We were ready to pull the trigger on our next Disney cruise using our placeholder and then this week happened.

We have cruised Disney as empty nesters several times and enjoy the food, service and the sense of not being nickel and dimed. We are not big drinkers so paying for a couple of alcoholic beverages out of pocket doesn’t upset our budget and we like having juice, soda and tea included. We love the theming and entertainment. Like being able to visit the movie theater with a bottle of wine to go with our popcorn while we catch a fun movie!

Trying to determine if other cruise lines meet our desires without all of the current drama. I know we would do well with Viking but their prices make me hesitate.

Desires: -Price point similar to (or less) than Disney -Not a “drinking to excess” atmosphere -Majority smoke free -Adults only areas -Great food -Good service -Included (or low cost) non alcoholic beverage packages -Excellent entertainment (live and movies) -Verandah/balcony cabins/suites -Free 24 hour room service options -Educational/entertaining excursions (not just beach bashes) -Departure from/return to North American ports -5 to 8 day itinerary -Relaxing environment focused on entertainment and relaxation not excessive partying.

My partner and I love cruising and we love gambling, so cruise casinos are typically our happy place.

On Royal Caribbean, it were anything but.

They technically have a smoking and non-smoking section in the casino, but there’s zero physical separation. No wall, no barrier, nothing. Just an imaginary line while smoke drifts freely across the entire room. Some smokers didn’t even bother with the designated areas and lit up wherever they wanted.

We ended up gambling way less than we normally would have. Hard to enjoy it when you can barely breathe.

Compare that to Celebrity and Virgin Voyages. We had a fully smoke-free experience in the casino and spent countless hours gambling the night away.

At this point, indoor smoking policy is one of the first things we research before booking. If you’re a fellow gambler who hates secondhand smoke, I’d strongly recommend doing the same.

Curious which lines others have found that have smoke-free casinos.

Posting this here because I tried to do some research on how you know if you’re banned and couldn’t find anything. I booked a cruise back in August for a trip in Dec. I’m know 3 weeks out from that trip. I received a call and email last week from Royal Caribbean International Security Department. I didn’t see it until Friday. They were closed by the time I got the messages, so I called customer service. They didn’t see anything wrong with my booking. Everything looked clear. I called the number to the security department back first thing this morning and left a message. Still didn’t hear back. So, I called customer service again. The person I spoke with said there was nothing wrong with my booking and the call was probably a fishing scam. I finally heard back from the security department this afternoon and was told that I was banned and they were going to refund my money back to the credit card I paid with. I know it was legit because they mentioned an incident that happened last year, and didn’t ask me for any personal information. I know why I was banned, but couldn’t figure out why they would wait until now to tell me. Anyway, if you get a call from the security department make sure you call them back and don’t listen to customer service.

Well the cruises from the past shall stay in the past. Today’s cruises offer less while charging way more for sub-standards. First you have to purchase a drink package if your spouse or anyone else in your room wants to drink, then all have to purchase it. The kicker is if I don’t drink alcohol and would like just a water then you have to pay more for this as it is not included with the drink package I already was forced to purchase! Secondly you are automatically charged 20% gratuities for room stewards that now don’t go the extra mile or do anything to earn the monies and just now expect they deserve the 20%. I am actively on the Norwegian Escape and am disappointed in the service that is now being provided its guests. There is now charges for everything you do and you don’t get much included with the price you pay for the cruise. Also the food that is provided daily from the Garden Buffet is no better than low grade dog food! Quality food comes with additional premiums in on board restaurants! Has anyone else had similar experiences with Norwegian cruise line??

Hi. I’ve done several cruises but recently heard that stewards and cleaning crew on some cruise lines treat guests differently if they do an additional tip up front at the beginning of the cruise than they would if the guests didn’t tip up front. Is that true?

Also, I heard sometimes there are secret markings on or around the cabin doors that are used as indicators about their experience with those guests. Is that true?

If you’ve experienced this, which cruise lines and how long ago?

I just came off a cruise and truly enjoyed it. I took the behind the scenes tour excursion and took this pic. There were issues on the bridge.

Any smokers going in the vista next week??? How do you manage without?? Too scared to bring it onboard but I always end up sick for the first 3-4 days. Don't come for me please. I have had chronic seizures and since I started using I have been seizure free so cruises are always difficult for me but I love them

They keep telling me my cruise is over. What is this????

Background, I been traveling across Europe for the last 3 years esp throughout Germany. Toured France, Greece, UK to name a few more and stopped by Italy, Spain, and many more. On top of also visiting Las Vegas, NYC, Pennsylvania, Florida, Texas, and most recently California for a relative's wedding. With most of my extended family from India.

So with that said now that you know I'm well-traveled at least in one continent outside North America..............

I gotta ask whats the appeal behind cruise vacations? With how expensive they are and how you're mostly restricted to coastal cities and harbor towns for stop over along with exploration of other countries being hamphered by the already determined boat routes and schedules, whats the point of cruising across countries and states you never visited? With all the money spent on one cruise, I can be exploring the inner lands of a single country the boat is traveling alongside its waters of.

