Cruising Caribbean

@LukeJ I'm not sure if I would be open to all jobs on a ship. I would potentially be willing to work at the specialty restaurants. Those seem more slow paced than the included dining options like the buffets and MDRs. I would potentially work in the casino too. I wouldn't want to bartend. I also wouldn't want to have to clean anything onboard because I would feel like I'm spinning circles. Entertaining would be a rough job too. A dancer would be something entertaining! I would rather work at guest services than have to dance on stage.

@euroguy I'm glad you chimed in here. You seem to drop your priority bags all the time at the port without issue. I also love that your stateroom is always available once you hop aboard. That's something most guests don't get the opportunity to have. Do you typically get your bags delivered to your stateroom quicker than most? The last cruise I was on we barley got our luggage by dinnertime. My husband's suitcase didn't even come in time and he had to wear what he had on to the MDR that evening.

@Miss Lizzie I appreciate your willingness to pass along the info! I will keep my eye out for the pricing. I hope your wedding ends up turning out fantastically magical. Disney Cruise Line knowns how to make everything so special. You chose the right cruise line for your occasion!

@Disgruntled consumer I have heard this on several occasions! It seems so scam like. The timing is usually very calculated with NCL. If I were to cruise with NCL, I would not recommend booking my airfare through the line. I likely will not be cruising with NCL due to the issues I see other guests having such as constant changes in itineraries and things like you mentioned. What ships/itineraries will you be cruising this summer? I will be very interested to see if the line is able to follow through with its advertised itineraries. I wish it wasn't the case but the line seems to lack consistency across the board. I'm sad you had this experience, and I hope your upcoming NCL itineraries aren't the same.

@LukeJ That's right! Cruising seems to be more popular than ever, and it's almost like everyone is catching on to my favorite vacation ever. The hosing prices/cost of living is getting out of control in the US too. Unemployment was an an all time high not long ago because in some cases it was almost more lucrative to be unemployed and collect unemployment than it was to go to work. The food prices are affecting the hospitality trade, and less people can afford eating out. If you are eating out you are looking for low cost, fast food style options that aren't good for your body. I try to cook most all meals at home and go out for a special occasion about once a month unless on vacation. At home I cook organic, grass-fed meats for the most part and it's so expensive. It would be cheaper to eat out, but the quality of the food would be far lesser than that of what I provide at home. If I'm hosting guests, I can't afford to feed everyone the organic meats/food items so I typically have to buy the regular products in order to feel financially comfortable enough to host. I love hosting; typically I host a few times a month. Since I'm feeding a large group I will buy the regular meats and fruits/veggies in bulk and not think twice about it. I would rather be able to host and sacrifice food quality than go out and spend way more on an even more processed meal.

@FJB They go by fast! Also the good excursions always end up booking up so quickly. I have noticed the longer I wait to book an excursion through the cruise line, the less desirable options I have to pick from!

@euroguy I feel very similarly. Out of all the changes Carnival Corporation would possibly make, I just don't think the loyalty match will end up being one of those. The levels per cruise line are so unique, not very similar to one another, so trying to find a perfect match is almost impossible. You did a great job breaking everything down. This loyalty match, cross over thing wouldn't be the most lucrative decision for each cruise line. If you haven't been loyal to all of the lines, maybe you don't deserve to get those loyalty incentives.

@Miss Lizzie That's always the best way! Let the bridesmaids decide what they want. Since the ceremony is on the ship those rates should be pretty standard, but please share any additional info you get on those prices. I'm sure many other brides would be curious to hear the price options. This is such a perfect way to get married for two Naval veterans! It couldn't be more magical than choosing a Disney Cruise Line ship either. To me, if you are cruising for your wedding, you should celebrate on the ship, otherwise you can just choose a destination wedding. There is something so peaceful about getting married on an open body of water. I don't think there is anything like it. It's a honeymoon and wedding all wrapped in one!

