frito58

What ship Steve? You mention vista suite so it sounded like the Vista but from a subsequent post of yours it sounds like that's not the ship you chose.

 

Underselling always helps - really it's so hard to know in advance what someone else will enjoy about their first cruise. My 75 year old dad and his wife went with us in January on their first on Carnival Sensation and I worried and fretted and tried to plan a good time for them and sort of micromanage their experience.

 

And then his favorite thing, hands down, was the 24 hour free soft serve in the old purple lido buffet, which I think he enjoyed 5-10 times per day. And he would have preferred a balcony instead of the outside stateroom he had (no big deal but next time he wants one, and there will be a next time) :) He talks about that cruise a lot and soft serve and the balcony he will get next time both get mentioned frequently.

 

She'll like what she likes. I agree with looking at the schedules if she has an interest, or just let this be her training cruise so you both learn her preferences. The suite will be, well, sweet and help her avoid the tiny-cabin-shock some have their first time.

No its the Carnival Miracle .. They have Vista suites which are corner aft and are sweet . Huge balconies , bigger bathroom with double sink and a tub , so she will spoiled right off , but I am at my age I can afford to spoil her . Might as do it right we have no idea how many years we may have left . But yes

So sorry for your loss, but happy that you have both found one another! Congrats!

 

Have you thought about shore excursions? Maybe see if there is something she has always wanted to do, and then book it as a surprise? Always fun to make a new memory together!

 

I also love going to the piano bar, and my husband and I dedicate songs to one another. Sometimes they are silly, or sometimes they are romantic. Just a fun, cheap little way to show you care. So maybe find out some of her favorites, or pick a song that has special meaning to the two of you.

Actually I booked the " Giving Back " excursion In Cozumel she loves to volunteer work and is not beach person like my wife was , this actually goes to an orphanage there she is really excited to do that . So thought that would be pretty cool and something very very different and outside the box. Piano bar is on list of things to do .

I agree with the others than basically said let the cruise line deliver and don't over promise or oversell.

 

Recently I took my mother on her first cruise. It was fun to see the cruise through her eyes. As a example, she was excited and thrilled to see the towel animals in the evening in our cabin. It reminded me of when I was thrilled by the towel animals on my first cruise 20+ years ago.

 

Also, mom was thrilled and a bit overwhelmed by the dining. The service was superb and thrilled her. The waiters dancing was also a hit. I knew these things were coming but she didn't. I didn't tell her. She enjoyed the surprise.

 

She was also thrilled by the superb service by the cabin steward. Our cabin was cleaned 2 times per day, fresh towels, etc. You don't typically get that kind of service in a hotel.

 

I would also politely suggest you limit or refrain from comments that being with "The last cruise I was on...." Start your own traditions.

 

Enjoy each other's company.

Thanks I haven't mentioned to much that they do , other than room service. We are both widowed so you learn pretty fast , What you should and shouldn't say but actually this is our own tradition , I have never been on a NYE cruise . Always spring or fall . But thanks some good stuff . :)

Well Steve, I'm sorry and congratulations. I'm in health care and appreciate everything you posted.

 

Here is what came to mind quickly; under-promise and let the cruise line over-deliver. By that I mean don't share about all the perfect days with calm seas, perfect weather and zero problems. We forget the rainy and rocky days by remembering them.

 

Living and working in the Galveston area we've introduced cruising to about ten couples and their families. I've oversold how pretty Cozumel is, the weather and shore excursions where one couple went three times with us to discover a rainy, cold afternoon with no recourse but to stay aboard the ship. I've bragged about the sting-rays and 7 Mile Beach only to miss Grand Cayman twice before we got there with our friends.

 

Second, search online for a few of the daily guides and print them off. Let her see what it's like aboard, what to expect, and how the days differ from port and sea.

 

Third, I'm a visual person, most of us are. Here are some links you might share:

 

Breeze Tour: https://photos.app.goo.gl/xkvSndMucQ9N4lnt2

The Conquest: https://www.flickr.com/gp/leeusry/WdEh6F

The Liberty: https://www.flickr.com/gp/leeusry/031519

The food: https://www.flickr.com/gp/leeusry/f0g017

 

Finally, I hope this isn't bad advice. Use some or none of it. We had two big scares in our 35 years together, and are headed to 36. If 58 from your screen name is your birth year I'm there with ya. Happy 60th! We're booked for #38 later this year. It's just too easy to head to Galveston and walk aboard.

 

Enjoy every day my friend!

 

 

lee.

You are right I am 60 . Its all good . We will have fun that is for sure . Thanks for the tips .

I’m so sorry for your loss. My dad passed recently after being married to my mom for 67 years. It’s hard to move on after being with someone for so long. I’m glad you’ve found someone and you’re going out and enjoying life again. :)

As for your cruise, I personally love it when my husband books me a spa service. They even have couples massages but he’s not into that. He normally gets me a mani/pedi combo or a hot stone massage. I also really like it when he takes me dancing or to one of the specialty restaurants. I’m sure she will love the cruise and get hooked right away like the rest of us.

