Time 2 Cruise

 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 thr...

 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...

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...

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 Am...

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, offe...

 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 wi...

 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 o...

 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.   Howev...

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...