WildBlueYonder64

Sounds like lounging by the pool is a priority for you, so that would make me lean towards the Vista and the Havana cabins. I've sailed on the Vista, though not in a Havana cabin, and the Havana area looked amazing. Have heard nothing but good things. Since you can't be together as a family in the solarium on RCCL, that's a negative.

There are family-friendly comedy shows on the Vista earlier in the evenings, so you could enjoy those together. That being said, you'll have better entertainment options on the Harmony, for sure. I haven't sailed on the Oasis-class ships, but, with all of the added food options, you'll probably have a higher on board bill at the end of the cruise, as well!

It's a tough choice to have, but a good one!

What does the subject line of the upgrade emails say? Just want to try and differentiate them from the numerous promotional emails we receive from Carnival.

We were on the Vista for 23 days, and one night my husband was lamenting the fact that he couldn't have the Warm Chocolate Melting Cake any longer. Our waiter informed us that he could order a sugar free WCMC for the next evening, which he did, and it was delicious! He also asked for, and received, a sugar free apple pie, just requested it a day in advance.

I would say any family members over the age of 7 can unpack their own suitcases. It may not be perfect or up our standards, but it teaches them about self responsibility. Older siblings can help the younger ones, too. Once that's done, they can hit the water slides!

BLT sandwich with potato chips, and the chocolate cake is sooo good!

We're on the New Year's 2018 cruise, 8 day Southern Caribbean! Celebrating our granddaughter's 18th birthday, who was born on 01/01/01!

OP you aren't taking a big gamble by leaving them on the ship, you're taking a very small one. If you miss the ship the staff will retrieve your passport from the safe and leave it with the port agent (and you can certainly call them if you know you are going to miss the ship to make sure it happens).

At each port, the name and telephone number of the local port authority is listed in the Fun Times. We always take a picture of this so we don't have to carry another piece of paper, and we will have the contact information 'just in case'.

My husband tore his quadricep tendon 3 days before we were due to fly to Athens for the Vista TA. The flight over was the worst, as he had a very cumbersome brace. We had to curtail and scrap some of the things planned, however, when it was all said and done, he was glad we didn't cancel our trip. Modify your plans as needed, and allow time for frequent breaks so he can rest his leg.

Thanks for the good suggestions. Uber estimate looks to be about $75-$95, so it would definitely be more economical to be dropped at the airport and catch a shuttle to the port. So one of those options sounds like the way to go. Thanks again!

We will be staying with family in the Orlando area prior to our February cruise out of Port Canaveral. Was wondering if anyone knew of a car/shuttle service that would pick up at a private residence and drop off at PC the morning of the cruise. Thanks in advance.

We're booked on a 14 day repositioning cruise on the Breeze out of Galveston in September, and booked a room for $151 at the Four Points by Sheraton on the Seawall. It's in a great location and

near lots of restaurants.

My husband calls it tree mail.

Is there any way to book the excursion in the morning and do your exploring after? We book independently 99% of the time, but I wouldn't be comfortable with that timeline, especially if a ferry is involved. You don't know how many people will be wanting to get on that ferry, and that may be a problem. When we were in Bermuda last year, there was a huge line waiting to board one ferry, and folks were upset when they couldn't get on.

I believe this link will take you to a photo from the crosswalk in front of Terminal 6 (the entry to Terminal 6 is at the right edge of the screen) with a view toward Terminal 5 in the distance (toward the left edge of the screen).

 

https://www.google.com/maps/@28.4170207,-80.6290682,3a,75y,152.67h,88.65t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1smA7W2cq23IHSUZ2JVHIgfg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Thank you, that was very helpful!

We did it in 2013. We were the last passengers off the Ecstasy & escorted by Carnival to the Dream, which was docked next to us. It was a short, easy walk & we wheeled our suitcases.

Located the port guide, and it says the 2 ships will be docked at Terminals 5 & 6, which are side by side, so it looks like a fairly easy walk. Anyone familiar with the distance between the 2 terminals?

