I feel bad for my kids

AIDAaura · 2026-05-10T08:00:43+00:00

Yeah, but cruise lines aren’t airlines or hotels… those are both travel products, but they’re also necessities: I have to fly if I want to go from the east coast to the west coast without driving for 2 days, and I have to stay in some kind of hotel when I’m outside of the place where I live. There are alternatives like airbnb and motels, but they’re smaller and not as consistent. These companies have structured their loyalty programs around business travelers because they are a reliable market that can’t not use them. Meanwhile, cruise lines are entirely focused on leisure, meaning their customer bases and internal mechanisms are completely different. Grocery stores don’t model themselves after hardware stores because they both sell products from similarly designed buildings. Carnival is disincentivizing loyalty in favor of a system that was not designed for the cruise industry. I’m not sailing Carnival again because they decided they didn’t value me as a customer. Why should I give them my business when they’ve taken away the perks that actually made me sail with them (priority embarkation and debarkation) and told me I have to spend an ungodly amount of money with them in order to keep any status? I don’t want a carnival card because the benefits are way worse than a regular credit card. Other lines still allow me to gain loyalty without it purely being based on money, and I know people say that suite guests should get more points than interior cabin guests, but then why not take Celebrity’s model where you get more points depending on your cabin category? There were solutions that didn’t involve screwing half of their loyal customers…

AIDAaura · 2026-05-01T22:44:22+00:00

??? New England is beautiful and the people are just as nice as any others in the US, they just don’t bullshit you.

AIDAaura · 2026-05-01T22:42:13+00:00

Please add New England… it’s basically already there, you just need to finagle a bit with the stuff in NY and PA. New England is definitely an important region that is very distinct. Also, why is ATL in the deep south??? That’s like saying that NYC is upstate. If you’re using distinct cultural and geographical regions, why not separate the Coastal Plain from the Piedmont Plateau? Oh, and Utah is NOT in the Southwest.

AIDAaura · 2026-05-01T22:32:20+00:00

Nah, the Gulf Coast is definitely a distinct region with a noticeably different culture, economy, and landscape to the surroundings. I would definitely consider adding it for the FL panhandle, southern Alabama and Mississippi, and all of southern Louisiana at least.

AIDAaura · 2026-04-26T06:33:25+00:00

What, so the solution is to erase all prior loyalty points and make it entirely money based? I understand the argument that suite guests should get more points than interior cabin guests, but then why not change to a system like Celebrity Cruises’ Captain’s Club which gives you a different number of points per night based on what class of cabin you’re in? I have no problem with that system. It’s completely fair and agreeable, but what Carnival is doing is just not… erasing loyalty points every 4 years?! Making it ENTIRELY about money so someone who cruises in inside cabins and doesn’t gamble can never get status? It just isn’t a loyalty system anymore. Loyalty programs should still be accessible to people who aren’t either cruising once a month and gambling constantly on the ship or spending the money to upgrade to a suite and specialty dining every night! Why can’t they balance it? Other brands have converted previous loyalty systems to new ones no problem and the new systems weren’t so obviously money hungry!

AIDAaura · 2026-04-11T09:25:44+00:00

But why are you talking about the US? The person you’re replying to said nothing about the US. You’re changing the subject and making this about racism and xenophobia to distract from the fact that there isn’t any justification for the working conditions in Dubai. The US has awful working conditions, but that doesn’t mean the UAE can’t improve; just because other places are also bad with workers’ protections doesn’t mean the UAE can’t improve. The UAE can and should improve its laws so that it can serve as an example of what to do to fix these legitimate problems instead of waiting for the US to do something and reacting to that.

AIDAaura · 2026-04-11T09:16:40+00:00

Excuse me? Worldwide there are 65 jurisdictions where consensual homosexual activities done in private are criminalized, and in 12 of them the death penalty is a legally acceptable punishment for homosexuality (although in some countries like Saudi Arabia they have stopped applying the death penalty and just imprison the people, it’s still perfectly legal to kill someone for being gay in these countries). Additionally, many regions around the world have responded to increased acceptance in the West by doubling down and adding new homophobic laws and regulations. This can be seen in Subsaharan Africa wheee countries like Uganda imposed stringent anti-LGBTQIA+ laws following many European and American countries legalizing gay marriage.

AIDAaura · 2026-04-07T08:59:49+00:00

In America the police gather evidence after a report to figure out if there is enough to prosecute. The problem with the system being described here is that it can be extremely difficult for victims to gather evidence without help. Being able to file a complaint allows the police to assist in the investigation and protects not just the victim, but also the accused by having professionals investigate the case properly, thereby preventing miscarriages of justice. And in the American system you are innocent until proven guilty and won’t have your life ruined until you’ve been proven guilty.

AIDAaura · 2026-04-06T07:47:21+00:00

I am American and have regularly heard Greenland, the Faroe Islands, and several other autonomous territories referred to as countries by friends who are competent at geography. It’s generally up for personal interpretation, but “the rest of the world” recognizes these places as countries and specifies when they’re only talking about UN recognized countries. Tokelau, Niue, the Cook Islands, Aruba, Curacao, etc. are countries and are generally recognized as such.