@euroguy Free play money is what I was talking about! It gets you in the casino showing off you skills every itinerary I'm sure. I can imagine with the free drinks everything just goes by too quickly! What is your drink of choice in the casino? Do you have a typical time of day you prefer to play? I would only be able play with a glass of wine in the evening, otherwise I would likely choose the pool lounger instead. I like that strategy! It could potentially work if you if you opted out of playing rigorously one cruise, and then the line would lure you back with an unbeatable offer. That may be your key to a suite "sweet" offer. I wish there was someone to ask who has tried that method before. I wouldn't want you to get less offers for playing less; that's the alternative!

@euroguy I completely agree with that! Haiti and parts of the DR are struggling big time. The population is struggling and getting desperate, often causing survival instincts to turn corrupt and disrupt the current structures in place. The better safe than sorry analogy is appropriate here. It's wiser not to take a chance and stop elsewhere for the time being. I'm hopeful the region will get back on it's feet sooner than later, but recovering from a breakout like this take lots of time and effort!

@Senior Cruiser As much as I would love the idea of a status match program through Carnival Corporation, I doubt it will ever happen. If anything I think Carnival Corporation is looking to make its loyalty programs more exclusive, considering how competitive it has become. Not many cruise lines offer a status match program, but I appreciate those that do. Cross recognition would be nice at least for those that are higher up on the loyalty totem pole. Have you cruised with any of CCL's sister lines? Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Seabourn, Cunard, Costa, P&O Cruises, and AIDA Cruises are all great lines. I have cruised on Costa Cruises and really enjoyed it. It's much more quaint/high quality than CCL in my opinion.

@FJB Both of those spots will be great for snorkeling, but if I had to pick one I would opt for Grand Cayman! Are you planing to reserve your excursions through the cruise line or opt for making your own arrangements? There are so many great snorkeling spots in Grand Cayman. I would recommend booking an excursion that allowed for you to spend time at the beach after your snorkeling time was completed. Soak up as many hours as your can get in that paradise!

@Miss Lizzie I'm not sure if DCL offers makeup sessions onboard, but I know all ships offer hair services. Which ship will you be cruising on? https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/onboard-activities/senses-spa-salon/ For a hair up-do you you can be charged $59 plus depending on the style you choose. Just for a blowout it's a bit less, from around $39 per person. I think the hair services aren't actually that unreasonable. The prices are quite fair, but you will likely have to take care of your own makeup onboard your cruise.

@euroguy RCL is continuing to suspend stops in Labadee through May 2024. Several itineraries have been impacted by these changes, but I commend the line for taking such precautions. The impacted itineraries will reroute to alternate nearby destinations that have not been yet determined. It have been stated that 53,000 people have left Port-au-Prince due to local food shortage. This area is really struggling hard!

@DonGod Norwegian Escape is supposed to be a lovely ship, but little details like that typically vary per line. One thing I have noticed NCL isn't very good at is remaining consistent with it's planned itinerary, which is very frustrating for those that like to plan ahead (or plan at all for that matter). I have a hard time with the lack of consistency, and I wish NCL would stick to its advertised itineraries more often than not. Other than those aspects mentioned, are there any other things you are liking/disliking on the ship? @Woody14 I also have noticed port arrival and departure times, but I think CCL uses the wording "back on board." It's a more informal way of phrasing it, but they basically mean the exact same thing.

@LukeJ I do believe facial recognition already exists onboard, but not to the extent of paying/opening doors with your face. It's mostly used for security purposes onboard. I don't think I have ever tried was straws. Food grade wax is pretty safe, but I wonder if it's recyclable. I always think something (like a plastic bag) could be recyclable but it really isn't. The amount of things you are actually supposed to recycle is pretty limited. @Senior Cruiser Tipped over drinks in the hallways are a mess regardless! I wish food items didn't get left in the halls like that. Also, why is seemingly every stateroom hallway carpeted? The only thing I can think of is for noise absorption, but they are such a pain to keep clean!

