42CruiseCrazy

Yes I am sailing Carnival. I’ve called Carnival customer service multiple times and each time was a different answer and I’ve also called a travel agent and they said I can’t go unless I have a passport. For my citizenship I don’t require a visa for Mexico so I’m stumped. I have a Vietnamese passport, but that is expired. if I renew my passport would I be allowed to go on the cruise? Keep in mind it’s a Vietnamese passport.

Renew your passport. Plain and simple. IMHO You should never have allowed your passport to expire in the first place. One never knows when one needs or wants to travel.

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I just booked my first solo cruise for June 2019(RCI - Radience OTS)... am excited and terrified all at the same time. Have taken solo trips, and cruises with friends/family, but never a solo cruise.

If you have travelled or vacationed solo before, then a solo cruise is easy. Enjoy it to the fullest

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If you were bored on a Carnival cruse, then I seriously doubt that HAL would be a good fit for you. HAL is not known for it's entertainment. We enjoy the quiet elegance on a HAL ship, but it may not provide you with enough options. Alaska is very port intensive, so that may be enough for you. Celebrity might be a better choice. Lots of entertainment. Sophisticated decor and a more upscale experience. A huge step up from Carnival, IMHO.

I agree. Celebrity is a better choice than HAL. NCL is a family cruise line just like Carnival. The food and entertainment I’m Celebrity is the best I’ve experienced

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I agree with above poster. We have been on the Escape 5 times and 4 of those times we ate our embarkation lunch at a MDR. Never a crowd or a wait for a table. Different courses of food came out at good intervals. Nice and relaxing with plenty of room for your hand carried luggage while you wait for your room to be open. On one of the 5 times we went to O'Sheehans and had somewhat of a wait for a table and food. We will be going to the MDR for first day lunch next time.

Thanks. My first three NCL Cruises were on the Breakaway twice and Getaway once. Each time after I boarded, I walked straight over to O’Sheehan’s and got served within 15 minutes. It was a little known secret. Now everybody knows about it and it’s crowded on the first day.

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So anyone know what's open for food when you get on the boat? Last NCL cruise I went to the buffet, but hoping there might be a less crazy option...

 

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The last place I prefer to go when I get on board is the buffet. It’s always crowded and the food is not that great. On NCL I used to go to O Sheehan as soon as I was on board but last cruise it was so crowded I went to Taste or Savour. The main dining room is the best place IMHO to have your first meal on board (on any ship). It’s relaxed, not crowded, and you can stay with your hand luggage and have them bring the food to you

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Really ?....what a disappointment, probably need to fight for a seat, and we thought it was totally open to anyone with no fee:mad:

The Waterfront is open to everyone to enjoy. You can stroll 3/4 of the way around the ship and there is plenty of seating available in addition to the restaurant seating.

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Thank you for your encouraging words...the $$$ isn't the problem..just taking my first cruise alone

If $ is not a problem then there’s nothing stopping you. Go for it!

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I've never heard of the NCL Dream...

You can only “Dream” on Disney or Carnival but you can wake up on NCL “Dawn”

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My wife uses an electric chair and we ate at Teppanyaki on the Breakaway. Not ideal, but it worked. The Escape would be the same

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Jan 2018 Cunard Panama Canal Cruise

 

Prematurely made reservation/booking in May...unable to find anyone to accompany me...never been on a cruise..really want to cancel:(

Why are you thinking of canceling? Is it that you don’t want to (are afraid of) travelling alone? Or is it too expensive to occupy the room by yourself? If it’s “A” - don’t be afraid you’ll have fun and meet new people on your first solo cruise. If “B” - then perhaps book a cheaper room, if possible.

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This not about operating between two different US ports, which require a stop at a "distant foreign port". This is about roundtrip out of the same US port.

 

 

 

There are a variety of options for Alaska...Vancouver to Seward or vice versa, for example.

 

 

 

But we agree...if you doing a roundtrip out of the same US port, you need to visit a foreign port.

As I understand it- even a one way cruise between Seattle or San Francisco to Alaska requires a stop in Canada [emoji1063] if it is a foreign flagged ship.

