euroguy

I'm pretty sure I've seen signs by the doors to be careful as doors will slam shut. Don't remember exact wording but certainly got the drift... but I can read so that might cause issues for some 😅

@thejerseydevil @Kendall James-Vargas a number of years ago when I first started with CCL they offered this tour which I did take. It takes you through kitchen crew areas, the main walking deck for crew members called the I-95, went out on the front bow and grand finally the bridge which we met the Captain and got a pic with him. Was very much worth the cost imo. I think back them was about $100

@Kendall James-Vargas i too have thought about NY as from California we do have direct flights which makes it nicer but I won't do that in February-April and october (my normal cruise dates) due to weather concerns.

@RoadTravelled I will be on the fun Italian ship Firenze in Sept out of Long Beach California. Ireally am looking forward to it. Ive seen a couple of youtube video walk throughs and it created more excitement. The video showed multiple decks and different areas and my impression was it felt so much more refined than a standard carnival ship. Yes I'm going to same old stops which I've been to many times but I'm really excited to be going on one of the Italian fun ships. I will say I'm a little confused as to why CCL site isn't really saying what restaurants are on it and can't book any specialty dinning. I'm guessing it might have a quick refit before it arrives to the west coast.

I want a piece !!! 😆 remember not the recipe that adds strawberrys...yuk!! Make sure to find the right one with just rhubarb it's the bestest... making my mouth water just thinking about it...sigh been years since I've had any. I'm sure it will be a hit. I will have to try some pumpkin butter for sure. I agree green apples are a must for Carmel apples...the best! You're killing me thinking about all the yummy goodness... 😋

I'm thinking living on board full time might be challenging but I could be wrong. The longest cruise I've been on was 10 days and loved it as i felt i had ample time to truly enjoy the ship and its offerings in a non rushed way but was also at the same time sorta ready to get back home. Of course I was not in the mind set of it was my new home and didn't treat it as such. With more ships coming out for living though does bring to the thought of doing it and I suppose also nearing retirement i think about what life will be like as not having to go to work and wanting to enjoy my remaining years experiencing things a bit slower and in a different light.

@Kendall James-Vargas 😆 I will keep.you on my speed dial. I'm no slumloard so be prepared. I'm thinking living on board full time might be challenging but I could be wrong. The longest cruise I've been on was 10 days and loved it as i felt i had ample time to truly enjoy the ship and its offerings in a non rushed way but was also at the same time sorta ready to get back home. Of course I was not in the mind set of it was my new home and didn't treat it as such. With more ships coming out for living though does bring to the thought of doing it and I suppose also nearing retirement i think about what life will be like as not having to go to work and wanting to enjoy my remaining years experiencing things a bit slower and in a different light.

Thanks everyone appreciate the feedback. I've booked for 2p departure so should have no issues. Additionally using carnivals transport so should help as well.

@Kendall James-Vargas I'm not to sure about the sports Square. I think a lot depends on the cruise region and weather conditions. On my recent Alaska cruise the luminosa had a smaller version which imo was a waste as it was to cold or raining. On previous trip on the Panorama to Mexico it was warm but very windy on some days and found myself pre occupied with other events. I also think that on a 7 day cruise when on ship, time is always fleeting and precious. With so many things to do on larger ships you have to pick what is high priority and what is not. Additionally I try to avoid activities on a ship that could cause injury. @SpaceCowboy9 I wish I had got a suite for my mother on her 1 and only cruise, but did get her a balcony. She was not of great health then but still somewhat active and absolutely loved being on the ship and still talks about it. Her health has deteriorated greatly and cruises are not in her future. She now lives the cruises vicariously through me and my picuters/stories.

I think you all have good points. We can always look at a glass half fempty or half full. I'm a firm believer you can made whatever the situation good or bad. Yes it would be an adjustment. You're not always stuck on the ship they pirt often and you get linger stays at each of the ports so you would have a lot of time to be onshore and experiencing the local. Ships have medical staff and doctors as well. Besides if you can afford to buy a spot on a ship you should be able to afford worldwide medical insurance as well. As for family and time away, from what I've read of course you're allowed to have guests travel with you and also allow guests to utilize your spot if you're not on. Additionally you are allowed to lease/rent out your space if you're not on all the time.

