obx_fintoo

1)The list of new posts has the user that started the thread showing to the right as the last poster.  The date and post count are correct, but it each case it shows the OP not the last poster.  - EDIT:  This is only true of threads that have not seen replies since the new board opened.

2) The Go to First unread Post button is gone.  Am I just missing it somewhere or is that no longer a functionality?

Otherwise, not bad!  I see somethings that I am sure I will like when I get used to them!

Does anyone have the cocktail menu from Gatsby’s bar?

I'm going in 2 weeks, so if no one has responded before I get back, I will post one.:cool:

Yes I know but I didn’t know if anything was similar to Alchemy with a different name like we experienced on the Legend. Basically is there a martini bar onboard?

 

 

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Gatsy's Bar, which is the aft bar outside the comedy club does the Martini Tasting, so is probably your best bet.

We like the Elation. Fantasy class size is fine for us. The upgrades are nice and the rooms look very nice. No Alchemy Bar, but the Bar by the comedy club (aft) does a martini tasting and has a nice selection. Enjoy your cruise!

Yes. Every Carnival cruise I have done (booked on #42), including the 1.5 day Cruise to Nowhere, has had at least one slot tourney. Check with the Casino. There should be a sign for the BlackJack and Slot Tourney times and dates. Good luck to you and your sisters!

I've been extremely lucky, and someone has offered to transfer their $100,000 ultimate slot tournament invite to me for the magic Sept 30th sailing. I have never participated in a slot tournament, and I'm very excited, but have so many questions now.

1. Is there a fee to enter, or is that what the invite covers?

2. Is the ultimate invite only, or can you pay to join? If in fact question #1 is free with invite.

3. Do the points earned count to your sign and sail players club?

Any other info would be greatly appreciated from those who have participated in this particular slot tournament. I've tried googling, but my specific questions are not answered.

1)The invite covers your fee.

2) Yes, others can pay to join. I can't remember, but I think it's $100+ to join vs a normal $25 for a regular cruise slot tourney.

3) They do not when you play a regular slot tourney, so I would think no.

As far as winnings, the top 50 finishers get a portion of the $100K with !st getting the most.

Hope you go and have fun!

wow...365 total posts...150 threads created.

I thought you were kidding. Nope. You weren't!;p

I'm from the East Coast and we have fresh seafood. Wondering how the fresh the seafood is?

If you are used to buying and preparing your own seafood, you will likely find the prices high and your own prep better.

If you get your food out at a restaurant, then prices and freshness will be similar.

As others have said, stay away from the fried anything. Much too greasy!

I think there must be an unwritten rule, at least here on CC, that as long as you keep arguing your point you haven't really lost.;)

;p Yes! That explains it!!

Packing for the Elation on Monday. Can one of you who have sailed her recently tell me if there is a hair dryer in the drawer now?

 

I have been away from the boards for a few months with a busy new job, but started looking again as our cruise approaches. Thank you all for the info. We sailed Elation last August shortly before dry dock so I am looking forward to seeing the upgrades.

 

Has anyone stayed in an inside? I saw a picture and they have done away with the fake window!!😞. I can’t believe the difference it made. We love insides, but that picture I saw makes it look much smaller than before, almost like they built walls inside the former wall, making it smaller. Hopefully it is just the picture. We have an ocean view next week but an inside in August.

Yes, the hairdryer in the OV rooms is in the top drawer of the desk and it's plugged in there, so it doesn't come out of the desk, you use it from there. Enjoy your cruse!

I’m praying for Friends trivia on my upcoming cruise. I know for a fact that I would finally win a ship on a stick

 

 

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They had this on Elation in Nov & January. Some easy questions, then questions like, name all three of the triplets that Phoebe carried for her brother and his wife. Brush up before you go!:D:D:D:D:D:D

 

I keep this one in my makeup bag at all times! No problems flying (with a checked bag) and you never know when you might just need a corkscrew! :D

Same here!!:cool:

FWIW... I used the chat feature with my 13yo in July on the Liberty. We had no problems getting each others messages in a timely manner, including when I was in the casino and she was in the room. We will definitely use the app for future cruises.

Thanks so much for your review! We just booked the 7/20 3-day with our 13yo and she is happy seeing the activities list! Nice pictures and a great, honest review! Look forward to the finish. Enjoy your summer and your wedding planning!:cool:

Thanks for the info... Good to hear that my cabin has been updated already!!!

 

We are sailing in early June so that is a plus.

 

Question for you, did they have a steel drum player? My wife loves the steel drums and was bummed when they took them off all the ships, but the last two cruises we have taken there has been one.

We just got off the ship this morning! Hope to post a review soon. They did have a steel drum player. We saw him by the pool and also in the atrium one night. He was pretty good. Enjoy your cruise!

