3Sisters

@FJB Thanks for the good fun! My guess is Carnival Jubilee. @kefthecruiser Carnival Celebration is a sister ship to Jubilee so they both have very similar features. Did you cruise on this ship back in the day? Does anyone know why these ships get scrapped? Why aren't the ships reconverted into a cargo ship of sorts? They cost so much to build it's such a shame to see them destroyed.

@Pj Thomas Thanks for your feedback on this NCL experience. I have heard such mixed reviews about the entire process. I would have been so stressed if I was on the airplane out and realized the inbound hotel wasn't booked! For the prices you pay, I believe you shouldn't have to stay in a sketchy part of town. What were the summer highs while you were there in July? I can't believe the monuments close during the day due to the heat! Better shopping here than the Grand Bazaar? I think I need to cruise to Lindos now!

@rindybar The Yacht Club guests should get unlimited everything, excluding spa sessions and excursions obviously. You pay more than enough to get the full-on exclusive cruise experience. If you want two lobster tails, you should get two lobster tails at dinner. That's the entire purpose of YC and a personal butler service is included in the package!

@LukeJ Glass seems the most risque for a cruise ship. It breaks easily, it's a mess to clean up, and extremely dangerous in the waterpark/pool areas. Cardboard is a nice option but the least durable. I'm not really sure there is a better solution, other than stainless steel. It could be a bring-your-own-cup situation for at least the water/soda drinking! If there is a monetary incentive, guests would be all about it. It keeps your drink colder for longer anyhow.

@Margie If you want the Hawaii experience maybe it's better to try again in a few years when everything has stabilized. You could always opt for canceling since you have time and rebooking to another dream destination. There are plenty of other cruise lines and celebratory destinations to choose from. Would your group be willing to postpone the trip and look for something else in that timeframe instead?

@Bowie The food on standard cruise lines is just standard! If you want an enhanced culinary experience with CCL you should try their specialty or for a fee restaurants onboard. I recommend venturing out and spending a bit more onboard to get a heightened dining experience. The MDR and buffet were good enough for me the last time I went, but it's not the best food I have ever had. I don't expect top-notch for the price I pay with CCL, just good enough. In other news, CCL is rolling out a new food menu. More rollout dates have been released. https://www.cruisehive.com/carnival-confirms-fleetwide-new-menu-rollout-dates/108768 @FJB That's a throwback item! I would imagine CCL has done away with that by now.

@TollHolio This is certainly a throwback post! @Ghostpenguin That's right, life has gone on! Thankfully those days are behind us now. @FJB I'm impressed with how far back you went! I'm so glad those days are over. I love not having to wait for a test result and avoiding all of the pre-cruise headaches I had to endure to get on board the ships.

@Robert Mcgillivray I love seeing all of these photos of the gorgeous Norwegian Viva! The Vibe beach club looks absolutely stunning and is the ultimate stop for relations. I really love all of the shade options too. Many sun decks are all about the sun and no shade it provided. It can be overwhelmingly hot and uncomfortable for anything more than 15 minutes. I'm so impressed by the amount of child-friendly amenities onboard from the Aqua Park to the waterslide! The minigolf onboard is nice and shaded too with such a fun theme! I'm very glad you shared these photos because I have a completely different perspective on the line. I'm so glad you got some time in the spa. How much was the daily thermal spa rate onboard? Does NCL offer a thermal access package rate for the entirety of the cruise? I recently took a cruise and had an excellent one-hour included in the thermal suites. I wanted more after that. I think that was actually my favorite part of my whole trip, or maybe it was just being alone for an hour!

@Patricia1100 I love the idea of disabled veterans' parking. I was unaware of this service until now. The best way to contact is likely going to be by email. I found info stating that this opinion is applicable for any meter parking space with valid identification in Baltimore, MD. https://mva.maryland.gov/about-mva/Pages/Disabilities.aspx Check out this Maryland government website and see if you can get a solidified answer here.

@euroguy I agree! I would totally use this service if it was offered at more ports of call. Please give us a review of the overall Port Valet experience and how it all works. I'm curious about what type of options this service provides. There are times when I want to explore a city without my bulky luggage/car seats for a day and take public transit to get the city experience! @RoadTravelled Thanks for confirming this service. I would totally give it a go if I cruise out of this port. Lugging around car seats and extra suitcases filled with laundry is just an extra burden while trying to explore post-cruise.

