Kendall James-Vargas

@Tina Thanks for sharing your support! I love that you participate in hiding and hunting for ducks onboard your cruises. The chair hogs on the Lido deck can be a real problem! I wonder if those guests even sleep. What time do you have to get up to save all of those beach loungers? I would rather have one to share than take up a row of 10. That's usually what my family ends up doing, sharing, and that's perfectly fine with me! I agree that most will not be throwing anything off of the ship, and the crew members enjoy the duck fun too. For the record, no one is supposed to toss anything like that overboard! DCL has not banned the rubber ducks as of now, but they are highly discouraged onboard. It's a shame but at least they aren't banned yet

@Pelbers Wow, you really quacked me up! Most guests love the idea of cute little ducks hidden around cruise ships. I hope they never get prohibited onboard. My kids absolutely love them, and anyone who comes across a cruising duck surely can't help but smile. @Bremacon I'm so glad you have enjoyed the rubber ducks too! It's such good clean fun, and I really see no harm in it. As long as there isn't an issue of safety involved, I think the duck trend should continue. @aemarle I completely agree! If you don't want to participate in the fun, you certainly don't have to. For the most part, guests usually love them.

@euroguy Thanks for the words of affirmation! It was honestly so refreshing to jump in the pool right after a sweat. I think I went right in with my sports bra and shorts actually. Then some fries by the pool, it was a great way to kick off the day. I'm usually one of the first ones lining up for the lunch fries. I'm so glad you opted for two different types of experiences. I even think the food options will differ a bit onboard! I noticed the Statue of David will be making a comeback on Carnival Firenze. That's such an iconic piece of art, and it will be well-suited onboard the ship. Don't you think? You should try out of Boston or New York! Somewhere in that region may be new for you. Maybe you could find a cruise that visits Canada!

@wilson It sounds like many things went wrong on your last Carnival Valor cruise. From my experience, the scrambled eggs are never the best from the buffet and it's more than worth it to wait in the eggs-made-your-way line. Fresh-to-order omelets or sunny side-ups are the best from the buffet area. Another great tip for fresh breakfast is dining in the MDR when possible. The breakfast is warm, fresh to order, delivered right to your table, and tasty as can be! Have you dined in the MDR for breakfast before? I'm assuming you didn't book an excursion at Cozumel or Progresso. Both of those ports of call usually offer some nice excursion options away from the tour trap attractions you see right when you get off the ship. I recommend a private beach excursion away from the high-traffic scene. It's a much more pleasant experience. I like that you at least rounded out your post with some positivity! The ship is clean and the staff is great. Those are two things I'm most certain @Texas Blue will enjoy on this upcoming itinerary!

@Texas Blue I have yet to cruise out of New Orleans! Will this be your first time cruising out of that port? There is so much to see and do there. I went to New Orleans last year for a Bachelorette trip and it was such a cool place to explore. I recommend taking a look at this article if it's your first time on Carnival Valor! https://www.cruisehive.com/reasons-to-take-a-carnival-valor-cruise/30521 I'm not sure what you are into, but I would recommend trying to catch at least one comedy show at the Punchliner Comedy Club onboard! This is a super nice work reward, a great way to relax. CCL typically has a meetup for single cruisers onboard. I also recommend attending that event to meet some other guests looking to hang out together on their cruise.

@brian amos This is quite aggravating. MSC Cruises should have notified guests of these changes earlier on. This must be so upsetting. What options did MSC Cruises offer you? I doubt the line will offer flight reimbursements, but possibly the line could offer you another itinerary option. It seems the line has been making several route alterations lately. An MSC Cruises' world cruise itinerary on MSC Poesia just nixed some ports of call from the itinerary and notified guests of these changes. https://www.cruisehive.com/msc-cruises-forced-to-make-significant-world-cruise-change/120348

@Patricia cory Some NCL ships should already have Starlink available to guests. The rollout was supposed to begin in April of last year. I haven't seen any official remarks about it onboard any fleet members, but the testing process has been long underway. https://www.cruisehive.com/norwegian-testing-starlink-for-all-three-cruise-lines/98106 A recent NCL cruise guest may be able to confirm an individual ship's rollout.

@LukeJ I appreciate the information on the London water. Much of the flavors are derived from the primary water source. Lakes and rivers can provide very mineral-dense and tasty water, but the purification process also makes a huge impact on flavor. The chemicals that are put into the water that make it drinkable aren't always the best for our system. Bottled water isn't always the best choice either. New research is surfacing in the public about the amount of "tiny plastic particles" that are found in bottled water. It's very alarming.

