crystalspin

After Hawaii: Fanning Island, Raiatea, Papeete, Bahia D'Opunoha, Fakarava, Taiohae.

Really poorly written article (that is not unusual in the industry). Click bait. Not even clear about if the $14000 is per person or per couple/cabin. We are booked for 5 weeks on HAL in the So.Pacific for slightly over $20000 (for both of us) and have already paid out $800 for additional shore excursions in Hawaii. This is not "nickel and diming". This is paying for what you use or want to experience. OTOH, we just today "paid" CCL $1000 not to make us sail on their ships.

This. I am not worried yet. Probably won't still be cruising by the time AI is a factor.

The search is not always useful. Here is a recent short thread about laundry. While the title is about Unlimited, the value of By-the-bag is discussed. We just made 4* in advance of a 35-day So.Pacific cruise. That doesn't help you I know! But what I have to say is, prior to this achievement -- we packed 7 or 8 days worth of clothing and sent out a bag when two days were left. We found that the best value. This doesn't count my first transAtlantic on the Nieuw Amsterdam when I did all of our laundry in the sink!!! Including men's pants. UGG. Never again I said. Back then I was still terrorized by visions of clothing ruined by very hot water and hot dryers. After years of being reassured by @kazu and others, that you can write handling instructions, even circling individual items (everything is itemized when sending in a bag). Care can even include air-drying! -- air-dried items may take an extra day to return.

Considering the planned excursions and your family, I would favor the first itinerary, even though it is shorter. The excursions just sound more interesting to 11yo me, and my 3-yrs younger brother. Now, Nassau is the only one of your ports that I have been to, and if you choose the longer second itinerary, I can personally recommend https://ardastra.com/, a small but fascinating wildlife refuge. You would have to hail a taxi, and have the ticket booth call one for you when you are done with the park. They have dancing flamingos (check the show schedule) and an enclosure where you go inside and feed lovebirds fruit! One thing that is true for all cruiselines and possibly especially Carnival, is that the longer the cruise, the less of a rowdy party atmosphere. I don't know if there is much difference 6 to 8 days, though. You might post on the Carnival board, here https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/133-carnival-cruise-lines/ And ask about the ship and particular cruises (give dates?) with that particular aspect in your inquiry. Oh, let me not forget to welcome you to Cruise Critic, you are doing fine! And, here is the info that @1025cruise mentioned: https://www.carnival.com/about-carnival/special-needs/children-special-needs and https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/6469/~/kulturecity-sensory-certified

I was perpetually having similar problems using Chrome as my browser. For the fun of it, I tried using Edge, and it was perfect. Then it sometimes wouldn't work on Edge, but would on Chrome!!! So now I just switch back and forth.

I do not know about buying a bottle of liquor on board. Wine, yes. However, you might want to peruse this list (subject to change of course, but a good idea) to see if he will find preferred brand at all! https://rogerjett-photography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Beverage-Package-Contents.pdf As to the immediate preceding post by @badtwin, bringing wine on board HAL has always been at original embarcation only, *unless* from a ship's excursion to a winery, when one bottle per adult can be brought back without corkage. Liquor, even from an excursion, I believe must be surrendered to be held until the last night (for packing, not drinking!).

They will PREY upon you if the cost goes up.

With my lifetime subscription to Cruise Deck Plans, it appears that all of the aft verandahs have the bed near the bath and the "social" area near the balcony. I may not understand, but the difference with the SLIGHTLY smaller (or larger) square footage, is just space. The furniture arrangement is the same (or mirror image).

We previously always side-stepped the photographers, but I read on CC that they get paid by the number of pictures taken, not SOLD. So I have vowed to let them snap away unless the line is too long or we have somewhere to be. As for the Embarkation outfit, pocket leggings (or capri-length leggings) and a rayon tunic. Because that is all I wear.

No snow.

Funny, you talked about not knowing how to wear a shawl, but then endorsed the Hello Mello. I looked it up and found it or a close facsimile in SALMON! one of my travel colors! I get very tired of everything coming in black, navy, or khaki. I put my order in!

The Advantage fare IS refundable, but otherwise bare-bones. No HIA etc.

Someone on a Dam ship in that general area just reported the by-the-bag is now $35.

Growing up, we always had another turkey (after the one at my Grammy's on the fourth Thursday in November) with stuffing etc. Dessert was one or more sweet pies -- pumpkin, apple, mincemeat. I think other families may have the ritual of ham dinner to set apart from the US Thanksgiving bird. Since I am well-grown and our house has become the gathering place for the local family, I have made the breakaway tradition of a standing rib roast of beef for Christmas! Have never spent Christmas on a ship -- did have (US) Thanksgiving on the Zaandam in 2014, and I'm pretty sure there was turkey along with many alternatives, in the Lido. Hope others will answer!

By 'lucky' I mean, maybe get the best shot ever of you/spouse. We have always brushed off the photographers, but after reading on CC that they get reviews or compensation by how many pics they take and not by how many are purchased -- I have vowed to let them snap a few if we are not in a hurry to get somewhere else. Who knows, we might get lucky!!!

That's in Europe. Historically more than US start-and-return cruises... with some discrepancies to/from Alaska.

Excellent! I will correct the advice I pass on to others!

My little sister (later 30's at the time) was also a dress-wearer when we took her along on 14-day Alaska trip. She did indeed wear dresses nearly all the time! I think she made use of tights... looking at some handy photos, I see she had some knit dresses and wore cardigans, and had a pair of thin but tall boots. This may not be too much help because she really is small and "could pack a dress for each day in a bandaid box"! As my other lifesize sister remarked.

Eye-masks for sleeping. The sun is down very little of the night! Unless they are in inside cabins, then not necessary.

Yes and it is one device apiece AT A TIME. If you have a phone and a tablet or laptop, you can switch between. When you go to log on to the new device, it will ask if you want to log off the other (or buy a multi-device plan!). I have recently read on CC but not found on HAL, that you cannot "upgrade" a HIA Surf plan on board. You can of course ask. If you NEED Audio/Video apps, you might consider buying the Premium before sailing, assuming it is still 20% off when bought for the length of your cruise.

The A cabins are the same as the AA, so check them too. The desk is near the balcony door. As Mary said, 6' minimum, 8 or 10 to reach the chairs or rail. What are you asking for? you know you should not spend any time with the balcony door open, right? because it upsets ALL the AC (or heating) in your sector...

On the old (not Starlink) system, my husband was able to join a conference call using VOIP (voice over internet protocol) on the Premium plan. Note, this was north of Normandy and the lag was pretty crippling! However, Starlink is now on the K'dam and my experience on the old system is not worth much. But assuming it is VOIP, you should set it up on the phone before leaving home. Google is your friend.

According to this current page (courtesy @CruiserBruce), you would have to have the Premium plan for TikTok: https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/onboard-packages/cruise-ship-wifi.html

@NorbertsNiece -- it looks like you will be on Oosterdam : Antarctica : Dec '23. I would not expect a lot of children (I could be mistaken). We were on the Koningsdam over New Years Eve, Mexican Riviera. I believe that was the first Gala (dressy) night in the MDR, but NYE is our anniversary so we ate at Rudi's, and we are old fogies so we did not do the big screen count down! ETA: we did get the top-hats, even in Rudi's! There were decorations, noticed particularly the heavy garland'ed staircases where the photographers were happy to pose you for pics. It's nice to let them take a few shots -- no commitment to buy and you might get lucky!