ilovemy3boys

On 10/29/2020 at 5:35 PM, geckoaz said:

if you have carnival cruise booked. When is it and what will you celebrate? My next cruise is may 2021 on panorama. We are celebrating my wife's retirement and maybe mine. Lots of friends are booked from all over. Looking to have lots of fun and time to catch up.

My 17-21 year old boys and I just booked a quick 4 day getaway on June 28, 2021. They are excited to get back on the ship, as we did not get to go last year. Only doing a 4 day to see how it is with the Covid protocols in place. 

On 10/29/2020 at 5:35 PM, geckoaz said:

if you have carnival cruise booked. When is it and what will you celebrate? My next cruise is may 2021 on panorama. We are celebrating my wife's retirement and maybe mine. Lots of friends are booked from all over. Looking to have lots of fun and time to catch up.

Congrats to you both on your special milestones!

Is there a prince difference if we purchase the alcoholic drink package on line prior to the cruise vs buying it on board when we get on the ship? Or is it the same cost. I could not locate this information on the website. Thank you!

3, as well...on the Miracle. My boys and I can not wait for the fun!

I am a single mom of 3 teens...I bought it for my last trip with them and am again for our upcoming trip SATURDAY! I did it to "treat myself" and give myself permission to try new drinks I do not normally drink. I figured I had saved up for a nice vacation and wanted the option to have the freedom on not worrying about a budget while I was there. I tried so many yummy martinis from the Alchemy Bar, got chai tea in the morning, lots of bottle water, and even had some wine at dinner sometimes. I feel it was worth it financially, as well as for the freedom to have fun!

We get on the Miracle next Saturday! I will be following so I can see what to expect from our cruise. Have fun!

 

Kim

So are we, Kim! How many are traveling with you? I am bringing my 3 teen boys. Can not wait...1 more week.

I travel with my 3 TEEN boys...so I gave the guy $20 on the first day when we met and apologized ahead of time for their messes. Smile. As much as we tried to keep the room tidy, with all of their hair products and stuff everywhere, it was cluttered all week, yet the steward still made it livable for us. Our room steward was so nice and pleasant all week to my boys and me, and just smiled at me when I said sorry each time. One of my sons lost a beach towel and he replaced it for us instead of charging. I know he had to work harder on our room bc of them...so just a small token of pre appreciation for making my boys' trip special.

No pics, but if you have Cheers! and you are on a ship with an Alchemy Bar, those drinks would be your best value. They are of much better quality. I like any of the martinis that are not too sweet, as well as the Manhattan or Old Fashioned. You can make requests off-menu as well.

The Alchemy Bar has amazing drinks...and never hurt my tummy like the martini mixers from the regular bar. They will create whatever drink you want...just tell them what you like and they are creative. I lost track of the different martinis I tried there!

Last year when I cruised with my 3 teens, I came across a posting with people's great ideas to pack that people may not think about. I have included a few that I remember.

Extra hangers

Highlighters

Wine opener

Antibacterial Wipes/Lysol

Power strip for phone chargers

What are items you all feel make the week better that we should not forget to pack???

Thank you everyone!

Can the wifi plans be purchased for just certain days? Or is it a week long package?

I was looking at the social plan and just wanted it 1-2 days to use the FB Messaging....has anyone had any issues with it?

Is it worth it. Last time we went, I did not want any package, but checking in on the animals 1-2 times may be worth it. Thoughts?

Sorry to ask this question but i can't seem to find an answer. if you buy cheers it sates the 15% gratuity is included do the waiters get that tip or should you tip more? thank you

The 15% you prepaid for tips do go to the bartender staff. When I was at the Alchemy Bar, I would sit there, so I would tip the guy an extra $1 or $2 because he was so personable and created fun new drinks for me. At the other bars, if I was just stopping and grabbing one, I did not tip extra.

Our trip was not too bad in regards to rough seas...a little rougher coming home. One of my sons and I both get motion sickness, yet neither of us did!

The Alchemy Bar was amazing! Best drinks on the ship, in my opinion. For day drinks, the pool bar is always fun, though.

We never saw any sea animals, but we were not really looking.

We enjoyed our trip so much that we are going back on the Miracle this summer again. Have a wonderful trip!

