Carnival Firenze 2024 Review + Cruise News [Podcast]

Doug Parker and Richard Simms share their experiences and insights on cruising. They start with embarkation stories on the Carnival Firenze, praising the efficient process and discussing the ship’s design and amenities.

They also cover dining options, detailing the variety of food available on board, from the Italian restaurant to the gelato pie dessert. Entertainment is also a topic, with mentions of shows and trivia games.

The episode includes tales from ports of call like Puerto Vallarta and Cabo. It concludes with a conversation about drink packages and the benefits of VIP status.

This episode is brought to you by TripInsurance.com, giving you three levels of travel protection — Good, Better, and Best — a travel insurance policy for every budget.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or where you listen to your favorite podcast.

Timestamps:

• Man Denied Boarding for Mobility Scooter (00:00:39): A man was denied boarding because he didn’t have the proper paperwork for his mobility scooter.
• Scooter Incident and Lawsuit (00:03:00): A couple’s scooter incident leads to a lawsuit, raising questions about personal responsibility and the severity of injuries.
• Blaming the Cruise Ship Casino (00:06:53): A man went overboard after losing money in the cruise ship casino, prompting a debate about personal responsibility and casino accountability.
• Cruise Ship Rescues Stranded Students (00:09:51): A cruise ship rescued stranded students after their airline went out of business, highlighting a positive news story.
• Canceled Cruise Trip Due to Social Media Activity (00:10:47): A cruise trip was canceled due to a fake profile created from social media posts, emphasizing the need for caution.
• Return of Cruise Ships to Baltimore (00:14:29): Cruise ships are returning to the port of Baltimore after a bridge incident, with ongoing infrastructure repairs.
• Tipping on MSC Cruises European Cruise (00:17:24): A listener asks if US dollars are acceptable for tipping on an MSC Cruises European cruise, seeking currency advice.
• Cruise Ship Embarkation Experience (00:20:43): Description of the embarkation experience, including the check-in and boarding process.
• Ship Design and Decor (00:23:40): Comparison of the ship’s design and decor to other ships, including the differences and similarities.
• Lido Deck and Pool Area (00:27:42): Discussion on the design and layout of the lido deck, pool area, and its suitability for traditional cruise experiences.
• Promenade Deck and Terrazza (00:30:56): Exploration of the promenade deck and the availability of the Terrazza area for guests during the day and night.
• Dining Options on the Ship (00:32:34): Discussion about the various dining options available on the ship, including unique menu items and design differences.
• Rococo and Java Blue Cafe (00:33:00): Introduction of new dining venues on deck ten, including Rococo and Java Blue Cafe.
• New Italian Restaurant (00:34:09): Discuss the combination of Zante and the new Italian restaurant, including the menu and dining experience.
• Buffet and Specialty Pizzas (00:39:47): Details about the buffet offerings, including specialty pizzas available for purchase.
• Shows and Entertainment (00:42:10): Review of the onboard shows, including Playlist Productions and comedians, as well as entertainment activities like trivia.
• Port Visits (00:44:12): Recap of Doug’s experiences at the ports of Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, and Cabo, including dining and sightseeing.
• Drink Package and Embarkation (00:47:24): This is a discussion about the drink package and the experience of embarking on the inaugural voyage.
• The ship’s delay (00:48:15): Describes a docking delay due to marine life, which is causing issues for passengers with flights.
• Advice for disembarking (00:49:15): He emphasizes the importance of allowing ample time for disembarkation to avoid stress and missing flights.
• Personal perspectives on the ship (00:50:33): Doug shares his evolving opinion of the ship’s features and atmosphere, highlighting the Italian influence.
• Entertainment and bar preferences (00:54:43): Discusses his favorite entertainment options and bars on the ship, including the sports bar and poolside areas.
• Exploring Mazatlan (00:55:42): Experiences of exploring Mazatlan, including visiting the historic part of the city and enjoying local cuisine.
• Music and entertainment on the ship (00:57:09): Discusses enjoying live music and entertainment, including a band at the Tuscan Lounge and the violinist in the atrium.