Joebucks

Congrats on reaching your 50th. It's crazy how much cruising has changed since the first one huh? It's refreshing to see people like you who can appreciate the good times cruising has to offer vs harping on every little detail that isn't 5-star luxury. I was on her last week, and miss the ship. Have fun!

Ask your kid what their favorite soda is and buy them a 12 pack of it at the port.

I personally don't understand the desire for porthole rooms. While I like a view of the ocean, a closeup window of it doesn't do justice. Also, being at the bottom of the ship is not an ideal location, and eliminates the practicality of stairs. Normally, I would choose an interior. The price, darkness, and location is great. However, my last two cruises, I did a balcony because I received a good upgrade offer. Still never used it enough. I can easily think of 10 things off of the top of my head that are more enjoyable about cruising than the cabin type. I don't want to spend my cruise in there.

Dear Lisa, Please disregard the billions in crippling shutdown debt, labor shortage, and surging cost of all goods. I booked this trip specifically to eat all of the expensive lobster I wanted. I refuse to pay for it as you specifically advertise it no where. If you do not immediately change back, I will be taking my business to the numerous free lobster options. My loyalty is far more important than being financially solvent. Signed, your best customer

My $5,000 vacation is ruined because I can't have something delivered for $12.

Am I missing something? You posted the policy that says you can bring wine.

Last year cruised out of LA in January. LA was 50 degrees. First and last sea days were 60s and windy. Every other day was 75-85. Cruised out of Miami last week. Miami was 75 degrees. Last sea day was 60s and windy. Debarkation day was 45. Every other day was 75-85. It is a crap shoot. Chances are higher that night everyday will be harm. However, the majority of days have been warm. Down in the Caribbean is usually nice.

People will always tell you how they are stronger than marketing. Maybe some are. However, marketing can prove otherwise. Some people get hooked on a "sale." Some people are just reminded to book one. Even if it's subconsciously.

I was on the Carnival Celebration last week, and this was far from the case. Sounds like whatever was going on, threw everything off. No need for a bunch of people to start worrying now.