Last summer my teen boys and I got there about 10 am (because they wanted to get there early!)...we walked right up to our line and checked in with no wait. Sat down on one of the planters and talked to some people. There were 3 wedding parties, so we were a little delayed getting one, but were in line for only about 10 mins. We were on and eating by 12:15!

You will be given a boarding time on your boarding pass, unless you have Faster to the Fun. We got there about 1 hour before our time, checked in, waited, then boarded at the dome. They load the wedding parties first, then platinum, then FTF, then timed check ins. The day we got there it was very smooth, but I have heard other weekends it takes longer. Hope that info helps some.

A trip is what you make of it! Smile. I could easily do 14 days...the variety of activities and people you will meet will keep you busy. Plus relaxing down time. I was solo with my 3 teens and had fun...so if you are going with another adult companion, you will be just fine!

Does the package cover energy drinks also?

It is one of the highlights of the cruise!

Most of them were mentioned, but I agree:

The fancy sit down dinner that we get to dress up for.

Meeting new people and making connections for the trip.

Trying food I would normally not try (I am picky).

Not having to eat the food if I do not like it...and ordering something else.

Waiters treating my teen boys like gentleman and me like a lady.

A few of our favorite foods:

Lobster

Grand Marnier Souffle

Stuffed Mushrooms

Shrimp Cocktail

I was on the Miracle last summer with my 3 teens. I purchased the Cheers package as a treat to myself and was glad I did, as I was able to try drinks I would not have purchased if I did not have it. I LOVED the Alchemy Bar, which is where I tried new FRESH martinis. The drinks there never made me feel drunk or hungover, because they were fresh ingredients. The mixologist there were personable, so I did tip cash when I was there, but not at the other bars. I did enjoy the Red Frog, when I was hanging out with other fellow cruisers and wanted more of an upbeat vibe.

I did not do room service...just lido deck and dining room. I liked the dining room for breakfast on sea days. The lido was nice because there were the different options to select from...pizza, chinese, sandwiches, hamburgers, etc.

Sadly, my son was sick so we did not go into Cabo, so no suggestion here.

We had so much fun that I am taking my boys again THIS summer. Enjoy!

All of the information on Carnival and on my boarding pass states embarkation between 1-3:30 pm. My parents went in January and they actually boarded at noon (FTF). My boys and I also have FTF and they want to get on as soon as possible. What time did all of you check in and actually board in Long Beach for the Miracle?

I've been giving something extra to the room stewards up front since my second cruise and to me it seems my cabin is well kept, always have ice and they seem to be a little happier. And have given a few bartenders some bucks in advance. Helps when the bar is packed, some times I'll be served quicker.

My family does this, as well. I know they are helpful no matter what, but they go out of their way even more to make the room more pleasant. I am taking my 3 teenage boys on a cruise on the 9th and will be giving the room steward $20 cash the first day with "I apologize ahead of time for the stinky boys in here"...haha. Honestly, it is not a job I would want and feel they enjoy the extra recognition.

I think the teacher in me would have come out. I would have scolded the kid for doing what he did, told him/her how dangerous their actions were and then asked them where their parents were. I would also report it to security/guest services.

That is exactly what I was going to say. I am a teacher and would have gone up to the kid with my teacher voice to voice my displeasure about the disrespect, littering of the ocean, and waste of money. I would have asked to see his sign and sail card and ask for him name. If he did not reply, I would have taken a picture of him and have gone straight to security. That is so not cool!

Because...

1. I am taking my 3 teenage boys on our first vacation...and they are beyond excited to explore and meet the other teens.

2. I have not been on a vacation in over 5 years and am excited to relax, have fun, and meet new people.

3. I want to enjoy every second...and like someone else said...the anticipation is killing me. Smile.

Everyone enjoy our cruise!

I actually did it yesterday. Mine dropped $250...go check. Just make sure it is the same category that you booked. I called Carnival and the man helped me fill out the online form. He said it only works if there are cabins still available in your category. There was 1 left in mine...so I jumped on it and got confirmation 4 hours later!

Keep checking back. I know when I have put them in they are sometimes approved in a matter of hours. Good luck!!!

My price drop was $250...I jumped on it. It was approved and I received via email my new itinerary about 4 hours later. I had paid full deposit, so the price was just adjusted, and I will just pay my final payment in a few weeks. I thought of it like...saves money towards my tips and/or now I will get the Cheers program with the money I saved. Smile.