r/Cruise • • 3h ago

Disappointed in staff at Port Canaveral with Royal Caribbean

33 Upvotes

We were on the most recent Oasis of the Seas (Oct 11-18). Overall had a great time, we’ve cruised before with RC and other lines but we might be done with RC.

On Tuesday, we docked at Port Canaveral and did the Kennedy Space Center bus excursion. The problem occurred when we got back to the cruise terminal. Traffic had been bad, so the drive took an hour, when it’s normally 25 minutes. My 9 year old son really had to pee as soon as we got off the bus in the parking garage but there was no where to go there. We got in line with all the other people coming in from their bus excursions to the cruise terminal we were docked at and the lines were really long there (backed up outside on the escalators with just our ship passengers, no other ships were there that afternoon) with everyone trying to get back on the ship.

They had us going through security and metal detectors inside the terminal and not on the ship like other ports. After 20 minutes (with him REALLY having to go) we made it to the inside part of the terminal and the bathrooms were in sight but were roped off and the RC employee said he couldn’t use them because “we” are borrowing this terminal. It’s actually Carnivals I guess, there were signs everywhere.

I explained he was about to pee himself and she still said No and I could tell she had zero empathy. She said we would have to wait until back on ship. The security was taking so long that it ended being another 20 minutes after that before we actually were back on ship. I asked a different employee about using the bathroom that was literally 20 feet where we had been standing this whole time, saying he was going to pee himself and they also said no. He did end up peeing his pants (and socks and tennis shoes) while standing in line and was really embarrassed and emotional about it. We were reassuring him it was ok but I was and still am really mad/sad he had to experience that. When on ship, I talked to customer service/excursions about it, and while they were more sympathetic, they also said their hands were tied because it was the RC port staff not ship staff who manages that. A few people in line around us knew what was happening but I also didn’t want to bring too much attention in the moment because he was so embarrassed about it. Just a super disappointing end to what had been a great day. He didn’t want to go back the kids club after that because he thought kids in line knew what happened and would tease him.


r/Cruise • • 1h ago

Smoothest embarkation

• Upvotes

Just got onboard the Diamond Princess in Yokohama. This has been the most organized process ever. 20 plus cruises across several lines and it was seamless


r/Cruise • • 2h ago

solo cruise recs

3 Upvotes

i received my passport a day ago and i’ve been yearning to experience a cruise. i don’t really have family or friends to go with so what cruise lines would be best for me (21F) to enjoy solo? or if it’s even a good idea at all. ty 🩷


r/Cruise • • 1d ago

Question Just got off my first cruise and have a question

164 Upvotes

So I just got off a 4 night cruise on Harmony of the Sea and I had a great time, with one annoyance. After about 9pm the only hot food available was Sorrento's pizza, two of the 4 nights we got out of a show at 10:30 or 11 and I wanted to grab something, but that was the only food available and as such the line went halfway down the promenade. Is it normal for cruise ships to not have much available late? Seems to me like if you have shows and parties and such going until midnight you should have at least a couple food options available until midnight. Am I the crazy one? Is this a RC problem? Are there other lines that have better late night options?


r/Cruise • • 17h ago

My experienice, MSC vs Celebrity

23 Upvotes

I recently got off MSC preziosa after a week long Norway cruise. My only previous experience was a week on Celebrity Equinox out of Canaveral to the Carribean. So much of what I read on line had me expecting my Preziosa experience would be mediocre at best compared to Celebrity.

In fact, I found the two to be very comparable in many ways. Neither were perfect, both had quirks and faults, but as an overall product I found the ships and experienced comparable. Celebrity had better entertainment and specialty dining options, plus their buffet was better and no table sharing at the MDR, but MSC service was far better and the Italian food at the MDR was fantastic. Given the price difference, it really was a tie for me.


r/Cruise • • 5h ago

Cruise offer scam?

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3 Upvotes

Anyone get a similar offer in the mail? I’m going to do the zoom call tomorrow and I’m sure it’s a timeshare gimmick/sales pitch. Just wondering what the catches are if anyone has been through the rigmarole.


r/Cruise • • 20h ago

How often do people miss the boat?

