pungo3

I am a diamond member on carnival with over 40 cruises (300 plus days) and have never received a free cruise or discount. Only for my 25th I got 25 percent off as on board credit. I sail 6-7 times per year. My last carnival cruise was in March and I am jumping ship. I guess you get to a point where you don't feel as though you are appreciated. And then when you read all of the free cruise offers, it kinda sucks. So I think it's time to explore other options.

I agree with you. I'm still 23 days from Diamond, but I doubt I make it. Carnival hasn't shown its loyal customers much appreciation. It's time to start investigating prices on other lines.

You probably will get different answers since people have had varied results. The best thing to do is call Carnival and explain your problem. I hope you get a helpful person who will allow a delayed payment without cancellation. I have seen people get it in the past but it's certainly not a sure thing. Good luck.

I can't remember if it's been more or less than 5 years for some of these changes, but I'll just throw them out there in case you don't know of them. The Lido deck no longer has the free fruit punch; the machines have only lemonade or tea after the breakfast hours. They no longer have the sun dried tomato bread in the MDR. Actually, they no longer have it anywhere on the ship. I know President's butter has been gone more than 5 years, but I'll mention it. Some of my favorite dishes have disappeared from the MDR, Spring Lamb being one, or changed somewhat. There is still something tasty every evening. You will find your cabin steward is much more friendly than in the past. Anytime he/she sees you in the hallway, he will speak and call you by name. I'm really impressed with that since they have more cabins now and yet learn everyone's name. Your wait staff in the dining room is a team of 3 instead of 2, but they have more tables. They work hard but you still might notice a delay in service. Formal night is now called Elegant night, the Capers are now the Fun Times, most ships no longer have live music on the Lido. The Sail Away part has a DJ. The big production shows have been scaled back on most ships use canned music instead of live. I could probably go on and on, but I will say Carnival has kept its prices low and is still a good value for what you pay. The longer the cruise, the better I've found! I'm sure your 15 days will be great.:D

I would stay with my Lido deck cabin. On the Conquest, they are terrific. Very convenient and actually quieter than you'd think. Suites are wonderful, but I'd rather use the money for excursions, drinks and shopping.

I don't think it's guaranteed that you will have the same table for B2B cruises. When we did a B2B in November on the Sensation, we were assigned to a different table the second cruise. It was ok since we totally enjoyed our new table mates, but we would have preferred to keep our table and waitstaff from the first cruise.:(

Oh boy, what a choice. If the $400 isn't a problem, I'd definitely go with the Breeze. It's a newer ship AND it had a better itinerary. I really don't care for Nassau at all, and always stay on the ship at that port. Don't get me wrong, the Freedom is a very nice ship and I'm sailing her next month. But, it's a Southern Caribbean itinerary and doesn't include Nassau.:D

Whatever you choose, have a fabulous cruise.

You are going to LOVE the balcony. It will be a great place for you and your child to hang out if he needs quiet time and rest. I'm delighted I could help you. I remember my very first cruise, and I had so many questions. I got all my answers here. Cruise Critic is such a great resource, especially when you can 'talk' to people who have actually been on the ship you have questions about. :D

OK, now I understand. You have the aft on 6 and have a chance for the aft on 7. Frankly, I'd stay where you are. I really don't think you'd notice a change between the two decks. It's really no big deal to be one deck higher. I'm sure you'll love being on deck 6. Both locations are fine. Enjoy your cruise.

Pungo ... does it make a difference to go from deck 6 to deck 7 in the same cabin? I guess that is really my question.

You are far enough away from Lido that there shouldn't be any noise. I think deck 7 would be just fine.

I'm leaving on the Legend 6/29 and super excited.

 

Has anyone ever had this cabin? I'm curious because just 2 weeks from sailing and I have the only aft cabin booked on this deck (not including the wrap arounds - they are booked). Is this because they are undesirable? There is one aft cabin still available on deck 7 for another $20. Should I look to move?

 

Thanks for any advice!

For only $20, I'd take that in a second. You'll love the aft balcony. Whatever you decide, have a fabulous cruise. I LOVE the Legend.

