Blk_Amish

I did get off the ship. I will be going there in February so I'd love to hear where you went so I can enjoy it too. I went to the downtown area and found it pretty scary. Please give me some ideas. Thx for your help.

 

We did an excusrion to La Bufadora (blow hole) one of 3 in the world I think. I have done the wine tour and went for a drink, or two, possible three, at Mamas and Papas. No, I don't get scared easily being Jamaican and all:D

 

I hope Mazatlan is back for those who want to see it and others can stay on board, no loss! I like getting off at ports because I tend to see things differently with age and experience. After seeing the blow hole in Hawaii, I want to see the one in Ensenada again. After Napa wine tour then see the Mexican one again.

This is what makes me laugh. All of the posters that have posted about being unhappy with Carnival evidently they do have a great time. They talk about jumping companies but allot don't. What I have discovered in my business there are always some who just enjoy complaining.

 

.

 

I assume you are talking about posters that are loyal. For others it booking the best product based on needs. I would never book a Carnival cruise for my anniversary, or for the most part when my kids aren't with us. If the cost is within $200 of RCL, I will go with RCL. If it's the same as Princess then I will decide on fun factor verses elegance. Last time I went with fun with my son, next elegance with Princess. For those who are not loyal to any line, we are seeing a greater decline in a product we loved and willing to pay good money for.

Yes, because it's people having fun, not taking things or life too seriously. I judged the sexy legs contest on RCL and got mooned. Well I did the only thing I know when a butt is presented, pop it!

I think it's because they are the most visited by the majority of CC members. Places like Nassau, Jamaica and Belize are always mentioned in these threads. Meanwhile, ports on the west cost of Mexico, north coast of Africa, etc, are less mentioned due to far less ships going there.

 

Ports like Jamaica that bring out the best and worse in people. The defenders or local, like myself, or the haters who are expert on the CULTURE after 6 hours in port. I Iove when I get asked how you are able to cruise being Jamaican. I always reply I have a Amish sugar daddy :D

 

I do believe ports are the worse way to be introduced to a country and Jamaica could be considered the worse in that case. Too much of hit or miss experience depending on what one seeks. I can't believe someone placed a link to set up people to be flamed :eek: Listing that you didn't like it wouldn't have been enough.

 

Pauline

 

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Forums mobile app

Lol. Yeah I saw that yesterday and thought hmm...maybe the Denny's waiters sing now. I haven't been to one in years.:p

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk

 

To get that Carnival mdr feeling I am heading to Dennys. Not sure what to wear, darn :D

 

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Forums mobile app

No kidding. I don't know if the ones complaining about the lack of tablecloths even go out to a 5 start restaurant on land or not, but Carnival is being trendy. If you go into many modern upscale restaurants, the theme is NO tablecloths.

 

I have NOT been to a 5 star or modern trendy upscale restaurant, therefore I like tablecloth. If the fancy restaurants are doing it it might be the same reason Carnival did, cheap. The food might make it easier for one to overlook. Maybe to some delight, but not in a million years could I see myself dressing up to go and sit in steakhouse looking restaurant. What a shame to be on a crusie with gowns but no place to wear them to:D

 

Since so many people are comparing Carnival to Denny's, I should start eating at my local or their Denny's more often. For the most part I don't mind the food on Carnival but hate the food at most of the places it's compared to. Banquet food works for me and I always dress up for the occasion, gotta wear the gowns when I am not crusing:D

I wonder if Princess would consider giving special offers to passengers who display appropriate behaviors in light of unexpected situations. :D I know the squeaky wheel gets the grease........but it would go a lot further in the long run, to have 'nice' guests return on their ships. Some squeaky wheels know how to squeak no matter how much grease they get........ :rolleyes:

 

I think to anyone who ask for opportunity to enjoy the vacation they planned. Depending on why you booked this vacation escape, this incident could hit hard. Personally knowing 2 schoolmates of my kids who committed suicide last year and one attempted , I would have been a royal mess. The escape would have turned into a harsh reality check.

