silversneakers
-
Posts
957 -
Joined
Content Type
Forums
Store
Blogs
Downloads
Events
Gallery
Posts posted by silversneakers
-
-
Call the cruise lines directly to ask that question as they may also have security issues for late bookings.
-
10 hours ago, KatieKatie17 said:
Hi, we just returned from a wonderful cruise on MG last week. We loved the ship and it’s crew. We are planning a trip mid January and comparing the MG to HOTS. We’re married in our mid 40s and no kids will be traveling with us. We loved the beauty of MG, the dining options, comedy shows, and again the dedication of the crew. We have very limited experience on RC. If you have been on both ships, which one would you choose to repeat for your next cruise and why?
Should be at full capacity on your next voyage so your opinion bucking huge crowds would be interesting. Having said that, you will have the same issue (full capacity) on one of RCL's largest ships. Sailing at half or full capacity has been great and I wish the cruise lines would keep those numbers but then again, the prices would go way up! Remember the cruise lines are in business to make money (or at least recoup some of what they have lost over the past COVID time). Enjoy every cruise!
-
Could it be food shortages now and more to come?? I think it will get worse before you see any improvement due to the supply chain issues.
-
3 hours ago, 78232 said:
It is possible to request a table for two for early or late fixed dining when booking the cruise. I understand that it is possible to request a table for two in open dining although there may be a wait. It is easy to eat in the lido without sharing a table. We have never had to share a table in any of the dining areas.
You don't technically "share a table" but seating at a table for two seems to have minimal space between tables and you do feel like you are "sharing"......
-
On 7/23/2021 at 3:54 PM, Georgia_Peaches said:
This is good information. Do you happen to know what measures Carnival is taking to ensure authenticity of the vax card?
Just curious, but how would that be done???
-
You might want to see what islands are actually open in the Caribbean as so many ports of call have recently be substituted. Caribbean is great for outside deck activities We have done both, Hawaii a few times and Caribbean many times. If you love water sports, definitely the Caribbean but the Hawaiian Islands are beautiful. Travel to/from port has always been a consideration for us in determining what cruise to select. The first few days sailing to Hawaii from the west coast can also present rough seas. You mentioned it was "free" so either one is a win.
-
1 hour ago, canes20 said:
Someone on Elation said they had Diamond/Plat/Suite boarding first again with the Diamond/Plat section separate from the rest.
Suites board first now.
-
5 hours ago, Beave8920 said:
I've always received it in the past on reduced priced cruises as I almost always sail on a casino rate.....but this time, denied. I was a bit surprised, but I guess with Carnival leaking money I totally understand. It is written in the fine print so I guess they are finally holding to their policy.
I cant complain though as I got a great rate anyway.
Times are different now.
-
4 hours ago, dawei said:
Many thanks for the responses to my question about far aft cabins on Zuidy's Main Deck. We were in a J-cabin on that deck for VOV and were pleasantly surprised at how nice and large it was.
Tbay, thanks for mentioning the noise from MDR above. I hadn't thought about that possibility. Hopefully, it wasn't too loud; at least it shouldn't be an all-the-time event.
David
Cabin tool checker is a good site to view what's above/below your cabin location.
-
On 10/13/2021 at 6:01 PM, firefly333 said:
Elation would have to be super cheap to book over the Magic. .. for me.
Agreed. Elation is an older, smaller ship but in my experience the staff was outstanding. Magic class ships have always been my favorite.....not too big....not too small!
-
2 hours ago, 2Shoes2Go said:
Now that it’s resolved, I thought someone might benefit from our experience. We were to cruise on Oct 11th, so went to our local urgent care for a rapid test on Oct 9th. We’ve tested there before, with no problem. Not sure what happened this day. Young lady, who did our tests, wasn’t too professional, js. Someone else brought us the bad news. DH was good, I was “positive.” Full Cruise Stop. The anxiety expressed here, is warranted.
They refused to retest. I had and have no symptoms at all. We went home and I sacrificed two of our proctored Binax. Didn’t proctor them. Second one, I rubbed my brain stem. Both negative. I got our PVP on the phone to help. B2B2B looking like cancelled. She’s wonderful, btw. Went ahead and moved the first leg three weeks out. She said she’d see what she could find out for us.
After isolating three days, I decided to do a PCR drive thru at CVS. Came back less than 24 hrs later. Negative.
Posting this portion now, will continue. Lost it all at posting once.
