Time 2 Cruise

What Is Your Definition of Loyalty?

2025-06-25T12:59:00.000-07:00

Having a conversation with friends about cruising and the state of the Carnival fan base now that it has been a week since the new Rewards Program was announced brought up some interesting questions.

First, "what is the definition of loyal"? Does this mean NEVER cruising with another brand, or simply you keep coming back? Or is it some where in between.

Our group came to our own conclusion that its in between, but closer to most of your cruise time and dollars go to one brand. We are all Platinum (for now) with Carnival, but have also done MSC, Royal, Princess, and even Disney at least once in the last 30 years. One to two cruise on each of those to 20+ Carnival. Notice that its not 60 Carnival over 30 years? Its because while loyal to Carnival for cruising none of us are loyal to cruising as the sole vacation option. Much of our time in the last 10 years has been spent on land based vacations. I cant say what caused that swap in mentality after doing 2 cruises a year for a period of time, but it did.

Carnival is banking that for some loyalty will be to the perks. They are betting that enough people will chase those perks to get the MasterCard and/or dump pretty much all their vacation time and money on Carnival. Their recent response to the backlash, shows they are willing to wait it out and hope that things die down before just scrapping anything. And only time will tell. Its only been a week right?

What do you think? What is your definition of loyalty? Do you think the backlash will calm down? Or do you think this has the momentum to put enough hurt on Carnival like the boycotts of Target caused for them?

Is Carnival Backtracking on their Rewards Program Update

2025-06-23T08:34:00.002-07:00

Carnival is now stating that the reason they released it now is so that they can get feedback before it goes live in June of 2026. No one believes that. If it were true, they would have said something to that with the announcement. Or better yet, put it out not as coming soon but as a poll asking for feedback. If Carnival would have just asked for input before, they would have realized MANY of their mistakes before they became the "hold my beer" to Southwest now charging for bags.

Will they backtrack. I think yes and no. They will make tweaks, but this made to far up the food chain in the corporation for them to admit full defeat. Look for something "honoring loyalty" as an olive branch, but I do not see them doing much more than that unless they realize the Carnival customer base is not that of the Cunard line or even Princess.

The definition of "discretionary spending" is the non essential wants for a household, not the needs. Estimates from Chat GPT is that the average household income of a Carnival cruiser is about $100,000. This is only about $20k above the median US household income. So unless they are trying no longer be the "Fun Ships" with the cost conscious in mind, the current numbers as of their press release email on the new Rewards program is ludicrous unless they want to decrease Platinum and Diamond by 95%. (personal estimate). Everyone is breaking down the Platinum numbers. I am no exception, doing it on a few of my recent posts here. 16k (for 2 adults assuming kids will not be part of the new program) per year is 20% of the Gross median income, and 16% of the Average Carnival cruiser (assuming Chat GPT is right or even close). Thats gross, not net, so take home is going to be lower then that by at least the 16k. Carnival is a want, not a need, and there are to many "want" fillers out there to replace Carnival in vacation options (land and sea) for them to think their current numbers are not going to alienate those that make more than the average.

Will Other Cruise Lines Follow Carnival's Lead?

2025-06-22T06:00:00.001-07:00

Carnival's new reward program doesn't even start until June 1st of 2026 and it has been received so badly that people are canceling upcoming cruises. Socials are filled with angry "loyal" customers looking for answers. But John Herald even admitted on his Facebook page that the kinks aren't worked out. Some angry people have stooped to name calling and threats. That only makes things worse and never helps any situation.

But, would other cruise lines follow this new strategy? Yes and no, and not yet.

Trust me, they are all watching closely and it's going to take at least a year (until when this plan starts) or even 2 to see if people really leave Carnival or accept it.

What could happen? Carnival ignores the haters and plows forward like they found the next best thing to sliced bread, OR they cave a little and tweak the plan to feel more like it actually cares for the title "loyalty". I am guessing the latter.

Carnival should (needs to) find that sweet spot where the piss off less people.

My first suggestion is to understand the spending limits of their base first. It's Carnival, not Cunard. And adjust those points accordingly. The gap between gold, platinum, and Diamond is way to wide for the average avid Carnival cruiser. Key here is avid. The average does not cruise 2 to times a year, but the avid does. Make people want to cruise more not leave the brand.

