Woody14

Don't get me wrong I love living here and I love the vistas, views and the people. But I met some people who were disappointed that on there excurision from Vancouver they were not able to see the rocky mountains and the great lakes. The rocky's are about an 8 hr drive and the great lakes are over 2,000 km's away. They were not disappointed with the coastal mountains we have right here in Vancouver as they had never seen anything like that but they had different expectations.

I did ask about that on my last trip on the Vista as we booked specialty dining every other night. He stated they are aware that the tip has been prepaid when it is advanced booked. Not that they don't appreciate the extra tips.

Canada is so big we have lots of different types of snow depending where you are. Some is beautiful and majestic some is not. It is the same with the autumn colours parts of the country get great ones and parts are not as great. If you think that the UK has some variety in weather, landscape and scenery then you can imagine that Canada is about 40X bigger than the UK so our diveristy is quite astounding. For those of you in the US, Canada is bigger than your country, while we only have 10 provinces & 3 territories and our population is the size of California, we have a lot of big undeveloped spaces and it many of our amazing sites are what would be considered remote.

I am sorry but I don't understand the question. Most cruises are sold out. Ships have 2 numbers when it comes to capacity. They have the number based on double occupancy (2 per cabin) and then the max allowable on the cruise ship by the regulations. Most every ship sales with an number somewhere in between of that every week.

It is only once for me and that was on Disney as through room service used to be the only way to get a Mickey ice cream bar and I really wanted one. At that time all we needed to do was tip and it was so worth it. Never used it on any other cruise.

I would disagree with you on this one. You get a full breakfast for free (well included) and all you need to do is walk to the dinning room or the buffet. To expect them to deliver to you specifically in your cabin should be an upcharge. Quite frankly all room service should cost extra.

the price tag for many

it is not that they are not being used in Canada it is just that we don't get given them ahead of time. They won't ship them to Canada. We have to get them when we check in at the port.

It appears that the role out is going to be quick, they have added a couple more ships this week and 4 more in August and then it will be 3 or 4 a month so by that rate they should all be changed over very early in 2024

MDR I have to admit I prefer set time, same table, same wait staff, early seating and 90+% of my cruises have been this way, we don't often eat at specialty restaurants. There are 3 main items for me in the main dinning experience which I factor in my opinion. (note have been on: Celebrity, Carnival, Royal, Costa, MSC, Sun Cruises, NCL, Holland) been on a Celebrity, Carnival and RCL cruise in the last 12 months. 1. food quality - it is true that over the years of cruiselines have 'diluted' the food quality and portion sizes. the portion size has never bothered me as I usually have 2 appy's, salad or soup (sometimes both), main and sometimes dessert. In the old days the menu used to be totally different every day, now there are somethings that are always on the menu (not totally bad, just different). I rarely eat the same item twice on a 7 day cruise as I like variety. I would not say I am a true foodie but I do like good food, and I like to be able to walk away from a meal thinking I got good value for money as far as taste goes. I know the MDR is not a pay extra thing but I view it through the restaurant lens. Admittedly I would not say that I have had a top 10 of my life meal from a MDR on a cruise. So really it comes down to would I have it again and be willing to pay restaurant prices for it, would I eat it again being it is included, was it worth eating at all, was it even edible. On celebrity I have had more of the it was good and I would be willing to pay for it than any other line. Carnival had the most it was not really even edible (although I likely ate it anyway). 2. Service - this is where celebrity shines the most to me. my last celebrity cruise I had a head waiter, assistant waiter, sommelier, bar server all assigned to our table, plus a matre'd checked in almost daily. In comparison my last Carnival had just a head waiter and an assistant. My last RCL had a head waiter and an assistant as well as some area supervisor that assisted once in a while. I find the friendliness level of dining staff very comparable, they all learn your names and remember your preferences. But the service levels with the extra staff Celebrity has seemed to really stand out. 3. Room Experience - not just the visuals of the room as most are fairly nice but a few extra things stand out to me. Table cloths on the tables (true RCL had them as well). The table set up. Yes you are packed in all the lines MDR. But the table size mix on Royal just felt chaotic. Generally early seating is somewhere between 5:30 & 6:00 pm and the next seating is likely not till 8 so you have lots of time and never feel rushed. On Carnival it felt like we had 45 min to go through all the courses and get out. It was not a relaxing experience. I have never felt that on Celebrity. MSC, it has been about 10 or so years since I have done MSC really loved the value for money it offered. It was a very European flavour at the time and was great. I know it has lost some of that and now there are so many levels/experiences that I am not sure how it all comes together now. It is about time to try them again I think. Hope that helps