 

When my vacation goes wrong I always ask for the opportunity to do the one I planned, courtesy of course.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Forums mobile app

I wish I could say the same we had one lady who was so rude to the staff every meal time it was awful to listen and watch obnoxious was the word we used

 

Was it any worse than some of the posts on these forums. We say things not caring who is on the receiving end of it or what it might trigger, hardly without a need to apologize. I can only assume that lady homed her skills on a public forum. The worse is blaming parents whose kids were hurt, without knowing all the details. We have mastered meanest because our identify is safe or we know we may never have to encounter them again.

 

I doubt this was the cause, but we never know the straw that will break the camel's back.

 

Pauline

 

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Forums mobile app

Hi Blk!

 

My personal thing, I DON'T like them not telling me their names...

 

1) Our service was NOT GOOD, and frankly rude. On my comment survey, how can I tell CCL that "Bruce Wayne" stuck his finger in my face and flat out shushed me when I asked for service...?

2) They clearly don't care that people won't ask for them again. On our other cruise line, we write the names down, because their service is THAT GOOD and we can ask for them by name again...

 

That's why it matters to me. Its accountability. They have no interest in service and prefer to be nameless and certainly don't care about repeat service. On the other hand, you will notice sometimes a person REALLY REALLY likes their server, and they WILL refer to him by name. He/she is a person and at least for me, it is relevant. Not just a chatty chatty thing for me.

 

Peace!

 

Sometimes people simple have enough!

 

We all have our own vacation standard or deal breakers as I call them. We can sit around and wait for Carnival to rebound or change our expectation, even move on. I think I can change the expectation which is not the same as lowering them, but if I choose to then so be it. That will mean I will have less to whine about and more to be surprise by. I don't go on vacation to develop or befriend anyone serving me, because no one befriends me at work. My only need for the same server, is that they might get the same thing I order each time without asking. I am going to assume their memory is as bad as mine, so chances are I am going to tell them.

 

My beef with Carnival, other than the cut I couldn't eat, is the fact everyone acts as it a cheap trip for all. They act as if it a cheap ride for all, or want those who find it cheaper to cruise than stay home.

[quote name='Phlybice']Personally, I don't like the feedback I'm reading ANYWHERE with the new dining program.

Yes, I will have to try it myself, but to have no dessert choices on some nights besides the ones listed, the variety cut back significantly.


I mean, they don't even hand you the menu any longer. [COLOR="Red"][B]They are just there on the table.[/B][/COLOR]

They did NOT have the customer in mind when they made this change, and I don't HAVE to like it. Being they are rolling it out slowly, it doesn't appear they have much faith in it either.

Now, about those tablecloths......[/QUOTE]

Ok, that's like saying they don't tell me their names. I can't remember my own kids names, honestly it wont matter if they tell me theirs. I am holding ground on the tableclothes:D

[quote name='cruizinisthebest']It's not odd to me, because I've been to many restaurants in certain parts of the east - particularly areas of PA - where they serve meals like this. So when I saw that part of the menu change on certain nights, I didn't even blink. But I'm not comparing the buffet to the dining experience other than the ick, yuk, gross factor. And my point is, if you are not grossed out by eating at a buffet, then having food served family style shouldn't bother you either. I prefer a sit down meal even though I will chow down on the buffet just like anyone else. But I'm always leery of them and almost totally turned off by the frozen yogurt station. lol. Someone is always letting the thing overflow or dropping cones and then just walking away - just ugh. And it's not always kids. I like the frozen yogurt but the way it's served is a total turn off. If I had to look at that during a sit down meal, I probably would never go. To each his or her own. Like you, I'm o.k. with trying the new menus out. Unlike you, I don't mind the family style serving.[/QUOTE]

Whenever I read some posts I ask myself 3 questions. Where has the posters been, how much did they pay, and can they cook. Being from the east coast , used to family style dining, and really don't mind buffet, I thought the gross comment was over the top. Whether or not that style of dining is for you is different issue. If you have experienced it before then you know it's not a foreign or odd concept. With bad memory the menu is always new. I can't recall what I cooked yesterday, so if I cook it today again, I have an excuse. If you cook, how often do you change from day to day, so what the big deal. No matter what, I am going for my safe dish each night but I will always know when it's done right. When I book my next Carnival cruise I book it with a better understanding. Is it the product I bought I bought 6 years ago, NO. Am I their target market, maybe not, which is why I am on Princess next.

