Rsebdb

I took time to write this post on CC to warn others- based on OUR experience. There were many seated beside us with similar issues holding up their boarding- and if my posting helps even one person... it served its purpose.

 

But I wish I had not bothered and could remove my posts! It is not worth the condemnation. :mad:

Thank you for posting this warning/practical tip. In the chaos of getting ready to go on a cruise, or any vacation, it’s a challenge to make sure you have everything you need. I’m the “keeper of all important documents” in my family and I can’t tell you how many times in the course of traveling to the port I’ve felt the need to lay hands or eyes on the documents. I’m sure this reminder will help more than one cruiser!

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..and I took this same cruise right after the OP. I agree, we loved it. video below...

 

 

 

[YOUTUBE]3PTrHAyYzCQ[/YOUTUBE]

This video was so beautiful it made me cry! Thank you for sharing it. I'm headed to the Dream for a Christmas cruise this year--a first for our family. 200-plus days away still but your video provided a perfect pick me up and reminder of the fun memories we will make. Thank you again! RSE

We've sailed out of NOLA a couple times and there's always been a porter inside the garage to help unload luggage. We're heading there again in December for the Dream Christmas cruise. Happy sailing!

I rarely comment, but I'm coming out of "lurking" status to say a big Thank You! I've really enjoyed reading your Carnival reviews. I'm sailing on the Dream in December and thoroughly enjoyed your review of that ship. I've been reading this one just for pure entertainment. You are so thorough, honest and your pics are beautiful. I especially like your POV of traveling with a young child (I'll have my 17, 8 and 7 year old with me) and I've gathered some great ideas and insight from you. Many, many thanks for taking the time to write!![emoji4]

We've booked a cruise for December 20-27 on the Dream. This will be our first holiday cruise and we'll be traveling with our kids ages 18, 9 and 7 at time of the cruise. We have cruised with the kids before and they really enjoy Camp Carnival. We've found the programs and activities they offer to be safe and fun and we usually have a good mix of adult time and family time. For older kids (maybe ages 11 and up) they can check themselves in and out with parent's permission. We don't have any experience with that as we were in cruise hiatus when our oldest was in that age group. We've cruised the last two years when our oldest was 15 and 16 she liked the program and made friends she still keeps up with now.

As for holiday traditions, we don't plan to pack any decorations or bring a miniature tree although I've read reviews from some who do just that. I just don't want to pack too much extra stuff. As for gifts, we plan to pack one small item for each kid to surprise them on Christmas morning but we will stress that the real gift is the cruise itself and being together. Have fun and enjoy the planning process!

Doing a family Christmas cruise this year on December 20. Six family members (so far; trying to convince more to join us) and 2 adjoining cove balcony rooms. Our first time sailing on Carnival cruise during a major holiday. Did you find the cruise crowded? What was your itinerary? Thanks in advance for sharing your experiences. :)

Thank you so much for your reviews! You are so generous with your time and talents to share these adventures with us. My family sails on the Dream this year for Christmas. Your review is incredibly helpful and fun! Thanks again and so glad your Dad is doing well after the NOLA health scare.

December 20 on the Dream out of NOLA!

We never had trouble finding a place to sit in this area. Lots of open chairs and lots of sun. Loved it!

 

This is such a beautiful photograph. The next time there's a photo contest with Carnival, you should consider entering this one. Thanks for including it in your review!

Congrats on doing your first review and thank you! I'm looking forward to what's ahead and really enjoying hearing about a family cruise. We've got a "multi-generational" family sailing on Sunshine in just a few months so your info will be very helpful. Thanks!:)

Thanks so much for such a fun and informative review! I found your review while riding back to KY from a family Thanksgiving in Memphis. I'm not even sailing on the Breeze but your title and opening post reeled me in. As all have said before me, you're a great storyteller and your zest for life comes through! Thanks again and I look forward to reading more from you. CCL really should give you a free cruise for being such a positive yet honest reviewer!!!:)

Hooray! I love your reviews and am truly looking forward to your review of Sunshine's first US sailing. My family and I will be there soon. Thank you!

I dont know if they always do this but my sister applied for the card just to get the lanyard and the bag, she was approved and they put all of her sail and sign charges on there instead of the card she had opened her sign and sail account with, they didnt tell her she just got a bill in the mail.

 

Just FYI.

Yep, same thing happened to us on our last cruise: applied, received free gifts, but when we went back to see if approved, no one at the kiosk. It wasn't until a week later when calling the card company to find out about approval that I learned that we were not only approved but we had a balance as well. All worked out fine. And as a bonus, I use the free CCL drawstring bags all the time (we were given 3 of them :)).

I'm so glad I found this thread. Such helpful info and a nice community of enthusiastic cruisers. Thanks for all the helpful tips!

will be on the Sunshine Next Sunday Dec 1st out of NOLA and I cannot wait!! I won't be at work....I will be on a ship!

I won't be cooking dinner.....I will be served dinner!

I won't be watching TV on the couch....I will be watching entertainers performing live!

 

A cruise is what you make of it...and mine will be OFF THE HOOK!!!!! :D

Awesome attitude!! I will be on Sunshine in March 2014 and am looking forward to every aspect. I've only sailed the smaller Fantasy (?) class ships on Carnival.

Just booked Carnival Sunshine for 7 day cruise leaving March 30. Would love to lose about 35-40 lbs by cruise time so that I can fit comfortably back into summer dresses. I agree with earlier post advising using My Fitness Pal app. It's free and really useful for giving you info about what your eating patterns are (eg too much sugar, too much fatty foods) And provides encouragement when you reach calorie and exercise goals. Like anything though it only works great if you actually use it. I haven't tracked my food this week :-(. But... This forum/thread just gave me the encouragement I needed. Thanks and good luck to all of you!

Thank you for creating such a detailed, fun review! I'm sailing in just 14 days (Wow!!) on the Elation. My DH, Mom-in-law and our 3 kids ages 5-15 will be joining me. The info you provided, especially about New Orleans, was fantastic. We're arriving the day before the sail date and I'm working on a fun itinerary for a whirlwind 12 hour stay in NO. Your review showed that you can really see and do a lot in a short stay. Thanks again and happy future sailing to you!