We are interested in doing a B2B, but on two different ships out of Port Canaveral. Would like to cruise first on the Carnival Sunshine, followed by a cruise on the Carnival Magic, departing the same day we disembark the Sunshine. What would be the best way to get from one terminal/ship to the other? Is it walkable with a rolling suitcase each, or is there a better way? Thanks in advance.

Thanks, hadn't thought of that, I'll do it now.

We are interested in doing a B2B, but on two different ships out of Port Canaveral. Would like to cruise first on the Sunshine, followed by a cruise on the Magic, departing the same day we disembark the Sunshine. What would be the best way to get from one terminal/ship to the other? Is it walkable with a rolling suitcase each, or is there a better way? Thanks in advance.

They may not "owe" him anything but why not do the right thing and at least let him reschedule free of charge now and relieve all the anxiety? It's ridiculous that something like that hasn't been offered to these people less than 24 hours before they're supposed to board the ship.

No argument there, RCI should have made a decision by now regarding options for passengers in the event they are unable to stick to the Sunday schedule. My response was because the poster seemed to feel they were owed something by the cruise line based on flight issues.

Latest chapter:

 

Well, after a couple of calls to RCI which were of no help whatsoever, we headed to the airport. About half way there I got an alert saying that the second leg of our flight into HOU was cancelled. We are back home and I am on hold with the airline trying to get the first leg cancelled and possibly rescheduled. If RCI would just say that they are going to offer some compensation if we cannot get there it would be a lot less stressful. I asked the RCI "Resolutions agent" what happens if I fly into the hurricane zone and the ship cannot dock. Any compensation? Cannot answer. What happens if my flight gets cancelled and the ship does dock? Will I lose my money? Can't answer. Are you going to do anything for people who are having problems but trying to make the cruise that is allegedly on schedule? No answer. So you are saying that I need to fly into a hurricane area or risk losing my cruise? Basically yes. But you put the safety of guests first? Absolutely. So telling them that their cruise is on schedule and they need to go into the vicinity of a hurricane and related storm activity is looking out for their safety? No answer to that question.

I guess I don't understand the argument that the cruise line owes you something if your flight is cancelled and the cruise ship is able to dock, or or that the cruise line owes you something if you choose to fly into a hurricane situation and the ship isn't able to dock. Neither the cruise line or the airline has any control over the other's decisions. To expect either of these independent companies to reimburse you for a decision made by the other is unreasonable. That's why you purchase travel insurance to cover these types of unexpected situations.

Wish they would go to a flat rate per day. Hate having to keep track of minutes, whether I have logged off, etc is a real pain. When we have cruised on Carnival, it was so nice to have one less thing to keep track of!

Thank you, everyone!

This is the first time we've used EZ Air for our flight arrangements. We've booked a one-way flight to Copenhagen for our transatlantic crossing. How does the flight check in process work? Do you check in directly with the airline 24 hours prior and print your boarding passes then, or is this all done through your cruise personalizer? Thanks in advance.

I was just looking at the Carnival website, thinking I might book a cruise with them after reading a very positive review by a Princess cruiser.

The deposit rules stopped me cold. Deposits are non-refundable...period. If you cancel BEFORE final payment, they give you a Future Cruise Credit which has to be used within one year plus there's a $50 service fee IIRC. What??:mad:

We change our minds all the time. No way, José.

The ones I looked at were not on a sale.

While this has nothing to do with the OP's complaint, I feel some clarification is in order regarding the above comment. What you're referring to is the Early Saver Rate, which is just one of several ways to book with Carnival. Early Saver is the cheapest, but along with that comes some pretty strict rules. There are other rates if you're not willing to take that risk.

Looking forward to reading more of your review, as we were on the Transatlantic sailing with Matt & John Heald. Was Cookie (on the entertainment staff) on your sailing? He was so funny, and had the biggest crush on Matt!