Rinalouise

The spirit is great for kids especially those tweens and teens who are “too cool for clubs”. She’s had some TLC given to her after drydock in May 2018 including a bigger arcade and a teens hang out lounge. Unfortunately reviews for her are few and far between however I am going on the spirt in November and will be doing a review.

Compared to the pacific dawn I feel the Spirit blows it out of the water. My first two cruises were the Dawn and Jewel and then made the jump to Carnival. I felt once you go carnival you don’t come back... As for weather the first week or two of September you may get what we call the Ekka winds which are cold winds that come in mid August (our royal show aka the Ekka is in mid August) to mid September. As soon as you get out of Brisbane though they are gone. Also keep in mind of school holidays in late September will bring more kids to the cruise (which in turn brings more friends for the kids...).

Hope this helps! [emoji4]

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See if you can get a after cruise shuttle to the airport and pick up a car there. You would have more options of brands like europcar Avis budget redspot etc. plus you just get in the car go over the gateway bridge and you are on the Pacific Motorway and on your way to the GC. But that is just my lob sided thinking as a local... 🤷🏼*♀️

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When I used to work at big w last year we had heaps of cruise folk buy the big w cubes. I’ve never use them my self as I just roll my clothes but the must be good...

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Yeah, nah. :-)

 

Some do, but given that they aren't able to book in some cases (have to be over 21) and can be fairly costly, so not a good value option compared to alternatives (even if not for themselves but friends they would go with), not generally a popular option for that group.

Thank god for that... I was sweating profusely there for a second... that probably explains when we did a fake booking online it kept asking about the age of all in the cabin (if they were over 19).

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Hasbro games mostly... Connect4 Battleship Monopoly Scrabble (I think) and I remember some game called candy land (I’m an Aussie I’ve never heard of it!). They were on the Legend and Spirit in the Card Room (Especially now there is no library [that I know of... the floor plans say it was replaced by an arcade during last dry dock] on the spirit).

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I just realized the carnival cruise we booked in November falls around the start of Schoolies for Queensland. Are Cruise Ships popular for Schoolies? I know some of the hot spots when I graduated some mere 10 years ago were like Gold Coast and overseas places like Bali but do they go for cruise ships now too?

Cheers!

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Hi RinaLouise

 

Can I ask where you found the new deck plans?

Just searching on the Carnival AU site for menus I for some reason typed in PDF and all the menus and brochures came up... here is the link to the 2020 brochure

https://www.carnival.com.au/~/media/CCLAU/pdf/brochure/2018-2020-Carnival-Brochure.pdf

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I will be on her in November and I intend to do another review because I had some questions about some of the the new features and got blank looks from most people I asked... the Aussie ships don’t get much love but would really like to change that!

As for the spirit doing Alaska I have read it will be doing the current legend routes as the legend is being based out of Tampa. I know in late 2020 the spirit is doing Honolulu to Brisbane Queensland Australia (My home port! Yay [emoji3]) then become based out of Brisbane from Late 2020.

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Was looking at the deck plans for the spirit to see what has changed since she went into dry dock in May this year and I have noticed a few things...

1: The library and Chapel have been replaced with the Warehouse Arcade.

2: the place on deck 3 aft where they normally do the art auctions/viewings has been replaced with SoulPlay (A first for any Carnival ship that I’m aware of) an Adults arts and crafts area. Was trialed on the Legend and Spirit as Creative Cove last time I was on board in 2017. Also don’t know if this means Park West isn’t associated with Carnival anymore... I hope so I hate their spam flyers every day just cause you turned up for a free glass of champagne!

3: A new area where the arcade was next to one of the kids clubs on deck 4 called The Cove. We’ve tried googling about the Cove and can’t find anything about it. I think it is the new home of the library my Brother thinks it’s an extension to the kids club.

I’ll attach the floor plans before and after and you guys be the judge... or if you can answer what the Cove is on deck 4 that would be awesome!