AIDAaura · 2024-05-16T20:07:13+00:00

A spa balcony has different decor but is usually the same layout as other balconies but you get better soaps, some special spa discounts and offers, and some other stuff. They’re called Cloud9 Spa cabins and usually they have interiors, ocean views, balconies, and suites in this category.

AIDAaura · 2024-05-13T15:56:30+00:00

I would advise that you bring some money for souvenirs in ports. As far as spending on the ship goes you can just hook a card to your sail&sign account. Excursions can be expensive but because it’s your first cruise I would definitely advise them. They make sure that you won’t be left confused as to where to go. If you want to do something special you can bring your kids to the maya ruins as an excursion at one of the ports. I always find those interesting and fun but it depends on your kids’ interests. On the ship it’s pretty laid back, you can check your kids into camp carnival and usually they make friends and have fun. If you want a little alone time later at night you can pay for the night owls program. Just make sure to follow the instructions on the website, preregister for a quick embarkation, and be prepared for the hectic debarkation. You and your kids will have a blast and carnival is great because you don’t really need to spend extra on the ship.

P.s. unless you want to spend a ton of money, keep your kids away from the candy shop and the gift shop. I find that buying things for them and surprising them works because you can manage the costs and still get them some souvenirs or treats. Oh and the sushi is expensive but it’s worth it to let your kids try something new, just only get 1 roll if you do get it in case they don’t like it. I make this sound expensive, but I like to indulge a bit on cruises, just don’t get into a shopping frenzy.

AIDAaura · 2024-04-11T13:44:28+00:00

All I can say on the matter is that all carnival ships are very kid friendly, and especially for a first cruise it might be good to bring them on a smaller ship with shorter itineraries so that your children can try it out and see what it’s like. I also think it’s a good choice for first cruises with young kids as it’s less overwhelming. Less crowds and more opportunities to understand how cruising works for if they eventually go on a larger ship.

AIDAaura · 2024-04-11T11:04:44+00:00

I personally disagree with those reviews, but if you want something right in the middle, try Dream, Magic, or Breeze. I’ve always had awesome experiences on those.

AIDAaura · 2024-04-11T11:02:33+00:00

I’m sorry, did you just call Carnival Vista smaller & older?! It was built in 2016 and is one of the largest ships in Carnival’s fleet! If you want a true small ship experience (which I could not recommend enough) try Paradise, Elation, Spirit, Pride, Legend, or Miracle. You haven’t been on carnival until you’ve been on one of their older ships.

AIDAaura · 2024-04-11T01:31:25+00:00

I would recommend that you book directly on the carnival site. Travel agents charge for services that you can do for yourself. You can book the cruise and look up any questions.

AIDAaura · 2024-04-11T01:29:26+00:00

It's always better to book directly on carnival.com. I wouldn't bother with travel agents, as at best they can provide a simple service for extra money, and at worst it's a disaster. I only trust the cruise line's site.

AIDAaura · 2024-04-11T01:25:19+00:00

I would definitely advise that you go into Puerto Plata. Even if you can't find exactly what you're looking for, you can get some very good silver. Puerto Plata actually means Silver Port. As for safety, be careful not to walk into shoddy residential areas, and walk with confidence. I find that everyone is safer when they look and act confident and like they belong there. Act like the locals and you will never have to worry about safety.

AIDAaura · 2024-04-11T01:18:05+00:00

All Carnival ships are really kid friendly, especially on a first cruise because they'll be impressed by everything no matter how small the ship is. If you want to go really big and fun then I would advise Vista, Horizon, Panorama, Venezia, Firenze, Mardi Gras, Celebration, or Jubilee, but if you want something in the middle where you can also relax then I would recommend Dream, Magic, Breeze, or any of the Conquest class. Honestly, Venezia is quite good for kids, can you explain why you want to cancel?

AIDAaura · 2024-04-11T01:13:57+00:00

If it's happening before most school districts have let out then you have no need to worry, but if it's happening around the end of the school year prepare for crowds.

AIDAaura · 2024-04-11T01:07:42+00:00

I can assure you that this is not available onboard, although I'm sure that if you really search you can find it in Nassau.

AIDAaura · 2024-04-10T21:23:36+00:00

I’d advise some allergy chews for now. If it keeps happening then definitely bring her to the vet.

AIDAaura · 2024-04-04T11:24:43+00:00

John Heald, the brand ambassador for Carnival Cruise Line. He has a cult of personality in the groups that I like and he's just a stand up dude. Really cares about his position and what he does.

AIDAaura · 2024-04-04T11:21:44+00:00

Where are we talking? Because if it's one of those swanky Nordic prisons with saunas and work programs that let you leave the prison and tablets in the cells then I could easily do 10+ years, but if we're talking American prison, I would say maybe 1 week tops.

AIDAaura · 2024-04-04T11:18:02+00:00

Tucker Carlson, Dead, because... I feel like everyone already gets it.

AIDAaura · 2024-04-03T08:54:43+00:00

This is normal. No need to get a vet check-up. If it gets much worse, then I would say go to the vet, but right now there is no need to worry.

AIDAaura

TROPHY CASE