Cruising Caribbean

Carnival Cruise Line is brining back its Fun Times newsletter! For those who haven't encountered it before, it comes in paper form and is delivered to guest's staterooms each evening. With all of the technology infiltrating the cruise experience, I'm looking forward to having the ability to physically hold and read something. It's a great read before going to bed and keeps guests "in the know" about daily activities onboard. Is anyone else excited for the Fun Times newsletter?

@FunintheSun That's a great idea. I think cruising with the serenity adult retreat package could be a perfect solution to some of the circumstances you faced recently on Carnival Horizon. Carnival Cruise Line is usually pretty good about accommodating all walks of life. This adults package is certainly one of the ways CCL caters to everyone! Do you know if there is an additional cost to book on the serenity deck?

@LukeJ I agree that Alaska could be a really ideal spot for some romance. Juneau, Alaska is a really popular travel destination, but I would think some of the smaller destinations, such as Whittier, would be more intimate for a romantic setting. Whittier has amazing natural beauty and can be easily accessed by a cruise ship. Even a simple exploration of the history there could be be an unforgettable experience!

@kefthecruiserI'm thinking a signature water bowl could be provided in the stateroom! Cruising with pets is simply endless. Chef-made, all-natural dog food provided daily. The list could go on and on.

@FJB Glass blowing would be super grand. That's something unheard of in the cruise industry. I wish guests could participate, but maybe it's dangerous. Glass blowers work with some serious heat. I'm sure cruise lines wouldn't want to risk anyone getting hurt. I enjoy experiencing new things on vacation! Glass blowing is something I haven't tried before, so I would absolutely give it a go. Any art on vacation is a good one, like dancing. I love to try new dance styles on a cruise when its an option. It's the perfect activity for a day at sea.

Costa Rica is becoming more and more desirable each day! On January 13, 2023 Costa Rica had a grand total of nine cruise ships visiting in one day. It must be because there are so many options to explore there, from volcanoes to beaches. It's a really unique spot. Has anyone cruised there before? I would love to cruise to Costa Rica while sailing a Panama Canal itinerary. Also, Costa Rica recently revealed its plans for its newest cruise terminal in Puerto Limon. Not only will there be a new terminal, but Costa Rica will be enhancing its current facilities. The infrastructure will also be bettering its quality of services. Does anyone know when the new terminal will be operational?

Costa Group is following suit on the decarbonization train! The group has partnered with MOU, a methanol producer that will provide clean fuel for the cruise industry. That means both Costa Cruises and AIDA Cruises are committing to the future use of clean fuel. I'm excited that more cruise companies are joining in on the mission to become fully sustainable!

I'm surprised that a dog was able to earn a Carnival Cruise Line's VIFP status! I understand that the dog was a retired service dog from the U.S. Army, but I'm not sure if the dog really appreciates the awarded status. He's a top tier VIFP cruise member now. Do you think this is the beginning of a new trend?

@FunintheSunThese are some great things to note. I haven't cruised with Carnival Cruise Line since the shut-down. I noticed this on another cruise line! I was not able to dine with others like in past cruise experiences. I actually miss dining with other cruise guests; it was a great way to get to know others onboard. I have made lots of friends in the past by sitting with others in the MDR. Did you ask the hostess crew if they could accommodate you further away from others to comfortably socially distance? Usually Carnival Cruise Line is really accommodating to special requests in regards to health of its guests. I'm not surprised by the amount of children onboard CCL. That cruise line is notorious for families and lots of children. I think other cruise lines offer a more adult-geared experience, if that's what you are looking for. I'm pretty sure drug use isn't allowed onboard, but maybe it was for medical purposes. I'm not quite sure if that type of smoking is allowed.

@FJB It's a great spot to stop! I, too, haven't been to Coco Cay since it's revamping, but I'm sure it's even better than before. The water related amenities seems endless. I love going down some steep waterslides. I'm most interested to go on the slingshot waterslide. You have to be 48 in. min. height or 40 in. minimum height with a swimming vest. It looks epic! Has anyone been on the slingshot waterslide at Coco Cay before? It's no wonder it was voted Best Cruise Line Private Island of 2022.

@FJB and @Tammy O. It looks like Carnival Corporation helped fund a super steep zip line in St. Maarten at the Rockland Estate ecopark. For those of you who enjoy zip lining, this one looks like a thrilling experience for sure. Every zip line has different weight and height requirements. Make sure you check out those specifics before you go!

@Woody14Well when you are bound to the school system, it's definitely a challenge to find cruises at a reasonable price. In fact, having children in the school system makes cruising much more costly. Hopefully retirement comes soon so you can enjoy those offer season experiences and better rates! The Caribbean is honestly beautiful year round; so you can't go wrong. St. Thomas is so much fun! I guess you can't control mother nature. What are some of your favorite games to play? My family has really loved the card game "sevens" lately. I enjoy playing card games on a cruise ship because it's convenient to bring along anywhere and doesn't take up any space to pack in your suitcase.