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Pick a nice cruise that visits Catalina Island and has just one stop in Mexico. She can stay on the ship and pretend she is docked somewhere else.The simplest thing is for them to enjoy the cruise ship. After all that’s the real destination.

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I have cruised many times during Hanukkah. CCL has a giant menorah in the lobby, does HAL?

Since I will be on a partial PC during most of Hanukkah in December I am bringing my battery operated menorah for the celebration. Any latkes served?

 

 

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Yes! Latkes are served. I was on the Elation sailing from New Orleans one time. I showed up for the candle lighting at the menorah in the atrium and I was the only passenger there. I had to instruct the Filipino crewmember on how to light the menorah, said the blessings and then I had a whole platter of latkes for myself. (I did offer to share with a few people who walked by and said “what’s this?”)

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Ignoring the interesting typo error (boars are pigs and we Jews do not eat pork), I do have a bit of a problem w the statement I highlighted although I may be over reacting. We sometimes invite friends to our Seders because they are friends and not because we want to teach them about our religion or because we want to provide an experience for them. This and the subsequent post on CC sort of sounds like a "wouldn't it be cool experience to do a Seder as long as I am on a cruise and I have the time to experience a Jewish experience" statement. This is probably not what was meant but this what it sounds like to me.

 

If a whole bunch of other passengers invited themselves to our Seder, it will no longer be a Seder but a cruise experience.

 

Sorry for being sensitive and I probably did not word this well but I would not invite myself to an important service of another religion just to see what it was all about unless I was specifically invited by one of the people who were celebrating the occasion. We would expect the same respect with regard to our Passover Seder.

 

DON

I understand what you mean, Don. However, as I understand it the Rabbi arranged for a section of the dining room to be reserved so that Jewish passengers and others could, if they wish, make a reservation to participate in the Seder. In a way, it was both a Jewish experience and a cruise experience open to all passengers. I would assume that the non-Jewish participants were invited as friends of of some of the Jewish participants. I don’t think it would be an event that would be promoted to the entire ship.

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Well I took the plunge and just booked my first solo cruise. Carnival was practically giving away some of their cruises and I couldn't pass up the chance to cruise for $231. These were casino offers so if you are a VIPF member look under my offers in your profile. There are still lots of cruises left for November and I believe 2 for December. I usually cruise with friends but no one could go as we did just get back from The Breeze on 10/1. I have one week of vacation that I have to use before 12/31 so why not use it doing something that I love.

 

I will be on the Sensation 11/25-30. I am platinum with Carnival as I have cruised a lot with them but haven't done an older ship in a very long time. I hope I enjoy it but it is a cruise and how bad can that be?? I would rather be cruising than sitting at a desk so I'm psyched. I see that Carnival has a singles get together the first night so I will definitely be attending. I am pretty shy when it comes to meeting people but I decided that I need to change that and I think the drink package will help (lol).

 

So are there any tips from you experienced solo cruisers that you can give a virgin solo cruiser?

I have cruised Solo on Carnival a few times and have switched over to Norwegian which I find more “Solo friendly “. By all means, go to the Solo meet & greet on the first night but don’t have high expectations since my experience is they’re poorly attended and poorly organized (actually not organized at all). Carnival usually seats solo travellers at a large table in the MDR (but not always). If you don’t like your table assignment at dinner get it changed to the Solo table (if they have one).

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The 14 day cruise is really like a b2b as we come back to Ft Lauderdale at the completion of the first week.

 

 

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If you return to FLL on Day 8 then it’s probably scheduled as two 7 day cruises. It is considered B2B cruises.

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Pardon me. I'm Jewish and have frequently sailed in September (see my signature). During the High Holy Days Holland America has ALWAYS provided a rabbi and a venue for services. I have always noted them to be well-attended by both me and all of the other "Jewish passengers cruising during the high holidays" who are "not the type to attend services". And you do sound QUITE judgmental.

It seems that I am mistaken. It’s very nice that HAL offers High Holiday services. Sounds like a wonderful way to observe Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. I’m sorry I offended you. I am not at all judgemental but you do sound QUITE sensitive.

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Really? I have sailed in that time frame and, not only were there a fair number of Jewish passengers, there was also a Rabbi on board.

