mz-s

I couldn't understand why it wasn't converted the dry dock prior to COVID when they added the Grand deck and all the other modernizations. The fact that it hasn't happened yet means it likely never will.

There are always lots of families traveling over Christmas with their kids.

Speaking of the things that cruisers can see - because I know they do a lot of behind the scenes stuff during dry-docks. Carnival really hasn't done major dry dock renovations since the COVID restart. Their dry-docks have been limited to fairly minor stuff - mostly just repainting the hull. The most extensive dry dock renovation I can think of is when they ripped out part of the night club on the Pride to add more cabins.

The steakhouse does have a children's menu available yes. However I would assume that you'll be charged the adult price.

Perhaps not executing, but I am sure their jobs are tied to onboard revenue for things they're directly involved in like bingo and Deal or No Deal etc...

I personally prefer Conquest class so I would do Freedom...

It's true that an individual bar waiter's share of your Cheers gratuity is quite small, but they also get a share of everyone else's gratuity. So it comes out in the wash. That's the beauty of a pooled gratuity system. Tipping extra above and beyond the automatic gratuity is entirely up to your individual wish. While in the past yeah I think I got better service because I tipped extra, I'm not sure that's as true as it used to be.

That's interesting. None of my business but one of those things I want to know more about 🤣

https://airtable.com/appin6uTVeCF8mthS/shrxzucqLGHbpDmm8/tblZJCAW6us7UhDmZ

Especially since the cruise is barely 2 months away.

https://www.saintgregtravel.com/piano-bar-schedule/

I will say I haven't been on Sunshine in over a year. It's possible they were having a brief interruption in their supply of Sierra Mist and so substituted Sprite. I haven't seen Sprite this year at all obviously.

right but they had Sprite on a few sunshine sailings I was on. Not sure why

I'm the same way, hate runny eggs. I just eat boiled eggs because the scrambled egg looking product on the buffet and in the dining room is disgusting. Sadly on my last cruise the boiled eggs were so overcooked it was like trying to eat a cue ball.

Considering the number of PVPs I've been passed around between (3 during the COVID shutdown alone), very few. The chances of you getting assigned one of the gold star PVPs when you call Carnival and ask for one is probably pretty low.

You bought an endless soda package and you're upset that things other than soda aren't included? I guess it takes all kinds.

https://www.carnival.com/drink-packages/cheers-package/cheers-SUM When you purchase Cheers you'll be charged an 18% gratuity. That covers your tips for all drinks all cruise. If you wish to tip above and beyond, you can but it is not necessary or expected.

Had Jake last year on Sunshine - he's a good one. He's actually more old school than his age would suggest. Best ever, nope - but probably top 5.

The food is also in my experience lower quality, and much cheaper to feed guests at Lido since it's all self-serve so it evens out in the long run I guess. The way that Carnival now portions out a lot of the food on the buffet is a good thing, I agree. People who want more can take more but the pre-portioned pieces of fish or whatever are a good way to nudge people to only take what they'll eat.

If you notice, I still answered the question. Even though it had nothing to do with the thread they revived.

That is particularly true on Aruba in my experience. OP may be better served by finding a tour operator who is willing to take a non-refundable deposit, and the remainder of the payment due in cash at the pier as agreed.

I don't know honestly, to be honest I'm not really plugged in to what first timer and new cruisers behaviors are. Do they book premium dining often or do they stick with the included food.

There are any number of reasons why you might miss the excursion. It's a calculated risk you take when you book off-ship excursions.

To me the most important things a cruise director does is bingo and come up with stupid sign-offs for the PA system. I don't want actual talented cruise directors, and I don't want to pay for them. I want someone who barely knows their ass from a hole in the ground but sells bingo like their life depends on it (because it literally does).

When is your arrival appointment?