Second, use new names for the reward program. Something like Captain, Commander, Admiral or whatever? The card can have a logo or not being crew can tell once swiped if you meet a reward level. And keeping the current VFIP colors is a slap in the face.

Third, don't retire VFIP. Turn it into just a status for sign and sail card color. No perks, just a lifetime thank you for being loyal to the brand.

Unpacking My Thoughts on Carnival's New Reward Progam after Time to Digest

2025-06-21T06:06:00.000-07:00

Carnival released the details of the new Rewards Program on June 18th 2025. It will replace the current VFIP starting June 1st 2026.

I have seen many people say it's bait and switch, scam or a money grab(this one has some merit). Personally, I think it's just poorly thought out and rolled out.

Where Carnival got it right. Well, other than half heartedly trying to be transparent, nowhere. They haven't even been able to answer questions. The FAQ page is full of "captain obvious" questions and answers.

Carnival was "somewhat" transparent on why they are doing it. There are so many Platinum and Diamond level members now that the perks aren't "special" anymore. But we all know if this new program works, it will be a huge money maker for them assuming people chase the status.

Beating a dead horse. It will now be Point based(called stars) and time limited. I am not opposed to this, and trust me other Cruise lines are watching carefully to see if it's worth following.

Where they got it wrong. I have 5 places I can think of right away. There are more.

1. The email, if you got one, read like it was complaining as to why this needs to happen rather than promoting it.

2. Along with removing perks, they made it next to impossible for the average family to even want to try to reach a status. (more on this below)

3. In 3 days, the only voice from Carnival has been John Herald (please don't harras him) and even he did not know everything to be able to answer many questions.

4. It feels like a push to get more people to get the Carnival branded Mastercard. I see many problems here too. Most personal one I think is how does this work when trying to get "stars" for every member of the household.

5. It's like it's Carnival's belief that all people do with their extra time and money is cruise with Carnival. Maybe some do, but most people have other interests. I drove across more than half the continental US last year. Can't do that on a cruise ship.

Now #2 revisited. Why the "Star" levels are insane. I along with many others have broken down the Star to dollar conversion. Platinum 50,000 comes to $16,667. That's for one person. So a family of 3 for each member (traveling in same cabin every cruise) comes to $50k for simplicity because money spent is split amongst them. This is every 2 years, so spend 25k a year just with Carnival (assume don't have the branded credit card).

The Meadian family income in 2023 was $80k. Let's be generous and say in 2026 it will be $100k. This is before tax. Carnival is saying this family should be spending 25% of pre tax money every year not just on vacation but on them. Don't forget, travel to from Port if not local. Hotel possibly if can't fly/drive in day of etc....

What this says to me is that Carnival only wants the wealthy to enjoy the perks or put yourself in debt if Carnival perks are that important.

My wife and I have already come to the conclusion that if this new progam stays as is, we will not be chasing status. We have been Platinum since the time of old when it was 10 cruises total. We don't cruse 2-3 times a year every year. We may do 2 one year and travel the country the next. Spend all our vacation money at Disneyland and World one year.

Will people still cruise Carnival? Unless prices rise, they are still one of the best options price wise. However, if other cruise lines are not far off, no longer having that extra reason to be loyal is going to make it easier to shop around.

Carnival Cruise Getting Ripped and its Not Even 48 Hours Since the Announcement

2025-06-20T10:54:00.005-07:00

Two days ago Carnival made a huge announcement on their new Rewards Program. The reactions are pretty much what I was expecting. What Carnival does with this is anyone's guess at this point. Sounds like they did not think through that people can do math. In fact, John Heald, had to answer over 500 questions on his Facebook page yesterday alone, and that's not going to end anytime soon for him I believe.

One question John answered, which I even mentioned in my last post was on how points get split if one person in the cabin is paying for everything (which I would assume is the norm most of the time) for a couple. He said that the total will be split between those in the cabin. I am going to assume that's true if more that 2 people are in the room.

Now remember to obtain and maintain Platinum (just double everything for Diamond basically) you have to reach 50,000 stars before the 2 year window to do so is up. From the time you reach that threshold through the 2 year period, you are good, except your points go back to 0 and you work on the next 2 years of the cycle to maintain. This is not unlike Southwest points expire every year but you reap the awards from time of meeting through the following year.

Got that? Good.