That happens more often than you know. IMO Rapid tests are not as accurate as PCR.
-
1 hour ago, alleghator said:
Just FYI to anyone this applies to: apparently shareholder benefits don’t apply to anyone cruising “on a reduced rate or complimentary basis.” I wasn’t aware of this, so I’m passing it along.
We bought our 100 shares at the start of the pandemic, knowing they would grow when cruising resumed. And we’re cruising on one of the recent $25 fares.
I’m not angry or anything, but it would’ve been nice.
That information is located in the fine print of the benefit statement.
-
1
-
-
If anyone can figure out these conflicting directive, kudos to you. I'm tired of all this, very, very tired!
-
7
-
-
Call Carnival directly to get the answer from the "horses mouth" so to speak. You can continue to test positive up to 90 days. I believe the general rule for most employers for a positive person to return to work is "symptom free for 72 hrs......meaning no fever, etc." If the person continues to have issues such as breathing problems they should always contact their doctor for direction. I don't believe employers require a negative test prior to returning to the workplace.
-
1
-
-
On 10/7/2021 at 11:53 AM, 12cruise2 said:
Remember, even if you're vaccinated, you can still get covid, even be asymptomatic AND pass it on to others. Please be cautious and thoughtful of OTHERS even if you are vaccinated. Vac. simply means you may not get as sick, die, etc. Maybe. Please think of everyone before thinking you can relax.
True statement.....I'm seeing that scenario every day!
-
On 5/13/2019 at 4:57 PM, kura said:
“Service Dogs” on board ships....should they be allowed?
I don’t often make comments on here, but I have been following John and Dianne’s Lucky Number 7 thread from the Amsterdam World Cruise with discussions about so called “Service Dogs” that are currently on board the World Cruise and decided to start a separate thread to see if other people also have an objection to these animals on board.
Obviously they are approved by someone in an office who has no idea that they are not properly trained.
I do love dogs.....love our two “Granddogs” ....but not on ships! I have no objection to a properly trained Service Dog that is on a harness, but have no time for these people who seem to be able to bring on their pets by calling them Comfort Dogs.
The following is a quote from John and Dianne’s latest thread....
- This morning in the gym, there wasn’t just exercising going on. A group of people, including the wife of one of the ship’s top officers, had an angry discussion going on about the dogs on board. I think I may have mentioned them before. A couple boarded the ship somewhere in Europe and, with HAL’s permission, brought aboard two “comfort dogs.” Apparently the husband had had heart surgery recently and felt he needed the comfort of his two dogs. Unfortunately, these are NOT service dogs, which I realized when one “escaped” their cabin one morning and ran helter-skelter down the hallway. Apparently the situation has become worse rather than better. During one show in the Queen’s Lounge, one of the dogs began to bark and then to howl, continuing until removed from the room. Also, one pooped in the elevator and another peed on the carpet somewhere on the ship. In addition, the couple brought their dogs to The Pinnacle for dinner and a conflict broke out with other diners which required that security be called. We don't know the outcome of that situation. Of course the person who approved this doesn’t have to deal with the consequences, but both passengers and especially crew do, and officers and crew at the very highest levels are really fed up with the whole thing. I realize that some people really do need their (well-trained) service dogs wherever they go, but noisy, badly-trained ankle biter dogs are certainly not a good idea. I know that it’s possible to find “service dog” certificates online, but I think the situation should require a letter from a vet certifying that the dog is actually a trained service dog as well as a letter from a physician explaining why the person needs such a dog. That would not violate the ADA, but it would keep situations like this from arising. Enough said.
I have experienced first hand one of these dogs last year on the Prinsendam in Europe and Holy Land and decided to now share some of the stories from that cruise.
A lady from New York had a “Service dog “. ...an Australian Sheepdog that is not bred to be a Service dog, but to round up and chase sheep!! This dog was totally out of control. It was apparently to protect her Personal Space! .....but invaded the space of many other passengers and crew!
The first we were aware of it, my husband said there was a strange noise that sounded like a dog barking when he was on the balcony.
This dog was seen by us and other passengers and crew.....
......bounding up the stairs on the ship on a very long lead
......off the lead in the Crows Nest, licking the tables and eating any dropped nuts off the floor and tables
......Off the lead on the back pool deck looking to be patted and jumping up on people
......pooping on the deck....instead of in his tray
.......according to the Dining Room Manager it jumped up on waiters, and the lady was ordering the best steak off the menu and feeding it under the table....the Dining Manager said he objected to the dog being given the HAL dining china to eat off and he found it a plastic dish. There were many confrontations apparently in the dining room and the lady was moved from several tables when people objected!