28 Upvotes

Hoping for someone who works on a boat to know the answer. How often per cruise do people get left at a port per cruise? What’s the most common routes/ports?


r/Cruise • • 9h ago

Alaska Cruise questions

4 Upvotes

We are going to go on an Alaska cruise this summer. I know that June is “peak” time for best (driest) weather, however most of the ideal rooms and timelines are already booked up. The cruise that I am really eyeing only has availability August 10. From what I’ve read, August tends to be very rainy. While I wouldn’t mind some rain, I certainly wouldn’t want rain a majority of the time. And yes, obviously I know no one can predict the weather. I would love to hear what other folks have experienced in August.

Also, considering doing a round trip from Vancouver or a one way trip from Vancouver to Whittier. Does anyone have any opinions on that as well?


r/Cruise • • 1d ago

Question First time cruiser considering Virgin Voyages

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33 Upvotes

Hey all

I am a single mid 40s male who has never cruised before. As I get older it is something I would like to consider. Would you say that Virgin Voyages is the best cruise liner for someone like me? I looked at their website and I must say their cabin even the one without window looks stunning! I also like that they list prices for single people wanting to book a cruise unlike many other companies that will simply make you pay for 2. The no kids and no buffet thing is also very enticing.

For those of you who have travelled with Virgin, how did you find it?


r/Cruise • • 12h ago

Question Princess Cruises v. Celebrity & Virgin.

3 Upvotes

Hello again! I recently asked for opinions on Virgin v. Celebrity and received an incredible amount of responses and things to consider when planning our wedding anniversary cruise, which will be our first cruise! My question now is, how does Princess stack up against these other 2? We are social, but more traditional people, we dont drink but love food, and will be in our early 30s come cruise time. We are looking at 4-5 night summer time itineraries out of Florida to the Caribbean!


r/Cruise • • 1d ago

Scooters are worse than gate lice

397 Upvotes

Just got on Regal and sat down. I have been run into 4x by scooters. They are a fucking cancer that nobody will do anything about.


r/Cruise • • 12h ago

P&O double room for one adult and two children

3 Upvotes

Thinking of going on a P&O cruise with the kids in February from Southampton - it'll be me (adult) and two kids (10 and 14 years). When I go through the online booking form, all the rooms show either a twin or double bed despite the price being based on three sharing. For most cases, the room looks too small to have a third bed somewhere - even when going through to the 'select your room' stage, the rooms available are the same size as doubles/twins on the rest of the deck.

Is the three-person room a different layout, and the website just doesn't show it, or will one of us end up sleeping on the floor? Or do we specifically need to book a larger room and the website is just broken? I can't find anything anywhere on the website about how these 'standard' cabins accommodate more than two people.


r/Cruise • • 12h ago

Holland America 7-Day Alaska Cruise - Can I add-on either a Pre/Post After Booking?

2 Upvotes

Hi! I am planning on booking a 7-day Alaska cruise on Holland America soon. My question is: Once I book it, is there an option to add on either a pre or post land extension in Alaska? Or, does HA only make land add-ons available through a longer itinerary? Thanks!


r/Cruise • • 16h ago

Question Regal Princess any good?

3 Upvotes

I am thinking about a Christmas cruise and saw the Regal Princess as an option. What do you think—does it seem like a reliable choice? I have sailed mostly with Royal Caribbean and tried my first Celebrity ship this summer. I am not fond of Carnival. Please share your honest views if you have traveled with them before. Thanks in advance.


r/Cruise • • 11h ago

MSC World or Carnival Celebration

0 Upvotes

I’m looking at booking MSC World or Carnival Celebration. Two adults and 10 yr old. 10 yr old doesn’t do waterslides but does splash pads etc.

Carnival $1485.

St. Thomas

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Celebration Key, The Bahamas

MSC $1680.

Dominic Republic

San Juan

Oceancay


r/Cruise • • 11h ago

Celebrity Summit bar recommendations?

0 Upvotes

My and my wife are going on the Celebrity Summit next year and there are a bunch of other friends on the ship. We're looking for a bar to all meet up at before the first dinner. Something a bit out of the way, so it's not overrun by the initial rush to get drunk. Any recommendations are very appreciated!


r/Cruise • • 3h ago

Question How do you afford the cost?

0 Upvotes

Been looking into cruises, we live in MA, and while cruise itself isn’t unreasonable, we’d have to fly to florida, book hotel room, and cruise. How do people pay for this?


r/Cruise • • 1d ago

Question How does boarding work at ports?

9 Upvotes

For reference, I'm taking a cruise to the Bahamas out of Ft Lauderdale, with Celebrity next year. How does boarding at the port work? Is it basically like at the airport? You go through security, then wait in the gate area for your ship until a boarding group is called to get on the ship?

