Cruisin'Doc

This is the first time I have received the free cruise offer. I did not receive a phone call, email, or snail mail. I simply saw someone mention it on Facebook, so I went to check. And voila! I checked my moms account, and she had it, as well. Between us, that's four free cruises. I booked us on 2 B2Bs (4 cruises) between now and August 10. Of course, only 3 were the free ones, I paid for one (and upgraded all of the others), but I am not complaining! I'm still happy with 3 free cruises in one month! LOL

OP - if someone has to TELL you they are the best (the top, etc.)... they probably are not.

That said, I have seldom received a call. An email sometimes, but not a call. I will generally set a reminder on my telephone, because I WILL forget. Otherwise, I just set it up for auto-withdrawal.

As far as what to expect - I have mostly used a PVP, but there have been times 'between' PVP's when I have booked myself. I prefer to use a PVP, because when there is a problem or an issue, they are a point of contact who can intercede for you. It sounds like, however, as you said, you had a bit of a dud.

I suggest checking with friends and other cruisers you trust regarding who THEY trust as a PVP to find a good PVP who is well established. It's much better to find one via a trusted friend than a random call-in.

Good luck and happy cruising!

CCL does offer wheelchair assistance for self-assist. However, they meet a bit later than do other self-assist. Additionally, they of course have to wait until staff/crew are available to assist. They also do it by VIFP level, as well, which might have also delayed her leaving the ship - because I truly doubt it is because they did not want to help her off! :D

There was a fellow that did that on the Breeze one time , just pushed all the buttons.

There was around twelve people on the elevator, one of the twelve reached around and thumped that fellow in the ear :D Funniest thing if your cramped up in an elevator ,hearing a thump and a loud " OWWW " :D

Best story EVER! :)

I've seen it on the buffets a couple of times, as well. But, I get my ships mixed up - I know it's been a few years. I'm thinking maybe Triumph and Legend, perhaps.

I cannot speak for sure on whether this is still the case since FTTF was implemented since I have the perks anyway, however, prior to being platinum and when booking suites, we always had access to the VIP lounge at check-in. That's where suite guests check-in for priority embarkation in most (I say most, as this has always been my own experience) terminals, therefore, access.

Carnival has 'Electric White' night - if you're wearing white - you get a discount on your drink during the event. I do not recall if it is just women or everyone. It has been that way on my last few cruises.

Balcony.

With the OV, you may have access to a balcony, but it is not YOUR balcony, and your room is still an OV, so it is not as easily accessible. With a balcony room, you just step right onto it whenever you please, and it is private. I'd definitely go with the balcony, no question.

Im a 32 year old guy that hasn't been on a good cruise since my divorce. She was my cruising partner and now I find myself lost in the cruising world. I would LOVE to go on a cruise with other singles, and have an opportunity to meet some women who share my love for cruising. I haven't even logged into Cruise Critic since the divorce, Maybe it can work out!! Glad I found this thread.

If it helps, ROPD, my cruising partner is my mom! LOL. Talk about a great way to meet guys on a cruise! Hahaha. Actually, I'm just teasing. She's not actually a deterrent. But generally, friends for cruising are either married, not into cruising, or...well, yeah, that just about sums it up, hah. :D

Not in September, but I'm on her in 2.5 weeks!

I guess it might depend upon what you mean by single - whether you mean single or solo. Either way - I would say the answer is YES! :)

I'm a 36 y/o single female, and I went last May (though I went with friends, so I was single but not solo), and there were quite a few single people that I spent time with from our roll call located elsewhere in cyberspace.

On the other hand, there are a lot of non-single solo cruisers (AND single + solo cruisers) that go, as well, simply because they want to go to Alaska. I can honestly say, it's a destination not to be missed!

Cruisin'Doc, lol I laughed when I saw it, too. Yes, it's a ponsored tour and it sounds like it would be fun. According to the company's website this year will be their 7th cougar cruise. I believe it goes against Cruise Critic's rules thopeo give you the link here but if you'll Google 'singles travel company' or even "cougar cruise“ I think you'll find the company. If you do find it, come back and post your thoughts.:)

I guess...wow! LOL. I'm betting the crewget a kick out of these cruises! I don't know that it would be my thing, necessarily. I can oogle younger guys with the best of 'em, lol, but I'm not really a 'party' person (prefer getting to know people on a more personal level, hah), etc. I think for people who are interested specifically in older women/younger men, though, this is a great idea, as it might be difficult otherwise to meet people with similar interests at times. Especially single ones! LOL.

I hope that you enjoy your cruise, and I definitely want a report on that one afterwards! I might be interested in their 8th annual trip! LOL

Hey there, I'm going on my 4th and 5th solo cruise in December of this year. I always have a good time and enjoying meeting new people, particularly women. In fact, I'm on a 3 day " cougar cruise" the first week of December and I hear those are a blast. I think RC is doing a little better job of organizing events for their solo cruisers. One thing I would suggest for people who want to sail solo but may be slightly uncomfortable about doing it, is find an organization or agency that specializes in single oriented cruisers. Onboard, there may be opportunities to meet during the sail away parties.