.......On an excursion the dog was in the front seat, with paws up on the partition over the driver and drooling on to the driver.
...... other passengers were asked by the lady if they would hold the lead while she went into some of the churches etc in Israel where dogs were not allowed.
......the lady was seen ashore on a few occasions without the dog in ports where it was not allowed (she was travelling with a friend so assumed the friend looked after it)
...the worst for me was while on an excursion, whilst climbing some stairs, this lady and her “Service Dog” raced passed me ......the dog went one side of me and the lady the other the dogs lead caugh my legs and I fell heavily on a landing on the stairs.
This dog was NOT a service dog and should never have been allowed! I made this quite clear in our cruise evaluation also.
Apart from the above, it is not fair to the dog to be confined like this
I hope I never encounter these so called Service Dogs on a ship again.
It is my understanding that you have to provide the cruise lines with the appropriate papers certifying the dogs are true service dogs. They also have to have all of the appropriate vaccinations. So I don't think anyone can just bring their dog along!
-
1
-
On 10/7/2021 at 10:30 PM, RGEDad said:
I recently booked a Carnival cruise out of Galveston. 10 day cruise outside of Kiddo's vacations periods. Booked the Carnival Dream as it was out of Galveston (we can drive to there), had a few ports/stops we liked, and was - relatively - inexpensive.
I have never cruised with Carnival, and it is been probably 25 years for DW since she did. Now in our upper 60's and mostly cruise with HAL for a number of years. I was about to book on Deck 5 cause that is always a safe deck for noise control on the HAL ships we cruise, but I happened to look at the Dream's deck plan and I was right on top of a Calente Dance Club that DID NOT OPEN TILL 11PM. Yikes - never seen a club open-up that late on HAL. We are usually well in bed by that time. Moved up a deck quickly.
It will be interesting to see the difference between the two lines, both of which are owned by CCL.
You will see a big difference! Carnival is at the lower end of the Carnival Corp market and most of their ships are geared for families and young adults, with a lot of onboard activity well into the night whereas HA is geared more to older adults, some families, but not so heavy into the nightlife. Both are great for different reasons. As someone previously said, the longer cruises (longer than 7/8 days) don't seem to attract very young families, probably because of time and/or the cost. Life is what you make it!
-
2 hours ago, Mrs f. said:
I saw that the Carnival Sunshine is supposed to start sailing again from Charleston in January. When we sailed on Carnival 40 years ago, it was a very big party ship. Is it still that way? Do they get many retirees? It's close to where I am now.
Try to stay away from summer, spring break or holidays and you will be okay. Remember Carnival's market is family and that includes children. We just don't prefer to sail during summer, spring break or school holidays.
-
2
-
-
On 9/24/2021 at 9:25 AM, F27TW said:
Which ship is doing this trip?
Princess? Caribbean Princess - NY/NY
-
LOL! I think we've all been there at one time or another! I always threatened to cruise by myself!!
-
1
-
-
18 hours ago, KmomChicago said:
TLDR: Yes this is a long sad tale. Now I am going to explain why I was so wiped out at the beginning of this cruise. When I started this thread it was already Day 3 of the cruise - I had been too overwhelmed to even think about a live review up until midday Monday.
We had FTTF on our two prior Carnival cruises and both times showed up about 9:30 and were about the first folks onboard after the hghfalutin' suites and tier levels, around 11am. Because of all the uncertainty about boarding, we chose a 1:30 time hoping to avoid bottlenecks during the first embark turnaround for Mardi Gras. So this was already going to get us on about 3 hours later than normal.
We dropped the bags with a porter at the parking garage. Dad had a Scootaround which we picked up easily enough and it allowed us to bypass the embark lines (not really fair, but he's a disabled Vietnam veteran so I know nobody really minds). We got through the vaccine card check protocol and security pretty easily so no issues there. In fact I didn't really get a much of a look at the sleek new terminal because we moved through it so fast. Dad was able to drive his scooter the whole way including the long gangway corridor. Again, no issues.