$1 = 3 Stars (points, but there will also be "points" that sound great but I am betting do not count toward stars when being redeemed)

You may have seen people say things like $8k or $16k needs to be spent to maintain your status (again talking Platinum, double this for Diamond). Where did they get these numbers? From taking the 50,000 stars and dividing by 3 (how much a star is worth)

So 50,000/3 = $16,667 (rounded up for simplicity)

This is per cruiser for 2 years, so this is where the $8k comes from. They are looking at 1 year.

Back to splitting the costs between members in the cabin. If you share the cabin, you are splitting everything. So Dollars spent double for (assuming only double occupancy) both to reach the 50,000, you are looking at 100,000 total if you always traveling together like my wife and I do.

So 100,000/3 = $33,333.33 every 2 years or $16,666.67 a year for a couple with no kids to maintain Platinum status.

I don't know about you but I do not put $1388 a month towards my vacation budget. To break it down even more, its about $46 dollars a day you have to save over the year to have the funds needed.

Math is not always hard but can give one a headache!

Carnival's New Rewards - My take

2025-06-18T19:43:00.003-07:00

First I need to say that I understand and agree that with how many Platinum level cruisers are on board, that some perks have been lost recently, but not to the point I would complain. That being said, the new system seems expensive to maintain (from the cruisers side) if I understand it correctly.

A VERY basic breakdown on the new Rewards Program Platinum status from reading through everything. I chose platinum because my wife and I have been this status since the inception of the VFIP in 2012.

First: It's very like airline points and Carnival admits that. The big difference is it's 2 years of acrural and a minimum of 2 years (more time if you meet level early) to use the perks of that level. I am fine with this breakdown and length altho with my occupation, 3 years would be more preferable

Second: Perks change slightly and I'm fine with this too. 2 free drinks instead of a party is going to upset some people, but I'm okay.

Now my confusion and not so happy part...

Platinum requires meeting 50,000 minimum points in the 2 years. Qualified spending is cruise and on board purchases. Non Qualified spending is fees and taxes. Each dollar spent equals 3 points. Straight forward right?

OK 50,000/3 = $16,666.67 dollars spent in 2 years or about $8,333.34 per year.

That's per member I believe, so if I book a cruise for my wife and myself do we split those points or do I get them all as the one booking? Does the Platinum person get a companion perk for things like priority embark and debark? If no the other perks sound less and less appealing.

Either way, for a couple, it will take $33,333.34 in that 2 year period (assuming don't have the Carnival credit card to help) just to meet Platinum. If I understand it right and those numbers are right, I don't see getting back to that level once June 2028 hits. I'm not interested in another credit card.

What I do see is loyal Carnival cruisers who can't spend that much a year being "less loyal" . The pay for priority option if still available when 2028 mid year hits will become more popular. We haven't been on Royal Caribbean in 22 years, don't even compare now. That may have to change if the reason not to can no longer be met.

What do you think?

Tech Waves Ahead: The Cruise Industry's High-Tech Future

2025-01-27T12:00:00.000-07:00

Ahoy, tech lovers and cruise enthusiasts! Let’s talk about two things we adore: relaxing vacations and cutting-edge tech. The cruise industry, the OG master of floating hotels, is undergoing a glow-up. Forget just palm trees and buffets—this is about smart cabins, AI concierges, and a dash of augmented reality magic. Whether you're a seasoned cruiser or a wannabe sailor, buckle up (or life-jacket up!) as we embark on this tech-fueled journey through the exciting advancements shaping the future of cruising. Are these things you can see happening or do they sound to far fetched?

1. Biometric Boarding: Boarding in a Blink

Remember those long lines at cruise terminals where everyone clutches their boarding pass like it's a golden ticket? Yeah, say goodbye to that. With facial recognition and fingerprint scanners, biometric check-ins are taking the hassle out of hopping aboard. No more fumbling with passports while dragging a suitcase that weighs as much as a small child—just smile, scan, and step aboard. It’s faster, sleeker, and dare I say, a little James Bond-esque. This is already being seen with many cruise lines now.

2. Smart Cabins: Living in the Future

Imagine this: You walk into your cabin, and the lights turn on, the AC adjusts to your perfect temperature, and your favorite Spotify playlist starts playing. That’s the magic of smart cabins. With IoT (Internet of Things) tech, your room practically becomes your personal assistant. Want to dim the lights without getting out of bed? Just tell your cabin. Forgot to lock your door? Do it from the pool deck via an app. It's cruise luxury, leveled up.

