Are cruises fun and worth the money?
Sep 18th, 2019 | 11:19 AM
#21
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 10,748
Likes: 0
Sep 18th, 2019 | 05:19 PM
#22
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 12,050
Likes: 0
First hand experience. We have taken three Carnival cruises: two times on Carnival Pride out of Baltimore, 7 days each time, and one, 5-days on Paradise out of Tampa. All were fine.
We especially enjoyed Paradise because we liked the itinerary, the food was quite good and it has the big water slides area now. Also, it was Summer and there were a lot of families with children so It was good with our Granddaughter. My advice is to make sure you will enjoy the itinerary and choose a ship that appeals to you, regardless of the cruise line. If something else is really important, like kid’s programs or more upscale restaurants or pool size, etc. then look at that too, but no cruise meets every single wish. Decide what is most important for your family at this particular time.
We especially enjoyed Paradise because we liked the itinerary, the food was quite good and it has the big water slides area now. Also, it was Summer and there were a lot of families with children so It was good with our Granddaughter. My advice is to make sure you will enjoy the itinerary and choose a ship that appeals to you, regardless of the cruise line. If something else is really important, like kid’s programs or more upscale restaurants or pool size, etc. then look at that too, but no cruise meets every single wish. Decide what is most important for your family at this particular time.
Sep 18th, 2019 | 05:39 PM
#23
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 25,597
Likes: 0
Jacket , from what I can tell online NCL (and Royal) both have instituted the room service charge, but it is waived for some categories of suites
==
Room Service
Available 24 hours a day, simply pick up the phone and order breakfast, lunch, dinner or late-night munchies. A convenience charge of $7.95 will apply to all orders (Continental Breakfast until 10am excluded, Suite Guests are excluded from the $7.95 charge at all times). A 20% gratuity and specialty service charge will be added to all beverages and special occasion menu items . As the rooms have refrigerators, I think I will be stocking mine as necessary .==
Sep 19th, 2019 | 02:33 AM
#24
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 10,748
Likes: 0
Jacket , from what I can tell online NCL (and Royal) both have instituted the room service charge, but it is waived for some categories of suites
==
Room Service
Available 24 hours a day, simply pick up the phone and order breakfast, lunch, dinner or late-night munchies. A convenience charge of $7.95 will apply to all orders (Continental Breakfast until 10am excluded, Suite Guests are excluded from the $7.95 charge at all times). A 20% gratuity and specialty service charge will be added to all beverages and special occasion menu items . As the rooms have refrigerators, I think I will be stocking mine as necessary .==
Oct 29th, 2019 | 12:56 PM
#25
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 8,030
Likes: 0
We learned a long time ago that it is cheaper to cruise the Caribbean in the winter than renting a condo in Florida or the Keys. So we book almost anything headed out of Ft. Lauderdale beginning around Jan 1 to mid Feb. Sometimes stay on the same ship as it loops in and out of Ft Lauderdale and sometimes change ships. Very relaxing, food is good, the people we met along the way are terrific, the entertainment is great, love the private islands. For us that is the best way to avoid the month of January in Denver, CO.
Oct 29th, 2019 | 01:59 PM
#26
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 10,748
Likes: 0
Jacket , from what I can tell online NCL (and Royal) both have instituted the room service charge, but it is waived for some categories of suites
==
Room Service
Available 24 hours a day, simply pick up the phone and order breakfast, lunch, dinner or late-night munchies. A convenience charge of $7.95 will apply to all orders (Continental Breakfast until 10am excluded, Suite Guests are excluded from the $7.95 charge at all times). A 20% gratuity and specialty service charge will be added to all beverages and special occasion menu items . As the rooms have refrigerators, I think I will be stocking mine as necessary .==
Nov 24th, 2019 | 06:19 AM
#27
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 25,597
Likes: 0
Indian in buffet for B,L,D was great (thank goodness). Service in MDRs not good. Room steward was great.
The Executive Chefs were Indian, even in the Specialty restaurants. We liked Le Bistro, Ocean Blue, Los Lobos and Cagney's in that order. Sides and service at Cagney's were not always up to par, but the mains were good.
Jersey Boys very good, Six okay.
Observation Lounge was usually nice except during Canal Transit. Glad I did the old Canal on a PanaMax. Bliss has to wait for low tide to pass under the Bridge on the Pacific side so that started at 2am.
Rooms were okay.
The Executive Chefs were Indian, even in the Specialty restaurants. We liked Le Bistro, Ocean Blue, Los Lobos and Cagney's in that order. Sides and service at Cagney's were not always up to par, but the mains were good.
Jersey Boys very good, Six okay.
Observation Lounge was usually nice except during Canal Transit. Glad I did the old Canal on a PanaMax. Bliss has to wait for low tide to pass under the Bridge on the Pacific side so that started at 2am.
Rooms were okay.
