No Balconies from ports Mobile, NO & J'ville FL?

[CMK1970]

Hi, I'm a newbie to this forum and cruising, so excuse some of my questions:o

First off we live in Huntsville Alabama so we wanted to drive to one of these three ports. We will need to go in June or July(when the kiddos are out of school) It will be 5 of us..me, DH, 3teens(DS18, DS15 &DD13)

I was on CC site and realized that all 3 ships Holiday, Fantasy and Celebration do not offer balconies.. I had visions in my head of sitting out on the balcony, breathing in the fresh sea air and enjoying the gorgeous view..do any other cruise line offer balconies at a decent price, sail within these times and ports? I'm having a tough time finding any that do...

 

Out of these 3 ships which one do you prefer or recommend? Is it worth having the ocean view or save the money and go with an inside?

Also do any of these ship have connecting rooms? My kids are older but still want them close..

I'm leaning toward the Holiday because of the shorter drive to the port and the reviews I have found.

 

I'm a Sundrop(its a soda) freak and its the only thing that gets me going in the mornings..I have read that I would be able to bring a 12 pack or 2 on board, is this correct? Since we will be driving do I just need to carry it on board?

 

Sorry for all the question and I guess I probably should have asked some of these questions on the First Timers area:rolleyes:

Sorry!! Thanks in advance and I really appreciate it:)

[Tapi]

Hi, I'm a newbie to this forum and cruising, so excuse some of my questions:o

First off we live in Huntsville Alabama so we wanted to drive to one of these three ports. We will need to go in June or July(when the kiddos are out of school) It will be 5 of us..me, DH, 3teens(DS18, DS15 &DD13)

I was on CC site and realized that all 3 ships Holiday, Fantasy and Celebration do not offer balconies.. I had visions in my head of sitting out on the balcony, breathing in the fresh sea air and enjoying the gorgeous view..do any other cruise line offer balconies at a decent price, sail within these times and ports? I'm having a tough time finding any that do...

 

Out of these 3 ships which one do you prefer or recommend? Is it worth having the ocean view or save the money and go with an inside?

Also do any of these ship have connecting rooms? My kids are older but still want them close..

I'm leaning toward the Holiday because of the shorter drive to the port and the reviews I have found.

 

I'm a Sundrop(its a soda) freak and its the only thing that gets me going in the mornings..I have read that I would be able to bring a 12 pack or 2 on board, is this correct? Since we will be driving do I just need to carry it on board?

 

Sorry for all the question and I guess I probably should have asked some of these questions on the First Timers area:rolleyes:

Sorry!! Thanks in advance and I really appreciate it:)

 

Balconies are available on all 3 ships but on the suites only (category 11 and category 12 staterooms). In my opinion, the balconies are nice but they will not make or break your vacation. When I've had a balcony, I've only used it minimally. I'm usually doing things around the ship that keep me away from the cabin. To answer your question about the right type of cabin, it all depends on your budget, and how active you are. I personally go with a standard ocean view cabin (middle of the road). I need my sunlight, but I don't need the balcony.

 

You're allowed to bring soda (my understanding is that you can bring a case per cabin).

 

Connecting cabins haven't been installed on any of these ships. Fantasy will be the only one to get them but the drydock is not until September.

 

Carnival is the only cruise line sailing from Mobile and Jacksonville. New Orleans gets service from other cruise lines, although I'm not sure if the will have a ship there during the summer.

 

I personally loved the Holiday, but I know that the kids might be looking for more to do. In that case, the Fantasy out of New Orleans might be a better bet. (larger ship, atrium, more space, Club O2 and Camp Carnival facilities, etc)

 

Finally, the Celebration is scheduled to depart Jacksonville in May, and the city will be without a ship until the Fascination replaces her in the fall.

[GoinCruisin]

I haven't been on the others, but have been on the Fantasy and other Fantasy class ships and they are great... perfect size and very clean, I believe the Celebration and Holiday are older, and I think I read the Holiday doesn't have an atrium? I'm not sure, haven't been on them...