3. Going Green: Eco-Friendly Cruising

The cruise industry heard the call: "Save the seas!" And they’re answering with green technology. Ships are running on cleaner energy, like liquefied natural gas (LNG), and hybrid propulsion systems that mix fuel with solar power. Oh, and waste? They’re recycling, composting, and cleaning up their act—literally. So, go ahead, sip your piña colada guilt-free knowing your ship is treading lightly on the planet. And some of that leftover food you didn't finish?... Well that may be powering the hot tub on deck 7!

4. VR and AR: Adventures Without Leaving the Deck

Can’t decide between zip-lining in Costa Rica or diving in the Bahamas? How about both—virtually. VR and AR are transforming how we explore. You can pop on a headset and take a simulated adventure without spilling your drink. AR, on the other hand, makes real-life excursions even cooler. Imagine touring ancient ruins with AR glasses that overlay 3D images of how they used to look. History buffs, rejoice!

5. Wi-Fi at Warp Speed

Gone are the days when cruise ship Wi-Fi felt slower than a message in a bottle. Thanks to fancy satellite tech (looking at you, low Earth orbit satellites), connectivity on the high seas is getting an upgrade. That means livestreaming sunsets, bingeing your favorite shows, or flexing on Instagram in real time. "Middle of the ocean? Who dis?" Just don't expect it to be cheap! Virgin is already charging a hefty premium for their fastest tier of Wi-Fi.

Smooth Sailing into the Future

So there you have it: a sneak peek at some fun examples of how the cruise industry could and is already riding the wave of technology into the future. Whether it’s skipping lines with biometric boarding, exploring the galaxy with VR, or saving the planet one hybrid engine at a time, cruising is getting smarter, greener, and way more fun. Next time you book a cruise, pack your sunscreen—and maybe your smart gadgets—because the future of cruising is here, and it’s smooth sailing from here on out.

And as Always, let us know what you think is in the future for Cruising!

6 New Cruise Ships Arriving in 2025

2025-01-06T08:00:00.001-07:00

When choosing a cruise, does the ship or the destination hold more weight in your decision? For my wife and me, it’s undoubtedly the ship that takes precedence. While we love cruising, we’re not big beachgoers, and most cruise destinations only allow for daytime visits, which means we rarely get to experience the local nightlife. As a result, the ship itself becomes the focal point of our vacation.

Over the past 25 years, we’ve witnessed remarkable changes in the size and sophistication of cruise ships. Our first cruise was aboard the now-retired from Carnival, the Carnival Holiday. At 728 feet long and accommodating 1,450 passengers, it’s a modest vessel compared to the colossal ships of today. Modern ships often exceed 1,000 feet in length and carry more than 4,000 passengers, offering an array of amenities and activities that were unimaginable back then.

Looking ahead to 2025, cruise enthusiasts have much to anticipate with the launch of several groundbreaking ships:

MSC - World America: Featuring a unique over-the-side water swing, this ship promises thrills and innovative design.
Royal Caribbean - Star of the Seas: With a capacity of 7,600 passengers, it’s set to redefine large-scale cruising.
Norwegian Cruise Line - Norwegian Aqua: This ship boasts a waterslide and rollercoaster combo, blending adventure and fun.
Virgin Voyages - Brilliant Lady: Designed for luxury, 86% of its cabins feature balconies, ensuring breathtaking ocean views for most passengers.
Disney Cruise Line - Disney Destiny: With a Marvel-themed stern, it’s perfect for families and superhero fans alike.
Princess Cruises - Star Princess: As the largest ship in the Princess fleet, it’s a testament to the brand’s commitment to elegance and innovation.

For us, the ship’s design, amenities, and overall experience continue to be the deciding factors in our cruise choices. With the incredible advancements in shipbuilding, the journey truly becomes the destination.

Is Food Safety a Concern When You Travel?

2024-12-30T10:41:00.004-07:00

It seems like there are so many different food allergies or intolerances today. While I do not have what I consider any allergies, I do classify as being intolerant to a few different food items. Eating them isnt going to put me in the hospital but can cause discomfort.