With the mention of PA, I am craving a Philly chessesteak:p On my next trip back east I am heading to NY, thanks to the review on here and to Philly for a Steak and Cheese!

[quote name='SIENA6334']I spent 30 years giving everything i had raising four children which by the way are terrific loving adults. Their dad walked away when the youngest was 15. With the support of my other children we got through it. [COLOR="Red"][B]So I do not consider it a "low standard" to enjoy everthing done for me for a change.[/B][/COLOR] Maybe you should not be so quick to pass judgement when you don't know any information about the poster.[/QUOTE]

No it's not. Sometimes many here book the cheap cruise and forget its not cheap for everyone, therefore we like the extra. On the other hand those who can afford to book whichever line they wish forget that might not be possible for everyone. I had something done for me recently and therefore I hear you:D

Ok, fine, I am going to New York. You were brave enough to continue with the review, I can make it to NY. Thinking about it that way, NY shall be piece of cake:p

I might even do a review for my next cruise on Princess. Ok, that's just being stupid but excited about the Royal Princess.

[quote name='Fla Senior'][COLOR=Blue]So many uninformed people with so much misinformation. One thing about Cruise Critic is that you take every comment with a grain of salt. Best to learn and decide for yourself. If I listened to half of what I read on here, then I would never cruise again.[/COLOR][/QUOTE]

If you believe everything here, then you would have to believe that people would be walking up to you on deck, saying things that should not be echo to a stranger.

Ive gotta say I am much less excited for my cruise now, seeing on how the ports of call are Cozumel and Grand Cayman....seem to be very high on everyone's list to "not get off the ship!"

 

But then again a saw some dislike for San Juan and I LOVED PR...

 

We get off at every port, it's nice to walk around, have a local lunch and people watch, if anything! I get bored on Sea Days! lol

 

Take what's said with a grain of salt. Some people have been to some of the ports so many times, they simple cruise because they have nothing better to do. San Juan and Belize are two of my must see places. I am more than happy to know they are not on the list of a few posters. It means I many never be on a cruise with them and definitely not in port. Every port is not for everyone or sometimes once is enough. I saw Sting Ray and Turtles in GC. I loved Cozumel and did these ladies but what happened in Jamaica best stay there. I went home:D Going on a cruise and not getting off the boat is like flying to a city and not leaving the airport. Every trip I take I am different, so I see the same place differently. It's a growth some never really experience, so go enjoy each port. I clearly don't cruise as many here, or for the same reason. Many ports, expect for Jamaica and Mexico, I have been only once and can't wait to go back.

 

Enjoy your cruise and ports.

 

Pauline

 

[/url] by , Cozumel

[quote name='TwinPrincessMermaids']...there are more to cruises than that though... that's a really low standard to set for a vacation...[/QUOTE]

That's pretty messed up to say TO someone I assume you don't know. Who are you to tell someone what standard they should set for their vacation.
I know what I want from mine, which is why I am booked on Royal Princess next. I know what to expect from my next Carnival cruise. Yes, I might pack my own table clothes.
I don't leave home just to say I am on vacation, my standard.

[quote name='TwinPrincessMermaids']I'm ok with new menus, they looked good to me. What worries me is the family style serving everyone out of the same bowl or something. (Sounds GROSS) And the limits for choices makes it hard for people with food sensitivities....(automatically bringing a cake or something for dessert, one choice for everyone)[/QUOTE]

SMH, you have never eaten at the buffet because I missed all the individuals servings containers. If someone has eating issues then book another lines or stay home. I did not know of all the changes before my last cruise but I either go and eat without the tablecloth or take my own.

Exactly, what's the problem or grossness since I have eaten in the buffet out of the same bowl?