This Seafarers Center Outpost looks awesome! All of the ports in Florida should offer this sort of service to the cruise staff. Everyone deserves a space to unwind, especially after not having a day off for several days on end. It looks like Port Saint John in Canada has just implemented something similar. The space looks very state-of-the-art! https://www.cruisehive.com/carnival-royal-caribbean-and-norwegian-crew-get-new-lounge/80266

@LukeJ The cruise crew work really hard! That's a really good thought. I didn't think of it like that. Pre-pandemic there weren't really any staffing issues, but now the industry has been struggling to recover; it still is in some ways. I wonder if cruise lines were willing to spend more on staffing the ship initially, and now that the ships are properly staffed, they are over extending themselves. Now the cruise lines are cutting back to cut costs. That is a really smart analysis you had! I just hope that the crew isn't having to work even harder due to the cutbacks. That wouldn't be fair to the cruise crew!

@Tuctba1958 Wonder of the Seas is supposed to be an amazing ship! Is this your cruise experience onboard Wonder of the Seas? It's such a shame you weren't able to dock at Coco Cay. It's also very odd you were unable to visit the island the last 3 times you cruised to the area. What other destinations were you able to visit? I actually found more information on the reason why you were unable to dock at Coco Cay. That's some serious wind! Going to the beach with sand blowing in your face isn't enjoyable anyways. https://www.cruisehive.com/royal-caribbeans-wonder-of-the-seas-skips-private-island-visit/94277

@Guruoftravel It sounds like vacation protection is a must have! I found this to be a great read. https://www.cruisehive.com/how-to-enjoy-a-cruise-vacation-in-uncertain-times/75214 The last few years of cruising have been so up in the air. Many cruise lines were actually highly recommending the cruise protection packages because it was so inconsistent. I definitely think the cruise industry is on the up now, but it's better to be safe. It's all about perspective; sometimes you just have to roll with the punches and keep a positive attitude. Especially when checking in at the port; the check in process can require some serious patience!

@Nadine Downie Do you have any updates on this?

I think that booking a cruise can be an intricate process! I'm always on the look out for good cruise prices, especially since the prices are on the rise. I guess we are still in Wave Season, so it could be a good time to snag a great rate. What are some of your recommended cruise lines when on a tight budget? What are some amenities you can't live without?

@exit63nj It can be unfortunate, but it's quite a true statement for most industries. Just because you have a limited budget, doesn't mean that you can't have a wonderful cruise experience. I agree that identifying the included amenities is a great way to review and assess the overall cost and experience of any cruise itinerary. Could you expand on how Disney Cruise Line has edged out some of its popular choices? Disney Cruise Line is already very expensive as it is! What is your preferred cruise line? I'm always on the hunt for a good sailing price. It's the only way I can squeeze annual cruises into my budget.

@Tammy O. I haven't seen a zip line at Ocean Cay before, but I do know some ships have a zip line onboard. I loved snorkeling the beaches; the waters are super clear so don't forget your goggles! The wave runners looked like a great time too. Which ship will you be cruising on? Here are some of the offerings on the island. https://www.mscoceancay.com/en-us/what-to-do/excursions-activities MSC Seaside and MSC Seaview currently have dual zip lines onboard.

@Julia Bonacci That's exciting. Which ship will be you cruising on in October? I don't think you can go wrong with gifting money. I know that Carnival Cruise Line recently changed its gift receiving policy for crew members. Make sure you look into the enhanced policy before your next cruise! I also appreciate the cruise crew immensely. I think the onboard staff appreciates the kind gestures more than we know. https://www.cruisehive.com/carnival-cruise-line-introducing-new-policy-for-crew-members/93980

I haven't used Starlink before, but it seems to be rolling out on cruise lines left and right. American Queen Voyages will be the first cruise line in the US to rollout the internet service fleet wide. Not all of the cruise lines I enjoy have it yet, but I'm sure it's just a matter of time. I actually haven't cruised with American Queen Voyages before, but it looks like a nice and intimate cruise line. Has anyone cruised with American Queen Voyages before? If so, would you recommend it?

@LukeJ If you book with a cruise line that has some good nightlife, cruising solo could be the perfect way to have a romantic encounter! I always found Carnival Cruise Line to offer some great evening activities that highlight singles. It looks like Royal Caribbean will be expanding its entertainment options! Royal Caribbean could be another good cruise line to explore on Valentine's day. What is your preferred cruise line? https://www.cruisehive.com/royal-caribbean-to-expand-entertainment-with-1400-opportunities/82050

I'm all for the cruise industry reducing its carbon footprint. I love the idea of shore power! I hope that all cruise ports can provide this sort of capability in the near future to reduce emissions. Apparently by 2050, the entire cruise industry plans to become fully sustainable. Port Everglades just underwent a study that could potentially allow all eight of its cruise terminals to provide shore power! I hope this comes to fruition in the near future. https://www.cruisehive.com/port-everglades-explores-shore-power-at-cruise-terminals/94284

I saw an article about Disney Wonder, and it looks like a very well rounded ship. https://www.cruisehive.com/disney-wonder-cruise-ship/93945 In fact, I think Disney Wonder would be the perfect introductory ship for a first time Disney Cruise Line guest. The ship can hold up to 2,400 guests per sailing. It underwent a refurbishment in 2016, and the ship has all of the popular amenities any guest could ask for.