cruise it will close early, either 5 or 6.

3 minutes ago, KAKcruiser said:

I would love to go to Bermuda from Fort Lauderdale.

Years ago once a year Carnival would do Bermuda from Charleston. It was while the Fantasy was being dry docked. I kick myself for never doing that itinerary. Looks like they currently have Bermuda options from MD, NY and VA.

Back in 2010, I left camera charger in our cabin in the shave outlet in the bathroom. Carnival was able to ship it back to us, but shipping was kind of high. Luckily we check a lot more thoroughly now that has happened to us and it hasn't happened since.

I would fill out the forms and at least ask.

2 hours ago, *Miss G* said:

Veni Vidi Velcro
I came; I saw; I stuck around

Veni Vidi Visa

I came; I saw; I shopped.

On 2/14/2023 at 2:55 PM, Real NHDOC said:

Truth in advertising is not adhered to in the cruise business.  Cabin size is almost never disclosed except in ranges.

Carnival releases exact dimensions of their rooms and balconies on goccl.com, here is an example from Horizon:

@AFNavigator Thanks for posting a screenshot / example. I should have done that from the beginning. It may have made my request a bit easier to understand.

@mwj I had read on here that we could call and get the info. I don't have a PCC, only booked with HAL twice and just done it online. I wear hearing aids and avoid phone calls as much as possible, I get a lot of anxiety when I have to call places. It's good to know that the info is available, I just wish it was publicly available online somewhere, without necessitating a phone call.

8 hours ago, Iamthesea said:

noticed that you live in my home town of Anderson.  Is that a photo of Lake Hartwell in your signature?  My brother lives on the lake. Looks like the view from his house!

It is Lake Hartwell and my hearts home. I have many great memories of cruises and sunsets, but my favorites will always be from my grandparents house.