 

You can bring soda onboard with you, a reasonable amount... and since you are bringing kids I would say that a case would be reasonable...

 

Don't worry about asking questions, that is what we are here for!!! Wish I could be of more help, but wanted to wish you happy sailing!!

[jimjamxx]

Check out the suites. They have balconys. Cat 11a and 12A.

[CMK1970]

Thanks so much! When I was on CC site they only gave prices for inside and ocean views so I assumed they didnt offer balconies..do I need to contact my PVP to ask if and how much one would cost? Also do you know by chance how many people it accommodates?

Speaking of PVP I have not talked to one personally but I was sent an email that I was assigned to a certain person. Do I need to stick with this PVP or can I select my own(I was on CC board and there was a PVP that was recommended with going out of her way for you)

[CMK1970]

Balconies are available on all 3 ships but on the suites only (category 11 and category 12 staterooms). In my opinion, the balconies are nice but they will not make or break your vacation. When I've had a balcony, I've only used it minimally. I'm usually doing things around the ship that keep me away from the cabin. To answer your question about the right type of cabin, it all depends on your budget, and how active you are. I personally go with a standard ocean view cabin (middle of the road). I need my sunlight, but I don't need the balcony.

 

You're allowed to bring soda (my understanding is that you can bring a case per cabin).

 

Connecting cabins haven't been installed on any of these ships. Fantasy will be the only one to get them but the drydock is not until September.

 

Carnival is the only cruise line sailing from Mobile and Jacksonville. New Orleans gets service from other cruise lines, although I'm not sure if the will have a ship there during the summer.

 

I personally loved the Holiday, but I know that the kids might be looking for more to do. In that case, the Fantasy out of New Orleans might be a better bet. (larger ship, atrium, more space, Club O2 and Camp Carnival facilities, etc)

 

Finally, the Celebration is scheduled to depart Jacksonville in May, and the city will be without a ship until the Fascination replaces her in the fall.

 

We are on a budget but do not mind spending the extra if worth it:)

If the suites are major money then I would probably rather save the money and put it toward other things.

My concern now is being close to my kids..I guess I can get a room beside one another or across but I really would like to sleep with my DH;)( I thought I read that one adult had to be in each cabin with minors)

TY!

[GoinCruisin]

We are on a budget but do not mind spending the extra if worth it:)

If the suites are major money then I would probably rather save the money and put it toward other things.

My concern now is being close to my kids..I guess I can get a room beside one another or across but I really would like to sleep with my DH;)( I thought I read that one adult had to be in each cabin with minors)

TY!

 

The suites on those ships are not cheap... and they are basically no more than a standard balcony on the newer ships (which are much more reasonable)... our group has had suites on the older ships and in my opinion, it's not worth it, but only you can decide that... the difference is significant though.

 

They will put your kids in a cabin beside you or across the hall... no worries.

[PINEVIEW01]

I've been in the suites, cat 12, and they were great. You can get a cat 11 with an inside across from it if, avalible but it sounds like they aren't if they aren't showing pricing on Carnivals site.

 

I was on the Holiday as my first cruise, she was one of the "big" ships than. I went back again with my daughter a while back and still loves her.

 

That said, if your on a budget I'd go for; If you are looking at one room, for sure an OV. Some one on here showed photos of a room with 5 in it. Or get an OV for you and and IS near you for the kids.

[tiredmommy]

I'd sail on the Fantasy again hands down. It is a newer design than the Celebration and Holiday and had an open atrium in the middle with a cool bar right in the middle. Also, I thought the lido deck restaurants were nicer on the Fantasy than on the two older ships.

 

I sailed on the Cel. and Holiday within the last 6 years or so and twice on the Fantasy last year. With any of these ships, you are getting an older ship, older design, etc..., however, given the price you are likely paying compared to week-long cruises on newer ships, you should be thrilled.

 

We LOVED the food on the Fantasy and the bedding was incredible. I sailed the first time in an OV room on upper deck near the back of the boat with my three kids in the room! [13, 11 and 8]. VERY TIGHT and I wouldn't recommend it with your teenagers if they fight for the bathroom. The bathroom is really small so bring your over-the-door shoe hanger! But, it was cheaper for us this way and I wasn't comfortable having them away from us in another room.