Before May 2018:

After May 2018:

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Hi all! can anyone on the carnival dream pretty please let me know if they have non-alcohlic wine and champagne? I don't mean the sparkling cider, but actual "alcohol removed" or "non-alcoholic" wines.

 

 

 

thank you!

Hi

I put the question to Carnivals brand ambassador John Heald on Facebook about why carnival doesn’t stock Non Alcoholic Wines/champagne as I myself can’t drink alcohol due to my medications. He said he will take the suggestion up to the higher ups. He also said some Carnival ships also stock Non Alcoholic Beer.

Hope this helps.

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Hi can you add the following for me pls:

19/11/2018 Carnival Spirit 10 night New Caledonia and Vanuatu

Cheers!

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Perhaps the 3rd is a jackpot in the casino during the cruise?

That would be awesome!

Congrats! I hope you will enjoy. I had extended balcony on Soirit a few years back. It was awesome!!!

 

I am planning weightloss surgery (sleeve gastrectomy) in a couple months. It is exciting to see someone post surgery excited about cruising! I love cruising but one of the things I love is the food! I was hoping the surgery wouldn't take away from cruise enjoyment!! I'm assuming you recommend the surgery?

 

Have a great vacation!

Yes I recommend the surgery. I will admit I still have a long way to go as pre surgery in April I was 600lbs (275 kgs) so for me to lose 100lbs (75 kgs) in 4 months is nothing short of remarkable. I am a lover of food... I will admit on my last cruise I would pile my plates really high! However with the right education and support team behind you pre and post surgery you learn what your body needs and wants as well as how to make your way around a buffet or a social dining setting like the MDR. It may look like you are picky but it’s what you need to survive now I guess. If anything losing weight has made me more excited to experience things I don’t normally do on cruises like visiting the disco or going swimming.

Hi

 

 

 

I was going to suggest playing bingo and you might win a free cruise. :)

 

 

 

have a great cruise

Man I wish they did this on the Aussie Cruises! Last game of bingo is usually worth $1000 to $5000 depending on how many players they get! Now that would be hitting the jackpot!

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So a week ago a booked a cruise for November this year on the Spirit. It’s a celebration cruise for me as I will be 5 months post operation after having weight loss surgery and having already lost since April 2018-September 2018 75kgs (over 100lbs for those in imperial) I felt the need to show off my slimmer figure! I am also excited to see some of the new features they have added to the spirit since dry dock in May mostly the SoulPlay area (Like Cork and Chroma/ drunk art classes at sea).

The room was a bargain to begin with as I got a balcony obstructed view room for half price at $900AUD each for 10 nights. We thought we’d push our luck to see if FTTF was still available 90 days out from the cruise and this is where our luck begins. FTTF was not sold out (we think this is because not many Aussies know about FTTF) so this is our last cruise before we go from Gold VIFP to the next level and jumped on FTTF bandwagon to see what fuss is about.

So with a room with obstructed views I was expecting to wake up with a view of a life boat every day (which doesn’t bother me because hello I’m on vacation... I could have a picture of cow as my window and I’d be happy!). Well this morning I woke up to some awesome news from my Travel Agent that we have had a visit from the upgrade fairy overnight and have been moved from deck 4/5 to an extended balcony on deck 8 midship. Those cabins are are normally worth $2000 AUD each and we got them for $900AUD each!

So I’m very happy about this news however I do believe things like this happen in threes... wonder what the third thing is... time will tell I guess!

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I’m not from Sydney but I know for a fact you’ll pay an arm and a leg for parking in the city. Not to mention George Street (one of the major streets in the CBD) mostly shut due to the construction of the Light Rail Line. First and foremost I’d make my way to central station and drop your bags at the SmarteCarte outlet at the concourse. I think it’s about $20 for half a day for two bags and it’s very secure. Then I would jump onto the light rail to Haymarket. There is a market called paddy’s right opposite the station and sells souvenirs and other “market” wares (think like a swap meet with clothes and mobile phone cases) the market opens early on a weekend and you can have breakfast upstairs in the food court. Haymarket is China town as well so have a little walk around there too. Now from here you can jump back on the light rail to go back to central station or you can continue to pyrmont (to visit the fish markets for lunch) or Darling Harbor for a stroll around and lunch at darling harbor. Personally I’d do the fish markets. If you plan it right you will get to the ship by 2pm. Hope this helps!