A couples massage sounds a great idea . I never have done anything like that :)

;p;p;pJust get her on the Vista and she will be fine. We did NYE on the Vista 2016 into 2017 and it a was the best New Years we ever had. You both will love the ship and the party Carnival has is store for you. enjoy it all and good luck.;p

I know how nice that ship is we had a Havana Cabana room booked with my wife but had to cancel when she took a turn for the worse and then passed away . Not sure I can bring myself to go on that ship for awhile . But maybe someday or its sister ship .

We are on the Miracle out of Tampa , that's what worked for us . I should have posted we are doing a long distance thing at present , I am in Ohio and she is in Tenn. so flights had to be worked out . We meet up about once a month somewhere in the U. S. we just got back from St . Louis met up there and saw Sugarland . We are going to St . Pete beach for Week in Sept . Going to Chicago to see Fleetwood Mac . She calls it dating on Steroids :') but we are having fun … BTW there are no wrong answers . Thanks everyone .

So I have been on 20 plus cruises . I Lost my wife of 35 years and traveling partner to brain cancer which I thought my life ended , well the god has led me now down a path and shown me my life is not over and blessed me with crossing paths with a wonderful women who has also lost her husband before they could travel and she has never cruised so I kind of want to make her first cruise special . I kind of take it all for granted having been on so many , think I kind of forget what all the basics fun was about . I did snag us a vista suite on NYE cruise , so she is getting to start at in a great room . I am thinking of ordering room decorations , never have done that . I am getting a new black suit for formal nights , we had totally stopped dressing up and even going to the dining room on some cruises so figured we do them right . But if anyone can suggest anything else that would be great . Thanks a lot …. Steve

We have a vista suite booked for next March so have no idea about the vibration. Just want to mention to you that the vista suites on deck 5 are different from the vista suites on the other decks. Deck 5 vista suites do NOT have a separate bedroom area.

That's ok we booked it for the balcony and the fact its aft and the privacy , It was the last one left . I just didn't want to shake us to death , But from what I am hearing and reading it seems to be very mild .

So I have been on about every class of ship except this one . Have sailed front back high low and have felt vibrations on ships . So I know what you mean . Mostly its when you dock . So can someone give me a clue on what you feel on this . We have this booked for NYE . Love that big balcony don't want to give it up . So it is mild only when u dock? Is it constant all of the time ? I mean how severe is it like a just a mild shimmer . Only thing that concerns me the lady that is going with me its her first cruise . So even though she doesn't get motion sickness may want to switch to a suite mid ship . Thanks for any input .

Well I am venturing out on my first solo cruise this May . My wife of 35 years passed March 10 . We had been on over 20 cruises together . Lucky for me I don't know a stranger so I am willing to meet people make friends and talk to most anyone. Kind of figure there will be lonely times but kind of need to just get away.

My saying under my name has always been there .....kind of ironic.

I wanted to make Carnival (and others now) know of the sheer dissatisfaction of my very FIRST cruise experience EVER, via the Carnival Liberty from Galveston to Cozumel-10/27/16 to 10/31/16. I was sooo excited to celebrate my 17th year anniversary with my husband...and on a cruise for that matter! We never had the opportunity to honeymoon or vacation without the kids...so this was a HUGE deal! Okay, the trip....Thursday evening, after about an hour of leaving the Galveston port we noticed the ship turning around...an announcement was made that a guest had an accident and we were turning around to get them medical care. So, after we dropped that person off...off to sea again...The entire day Friday was spent raining and the ship majorly rocking (to the point everyone walking like they were drunk and some were vomiting in the hallways). Now I understand Carnival can't control weather, but just wanted to describe the experience thus far...We were initially scheduled to arrive at Cozumel around 9:30a Saturday morning...we arrived about 2:30pm because apparently one of the engines blew on the way, so we weren't able to travel at full speed...It was well after 3pm when we were allowed off the boat to explore the port. We had initially decided to choose an excursion upon arrival to Cozumel, but opted not to, as we were to be back on the ship at 7:00pm (less than 4 hours in Mexico). On our way back to Galveston, Sunday...more rain, more rocking...Oh and we paid for "internet service" that barely worked. Then, Sunday night, we were told because of the mechanical malfunctions of the ship, we would be late coming back on Monday. Try...we were scheduled to be back at 8:00am Monday and did not arrive back to the port until 6:00PM!!! As a bonus, they shut the AC off in our rooms before noon in hopes that we would get our luggage and wait on certain decks, so they could clean our rooms for the next herd of people scheduled for that evening...After disembarking, we finally made it to our car about 8:00PM! An entire day lost...not to mention a half day of work missed and childcare rearranging that inconvenienced several people. I felt horrible Tuesday (body aches, disoriented, headaches,etc), so decided to reach out to Carnival customer service on Wednesday. After waiting about 10 minutes, a woman came to the line, pulled up my booking and listened to my experience. I was very polite and explained that I wasn't asking for my money back, but maybe something for a future cruise...She unapologetically (was not sincere at all) said Corporate office has made the irrevocable decision that NO one from the 10/27 Liberty trip would receive ANY type of compensation...I asked if I could speak with someone else, and her snide remark was, you can speak to my Supervisor's Supervisor and it's not going to change a thing. The decision has been made and is final." I could not believe the sheer unconcern for their customers by Carnival! I had to go back to work at the time, so couldn't go round with the rep anymore and had to hang up...In a nutshell, I tried to extend the courtesy of keeping my experience between Carnival and myself (via customer service line), but since that was unsuccessful, I decided to take it to social outlets...Hopefully, others can read this and think twice before booking with Carnival. I know I am! 😪😞