Must admit I am a cheerleader for Celebrity, it is my favourite line. It is pretty chill compared to RCL or CCL. Less families and kids. Not to say it does not have kids as it does and has a great kids club, my kids thought it was one of the best. the big differences for me are: main dinning room experience - way better than CCL and better than RCL, the vibe is more chill makes me feel like I am on a vacation. Being there are less people that seem to get involved in the events the cruise director and team do you seem to get to know them better. some significant differences: no rock walls, ziplines, harry chest contests or belly flop contests. will say lunch food options on carnival (guys, pizza, blue iguana, etc) are better. no comedy shows nightly like on CCL only get one maybe 2 nights of comedy in the main theatre.

were not there port fees before and this just an increase? all be it a significant increase.

Ouch that is not a nice one. That is a prime example of why I would not accept flights to Europe landing on the same day as my cruise, I would want to be in a day early. Living on the west coast the only place I have risked flying in the day of my cruise is LA (I can drive to Vancouver or Seattle) and then I am still always concerned. My plan is always to fly in the day before, for Europe I often am in 2 days before as it is a long way from the west coast to Europe.

Are you saying that cruising should not happen because it overwhelms areas or are you wanting limits?

some of my fav's so far have been: San Juan Puerto Rico Antiga St Thomas/Tortola BVI St. Martin

did a 5 person room once it had a separate 'room' more a semi enclosed area in side. it was a very nice room bigger than the standard room. had to book it direct with them.

I would live to know more about this. what wasn't fixed or 'up & working'? your statement about 'operating under false pretences and a clear disregard to passengers safety!' is a big statement I would love to know more.

Celebrity is my favourite but it is not a waterslide, hairy chest, belly flop contest line. It is not snooty but it is a bit more upscale. RCL or even Princess would be a good other cruise line to try. MSC is another one I enjoy but it is similar to Carnival but it is more international as far as clientele on board and the experience.

while it is true that 33 of the 280 man overboards since 2000 are on Carnival. Carnival has more ships and has carried more passengers than any other line over that period. So statistically if you factor in # of people overboard vs people who have sailed I don't think they would stay number 1.

It is not so much that the price suddenly went up but that your deal went away (expired). What you are seeing now is the price and shows how good of a deal you missed out on. It is difficult to say if they will send you another deal that good. I am sure they will send you another deal as the cruise is still a ways off but you never know how good the deal may be, all the factors of demand and the unknown variables that Carnival puts in to the system make it a bit of a wild guess what they will do. You could always book something a rate that would allow you to cancel or change the booking before final payment and if a great deal comes along jump on it and cancel/change the booking.

Couple of questions come to mind immediately are you a US citizen? was the cruise a closed loop (ie. return trip departing and leaving the same US port)? how did you book (on your own, direct with a TA)? Do any of the countries you are sailing to require a passport for entry?

It is a technically a Vista class ship so its general layout is like the Vista, Panorama and Horizon. The Costa Firenze is also the same class. I am curious what they will change/keep the same to bring the Costa 'Italian Style" to this new brand of Carnival and I also wonder is the beginning of a phase out of the Costa brand?

water, coffee is free as well as some beverage like ice tea, fruit punch or lemon aid in the restaurants and in the buffet. Soda you have to pay for.

occupancy of a cruise ship is always based on maximum of 2 per cabin (some ships have 1 person rooms). Capacity is the maximum allowed on the ship by regulations as well as cabins able to hold more that 2 people.

leaving from Galveston on the Carnival Vista July 29