r/cruiseships

Going on the symphony of the seas next August for the 10 night repositioning cruise back to Ft Lauderdale… for those who have been on the ship how are the specialty dining restaurants and which were your favorites.. I’ve been to some of them on other ships but seems quality varies. Debating whether or not to do a dining package at all if the daily or just for 3 days.. going with in laws and others, my FIL likes his food and doesn’t mind paying more for better quality than the MDR. He wasn’t thrilled with the MDR on the Anthem to Alaska last year, and honestly neither was I, and I’ve had very few issues with RCL MDR in the past and was on the anthem numerous times without issue. Just wanted to see everyone’s thoughts on some of the specialty dining on symphony, especially chefs table if you have done it.

Hi everyone! I'm going on my first cruise in 2 weeks, symphony of the seas. We are leaving from galveston. So excited and nervous! Questions below if anyone has the time to respond. Thanks all!

1. Will I get motion sickness? Okay this one is really the thing I'm most nervous about. I get car sick rarely, those rides at disney land with like an animation screen make me motion sick but not like actually sick I just feel if I keep watching it I will get sick. I think it's an anxiety thing. I just don't like thinking I can get sick, but never actually feel ill. I have been on ferry's a lot in life and have never felt sick even if choppy. Roller coasters don't make me naseous. I'm nervous to take dramamine and bonine because blurry vision is a side effect. That would freak me out and probably ruin the cruise for me lol. I might just overthink it and feel side effects even if they aren't there. I'm taking ginger chews and seabands.

2. Do we really need those magnetic hanger hooks for inside the cabin? Family of 4 going, 2 small kids. Don't want to waste money.

3. Is getting the internet worth it? I'm kind of excited to just be disconnected completely...but what if I have to google something? Lol. I know I'll rarely use my phone and internet is quite expensive.

4. Do we need clamps for towels to keep them on the chair?

5. How are the waters mid October? Cozumel, Costa Maya, Honduras. I know it's the end of hurricane season.

Thanks everyone!!!

We’re a family of 4 from Raleigh, NC looking at taking our first-ever cruise for Thanksgiving 2026.

We have: 2 adults, 14-year-old daughter, 5-year-old child

We’re currently considering Carnival Celebration or Mardi Gras, both 7-night sailings. We found balcony cabins for around $3,300–$3,350 for all 4 of us, which seems like a pretty good deal. With airfare, gratuities, hotel, transportation, etc., we’re expecting the trip to be around $5K-ish.

We’re debating whether 7 nights is too long for a first cruise or whether that’s actually a good length.

A few things we’re wondering about:
Is Carnival a good choice for a family with a 5-year-old and 14-year-old?

Is 7 nights too long for first-timers, or would you recommend 5 nights instead?

Is Carnival really as “party/older crowd” as some people make it sound? We’re looking for a fun family vacation, not a party atmosphere.

How much does the ship move on a 7-night Caribbean cruise? We’re somewhat concerned about seasickness.

For those who have cruised during Thanksgiving, is the ship extremely crowded?

Sun/UV is a concern for me because of a medical condition, so I may need to limit prolonged direct sun. Is it realistic to enjoy a Caribbean cruise without spending hours in the sun?

Would you choose Celebration or Mardi Gras if the price is basically the same?

Anything you wish you had known before your first Carnival cruise?

Are there any hidden costs we should budget for beyond cruise fare, gratuities, airfare, hotel and transportation?

We don’t need a luxury experience we’re mostly looking for a fun, relaxing family vacation with good food, things for both kids to do, and enough downtime.
Would love to hear from experienced Carnival cruisers, especially families who have done a 7-night cruise as their first cruise.

Thanks in advance!

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We are planning to cruise via MSC cruises.
we are 2 couples, and want rooms nearby. Because of no internet, it will be really difficult to locate each other and whole trip will be ruined coordinating times and finding each other.

If we create a booking together, will it give us rooms together? when are the rooms assinged actually, at the time of boarding?
So does it work like airlines? if a group boards together, they get seats/cabins together?

Also, we cruise almost every year. Is there any way to get discounts or extra benefits?

