MikeG65
First Mate
MA
Joined 07/2015
18
Cruises20
Reviews147
Helpful VotesSemi-Retired, love to vacation, love the ocean. love to travel, Love to live!
Upcoming cruises
Past cruises
October 2019 - 7 Night Eastern Caribbean (Port Canaveral Roundtrip) Cruise on Harmony of the Seas
Been on the Oasis and the Symphony and so far, the Harmony is not the better of the three. The sport pool is in dire need of paint and the event hosts are less than enthusiastic about their jobs than most that I have seen my past experiences.
It was not the best itinerary I've been on. Not a fan of 3 sea days for such a short distance between ports. They could have added perfect day at coco cay. Not the best of the Oasis class ships (haven't been on the Allure). I thought the cruise ship events were unorganized and sub par in terms of coordinating scheduling and managed. The events coordinators are less that enthusiastic most times. Lots of technical difficulties at more than one event. Low quality equipment (such as pool volley ball and net). Quest was by far the best event of the cruise. Must see. Casino was the worst in terms of quality games and low ratio pay outs. Never seen such a low turn out of players on tables and on lousy machines. Cash out machines or if order last night of the cruise so every one had to go to the slow cashier cage. Bartenders in the casino were the slowest and unfriendliest people I've seen on a cruise. The tvs for football games were great though around the bar area.
August 2019 - 7 Night Western Caribbean (Miami Roundtrip) Cruise on Symphony of the Seas
Super Symphony Spectacular
This cruise was special, we went with friends who celebrated their 30th anniversary and we had a blast. We met some great people from around the globe and became friends in the week we spent together. Never laughed so hard hanging out by the pool. This was all sun and fun tour for sure. The ship is so amazing.
March 2019 - 3 Night Bahamas (Miami Roundtrip) Cruise on Mariner of the Seas
Full circle, Maiden Cruise part II!
What made this quick getaway so enjoyable was the friends that went with us. Always makes for a great cruise when you bring people with you that you enjoy being around. Also, the Mariner was our maiden ship back 11 years ago, so it was a bit nostalgic for us, albeit we didn’t bring children with us this time and the firs cruise was a 7-day cruise to the Mexican riviera. We got to enjoy the ship a lot more on the first cruise but it is still and always will be one of my favs.
February 2019 - 6 Night Western Caribbean (Miami Roundtrip) Cruise on Carnival Horizon
One of the Better Caribbean Cruises and Itinerary.
Mike the CD - Best we have seen, He did a fantastic job - funny, smart, full of energy, and always happy. Great ship Carnival - overall. I loved the decor throughout the entire ship and how the Atrium centerpiece is designed. Love how you do the photo gallery. No pressure whatsoever. Have some more bars open at embarkation. It got quit frustrating to get a drink after the first hour on board. One large bar at the pool with only one bartender. He kept calling for help, but no one showed for a long time. Other than that, the drinks were good and the bars were great throughout the ship the rest of the time. Ocean Plaza, Nice design, Great show - Queen Tribute Band! Havana bar, Awesome. Music throughout the ship. The violin players were the best the whole week.
October 2018 - 7 Night Southern Caribbean (San Juan Roundtrip) Cruise on Freedom of the Seas
This was a really nice ship. We really enjoyed the layout. We really liked the location of our room. All of the main events were great. The windjammer food was outstanding for the most part. The dining room was OK. The pool was a little crowded, not a lot of seats available. I didn’t understand why some of the lounge chairs were not available are on the pool deck on different levels. It seems that if their suit guests we’re not utilizing these areas, they should open them up to the general public. But this cruise was all about the ports, and the itinerary was one of the best we’ve been on. The Ports That we visited were amazing it was a great itinerary. Getting on and off the ship in Puerto Rico was a breeze.
September 2018 - 7 Night Eastern Caribbean (Port Canaveral Roundtrip) Cruise on Oasis of the Seas
Big Ship Some Highs and Lows!
