jallaway
Cruise Director
Close enough to Galveston
Joined 02/2013
18
Cruises9
Reviews49
Helpful VotesUpcoming Cruises
Past Cruises
October 2019 - 5 Night Western Caribbean (Galveston Roundtrip) Cruise on Carnival Dream
June 2019 - 7 Night Western Caribbean (Galveston Roundtrip) Cruise on Carnival Vista
All done with my cruise on the Vista.
I have to the think the complaints are unfounded. For me, overall, it was no better or worse than the Dream class ships I've been on. Some advantages are negated by some quirks.
I'll just comment on the quirks:
The lobby isn't as bad as some make it out to be; but it could use a refresh. The graphic light column gets old quick. The displays can make the room claustrophobic and it often casts a weird shade of light across the lobby. The lobby is much smaller than what appears on the numerous photos and YouTube videos I had seen before the cruise.
The lobby elevators arent necessarily slow, just wonky. There's eight elevators but they are paired to different floor combinations, so there's three different call buttons.
The main dining rooms decor looks like a 60's coffee shop. I think they are experimenting with large prep stations that chop up the space; but I'm not sure how much difference they made for speeding up service.
Good: The food quality was one of the best I've had on a Carnival ship. The ship was very smoooooth.
The bad? It was a HOT, often uncomfortably hot cruise, especially during the first few days. A "technical problem" that was slowing down the ship was noted by the Captain in a letter. As we all know, that's an especially bad thing for the long Galveston runs.
May 2019 - 3 Night Bahamas (Port Canaveral Roundtrip) Cruise on Norwegian Sun
My review is just a limited opinion of the Sun. I had never sailed Norwegian before and this experience was just a three day cruise. I did no specialty restaurants and didn't make any shows. But, based on this short experience, I was very impressed. The main dining room meals were very good, probably the best of the three other cruiselines I have sailed on. The clientele was all very nice. They could be loud at times (it WAS a booze cruise), but no rowdies at all. All staff I encountered were very nice. The Great Stirrup Caye private island was eezy-breezy with everything provided. They even had iced wash clothes upon leaving. I haven't seen that since a Princess Cruise. Nice things: USB ports at bedside, wash stations in the buffet area, no photographers interrupting your dinner. Not so nice: Their Pizza , their coffee, their minimal app, their minimal website. No seating on outside promenade deck. Bad things: nothing on this trip.
January 2019 - 7 Night Western Caribbean (New Orleans Roundtrip) Cruise on Vision of the Seas
This ship met all my expectations, except for a very serious deficiency.
I know my long sad story will make thousands never want to cruise again. But, it must be said. Those that seek the signature sandwich of Royal Caribbean must know!
The first day of my cruise, I went to the Park cafe and asked for a Kummelweck. The guy said he could make me a roast beef sandwich and did not know the thing what I spoke of. The next day, I left a comment card for the cruise director about the matter. On the next morning's show, I could see him with my card. Flashing it, taunting me, during his fifteen minutes of chit-chat. Then he says, "we only had my note last night - but then he doesn't read it. Very suspicious and, once again, NO Kummelweck. That night, my dining room waiter said go to the Park cafe for the Kummelweck. It will be there. They have it.
So the next day, I go back and what do they say? "We never hear of this sandwich you call the Kummelweck." My suspicions of a conspiracy were tingling when another comes out and says, "Kummelweck, yes, that's on room service."
Finally satisfied, I return to my room, open the room service menu. NO Kummelweck.
And so, dejected, my cruise had come to an end. On the last day I went to the Park Cafe and there, in front of the sandwich man, was the sign of my quest: "Kummelweck Sandwich".
I tell the man: "make me a Kummelweck!"
He replies, "what's that?"
May 2018 - 7 Night Western Caribbean (Galveston Roundtrip) Cruise on Carnival Breeze
Another nice cruise aboard the Breeze. For those on a funship budget, this seems to be about as good as it gets. Aside from a very noisy room 12008, All went very good. And, I'll add, the hotel director took care of us nicely when he found out about issue.
I really only experienced CD Schwartz at the Love and Marriage Show. He is a wild man.
December 2017 - 5 Night Western Caribbean (Galveston Roundtrip) Cruise on Carnival Valor
Nice trip
A good choice for a 4-5 day trip. A good ship to take a first cruise on.