I sailed on Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady from New York City to Bermuda, and I had such a great experience, especially as a first-time solo traveler. I was honestly nervous about traveling by myself, but from the beginning, the staff was incredibly welcoming and the other sailors were friendly and easy to talk to. I met new people and made friends, but I also had plenty of opportunities to enjoy being alone, relax, and appreciate the solitude. It ended up being a really great balance.

The ship itself was beautiful. One of my favorite features was the walking track on the upper deck. I spent about an hour just walking with nothing but the ocean around me, and it was probably one of my favorite moments of the trip. I also liked that there were plenty of fitness and activity areas available, even though I didn’t personally use most of them.

The parties were fun, the drinks were great, and I really appreciated that Virgin doesn’t have a traditional buffet. The dining overall was good. Test Kitchen was a cool experience, Gunbae was fun, and Ariya, the Indian restaurant, was probably my favorite meal of the trip. The food there was excellent.

I also really appreciated the Sailor Loot and booking through my First Mate. It made the overall experience feel like a good value.

Our Bermuda itinerary was unfortunately shortened because of severe weather, and our departure from New York was delayed by a day. The only genuinely negative part of the trip was the boarding process after that delay. Because everyone was trying to board Sunday night, we stood outside in the cold and rain for more than two hours. In retrospect, I probably would have waited and boarded the following morning. Given the unusual weather circumstances, though, I don’t think that experience reflected the rest of the cruise at all.
Even with the shortened Bermuda visit and delayed departure, I had an amazing time. I came home already wanting to book another Virgin cruise and have recommended it to several of my friends.

For anyone considering traveling solo but feeling nervous about it, I would absolutely recommend Virgin Voyages. I felt comfortable, welcomed, entertained, and completely fine doing things on my own when I wanted to. I would definitely sail on Valiant Lady—and with Virgin Voyages—again.

With the transfer of Arcadia to HAL from P&O...It makes you wonder what her name will be. Especially since all of the Vista class ships are named after the four compass points and Holland America's preference of reusing ship names...which do you think it should be?

Some options

• Prinsendam — 2 prior iterations; last retired 2019.
• Maasdam — 5 prior iterations; last retired 2020
• Statendam — 5 prior iterations; last retired 2015
• Ryndam — last retired 2015
• Veendam — last retired 2020

4 cruises. All great prices and perks. All have pluses and minus. Just looking for a little polling action for two adults (40’s) who are looking for solo vacation and want to use our promos

All balcony rooms and prices between 1000 -1600 total (without gratuities)

Jan. 23: Mardi Gras 7 nights Port Canaveral
Nassau • Half Moon Key • Dominican Republic • Celebration Key
$100 OBC/person + Drinks On Us

Jan. 31 Venezia 7 nights Port Canaveral
Celebration Key • Cozumel • Isla Tropicale/Roatán
$50 OBC/person + Drinks On Us

Feb. 6 Conquest — SEA 6 nights Miami
Amber Cove • Grand Turk
$100 OBC/person + $50 FunPlay + Drinks On Us

Jan. 4 Conquest — SEA 7 nights Miami
Isla Tropicale/Roatán • Belize • Cozumel
$100 OBC/person + $50 FunPlay + Drinks On Us

We cruised out of Miami in January 2026, I know the port can suck with traffic. We did the earliest arrival and it was pretty easy.

Has anyone done a later arrival, such as noon or 1:00 pm recently in Miami? What was your experience?

We are parking in a parking at Safe Cruise Parking in 2nd street and using their shuttle service.

Thanks for your feedback!

I’m looking for someone interesting to join me on a transatlantic cruise next year.

This is slightly unusual, so let me be clear about what I’m looking for.

I’m a 41-year-old Brit, independent, sociable, well travelled and pretty easy company. I love good food, wine, conversation, exploring somewhere new and having a laugh. I’m equally happy spending a few hours doing my own thing, so I’m not looking for someone who needs us to be joined at the hip for the entire trip.

