Cruising Caribbean

@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?

@euroguy You offers are so awesome. Every time I see them it just seems surreal. @Woody14 I think it's worth a shot to start playing in the casino. I would need a few in-person lessons from @euroguy because I'm so novice, but I also think I would need to save up a good lump some of cash to play. Typically, I cruise pretty minimally and spend minimally onboard. This would be a new way to cruise for me. If you are going to play in the casino, you have to come prepared to spend some serious cash onboard. This may the experience of a lifetime for both of you onboard the new Sun Princess! https://www.cruisehive.com/company-giving-free-cruise-to-test-casino-on-new-princess-ship/125412

@Peter Weber Have a great cruise tomorrow! I'm assuming you are all checked-in and ready to go. Because of the size of Port Canaveral, you aren't going to have an issue getting around and I'm sure there will be shuttles and/or taxis that can get you and your luggage to Vista without an issue. Depending on how much luggage you have, you could potentially walk it over too. Will this be your first time on both Carnival Vista and Carnival Mardi Gras? Both ships are so epic!

@FJB I'm assuming you won't be cruising with a zip lining crew. There are plenty of other things you can do as excursions instead. Does you crew enjoy snorkeling or being out on the water? I can only assume you will be coordinating all of the adventures for this upcoming itinerary. You are a master cruise planner, and always share splendid videos of your epic cruise experiences!

@FJB There are plenty of fun things to do in Bimini! I'm glad you are traveling to a new destination on this cruise. There are a couple of reefs I have been wanting to try, but I haven't been to Bimini since I was a child. All of the cruise itineraries lately have been to the Bahamas but dodged Bimini for some reason. Rainbow reef and Victory reef would be the two I'm most interested in there.

@LukeJ I have brought you to the good side! Sometimes being a heathen is overrated anyways. I guess with my moral compass the life of priesthood may not be that much of a sacrifice for me. I'm pretty religious anyhow so dedicating my life for this purpose wouldn't be too challenging for me. I would't have a problem giving up drinking either. I can only imagine my life would be so peaceful, but I guess I would have to get rid of my husband. Who knows, that may bring me even more peace!

@FJB Thanks for confirming that. I will plan accordingly if I book this excursion. Will you be zip lining on your upcoming Celebrity Beyond cruise? I'm not sure where exactly you will be traveling, but I would imagine you may get the opportunity if your crew obliges.

@LukeJ That could be an easy fix! You shouldn't be cruising on an empty stomach, especially when there is unlimited food onboard. It's fair to say you need to get your money's worth out of the buffet to settle your stomach. Over the counter medicines can be very effective but I have never needed them. If I was taking a transatlantic cruise I could possibly find a need, but thankfully I have never encountered flooding or any horrid weather onboard a cruise. I can't say which medicine works the best since I haven't taken it, but even if you don't bring medicine onboard, the ship usually sells it in its convenience store.

@pmw Which ship will you be embarking on in Seattle? How early are you planning to drop off your luggage? This cruise terminal does offer luggage storage before and after your cruise, but the luggage must be reclaimed on the same day by 3:30pm. This article has the information you are looking for about Pier 66. https://www.cruisehive.com/must-know-things-about-each-seattle-cruise-terminal/35946#h-Pier-66-(Bell-Street-Pier-Cruise-Terminal)

@FJB That's awesome! September isn't that far out either. A infinite verandah sounds so lovely. Will you be cruising to any new destinations? I love the amount of complimentary dining options onboard. Those staterooms have some incredible views!