Safe travels!

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Is it Coke or Pepsi aboard Carnival please?

 

A friend suggested Carnival when I was complaining about the apparent price of a Princess Cruise almost doubling for me0and I have only seen the pricing online and I do have trouble reading the screen so might be wrong. Pepsi has startled me with a sudden LOUD belch happening without warning, so I learnt not to drink Pepsi as it happens EVERY time I try it!

 

Someone advised of the 13 can limit for bringing your own cans, I plan to bring some for the stateroom.

 

Hoping to sail on the Legend out of Melbourne.

 

Does anyone know the price range for the Seafood Bar please? I know it's pay to eat venue, but I DO like a nice plate of fish and chips!

Good news it’s coke & coke brands on board. As for the seafood bar the cheapest thing was $5-$7 for a New England Chowder served in a bread bowl.

They have a seafood platter for $13 as well. Most of the stuff is that is cooked is under 20$. Average price was about $10-$13 dollars. Obviously buying fresh prawns oysters or lobster will be at market value.

Attached is the clam chowder and the seafood platter to enjoy [emoji6]

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From memory you can buy cans (200mls) and bottles (1L) Of Perrier (that fancy shmancy stuff) from the cafe on deck 2 forward. The cans were like $3 and the bottle was $6 I think. If you can hold off until your first port of call Noumea buy a few bottles of soda water from the casino supermaché just opposite the info center. When we did our Transpacifics on the Legend we stocked up there on nibbles chips lollies (Cheap Haribo gummies [emoji18]) and big bottles of water (best brand is volvic). They didn’t stop us bringing it on board. You can also buy French wine but you’ll lose that until Honolulu. Just don’t buy Aussie brand Foods from the shop (they sell timtams and arnotts biscuits at inflated prices). Hope this helps!

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This sounds great! So to clarify, you always get to pick your songs, or no?

When you audition you don’t get to pick the songs. Same goes with the atrium/Lido battle these are pre arranged.

The main event is when you get to pick. So I got to pick from about 200 songs for round one there is tons of different genres to pick from so there is bound to be a song you’ll know. Each song in round 1 goes for 1 min 30 seconds up to 2 mins so it’s the best part of the song/the parts everyone knows. For round 2 (the show stopper) the ladies have 3 songs to pick from (it’s raining men, I will survive, bad romance) and the men have 3 songs (here I go again on my own, “yeah” and proud Mary). The reason why there is so little to choose from in round 2 is because these are pre choreographed to mimic the performances from the show.

Hope this helps! [emoji16]

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Not much in the way of choice here... we’ve got the spirit or the Legend... if you asked me this time last year I would have said Legend as I hadn’t been on the spirit. Now I have the spirit wins... that is until the Legend goes to dry dock on May 1st and gets a well deserved make over... oh and then we get the splendor in Late 2019. Ask me in 2020 & I think I may say the splendor... only because it’s like a new play thing for us Aussie carnival fans.

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The only parties we’ve ever had onboard were 80’s rock n glow/Feel the Glow Party, Mexican Fiesta, island night (ours was a Hawaiian theme but I have heard some can be a Caribbean theme. This normally matches the food in the MDR e.g. Caribbean Jerk Chicken and a Caribbean theme or Luau Pulled Pork for a Hawaiian theme) and a Neptune/Toga Party (only if you cross the equator). Never had a Blanco/white deck party on carnival (That’s a P&O thing) unless it’s in the nightclubs.

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I did on my Christmas cruise. Mostly because the temps on the islands were 30-35°c plus awful humidity. One island I’ll always skip because I can’t swim well (or snorkel for that matter) is Mare. Honestly I didn’t mind staying on the ship in aircon. No queues for buffet food nobody in pools or spa baths hardly anyone at trivia contests and nobody in the arcades! It also gave me the opportunity to find a quite open space to work on my choreography for my Lip Sync Battle.

