TheSkipper

Hi John, Thanks for the great review. We have sailed on the Glory which I think is Conquest class. We too are Platinum member with 11 past Carnival cruises behind us. Always here the same "I'll never sail on Carnival" comments as well. And, you are right most have never been aboard in recent history, if ever. I think the Valor will be our choice. I want Eastern Carib. this time and I want to depart on a Sunday, so that narrows down the choices very quickly. Thanks again for the link. All the other reviews I read were years old.

Don't have a cruise to count down to at the moment.

Thanks Guys. We have sailed the Glory which is a Sister and Rat I know what you mean about the top decks. We have been impressed with both our Carnival cruises over the last year. Steve, IMHO the food on Carnival has improved a bunch over the years we have been sailing on the line. Looks like this will be our selection for May 2009 after Roe's Class Reunion in northern NJ.

Hi All, Looking at the Carnival Valor out of Miami for next May. Looking for comments from anyone who has sailed aboard this ship. Thanks,

Darn, I'm jealous Rose We have nothing on our plate for our next cruise. Just can't book anything until we know how Roe's upcoming radiation treatments are going to take. I would love to do that New Year's cruise. I'm sure it will be great.

I guess we are the exceptions. Have done the Captain's Table about a dozen or so times. Mostly on Princess and Celebrity, but also on Carnival and Silver Seas.

Thinking about sailing the Dawn out of NYC next May. What can all you Eastern Crazies tell me about this ship??? BTW: she is heading to Bermuda to Kings Wharf for a three day layover and then back to NYC. Only done NCL once aboard the Sky.

Like most of you, we will continue to dress up as we always have.

I pick the cabin and almost always stick with it. With as many cruises we have done, we are often offered upgrades which truly do not amount to anything. Why give up my midships cabin to go up one deck and end up either forward or aft?? I check out what is on the deck above and below our stateroom and most "upgrades" would put us in a less desirable location. Once or twice we have been upgraded to a suite, but that is a different story because it was done long before we sailed and the added room size made it worthwhile.

Most of the upscale lines are going this way also. Azamara is strictly "country club casual." First time I have not taken a tux on a cruise. Did take a sport coat however.

I'm with Howard. Either way is fine with me, but I hate the luggage tags which arrive via e-docs. In answer to the Azamara question, their docs were paper via mail in a very nice simulated leather folder. But as long as I get them, I'm happy. I just could not care less about how they get here.

Jenn: Not going to touch that one with ten foot pole!!

Ray, Enjoyed your "reports." Have visited all those spots and they are fantastic. Enjoy the rest of your trip.

Jenn: But the outfit needs more purple, dahling!! Steve: As long as you rowed to the drum beat the streamers were no problem. Joey: You're right the animals did present problems. Ever share a stateroom with a Camel??

I'm with you Rose. We would love it. Jenn: you do understand we are talking about sail away streamers, not the ones you use in your act... Or, so Crazie tells me.

I always read, at home or away. I have Plaque Ship sitting in our library, but passed on it to get to Steve Martini 's new book Shadow of Power. Have read everything James Patterson has written. Just loaded Sail into my mp3 player for our "land cruise" to Sedona on Saturday.

Sometimes Yes and sometimes No. With 52 sailaways behind us it is a little tough to remember where we were. I would say usually seated in a comfortable spot in the uppermost lounge with a good drink.

I hate the entire idea!! And, may add Carnival to my "Forget It List". Formal nights was one of the things that first attracted us to cruising.

Cruise Question of the Day - Saturday Do you tend to take ship shore excursions or set out on your own at a new port of call?

Cruise Question of the Day: Do you sometimes stay on board at a port of call?

Posted this question because there seems to be a bit of a trend in this direction, but I think it will be a long time before it becomes anywhere close to universal. We, so far, have not done it either way, and do not plan to in the foreseeable future.

Do you carry all of your luggage when you embark and disembark the ship??

Joey, I would define it as cruisers who have made several cruises so they have a true basis for comparison. Many of the negative reviews I read are written my new cruisers who had unrealistic expectations to begin with. I guess I'd add cruises on at least a couple of different cruise lines. I would call you an experienced cruiser having done HAL, RCI, Princess and Celebrity. Good cross section. Now someone else could have done as many cruises as you, all on one cruise line, tried a different cruise line and the differences can become negatives in a review. I also look at the make-up of the group writing the review. Someone sailing with children will have a different take on a cruise than an older couple (like us). Hope this all makes sense.

Several negative reviews from experienced cruisers.

We usually attend the production shows and enjoy them.