He had an accessible balcony cabin up on Deck 15. I separated from DH and teen to go help the parents get settled. We got up to their room and COULD NOT SHUT THE AUTOMATIC DOOR. I did not yet know about the automatic doors on the public bathrooms. We spent about 20 minutes before asking someone for help. A room steward told us we couldn't shut the door yet because the room was not ready. We had been told at check-in that it would be, and of course it was now about 2pm. This is the exact turnaround delay I was trying to avoid. We were asked to leave just for a little longer and it would be done. So my stepmom who had held on to one carry on bag, that was a lot heavier than I realized, and my dad and I, all headed down to my room, which I hadn't even been to yet. And we got off the forward elevators and went the wrong way, toward the starboard odd cabins (poorly marked) instead of the port even cabins. We walked quite a while, though dad was driving of course and I got us lost, and my stepmom got upset at one point because she was exhausted. 😞
We finally found my room and DH and teen in it, and they were kinda annoyed waiting for me to get back permanently so we could start adventuring, but I said I'd go back with the parents to their room. Dad took the bag on his scooter basket. The room was now ready, as evidenced by the closed and locked door. And guess what happened next? Their room keys DID NOT WORK. Neither key. We found a steward who got a supervisor who let us in and said he was sorry but we needed to go to GS to get new keys.
😐
I had left my phone and purse, everything but my S&S card in my room, so I couldn't call DH and DD, though I could have called from the room phone and did not think of it because I thought the GS visit would be quick. I told the parents to get settled in the room and I would go to GS.
LONG LINE at GS. LOOOOOONNNNNNGGGG. And no FTTF this cruise, and I am just lowly red so had to wait with all the other chumps. I was actually kinda near the front of it as it got much longer while I waited for about 20 or 30 minutes. Terrible layout for this space which is how a normal thinking person would get to the Summer Landing area except that it's also the queue area for GS.
ANYHOO eventually I got them new keys and brought them up to them and went down to my own room by around 3:30 or 4 or something, and I really don't remember what else happened except that when we were getting cleaned up for our early steakhouse dinner the teen wanted to argue about clothes - the teen has an outrageous wardrobe that I normally support but asked for basic decency for JUST THIS ONE MEAL. But no, we had to argue because we are a teen and apparently this was the final straw because I do remember delivering the following at a VERY LOUD AND INTIMIDATING VOLUME: (SOME WORDS CHANGED TO PROTECT THE INNOCENT)
ALL RIGHT! THAT'S IT! I AM READY TO GET OFF THIS F(ORKIN)G SHIP RIGHT NOW AND HEAD STRAIGHT BACK TO THE AIRPORT AND FLY RIGHT BACK HOME! THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE MY G(OSH) D(ARN) BIRTHDAY CRUISE AND ALL I HAVE DONE FOR THE LAST THREE HOURS IS DEAL WITH OTHER PEOPLES' S(TUFF) AND I AM HAVING ZERO FUN AND I AM NEVER GOING ON ANOTHER VACATION WITH ANY OF YOU PEOPLE FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE!
I told y'all I still battle my demons. Of course I don't remember the exact monologue but that's pretty close and the teen silently got dressed and we all walked silently to the steakhouse and thank goodness for the nice meal in the steakhouse which was the first fun I had on embarkation day.
-
On 9/19/2021 at 12:47 PM, jsglow said:
Most of the time we book Carnival through our PVP. She's simply the best. Occasionally we'll book with a 3rd party TA when they've obviously cut a deal with a particular cruiseline and are selling (dumping) at well below advertised prices. I never bypass my PVP if the price differential is inconsequential.
PVP - personal vacation planner TA - travel agent Usually PVP are cruise line agents, majority work from hom
-
12 hours ago, PC 462 said:
Well, I'll be darned! Did not know there was another one in August 2023. But, thank you, you're right, it was the August one that I saw. When did that one appear?
Princess has 8/15/22 r/t NY 16 days with three stops in Greenland.
-
On 9/23/2021 at 7:13 PM, Laurab23 said:
I hope they do offer this itinerary again. It is a great one but one my cruise buddy could not do so I didn't try to book it.
Laura
Princess has a 16 day out of NY with three stops in Greenland....8/15 2022
Carnival splitting up families
in Carnival Cruise Lines
Posted
You should just postpone your cruise until all of this will be less restrictive. As long as unvaxed people are allowed anywhere you will have potential exposure even though you may be vaxed. I would not subject my children to this kind of exposure even though there is exposure everywhere but not as centralized as cruise ships or planes. Everyone is waiting for this to just be over so we can get on with our lives. But the question is: when will that happen?