@Patricia1100 I love this phrase, "Cruisemas!" Thank you for sharing it because I'm adopting it as my own. Not having to cook is such a perfect treat for anyone who opts to host the holidays that year. Which cruise lines do you recommend for a "Cruisemas" experience? A shorter itinerary would probably be ideal for everyone who has to rush back to work after the holidays.

@rindybar No worries! It happens to the best of us. That's a treat to be so close to a busy homeport! Yes, the car shuttling can get a bit hectic too. From car rental prices increasing to having to shuttle your suitcases to and fro in a taxi, the process can be much easier if you park at a nearby hotel and take a shuttle to the New York port. Many of the surrounding hotels do not offer a shuttle but Hotel Edison Times Square does, and it's only 1.2 miles from the port. You would have to figure out all of the costs to see if it would be the best route for you and your family, but it would give you some extra time to unwind pre and/or post-cruise in the city. A park-and-ride option is another feasible option instead of renting a car, but as you know those options do charge a pretty penny per day.

@Robert Mcgillivray Wow, I love seeing the photos of the gorgeous Norwegian Viva! This ship is going to be a popular addition to the list of ships sailing the Caribbean. The homeport of San Juan will surely be an attractive spot for cruise guests around the world. As a person who doesn't enjoy the virtual reality world, the Viva Speedway is so much more appealing than the Formula 1 option. What type of stateroom is this? Are you staying in a basic balcony stateroom or is this a suite? I love how spacious and well-designed this stateroom is. It has so much elegance! Is there a water park onboard? Norwegian Viva seems to be geared toward the adult crowd. Also, will you get the opportunity to spend time in the spa?

@ELLIOTT Yes, I agree this sort of experience would make me rethink my loyalty to the cruise line. In fact, I see where @Karin is coming from. It's very frustrating. I have noticed RCL to be more consistent lately, with fewer cancelations. Thankfully I haven't been subject to an email like this before. During the shutdown, many itineraries were canceled, but rightfully so. @LukeJ I don't think it's a computer error every time either. It became a pretty often occurrence, and I believe RCL had to correct the issues because guests were beginning to catch on. Now it seems that the overbooking issue has subsided. The repetitive itinerary changes and cancellations were not looking good for the line.

@SpaceCowboy9 So many people avoid the Fantasy-class ships because they are some of the oldest in the fleet, but I totally agree with you! The CCL experience is still going strong on its Fantasy-class ships, and you get the smaller ship feel. Not to mention, the prices for these ships are always more reasonable than the Excel and Venice classes. Windstar would be a beautifully intimate cruise, perfect for an anniversary! How many years will you be celebrating? Have you cruised with Windstar before?

@FJB That is a truly hot summer heat temp! I hope you have some ice in your drink and a fan nearby. Do you make your own ice cream? My friends have been using these specialty Ninja icecream makers and rave about it. My family liked to make banana icecream with the old-fashioned maker, using rock salt. This is a fond memory I had as a kid! I think I should grab an ice cream maker and give it a try. Actually, now that I'm looking at your photo again, that blue bucket looks like an ice cream maker! Am I right?

@FJB I'm glad you shared this info. I would love to cruise out of Vancouver, but now I'm thinking I would need to spend more on a flight to arrive at the optimal time, avoiding a hotel fee. As much as I want to explore the area, maybe staying in a long-term Airbnb would be the better way. @Seaawgs The Vancouver port sounds pretty nice! Maybe that is why all of the hotels nearby are so costly! No need to water money in transportation when you can walk from your hotel to the port. Thanks for sharing that. I like the Delta Hotels. I have stayed at a few in the US. Which cruise ship did you sail out of in Vancouver?

@FJB I love the crumber too! I'm pretty sure that's what it is called. I can guarantee you this isn't happening in my home. Sometimes I wish I had a dog to clean up the extra food mess off of the floor. One thing a dog couldn't do is pick up your candy wrappers. @SpaceCowboy9Yes, I feel exactly the same! I don't mind an interior stateroom because I'm barely in it at all, and when I'm sleeping I love it dark so it's perfect. I enjoy the map channel and the lobby music. That's all I need!

