tonyfsu21

FYI- We spent last week on Odyssey sailing out of Civitavecchia and it’s such a different and welcoming casino experience when you are out of the Miami/Caribbean crazy. I have never seen a casino so empty and a casino bar so accessible. This is the first time in years I have been able to access any machine or table in the casino without a wait! Wonderful and highly recommended. Also, apparently nobody cruising the Med prefers to dine at the speciality venues because they were also empty. We booked a couple nights pre cruise thinking many meals would be had on shore but were approached by crew offering 30% off at any restaurant and the times were all open. Can’t wait for next year, Barcelona/Harmony of the seas bound (hope it’s the same). 

Yes, I was trying to keep it “in house”. I normally get excellent reviews on YouTube with ship and casino walk throughs. 

@Matt can you please consider another sub for RC ship reviews? It would be so beneficial for this group to be able to reference a sub that detailed ship reviews and was not a live blog. I personally have lots to share but don’t prefer the live blog format. Thanks. 

I would agree, Santorini was really incredible (the views from the cliffs were stunning).

I am so glad you liked them too! I went with them on a recommendation from @Jkaczano and did not regret it one bit! In fact, I wish they covered more areas of Europe. If I ever go back to Europe, I will be looking to book with them again for sure. 

I would agree, Santorini was really incredible (the views from the cliffs were stunning).

I second this^^^. We used Liv in Rome and Venice per recommendation from @Lovetocruise2002 and they were excellent. 

If you are visiting ports in Italy, I highly recommend LivTours. They offer numerous tours throughout Italy. We used them last year for several ports and completely fell in love with their small groups, private too if you want, and their high level of service. If I ever go back to Italy, I will be looking for them again.

We had a sunset catamaran booked until we found out we would be essentially stuck on the ship until 5pm (ship arrives in Santorini at 11am). We rebooked a tour that started early to enjoy a full day on land. The tour desk had lots of upset people who had no idea how difficult it is to get off the ship when you add in the impact of the tenders. I should have done some more research but I now understand you need to book a tour as early as possible. They added the tour below (and even discounted $50/pp). We are about 1.5 hours away from Santorini and we are excited to spend the day there. The sunset catamaran will have to be booked on a return trip. FYI- The ATM on the ship (Odyssey promenade) dispenses Euros and the casino ATM dispenses USD. 

An entire loyal customer base turning on them would be a bad look. Think of the tier parties where they make a spectacle of the most loyal cruisers and even show bios of them during the event. Carnival will reverse course or highly modify this program before it’s implemented.

An entire loyal customer base turning on them would be a bad look. Think of the tier parties where they make a spectacle of the most loyal cruisers and even show bios of them during the event. Carnival will reverse course or highly modify this program before it’s implemented.

I will consider taking the train and taxi before going to the hotel. It might make my trip for the next few days more efficient. I am very grateful for this sharing.
 
I will consider taking the train and taxi before going to the hotel. It might make my trip for the next few days more efficient. I am very grateful for this sharing.

@Matt can you please consider another sub for RC ship reviews? It would be so beneficial for this group to be able to reference a sub that detailed ship reviews and was not a live blog. I personally have lots to share but don’t prefer the live blog format. Thanks. 

Mike- you write some epic live blogs! I’m just looking for a simple format to relay some random thoughts on each ship. 

Epic. I read them from start to finish and it gets me in cruise mode. Keep up the good work!

Liveblog or it didn’t happen! 

Agree. Live blogs should be filled with pictures and thoughts while onboard. I am requesting something like the roll call sub but for ship reviews. I guess you could just write a review in the live blog but a roll call set up would be much cleaner. 

Epic. I read them from start to finish and it gets me in cruise mode. Keep up the good work!

I totally get it & agree there’s a place for more concise ship reviews.
BTW, I dunno about “epic” but thanks. They usually wind up pretty long with a lot of “stuff” at the very least… how much of that stuff is either helpful or entertaining is hard to say & likely a matter of opinion. All I can guarantee in advance is that there will be food porn. I also enjoy reading my own blogs before my next cruise. Not sure if that’s weird or not but it puts me in cruise mode.

Mike- you write some epic live blogs! I’m just looking for a simple format to relay some random thoughts on each ship. 

Also agree... as someone who authors some of longest, tangent filled blogs around. 🤣 They're fun for me and live blog regulars who enjoy that sort of thing but I totally get why others wouldn't be interested.
More no-frills, on-topic reviews definitely serve a purpose.

@Matt can you please consider another sub for RC ship reviews? It would be so beneficial for this group to be able to reference a sub that detailed ship reviews and was not a live blog. I personally have lots to share but don’t prefer the live blog format. Thanks. 

Yep, kids school schedule won’t allow. 

One thing that might be fun is to have a sub-forum - with Threads that are just named for the ship. "Icon of the Seas Reviews". "Harmony of the Seas Reviews" "Liberty of the Seas Reviews" - You can't start a new thread - you comment on existing thread and add your review.
 
 

Yep, kids school schedule won’t allow.