Or is there just a set time boarding starts, and the earlier you show up, the fewer crowds you'll have to navigate through to get on board after stepping through security?

Or is it simpler/more complex than that?

My personal rule with airports has always been to get there at least two hours early to get through security, find my gate, and have plenty of time to chill until boarding starts. So, I was wondering if this same philosophy applies to ports or if it's a different ballgame in how it generally works.


r/Cruise • • 1d ago

Question Feeling completely overwhelmed in a "finding the best deal" rabbit hole

9 Upvotes

I think I am in a never-ending rabbit hole, yall, of trying to optimize a first time cruise. I've done all inclusive before, but never cruising.

  • We're close enough to the ports that NYC, Baltimore, Philly are all very feasible departure ports.
  • I'm looking at July-October 2027
  • It's a celebration cruise (I'm trying to wrap up my 40th birthday, our 15th year together, 5th wedding anniversary, and I'm wrapping up a professional program.)
  • I would really like to do a New England/Canada cruise, as I think it will be a little more my husband's speed.

That said, I'm just getting lost in the details now. Is there really a best time to book this (like waiting for black friday deals), or really a huge difference between cruise lines for that route? Should I actually be trying to hunt down a cruise planner (there does not seem to be any locally), or am I likely to find a golden goose of a deal an upgraded beverage/wifi/gratuity pacakge?

Am I, in fact, wildly overthinking all of this?


r/Cruise • • 1d ago

Question Going on my First Cruise. What are some good alternatives to Cruise Line Excursions?

7 Upvotes

Hello all,

I'm going on my first Cruise in December on NCL. Going to the Caribbean and Jamaica. I'm looking forward to it, but watching some Youtube Videos (specifically Life Well Cruised), they said don't pay for Excursions via the cruise but do it via third party sites. I know of Shore excursions, but are there other sites you would recommend to look at? If paying for Excursions through the cruise line is not worth it, what are the good alternatives?


r/Cruise • • 2d ago

What happens to someone who jumps overboard on a cruise ship and is found (like the woman in the news recently who jumped from a RC ship)?

171 Upvotes

What will happen to the woman who was found in the water near Greece after a 20+ hour search? Who pays for that enormous search effort? I assume she will be banned from Royal Caribbean for life, but will she face any charges? Not only is there the cost of fuel, helicopters, manpower etc but also the lost revenue for the cruise line.


r/Cruise • • 16h ago

Smoking! I have never smelled so many cigarettes

0 Upvotes

Just went on my very first cruise and generally had a great time. However, as a person living in 2026, I have become accustomed to smoke-free everything. I have never smelled as many cigarettes as I did on this Carmival ship! On deck 10 (like the whole deck?? Is this normal??) people were just sitting there making everything reek. The casino was awful. Just constant cigarette smoke. My balcony constantly smelled like cigarettes—the people next door must have been smoking out there. Is this typical? Is this just a Carnival issue? Are there cruise lines with a no smoking policy? I didn’t even think to ask the question before because I just assumed that like every other public space in 2026, the ship would be non smoking.


r/Cruise • • 1d ago

Which luxury cruise line do you recommend?

14 Upvotes

We are looking for the best luxury cruise experience for my parents, a 70+ yo couple.
They are looking for top notch customer service, a very clean cruise, amazing culinary experience, and entertainment on board as well. Price is not an issue. The destination either. What are your recommendations?


r/Cruise • • 1d ago

Carnival Ecstasy deck plans

5 Upvotes

I am building a replica of the Ecstasy in Minecraft from when it was built. If you have any original 1991 deck plans, please send them to me.


r/Cruise • • 2d ago

Port of Miami traffic is no joke

240 Upvotes

I'd read it was bad so I stayed at the Esler Hotel right by the port to make it easier.

I got in the Uber today at 12:10 (soonest I could step away from work).

Its currently 2:10 and we are just barely getting to the u-turn to the terminals.

Well over 2 hours to get to the ship from basically across the street from the Port entrance.

I've sat in my share of traffic in some of the worst traffic cities in the world - Istanbul, Mexico City, Delhi, etc. I can safely say if has never taken me over 2 hours to go 0.5 miles (as the crow flies, 1.6 mi of road).

Walk. Always, always walk to the port here. This is truly insane.

Edit to add: Grateful for those who have added info/context in the comments. It sounds like there was at least one, if not two, quite tragic accidents this morning.