ChosenOne

Recently off the Breeze 14 day Journeys cruise.  The Fun Squad were only handing out "Bling on a String" medallions for most events, trivia, games, etc.  I only saw 4 ships on a stick being given during the 2 weeks.   Wondering if this is a new fleet wide directive or if the Breeze was short on SOS (they were the newer satin finish trophies) or if it was because it was a Journey cruise?   Anyone know?     Luckily I got a ship the first day (at trivia) because I never had the opportunity to win one again.  When ever I asked a Fun Squad member they deflected the question/declined to answer.  

Please: remember to carefully open and close your balcony door.  Nothing worse then neighbors who constantly let that door slam. 

Here's a fun little tip..use inexpensive plastic shower curtain rings to hang swim suits on the back bar of the chairs on your balcony.  Keeps items secure and dries so much faster then hanging on the shower clothesline.

You can carry on the 750ml bottle of wine ( 1 per adult in the cabin). Must be in your carry on bag or you can literally carry them on board.   Don't forget the corkscrew!  There are 2 heavy  wine glasses in the cabin or ask any bartender for 2 'nicer' wine glasses.  You can carry a glass of wine to dinner, even in steakhouse, MDR or Cucina, etc. If you bring the bottle they will charge you a corkage fee.  Nice way to unwind if you have a balcony...sit 'n sip!

Going on Carnival Sunshine with sister & 82 year old mom in mid October.  Can anyone tell me if the free trolley that runs through the Royal Navy dockyard (we dock at Heritage Wharf )still runs in October.  The go to bermuda website says the trolley  runs "in the summer" but gives no specifics.  thanks

Fried shrimp are ok..at least they are hot when they come out.  Did you know you can ask for the lobster roll to be made with no mayo, just melted butter on it?  Delicious.  Takes a bit longer because they have to make it up for you but worth it.

On 1/22/2020 at 1:42 AM, Cherries Jubilee said:

We tried several of the menu items. The crab legs were pretty good. I enjoyed the lobster roll but my family thought it was just ok. It definitely had more mayonnaise in it than the ones around here do but it had plenty of meat and good flavor. I would eat it again. The fried seafood platter was too oily and not very flavorful. In our case the shrimp were almost all puffed breading and nearly identical to the free ones that they serve in the buffet. I’ve seen vlogs/reviews  where the breading on the shrimp looked completely different from what we had so I’m not sure what you’d get. The crab cakes had too much dill and maybe even too much of something else. The free one in the main dining room was significantly better. It was our least favorite of everything we tried. The fries were also a little oily but they weren’t terrible. I’m including some pictures for you as well. Enjoy!

Free bottle of wine (the "house"  Merlot or Chardonny or 50% off a more expensive bottle of wine)- first sailing day at the steakhouse.  Reserve on line ahead of the cruise.  Steakhouse is always delicious.      Cucina de Capitano is also very good with large portions of food (Chocolate Biscotti & coffee ice cream is my favorite desert there).  Never been on a ship with JiJis but am going on Sunshine in Oct & plan to try it.  As stated before, it is not on many ships.  Tried Bonsai Sushi on my last cruise and enjoyed that also.   If your ship has Seafood Shack, it is also a very casual but additional cost meal that we like to indulge in.

On 11/8/2019 at 5:15 PM, Aplmac said:

AT the top end of the train-ride (fabulous Cherry Tree Hill view included!)

the engine needs to do a rotation on a turntable: interesting.

You get to see and even participate if you want to.

 

Those two pics above ^ show the engine on the turntable!

Do you know if anyone is offering small tours (mini van) from cruise ship terminal to the train/Abby?  Since this is a new attraction I am hoping some entrepreneur has come up with an island tour with a stop over for the train ride.  

On 11/26/2019 at 11:34 AM, Honolulu Blue said:

 

 

In another 7 weeks I get to meet Nono.  We'll see how that goes.

Will you be on the Journeys cruise in Jan on the Breeze?   I will be and have also wondered how NoNo will be.