Food was not impressive, in the dining room at all. Buffet was good, lots to do on the ship. Room attendant didn't even know our names, never introduced himself. He was friendly, and kept a good room, but not interested in making it personal. Unlike any other cruise I've ever taken. Dining room service was slow and condiments where untimely, drinks were slow. Wait staff assistance next to nil. Ship itself is amazing, never felt crowded. Casino layout is horrible, machines where super tight. There was no "smoking" side of the bar. Hardly any wait staff in the casino, and when we managed to find one, it was extremely slow to get back, and brought wrong drink order. We spent enough to receive offers, but never any chocolate strawberries, or cookies, or anything from the casino. Entertainment, shows were amazing aside from Cats, that was horrible. Not a very happy crew, I've been on ships where all crew members were always smiling. The Windjammer was the exception, they were all the best, happy and helpful. If you start self-disembarkation 0630, then have coffee available at 0500 please and some snacks on the promenade deck - the deck we exit and line up on. I think I prefer the smaller ships. The attention to detail from crew and staff is much better.
March 2018 - 3 Night Bahamas (Port Canaveral Roundtrip) Cruise on Majesty of the Seas
Back to the Bahamas
We didn't get of the ship in Nassau. But the pool was wide open and we had a great time on the ship.
December 2017 - 5 Night Bahamas (Jacksonville Roundtrip) Cruise on Carnival Elation
Great time on the Elation for NYE 2018. Best New Years in a long time. Great staff. Not fond of the cruise director as he was not very engaging. The pizza was under cooked most of the time. The dining staff didn’t know how to handle a large group, one put one waitress on the group. The ship is nice the rooms are great and the room keeper was good. The casino and the club was great. But the best part was the company, family and friends 24 in all. That’s what made it so great.
September 2017 - 4 Night Cuba & Bahamas (Miami Roundtrip) Cruise on Norwegian Sky
Cuba Baby!!
We did not get to go to Stirrup Cay due to the ships captain deciding to port in an oil slick in Cuba. We had to stay of shore in the Bahamas to clean the exterior of the ship. Cuba was an experience, and that's all I can say. The people are wonderful, the education was great, the dog poop all over the streets was terrible.
November 2016 - 7 Night Western Caribbean (Miami Roundtrip) Cruise on Norwegian Getaway
Western Caibbean
Nice time with some friends. We like the Western Caribbean trips and visiting Mexico.
February 2016 - 5 Night Eastern Caribbean (Miami Roundtrip) Cruise on Carnival Sensation
Always a good cruise with Family and Friends
It was a great ship with lots of cool places to hang out at, great entertainment (because we had family to entertain us as well). Love my Grand Turks. The day at Half Moon Cay was amazing.
October 2015 - 8 Night Eastern Caribbean (Miami Roundtrip) Cruise on Carnival Breeze
Family and Fun
This was a great ship, the outside bars along the sides of the ship, Guy's Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse, The Lanai, it was a great time, and a ship I would go on again and again.
June 2015 - 8 Night Southern Caribbean (Port Canaveral Roundtrip) Cruise on Carnival Sunshine
Great cruise with Friends for Life
Overall this was a great cruise itinerary. Went with some life long friends we met on another cruise. Ya that happens!! Can't wait to cruise with them again.
March 2015 - 6 Night Western Caribbean (Ft. Lauderdale Roundtrip) Cruise on Carnival Conquest
October 2014 - 7 Night Bahamas & Florida (Baltimore Roundtrip) Cruise on Carnival Pride
From Baltimore is a quick road trip with the neighbors
Nice cruise and a short trip to Baltimore for us.
November 2011 - 7 Night Mexican Riviera (Los Angeles roundtrip) Cruise on Carnival Splendor
First Carnival Trip
This was our second time to the Mexican Riviera. Puerto Vallarta is awesome. Cabo is nice.
October 2010 - 7 Night Mexican Riviera (Los Angeles roundtrip) Cruise on Mariner of the Seas
1st Cruise Eva!!
This was our first cruise and it was a great time. Brought the kids when they were your (tweens), they loved the entire experience.
Norwegian Sky
Sail date: September 25, 2017
We did not get to go to Stirrup Cay due to the ships captain deciding to port in an oil slick in Cuba. We had to stay of shore in the Bahamas to clean the exterior of the ship. Cuba was an experience, and that's all I can say. The people are wonderful, the education was great, the dog poop all over the streets was terrible.
Norwegian Getaway
Sail date: November 27, 2016
Nice time with some friends. We like the Western Caribbean trips and visiting Mexico.
Mariner of the Seas
Sail date: March 22, 2019
Full circle, Maiden Cruise part II!
What made this quick getaway so enjoyable was the friends that went with us. Always makes for a great cruise when you bring people with you that you enjoy being around. Also, the Mariner was our maiden ship back 11 years ago, so it was a bit nostalgic for us, albeit we didn’t bring children with us this time and the firs cruise was a 7-day cruise to the Mexican riviera. We got to enjoy the ship a lot more on the first cruise but it is still and always will be one of my favs.