That isn't true. The Pride is a wonderful ship, with a great crew, and many, many families cruise her.

If I have a very active roll call, I always decorate my door. It's nice when CC friends are looking for your cabin to have a door that readily identifies the occupant. I have door decorations I made years ago and take them when I know fellow CC members might be visiting (cabin crawls, etc). I use poster putty which is easily removed at the end of the cruise. If I'm taking a Halloween cruise, I always put up Halloween decorations on the door. Life is too short not to have fun. :D

I voted for the itinerary with Half Moon Cay. Of all the places I've been, HMC is probably my favorite since only the ship's passengers are there. It's so beautiful, and very relaxing. Nassau isn't worth getting off the ship, in my opinion, so use it as a sea day and enjoy a quiet ship for the day. Whatever you choose, I hope you have a fabulous cruise.:D

To me, it seems unusual. The only time a PVP calls me is to discuss a cruise already booked or to answer questions I've had. When you become Diamond, I know you receive a special PVP to work with. Perhaps Carnival is making that connection now, since you had problems and they don't want to lose your business?

Cruise Critic members have always been helpful and provided any information they feel the group may want to know.:D

Just to put my two cents in, my #1 favorite itinerary is the Baltics, going to Russia, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Poland and Finland. #2 would be Alaska. Anywhere in the Caribbean would be #3, especially those ports in the Southern Caribbean (Aruba, Dominican Republic, Curacao, etc). My suggestion would be to do lots of research on any ports you are headed to. All will have beautiful beaches, but many offer other unique attractions you won't want to miss. Have a fabulous cruise.:D

...who cancelled one of the bowling alley balconies on Pride!!! :) We're now booked for July 13!!! My DH, DS (6) and I are excited to take our second cruise! We loved Glory last year!!! We'll be celebrating our anniversary while onboard! :)

 

A bit worried since Glory at the 2.0 upgrades, but reviews have been great for the ship other than wear and tear. When I saw that bowling alley balcony, I HAD to book, especially since we had a casino offer, too!!! :)

 

I am still shocked this super duper balcony was even available! :)

 

 

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Congratulations!!!! I'm sure you will love your balcony and have a wonderful place to celebrate your anniversary. Have a fabulous cruise!:D

What a bummer! I'm sorry your vacation was ruined, or at least made unpleasant. I hope your future cruises are fabulous!!:D

I also cruised to Alaska in July and it was COLD. No one used any of the pools the entire cruise. Once you reach Alaska, the scenery is wonderful and they have a Naturalist who is on the bridge and points out various things to see. I agree with others who say to have coffee or hot chocolate close at hand and dress in multiple layers. A few people used the hot tubs, but it was too breezy & rainy to really enjoy them. It never really gets dark so you can spend many hours enjoying the sights. Of course, they still have most of the activities you'd experience on Caribbean cruises as well (bingo, shows, comedians, trivia, etc.) Regardless of the weather, I'm sure you will love being in Alaska. :D

I vote cranky. The self assist debarkation instructions clearly state you MUST be able to handle all your own luggage and be able to get everyone in your party off the ship without assistance. It's unfortunate some people think the rules don't apply to them because they have special circumstances.

Congratulations! That's great. Still no offer for me.:( Hope it's my turn eventually.

I can't compare the ships since I haven't been on RCI and I sailed the Sunshine when she was the Destiny. But, I can highly recommend the Dream. I've sailed the Dream 4 times, once for 16 days, twice for 7 and then the last time for 9 days. All 39 days were terrific! I love the Dream. The food is great, the service is wonderful and your kids will LOVE Water Works. I can't imagine how they could enjoy another ship anymore. Whatever you choose, I hope you have a fabulous cruise.:D

In all my trips to Cozumel, I have never seen raw stones. I'd suggest going online and searching Cozumel Visitors website. They will have a 'contact us' option and you can ask them.

Just received my gifts, from a November cruise, in the mail. They were Tervis Tumblers. On our April cruise, the gifts were engraved whiskey glasses. Very cool. I'd never seen them before.