tortuga1975

I am just off the Carnival Magic after a wonderful cruise.  We always try to go to the steakhouse as a special treat and this cruise was no different.  Let me just start by saying that overall I had a wonderful dinner there and am happy we went.  This post is part question to see if things have changed, part complaint (a little one) and part heads up to future steakhouse diners so you’re not surprised like I was.

So, I couldn’t help but notice things were decidedly more casual at the steakhouse, and we were even there on second elegant night.  There were no table cloths, other guests were wearing jeans and we were in and out in an hour.  And just for reference, we ordered two starters with our meal, so there were that many plates to go through.

i guess I’ve always expected the steakhouse to be a experience on par with a Ruth’s Chris and this was more like a really nice Outback.  Is this the new normal for the steakhouses on Carnival? 

I think we might be on the same cruise - Carnival Magic?  Half Moon Cay is great.  Take a tender from the ship and big beach is waiting for you.  They do a free grill out lunch too in a picnic area.  

Ive done  beach excursions at Amber Cove and I haven’t been too impressed.  It’s a long drive down bumpy roads and the beach wasn’t great.  I just save my money and hang out at pool.

2 hours ago, lasvegascruising said:

I was waiting at the FLL airport on May 11 to fly home when I started talking two a mother and son who had just finished their Carnival cruise to Cuba that same day and were flying home also.  The mother told me that she had to take her own toilet tissue off the ship to use in the restrooms in Cuba.  I was shocked.  They said it was beautiful but very sad. 

This is true.  We went out for dinner and the restaurant was out of most of the food on their menu.

Does the Sea Day Brunch use the new menu?

Ever since they switched up the desserts and now offer the really nice cakes, I’d have to say that.

I’m thinking of taking a taxi to Governors Beach.  I feel okay about the getting to the beach part of it, but getting back makes me nervous.  Do you make appointment with driver to come get you?  Are there cabs just waiting?

I’m going on my first Journeys Cruise at the end of the month. (9 day on the Valor to Panama Canal). I understand that Journeys cruises have special classes and seminars.  Just to whet my appetite, what types of special classes can I expect?

Oh trust me, you’d know if they were the new desserts!  I was on the Dream in October and they have the new desserts.  They’re java cafe quality cakes.

Im sailing on the Valor in 39 days - yay!  I was wondering if they have the new dessert selections on the Lido yet?

Sailed on her last May for a B2B. Liked the Serenity in the back of the ship. MDR staff was some of the friendliest we’ve ever had. It’s smaller and older, but it has all the upgrades except a steakhouse which I can live without. Tampa was a easy port to sail out of - the YOUR Captain’s Club guy works there and he was fun while we waited. I wouldn’t hesitate to sail her again.

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I've cancelled Carnival insurance before once I purchased it from insuremytrip.com. I just shot my PVP an email and asked her to remove the insurance for me in which she did.

Exactly the answer I wanted to hear. Thank you!

I used to use a travel agent to book my cruises, now I use a PVP. With the cruises that I booked with the TA I didn’t get insurance. With the PVP I do. I have a TA booked cruise coming up in October and given the hurricane situation I thought I should get insurance. I didn’t go through Carnival because I didn’t want to make a phone call. I used a major well known insurance company and for about $20 more tan what I paid for carnival insurance, I got a much better plan.

All of that is background so you know why I ask...has anyone ever canceled their Carnival trip insurance?

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I’m a history buff so I found it amazing and very worthwhile. It’s not “fun” like other cruise ports but fascinating.

Carnival handles the paperwork and visas.

I’m a history buff so I found it amazing and very worthwhile. It’s not “fun” like other cruise ports but fascinating.

Carnival handles the paperwork and visas.

I had an awful time getting off the Paradise last May. Missed my 12:30 flight and had to pay a lot of money to change.

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Update: cancelled FTTF, priority markings remain, saved $70. Thanks Cruise Critic!

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PERFECT. Thank you so much! That's exactly what I needed to see.

I have FTTF purchased for an upcoming cruise. I'm 99% sure my dad (who I room with) is going to turn platinum on the cruise. I was looking at our boarding documents and they have both the FTTF circle and a red box/triangle that says "priority". That's not part of the FTTF, right? I'd like to cancel the FTTF but want to make sure we'll have priority boarding.

(He has 68 VIFP points and we're going on a 7 day cruise, so he *should* turn plat on last day.)

Great review! Thank you! I’m on the Sunshine next year and you’ve convinced me to try JiJis

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Thanks for the heads up!

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Is muster on the Dream inside or outside?

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Wow! That L shape helps a lot! Does your room steward do that or can you just do it on your own?

I'm getting ready to book a B2B on the Sensation. The total time on the ship will be nine days. I’ll be cruising with my dad.

We generally get a balcony on Spirit, Conquest and Dream class ships because we like the extra space with the couch and a balcony is nice.

We just did a B2B on the Paradise and had a window room, because since the balconies were added on, I didn’t think it would be worth it. It was a little tight but ultimately fine. Dad spent a lot of time on the serenity deck with the shaded chairs.

I’m trying to decide what size room to get for this cruise. I’ve priced it out and a balcony is $700 more, an aft balcony is $1000 more and a junior suite (obstructed view) is $1100 more. We’ll be platinum by then and the suite perks don’t matter.

I guess I’m torn between the window room and junior suite, my thinking being if we’re going to upgrade, we might as well go for the suite since that’s a lot more room for little more money than balcony.

What would you do? How obstructed is the obstructed view?

We do late dining because we don’t like to rush back from excursions and we feel like we get two more hours to each day. Plus we can catch sunsets. Our evenings are usually hanging out at bars listening to music so that doesn’t matter when we start.

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I’m a total chicken and me and my 75 year old farmer father did Nachi Cocum and loved it. Trust me, if we can do it, anyone can! Taxis are super nice and easy.

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