cruiserbrianj

A few years ago on the Elation they had a similar offering but it was basically the seafood shack. It was outside dining around the lido area, menu looked pretty much like the seafood shack and servers waited on you. Considering they didn't have a seafood shack, I thought this was a nice gesture. I've been on the Elation several times and that was the only time I saw it offered.

Yes it is

Ok, so of the 3 beaches I've been to in Aruba, I'd rank them Baby, Eagle and Palm. The beach and water at Eagle beach where we were (more on that) was beautiful. Nice wide beach with powdery sand and lovely blue water. Our taxi dropped us off just outside the Coco Loco beach bar/restaurant and that place left a sour taste in our mouth. One, place was packed because there isn't really anything else "close"...two, they lost our food order and that whole ordeal was probably 60 min....three, order a bucket of beer and they aren't twist offs. Ask for an opener and they were pretty rude saying they didn't have one. Note, they have some openers under the bar on the patio. Anyway, we enjoyed our day but next time we're going to request our driver to take us to the Amsterdan Manor where there is Passions Beach Bar and give that a go.

Currently on the Vista and they're handing them out left and right. First time I've seen them in a while.

Surely I won't be the only one with their mind blown that after all these cruises (Diamond status) this is the first time the OP will be venturing into the steakhouse....just wow! That said, as mentioned above, I'd like to think a quick conversation with the host prior to dinner and everything will be worked out. Good luck and enjoy!

My vote would be Baby Beach....not crowded, nobody selling stuff to you constantly. Couldn't have asked for a more chill day. Wasn't impressed with Palm Beach the times I've been there for what it's worth. We're going to give Eagle Beach a go here in a few days...fingers crossed

Likewise...and if "treated right" means stronger drinks...i've never not seen a bartender not use a jigger when making a drink. Alchemy perhaps, but those are much stronger drinks in general. Anyway, that's my two cents.

We were just talking about AI vs cruising the other day when carnival hiked up the WiFi again. I used to think the cruise was always going to be the better bargain but I'm not so sure anymore. Again, this is all dependent on how "you cruise" but we like to do a specialty dining once (or twice), don't always get the Cheer's package but we do purchase alcohol, we get the WiFi package (usually 2 to split between 3 people and then there's the hotel the night before. Once you add all that up, it's pretty significant. The only thing preventing us from doing an AI at the moment is, at least for us, the flights stink! As soon as you start customizing a flight the price skyrockets. There was one that I looked at, the only "included" flight had you leaving at 8pm only to arrive at 1pm THE NEXT DAY! You mean I'm paying for a day that I'm not even there? No chance. Anyway, we love cruising and the positives far outweigh the negatives but the AI's are on our radar.

Good timing! We just got off a couple of weeks ago and it was Christian. Rumor was that it was only his first or second cruise as CD but we were really impressed. He was approachable, entertaining but not annoying, helpful and very visible throughout our trip.

Possibly an unpopular opinion on here, but I/my family tip as we would on land and that's for those are are directly serving us. We do remove the auto gratuities and then tip accordingly. Room stewards get more. Sometimes the bar service folks get more (than the auto 18%). When we dine in the MDR, steakhouse or other specialty restaurants, they get more. If others behind the scenes don't get something, I'd argue that their salary should be more and it's not up to me to supplement that. I tip as I do in the US and that's for those that are directly servicing us. If they (cruise lines) decide to include it in the price, then fine, but until then...I'll tip as I normally do.

I was just on the Pride and college ESPNish games were shown in the sports bar and on Sunday they had 4 different NFL games on. I was able to stream a game on the ESPN app but as previously posted, YouTubeTV won't work. Honestly, it's a crap shoot really. Good luck to you!

Seems to be. I went to check in for our cruise this morning and nope...not happening.

Yep, we've done the same and it works out well. Our stateroom attendant will even fill it up with ice for us. At one point, Carnival sold a nice soft sided cooler that we bought and it's been good for us. Only issue is we run out of beers too fast lol

I'd be really happy with more lido deck games during sea days. Over the years these game/contests have really almost become non existent. Seems like when I first started cruising ('16) there were several "events" during sea days....now, there's barely 1. Seems like a small thing but I've always enjoyed them.

Yes, this....I forgot to mention that in my post.