NYCruiser

I find that there are people who love one cruise line only and will look at another one in a different view. I have sailed both cruise lines and had a great time on both of them. I can tell you my own personal reasons why I prefer RCCL, not to say I wont go on carnival again, but these things tend to make me lean towards them when picking a cruise. First after 5 carnival cruise, no discounts were ever offered, only those member cruises. Rccl upgraded me early and after the freedom I will be a diamond member, which means $200 off a balcony whenever I book (right now as a platinum I get $100), plus if you book a sailing with a coupon you can save almost $400, that is one of the main reasons I end up with them because I save money. Smaller reasons are, I love that RCCL leaves their pools and hot tubs open all the time, carnival closes them so early, I cant tell you how many nights we have gone up on deck and enjoyed them. I also love the adult only section of the ship, especially the pools, nothing against kids, but sometimes I just dont feel like being splashed all the time. I also like the way the pools are set up, you have to climb down into them on carnival, I love that ledge all the way around the pools to sit on, its great. None of them would stop me from sailing carnival though, I loved every cruise I had with them and enjoyed all of them, but the money I save with RCCL always seems to lead me back lately (and I love those voyager class ships, cant wait to see the freedom)

I've been on the Mariner 3 times now and would definitely go back. Lots of reasons to sail the same ship, but the one that I like is that you get to know the staff and when you go back you get even better treatment. Plus every time I go I always find something I hadnt done before.

If you pack it in your carry on, carnival usually will take it away, RCCL has never taken a bottle from me though. Personally though I get tired of carrying those heavy bottles to the boat so I will bring just one bottle and get the rest at the first port, now I have a full proof way of getting alcohol on board that has yet to fail anyway who has used it. I agree with above, its the bags or the boxes that give it away so if you are going to drink it on board, take it out of there and put it in your beach bag. Now here is what you have to do. When you go through the xray machine, they will see the bottles in your bag, be very nice and say "I know I have to check them" and then proceed to the desk where you are supposed to check them in. I always buy one bottle to really check and keep the rest in my beach bag, once they see you at the desk they never look to see what you are actually checking, so check 1, keep 3, lol, it always works.

Tammy, are you still here? I am soooooo bored today.

Here is a link to a list I got for another board quite a while ago, lots of helpful hints http://mysite.verizon.net/vzepx5q3/

I have my cruise drawer so I dont forget anything important. I always pack my walkie talkies, cant go without another electrical outlet, extra hangers (never seems to be enough) and I prefer to hang most of my clothes instead of using the drawers they have. Someone gave me a great idea, I got one of those suction cup toothbruth and tootpaste holders, I love it takes away clutter in that small bathroom. Oh yeah, and I always bring my monkey for balcony!!!

Well I definitely want them to have wireless, I own my own business and way I go away having a laptop in my room is a very convenient way to communicate in case something has gone wrong, and a cell phone would be great in an emergency. but one of the reasons I love cruising so much is that no one can call you. And I know many people who cant put their phones down so I love being on a ship and never seeing a cell phone for a week.

Tom you might have already but send me the details, I might be interested, are you booking it on the freedom because they give you a shipboard credit? Can you get the diamond discount too? You know I really want to do europe!

Lots of fall birthdays. Maybe we should take a cruise in sept or oct the following year to celebrate them all.

Hi tom, I think its a cold morning!

Yeah, we love those glitter signatures.

I wish I could pay my mortgage with my credit card, I would really have some airline miles then!!! I havent gotten my tickets yet, I am using southwest frequent flier miles and southwest is only booking through june right now.

Hey Tammy, yeah I had lots of fun, looking forward to dinner too, its great being served, and there is always something good, my favorite is scallop risotto.

Yeah, that too, dont rule out drinking too much. By the way, isnt time for another?

Thats what happens when you get on a ship this big!

Where did you go, snorkeling, swim with the rays?

Im assuming everyone is off on their excursion and the reason no one is posting!

Hi tom

Hey, good morning karen! Hope your friday is going good, maybe you wont be so busy today if your lucky

Hi bon bon, so you celebrated too? Having fun are you, lol

Told you these pool servers are great.

Good thing the bar staff around the pool are quick, never had to wait once for a drink!

Geez, where is everyone today, I had to sit up on the deck all by myself drinking!

Hey laurie, happy bday!!! The brisket turned out great, there wasnt any left, lol, they ate it all.

Hey selena, dinner in the dining room was great tonight, too bad it cant be like this every night, cant we take our waiters home with us.