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So I have uploaded my round two onto YouTube as well... I’m still working out the kinks to try to upload the other guys performances as well...

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Wow! Great story and an experience you'll remember always. I'm really glad they are doing something like this now, rather than the Legends karaoke show. It give more people an opportunity to step out of their shell and do something like this.

 

 

 

I was in the Legends show a few years ago (I was a very very white James Brown) on the Valor and experienced a lot of what you did. We certainly didn't get all the freebies you did though lol. A group photo at the end was it for us. But, just being able to see what goes on behind the scenes and to be on stage and perform in front of your fellow shipmates....well, it was certainly something I will never forget.

 

 

 

We all need to feel like rock stars every once in awhile.

I remember my first ever Carnival Cruise we had the “Ships Company Concert” we had Cooks Cleaners Bar Staff even the Captain come up and do a talent then 3 or 4 guests came up. One sang one did a spoken word thing one juggled then the fourth one will always stick with me she got on stage and played the recorder with her nose... she actually won it from memory!

I remember I did the dress rehearsal and I got a mini tour backstage. I was in awe spotting out things from shows I’ve seen onboard like “That’s the wig from studio vip” or “that’s the big fluffy jackets from motor city”. Then looking up on the stage and seeing the sets from all the shows you just get that awe inspiring feeling all over.

The whole LSB thing I feel is a better way to end the cruise because you’ve got not just the performers and the guests but you also have the little kiddies from the camps and clubs onboard getting to have their 15 mins of fame which is awesome!

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Sounds like fun! I looked for you on You Tube, didn’t find you but enjoyed watching a few others.

Hi Zoey,

I just uploaded part 1 to YouTube you can view it here if YouTube haven’t taken it down for copyright issues first!

Cheers, Rina

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Hi there my name is Renee but most call me Rina. December 16th 2017 I boarded the Carnival Legend for my first ever Christmas cruise. Little did I know when I boarded the ship that I would leave 11 days later as the talk of the cruise and be a rockstar.

I had heard that the Lip Sync Battle was brought onto the Legend during the Transpacific from Hawaii back in October. I’ve seen the show on tv with people like The Rock and Anne Hathaway. I always thought someone like me (A bit of extra baggage & Two left feet) never belonged on a stage but I’ve always wanted to give it a go.

On sea day 1 we have the mixologist contest. On my last cruise I won the the mixologist competition so I entered with the exact same drink that won last time. I didn’t get picked which in hindsight I am kind of glad because there was better things on the horizon.

Sea day 2 is the Lip Sync Battle (which I’ll refer to from here on as just LSB) Open Auditions. To start we had 4 men and 6 Women. The 4 men made it through round 1 automatically and we had to bring the women down to 4 as well. Our first challenge was find stuff from the audience and strut our stuff down a catwalk. With a bit of booty shaking and sheer dumb luck I made it to round two. Round two was a “show us your best dance moves” comp. As I said before I am the proud owner of 2 left feet. So I got up there with every cheesy dance move in the book... the sprinkler the shopping cart the lawn mower and the crowd loved it. Round three came along and we had to Lip Sync to a song. The other lady I was competing against was given the song Locomotion (the version by Kylie Minogue) and didn’t know the song so she kinda forfeited her chance. My song I was lucky to get Single Ladies by Beyoncé. Everyone knows the words and the dance to that song so I blew it out of the water and won for the ladies.

Three hours later we were ushered into the piano bar for what could only be described as the feeling of watching a pyramid scheme presentation. We were crowded around a laptop and watched a presentation on what we just got ourselves into. After this we were given a black duffel bag with an iPod and charger as well as lyric books for our Lido Battle and Round 1 &2 Of the main event. We had to sign a waiver saying if we didn’t give these back at the end of the cruise we would be charged $200. This bag by the way I humbly named “The Football”.