October 2017 - 5 Night Western Caribbean (Galveston Roundtrip) Cruise on Carnival Valor
Nice ship. Staff was great as usual. Interior design was a little kooky, but I kinda like the wacky ship Carnival designs that they seem to be getting away from. The "Mexican Fiesta" (now a bunch of sales table and a 20 minute pitch in the lobby) was annoying if only for it's title. I'd definitely recommend it to others.
August 2017 - 7 Night Western Caribbean (Galveston Roundtrip) Cruise on Carnival Breeze
Nice time aboard the Carnival Breeze. I guess I have been affected by sailing on too many gaudy ships with freaky design schemes. The Breeze was a bit too subdued in some areas which, in my opinion, accentuated the too-casual atmosphere of the main dining rooms and the main lobby. The lido marketplace was a bit too much like eating in a Denney's.
Otherwise, I've had the same great experience I've had on other Carnival ship and had the fastest boarding yet at Galveston. Great crew, great serenity area, and (as even the Cruise Director noted) great people-watching.
August 2016 - 5 Night Western Caribbean (New Orleans Roundtrip) Cruise on Carnival Triumph
May 2016 - 7 Night Western Caribbean (Galveston Roundtrip) Cruise on Liberty of the Seas
November 2015 - 7 Night Western Caribbean (Houston Roundtrip) Cruise on Caribbean Princess
August 2015 - 7 Night Eastern Caribbean (Galveston Roundtrip) Cruise on Carnival Freedom
August 2014 - 7 Night Western Caribbean (Galveston Roundtrip) Cruise on Carnival Magic
April 2014 - 7 Night Western Caribbean (Houston Roundtrip) Cruise on Caribbean Princess
May 2013 - 7 Night Western Caribbean (Galveston roundtrip) Cruise on Carnival Magic
August 2012 - 7 Night Eastern Caribbean (Galveston roundtrip) Cruise on Carnival Magic
September 2011 - 7 Night Western Caribbean (Galveston roundtrip) Cruise on Carnival Conquest
Carnival Valor
Sail Date: December 30, 2017
A good choice for a 4-5 day trip. A good ship to take a first cruise on.
Vision of the Seas
Sail Date: January 19, 2019
This ship met all my expectations, except for a very serious deficiency.
I know my long sad story will make thousands never want to cruise again. But, it must be said. Those that seek the signature sandwich of Royal Caribbean must know!
The first day of my cruise, I went to the Park cafe and asked for a Kummelweck. The guy said he could make me a roast beef sandwich and did not know the thing what I spoke of. The next day, I left a comment card for the cruise director about the matter. On the next morning's show, I could see him with my card. Flashing it, taunting me, during his fifteen minutes of chit-chat. Then he says, "we only had my note last night - but then he doesn't read it. Very suspicious and, once again, NO Kummelweck. That night, my dining room waiter said go to the Park cafe for the Kummelweck. It will be there. They have it.
So the next day, I go back and what do they say? "We never hear of this sandwich you call the Kummelweck." My suspicions of a conspiracy were tingling when another comes out and says, "Kummelweck, yes, that's on room service."
Finally satisfied, I return to my room, open the room service menu. NO Kummelweck.
And so, dejected, my cruise had come to an end. On the last day I went to the Park Cafe and there, in front of the sandwich man, was the sign of my quest: "Kummelweck Sandwich".
I tell the man: "make me a Kummelweck!"
He replies, "what's that?"
Carnival Breeze
Sail Date: August 13, 2017
Nice time aboard the Carnival Breeze. I guess I have been affected by sailing on too many gaudy ships with freaky design schemes. The Breeze was a bit too subdued in some areas which, in my opinion, accentuated the too-casual atmosphere of the main dining rooms and the main lobby. The lido marketplace was a bit too much like eating in a Denney's.
Otherwise, I've had the same great experience I've had on other Carnival ship and had the fastest boarding yet at Galveston. Great crew, great serenity area, and (as even the Cruise Director noted) great people-watching.