46 minutes ago, sanmarcosman said:

That's a Coke product. Maybe he can develop a taste for Mr. Pibb which is a Pepsi product. I've done it in a pinch and they both contain prune juice! 🙂 

they don't even list Mr Pibb as an option in the list John Heald posted

Only issue I've had with the punch card is if I start the card & my folio number is used, I can't send the hubby to get coffee as they won't punch the card then since the folio # doesn't match!

I believe they only do that competition during Oktoberfest

you have to obtain Euros from your bank before you leave home.  Ships no longer exchange money (as far as I know)

there is a slew of different fans with magnetic bases on ebay

Last cruise where we attended the Meet & Mingle, we did not get an invitation in our room even thought we were signed up for the event.  I did see it listed in the Fun Times so my beau & I attended, and we were the only ones there.  We had the CD & entertainment director to ourselves!    Why sign up for an event and then make no effort to show?  I doubt Carnival is contractually obligated to send invites or list in Fun Times but it really reflects poorly when you need 25 people to sign up and then no one shows up.  Carnival should go back to the "Pay for cocktails" party where the group of guests pay in advance for all you can drink cocktails....people show up when they have to pay for something in advance!

Ladies get a flower in the MDR at dinner....I've also received a flower at the Lido buffet too.  St Valentines day trivia.              I like to hand out boxes of conversation heart candy to random crew members....those cleaning tables on Lido or polishing railings etc.   For Cabin steward I usually bring small box of chocolates.  V-day works both ways!

5 minutes ago, Gamecock_Cruiser said:

So members still get discounted cards? If so, I am signing my dad up.

Yes, you have to join AARP...it is not very much $$.

pay the $16 or whatever it is to join AARP...you now have to be a member to get Carnival gift cards

59 minutes ago, Stick93 said:

No VIFP if you take what is comped to you. If you upgrade your reservation (inside to balcony) you do get points. 

thanks for the clarification.. I am not a gambler so I did not know

13 minutes ago, jimbo5544 said:

My posing the question was not a black or white, one is right and one is wrong, just a question.  In our earlier days, we did not notice (or see) the casino comps so much, not so much now.  Your reply made me think of another question, if a cruise is comped by one of the casino lure programs, doe it count toward loyalty (VIFP)?

If a cruise is comped it does NOT go towards VIFP points.  You only earn points on cruises you pay for.   Someone correct me if I am wrong but this has always been my understanding of how VIFP  points are earned

at some point during your cruise, go to guest services desk (NOT the first day, it is too busy) and have them put your gift cards on to your account.  Your sail & sign card is what is used to pay for items in the gift shop.  The gift card $ will be deducted first from your on board sail & sign account before your on file credit card is used.  If you have $10 or more left over in your account at the end of the cruise, a Carnival gift card will be mailed to you with the remaining balance.

You can request wheelchair assistance on embarkation & debarkation day but once you are on board you are on your own!  And if you need a wheelchair you have to rent one before the trip..I don't believe they have extras on board.

I can't seem to find the answer to whether AARP will still be offering Carnival Gift cards when they switch from Rewards for good to AARP Rewards.  I got an email saying I can use my current points until Sept 23rd but on the AARP page it says "stock up on Carnival gift cards"   offer ends in 7 days.  I already maxed out buying cards with my available points and entered the sweepstakes for a Carnival gift card but I'd like to know if they will still be offering them in the future.  Anybody know?

On 7/4/2019 at 9:19 AM, south-carolinagirl said:

Just off Paradise, was so excited for shrimp tacos for lunch.....found out they now only offer chicken, fish and pork??? When did that happen? Seems Carnival just keeps snipping and snipping to save a buck but rates don’t really change.  Just seems greedy to me 😞

That happened to me on the Paradise in April.  I asked for a shrimp taco and was refused.  Every other ship I have asked for shrimp they go to the burrito side and snag some for shrimp tacos.  I wonder if there is a lack of knowledge on the Paradise that they can do this?

A separate pass is required for the thermal suite/pool area.  That is not included when you book a spa service.