We had 5 days between the open auditions and the Lido Mini Battle (on bigger ships it’s the Atrium Mini Battle but because our atrium was taken up with a massive Christmas tree they moved it to the Lido deck on the same night as the Mexican Deck Party). Every day I would come back to my cabin at night with a surprise from our producer Max. First night was a 24 Carat Gold made in Taiwan plastic ship on a stick and a bottle of Walmart champagne (still good stuff if your watching every penny on board... how can you say no to free booze?). The next night was a plate of strawberries then a plate of cookies and then brownies then another bottle of champagne. All of which had little pep notes on it. Truth be told by the end of it I was hoping for a free meal at bonsai sushi the way I was getting treats in my cabin every night from Max. It was like I had an admirer on board who just wanted to give me sweet treats and booze every night. Again how can one complain... IT WAS FREE!

We got to the night of the Lido Battle and were told we have to get our photos done for the video package they play before round two. It’s kinda like a “let’s see how far we’ve come” slide show. I was given props to work with like a dumbbell and a snake just all cliche things you’d find in a dress up box. The photos came out great. By the way I should mention just for getting this far we were given a USB Drive with $800 worth of professional pictures on it as well as a signed photo with all the cast. So I payed nothing for my photos on a cruise... can’t complain again! We also had to hand in our “getting to know you” sheets. These just had basic questions like where are you from who are you traveling with tell us one quirky fact about your self... etc you know the drill. We also had to give our song choices for the main event as well. More about those in a second.

We went up for our Lido Battle and the we had to Lip Sync a medley of songs:

Smooth Criminal

Wannabe

Fresh Price of Bel Air theme

Crazy in Love

The whole thing went for 4 mins. The winner chose who got to go first in the main event. I would have won but I had an asthma attack an hour before I went on. I was still out of breath after it so I couldn’t really move the way I wanted to.

Fast forward 3 days to the main event. We wake up early as we have an interview on the morning show with Jen the cruise director. Then I go and have a costume fitting. I had an allergic reaction to the right costume so I asked if I could wear something of my own and they said that was ok. We then go for a dress rehearsal. For round 1 you have 200 songs to choose from. Anything from rap pop country disco hip hop one hit wonders etc. My song was Right Said Fred’s song “I’m too sexy”. For round 2 the ladies have 3 songs to pick from as do the men... they are:

I will survive

It’s raining men (Weather Girls version)

Bad Romance

Here I go again on my own

Yeah (Usher)

Proud Mary (Ike and Tina Version)

I chose “It’s raining Men” because the thought of semi naked men dancing around me sold it. The other song that was picked was Proud Mary. I’m not going to spoil the whole thing but if you look on YouTube or Facebook you may find it.

The main event and the controversy:

So the main event comes around and I lip sync my heart out of both songs. The other guy apparently (I say apparently as I couldn’t see but I have seen videos of his performances and they actually match what most of the people have said to me) didn’t even Lip Sync any of his songs and focused more on his dancing. After it all I went back to the dressing rooms where I was greeted by most of the dancers as well as Jen Max and Pablo congratulating me on a great job and how I blew it out of the water. Unfortunately it was judged by the crowd and not by the crew if it was judged by the crew the results may have been different.

Now I have to say this... I feel I wasn’t robbed or duped out of winning. How can I say that? I just had the opportunity to perform with a multimillion dollar Stage production with world class dancers in front of 2000 people. That right there is a dream come true. What I did was for us bigger people and those who felt they never fitted the “cookie cutter” mold of being a performer. For once in my life I felt like a woman...

The after math:

We arrived back to Sydney the next morning and as I’m waiting for my shuttle I get stopped by 20 people asking for photos and my number all that Jazz. People thanking me giving me hugs telling me I’m an inspiration. I made my way to the airport to catch my flight back to Brisbane (an hour and a half north of Sydney) and even at the airport I got stopped by people who were on our cruise. To think I am an inspiration or I have changed someone really means a lot to me...

If you have anything you wish to ask about it all please let me know...

Happy new year and seasons greetings!

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I use budget direct travel insurance. The quality is great for the price and hardly anyone knows that Budget Direct does travel insurance.

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