@3Sisters I use the summer cabin several times per year. I enjoy being away from the crowds and smelling the pine trees. No I don't rent it out, nor do I have any interest in doing so. It's my escape space. Yeah I'm thinking the parents like you for Halloween but kids mmm well maybe borderline. Candy apples they would like lolol I've never had pumpkin butter but enjoy a great homemade pumpkin pie...you can send me one 😋 I grew up with homemade apple butter and that is super tasty... have you ever made apple butter? Oh and homemade rhubarb pie is so good, and not the one with strawberrys added.

@RoadTravelled I totally agree with you some, well maybe a lot of people in general only post a negative review/comments and dont take the time for positive points. Unfortunately negative thoughts are more impressionable than positve. With that stated i do feel writing a negative is ok if it is warranted and balanced. Regarding the finger lawsuit yeah dont thing that will go far as if i recall correctly signage is placed near the balcony doors about door closures. Seems like everyone is eager these days to file lawsuits. Remember the McDonalds lawsuit about customer getting burned by coffee and the suit was based on that the cup didn't say "caution hot" really??? If you order hot coffee you should know it's hot...lol

@3Sisters I too have done the chefs table a couple cruises ago. It cost me $90. It was an experience for sure. You certainly are being treated at different level. All the plates are pretty small but have great flavors. A couple of appetizers they provides I thought would be great to add to the MDR menu as it would be pretty easy. I think if funds are available you should give it a try at least once. Below are a few pics I took while at the Chefs table.

@Kendall James-Vargas the amber pieces are hundreds to thousands of years old depending where it comes from. In the case of Amber Cove they hundreds of years old which is pretty amazing. Yes I will be on the hunt for a real piece of amber that hopefully has naturally incased some sort of insect. As fir how quickly I get off at a port a lot depends on what I have planned for the port. If I have a preference I prefer to have things planned for an early start so I finish with a 2-3 hour buffer of time to make sure I'm back to the ship on time. Now with that said if I do an excursion through the ship then the times are set and just go with the flow as the ship will wait if running behind. I don't normally book excursions through the ship as they are over priced for a lower quality of experience, however exceptions do exist like for my march 2023 cruise in the a.m. I hired a driver in Puerta vallarta from 8a to noon to go play with the tiger, but also booked the dolphins swim from the ship that was on the same day starting at 1pm this way I was guaranteed to to make it on ship. My Feb 2024 (carribean) cruise i will make all excursions off ship as im getting better prices and seeing more. Of course an exception exist like my upcoming trip in Sept 2024 to Mexico, which I have been to several times and looking for something very different and I have $1500 on-board ship credit so I'm booking a couple excursion through the ship, i.e. a 4 hour yacht trip out of Cabo, which includes white glove service open bar, meal, snacks, snorkeling and cruising around and Puerta vallarta 6 hrs trip on horses crossing g rivers going through jungle, to a remote village then having a delicious full spread dinner, unlimited open bar with trained horse dancing performance and native culture dancing. Both trips are small group trips. I really have no idea what it would take to put together a blog or YouTube site and so many others are already doing it, don't see me doing it. These boards are probably as close to it as it gets lol Do you normally book excursions through ship or separate?? What kind of excursions do you enjoy? Hope this super long response answers the question... so many factors come into play what where when and $$

@Kendall James-Vargas I do also like spontaneity and flying by seat of my pants but as long as no time issues come into play other than when have to be back home. When I'm traveling to New locations on a ship completely different story I do tons of research and planning as I really want to have an immersive experience of the area as I'm not sure if or when I will return. I'm pretty sure my review on the Mardi Gras and destinations will be lengthy as the ship has so much to offer and I'm still trying to figure out how I can try and maximize the time on it to experience the most as well as the ports of call are all new to me. I figure the information might be helpful to someone else in the future. Hmmm maybe I should start a blog or YouTube channel... yeah right I have no idea how to do that. 🤣