I’d ideally like to find someone who is curious, confident, intelligent, kind and good company. Someone who can hold a conversation, enjoys meeting people, doesn’t take themselves too seriously and would genuinely enjoy the slightly ridiculous adventure of crossing the Atlantic by ship.

I’m looking for a travel companion where we both think: actually, we’d have a bloody good time together.

It’s a 14 day trip, so compatibility matters more to me than simply finding somebody who is available. I’d want to chat properly first and make sure we actually get on before either of us commits to anything.

I’m deliberately not posting the ship, sailing date or itinerary publicly.

If you’re genuinely interested, send me a message and tell me:

1. Where are you based?
2. What sort of traveller are you?
3. What makes you think we’d get on for a week in the middle of the Atlantic?

Messages that just say “interested”, “details?” or “how much?” probably aren’t going to get very far. 😁

If this sounds like your kind of adventure, say hello.

Anyone have any experience with Halloween on NCL any ship or specifically the Getaway?

Do folks dress up? just the day of Halloween or throughout the cruise?

Are there restrictions on costumes (not too sexy, scary, masks, etc)

Amy costume contests?

Imaginarium special events for Halloween?

I have been invited by a friend in the USA to join them on Enchanted Princess dep Rome in September 2027. My friend booked a balcony room through AAdvantage (American Airlines) Cruises and paid $2949USD for the 10 day cruise that leaves on 25th Sep 2027. When I looked at this cruise on the Princes cruises Australian website, a single (1 person) interior room was $8000AUD.

How are prices so wildly different? My friend booked at the end of August / start of September. Is there a travel agent / consortium in Australia that offers similar prices to Aussies?

Booking a weekend getaway in December for either MSC Seaside or NCL Joy. Which is better for a weekend getaway? I noticed with MSC the only way it will let me pick my room for this particular weekend is if I get a balcony room. I get vertigo on the higher decks which I manage with medications but if I book the guaranteed ocean view or interior (because it's literally the only options) can I call and explain that I need a lower deck due to sea sickness? Or should I just go with NCL. The packages really aren't much different in price for the all inclusive options on both boats so it really comes down to activities/entertainment and convenience. Also the itinerary is practically the same with both going to Nassau and their respective private islands Ocean Cay and Great Stirrup Cay.

Considering going on Carnival Valor in 2027 for my birthday. Any thoughts and/or suggestions. Age ranges in y’all’s experiences?

It seems like the reviews on cruises longer than 3 days are mixed. I want my group to have a fun time and enjoy themselves. My group is will be in their early to mid twenties. But we’ve all for the most part agreed we don’t want to be on the ship for only 2-3 days.

Are there as many plumbing issues on the ship as the posts on here make it seem?

How hard is it to find somewhere to smoke a cig on the ship? It is my mom's first cruise and I want this to be smooth for her.

Also, for those of you that have sailed the Caribbean Princess with toddlers- is the whale splash pad enough? My husband is worried it isn't "big enough" but im pretty sure they would be happy playing in a puddle ...

Please chime in with thoughts ... we set sail in Feb

Also I have only sailed carnival once. The Carnival Freedom. It was a gnarly ship. Yucky and dingy. I literally walked away with an eye infection... idk the baby wipes came up black if I wiped a table on that ship.

Is Caribbean princess clean? I mean I just dont want the baby wipe test to come up nearly back again. It was so yucky I couldn't wait to get off to feel clean again. Also the cat in the hat breakfast experience was awful and their costumes were visibly brown and dirty.... I just worry that since Princess is its sister company that it will similarily dirty. Is this the case?

Spending Feb-May in Florida. Looking for a nice cruise from Tampa. Don't really care what line, just something maybe a bit different. Not interested in Cancun, Nassau, Jamaica.

What was a really nice cruise you took that went to some different itineraries?

Edit to add: We're willing to drive to Miami

Are there really deals to be had by booking last minute? We'll be wintering in Florida and wonder how good a deal you can get if you're willing to book a couple to three days out?

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Sailing on Carnival Conquest SEA cruise Feb 1-6 2027. Two ports of call, Ocho Rios and Grand Caymen. Neither of the ports pages list the Conquest as being in port that day. Should I be worried about cancellation?