CRUISE NEWS - CARNIVAL CONFIRMS CHANGE, HOLLYWOOD INSIDER CRUISE, HURRICANE LEE NCL

Cruise News Time! Hurricane Lee update including and itinerary change for the NCL Pearl. Princess Cruises has announced three Hollywood insider cruises. Margaritaville at Sea announces beer festival cruises and Carnival talk about the removal of the libraries on its new cruise ships. Cruise News! Let's talk about it!

#cruisenews

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[donnaschuepbach]

I, for one, am disappointed about the lack of a small library. It was not only great for a book exchange, but having a few tables for games/cards stops the gamers from taking over the buffet area.
Thanks for the updates, Tony.

[raxterwot]

We always liked sitting in the libraries on Carnival ships. People would come in and play cards, read a book, one of the few quiet places on the cruise ships. On the Allure of the Seas, there is a game room which is heavily used on a daily basis. I think cruise ships have more than enough bars....

[reginagannaway]

It's not surprising that libraries are becoming less common on cruise ships. Reading is one of my favorite pastimes when cruising. Some ships still have a little "reading nook" but you have to search for it, it isn't really advertised much. I think the cruise lines are missing out. They are probably thinking that a bar or restaurant will generate more "revenue per square foot" than a library but I think they should consider offering a neat little package for the guests in the "reading nook" like a cozy beverage with snacks and finger sandwiches.

[hollygay]

I was in the NCL Star and Dawn and there were always folks in the library. I always stop in to see if they have a book I want to read or exchange one I picked up at airport.

[aguptill]

We go to the library as soon as we get on the ship, check to see if someone left any new reads as we’re both readers. We do notice that a lot of people use the library for playing cards/games so surprised that CCL is fazing them out. Will miss the libraries but totally understand.

[momvpa]

I used to haunt the libraries on my cruises. It was so peaceful and quiet there, but I have yet to go on a Carnival cruise. I’ve been on HA (3 times), RC (1 time), Celebrity(1 time), and NCL (8 times). They all had libraries/card rooms. We are going on a trans-Atlantic cruise next year on NCL. We are quite excited about that. You had me fooled, Tony. When you said BYOB, I was definitely thinking alcohol, but I always bring at least 1 book with me anyway. Nothing like sitting on your balcony soaking up a little sun, reading and enjoying the ocean breeze. 🚢

[suzanne]

On my last cruise, NCL, the library was popular. A great place to play games, read books, and do their daily crossword puzzles.

[Marzeonthego]

I ALWAYS looked for the libraries on board, AND used them. We played 😮cards, and yes, read in them. My last few cruises however, they were always locked and reserved for Captains Table dinners. I am not able to drink, and while I enjoy the shows and the casino, I also enjoy a quiet afternoon or evening with a book or playing cards. On some of the older ships, I can usually find a quiet nook or window seat to curl up in to read, and or an out of the way table to play cards. However, not so much on the newer ships. On the Mardi Gras it is damn near impossible! And for the several people who have commented to " just stay in your room", my way of enjoying a cruise may be different from yours, however my money is just as green. I do not resent you your bars, nightclubs etc. Nor do I tell you how to relax and enjoy your cruise, please be so kind as to not tell me how and what I should do to enjoy mine.

[sarahlbeeney]

My sister and I are older travellers and we often use the library on the ships..hard to find a decent book sometimes..I have seen teens in there playing board games..and people just having some quiet time reading in the library..yes I also bring my iPad and have a library full of books on it..but there is something about having a live book in hand…but I can sail away without an on board library ..thank you Tony for updates…⚓️❤

[larryfinkel]

Sherry Payne was a member of the Supremes. Freda Payne claim to fame was the hit song Band of Gold in 1970

[sandysandona]

Precovid I made use of Carnival libraries; lots of books of all genres were available. When the ships came back into service, they seemed to eliminate/limit paper items including the library inventory. No problem since I now load my iPad with reading material. Another reason for doing away with the libraries could be lack of interest on the part of today’s’ passengers. Recently on an elevator with five or six books in my arms when a fellow cruiser commented that he hadn’t read that many books in his life! Certainly had to be an exaggeration, but broke my heart to hear that!

Retired English teacher

[nvccru]

I love libraries on ships! The Queen Mary 2 has the best ~ two floors. A great place to find new books and new topics.

[brucegordon]

I heard on a couple of ships down here in South Florida Carnival is converting the library space to a booking area and some holding cells.

[cakeunit]

The ships should do the little lending library near the pools....I am talking about the cabinet sized things that some places have "take a book leave a book" type one has to man the thing and there have to be lots of books left behind or in the lost and found that could be put there to "refill"

[alanjames]

Thinking of libraries on cruises, I’m thinking back to last year on Harmony. We mistakenly booked a Central Park balcony thinking that meant peace and quiet. It was anything but. The only place I could read in peace was an empty conference room. I understand a business wanting to find ways to use underutilized spaces. However, I do feel every ship should have someplace for peace and quiet that doesn’t require an upcharge.

[gloriadamron]

On our last cruise, the library was primarily used as a board game area. That was fun to see, as it was teens and families playing together.

[maureenwebb]

You make me smile everyday. The cruise hands, your views and the show endings. You are very good at what you do. Thank you for sharing! Have a great trip. In Boston, I'd do the Duck Boat tour. (I'm originally from Boston now living in SWFL. Boston is a great city.)

[sunsetwatcher]

Love hanging out in the library at sea, though I understand why they might be going away - Haven't cruised Carnival in years...Cruise day on HAL tomorrow!!

[edschermerhorn]

I like “calmer spaces”…like the indoor promenade area around the theater on Carnival Spirit. On those rainy sea days to have some place to be out of the cabin, but not overly “high traffic”

[armandward]

I took a picture of the Caribbean Princess last night in Boston for you!

She's all bunkered down for the storm