@Kendall James-Vargas Dr. Hammonds cane which was topped with golden amber and had a mosquitoe in cased in it. Dr. Hammond was the old man with white beard that built the park. The original specimen was genuine and used in the move. Below is a pic. It is currently on display in the Amber Cove Museum

@RoadTravelled I do belive it could be a very good viable option as long as the Financials and logistics aligned. Seems to be a trend building as several ships are online or coming online for residences.

@Cruising Caribbean I rarely go to S.F. as 1.no real need 2. It has become so dirty and disgusting with the homeless and drug use. When I was in the military I was station at Fort Ord in Monterey. I was beyond sad when I left. Since my leaving the base has closed its military actions and has become open to public and developed in some areas. I do drive through to reminisce when I'm in the area. It's so expensive to live down in that area but would love to. I've lived in California for a good chunk of time. I finish last year of high school here, then left for few years to east coast then returned went into military and been here since. One day I will leave as the state is nothing like it use to be and becoming stupid. But I'm here currently to be close to my mother.

@Cruising Caribbean I will see if I am able to locate the current wine list that's being used and have you pick from that so Im not going blind and scratching my head lol

@Kendall James-Vargas I think you are correct that a trend may be coming as it seems like more and more ships are being created for residences. I do think if structured (financially & logistical) it could be a great thing.

@Kendall James-Vargas I'm thinking a suite party might be one decision to regret. Ship security, stalkers, um the mess, my steward would hate me. The list goes on. I might could see if a group friends was traveling that would be cool as enough space for everyone to meet up and hang out fir bit. I'm guessing you had fun when younger and got to go to the suite party 🥳

@3Sisters I did a a one way with Southwest going and 1 way retun on AA. Worked out to be $400. All in all not a horrible price but.of course there is a hotel cost that comes into.play with this planning as I did want to arrive 1 day ahead of embarkation. It took some.time to figure out best plan of attack for the flights. #1 criteria was the flight path.had to stay in southern parts of u.s. and no connection in snow states. #2 flight times and additional.flight options if a connection was canceled #3 pricing. Obviously the inbound flight to Orlando was the key flight so not to miss the ship. As it stands I leave 9 a.m. sacrament get to hobby in Texas about noon 1 hour layover. If connection flight gets canceled between that day and very early next morning I will have 11 flight options to get orlando same day or no.later than noon next day. Yeah I know over planning but would rather be prepared vs. Caught by the shorts and not have a plan. What are the cost of flights to Barcelona? I.just received another amazing offer $100 balcony 16 day transatlantic to Barcelona with some cool stops.. oh I need to retire or work 1/2 time so I can use all these spectacular offers

@3Sisters it does make it hard to justify expensive flights compared to price of the cruise. This one of the problems I struggled with for my February trip out of Orlando. I'm hoping Virgin since Virgin is still young and growing that they have the West Coast on their radar in the near future. This way i can skip the expensive flights but problem is only have a limited # of destinations here verses Florida has so many

@3Sisters knew if I showed you the way you would come to the other side. The mini trees are so cute and portable. Yes renting a cabin in the mountains with snow for christmas would be the way to go, if you dont have one already. I have a summer cabin and it can be difficult to make it in winter sometimes but occasionally its doable and worth the effort/adventure. i dont really decorate for other holidays but im generous when it comes to kids and candy for Halloween, full size candy bars...go big or go home 😁

@Cruising Caribbean Im thinking on the new one that i provided alibk to is all exterior dining out of the condo, no kitchen area. Actually I think on the others it's also the same you eat at the different ship restaurants or have room service bring your meals. Just think never have to do dishes or clean up the mess 🤔 I'm still thinking the new ship has potential and don't have to be a millionaire