A 'cougar cruise?' LOL what is that?? Is this a sponsored event, or just what you are calling it? I'm now intrigued!

Hey folks! What a great idea for a thread! I saw the one for guys, but somehow missed this one.

I don't necessarily travel solo, but it's close :) My mom goes along with me for company, but we tend to do our own things! I'm a 36 year old Southern girl and love to take cruises (much to the amusement of my co-workers and students...many who are now converts to cruising, hah).

Next up is the Elation on May 4, and then the Conquest on August 11.

Aside from roll call meet and greets, I've gotten to know more people at karaoke and the piano bar than anywhere else on any cruise. (Dance clubs can work too but only if they mostly aren't crowded, or if you get out on the floor every single night and try to dance with everyone -- but I don't usually do that...) The vast majority of those people aren't singles, mind you, but they become your friends for the week. :D

Thanks, zgwortz! From now on, I'll be checking these places out when I want to inconspicuously look for some hopefully single guys! LOL. Now if only I had known this a dozen cruises ago, I would have been one very happy girl (well, maybe, hah)! Like you though, don't think I'm going to hit the dance club with the intent of having a personal meet and greet with every single guy there, haha. Not unless I redo my bucket list one day :rolleyes:

From the looks of this thread, I really need to start spending more time in the piano bar and at karaoke! :D

I have not yet had the dubious pleasure of having to coordinate a group cruise, but I would line up all benefits/pros & cons, and go with whatever works best for your company, be it Carnival or another line.

As the PP said, there are other events that can be booked, such as the cocktail parties, etc. (such as are arranged for M&G's) for an additional cost.

Whichever line you choose, if it is more cost effective, you might consider using someone within your company who is a planner to arrange for certain events that would be within your capabilities, such as give aways, company logo print items, raffles, decorations on cabin doors, whatever floats your boat (pun intended). I'm a planner, so I would actually love doing it, rofl.

Enjoy!

Lido balcony rooms are my all time favorite. I've never had any problems with noise, etc.

As the PP said, check with your phone company. Be prepared to give them your ports of call, and let them know you will be at sea.

Unless I am mistaken, you will be using more than just your phone provider for this service, however, as your provider will not be able to provide service while you are 'out in the water' - ie. there are no cell towers and you will have to use the satellite via 'cellular at sea.'

Since you are using international calling, you should be fine in port areas. Your rates will depend upon your individual plan.

Thank you, for your dedication in providing this review - you always came back! You provided great info not only on the ship, but also on the ports of call. It was also very considerate of you to provide the links.

We always bring a 12-pack per each of our kids. As long as they are a paid passenger, they get a 12-pack allowance

And don't forget, there is lemonade available on the Lido 24 hours per day - and it's actually pretty good. If it's too strong for the kids, which it might be, especially for your youngest, you can mix it with water.

Jamona - just an FYI, even with YTD, you can request the same table each night. Even if the table is already filled, you can ask for the same waitstaff. Sometimes they will offer you the cards from the table as their 'business cards.' On our next to last night on this trip, the hostess told me she really appreciated us getting their early each night to get our preferred table, but that she would have held it for us anyway - which I thought was incredibly sweet. I have also found that frequently other cruisers will also do the same, so you do often have the same table mates anyway, hah.

And great photos, btw! We were on Serenity during sail-away, as well. We were the dorks wrapped in the towels trying to stay warm. *THIS* dork didn't bother to bring a jacket...oops!

So jealous! :p;) I have to wait practically a year to cruise again:(

I only do it because I'm within driving distance of NOLA (and in the past, when they had the port in Mobile). If I lived in FL... I'd be living in a homeless shelter, but crusing once a month! LOL

Sorry I didn't get to meet you guys while on the Elation this time around :) The Elation is such a comfortable sized ship. Although the crew on all Carnival ships are generally wonderful, with few exceptions, I found some of the crew on this one to really go above and beyond. Our dining team and the casino host were just so wonderful. I cannot say enough great things about them. Actually, the week I got back from this cruise, I booked another on the Elation for May (a 20% discount on top of the sale that week helped, lol) and the Conquest for August.

Keep up the great work on your review!

okay well i have one complaint...how come it took only 6 days to get so used to the gentle rocking of the ship (the first day was ugh...thank gawd for queasy beads lol :rolleyes: ) ...

 

now i can't sleep.

 

Damm you Carnival!

 

:p

I took my aunt (and a few others) on a first cruise a few weeks ago. My aunt told me this weekend that it took her about two days to be able to walk without tilting! Hahaha