This was our first cruise in an Excel class. We have now done every Carnival class except for Spirit. I can say so far, Excel class is my favorite. (I know some will say that's because I haven't tried Spirit). I like having tons of options. It outweighs the cons for me. I was initially interested in booking a Royal Caribbean cruise. Then Carnival got us a cheap cruise offer. Then a balcony upgrade. We ended up paying $1250 total for a balcony for seven days on the Celebration. I couldn't say no. Food MDR - We were originally going to try the other included restaurants. However, we stuck to the MDR last minute. We've traditionally enjoyed it, and the early dining time. Overall, the food was very good. The service seemed a little off. There was only one night that took longer than an hour. However, the staff seemed agitated and weren't their friendly selves. We booked the 6 pm early dining. For some reason, sometimes dinner was at 5, sometimes 5:30. Never 6. It was a little earlier than we expected. However, we almost always needed the extra time later in the night. Here are the entrees I remember having - Chicken parm (Cucina meal offered in the mdr. This was the reason I was going to go to Cucina, but didn't need to) - Wienerschnitzel - Filet mignon (best thing I ate on the cruise. Best steak I've eaten anywhere in a long time. Even compared to overpriced steakhouses) - Cheese and spinach stuffed chicken with terragon sauce - Lobster and prime rib. (Can't go wrong. Lobster was tiny, but prime rib was large and perfect) - Jerk pork loin (the weakest entre I had. Sad I sacrified the short rib for it) Other food notables - Shaq's is a welcome addition. The lunch sandwiches are outstanding. Something I would pay $15 for at a restaurant. - I got the muffaletta at Emeril's. Disappointed as it was heavy on bread and light on the rest. - Went to Bonsai sushi for sushi one night and ramen another. Quite enjoyable and reasonably priced. This replaced where we would normally get late-night lido snacks. - Steakhouse wasn't even a consideration due to the high price/lack of value to us. We don't mind paying a la carte to bonsai and whatnot. $48 for this is outrageous. - Strip loin steak seemed a lot better this time. Had it for brunch. - I have never seen such a fast pizza line. From my previous Carnival pizza experience, I DREADED going to that line. It was always over in a few minutes. Bravo. I think they always had at least five people working it. Pros of the ship - There is almost always something going on between main theater, punchliner, limelight, and atrium. Felt very lively. - Serenity was very large. Plenty of chairs. - Plenty of pool areas. - The atrium is a very cool place to be - Red Frog rum bar is awesome. Has TVs too if you want to watch sports games outside on lido. - Casino bar is back. Not as awesome as previous ones, but certainly better than what they did to vista. - Lots of new bars. I was thrilled to get a Sazerac at the latitudes. It was excellent. - I'm not a Cheers person, but I noticed lots of Blanton's bottles. Usually, you're lucky to spot one at the steakhouse. - Loved the seating in the sports bar. Really cool place to watch a game (if you could grab a seat). Cons of the ship - The atrium needs to rethink seating space. The seating fills up really fast, and some views are awkward. - I continue to hate Limelight lounge. Too small and very uninspiring as a nightclub. See Virgin Voyages. - Removal of BlueIguana Bar. I only buy so many cocktails on the ship. The loss of Blue's Patron margarita was felt. - Lido is far too small. Since there are more pools and more zones, people can disperse. However, people still want to gravitate towards the lido as there is more action there. - Elevators. I actually liked the type on Panorama last year. Where you waited for your letter, and then you went straight to your floor. With 18 floors, you were extremely likely to hit 4+ floors on each trip. Too many scooters too. Other notables - The Carnival stage show got canceled due to injury. It was to be on four times. It was one and done. - While the comedy venues continue to be small, this was different. Often, multiple shows going on at once (between punchliner and limelight). Sometimes the main theater. Most shows are repeated 3-4 times. Definitely a better experience than other ships have been. - There is so much going on and so much to eat that I never really felt like I was going through "cutbacks." The exception is the late-night snacks being cut. That was a silly move with quite a few complainers. - I don't gamble. However, we would walk through it. I have never seen such a busy casino in my life. It was large. At any given time, 90% of the seats were filled. - First time I've seen two love and marriages. All in all, it was a fantastic trip. We had a great time. All of this for $1250 is still an unparalleled value. Tempted to book a Mardi Gras or Jubilee cruise.

The Celebration was quite large. I have never seen such a busy casino in my entire life. 90% of the seats were seemingly filling at all times.

Show up to the festivale restaurant between 1-3. Boris will be there. He was very helpful

It works both ways. Neither old nor new have been tested in the face of true emergency. I don't think it's unreasonable to say the more personalized, clearly communicated, new method has some benefits.

I hope this brings the price down too. What is it now, $12 a day for social internet? Ugh.

The port of Miami just keeps getting more and bigger ships. They need to build some kind of monorail or other solution for the long-term.

If it wasn't for the shutdown, I don't believe they would ever had have a chance. Their product is going to have a tough time winning especially in the American market. However, since the other lines were unfairly shut down and the shipping container business wasn't, who knows what happens next. Maybe they end up purchasing another company?

I was also on this cruise. Will be posting a review soon.

Drinks looked to be the same price to me. Most Alchemy drinks were around $11.50

I think someone played a cruel joke on me. I had half as much meat, and the top bread was twice as high.

Legend has it the Central Grocer invented muffuletta. Whenever I go to New Orleans, I stop and get one. That first picture is unrecognizable. However, judging by the pic of the Carnival one, that looks up there in quality.

To be fair, it was the same way before the shutdown too.

I wish all of them were this way. I went to Jijis for lunch last year, it was identical to Mongolian Wok. The difference was you sat down and filled out the bubble menu vs standing in a line.

St Maarten is a beautiful place. I don't think I've ever sat in as much traffic on an island as I did there.

Is this the one from the ship?!

Not sure if this helps, but my next trip to Cozumel, I really want to do that bar crawl.