Justyman87

We are booked on the Epic for the western Med out of Barcelona this summer. It appears that the ship stays pretty close to shore most of the itinerary. Would this help ease ship movement?

Nope not necessarily. On our Epic cruise in the Med. out of Barcelona we had terrible seas on our last night. The curtains in the main dining room where swaying and several family members where sick. I just laughed, I thought it was awesome and the crew where fantastic. They did there best and warned us saying they where trying to get us out of it.

I just can’t see the Escape which is bigger then Breakaway and Getaway doing Western Caribbean Cruises. I have no idea where she will go but I just don’t see Western Caribbean Cruises for her. I just feel as if there isn’t enough demand for Western Caribbean Cruises, Eastern is much more popular. Yes I know the EPIC is doing Western Caribbean Cruises but we all know how long those will last for. Anyone think there is a possible switch… Getaway doing Western, Escape doing Eastern. I honestly have no idea and can’t wait to find out!

That particular day 1/2 we are in Cozumel. I looked at the whole schedule & it's not on there at all.

 

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I wouldn’t worry about it. As I said before CruiseTT isn’t always reliable. Your cruise will be great, don’t worry about it.

We did the cruise last August in 2012 and I can tell you a majority of the people did get off in and on in Barcelona, Spain. Although I can’t answer your question directly I can speculate and give my opinion. Since the ship does mainly start and end in Barcelona the cruise really starts there. The main muster drill is when departing Barcelona, if you leave from Civitavecchia you must attend a smaller muster drill in a lounge. I never saw a real check-in area when in Civitavecchia, but I assume there is one. Once in Barcelona I would guess you have a separate exit or must wait for those to get off. You probably will have direct access to the ship, I don’t think they would make you wait since you are checked in. Good luck!

CruiseTT isn’t always reliable. They have like 4 ships in Key West on days and 3 large ships on others.

Plus the Breeze cruise is there. It shows you guys going to the following:

Sunday- Miami

Monday- Day at Sea

Tuesday- Grand Turk

Wednesday- Ochos Rios

Thursday- Day at Sea

Friday- Nassau

Saturday- Miami

Its been rumored that the Epic was going to the Med. full time. I wouldn’t doubt if it is true but it could just be another reason. Many other cruise lines keep there ships in the Med. until November, maybe NCL is testing the waters to see.

When we went in August the pools where open and it was pretty warm. Surprisingly they where dead, we regret not going and swimming!

So do they have to shut down the casinos shops when they come back to port like this

 

 

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I always wondered that! I would assume so because you are back in a US port but yet people can’t get off at the same time so I am not sure.

Today it was quite unusual when Grandeur arrived about 10 am that she did not dock where Freedom is now. Grandeur docked further in. I was surprised at that.

I know I was sorta surprised about that to… then I thought that it was RCL way of getting back at Carnival for the Pride docking where RCL usually is a couple of days ago. LOL

I dont see any rescue or ambulance yet

 

 

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Yea I noticed that… usually they are waiting. Also no sign of gangway yet.

Do they have enough time to hit max speed to reach there next port of call or will it be late or missed I wonder

 

 

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Not sure yet. I would think they may have an issue reaching Labadee. Maybe a sub of their other private island or arriving late or just skipping the port. I always felt like you miss one port on a Western Caribbean run you are screwed.

Grandeur uses a dock at that location when it makes a port call.

I know, maybe because it is night time I am being thrown off. I could of swore the Grandeur use to dock closer to where the tug currently is.

Marine Traffic is showing it docked… not sure if that is accurate. Doesn’t seem to be moving… I didn’t know there was a dock down that far.

Anyone else think the way they are approaching and docking is strange. Looks like they tried to turn around and couldn’t. Not sure what they are doing now.

Well it is testing the waters to see if 3 ships are profitable in Port Canaveral. However I doubt if we get an Oasis class we will see 3 ships. I think everyone would miss the FOS though.

The Anthem will split time between Southampton and Port Everglades in Ft. Lauderdale. This is confirmed and not a rumor.

Which I don’t get considering that the ship is built for cold weather. It’s basically doing what the Indy is doing right? Also remember that Port Canaveral is getting the Explorer Of the Seas once the Quantum arrives meaning three Royal ships in Port Canaveral. Port Canaveral will have 3 Royal the Freedom, Explorer and Enchantment along with 3 Carnival the Sunshine, Liberty and Sensation. Disney also will have 3 ships the Magic, Dream and Fantasy. Plus as always the breakaway with visit and I am sure the Splendor and possibly even the Grandeur. I do see an Oasis class coming but not as soon as everyone would like.

Your right about the 1st night. But I would still make reservations to make sure you get the time and date you want.

Can’t go against that advice. Better safe then sorry.

I wouldn’t worry very much about making reservations. The steakhouse was pretty empty when we sailed Alaska August. You can always call onboard and make reservations if you want. First night is a free bottle of wine if I am correct? Being 19 I am not sure why I remember that but, it seemed to be a big promotion.

Still a major question to me is which article is right… those that say home-porting or those that say it’s a port of call? Either way, it won’t effect Carnival, they have there own way of doing things. For the scrubbers I was unaware that all ships needed them, not bad for Carnival to wait and do it. To me it is like the airline business, you have low coast carries and then legacy carriers. Carnival is a low coast carry but still brings cruise ship love to me!

This is not correct according to the local media. Tampa will be the embarcation and replenishment port. Thus for these cruises Tampa is the homeport and base of operations. Germans will have the option of flying in to Tampa or Orlando.

 

Someof these cruises will be 21 day trips.

 

Some Aida ships have had Tampa as port of call on voyages out of Miami.

If this is true I apologize. I thought in another thread it showed that it's only a stop and that the article was a mistake. Good for Tampa. I am sure carnival can compete. Seems carnival may need more ships with the one moving to Australia!

Edit: for evidence of not porting there I present this. http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/tourism/german-cruise-ships-will-visit-tampa-but-not-be-based-there/2149886

Anyone with other info please let us know.

The Aida ship isn’t based in Tampa… it is just visiting it as a port of call. From what I understand the Carnival ship needs scrubbers and the ship doesn’t have it. With the Vista arriving don’t be surprised for some move arounds. They defiantly will return to Maryland soon.

Is it me or is the Sunshine a really funky looking ship? That fog is cool. I remember once going to Canada we had the fog horn going off all night because of the fog.

Just waiting for you to ship out and impatiently awaiting the always superb photos coming!!

Too funny, I can actually watch the T.V. playing on the pool deck on the Ft. Lauderdale webcam, they are playing a video of the transit of the canal I think...

Interesting to see the lifeboats like that. I wonder if they are going to do a test. Can’t wait to read your report. Panama Canal is a dream cruise for me!