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I don't believe this is correct. You can technically obtain your S&S card on a "cash" basis, but not deposit anything at the time of embarkation. I believe the amount is a recommendation and that they do not REQUIRE you pay anything. We've traveled before with people who had prepaid tips and never put anything on their S&S accounts.

My experience as well. No cash, no card, until we boarded. 10/26/2014 Magic. Carnival staff told us we had 24 hours after boarding to go to GS, and could use our S&S card until then We only purchased two drinks with our S&S cards before we went to GS, had no problem doing so. An additional comment, glad for the bartenders that they now require guests to pay gratuities with the Cheers program. JMHO. :eek:

My experience is the same as several previous posters. Frequent a couple of bartenders, tip $1 per drink, with little exception my drinks were "over-poured". Still seeing mixed information regarding gratuities with the Cheers program tho. Tips were NOT included on the 10/26/2014 sailing of the Magic. The bartenders I spoke with we're not happy about it. YMMV.

To the OP, did you happen to see Moses, or the Pope? Moses was my DH and the Pope with him was a great photo op! :)

On the Magic a week ago, they had plush Seuss characters and books. Also had Seuss characters to pose with for photos throughout the cruise.

This policy (no drink over $10.00 qualifies) is stated on the Carnival website. It was also told to us at time of purchasing the Cheers package. BTW, we were not allowed to purchase the package until nearly 24 hours after sailing. And gratuities were NOT included. (This was the 10/26/14 Magic sailing - 7 days)

Bar at/near aft pool. My HO. Have fun!

Just off the Magic, debarked 11/02. Cheers price was $49.95 per adult in cabin, per day, GRATUITIES NOT INCLUDED.

Once DH and I presented ourselves together, no bartender refused to serve a drink for each of us when only one was present, as long as we provided both cards and signed both receipts. BTW, we tipped $1 per drink, and voila! Over pouring was the norm. :D

heres a room service tip:

 

we order 1 blt with extra bacon and 1 turkey sandwich with cheese, combine them and boom! turkey club sandwiches. Makes a large sandwich so we split it and order some chips on the side. delish!!!

Yes...but if you only want one sandwich, or more bacon and/or cheese, get them from Lido at breakfast, store in your mini-fridge. Order the turkey sandwich from room service, add your bacon etc. Yummy late night snack! :)

There's one still in Vegas that uses quarters but it's kind of hard to get a cruise ship there. :D

There is a comedian in every crowd! LOL!:D

You are all making me sooo hungry! I'm so going to try that banana split idea in a few days :p

You can also get a banana split in the MDR (it is on the children's menu, available for adults too.). Yum!

I am happy to hear the latest reports about the Magic; she sailed out of Galveston today!

Sorry, should have typed carnival.com... look at FAQs re: beverage and liquor policy. The stated policy for the Cheers program includes info on drinks in souvenir glasses (no) and who in each cabin must purchase if anyone does (everyone 21 and older). Last time I checked, anyway. Lots of other info too Happy cruising, all! :)

Once again, CC comes through! I do believe we will take that beach advice. All replies greatly appreciated.:).

The beach at Roatan is really nice. Not far from the ship.

Thank you! Can you remember the beach's name? Do you know what amenities are available, and if there is a fee to use the beach? Also, are on the beach massages available?

We cruised the Magic in June 2013 and again in August 2014.

 

Nothing new. Even the illusionist was the same guy doing the same show! Might have had a couple new entrees on the MDR menu..not really sure. But no new attractions, activities, etc. They did put new carpet in our hallway during the cruise....

 

Only visited one beach so cannot comment on those in any detail.

 

Watch your Fun Times. On one of the Sea Days they offer a cooking demonstration. You get samples of food they cook in the steakhouse. It meets in the steakhouse. They only do it once and only about 40 people can attend. First come, first serve. On our cruise it started at 1130. We arrived at 1100. It was full and they shut the doors by 1120. Many people were turned away. Lasts about 40 minutes. Well worth it. No charge.

Thanks...might try it!

Hello all,

I will be departing soon on the Carnival Magic...Coz, isla roatan, belize.. Any recommendations for the following will be greatly appreciated:

Prettiest beach at/near each port

What is new on the Magic since 2012?