This is why I took an interest in the latest from Carnival Cruise Line’s recent initiatives to enhance passenger dining experiences are a significant leap forward in promoting safety, inclusivity, and customer satisfaction. The introduction of Menu Mate software could become a groundbreaking development in food allergy management aboard cruise ships. By integrating touchscreen tablets across food venues, Carnival empowers guests with the ability to make informed dining decisions effortlessly.

The technology works by identifying allergens in menu items and ensuring that meals align with passengers' specific dietary requirements. This innovation significantly mitigates the risks of allergic reactions, offering peace of mind to travelers with food allergies—a group often underserved in large-scale dining operations.

Carnival’s claim that no other major cruise line has similar technology can only help the company’s continued role as an industry pioneer.

Does this seem like an innovation you would use while onboard? Does food options and choices have a bearing on your vacation itinerary and where you go? Let us know in the comments.

What is Your 1 Non Standard Item You Need to Bring?

2024-12-18T06:48:00.005-07:00

We just booked our 14th Carnival Cruise. This time on the Firenze. It has been a while. But when we were on the Disney Wish, it was a last minute thing that we did while traveling already to add it to our month long road trip, so we did not have our "cruise essentials".

The one thing I try not to forget to pack is 1 or 2 large binder clips. We use these on the balcony curtains. This is something I need to start brining to some hotels too but for the ship it has been a must have item.

Why, some may ask. Well, one cruise long ago, we had a lot of sea movement. That beam of light when taking a nap or sleeping in is bad enough but when its moving and becoming a lighthouse beacon of light flashing in your eyes every 10 seconds, its nap over.

So what is your must have that people may not think about? Not the standard things, or anything that you have to sneak on, just some random item people may not think to have, but helps with the vacation. Let us know in the comments. It may become a staple of our future trips!

When is the Best Time to book and Go on an Alaskan Cruise

2024-10-07T08:01:00.002-07:00

As the 2024 Hurricane season is going out with a bang, many people are not thinking about their next cruise right now, or wondering what other cruising options are available next year that are not in hurricane alley. This is a great time to start planning an Alaska Cruise. These cruises only operate from May until September due to weather. By no means is an Alaskan Cruise going to be a fun in the sun wear your bathing suit everywhere cruise, but it is something every avid cruise fan should have on their bucket list.

May and September will be the coldest, but can come with bigger discounts along with better availability being these are still during school season.. The more popular dates are around the Summer Solstice. The week leading into and from the longest day of the year gives the best opportunity to enjoy the "midnight sun".

There are plenty of tours to do, however, the closer you are to the start or end of the season can limit some of these as things like the Denali National Park may not be open yet right at the start of the cruise season. So if there are specific places/tours you are interested in, you should plan accordingly.

Cold is not the only weather related issue to think about. Late August into September tends to have more rain on average.

So, if you are interested in doing an Alaskan Cruise, we here at Time to Cruise say now is the time to start planning! Get that list going of wants and needs so you can find the perfect time to go!

Happy Cruising!

Cruise Line Carbon Initiative and Guest Impact

2024-09-27T05:33:00.001-07:00

There are a lot of pros to decreasing the carbon footprint of even just 1 cruise ship, but when you think about the fact that there are now over 320+(and growing) ships currently in service, the impact is exponential. But as cruise lines work to meet standards, either set by governments, or even themselves, they have to be careful to not step on expectations of the guests on board. This is where some cons come in.

The (current) lifespan of an ocean Cruise Ship is between 17 and 30 years. Once they are no longer in service, they usually go to a cruise ship graveyard to be dismantled. The process is dirty and not environmentally friendly, but getting better. There is a really cool article here that you can read about it. Before that happens, a ship will go through a few dry dock refurbishments to improve guest experience and updates to remove the dated feel along with working on decreasing the carbon footprint of the ship.

However, cruise lines look to more ways to meet their goals, usually trying to not have a financial impact on them, or even save them money in the process. The biggest culprit here is waste! The average cruise goer is not thinking about the fact they loaded up their plate and asked for 3 entrees at dinner, then failed to eat half of it. Or the little kid making a mess at the dinner who got sauce all over the white table cloth! These are just a few examples of simple little things that add up both for the bottom line and even carbon footprint.

To mitigate things like this, cruise lines do things like decrease portion size, or as recently with Carnival, remove the table cloths from the main dining rooms. Personally I found it funny how many people complained about that one. Carnival has over 27 ships. The amount of water usage, time, and detergent alone decreases their waste dramatically. The impact on your cruise experience should not be affected much by this, but apparently for some it does.

