We sail Sept 2 and I bet they hit us with that stupid fuel surcharge if this keeps up.

We love being forward.  Sailing again in Sept to Alaska with balcony cabin all the way forward on Panorama deck.  We've had no noise problems - it's more quiet than aft because less engine noise if any at all.  It's great because just one flight up is the best place for viewing scenery which is over the ...

"Titanic" would have been an interesting one to watch...

We did Spirit Northbound last year as well and loved it as well.  Awesome cruise but did not go to Glacier Bay.  So this year we are doing the Spirit roundtrip out of Vancouver that goes thru Inside Passage both coming and going and goes to Glacier Bay as well.  Since Carnival is pulling out of Vancouver and ...

Luggage goes straight to the ship - so once you drop off your luggage at your airport you don't see it again till they drop it off at your stateroom.  We did USDirect last year and loved it because no luggage to handle as well as you bypass customs, so it's a great service that is provided - but of course that means you have to ...

We sailed out of Tampa immediately after Katrina (dodged a big one there) - but the hurricane must have sucked all the energy out of the Gulf because the water was so calm during the entire trip that it was almost boring.

Cash only.  And don't use CreditCards at shorestops as they'll rip you off big time.

We did Northbound end of last August (and doing the GlacierBay cruise this Sept).  What to wear depends on weather and where you are on the ship.  If you are like me, the best place is the observation area over the bridge and it can get really cold there at times (but can be cold anywhere on deck sometimes).  Last ...

And let's not forget E) The cruise line makes most of it's money from the drinkers and the gamblers.  Not so much on say Alaska cruises, but on Caribbean cruises people go to drink, relax and have a good time and that is what the cruise line actually encourages.  If you don't want to be on a "party-boat" then ...

Mostly don't over-expect.  Sailing on the Holiday (or Carnival in general) is a very good deal for the money you spend, but don't expect 6 stars.  Holiday is the smallest and oldest in the fleet.  She has certainly seen better days - however I have sailed her 3 times and always loved it.  The crew is always very ...