LOL your cruise was basically like our first cruise on the Jubilee in 2001 it was HORRIBE and here it is 20 cruises later we are still cruising. We have stated multiple times cant believe we ever went on a 2nd cruise . So there it is from a veteran cruiser . Sometimes you get the elevator sometimes you get the shaft:D

We just got of a RC ship we always do JR on one of the formal nights . Its fun and they dance and sing food is pretty good. I always figure its just part of our routine leave them a nice tip . But I think Guys burgers and fries are just as good if not better . Wouldn't pay to et there every day but would do it once if they charged . Might be better if they did I wouldn't gain so much weight :D:D

We just got back from the ship first time on her , have sailed on the Adventure like 5 or 6 times also sailed on the Navigator so love this style of ship with the Royal Promenade. Now saying that , absolutely hated this ship. OMG felt like I was jammed in crowds all week long . Heard there was like 4300- 4600 people onboard felt like 10000 lol u couldn't move all week last sea day I couldn't even find a Chair on the lido deck not a lounger I mean a chair just to sit down , I mean the RP was packed all week . The AOS never felt packed or even busy to us ever. IDK in 20 cruises only seen one other ship I hated as much as this one the Carnival Dream , same deal it was a same style of another class we loved only stretched out too add more people and packed the same way as this one. It wasn't only me talked to people as we left said the same thing as we did. So I guess just this ship is just not for us. Did have I nice Corner aft room on deck 9 9704 it was great but then all Aft rooms are :D

Lol hope he brings his Indians jersey they will be playing in 2 weeks not the Sox . Go Tribe [emoji3][emoji3][emoji3]

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Belkin Mini plug is where its at no cord never had a problem plus its got USB outlets on it for all your extra electronics you can charge .

Order This from Amazon has like 10 different fan noises greatest thing we ever bought small easy to pack and it has actual fan sounds .

You know I really don't see what all the bitchin and moaning is about its not like anyone holds a gun to your head and makes you go and BUY their hamburgers go don't go whats the big deal . We go on formal nights one less night I have to dress up and get decent burger great service they sing to me and we have a nice evening out. Just sayin......

They send it direct to RC, nothing more for you to do. I'd contact whoever booked your cruise a couple of weeks before the cruise to confirm the redemption has been applied.

Ok thanks will do

Ok I redeemed my Points online , do they send it to Royal Caribbean or do they send me a code where I send it in??? I know in the old days they sent u something. This whole thing is a little on the confusing side I have looked up everything I can find still not sure how it works. Thanks

I'm currently in the midst of my third stage 4 cancer experience since 2008. When I cruise the Pacific Coastal aboard the Explorer of the Seas on September 30th, I will have finished 4 of 6 chemo treatments. I jokingly say that, in a less than lucid moment, I inadvertently signed up for the 4 year cancer plan...2008, 2012 and now 2016. I can hardly wait to see what 2020 will bring for me. :D It's all good. At least with the chemo I am currently on, I don't lose my hair. You learn very quickly to deal with what life hands you with grit, determination and humour. :)

My heart goes out to you . I remember like it was yesterday what it was like going through all that Chemo and Radiation treatments . I still say I have that chemo taste in my mouth. I CANT imagine what its like to repeat that 3 times over. I have to kind of laugh at your last sentence cause they always told me I had the best sense of humor of person they ever saw , I always said it was either that or feel sorry for yourself and give up. Keep your head up and keep on chugging along and good sailing for all those future cruises. :):) Will say a prayer for you .

You know what I am stage 4 cancer survivor been around an extra 12 years . Been on a number of cruises since that day they told I had the Big C the only thing I sweat now is when they tell me I have to get off go home . :D:D:D

Although you can use your personalizer it will not show you any monies such as cruise cost or balances owed. If you are looking for an upsell your TA might not be available when the offer goes to them and you could miss out. If you want to change anything many (not all) TA's charge you. I like to keep control of my own booking and deal with Princess directly.

The up side is that many TA's give a small OBC so you need to balance the pro's and con's.

Why would a TA charge to make any changes ?? If they do that would be a bad TA . I doesn't cost them anything to make any changes , just time an effort which is why they are there .

They seemed to have stopped sending out those emails. I sail March 20 and have not gotten any.

 

Sue

I got mine , and I am sailing with you :p but it is our first time on Princess

Write offs still come out of the pocket though, it's not free money :)

 

 

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made me think of this classic :D:D