xraymomma

Yes, these were all included with the Royal Suite. We also got embroidered pajamas, champagne, two bottles of spirits for the room.

We won our move up bid about two weeks before the sailing but never heard from anyone prior to boarding. The butler met us shortly after we boarded and went over all the amenities and any requests we had.

Appreciate this review. My husband and I are considering giving VV a try.

We didn’t order anything other than the continental breakfast, so I don’t know if we would have been charged for it. All the ads clearly state that room service is included and that the retreat has an expanded room service menu. But the menu in our room had the charges listed on it, so we just didn’t bother.

We had a Sky Suite on the Equinox the week before last and our stateroom attendant told us that the first two bottles of Evian were free but we’d pay for additional bottles if we drank them, and that only continental breakfast was free from room service. I tried to point out that all room service was advertised as being complimentary for retreat guests, but he showed me the room service menu that stated the $9.95 charge for hot breakfast items. We knew there was no butler, and that was fine with us. We basically had the larger room, Luminae, and the retreat lounge we could pop into for a soda or bottle of water without waiting in any lines. Those were the only real amenities and I’m honestly not sure if they’re worth the additional cost.

My husband and I always get completely different offers, and his are usually better even though most of our previous cruises were booked under my VIFP number. We don’t really pay attention to whose card we use when we buy something or gamble in the casino since we’re normally together. Now, I just log into one account at a time to compare and book under the VIFP number with the better offer.

It seems like quality may be ship dependent? We were on the Summit in March and had the most disappointing experience as far as food and dining. We ended up in the buffet for dinner more than once which is something we had never done on a Celebrity cruise. The food was bland, cold, dinner took hours, and the service was awful. We left several times without finishing, and not having gotten drinks we’d ordered. It was obviously a staffing issue and not due to the staff themselves, so I was very clear in my post cruise survey that my disappointment was directed at management for sailing at full capacity without adequate staff. We’ll be on the Apex in a few weeks, so it will be interesting to see the difference.

I had read about the ceramic plate flat irons not working on the Mardi Gras, but mine had shiny metal plates so I figured it would work. Nope. My hair looked ridiculous all week, especially on formal night. 😂😂 The brand was Babyliss and I’ve used it on several ships both before and after the MG. Just don’t want you to be fooled into thinking a non-ceramic will work, because it might not.

Mardi Gras was the only ship that my straightener wouldn’t work on. All the older ships, it and my curling irons all worked. Obviously it didn’t ruin my vacation, but my hair looked ridiculous. Especially on formal night. 😂

We didn’t love the MG either. We were on last December when it was “reduced capacity” and it was painfully understaffed at that time. I spent more time waiting in various lines than I ever have in my life. I can’t imagine what it must be like at full capacity. It was a beautiful ship and the staff were amazing and friendly and hard working. But Carnival just doesn’t have enough staff to provide a good experience.

My favorite part is the seven layer chocolate cake and it’s only served at sea day brunch. I don’t care that much about the rest of the menu, but that cake is ridiculously good.

Same issue here. I put a cabin on hold yesterday but when I tried to complete the booking just not, it’s been canceled and the room is available again online. But I can’t book it because I can’t sign in. Love Celebrity, hate their website.

We noticed it in many places on the Freedom last week. That ship smelled bad enough with whatever sewage issue they have. The weed smell added to it was enough to make me gag in some areas. We’re pretty hesitant about booking Carnival in the future, and we definitely would never sail on that ship again. If people would just smoke everything- weed, tobacco, cigars, whatever- in the smoking sections, that would be so much better. But people were smoking weed and cigarettes in their rooms all over that ship and staff didn’t seem to address it.

We’ve been to both, and enjoyed them both. Margaritaville is within walking distance of the port while BL requires a ferry. BL had lunch included. It wasn’t great, but it was available. Margaritaville has a bar and restaurant- they were pretty pricy and we didn’t try it but people said it was good. Their lazy river and pool were fun and the beach was great. It’s literally right beside the free beach, so if you’re just looking to swim, Junkanoo is right there. Same sand and water. I didn’t realize that when I booked Margaritaville. BL had a nice beach area too. I think you’ll have a good time at either place.

Thank you, this makes me feel better. I never miss that sea day brunch chocolate cake! 😂😂