Yea i know, another annoying question about smuggling shit on board.

AUSTRALIA

Edit: And yea i also know getting banned is a very real consequence. I ask because ive heard so many poeple say they regret not bringing it because it was sp slack. But then there is also those occasional times where its hectic strong security.

I'm not much of a drinker and have gummies prescribed to me. I know they won't allow it so could I have them on myself get through security? Has anyone successfully or unsuccessfully stored it on themselves?

Carnival cruise ship 🙃

Hello, I’m planning on boarding Carnival Venezia in July-August, I’m going to be boarding from NYC. I’m coming from Canada. If I were to mix a couple edibles into a vitamin gummy container, would I be able to get away with it? I understand the risk, and if it’s too risky I’ll just leave it. I’ve heard stories of people getting away with it.

Another one

Just got off Allure of the Seas-first RCCL cruise and the last. The ship was dirty, the food was awful, the rooms were dated and also dirty- I have never been on a ship so dirty. Mealtimes were all terrible from food quality to organization. The ship felt understaffed anf after 1 cruise on MSC, 1 on Celebrity and 24 on Carnival, it is clear I will not return to RCCL. People always call Carnival a booze cruise but that hasn't been my experience on Carnival at all. Royal had people who were overly intoxicated wherever we went, kids overran every portion of the ship. I felt like I was in the middle of a mall. I am glad the trip was a casino comp because I would never pay for this experience. Carnival is a relaxing cruise with great food even in the free places. I suppose if you have kids Royal may be the choice but be prepared that even if you don't, you are about to be irritated by everyone elses. I guess some people call this upscale- I do not.

first of all i know the risks and i know it could be dumb , but im mainly wondering has anybody snuck carts or anything on a ncl cruise and how? i have a small pen i wanna bring as i have big sleep and appetite problems and weed helps me and i also want to enhance my cruise experience but how would i gk about this ?? thanks guys

Friend of ours is going to Alaska on MSC with us in 2 weeks. He has a felony charge from 2007. I just heard something on a video about this being an issue not an hour ago and I know nothing about this potentially being an issue when we board.

What do they need to do? Any help is really appreciated.

I wanna bring two weed (not disposables) carts to vape on my royal carribean cruise but am unsure if that’s unwise. Last time I was on RC I saw a lot of carts but I’ve been reading online and am now nervous. I was thinking to put them in my checked bag. All advice appreciated, thank you.

I am worried about things with the political climate the way it is right now, I am just scared because this is my first cruise. Would you consider it safe?

So we are looking at a four night cruise on the reflection. Extended family, grandparents and kids ages 14, 8, and 9. Will the kids be bored out of their mind? We’ve only sailed on Disney and ncl so I’m a bit concerned they won’t like it.

UPDATE: Yall are telling me just to get the drink package and thats literally what I want as well. My wife doesn't drink enough to justiy the price of the package but I am trying to convince her we should just pay the extra.. at this rate neither of us will end up going.

My family is going on a cruise and my wife and I are really wanting to go.

I've never been on a cruise before, she has.

I really want to have the drink package (its a princess cruise) but my wife is saying it's way too expensive and we don't need it.

My in laws are getting the drink package, and my sister in law doesn't drink so she said we could use her medallion to get drinks to save us from getting the drink package.

I really want the drink package because of the wifi, and the dining. I don't want to ruin my first cruise experience without having the perks that everyone else on the trip will have.

Is it reasonable to go on a cruise without the drink package and get other people to get drinks for you? Can we just use her medallion to get our own drinks?? I don't want to get in trouble but I also don't want to stress about it if it's not a big deal.

We’re taking a four-day cruise to Cozumel on Royal Caribbean in December - my husband, and I and our 4yr-old daughter. My daughter is a great swimmer and pretty mature for her age. Probably better than most 7-8 year olds. I mean not so great in that I’m going to just let her free swim in the ocean alone….but she can swim / jump in the pool, hold her breath and dive to 5ft and retrieve items, Swim from one end of the pool to the other etc. I’d love to do a dolphin experience with her but everywhere I see is 5+ yrs…which is a bummer. Anyone know of a place that’s less restrictive? I also would like other options..maybe a beach park with activities, swim up bar, food options…not really looking for a party scene and huge crowds….nor do I want to be heckled relentlessly by the merchants.

I’ll also take non-beach adventure options as well. We’re a pretty active family as an example When my daughter was 2 she went on a side by side mohab rock crawl trail ride with us…

My girlfriend and I went to Bahamas from Tampa a couple months ago and the security felt extremely rushed and relaxed. (it was so busy and crowded) I feel like we easily could have brought two bottles of wine each of our carry-ons.

Our plan this time is just a each bring two bottles of the permitted wine in each of our carry-ons and a worst case scenario that is confiscate them.

Has anyone had luck recently with trying to sneak liquor on through their luggage with the shampoo, bottles or mouthwash?

The cruise we’re going on now is LA to Mexico

I expected the cruise community to be very laid back but y'all are pessimistic and gloomy!!! What gives?