k.davis817

I wear dresses for every dinner and gowns on both elegant nights. I will even wear a gown if it’s not elegant night (but that’s usually for our usual anniversary dinner at the steakhouse). I don’t get to dress up at home so I tend to do it every night on the ship. Most people don’t dress up for the second elegant night, but I will still wear a gown. One time I was the only one. [emoji51] I didn’t mind though. What can I say I love dresses 🤷[emoji6]

 

 

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That's my kind of cruising! (y)

Do you have any favorite entree you order?

Seaday Brunch: flamin' tomato soup to start, followed by egg benedict, accompanied by a mimosa. YUM.

How do I like the chocolate melting cake? In my belly!

(y)(y)(y)(y)(y)

I found I could take off work and immediately booked a cruise, last minute. The only choices of rooms were a suite and a TBA.... As I anxiously await my assignment, what has been your best experience with this, or your worst? Or would you not try this at all?

I booked an inside guarantee a couple of years ago, and it worked out great for me. I was on Empress, midship. I do remember the old days, though, where you could book an inside guarantee and possibly end up with an OV. Gotta envy ya, being able to pick up and go. Have a great trip!!!

I was wondering something similar. My girls and I have lots of fun this summer going to thrift stores to find formal wear that wouldn't break the bank and we wouldn't feel awful if it got ruined during travels. When I started following posts here, I have been starting to worry if we will be overdressed in our $15 gowns.

Who cares if you're overdressed! :D I do the same thing--thrift shops and eBay are my friends. I work from home and spend 90% of my time in pajamas, sweats or workout clothes, so when I take a cruise I actually enjoy putting on 'real' clothes and like to dress up. Don't care if I'm the only one in a formal. I'm going to enjoy it, take some photos and make some memories. Hope you and your girls do, as well!

And I totally get it: on the last trip I took, one of my $12 formals was soaked in red wine that I was taking onboard. TSA opened my suitcase for inspection and rearranged everything, which caused the bottle to break when it hit the baggage claim. The dress was on top of everything so very little else took the hit. Figured I would toss it in the self-service laundry when I boarded, and if the wash ruined it, oh well. It was potentially ruined anyway and I was only out about $12 plus the cost of the washer. I love that I'm not the only one who enjoys that kind of treasure hunt. ;)

Thank you all! Some of these replies made me giggle but most made me feel better! He definitely doesn't want to wear it, LOL, but his suits just don't fit him right and *I* prefer the uniform. I'm a mean wife. But I really love dressing up!! I just wanted to make sure that it hadn't gone completely out of style...that would be unfortunate!

I love seeing the uniforms on elegant night! I've been on three cruises this year, and saw dress uniforms on each one, along with some formals (including me and my travel companion!). Yes, we're in the minority, but it's MY vacation, and it's what I want to do. I also tend to dress up a little more for dinner in the MDR each evening, because it's what I want to do. Enjoy! And definitely do go to the Military Appreciation Gathering. That's one of the things I look forward to on every trip.

Thanks and gratitude to your husband for serving, and thanks to you as well for supporting him.

I remember the days where they would leave envelopes in the cabin and everyone was scrounging for the correct change to put in each envelope for tips (SS Norway 1981)!!

Believe me, prepaying is a lot easier.

 

 

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I remember those envelopes. Seems like a lifetime ago! ;)

We got a random free upgrade from a balcony to a suite....but that was 15 years ago and havent ever gotten a free one since!

I remember the days of those upgrades! I used to book inside really early and almost always got upgraded to OV by the time we sailed.

You will definitely need to carry on both the wine and the soft drinks. They can be confiscated if left in your suitcase--and we certainly don't want wine confiscated! ;)

I’m cruising solo soon & for the first time I’m staying in an inside cabin with a twin sized bed. Well, semi-inside as it has two porthole windows so I’ll have a little natural light. It’s at the bow of the ship, so I’m preparing for lots of anchor noises.

Any tips for making an inside cabin as comfortable as possible? I spend most of my time sitting in the sun on deck, so I don’t think it will be toooo bad. It’s just a place to sleep, right?

Sigh.

The porthole cabins are now my go-to. I've been cruising solo for a long time and have always gone with an inside in order to keep the cost down. Like others have said, the two portholes let in a lot of light so it's really close to an OV in that respect, and I've never had to close the covers even in rough waters. I've also found that the layout of these cabins is great for a solo trip. Yes, they're a little farther away from a lot of the fun stuff, but I use that additional walking as justification to have an extra dessert or another fruity umbrella cocktail. The anchor dropping or the thrusters don't bother me since I'm usually awake and up by the time we get to port. Just like anything, it's a matter of taste, and I'm sure you'll have a great trip! Bonus: there is a ledge under the portholes that make a great resting place for the towel animal zoo and the ships on a stick! :p

I liked the Bitter & Blanc but once they started offering the Smores Parfait on same night I gave it up!

The way I handle that specific situation: Bitter & Blanc in the dining room, take the Smores Parfait back to my cabin for a midnight snack. ;p

I am booked on the Splendor to Hawaii on 12/1. i've purchases my excursions through Carnival (please no comments), do they have a system to ensure those with Carnival excurstions are tendered in time?

They do. Those with Carnival booked excursions will meet in a specific area and be escorted to the tenders in plenty of time to get to the meeting point.

I've always booked a room as a solo traveler. Recently a friend has decided she wants to cruise and wants to stay in the cabin with me. I added her a couple of weeks ago for a September sailing, and the only expense was addiing the taxes and port charges for one additional person. No problem at all!

Thanks for following along!... I was beginning to think I was doing a Live Review to myself :o.. Yes, this will be my 14th Solo cruise (6 on Carnival and 8 on Norwegian)

(y) to another solo cruiser! I've been cruising solo since the mid 80s and LOVE it!

The Ecstasy holds a special place in my heart. :) I sailed on this one several times when it was one of the newest in the fleet!

I must be a deep sleeper. I've been in 1206 on the Triumph twice, and I never heard the anchor drop.

I will be in 1205 on the Triumph next year! :)

The Special Needs team for Carnival is WONDERFUL. My dad needs a wheelchair for going distances of anything more than a few feet, and the cruise I took him on last fall was the first time traveling with his limited mobility. I had a ton of questions, and the Special Needs team walked me through everything, step by step. The muster drill with his "special need" was the easiest I'd ever done.

I almost always cruise solo, and I book the interior porthole whenever possible. I can see some of the port, get plenty of natural light, and get these advantages without the cost of the OV cabins. I love the movement in the front of the ship so that doesn't bother me, and I'm always awake before the anchor drops so it doesn't wake me up. LOVE the oxymoron of the interior porthole!

Basically, to cruise solo its best to look on the shoulder seasons when doubling a low rate isn't that bad. Instead of $2,000 in June -the same room might be $1200 in August the week the kids go back to school-much more reasonable-PLUS you get a BIGGER Bed all by yourself. HaHa!

 

Plus generally there will be more singles since families with kids are back in school

This is exactly what I do. Not only does it help with the single supplement cost, it makes me look like a team player to my employer since I'm willing to wait until all of my coworkers have had a chance to vacation with their families! ;p I have gotten to the point of actually preferring solo cruising.

Another solo cruiser chiming in, here. I started cruising solo in the late 80s (dang that makes me OLD!) and have never had any problems at all. In fact, the majority of my trips have been by myself. Carnival used to have an option for solo cruisers where they would match you up based on sex and approximate age but I believe they stopped that quite a while back. I'm sure you'll have a great time! Step a little outside your comfort zone, and then bask in being strong enough and independent enough to do something like this! HAVE FUN!