JohnG

The Carnival Conquest was the first of this class. The ships have nearly identical deck plans. The ships include the Conquest, Glory (2nd of the class), Valor, Liberty, and Freedom. The newer Splendor and Dream have different deck plans, particularly on decks 10 and above, due to Cloud Spa and accommodations.

The port charges in Baltimore raise the prices. Also, people in that afluent market are willing to pay more, so they can charge more!

Taxis are very reasonable there, $5-10 to get most places, including beaches or downtown, or Chankanaab Park.

When we cruised Alaska several years ago in August my kids were in the water slide and hot tubs even when we were in Glacier Bay by the glaciers. Everyone else had gloves and hats and coats....but not the teen agers.

The grocery stores all have wine. We had our cab stop at the Publix on 17th street and bought it there and then continued on to the ship.

I didn't mean to imply that anyone who had posted thought the cruise was not good or the service. But if other people who hadn't cruised with the Crazies didn't read the reviews and only read the comments on this thread since we got back, they might think because of the food that it was not a great cruise. I just wanted to make the point, without writing a third review of the cruise, that we had a great time and we did enjoy the food and service. People have their own tastes and preferences in food, and we really had no complaints, other than what I mentioned, the stinginess with shrimp and lobster. In fact, I was surprised that they didn't offer iced steamed shrimp at all, not at the grand at sea brunches, not at the C & A party, or any other time I was aware of and we usually look forward to that on cruises. And Rose, sorry we missed you at the Martini Bar. We did show up at the Martini Bar several nights and joined the group there before you arrived, but most of the time we were just below you on the dance floor where the band was playing. The same was true for the early diners, as schedules usually prevented chances to get together in the evenings. Incidentally, I've said many times, especially to people who have said to me "anything but Carnival" that we've had some of our best meals and shows aboard Carnival. Of our 50 cruises so far, we've never had a bad cruise. Certainly, elements of some were better than others, but I honestly can say that we have never had a bad one. And with crew turnover on 6 month contracts, the same ship can waiver up and down in quality and food periodically. But I remember one cruise where we went looking for problems because of reviews, couldn't find the problems and had a great time. When we got back we read a review by someone on the same sailing, and you wouldn't know we had been on the same ship. When I reviewed that one I ended it by saying: "Opinions are like noses. We all have one and they are all different." That's okay!

Maybe I'm easier to please since when I'm on a cruise I don't have to do our cooking like I do at home. We didn't have a problem with the food other than that the bread choices was identical every night. I was pleased to have lamb shanks (twice), chateaubriand, osso bucco, seafood linguini, steak oscar, veal cordon blu, flounder, lobster (only 1/2 rock lobster tail, 1 large shrimp a scallop and a mussel....asked for a second because the serving was so small. 1st one was fine the second was overcooked), beef wellington, shrimp & orange roughy, and a couple others I didn't mark down. There was shrimp cocktail, caesar salad, steak, grilled salmon, and creme brulee available every night. My wife had the grilled salmon several nights. She ate fish or seafood every night and liked the variety available. The assistant matre de' was came by the table every night to ensure things were going well, and took any suggestions. Our table service was fine except for being slow one night. A word to the asst maitre de and it was outstanding the rest of the time. We were usually out by 10:10 from our 8:30pm dinner, in plenty of time to dance before the evening show. I was impressed with the room service breakfast served on the balcony on white tablecloths, timely every time and the food was great. Full menu available in Concierge Class. We particularly liked the fact that they had ballroom dancing available every evening before and after dinner in the Rendezvous Lounge. It tore me away from the martini bar. We particularly enjoyed the noveau beaujolais wine event. World-wide they uncork the new vintage of noveau beaujolais on the same day, and the ship had a 4pm wine tasting party with heavy hors douvers in the Conservatory for $10 per person and there was PLENTY of the delicious wine available for almost 2 hours. I also thought our room steward, Denis, was excellent. Kept our champagne bucket full of ice all cruise, the room spotless, refreshed fruit daily, and any other special request we had.

Thanks....and yes it did Great shots of the Crazies. We weren't in any but our door was....behind you on the last picture.

I think that the Freedom 8 day Eastern with 5 ports and 2 sea days is the more attractive, but it also depends on what islands you haven't been to before, and whether you prefer more sea days to rest and enjoy the ship.