@euroguy There is nothing wrong with daydreaming! It's so fun to get excited about future plans. I find myself packing way too far in advance. I love thoughtfully planning out my outfits and taking my time doing it, little by little. However, my counterpart, will wait until an hour before and shove everything in a bag, always forgetting something! I think the last time we traveled he forgot underwear. I have had night terror of forgetting things on my cruise. I must admit; one time I forgot my exercise shoes. I worked out up and down the stairs, floors 4 to 16, for 30 minutes barefoot. I call that determination; my husband calls it crazy. Mardi Gras will be so fun! It was voted the best overall cruise ship by Cruise Hive for 2022. More cruise guests equals more excitement onboard. I agree that Firenze is more upscale in many ways. The ship just has so much elegance about it! Both of these cruises will be very different. I'm curious which one you will enjoy more.

@Mavis You nailed it on the head! There is so much to do in both Santiago and Buenos Aires. The terrains vary and the options are endless. My mom has been to sounds vineyards nearby Santiago, and still faves how amazing the experience was. If you are a wine lover, I highly recommend taking a trip out to wine country for an unforgettable tasting experience! The food is also spectacular. I hope you share all of your favorite experiences from your trip with us! @Crazycruizin I do agree that watching the exchange rates is a great idea. You want to try and exchange at the best rate possible! Doing it beforehand will definitely save you time and money. What was your favorite part about your Buenos Aires trip?

@APH I have yet to use this NCL terminal, but the garage is supposed to be connected to the terminal, which is super convenient. The walkway is located on the second floor and is accessible and convenient for NCL cruise passengers visiting Port Miami. The parking garage is said to hold 809 vehicles. There are loads of other parking options in Port Miami, but I recommend giving this NCL option a try!

@Seaawgs The fluctuating fares never cease to surprise me. My rule of thumb is, if I spot a great price, I have to put the deposit on it the same day if I really want it, or else it's subject to change. Walk-off passengers are dollar signs for any port of call. That's a really good point you make. Lisbon knows this slight increase isn't going to impact cruisers in the slightest. Yes, some avid cruisers are going to become angered by this, but for the most part, it's not going to make a difference. Those who want to cruise to Lisbon are still going to cruise there, and to be honest, it sounds worth it.

@FJB Based on recent crime levels, I don't think it's the safest destination right now, unfortunately. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/trinidad-and-tobago-travel-advisory.html I haven't noticed many cruise lines offering that port of call lately, and it's likely due to these advisories. Tobago is such a lovely place to visit. It's very unfortunate the crime levels are the way they are right now. Does your upcoming itinerary stop here?

@curlygirl2424 I would definitely call about this switch option. Without notifying the cruise line, I don't think the switch would happen automatically. Since I haven't cruised with the Key program, I can't confirm how this switch is validated. The option to switch the lunch to free room service is a great perk! Hopefully, it's a simple phone call and RCL will add it to your booking! I hope you have a lovely cruise. Which ship will you be cruising on?

@LukeJ It depends on where you would want to go! Canada is huge. I would love to do the Vancouver route, but I saw more options cruising out of the New England side. RCL has some great Canadian cruise options out of New York, New Jersey, and Boston. That entire region would be a new experience for me. Canada is about a 20-hour drive for me. It would be a trek. I would likely opt to fly at that point. It just takes too long to make it to the final destination. It would be too many days off of work.

@euroguy Today is such a cold day where I live! The whole week will be this way so I really can't wait. I know it's a month out but I'm already going through the summer totes getting snorkel gear and swimwear! The thought of wearing sandals for three weeks in Florida just sounds brilliant. I'm cruising to Costa Maya, Cozumel, and an overnight in Ocean Cay. You may think it's lame, but I'm most excited about my overnight in Ocean Cay. I feel so safe on the island and the food/beverage packages work there. It's such a convenient paradise! Where will you be stopping on your cruise? I think you are doing Eastern Caribbean if I remember correctly.

@LukeJ Canada is so diverse! It seems like such a reasonable option for me because it borders my homeland. Technically it could be driveable, but it would be a long drive. Cruising around is definitely more my style! Which areas in Canada would you want to explore first?