I would suggest against arriving at the port prior to your scheduled check in time. According to what I have read on carnivals website they follow the check in times strictly and you will not be allowed to enter the building prior to the time you have chosen/been assigned. I am taking the same cruise on 4/22 and I chose the 1-1:30 check in time online. Apparently we will not be able to board the ship until 1:30 due to housekeeping. If you have not gone online to complete the online check in you should so you can try to choose an early check in. If you don't they will automatically assign a time to you.

Hey, I'll be on this cruise, too!:cool: We're going to arrive just a little before 1pm to park and have the 1-1:30 check-in, as well.

I will point out in regards to an earlier post - We have been denied entry to JAX Port before when the ship was delayed. They were literally turning people away at the entrance and traffic got very stacked up. If everyone just "shows up" at 10:30 and they won't let you in, then we can expect a repeat performance. Here's hoping it goes smoothly!!

I really don't know what we will do Saturday about getting there. According to the port authority everything opens at 10:30.

We were originally planning to drive Friday to JAX, but now may take our time and stop in Savannah or some place close and enjoy the Friday night life, then check out Saturday morning and head to the pier. Maybe we'll see you on board!:cool:

We are sailing on the Elation on Saturday. We are Priority and have been for a while. Normally, we would get to the ship no later than 11am and board, however with the new staggered check-in, our boarding time is 1:00-1:30. Yesterday, we received an e-mail from Carnival stating NOT to arrive before this time, even for Priority or FTTF as they would not be allowing anyone to board early. Also, the sail away time has been pushed back from 4pm to 5pm.

I plan to do a review once we're back, so I will follow up with how check-in went. Cheers!

I was going through boxes & found a 1996 Carnival brochure catalog here recently. Anyone want to cruise on the Tropicale? Festivale? Anyone? Lol!

Right!! Because that's how we did things before the "inter-net" was a thing!;p Those were the days!!

We sail out 4/22-4/27 on the Elation. This will be our first cruise and I'm looking for tips/hacks/advice. How is the check in/embarkation process in Jacksonville (our window is 1-1:30)? I guess I may bite the bullet and park at the port, but how is the lot that is across the street? We are going a la carte on the drinks, but how is the beer from the self-serve station? Will deck chairs be a hassle to get? We have any time dining, what is the best time to go? Is the casino really, really smoky? Any other helpful tidbits would be greatly appreciated!

Hey there! We were on the Elation in December and are on this same cruise with you. Think I saw you on the Roll Call. Here's my take:

I've always thought they do a good job with check-in at Jacksonville. I haven't done the staggered check in and we are Platinum so that skews it a bit. I would suggest getting there a few minutes before 1, then just go with the flow. We always park at the pier. It's nice to have the car right there when we get off as it's an almost 9 hour drive back home. Parking is easy and secure.

I haven't used the self-serve beer stations, but chatted with several folks who did and they loved them. I remember seeing one with Heineken and I believe the other was Bud Light, but it's possible that changes now and then. You can buy four beers in a bucket for a slightly cheaper fee on the lido deck bars. You can mix and match them if you want, 2 Buds and 2 Miller Lites for example. They are served in 16oz aluminum bottles with the lids and you can always take these back to the room and save them for later. Your room steward will fill this bucket with ice each day as well.

Deck chairs will be available. If you want to be close to the pool on the sea days, you may need to get there a little early. If you don't need to be close, then the next deck up (deck 11) usually has lots of chairs. Especially on port days if you stay on the ship.

We do anytime dining and usually go early, by 6pm at the latest. We have never had to wait to be seated.

The casino is smoky but the best bet is to look for tables or slots that are non-smoking. They are scattered around and there will be smoking areas near them, but it does lessen the full-force of the smoke.

As far as cleanliness, I personally did not see the dirty tables and think it's probably a crew by crew basis.

Other tips: check the Fun Times the night before for things you might want to do the next day. If you get the HUB app on your phone you can even set a reminder that something is coming up. (ie: bingo, trivia, a show, a class, etc) Do things you like or think you'd like to try. Don't try to do it all! Have fun and hope you guys enjoy your first cruise!

We are thinking about the Liberty this summer with our 13 yo daughter. Any Circle C info would be nice to see. I look forward to your review! Hope you enjoy!

According to the Carnival website, yes they are guaranteed for Diamond.

I didn't expect these offers would come in two or three days before the trip. Good luck :)

We've gotten upsell calls the day before the cruise as we were driving down.:cool:

I don't know, but that's a really interesting scenario. Please do let us know what happens once you've returned.

This is my exact thought. Either get a 4th passenger to room with your mom, or put her in your room (most rooms have 2 twins, not ideal for 2 grown people, but not unheard of (my DH and I will be sharing the twin on our cruise and our DS (8) and DD (9) will be in the other twin- unless they have those pull down beds, which in that case we'll figure out the sleeping arrangements then). I just know there is no way I am paying DOUBLE for one more person. We are never in the room anyway so if you are like us, it might not be that much of a big deal for you either.

The twin beds make into a big bed and your kids should have pull downs. No reason for you guys to all be miserable when sleeping.:cool: