ninjacat123

On 4/8/2024 at 5:41 PM, ninjacat123 said:

I participate in a Holiday Cookie Exchange with my book club and I made chocolate cookies using canned shredded beets.  They won most original cookie.  I walked away with a fistful of dollars. I still thought there was an essence of dirt but some people like dirt, if it's mixed up with enough chocolate😉

2 minutes ago, Jeafl said:

And Matcha.  It tastes like dirt as well.

And for another Holiday Cookie Exchange I made Matcha cookies.  Won most original cookie as well. Amazing what people will eat!😉

2 hours ago, Frank12 said:

I wouldn't say smokier.  It's just incredibly smooth. Definitely prefer Blantons over Woodford and Buffalo Trace.  I haven't been able to find a bottle on land for the past few years. The only time I get it is on a cruise....which is probably a good thing! 😜

When I'm on a cruise is usually the few times I drink bourbon, like in a Caribbean Manhattan😻I'll need to ask if the mixologist can use Blanton's👍

What's the difference between Blanton's and my current fav Woodford Reserve?  Smokier? Just curious on what you all think.  Yes, I will try it on my next cruise in September😉

If DH and I embark out of Norfolk this September, we will drive day of (since it's a 6 hour drive instead of an 8 hour drive) and use the money we will be saving not staying in a hotel the night before on CHEERS (since we can't use CHEERS the first day out of Norfolk).  Hey, at least my cruise wasn't canceled 👍😺

I think the beaches and water in the Caribbean are warmer, clearer and cleaner than the waters off of Mazatlán or Puerto Vallarta. Given the choice, I would be packing the kids on a plane so they could experience swimming in the Caribbean.

Speaking of kids, make sure you and the kids go to the first meet and greet for the kids club.  It truly helps in establishing friends there and makes the time while at the club more fun for them (and you if you want a little mommy and daddy time) as they make buddies.

I'm torn between embarking from Miami or PC.  7 days on a cruise is better than 6, but I'm a big fan of PC and that itinerary on Vista is beachtastic! 

Whatever you decide, I hope you have a wonderful cruise!!

8 minutes ago, bmraar said:

One cruise director I had talked about it some in a Q&A.  He said personality is part of the decision.  This particular CD had a lot of energy, he said he would likely never be assigned to an Alaskan cruise or Europe, he likely would stay in the Caribbean because his personality was not a fit for the typical population of a cruise for that itinerary.

I could see this!  Our Europe cruise last October on Pride was fun in a more quiet, less "party, party, party" way.  When we cruise the Caribbean I expect more volume, energy and "party"!

11 minutes ago, Anyislandwilldo said:

Going on the Venezia in November for 20 days!!  No launderettes on this ship.  I am platinum but afraid to send my laundry out.  At home I wash everything in cold water so I'm afraid they will shrink my clothes.  For those that send out laundry, do you normally wash at home in hot water?  I'm ok with sending out underwear and socks but not shirts or pants.

My DH sends out t shirts and walking shorts.  He has been happy with the results but I don't send mine out in case of shrinkage/damage.  If I get a mark on my clothes I try a damp white face cloth with hand soap to spot treat it and let it dry. Workout clothes could be sent to laundry since it's all spandex and could stretch over my ever expanding body😉

15 minutes ago, mz-s said:

 

I think they're going to be prioritizing industrial uses for the limited access channel. They won't be allowing cruise ships through until the process is complete. That's my sense of that quote anyway.

I was hoping that the article was just giving size of ship perimeters but it may be just tractors and cars for now.😬

3 minutes ago, Jamman54 said:

No, Precious is not her real name,  but that's what we'll call her until we learn her true identity. 

 

Jendra and Katherine are the bartenders working in Havana this morning. Keshore said he is working at Tides and the MDR this week.😎

All I could think of was this...😉🤣

1 minute ago, Crusin Karen said:

Anyone ordered the $23 surf and turf in MDR? My past 2 cruises and next 2 are 10/11 days. I book steakhouse 1st night really for the free wine! On my recent Venezia cruise the lobster in MDR on elegant night was actually better than the steakhouse lobster. Got me thinking: since free wine is only the first night, maybe I’ll order the surf and turf in MDR and “save” $27. Opinions? 