Symphony of the Seas
Sail date: August 03, 2019
This cruise was special, we went with friends who celebrated their 30th anniversary and we had a blast. We met some great people from around the globe and became friends in the week we spent together. Never laughed so hard hanging out by the pool. This was all sun and fun tour for sure. The ship is so amazing.
Carnival Sunshine
Sail date: June 27, 2015
Great cruise with Friends for Life
Overall this was a great cruise itinerary. Went with some life long friends we met on another cruise. Ya that happens!! Can't wait to cruise with them again.
Freedom of the Seas
Sail date: October 06, 2018
This was a really nice ship. We really enjoyed the layout. We really liked the location of our room. All of the main events were great. The windjammer food was outstanding for the most part. The dining room was OK. The pool was a little crowded, not a lot of seats available. I didn’t understand why some of the lounge chairs were not available are on the pool deck on different levels. It seems that if their suit guests we’re not utilizing these areas, they should open them up to the general public. But this cruise was all about the ports, and the itinerary was one of the best we’ve been on. The Ports That we visited were amazing it was a great itinerary. Getting on and off the ship in Puerto Rico was a breeze.
Mariner of the Seas
Sail date: October 10, 2010
This was our first cruise and it was a great time. Brought the kids when they were your (tweens), they loved the entire experience.
Oasis of the Seas
Sail date: September 02, 2018
Food was not impressive, in the dining room at all. Buffet was good, lots to do on the ship. Room attendant didn't even know our names, never introduced himself. He was friendly, and kept a good room, but not interested in making it personal. Unlike any other cruise I've ever taken. Dining room service was slow and condiments where untimely, drinks were slow. Wait staff assistance next to nil. Ship itself is amazing, never felt crowded. Casino layout is horrible, machines where super tight. There was no "smoking" side of the bar. Hardly any wait staff in the casino, and when we managed to find one, it was extremely slow to get back, and brought wrong drink order. We spent enough to receive offers, but never any chocolate strawberries, or cookies, or anything from the casino. Entertainment, shows were amazing aside from Cats, that was horrible. Not a very happy crew, I've been on ships where all crew members were always smiling. The Windjammer was the exception, they were all the best, happy and helpful. If you start self-disembarkation 0630, then have coffee available at 0500 please and some snacks on the promenade deck - the deck we exit and line up on. I think I prefer the smaller ships. The attention to detail from crew and staff is much better.
Majesty of the Seas
Sail date: March 02, 2018
Nice ship, never felt crowded, little smell issues on the 2nd deck, front portside.
Carnival Splendor
Sail date: November 27, 2011
This was our second time to the Mexican Riviera. Puerto Vallarta is awesome. Cabo is nice.
Carnival Splendor
Sail date: November 06, 2011
2nd cruise with friends this time
this ship, at the time was a bit gaudy, and the decor was outdated. Colors were a bit outrageous, but I think they have dry-docked since then.
Carnival Breeze
Sail date: October 10, 2015
This was a great ship, the outside bars along the sides of the ship, Guy's Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse, The Lanai, it was a great time, and a ship I would go on again and again.
Carnival Pride
Sail date: October 12, 2014
From Baltimore is a quick road trip with the neighbors
Nice cruise and a short trip to Baltimore for us.
Carnival Elation
Sail date: December 30, 2017
Great time on the Elation for NYE 2018. Best New Years in a long time. Great staff. Not fond of the cruise director as he was not very engaging. The pizza was under cooked most of the time. The dining staff didn’t know how to handle a large group, one put one waitress on the group. The ship is nice the rooms are great and the room keeper was good. The casino and the club was great. But the best part was the company, family and friends 24 in all. That’s what made it so great.
Majesty of the Seas
Sail date: March 16, 2018
We didn't get of the ship in Nassau. But the pool was wide open and we had a great time on the ship.
Carnival Horizon
Sail date: February 17, 2019
One of the Better Caribbean Cruises and Itinerary.
Mike the CD - Best we have seen, He did a fantastic job - funny, smart, full of energy, and always happy. Great ship Carnival - overall. I loved the decor throughout the entire ship and how the Atrium centerpiece is designed. Love how you do the photo gallery. No pressure whatsoever. Have some more bars open at embarkation. It got quit frustrating to get a drink after the first hour on board. One large bar at the pool with only one bartender. He kept calling for help, but no one showed for a long time. Other than that, the drinks were good and the bars were great throughout the ship the rest of the time. Ocean Plaza, Nice design, Great show - Queen Tribute Band! Havana bar, Awesome. Music throughout the ship. The violin players were the best the whole week.
