DebbieandJerry

We've been on the Miracle a number of times and each time had a blast. Just last year we sailed out of Seattle to Alaska on her. The ship was very clean; the staff was wonderful and the food was always good. I see you are from "Arizona" - we live in Tucson!

Our first cruise was a 4 day out of Los Angeles. The food offered was the best of the best - I'm sure to get you hooked (which worked in our case). We chose this because of the cost and proximity to our home. The next shortest cruise that we took was a 5 day out of Seattle. It was to Victoria and Vancouver. I keep looking for that cruise to come back because I would repeat it over and over. We have never been on anything but an ocean cruise. I almost align this to being at camp. Lots of activities to do if you want. Or you can just lounge around and relax. My husband and I have very different activity tastes and it is kind of fun to do something out of the box and then report back to him what I did. The intimacy of a river cruise is appealing to us; however, we haven't ventured in that direction - mainly because of cost. The WindJammer cruise (where you get to do some of the sailing, etc) is truly up my alley - but not my husband's. So I guess in my next life ... Give us ideas of what itineraries you and thinking about and I'm sure any of us can weigh in.

Bermuda is another destination on our bucket list.

Jerry and I really liked the itinerary stop in New Orleans a number of years' back. It's a city that we love to visit but cannot afford to stay in for any length of time. So having a Mobile Alabama port with stops in New Orleans is something that we will look at down the line. It's also refreshing when corporations/companies listen to their customers

Looks like Miranda is also doing the document dance! Congrats on your Azura sailing. Cannot wait to read all about this ship and the itinerary. Bon Voyage.

If the information is correct, MaryLou sets sail soon on the Liberty of the Seas. She should be doing the document dance! Bon Voyage

Enjoy the Carnival Magic. Cannot wait to hear your impressions of the ship and the itinerary

We were told about this new port when we stopped in the DR. Very exciting

We have had to meet in the dining room for different times. The first night we sat at the assigned time (which is what we wanted to trade) and we were notified at that dinner that our time change was honored. I think the ships are use to these types of things. Be prepared for a long line in the dining room at the time of embarkation.

Jerry and I were very surprised last year when the glaciers weren't as "icy" as we expected them to be. They are spectacular to see, though. I was very hesitant about cruising Alaska but I strongly encourage everyone to travel there. It is not a "sea" vacation. It is a "see" vacation.

I also contend that when there is ship publicity about noro-virus outbreaks, it's a slow news day! I agree that it does get publicized too much.

Not weak at all. SMART! The Oasis has been next to our ship in 3 different sailings and she is beautiful

Just re-reading this and wondering what you ended up doing. I've been to Victoria two times and absolutely love it there. The last time I walked around the city for hours. All by myself taking pictures and literally smiling from ear to ear. Jerry didn't want to do anything and stayed back. When I got back to the cabin and he saw all the pictures I took he was disappointed that he didn't join me. I can't wait to return to both Victoria and Vancouver.

I feel for Houston on this but I get it. We really thought that flying from Tucson to Houston would be easier and cheaper than flying to Florida since so many of our flights change planes in Houston. Guess again. MORE expensive and less choices. I actually thought of getting a round trip to Florida and tossing the Texas to Florida route. There was an article in our Sunday paper that Rocky Pointe (closest port in Mexico to Tucson) is working on a cruise terminal. I now question whether that will be financially stable.

So glad you found us.

I think Carnival has a similar policy. The emphasis was it had to be in the carry-on luggage which means you are purchasing the liquor after you get off the plane or doing a quick switch from pass through luggage to carry-on luggage.

Wow. Thanks for posting the article

I'm sure many Trekkies will book this cruise.

Thanks for the article

Michael and Amy: Creative ways of avoiding the handshake - love it. I was also thinking - waving; holding on to something so your hands are occupied. Maybe avoiding that receiving line tradition all together. This would eliminate the bottleneck at the entrance of the room and encourage folks to sit down or mingle.

Thanks for re-posting this information. Always good to reinforce what many of us have been writing about. We purchase travel insurance (but we shop around). One, we can't afford to "give" the money away. Two, my mom is 86 (knock on wood a zillion times). Three, Marcy's mom is 90 (knock on wood two zillion times).

I am going to have to model my reviews after this. Incredibly comprehensive with a lot of of thought. I am so glad that you enjoyed the itinerary and that the weather cooperated. We love when cruises are relaxing and there is no rush-rush to get from one place to the next. I think they call that "island time". Thank you, Jan, for setting the bar.

So I finally read our Carnival paperwork over the weekend. It said that we are permitted to bring a bottle of liquor (a corking fee will be charged), water or soda. HOWEVER, we must pack it in our carry on. We never got a letter or an email from Carnival and we're Platinum members (go figure). Doesn't matter much for our Sept cruise. I already bought the soda so that Jerry will be happy. Sometimes it is hard for us to find a grocery store prior to boarding the ship. This will take that hassle out of the equation.

I have never been anxious to visit China, by land or by sea. I'm glad that the industry is exploring this market, but I'll take a pass.

I'm excited that other ships are considering Cuba as an island. I will continue to watch the prices. Right now the few lines that are stopping there are too high for my pocketbook.