Yes, no nap yesterday at 6pm, dancing at 7:45 and a leisurely dinner that I didn't have to cook. Back into the grind and a very busy day at the office. But it was great meeting everybody in person. Steve & Linda, Debbie, and Judson & Louise ran into us at the airport in Miami on the way home, too.

Yes, I tried to go to Joey's site to print out the daily schedule of Crazies events and it is too late! Tuesday night I fell while in Turks & Caicos and hurt my ribs. I finally went to the doctor back at home this morning and they said I have 3 cracked ribs in the front. It hurts when I lie down. He said with cracked ribs there isn't much to do for them, and it could take 4-6 weeks to heal. Gave me Vicodin for pain. Won't stop me from cruising, but I'll have more empathy for you James!

MSC is a privately held Italian company. They are one of the largest container ship companies in the world. About 10 years ago they decided to go into the cruise business. They started by buying some older ships, but they started building new ships. They have one of the youngest fleets in the world now, an the ships are as big as the Carnival Conquest class, and the new ones are even bigger. I sailed on MSC Orchestra last March in the Caribbean. The food is European in style. Not as focused on North American tastes, but when they bring the ships over here for the winter they work to "north americanize the crew and food". Our tastes are different than the Europeans. In Europe they charge for room service and dining is at 7 and 9. Over here room service is free and dinign is 6 and 8:30. The Italian wines are great and reasonably priced. We were very satisfied with the ship. There were many Europeans aboard and there was music and dancing in many venues. They even had me trying to merenge, and I don't merenge! It's not Carnival and it's not focused solely on North Americans. I met a number of US couples onboard wheo had cruised MSC a number of times and were very satisfied.

The balloon broke loose and landed in the water. That test may not survive.

Karen and I are about planned. St Thomas: I arranged an agent site inspection and day pass for Bolongo Bay Resort St Martin: We just rent a car and wander around. Beach, Marigot for lunch, Orient in the afternoon. Antigua: I arranged an agent site inspection and day pass for Sandals Grand Antigua St Lucia: I have arranged an agent site inspection and day pass for Sandals Regency Le Toc Barbados: The Boatyard Aruba: I arranged morning site inspections of the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino, and the Westin Aruba. Carlos and Charlies on the way back?? Curacao: Likely just wander around and have lunch with huge jumbo shrip cocktail, and drinks in the open air cafes. Last time there took the local bus to a beach near the aquarium and I hired a boat to go out snorkeling, but think I'll be snorkeled out by then. I need to do some research and inspections to keep the IRS happy. But I've had customers or inquiries about all-inclusives in these areas. I'm a Certified Sandals Specialist, but need to visit to maintain it.

A good insurance policy is needed for multiple reasons. It is not just because you might have to cancel after final payment. If you are on the cruise and a family emergency at home, illness or death, causes you to have to fly back from the cruise, the insurance reimburses you under travel interruption. Most US medical insurance does not pay for services provided outside the US. The travel insurance reimburses you. If they lose your luggage, it will reimburse you for things you have to buy. If luggage is delayed getting to you a couple days or until the first port, the insurance company rides herd on the airline/cruiseline to get it to you and provides some reimbursement for minor purchases It covers you if you arrive at the pier late and have to fly to the next port to catch the ship. And finally, it covers emergency air evacuation/transportation. The one we use, Travel Guard's Travel Companion, waives pre-existing conditions if you buy it any time before final payment. And you can purchase it, without a pre-existing conditions exclusions waiver, right up till you leave.

Platinum members get a galley tour while it is operating, for free.

It is actually $9.75 per person per day currently.

Its not the length, it is the width that is the issue getting a cruise ship in.

Haven't heard a thing about it. They just cancelled calls in the Province of Quebec because of the economy and are keeping the ship doing coastal Canada New England. They'd have a hard time getting anything big enough in there.

Royal still allows you to tip in cash on the last night....or.....have it added to your shipboard account if you didn't prepay with your cruisefare. They place a letter on your bed during the cruise and ask you to indicate if you want it added to the shipboard account, and you just turn the letter in at the purser's desk.

I think that's up to the one who is coordinating each event. Various members have arranged certain tours, etc. Perhaps they'll speak up here and say so. It's not that we are excluding anyone, just that we arranged activities for the people who joined the Connie Goes Crazy group cruise.

My son, the FedEx pilot, appreciates your business!!!

Steve, To PM go the the Home at the very top left of the page, and then click on Messages. One of the choices is compose a message.

Yes it is free. Chili, and other fast food.

Just wait in line.