Other little things, like getting rid of single use items like plastic straws and single use cups. I for one am not a fan of paper straws but I totally understand. While on the Disney Wish, they had paper straws but still had single use cups. I bought a cup while on board and reused my cup that had a lid all week which worked for me. Not everyone wants to walk around carrying their cup with them, but I can see something like this coming sooner than later as well.

What do you think? Are there changes that the Cruise lines say are for the better good impacting your cruise experience? Do you have suggestions? Let me know in the comments.

Themed Cruises - What, Where, when, and Should You Want to Avoid?

2024-09-25T05:00:00.001-07:00

Whether you're a fan of themed cruises or not, they are definitely growing in popularity. I’ve personally experienced both sides of the coin. First, I sailed on Shiprocked, a music-themed cruise where my wife and I got to enjoy some of our favorite bands. Then, I unexpectedly found myself on a Carnival cruise where over half the ship was dedicated to a Country Music theme week, which we hadn’t planned for.

There are generally two types of themed cruises. I’m focusing on those where passengers pay extra to join a theme—whether it’s Comicon, music genres, LGBTQ+, TV shows (yes, those exist!), and more. These differ from onboard seasonal events, like Halloween themes organized by the cruise line, where everyone can join the fun. I’ve done those too, and they’re a blast!

Themed cruises offer a lot of benefits if you're into the theme. You can meet celebrities, connect with like-minded people, and fully immerse yourself in your passion. However, participating in these events usually comes at an extra cost. You’ll typically receive a wristband or lanyard granting access to special events. For example, on the Country Music cruise, lounges with doors were restricted to paying participants, and the main theater had two nights of shows canceled for regular guests to make room for exclusive concerts. If you didn’t pay, you weren’t invited.

These days, whenever we start planning a cruise, one of the first places we check is themcruisefinder.com. It helps us avoid booking during a themed cruise that might take over the ship, although it’s not foolproof as some cruises don’t make it onto the site. Still, it’s been useful in steering us away from certain dates, and I highly recommend adding it to your search process. If you’re booking through a travel agency, be sure to mention your preferences so they can help you avoid situations where half the ship’s amenities are off-limits during your vacation.

Interesting Items You Shouldn't Bring on a Cruise.

2024-09-22T06:00:00.002-07:00

You may have seen that Royal Caribbean has recently added "outlet extenders" to their list of prohibited items. This is any device that splits an outlet, including surge protectors. But what other things should you leave at home beyond the obvious, like fireworks, irons, and electric kettles?

To much cash: When you re enter the U.S. you have to declare cash in excess of $10,000 regardless of where you started with it.
Drones: While this should be easily understandable, they don't want you getting any ideas about flying your toy off the deck of the ship, and many ports of call prohibit bringing them ashore, so it makes sense to just prohibit them in the first place.
Straws and Plastic Bags: This one was not something I thought about before but with cruise lines focusing on the environment, banning single use bags and straws makes sense. We did notice that on our most recent cruise it was paper straws and only on request.
Mini Star Link Satellite dish: Just read an article where someone had this confiscated and lead to Carnival adding them to their banned list. It makes sense in a few ways. First it goes against them selling their internet plans so its a financial decision there. Second, you are on a moving ship and unless you are setting up poolside, I am going to assume the veranda is not going to work well depending on direction the ship is moving.

Do you have anything that should be left at home outside the norm? What is it and why? Let me know in the comments!

Is it Worth it: Disney Cruise for Adults Without Kids?

2024-09-20T02:39:00.001-07:00

Being a big Star Wars fan, I got to cross off a bucket list item I didn't think I would. Get to visit the Hyperspace Lounge. But this post is not about that even though it was part of why we (I) decided to cruise Disney.

We had to be in Florida and we're looking for something to do on the weekend whe the Disney Wish popped up in our search. Being we don't have children, we were hesitant, but the price was right (we'll for Disney).

Cost for 4 day, 3 night on the Disney Wish with all taxes and gratuities was just under $2000. Being close to Halloween, it was a Halloween cruise, with trick it treating and encouraged costume wearing for all, not just kids, which probably added to the cost. This is about double what a comparable cabin on Carnival would have cost but we took the plug anyway.

I'm going to start with our con list first.

No casino if you like to gamble
Theater seats not very comfortable

Yep that was it.