 

The second time was on a couples cruise and we had an inside cabin on the empress deck very near the central atrium. We didn't really miss the window. The window is pretty small anyway, and without it, you can sleep REALLY late! It's not the kind of room that you are going to want to sit in and gaze out the window -- there are too many sofas/chairs spread out inside the ship near huge windows for you to relax in.

 

We loved the empress deck and the "middle of the boat" location of our cabin. We could easily access the main elevator [this is the glassed elevator that goes up to the top of the boat in the atrium] from our room as well as the forward bank of elevators. The empress deck was, of course, closer to the action than upper deck. My husband loved being able to walk out our room and go about three rooms down the hall to the atrium bar where he'd drink a martini while I got dressed. Silly, but this was the favorite part of his trip!

 

For my money, if I were you, I'd get two inside rooms on empress if possible. You won't miss the window.

 

Have fun!

[map70065]

The price difference for a balcony on the ships you mentioned the suites (the only cabins with balconies) are almost twice the price of an inside cabin. That's too much for me. Like a previous poster I like my sunlight so book oceanview rather than inside - since the price difference between them is minor. I spend so little time in the cabin that I could probably do inside and not notice it - but psychologically I need the sunlight.

[Cruzman]

I've sailed on the Holiday 5 times and several times on the Fantasy Class; loved every cruise. The Fantasy Class is a little newer and larger, but I actually like the smaller Holiday Class better. Something about having fewer passengers and getting to know the staff and crew on a first name basis that just doesn't seem possible on the larger ships. As for the balconies; there aren't many; only 10 total on the Holiday Class, and they are expensive. I just priced the cat 12 cabins on a July sailing and the cost is about $1230 per person for the first two in a cabin, and about $400 for a third, fourth or fifth person in the same cabin. Whether or not it is worth it is a matter of personal opinion.

[CMK1970]

I've sailed on the Holiday 5 times and several times on the Fantasy Class; loved every cruise. The Fantasy Class is a little newer and larger, but I actually like the smaller Holiday Class better. Something about having fewer passengers and getting to know the staff and crew on a first name basis that just doesn't seem possible on the larger ships. As for the balconies; there aren't many; only 10 total on the Holiday Class, and they are expensive. I just priced the cat 12 cabins on a July sailing and the cost is about $1230 per person for the first two in a cabin, and about $400 for a third, fourth or fifth person in the same cabin. Whether or not it is worth it is a matter of personal opinion.

 

I'm leaning toward the Holiday because of its size..since this is our first cruise the smaller size appealed to me, not as much people and we can get the feel of the ship better. Also Mobile port would be a very easy drive for us and we all are use to it since we have been to Gulf Shores many times.

Do you know how many people the suites sleep? Is the size good for a family of 5? The difference would be around $700 between the ocean view and suite. It would be even cheaper if DH and I stayed in the OV and had the kids across from us in an inside room.

Hmm I'm thinking the balcony is not worth $700 more..

Thanks so much for all your help:)

[CMK1970]

I guess I need to read a little better because PINEVIEW01 answered my question about how many the suite can hold in an earlier post:rolleyes: LOL!

 

I think we might go with the OV for DH and I...the inside room across from us for the kids. Now..what would be the best area for us? Middle ship on what deck or somewhere else??

 

I just want to thank everyone that replied to my post..all of you have been a great help and I really appreciate you all for taking the time to reply:)

[Montycruiser]

We have been on Holiday twice , on the 25th of February number 3:D yeah.. It was our first cruise in February 2004, I think you will be like the rest of us and get hooked. On our first cruise we were on the Rivera Deck mid ship inside, this is the lowest level cabin was great, just alot of stairs. Our last time we were on Empress which is the top passenger cabin deck had an ocean view cabin, loved the location just 1 flight up and you were at the casino, bars and show room. This coming cruise we are going to be on Upper mid-ship Ocean view i'm sure we will love this location also, you know put me on a ship and I'm happy. I think your family will really enjoy the Holiday.

