Woody14

On 10/13/2023 at 8:23 AM, LukeJ said:

@Woody14 thank you for that. I didn't really think of that. I'm going by photos and documentaries, and of course they make it look stunning to sell the place to you, I guess I just fell for it and was taken in by the beauty of it. 

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.

1 hour ago, RoadTravelled said:

I have a question regarding specialty dining on CCL.  In order to insure that we always get the restaurants and times we want, we always pre-book those online before the cruise. As such, we are charged for the meal and in addition the 18% gratuity is added in the cost at that point as well.  We notice though, that when we get the bill at the end of our meal, it shows the meal charge and then a credit in the same amount is applied yielding a total bill of zero. But, there is no mention of the 18% gratuity that we have already pre-paid.

 

It always makes me very nervous to leave the gratuity line empty on the bill, even knowing that we have already paid it, and just sign the bill as requested. Does the incredible waitstaff know that a tip is already been paid? Is that pre-paid tip still distributed to them? I would never want them to think we aren't tipping them and their service was not appreciated — they are always such great servers.

 

Our first time doing this several years ago, we forgot we had pre-paid this so added a tip on the bill. That of course meant we had actually paid it twice. I went to Guest Services this last cruise and inquired about it. They didn't really know exactly why it was done that way except to say that it had something to do with the fact the meal cost was pre-paid (and not charged onboard itself) and the bill was just reflecting that.

 

Any thoughts to help me feel more comfortable about this?

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.

4 hours ago, LukeJ said:

@Cruising Caribbean there is something magical about snow. A fairy tale in its own way. In the UK, we tend to get more sludge than pure snow. I can imagine the wonderful landscapes of Canada covered in snow. It's something I would be happy to see. The autumn colours would look mesmerising as it does in photos and the sun beaming down gives the place a bold colour. 

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.

16 hours ago, FJB said:

I’ve never seen the infatuation with room service. In my 200+ days on cruise ships, we’ve probably had room service less than 10 times.  We prefer to go to the dining room or the buffet where the food is hotter and a larger selection to choose from.  YMMV

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.

On 9/29/2023 at 1:48 PM, Lucille King said:

I booked a cruise on the celebrity Apex with my best friend a few weeks ago. It’s stated on some of the articles I read from people that just got off the ship that other than a continental only breakfast that is free. Anything else ordered from room service from morning till night time is 1195+ gratuity And I think it’s a bunch of BS to charge that much after what we pay to get on the cruise and the price of drinks and the price of everything else you have to pay for now.

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

On 7/19/2023 at 11:57 AM, Kendall James-Vargas said:

@Ruth Girard I'm surprised to read that Princess Cruises isn't utilizing medallions in Canada already. This is such a great feature of the line. 

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.   

On 7/17/2023 at 10:39 AM, Lvb said:

Question:  Will the Carnival Pride Cruise ship be getting the new menu, between now and 2024?  

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

14 minutes ago, 3Sisters said:

Please expand more on the MDR experience, I have felt like many of the major cruise lines are diluting the MDR experience in recent years. Without those major thrilling attractions, I would imagine this ship does attract fewer children onboard. I would also assume that the crowd is less rowdy without some of these wild attractions and events. At least you still get some comedy onboard. One of my newer favorites, MSC Cruises, seems to offer no comedy onboard.

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

20 hours ago, Cruising Caribbean said:

How would you compare the Celebrity Cruises experience with RCL or CCL? I have seen the ship designs and styling on the upper decks being docked very close to a few Celebrity ships, and I love the line's aesthetic! The line seems to offer it all. 

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.

21 hours ago, Dee Dee said:

Poor Curaçao being invaded by over 11,000 passengers in one day. This should never happen. I feel sorry for the locals.

Ships have also invaded Santorini and other ports in 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

On 6/2/2023 at 6:10 AM, Kendall James-Vargas said:

@Woody14 & @FJB You both really enjoy Celebrity Cruises!  Since I generally cruise with my family of 5, I find it difficult to find affordable staterooms that accommodate all of us. Do you know if Celebrity Cruises offers interior-balcony staterooms that accommodate five guests? The cost of suites is out of our price range while factoring in the payment of five cruise fares and plane tickets. I did read a forum that stated the cruise line does offer some 5-person staterooms onboard some of its fleet, but those staterooms types are few and far between. I would be willing to book one up early though, as soon as the next year's itineraries are released, to snag these optimal staterooms! 

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.

12 minutes ago, Jeffrey said:

We cruised in January and was told prior to the cruise that the engine thrusters were up and working. Carnival blatenly lied to me claiming everything was fixed! They are continuing to operate under false pretences and a clear disregard to passengers safety! After speaking to Carnival they offered an extremely low compensation,  less than what they keep offering me via emails. 

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?

2 hours ago, Kendall James-Vargas said:

Costa Venezia was first purposefully built for China, but I'm pretty sure things have changed since.

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.

8 minutes ago, Cruising Caribbean said:

@Woody14 Which cruise port will you be embarking from? I will be cruising out of Port Miami shortly after you, on August 6th. 

leaving from Galveston on the Carnival Vista July 29