Now the pro list. This isn't necessarily better but also just things done well that other cruise lines we have been on, we feel, fall a little short of the mark with. In no particular order:

Themed everything! (again this is Disney)
2 movie theaters going all day long
Closer to Broadway level shows (Aladdin for the win)
Fireworks
Free soda on Lido deck
Open house to see the kid areas (worth the time)
In cabin beverage cooler drawer
Split bathroom
Churro Mickey waffles!
Popcorn bucket $2 refills all cruise
No pushy staff trying to make a sale
Hyperspace Lounge (pricey but fun even for non Star Wars fans)

I could probably think of a few more but let's just say we took advantage of the 10 percent discount for pre reserving a future cruise while on board. The clock has started and we have 2 years to book or cancel. "Wish" us luck!

Have you done Disney as adults without kids? Is it something you want to do? Let us know in the comments.

...... If ya go, spend more than a few minutes just hanging out at the bar. The ship window is amazing! Scenes are highly detailed and a hyper jump takes you to a new planet with ships every 6 to 7 minutes.

Passing a planet

Comicon the Cruise 2-5-25 Tickets Still Available!

2024-01-10T14:52:00.006-07:00

My wife and I have been on themed cruises before, both as guests sailing with the theme part of the cruise and also as normal cruiser that was not aware there was a themed cruise until we were already onboard. Taking a themed cruise can be great! We did Shiprocked a while ago and if you are into Rock would highly recommend it! However, we went on a cruise we booked months in advance to find out it had a Country Music theme going on. What this meant for us and the others not part of the theme was many venues were off limits and standard shows were canceled. If we had known before we booked, it may have changed the date we chose or even the ship/destination.

Now, with less than a month before the inaugural Comicon Cruise, there are still rooms available. As someone who does Comicon, had this been at a better time, we may have tried to make it work for us, but not this year. But with rooms available, would you book this cruise, or any cruise knowing that it would change your experience?

Comicon Cruise Ticket site: https://comicconthecruise.com/pricing/

*Edit, had the year wrong for the longest time, oops. Sorry about that.

Will Cruising Return in 2021?

2021-02-23T07:30:00.004-07:00

This blog has been dormant for a while, but the cruising industry, and our passion for cruising has not. Then 2020 happened. Covid-19 has caused cruising to drop anchor! Ships are not moving, money lost, stocks are down, but there is light on the horizon. With the increase in people getting vaccinated, this will speed up the ability to get moving again!

Many of the cruise operators are looking at getting going faster by requiring proof of vaccination for all members or your party before you can board the ship. This along with decreased capacity, and increased cleaning regimen will make for a safer cruise for everyone. While we are not sure how the decreased capacity will have any affect on the pricing in the near future, it will help with checking out those venues that you may have skipped in the past due to the long waits and overcrowding.

Carnival Triumph Dead In The Water

2013-02-13T15:23:00.001-07:00

If you didnt see it all over the news, Carnival's ship Carnival Triumph had a fire in the engine room and lost power. As of this posting, it has been without engines for 2 days and is currently being towed to land by 2 tug boats with a third on the way. Passengers are still on board because it was deemed safer than trying to transfer them at sea. Once docked, Carnival is expecting the ship to be out of commission for at least a month and has started cancelling and refunding the future bookings

While this is sad for current passengers and those booked over the next month, it is not a common occurrence and it looks like Carnival is doing everything it can to compensate those on board. Life happens! It will not detour me from booking with Carnival in the future.

Many Western Mexican Ports Dropped by Carnival

2013-02-04T17:25:00.001-07:00

While we have decreased our cruise vacation allowance to gear towards more land based vacations things have happened that I missed recently Like Carnival doing a serious decrease of Western Mexican Riviera ports of call. Gone are Acapulco, Mazatlan, Manzanillo, and Ixtapa. The cruise we did a few years ago no longer exists at all while another has been drastically changed. Carnival has good reasons for the drops. Mainly problems that lead to safety issues for the tourists and are doing the best thing they can to keep their passengers safe.

Now, our decrease in cruises has nothing to do with safety of this type of vacation, but more a chance to pull a few items off our bucket list (Ireland in a few months for example). However, we still check back for deals and to see if new ports get added, just not as often as we should I guess. Finding that the ports are now gone is a little both dis heartening and a good feeling knowing that it was done in the name of safety.