[CMK1970]

We have been on Holiday twice , on the 25th of February number 3:D yeah.. It was our first cruise in February 2004, I think you will be like the rest of us and get hooked. On our first cruise we were on the Rivera Deck mid ship inside, this is the lowest level cabin was great, just alot of stairs. Our last time we were on Empress which is the top passenger cabin deck had an ocean view cabin, loved the location just 1 flight up and you were at the casino, bars and show room. This coming cruise we are going to be on Upper mid-ship Ocean view i'm sure we will love this location also, you know put me on a ship and I'm happy. I think your family will really enjoy the Holiday.

 

We are really excited and I have not even booked it yet:D The Upper mid-ship view sound good. I have no idea if any of us will be effected by sea sickness...hopefully not! We love being on the water and none of us suffer from motion sickness but I know being on a ship is totally different than being on a ski boat, LOL. I will have all of us take some Bonine(sp?) before we ship out..better safe than sorry!

Thanks for your reply:)

[cruzzza]

I think that for your first cruise, the Holiday would be fine. I found that I really missed the atrium, but if you've never had one, you don't know what you're missing! The staff were great, that is true. As long as you don't expect 5 star, you'll be fine. It's a great cruise for the money. When choosing a cabin, look at what's above you, but Upper midships should be fine, you'll be inbetween two passenger decks.

[cloverseeker]

Just wanted to comment on the kids room. We took the Fantasy over Labor Day weekend last year and I told my PVP that I wanted them close to me (DS16 & DD13). She gave me the room #'s 222 & 221, which I thought at the time was great....until I got on board and realized that I was on one side of the ship and the kids were on the other side.:rolleyes:

So check to see if you both have even or odd #'s to make sure your on the same side of the ship.;)

 

Happy Cruising!

[cloverseeker]

sorry double post.

[bamagirl1]

I loved the Fantasy when we first cruised her. We are going again on the

Fantasy in Feb. I have never sailed the Holiday before but I have heard

negative responses from friends. Also I see you are form Huntsville. we live

in Muscle Shoals. Also, we got very cheap airline tickets from southwest out

of Birmingham

[CMK1970]

Just wanted to comment on the kids room. We took the Fantasy over Labor Day weekend last year and I told my PVP that I wanted them close to me (DS16 & DD13). She gave me the room #'s 222 & 221, which I thought at the time was great....until I got on board and realized that I was on one side of the ship and the kids were on the other side.:rolleyes:

So check to see if you both have even or odd #'s to make sure your on the same side of the ship.;)

 

Happy Cruising!

 

This is the reason why I love this board!! Thanks so much cloverseeker for the heads up..I would have assumed the same thing!

 

Let me ask you this..what about if DH and I have the OV and the kids across from us with an inside room, how would that work # wise? I guess I really just need to contact the PVP about that?? I'm still up in the air about my PVP situation(another thread..PVP question #2) so this is the reason I have not contacted one yet.

I trust my kids(well to a point:p) but in case of an emergency I want them close to me, so I really appreciate the info:)

[CMK1970]

I think that for your first cruise, the Holiday would be fine. I found that I really missed the atrium, but if you've never had one, you don't know what you're missing! The staff were great, that is true. As long as you don't expect 5 star, you'll be fine. It's a great cruise for the money. When choosing a cabin, look at what's above you, but Upper midships should be fine, you'll be inbetween two passenger decks.

 

That is so true! The Holiday seems like the ship for us..we are not picky and from reading this board(thanks again!) I pretty much know what to expect..

So Upper midship is a good area? How is the traffic and noise factor?

Again we are not picky but I really dont want to be in a high traffic area...like my sleep to much:D

[NCTribeFan]

My first cruise was on Jubilee, a sister ship of Holiday. I absolutely love that ship! Yes, I was seasick in the 18' seas, but I loved the layout, the crew, the entertainment, the food! And I won $500 in the casino! First time I'd ever played the slots.