@euroguy You always do a great job of that! That's one of the reasons I enjoy your reviews so much; they are balanced and honest. That's right! If it was all negative, guests wouldn't be coming back for more. Many cruisers that leave solely negative reviews usually keep on cruising with that perpetual mindset. Keeping an open mind to find joy and positivity in life is an important trait to have. Everyone loves a friend with a positive mindset! Debbie downers, as they are called, don't always view things the same way. It's just a fact of life! There has to be some counterbalance and opposition to each side of the spectrum. I will be cruising on the same ship I enjoyed a couple of years ago when my room flooded! I was excited to rebook on the ship and didn't even think about that negative experience until now. I can't wait for that cruise next month actually!

@LukeJ It's true. It's a fact of life to fight germs and keep our immune systems on their toes every now and again. I usually avoid any highly processed foods in my diet including refined sugars, but on vacation, I get swept away from that mindset very quickly. Sugars reduce your body's ability to fight off germs and get rid of them quickly. When your immune system isn't at its peak, in combination with drinking alcohol and overindulging in fried foods, your body will be more susceptible to picking up a virus. Many people are quick to blame the location's cleanliness but aren't thinking about their personal choice that may be weakening their immune system. Exercising and continuing to consume a healthy variety of fruits and vegetables along with enough sleep will go a long way toward keeping your body fighting off germs most efficiently!

@LAM One of the biggest factors here is that most cruise guests are willing and able to spend a little extra. Many new cruisers that don't follow as closely as we do, don't even realize the prices are increasing. That bit of unawareness is a huge factor here because it's pretty easy for ports to get away with this without many even noticing! The key to preventing unnecessary increases is awareness and spreading awareness. Unfortunately, most cruisers just want an easy and affordable vacation. The customer service decline doesn't even impact the infrequent or novice cruiser. It's the seasoned cruisers who have to stand up and speak their minds on these topics. Otherwise, it will likely just be swept under the rug.

@Jim Lamb That's very interesting. I didn't see it on the map either. I'm not sure why the tracking location isn't live anymore. Hopefully, this is just a temporary thing and will come back pretty soon. Please keep me posted once you see it live again. I will be following the Icon of the Seas too. It's such an interesting thing when this happens. Maybe it's just a server glitch.

@LukeJ That's right. It takes maturity for sure, but being able to admit when you are wrong is a strong character trait. Everyone has flaws, but it takes the bigger person (or entity) to admit when they are wrong and apologize. I have heard wonderful things about P&O Cruises so this must be a fluke incident. The line usually stays out of the negative spotlight and has been going strong for years. I did however read an article recently about deep cleaning for an illness that was circling around. At least the line is taking the time to deep clean everything, but hopefully, it does the trick. It's awful to be sick on vacation. The first and only time I stayed in a 5-star hotel my children got the stomach bug and were up all night. Needless to say, I can't smell the Waldorf Austoria's signature scent without being sick to my stomach.

@LukeJ I think so too! I have yet to book a Canadian cruise. Have you cruised there before? I would love to read your recommendations for disembarkation ports and cruise lines. I would prefer to disembark from the US if possible, but I know that will limit my itinerary options. This year I would love to cruise somewhere new! Most of my cruise history has been embarking from Florida, and exploring the Caribbean. In 2025, I have a big trip to Peru planned, but I want to expand my horizons for 2024!

Do you think this change is due to cutbacks or trying to reduce the amount of calories in the dish? This is such a delicious dish, but it does have a hefty calorie count. I have seen the recipe posted online and it is very dense and decadent. I think if the change was due to calories, CCL would stop offering side substitutions like peanut butter cups that really up the calorie count. I have yet to request other side options. I bet it would be pretty delicious with a peppermint flair for the holidays. I'm a sucker for peppermint mochas this time of year.

@euroguy You are spot on! We need more positive feedback. There clearly are plenty of positive experiences because guests like myself keep coming back for more. I also think the finger-in-the-door lawsuit was excessive. You can't blame the door for closing. That's what they do. They open and close. What else do you expect from a door? This is extremely unfortunate, but I have seen signs posted about the dangers of the balcony doors. The stateroom doors, and many other doors in general can be very dangerous. I'm surprised the finger couldn't be salvaged. I don't think the cruise line is to blame, but hopefully, the justice system will sort it all out for the benefit of the greater good. That's all we can hope for, right? @RoadTravelled