I agree that the lobster can be a little hit and miss in the Steakhouse. DH and I were on Pride this past October and found the lobster to be overcooked and the filet chewy (first night on cruise). Second night (elegant) the MDR lobster was better.  I have never ordered the surf and turf for the upcharge in the MDR.  Having said all that, our Steakhouse dinner on Freedom this January was one of the best Steakhouse dinners we have ever had, and I had the lobster.  Hmmmm, maybe I'll try the MDR upcharge next cruise...let us know how it works out for you if you try it! 😺

Interesting question @angelsfort! I have not chatted with the CD when on a cruise but this would also make me curious about the selection of staff (Alchemy Bar, entertainment, etc.) for the smaller, older ships as opposed to the Excel-type ships. Thanks for bringing this topic up!👍

I bring a laundry zip up bag for underwear/socks/ workout wear when I send it out for laundry. I use it at home so why not on a cruise.

3 hours ago, Knights on the Beach said:

So we spent some quality time with Jeff and Patti at Red Frog Pub. When we noticed we were moving, we parted ways and Mark and I somehow ended up in the pizza line. Twice. 🤷 Then moved over to Tides bar. No Keshore. We were ignored for about 30 minutes but we entertained ourselves talking to some 21 y/o kids. Finally got drinks and made some new friends, a 20 something guy and his dad. Then hit the deli. Oh Lordy, Precious still works there. 🤦

Precious is really the deli person’s name?😳

31 minutes ago, beshears said:

I appreciate the postings here, but we WANT to do a cruise, and we may NOT be going to see a plantation after all. It was just my thinking from years ago. 😞

Your original post was this past Thursday, correct?

1 hour ago, sunshower9 said:

That's crazy that you still had an unpleasant interaction with the deli lady. She really did seem to be in a much better mood when I ate there yesterday. Just goes to show how different people can have entirely different experiences on the same cruise.

Maybe you had the other deli lady? Pirate mentioned there were two at one point.

2 hours ago, Frank12 said:

Isn't it nice living an hour away from PC?😜

Someday.....😺

34 minutes ago, SDPadreFan said:

And yes, I also happen to enjoy canned, cooked beets too. I have a couple of cans in my pantry right now. Not as crazy about cold ones, but my wife likes them cold on her salad.

Thems be fightin words!!😉🤣 Everyone in my family likes beets, I'm the only sane one.😸

5 minutes ago, pirate4me2 said:

 

I meant to go last night and talk to someone about her, but the problem is, I don’t know her name. B and I looked yesterday and the day before, and she hasn’t had a name tag on…or if she does, it’s covered up. She had a lady helping her yesterday for a little bit and I don’t want to get the wrong person in trouble. 

Take a pic of her and show the Food and Bev manager. Carnival crew work too hard with friendly attitudes to have a bad apple on their ship.

16 minutes ago, Saint Greg said:

I did it on magic last year.

 

https://www.saintgregtravel.com/chefs-table-on-carnival-magic/

 

 

Very nice!! I love the plate presentation! Great review👏

31 minutes ago, Colorado Cruzer said:

When does FTTF appear in excursions for purchase these days?  Our cruise is April 2025 on Liberty out of NOLA.  Thx

I would check once a month. Have a great cruise!!

I agree, the Rueben we tried on Freedom in Jan 2024 was pretty meh.

There are plantation house tours an hour away from New Orleans.  Found this site:

https://www.cajunencounters.com/tours/plantations

1 hour ago, Essiesmom said:

Did you cat ladies see this April Fool spoof?  Just up your alleys…

 

Purr-fect 😹

I’m kind of a “cat whisperer” as well. When I lived in Cambridge, MA I would walk from my house to the train, and the kitties would hustle out from their bushes by their houses, meowing for a pet. Love my kitties 😻

On 2/23/2024 at 6:28 PM, amygutman said:

Cannot wait!

Honestly, we were pretty bummed that our NCL epic transatlantic was canceled for November and the rescheduled date in October just doesn't work with our schedule.

The thrill of a completely new ship for an extended sea voyage is amazing. After the hospitality on our Liberty cruise, we're hoping to see the same happy spirit on the Mardi Gras but with a few more bells and whistles for the 6 or 7 sea days.

I've been converted... happily happily!!

Warmest Amy

When on MG, please check out Big Chicken (best chicken sandwiches EVER), Emeril's (Banana Foster Crepes and Muffuletta sandwich sooo good),  Street Eatz (selections change daily) and the gelato by the Shawarma station on Lido (selections change as well).  Bonsai Teppanyaki is great and a lot of fun (make reservations on your Cruise Manager because they could sell out).  Also, when I prepare to post pics on CC from my cell and I see that they are upside down, I remove said photo, go back to camera selection, screenshot the pic and edit so its just the pic and save to camera roll, go back to post and select that pic again and the pic should be right side up.  Something I figured out halfway through my Europe cruise LIVE review.

Hope you post a review on your MG cruise!!😸