 

Personally, I find OV a waste of money. I have no interest in looking out a window. Yep, there's the sea. Ok, let's get up on deck and start enjoying ourselves! :D

 

I also love the Fantasy class ships. Hmmm. Come to think of it, I've loved every ship I've sailed! Isn't that amazing!

 

I was just looking at Holiday and Celebration sailings, because I'd really love to sail one of the older, smaller ships again before they become extinct!

 

Some people think they must sail only the biggest, newest ship with the most bells and whistles. Me, I wish I'd started cruising decades ago on some of the truly small, intimate ships.

 

Unfortunately, I can't afford the smaller luxury lines to get that experience now. Someday. Maybe!

[cruzzza]

That is so true! The Holiday seems like the ship for us..we are not picky and from reading this board(thanks again!) I pretty much know what to expect..

So Upper midship is a good area? How is the traffic and noise factor?

Again we are not picky but I really dont want to be in a high traffic area...like my sleep to much:D

If you are picking your room out and not going with a guarantee, I think that Upper midship would be great. Sometimes you can book the free upgrade promotions and you could pick your room numbers without paying extra. Not sure how often they do those, exactly, but seems like they are fairly common. Get on Carnival's email list and they'll email you promotions.

 

I usually pick a guarantee room and gamble that I'll like the location, but in your case, that might not be the best. If I could choose anywhere on the ship, I'd pick the highest passenger deck, but when doing that, I have to be mindful of what's above me on the deck plans. I do NOT want to be under the disco, casino, or places like that. That's one reason Upper is a good deck. There are only cabins above and below you. The traffic and noise in the hall will be much busier and louder if you are near an elevator. Try to get close, but not TOO close. Midships is known to be the most stable. People who get seasick often choose midships and low on the ship. Another thing with noise, you never know who will be in the cabin next door. The walls are a bit thin.

 

Some love the Holiday. I love some things about her (mainly the staff), but some things are not so great, like the decor and low ceilings. She really does feel more "closed in" than other larger ships. However, there are less people on board and the crew are more engaging, so the experience makes up a little bit for the ship's shortcomings.

[MississippiMom]

I'm leaning toward the Holiday because of its size..since this is our first cruise the smaller size appealed to me, not as much people and we can get the feel of the ship better. Also Mobile port would be a very easy drive for us and we all are use to it since we have been to Gulf Shores many times.

Do you know how many people the suites sleep? Is the size good for a family of 5? The difference would be around $700 between the ocean view and suite. It would be even cheaper if DH and I stayed in the OV and had the kids across from us in an inside room.

Hmm I'm thinking the balcony is not worth $700 more..

Thanks so much for all your help:)

 

I do love these boards and the way it makes my head spin with information. :rolleyes: We are south of Memphis, TN, so we would also prefer the ports of Mobile or New Orleans, and we are also a family of five. The difference is that two of our three children are younger, so we are debating on whether we want two cheaper cabins that do not connect (which would then separate my DH and I), one expensive Cat. 12 cabin, or to drive all the way to Tampa and get a different itinerary option plus two connecting cabins.

 

For me, the fact that the hurricane destroyed Costa Maya is really depressing, because we loved that port (and the locals) last January, and I am not reading good things about Progreso. So if we go ahead and drive (significantly) further, we could go to Grand Cayman, instead, and we have never been there. Plus, I think it would be fun for all of the children to say that our vacation took them to more than just Mexico, since they have been there.

 

Decisions . . . decisions . . . decisions . . .

[RDKM]

I think the importance of the balcony is an individual thing. My husband and I were on the Crown Princess in November, and I had my first balcony (hubby's first cruise) and we loved it. We ordered room service breakfast in the am and room service snacks at each port sail away and enjoyed each on our balcony, and it was one of the best parts of the cruise for us. And, to be truthful, we just booked the Ecstasy out of Galveston this August for kids and us and got the Penthouse Suite for a great deal. Its all in the shopping and picking the most reasonable time to go. For us, it was the week right before school starts. I'll just have to have everyone ready for school before we go, but it will be worth it just to cruise.