Carnival Sensation
Sail date: February 29, 2016
Always a good cruise with Family and Friends
It was a great ship with lots of cool places to hang out at, great entertainment (because we had family to entertain us as well). Love my Grand Turks. The day at Half Moon Cay was amazing.
Harmony of the Seas
Sail date: October 06, 2019
It was not the best itinerary I've been on. Not a fan of 3 sea days for such a short distance between ports. They could have added perfect day at coco cay. Not the best of the Oasis class ships (haven't been on the Allure). I thought the cruise ship events were unorganized and sub par in terms of coordinating scheduling and managed. The events coordinators are less that enthusiastic most times. Lots of technical difficulties at more than one event. Low quality equipment (such as pool volley ball and net). Quest was by far the best event of the cruise. Must see. Casino was the worst in terms of quality games and low ratio pay outs. Never seen such a low turn out of players on tables and on lousy machines. Cash out machines or if order last night of the cruise so every one had to go to the slow cashier cage. Bartenders in the casino were the slowest and unfriendliest people I've seen on a cruise. The tvs for football games were great though around the bar area.
Cruise tips
Myan Ruins
Coxen Hole, Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras
did not do much here, just walked around
walked around here
visited some local shops
Norwegian Getaway
Enjoy yourself and relax
Harmony of the Seas
Lower your expectations on this Oasis class ship. The others are better. The cruise director was not the best and a bit quirky. He did something at the love and marriage show that I felt could have been offensive to some.
Mr. Sanchos. What can I say, the best stop in Cozumel. Three great pools, all inclusive! great food, great ocean for snorkeling. Great service. Just an amazing day all around there!!
The best port in the business, Fast processing and drink in hand at the pool within 30 minutes
Ya, Ya Beach club!!! Great set up, amazing food, beer, and staff taking great care of us there. Easy to get there and back. Worth every penny.
Coxen Hole, Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras
Went to Paradise Resort, Amazing pool. amazing ocean beach. great staff.
Perfect Day At Coco Cay, Bahamas
Perfect, Perfect, Perfect. and the best part - Your drink package is good at this stop!! The pool, the staff, the views ;). all amazing!!!!!
Always a spot in our hearts for this stop. Go to Jack's Shack and bring an old license place. Look tot he PA plate Dwnshr and snap a pick of it. It survived the hurricane.
My Favorite Island for so many reasons. Clean, colorful, drinks are good.
Little slow but a nice port because it is not so far down into FL
Loved the Excursion but this island is a dessert and poverty stricken outside of the resorts.
Mariner of the Seas
Enjoy the buffet, it was the best food of any cruise I’ve taken over the last ten years. Amazing job by that crew.
Took a $4 taxi to paradise island beach and enjoyed the amenities of some of the Atlantis resort beach. Walked through some of the resorts features and some some cool seelife. Rented some chairs got some beers and enjoyed a perfect beach day with some good friends.
Perfect Day At Coco Cay, Bahamas
Best private island going of all the cruise line private islands.
No excursions, just enjoyed the beaches. stayed at the Sagamore in south beach night before. Watched the sun rise to start my cruise vacation. Perfect.
Carnival Sensation
What a great layout. This ship has it all!!
Mariner of the Seas
They have an ice skating rink on this Freedom Class Ship. Can't wait to see the new decor. Food was amazing all around. Don't miss the comedy shows, and see as much as possible. The pool deck is great. The CD was amazing. We were on this ship back in 2007. Going back this March with friends
My goodness what a beautiful island. Take the lobster and catamaran tour. You won't regret it.
We go to the Marriot resort every time we visit.
Freedom of the Seas
You must experience a Freedom Class Ship. It is the perfect amount of entertainment, attention, and never feels crowded.
We walked and shopped at this stop.
Mr. Sanchos, great stop. - see Trip Advisor.
Always great people, did the Blue Hole Tour. Never do excursions through the ship!
Carnival Horizon
there are too many options on this ship and venues to do on a 6-day cruise. I would recommend 8-days or more.
Oasis of the Seas
Keep your expectations low on the food. See as much as you can. Use the steps, it is quicker.