Carnival's Ocean Players Club Sends Out Incentives

2013-01-20T16:09:00.000-07:00

If you are a member of the Ocean Players Club (Carnival's casino) you may have recently received a little gift in the mail. They have recently sent members cards (mine was for $25) that are redeemable for play on board. While I am not sure if the amount goes up or down depending on how much you played in the past while on board, it is a nice gesture on their part to say please come back and gives us more of your money!

Can't Have Everything!

2012-11-27T14:40:00.001-07:00

Carnival Cruise Line recently posted on its Facebook page that it will offer full reimbursement to anyone that wants to cancel their cruise that leaves December 2 2012 because it will include a booking of a group of drag queens and performers from the LOGO cable TV channel. Reimbursement includes any non refundable fees incurred with non Carnival entities. While the short notice sucks, the offer seems more than fair if anyone feels that this would effect their vacation. Personally, I would keep my booking but that's me.

Now if you read the comments on the posting, you would think it was the first time a cruise line ever booked an alternative lifestyle group onboard. But for companies like Carnival its just a part of doing business. I have cruised a few times where I found out there was a large group onboard after embarkation. The 2 most memorable were a Country music group that included multiple recording artists and their fans and a LBGT Halloween group. The music cruise wasn't so great because it meant many of the venues were closed off to us much of the time, the LGBT group was courteous and welcoming to everyone on the ship.

Cruising While Pregnant

2012-11-23T09:40:00.001-07:00

If you want to take a cruise and are already expecting, its good to know the policies of the cruise lines. Many will not allow women over 24 weeks to cruise regardless of what their doctor says. An article in the Chicago Tribune recently showed what a couple went through with Carnival with the wife being 10 days past the 24 week rule. People may think its not as big of a deal as the cruise lines make it out, but with the limited facilities on board to handle an emergency of this type, and the effort needed to re route to the nearest port in case of such an emergency, I can only assume that in the past it has happened more than the cruise lines would have liked in the past. That's how rules like this one get started. The ship has not only the expectant mother but a couple thousand other passengers to tend to. While many may be understanding, there will be those that get very upset is something that could have been controlled by the cruise line causes their vacation to not go as planned. Sounds cruel and it is, but just look at those that book a cruise every year and then try to sue the cruise line because of weather. If they are going to get upset over something that can't be controlled, how do you think they will react to something that could have. Right or wrong, this is why the 24 week rule is there.

Jonesing For Our Next Cruise

2012-11-04T15:29:00.002-07:00

Our last cruise was almost a year ago. This is the longest we have gone without taking one in a long time. We have just been so busy with other parts of our life, that cruising has taken a back seat. But recently I watched a YouTube video of the restoration of the Carnival Conquest and started to get that itch again. It's funny when you haven't done something in a long time how much you forget, so I started to read my old blogs and pulled out our old books. While things are always changing, most of the information is still just as valid and valuble today. Things like what to pack, HOW to pack, and even miscilanious things like bringing a outlet expander are still as important today as they were 15 years ago when we started cruising. Yeah, the ships are bigger and better, but you know what, they still limit those outlets in the cabins. Man, time to start doing my research and find a good ship and destinations that will intice my wife as well! Good thing for me is the research before the trip is just as much fun for here as the trip is!

Late Season Hurricane Sandy Wreaks Havoc

2012-10-29T13:10:00.000-07:00

Most people don't think about October or November when it comes to hurricane season, but it does run that long. Sandy is hitting the east coast and has already done damage by causing places to shut down. Wall Street was closed as a precautionary measure today and may remain closed tomorrow (10/30) as well. If you have a facebook account, odds are someone you know has posted a picture from today. While many of the pictures going around are photoshopped fakes, they probably are not far from the truth. With that we hope everyone stays safe!

Whats More Important? Ship or Desination?

2012-10-17T19:55:00.003-07:00

For the first time cruiser, destination is probably a bigger draw than the ship, but after a few cruises, does that change? Well, it depends on the person! For me, I like to experience different ships just as much as different places. Especially when the ship is a class I have not been on before. Finding the hidden areas on board can be just like a personal scavenger hunt. Don't get me wrong, the destination is still a factor, but being we have visited every port on the west coast of Mexico, some places a few times, having a new ship to explore can make going back just as enticing as visiting a new place we have not been to yet.