Do you rock your formal or smart casual gear late into the night, or are you one who can't wait to change immediately after throwing down the Tiramisu and Grand Marnier.

 

My first after-dinner stop is always our cabin where I'm comfortably back in shorts and flip flops. The exception was this past New Year's Eve when I waited until 12:01 AM to change.

 

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

 

I change but not necessarily into more comfortable, just a different outfit. I usually wear a formal gown to dinner each night (7) and change to a cocktail dress (7) for the evening or dancing. I will opt for more comfortable shoes.

I am a long torso with shorter legs, so LTS pants are way too long on me. My mom is 6'0" and all legs. She loves LTS.

 

Lisa

 

I have short torso with long legs, so will check out LTS:D

 

[/url] by ,

NY&Co has size 4 tall in pants that are actually too long on me unless I'm in a 4" heel, and then they are still on the longer side. But regular 4's are usually too short so I buy the tall and have them taken up. Might be worth looking into. :)

 

 

Autocorrect responsible for most typos...

 

Long legged can be a nightmare. Short dresses/skirts are way too short and regular pants are way too short but tall way too long. Did I just complain about having long legs:D

I'm doing a similar version, except the 'low' days allow 650 calories for women--I just can't do the 500. The other days are 1500. For the first time in years I have been successful in losing weight, going from 142 to 127 in 8 weeks. For some reason, this is fairly easy for me to do.

 

Yes, the 650 is tough (I try to eat only the most nutritious foods on those days--with one little piece of dark chocolate for a treat), but since I know I can eat more tomorrow, it's not bad. The 1500 calorie days seem decadent!

Also, since I was coming off a bad ankle sprain I was doing very little for exercise.

 

We were on a 17 day cruise in December and had two weeks of Christmas, birthday and anniversary celebrations afterwards, and I did not diet at all for those weeks. I gained about 3 pounds and am now back on the diet.

 

The pounds lost (15) doesn't sound like so much except that I am 68, 5'3" and at the 142 start point not very much overweight. Now I am expecting to take it very slow and lose 1/2 to 1 lb. a week to my goal of 115.

 

I got the idea from an article in the Reader's Digest, but did not purchase the book or do more than read the basics. Went from there with my own food choices that fit into the diet. I use Spark People to calculate calories, etc.

 

You do need to do your research and keep in mind any health or body issues that may make this type of diet not for you.

 

Congratuation. As you see my DH is a big guy and he recently dropped 60 pounds from cycling, road bikes. Aside from trying to fit in this dress, my weight has been pretty good but hitting 45 I noticed some extras. I love working out but I also have a man's appetitte. Hitting 50, I am more careful but some days the more I eat the hungrier I get.

Now just how would you know that?:confused:

 

I think the poster was being nice and encourgaing, so thanks the compliment:D. Fifty and pre-menapause can be a trying time for some ladies.

Being 5'11" short torso and long legged, I can't recall ever being a size 4. I need more fabric just to cover my legs.

JAMAICA (land vacation - Port Antonio):D

 

Alaska

 

I haven't done cruise but land vacations so I would add Rome, Copenhagen, Barcelona and Hawaii. I am looking forward to Florida (FLL) since I love seeing things in the US.

Yep -- they still line you up in the hot sun, but no more life vests, in the RC drills. I think it was a safety issue -- too many people tripping over those dragging straps. It also makes the logistics of the drill easier -- since you don't have to schlep your life vests to/from your stateroom. You just show your seapass card a crew member, and they direct you to your station. :cool:

 

I think it's 'funny' one could get hurt on the straps, going to the drill telling you how to safe your life. The hot, hot, sun and being packed in like sardines, oh joy. I met my new best friend at the muster drill on Carnival, works for me.

Awesome. That's exactly what should happen to people who are so flippn' stupid as to intentionally avoid it. I'm sure the fellow passengers don't mind having one less idiot on board.

 

We all take of chance with different types, I guess. I simply would not wish to be on board with some CC representatives period:eek:. In the gand scheme of things some aren't listening anyway, so pray if ship goes wrong.

 

Pauline