Best things to do if you stay on ship while in port

This will be my ninth cruise, all on Carnival, but last year we took a land vac (fam reunion), so I am a bit out of touch.

Thanks in advance!

You didnt enjoy AZCruise??? Thats a new one. Did you have a problem or what??

 

... all the hotels have free cruise parking...but no shuttles,...* so it only pays if its a longer cruise, otherwise the taxi fees eat the money it costs to park on Ecstasy.

 

Discount is $5 cheaper usually than EZCruise ... but further away. Its the parking lot across from Howard Johnson's

*Clarification:

Many, or most, but not ALL Galveston hotels offer free cruise parking. And SOME hotels offer shuttles, free or for a fee. Just sayin'. No offense intended, Fire.

Just buy the cheapie wine with the screw-on top and replace that. :p

Why are they called foo foo drinks?

Here ya' go:

Frou-Frou Drink History Guest Author - Lisa Shea

One of the most common sights on a cruise ship is people on the sun decks drinking frou frou cocktails. Just what is a frou frou drink, and where does the name come from?

First, the phrase is frou frou, not foo foo :) This is a French term, not a Chinese one. Those of us who love novels like the Scarlet Pimpernel remember that frou frou was a classic term of frilly finery, and supposedly comes from the soft frou frou noise a woman would make when walking in long silk dresses.

As time went on, the term came to mean anything feminine and frilly. The soldiers that headed over to europe in World War II picked up the slang. At the same time, the end of Prohibition had kicked cocktail creation into high gear, and more new cocktails were being invented daily. Before Prohibition it was shocking for a woman to drink hard liquor - but after women got the vote and helped out in the factories, it became more acceptable for them to have cocktails. Many bars created women's style cocktails, with more of a girly attitude (pretty colors, sweet flavors, pretty decorations) to appeal to those new drinkers. These became known as frou-frou drinkers.

The worlds combined when men actually started liking some of these drinks, and frou frou became a way to tease them about this. "Hey, Machine-Gun Joe, you're not actually drinking one of those frou-frou cocktails, are you?" :)

In modern times, we all like to drink, we all enjoy frou-frou cocktails, and the cruise lines know it! You can barely take 5 steps on a cruise line's deck without being offered the mix of the day, and many cruise ships even offer courses in mixology so you can learn to make these at home for your crew.

Don't forget the highliter to highlite your cruise compass on what you want to do that day.

Lexi

I agree! And for two people traveling together, it is helpful to bring two highlighters, in different colors. Each of you use a different color, for example, pink and yellow. The things you BOTH want to do will be orange. (or blue & yellow = green, or pink & blue = purple.) You get the idea.

Also helpful to bring:

• A battery operated clock. (Ship's power makes clocks run slow.)
  
• A cheap plastic watch. (To bring on beach/water excursions; leave good watch on the ship.)
  
• Shoe holder for the door. (I know it has already mentioned but I wanted to reiterate how useful it can be.)
  
• Indigestion/anti-gas medication. (The Carnival Conquest, at least, did not stock any for sale. Other cruise ships/lines may.)
  
• Hair conditioner. The ship offered only a combination shampoo/conditioner; not enough conditioner in those for me, and the only offered for sale on the ship were ultra pricey spa products. (This is on Carnival ships specifically).

And as I always say, always remember the very most important thing to bring: a positive attitude! :D

I can't help you find the owner. But I wanted to let you know how refreshing it is to see someone making such an effort to do a good deed for a complete stranger. Kudos to you! :D

I would love the recipe for their tomato soup. I think it's actually called "Vine Ripened Cream of Tomato with a Touch of Gin". They had two cookbooks for sale last November on the Conquest, but the recipe was in neither.

Don't forget "Sittin' on the Dock of The Bay", also some of the Beach Boys' stuff would be good.

How about "Rock the Boat (Don't Rock the Boat, Baby)"? If memory serves, this one is by the DeFranco Family? Someone please correct me if I am wrong.

A particular favorite of mine (albeit mellow) is "Dreamboat Annie" by Heart, with its beach/ocean sounds in the background.

I like this thread...keep'em coming, people! :D