I have never cruised during the High Holidays so I had no idea. I stand corrected. Hope that you, the Rabbi and everyone else on board had a wonderful cruise.

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That is a rather broad statement that allows for no reasonable excepetions, is not accuratate and reads as quite judgemental. to my 'eyes'

The High Holidays are rather sacred to many Jews (both observant and “not so observant” of which I fall in the second category) I was only commenting that in my experience not many Jews would choose that time for vacation travel. Those that do may not be interested in attending religious services, but perhaps I’m wrong. I really wasn’t being judgmental. It seems you are of my comment and I am curious as to what would constitute a “reasonable exception”.

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You say there was no Protestant Pastor but t here were two superb Pro testant ministers. Confusing :confused: Could not the two superb M Inisters provide for the spiritual needs of their 'flock ? I am sorry to not understand. I get your point as to the Rabbi though , I am not sur e when vIiking ended but I suspect it could have been on or near the JEWISH High holydays of Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashonah . If the cruise was still going on those days, it would have been good to have a Rabbi.

I think it’s unlikely that observant Jews would be on a cruise vacation during high holidays (Rosh Hashanah or Yom Kippur). It would also be unlikely to find a Rabbi available to cruise during that time. Any Jewish passengers cruising during the high holidays are not the type to attend services. I am not being judgemental. There is nothing wrong with being non-observant. Just saying, why hire a rabbi to do a service when it’s not likely many will attend.

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We sailed with a couple who were Jewish, over Chanukah/Hanukkah. There was a room set aside with the observant passengers conducting the services. (Is "service" the correct term? Observance?)

“Observance” would be the more correct term. Hanukkah, like Christmas, is a joyous holiday and can be “celebrated” by anyone. No Rabbi required. In fact you don’t even have to be Jewish. After all, I attend the Christmas celebrations after I’m finished with Hanukkah. I’ve been on four or five Cruises when space on the ship was allocated for the celebration.

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We also attended the Future Cruise Presentation on the Miracle last week. It was not informative in any way. Previous presentations have included handouts that described the basic facts about each of the Carnival ships, but I didn't see anything like that available this time.

 

 

 

Thankfully, I had done my research before our cruise and knew exactly what ship, what dates, and what cabin types we wanted. I had notes of the pricing I was able to pull up from home and could compare it to any specials available while onboard. We were able to get connecting rooms, which we've only ever been able to book by phone or onboard, so that ability was worth booking at the future cruise desk. It was a little crazy trying to book a cruise for 9 while sitting between the casino on our left and a lively 80's music trivia game on our right, but we got it done.

 

I dislike doing business at the future cruise desk for that very reason it’s a noisy crowded & not private. If they’re going to have a future cruise desk it should be in a quiet spot like a small office or cubicle.

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Could someone give me the "bare facts" on the Cruise next deposit? I hace never cruised NCL before, but I have never cruised solo before and their deals seem hard to beat! Is this similar to getting a discount on your next cruise (book a placeholder) with Disney? Do they always allow you to use it on these last minute deals?

The “cruise next” deposit is a pre-paid deposit on any NCL Cruise. It’s like “money in the bank”. As far as I know, it can be used on any NCL cruise, at any price, even last minute deals. The beauty of it is, it only costs you the $250 less whatever onboard credit you receive when you purchase it. I always purchase two at a time which means I’m getting “half price”.

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Everyone has different opinions on why they choose a cabin type.....I can say this being in a interior cabin will never happen for us....having no window even to look out of or for light to come in from, would not be for us.

You’re absolutely right. Everyone has their own preferences.We require a handicap room because my wife uses a wheelchair. There was no inside room available so we took one with a picture window. We were three days into the cruise before we even bothered to open the drapes. To us size matters, not windows.

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In the hustle and bustle of getting off the ship it seems the mother got on to the crowded elevator and the child was somehow left behind. The little girl panicked about being separated from her family and ran to the rail to watch them on the elevator, leaned over too far and accidentally fell. That is my understanding of what happened. A real tragedy but not really anyone’s fault. Certainly not the eight-year-old’s fault and the mother was probably holding on to the younger child, got on the elevator and then the doors closed before the older child could get on.

 

 

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