@Freedomlass This is not fair at all! I had no idea about this, but I think this is a flawed system. I hope Princess Cruises corrects this. @Oldgirl50 This is such a scam. If you are paying for the premium plus package, you deserve all the perks that come with the package. You are paying for it! @OzVoyager I hope you can get through in the Green Lane like the app is showing! If they give you any pushback just show a screenshot of the app. Princess Cruises needs to honor this, even if they don't give you a Medallion ahead of time as they should. Why is the cruise line so discriminatory in this way?

@Cindy63 Details are beginning to be released about the Ocean Cay amenities that will be enhanced during the closure. I will keep you posted on news about this closure as it surfaces. @Dakota 88 A better place for Yacht Club members is in the works! https://www.cruisehive.com/popular-private-island-to-receive-massive-100-million-expansion/107962

@Louise Urbas Thanks for the suggestion! The bilingual signage is a total bonus. @Oldgirl50 If you don't mind me asking, what about the marketplace (horizon court) did you dislike? For such a lovely ship, I'm curious what's going on with the horizon court. @Rhonda lindenbaum This is going to be a great itinerary! If you have enjoyed Ruby Princess in the past, you will definitely enjoy Majestic Princess. Do you intend to get the drink package onboard?

@Mr.Bill You can't go wrong with an Old Fashioned! Do you usually get the drink package for this or do you pay per drink? You should try the Fortune Teller bar. This isn't typically my order of choice so I haven't enjoyed one in a while. When will you be cruising on Mardi Gras?

@LukeJ Many of my American friends don't always say the most positive things about MSC Cruises' food offerings, but I feel in total opposition to that. If it isn't overly processed burgers and BBQ ribs 24/7 I think US guests think negatively of the line. MSC Cruises offers a huge selection from fresh whipped cream and berries for french toast to the most intense yogurt bar. The mozzarella is not so salty like the American way, but if you want it to be more salty then you just need to add salt which is readily available to use at your discretion. Also, MSC Cruises doesn't limit how many items you order in the MDR. I have heard so many different cruise lines limiting guests lately. The portions may be smaller than other lines but I prefer it this way so I can actually eat all of my courses. Also if I crave another portion, all I have to do is ask! The pizza is by far the best of any line I have cruised with. My favorite offering is the white pizza with bacon which flys off of the food line pretty quickly.

@LukeJ I have been on MSC Cruises lots of times recently, including masked because I couldn't stay away from cruising. I have two more MSC Cruises booked up as well, so I'm an avid guest with this cruise line. The food and dining are unlike the traditional US options that would find on lines such as RCL and CCL. To be clear, I prefer the quality and the options better on MSC Cruises. I do not prefer the generic, Americanized options many of the US-based cruise lines offer on repeat. To begin the cruise line makes its mozzarella, croissants, and pasta onboard. Their pizza, pasta, and pastries are phenomenal, far better than a US-based cruise line. This is because it's European! Don't expect basic, fake-Italian pizza and toppings. You will get to experience high-quality pizzas and toppings that aren't overwhelmed with sauce. The pizza is so very amazing onboard. The options of yogurt and marmalades highlight the European culture onboard. I order pasta for dinner most nights as it is so genuinely fresh and authentic. The cheese selections are beyond delicious and unusual to the traditional American spread. In the MDR you will find more Italian food choices, that taste authentic. Don't skip out on the fruit and cheese platter as a dessert. Also, the bread baskets are the bomb. I hope this helps answer your question!

@Seaawgs That's right! Biscuits and gravy night wouldn't be a French chef's favorite night, but I do think it would be a guest favorite! A Crreole night would be so fabulous, I actually see more Creole fusions onboard than country options. Wow, you have a triple threat coming up! It sounds like you may be cruising most of the month! I bet you will be coming back from this series of itineraries nice and tan. Will all of those itineraries be the exact same each go? The maiden voyage is more than cool, you get to experience the clean and pristine beauty of the ship! Maybe Celebrity Beyond will have some special festivities during this maiden voyage for guests!