A guest had to be evacuated due to a pregnancy emergency onboard Disney Fantasy. The US Coast Guard came via helicopter to the San Juan airport and then to a nearby hospital. Thankfully the cruise ship doctor actually traveled alongside the guest to assist with the emergency. Disney Cruise Line does not allow pregnant guests to board if they are more than 23 weeks pregnant. I think this rule is very safe but I wonder how far along the evacuated guest was. If you are having a high risk pregnancy, I wouldn't recommend cruising at all. I'm curious to hear more about why this guest needed immediate medical assistance.

@LukeJ Yes, I wouldn't either! I'm happy with my husband for now, but I'm on the fence as to whether I would trade in my husband for a life of free cruises. I think I would be willing to sacrifice marriage. It would be a new adventure. You never know, he may be willing to become a priest and cruise the world with me for free! I think as a priest I would only observe the party, not be the life of the party. That could be alright with me, I would become a professional people watcher. On a cruise, there are plenty of things to observe, especially if you stay out late enough on a ship. One thing for me to consider would be what to do with my kids. How young can you become a priest?

@euroguy That makes a lot of sense! Thanks for answering all of my questions. I find your cruising perks/selection so intriguing. A suite cabin is obviously better than a balcony cabin so sometimes waiting is worth it. I would imagine CCL waits to release those suite offers until closer to the sail date, leaving many of them available for other guests. I know your perks stem some from your impressive casino skills. Are you expected to play at the casino while onboard or is it alright for you to skip it sometimes? Also with these offers do you get casino incentives? It would make sense since CCL knows it's something you enjoy! You have such tenure with CCL I would imagine it could take some time to prove yourself and establish with another line, but it wouldn't be impossible. That's how CCL keeps you coming back for more!

@Carolene B Cox Is this the CCL card level you are at? How long have you been cruising with CCL? With this card, it seems you get some pretty great offerings. I'm sure everyone would love to learn more about your loyalty status with CCL. I would love to grow with CCL and achieve a status like that!

@Balmy Jones I agree! It was so nice when cruise lines did such activities for its guests. Many of those specialty things have gone by the wayside. I wish I would see more carvings while cruising, including fruit carvings. It's a blast from the past now. I remember high tea hours too. I haven't seen one of those on an itinerary for quite from time. Those were great times. Have you attended a tea time onboard an itinerary before?

@Russell I don't think you need any sort of condition or doctor's note to use a mobility scooter. Obviously, using a mobility scooter comes with its own set of challenges, but I think pretty much anyone could use one onboard. Personally, I would prefer not to ride on a scooter because it's so difficult to get on and off of the elevators. Not to mention, you aren't supposed to use the stairs if you are using a mobility scooter and sometimes I enjoy opting for the stairs! It wouldn't be an option for me, but I think if you want to give it a shot it's fair game. Also, you could rent one so purchasing one wouldn't even be necessary!

@euroguy I love the close to home aspect. That makes everything so much easier. Do you typically just Uber from the airport to the cruise port? This ship will certainly be worthwhile, and I will be very interested to read how you thought it compared to a typical CCL ship. That's a huge total! Instead of 66 cruises, I was thinking maybe 5 options. I would love a lifestyle like that. Surely that's something you would take advantage of at some point if you love cruising enough. It sounds like May will be a deciding factor for you! Are the offerings annual or do you receive offers that are two years out as well? You have higher standards than I. I would be taking all the balconies I can get, but I think you are a CCL high roller now!

@LukeJ The idea of a drier corridor sounds great. I agree that a porous, non-slip but highly absorbent floor would work best. Maybe it could be like the car wash, blowing dry warm air as you enter! I would love a way for each room to have its own water refill area. There are already sinks and show, so what is one more water spout? Even if the room charged your account per bottle filled, it would be more convenient to have it handy in your stateroom when you are thirsty! I guess the mini fridges have plastic bottles, but eventually plastic bottles onboard will be no longer.

@euroguy Where will your next cruise adventure take you? Will you be cruising somewhere new on your upcoming cruise itinerary? I have only used the STEP program for Caribbean ports, and I will hopefully be trying using it on a transatlantic adventure in the coming 1-2 years. There are so many transatlantic options, but not all of those options are reasonably priced. Have you received an offer from CCL for a transatlantic sailing?