Norwegian Sun
Sail Date: May 24, 2019
My review is just a limited opinion of the Sun. I had never sailed Norwegian before and this experience was just a three day cruise. I did no specialty restaurants and didn't make any shows. But, based on this short experience, I was very impressed. The main dining room meals were very good, probably the best of the three other cruiselines I have sailed on. The clientele was all very nice. They could be loud at times (it WAS a booze cruise), but no rowdies at all. All staff I encountered were very nice. The Great Stirrup Caye private island was eezy-breezy with everything provided. They even had iced wash clothes upon leaving. I haven't seen that since a Princess Cruise. Nice things: USB ports at bedside, wash stations in the buffet area, no photographers interrupting your dinner. Not so nice: Their Pizza , their coffee, their minimal app, their minimal website. No seating on outside promenade deck. Bad things: nothing on this trip.
Carnival Breeze
Sail Date: May 20, 2018
Another nice cruise aboard the Breeze. For those on a funship budget, this seems to be about as good as it gets. Aside from a very noisy room 12008, All went very good. And, I'll add, the hotel director took care of us nicely when he found out about issue.
I really only experienced CD Schwartz at the Love and Marriage Show. He is a wild man.
Carnival Vista
Sail Date: June 08, 2019
All done with my cruise on the Vista.
I have to the think the complaints are unfounded. For me, overall, it was no better or worse than the Dream class ships I've been on. Some advantages are negated by some quirks.
I'll just comment on the quirks:
The lobby isn't as bad as some make it out to be; but it could use a refresh. The graphic light column gets old quick. The displays can make the room claustrophobic and it often casts a weird shade of light across the lobby. The lobby is much smaller than what appears on the numerous photos and YouTube videos I had seen before the cruise.
The lobby elevators arent necessarily slow, just wonky. There's eight elevators but they are paired to different floor combinations, so there's three different call buttons.
The main dining rooms decor looks like a 60's coffee shop. I think they are experimenting with large prep stations that chop up the space; but I'm not sure how much difference they made for speeding up service.
Good: The food quality was one of the best I've had on a Carnival ship. The ship was very smoooooth.
The bad? It was a HOT, often uncomfortably hot cruise, especially during the first few days. A "technical problem" that was slowing down the ship was noted by the Captain in a letter. As we all know, that's an especially bad thing for the long Galveston runs.
Celebrity Galaxy
Sail Date: April 25, 2005
Question about Celebrity from Galveston
I'm fishin' for information. I've never heard from anyone that took Celebrity from Galveston. This was a long time ago and it must not have worked out. Anyone out there can comment on the Cruise?
I'm sure it was a five star experience.
Carnival Valor
Sail Date: October 30, 2017
Nice ship. Staff was great as usual. Interior design was a little kooky, but I kinda like the wacky ship Carnival designs that they seem to be getting away from. The "Mexican Fiesta" (now a bunch of sales table and a 20 minute pitch in the lobby) was annoying if only for it's title. I'd definitely recommend it to others.
Cruise Tips
It's different and at least has some different option. This time we just went to town and chillaxed on the beachfront.
A world famous destination. Not for everyone; but loved by millions.
Not the easiest port to deal with; but it sure feels like one of the safest. Some of the nicest beaches you will get.
Always something to do here. It's surprising that people will give it a bad rating .
Vision of the Seas
Expect an older, smaller ship that is kept in very good shape and has a good crew.
Carnival Valor
It's older and doesn't have all the venues of the newest ships. Just relax and enjoy the ride.
Went to Chichen Itza, which means you do not get to experience Progreso or even the Port Complex as it truly is an all-day activity. The ruins are impressive, the experience is not. Signage onsite is either non-existent or very aged. The grounds and pathways (EVERY pathway) are lined with vendor booths from start to end. Not like 10-20, there must be more than 100 booths lined end to end and all appeared to be selling the same machine-made items. Sure, I'd recommend people go to see it - The ball court is amazing; but, be prepared to walk away with a bitter taste of ancient Mayan history.
Why would Cozumel have an average of 2.5 stars?? It's safe, it has a great transportation system of cabs and rentals, it has many beaches to absorb huge capacities, and (as Jaques Cousteau once noted) some of the best snorkeling in the world.
If you're bussed into here, you will only see a dreary industrial drive. If you have an extra 30 minutes, walk a couple of blocks over to the Strand. This was one of the economic centers of 1890's Texas and, unlike most Texas cities, the buildings actually still exist.
