3Sisters

@PaulB Just try to avoid cruise guests like this one. Thankfully this wasn't actually on a Princess Cruises ship! This happened on MS Baltic Princess. https://www.cruisehive.com/passenger-throws-furniture-overboard-from-cruise-vessel/90555

@FJB Those are great recommendations! @Kendall James-Vargas I have had great experience cruising with some of MSC Cruises Fantastica staterooms. Royal Caribbean's newer ships also have some more affordable and larger stateroom options for families. https://www.cruisehive.com/icon-of-the-seas-to-feature-new-staterooms-and-suites/85191 Here are a few options for Icon of the Seas.

@FJB That does sounds like a wonderful cruise! @PaulB I would say the perfect destinations would be where I haven't explored before. I truly want to book an Alaskan cruise! Since I usually cruise to the Caribbean, this would be a whole new experience for me. Possibly an itinerary like these Holland America Line options. https://www.cruisehive.com/holland-america-reveals-longer-alaska-2024-itineraries/91769 I would love ample time to explore the ports of call as well.

@lslycord This is a great board for that sort of question. I have not been on the NCL Escape before, but let me take a look at the deck plans. From what I found, these family balcony rooms do have views however there may be a walkway outside in view. I guess they will likely have an occasional crew member pass by.

@PaulB You are right. I think customer service is lacking in several industries! For instance, the supermarkets nearby are having trouble getting the stores staffed and are usually understaffed on the daily. It's a shame because the employees that do show up are running around frantically trying to compensate and make up for the shortage.

Carnival Cruise Line was awarded Cruise Hive's Best Cruise Line of 2022. I wonder if this will be the same for the new year. It seems the line will be increasing its cruise fares significantly this year! This may steer guests away from cruising with the line. What do you think?

@FJB Unfortunately, I think all of the cruise lines will be following this trend. I'm disappointed by it. However, I appreciate the openness from the cruise line about the upcoming changes. Some of the cruise lines have increased the prices but haven't publicly announced the changes. I have tried to book a new MSC sailing and the prices have gone up by 50%, even when booking with a promotion. @KeithG I think that the industry is going to become more exclusive in some ways because it's not really priced at a point that the majority could afford. As the prices go up for the more affordable lines, guests who could only afford those prices won't be booking as often as before.

@Woody14 I agree. Fuel efficiency is something I didn't consider. It's probably more worthwhile for the cruise line to sell these older ships and roll the return into the newer, more cost efficient ships. The newer ships will likely hold more guests too, generating more income per sailing perhaps.

@Woody14 This stop sounds like an exercise. I guess I would wear some sneakers and bring a water bottle for climbing the lighthouse! I bet the pulmonias were more fun than the traditional taxi! I have never ridden in a pulmonia before. Would you recommend exchanging currency one arriving at the port to get better overall rates?

@Kendall James-Vargas You can't beat a private jacuzzi! @PaulB I agree. I don't think I would leave my stateroom very often. Instead of going to the main dining room, I would be ordering room service every evening.

@Kendall James-Vargas I have noticed the same trend. The cruise line is making price increases and staffing cutbacks on top of this. I think loyal customers have already began looking elsewhere for better customer service and consistency.

@PaulBKeep an eye out for some reasonable prices! From my experience, prices tend to peak during the summer time. I have also noticed an increase in cruise fares lately, so keeping watch for a good deal is a smart idea!

@PaulB Navigator of the Seas had so much to do! I love the rock climbing wall and the ice skating rink. Since its recent remodel, the ship has even more to offer. The FlowRider simulator was so fun. It's not easy though. Do you enjoy outdoor activities such as the FlowRider? https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-ships/navigator-of-the-seas/things-to-do

@Woody14 I have experienced cold waters at the onboard water parks before. It is especially cold when the ship is moving, which is the majority of the time they are open to the public. Maybe these would be the slides for me. Sometimes its frightening when the slides are too fast!

@davemya626 I'm glad to hear there was a least some sort of reimbursement! It's such a bummer that so many guests are experiencing this issue time and time again. @Cruisin K Man This is such a shame!

@Kendall James-Vargas @kefthecruiser @DeanneB It looked like a very successful New Year celebration! https://www.cruisehive.com/carnival-president-and-culinary-officer-drop-the-ball-in-new-york-city/91601

@Kendall James-Vargas I haven't cruised on a luxury ship before! I'm curious to hear the responses.

@DeanneB I was going to say bungee jumping at sea, but apparently it exists already! https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-activities/sky-pad Also, it seems there have been several accidents. Maybe it isn't the best attraction after all. https://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2019/03/21/man-suing-cruiseline-after-bungee-accident-mxp-vpx.hln

@Kendall James-VargasI loved cruising on Navigator of the Seas! I'm sure it's even better since undergoing it's multimillion dollar refit in December 2018. I haven't been on since 2016, but it was the perfectly designed ship and size in my opinion.

I haven't watched Emeril's cooking show for over 20 years. I'm so excited that Emeril Lagasse has become Carnival Cruise Line's Chief Culinary Officer. Did anyone else watch Emeril's cooking show back in the day?

@Cruise Virgin This sounds like a bad experience. I think the multicultural staff onboard all cruise ships is actually wonderful! I really enjoy getting to learn new things from staff that live all around the globe. Next time you come across someone struggling to speak English, maybe you could take the time to exchange words in each other's language. That's the beauty of meeting new people, learning from one another!

@Lee Did Royal Caribbean end up compensating you for some of the expenses? @KristineF What a bummer! It's the risk you take with booking Florida cruise in hurricane season I guess. The hurricane season runs June to November! That's half the year!

@Kendall James-VargasI don't think you can go wrong with exploring the Pacific Coast! El Faro lighthouse seems like a must see while in Mazatlan. The scenery looks unbeatable.

@Kendall James-Vargas Thanks for that! I will look into those cruise lines! @KristineF I would imagine the cruise line attracts a different crowd than the family-friendly cruise lines!

@Kendall James-Vargas That's a good observation! Hopefully it's just the region's protocols that are inhibiting travel to those areas. It looks like the cruise line has added some new ships too, and that is promising. It's new flagship, Costa Toscana, just began sailing this year! https://www.cruisehive.com/costa-flagship-arrives-in-dubai-for-a-season-of-middle-east-cruises/90667