rwilk1129

We also received a notice of upgrade on this same cruise. I booked BV(obstructed balcony that is not really obstructed straight out) #E428 with larger balcony and was upgraded to DE(deluxe balcony no obstruction) #E724. Can't really decide if I like it or not. I know cabin is larger w/small sofa but cabin is 2nd to last aft cabin while original was midship. Opinions/advice anyone?

Looking forward to Miracle coming to Tampa this winter but noticed it doesn't have a Guy's burgers. Could be a deal breaker. Anybody know of plans to add anytime soon? I couldn't find a refurbishment schedule. Thanks for any info on it.

We sailed Magic in January and stinking cigarette smell permeated the area in and all around the casino area. It was not just your sailing. Our clothes reeked of the smell just walking near it. The barbeque place is close by so alot of people get their food and come in to tables to eat and the smell makes for a horrible lunchtime. Carnival seems to ignore the problem. They need to reconsider that nonsmoking ship idea again. The times have changed.

Call Carnival. Somebody there should be able to tell you what's going on.

I wish all were non smoking. Loved that Empress was non smoking when we sailed. The world has changed. Smoking and second hand smoke is dangerous and stinky. Go outside if you must smoke. I will give Enchantment a look now.

Were you bothered by smoking on the casino deck? We cruised on Magic in January and it was terrible. We love the casino but were limited to time spent there due to stench. I would love to know that Carnival has done something to reduce the problem. I think every smoker congregated on that deck area and smoked like a chimney. I swore off the Magic but would love to sail her again if it has improved.

O Cruisers,

Are there additional fees (taxes&svc chgs) in addition to the $15. per day at Port?

Do you remember which pier Freedom was at? Thinking about parking at port and want to plan parking

We just got back from Jade cruise on Friday using Parkway parking. Had no problems with them but Jade cruise was another story. Took 3hrs to get on cruise and 2 hrs getting off. Very short wait at parking lot for shuttle and short wait upon return. Will use them again

I made dining reservations a month ago for 3 night pkg. Do they show up anywhere online? I'm thinking I didn't do it right.

Yes

No

Do the taxes stop as soon as you leave port or when you reach international waters? From Tampa it takes over 2 hrs to get past the bridge and into international waters.

Thanks for quick answer. We have a balcony so I won't have to pack my robe.

Sailing on NCL next month for the first time. Are robes available or should I pack my own? Have cruised over 50 times but never with NCL.

Is it really necessary to reserve in advance? After many cruises on Princess and Royal Caribbean we are trying our 1st NCL on a short Jade cruise next month. We don't like to plan our dinners in advance. Especially on a new ship and line. We may find we want to do or see something else.

I have to agree with many of poster's comments. We got off Magic yesterday too and I was very sick (vomiting, etc.) by 5:00 and thru the night. Better this afternoon. We have 28 cruises with Carnival and another 50 with other lines so we know the product. Shows were so so. Seems they have become a comedy ship basically. Smoking is out of control in casino. Non-smoking section? Ha. consists of a few slot machines which are even closed off for the slot tournaments. When open for play I had to remove loaded ashtrays twice after wading thru a cloud of smoke and stink to get to the machines. I commented to my husband on shortage of hand washing stations around eating places. Surprised me in this day and age of noro cases. Lido in morning was always a zoo. Dining room anytime is such a long drawn out affair. Sorry to go on and on. I really do love cruising and will continue to cruise Carnival and others but not the Magic again.

Anybody used Parkway Parking in Tampa? Prices look very good compared to port parking. The offsite company we used for years has disappeared so we are looking for a new one. Spend winters in St Pete so love cruising from Tampa.

Anybody know which pier/terminal Empress usually uses in Miami? We cruise on 12/8/16 and we are not real familiar with the port. We are driving from St Pete and parking at the port.

Just off Regal yesterday and Amber Cove was our 1st port. We did not get off the ship while there but up on pool deck there were flies everywhere. Went up to get a burger but those cooking them had to keep waving their arms to get rid of the flies. Grossed us out so forgot the burgers and headed to the Horizon court for food. Hope something can be done there for future cruisers to Amber Cove.

Was very windy for us when we had in the winter in Caribbean. I liked the big size but husband complained about the long walk to an elevator. Have E110 on 11/13/16 so will be on the port side to help with the wind. Husband will still complain about the walk but will have to get over it. I spend a lot of time on the balcony and he watches tv.

And I am assuming you can never get it with a reduced casino rate?

I hope they now have Canadian Club too. I have asked in past but they always said no. Maybe they are responding to our requests? I will find out on the Regal in November.

I agree that RCL is sky high. We used to cruise Brilliance several times during the winter each year but it is now priced out of sight. Rhapsody is way overpriced as well. We like a balcony and are Diamond but have turned to Princess more often now.

Mamaboss, sometimes casino rates are compacity controlled. Earlier in the year I had that happen. Casino rate was no longer available on cruise I wanted so had to pay more even though rate had not expired date wise.

This thread is interesting. In the past we always bought the future cruise deposits when you could leave the date open but when they changed to having to make it a specific cruise we stopped. I asked onboard if I could buy and use a date in the future and then later change to another date and the guy said I could change date but obc would be lost. So I stopped purchasing them. The obc was the only reason to buy for me. Low deposit means nothing to me. I will definitely ask again on next cruise and buy a couple if it is so.