AK Wife

I just wanted to comment on the Carnival M&G that was arranged for the Dream sailing March 11. They set it up for our first sea day. Not only was it posted in the Fun Ship times but we also received a card reminder the night prior with the time & location for the M&G printed on it. The meeting was set for Mon, the 12th, at 3 pm in one of the conference rooms. We arrived (there was a sign in the hall stating that the Cruise Critic M&G was being held) about 2:55 pm (we being myself, my hubby, & daughter) and NO ONE was there! :( At 3 pm the CD Chris (Flying Scotsman) & his assistant arrived! It was a little embarrassing but he made it funny ("shouldn't have to meet & mingle with your family!" :p) We chatted about how these M&G's are being set up and no one is going. They had chairs set up and a long table with coffee, hot water & tea bags, juice, water, and a large tray of yummy choc chip cookies! We chatted about our cruising experiences, common CD friends, & got a selfie with them. They left about 3:15. Shortly after two other CC members arrived and we chatted for a little bit. We left around 3:40 - no one else showed & I felt so bad about the waste of food & drink.

Please inform people that they need to make an effort to attend these functions. If not, then they should not be surprised or complain when Carnival stops doing them. It's too much work for them just to avoid a few complainers on a blog site.

(I also made a comment on the roll call page.)

Glad to hear of a successful CC/CCL M&M! :D:D

 

One of your comments stands out though?

 

2nd Sea Day for the Event.....that is usually the last day of the cruise??

As someone else pointed out, it will be different for every cruise. We are on an 8 day cruise on the Valor. Day 1 sail away & we had a roll call informal meeting before the muster drill. Day 2 sea day/formal night & the day one of our roll call members contacted guest services. Day 3 sea day & Fun Times (came out evening of Day 2) listed our M&M for 4 pm. Our group had s slot pull organized for that same day @2 & they were finished by 4 & able to show for the M&M. It was great!

So yes for most cruises the 2nd sea day wouldn't work, especially if you have multi stops. Most important someone from the group needs to contact view services ASAP, maybe with confirmation email in hand, & make them aware that you have people expecting a gathering.

If they served alcohol you'd have better attendance. On our last cruise, we went but it was really boring. Hardly anyone showed up. Very disappointing. Lot's didn't realize the Hub app doesn't list it. Only the paper fun times

Valor doesn't have HUB. We found out @guest services that they needed a contact person on the ship so the few of us planning meetings through our roll call took charge. The bar was open (not free) & we had a server taking orders.

I think the key is someone in your roll call stepping up to help coordinate with Carnival.

If they served alcohol you'd have better attendance. On our last cruise, we went but it was really boring. Hardly anyone showed up. Very disappointing. Lot's didn't realize the Hub app doesn't list it. Only the paper fun times

Valor doesn't have HUB. We found out @guest services that they needed a contact person on the ship so the few of us planning meetings through our roll call took charge. The bar was open (not free) & we had a server taking orders.

I don't hunk the key is someone in your roll call stepping up to help coordinate with Carnival.

Yes, it was discussed and we all agree that it makes sense to have these early in the cruise.

However. And it is a BIG however. There are many affinity (paying) groups on board vying for the same space on board. It's the SHIP that has to make a decision and assign precious space to groups that request it. It's a tough job, as space is limited. Paying groups go first, of course, understandable!

I'll be passing this info along to Carnival.

Laura,

Just wanted the share news of our successful M&M!! We had 135 people officially signed up for July 16 Valor Cruise M&M. I sent the CD a message the day before we left to tell her about our large & excited group. Also let her know I had name tags. A group member checked in at the guest services to inquire about the meeting & was told they didn't have a contact person so Amy took that on.

Our M&M was scheduled for 4 pm on our 2nd sea day in the aft lounge. It was listed in the Fun Times on the tear away schedule & the CD announced it @3 pm when she made her afternoon announcement. The Carnival hostess who arranged the set up met us in the lounge along with the asst CD. Both helped us get everything ready, including getting a drawing set up because the brought prizes! We had 5 bottles of champagne & 5 ships on sticks! We had almost 60 people show up! The head of the hotel department welcomed us & did a Q&A session. CD Classy Cassie talked to the group & helped with the drawings. There is as a long table with hot & cold drinks, cookies, pastries, & lots of other treats!

Amy had arranged a grab bag exchange - willing participants brought a bag of goodies ($10-15) that represented where you were from (state or region). Bags were set on table & those who brought bags drew numbers to see order of selecting. It was so much fun!

Key takeaways- a couple people from the roll call or M&M list need to be points of contact. Laura - would that be you sharing name & cabin # with Carnival or someone going to guest services on the first day? The name tags: the format posted isn't workable with name tag labels. I took screenshots of the one tag & created a master with 10 tags on a page. I printed out the guest list from CC M&M sign up page just before leaving home. On my long flight I filled in the CC usernames for everyone signed up (only making 1 per user name unless I knew there was a spouse from our roll call information). So kids & extra adults did not have a tag. If I already knew their real first name I also had that written in. Saved a lot of time with people "checking in" I had a marker for those to write their name if I didn't know it.

Other than that we had a fantastic turnout & we were grateful for Carnival's support. Especially since the 5 pm Diamond party was next door & most officers were there. 😛

Thank you Laura for all your work to make this happen. 😊

In 2014 my DH & I got off the ship @PC & went straight to our shuttle back to Orlando hotel. We were there by 9:15 AM, they had a room for us to check into, & called a taxi for us. We were at Universal by 11 AM. If you are going straight there you're golden. We did 1 park in 1 day - had to fly out next day. If you have 2 days for the park (19 & 20) that would work. Buy tickets online - we did Universal last summer & tickets are cheaper online. 2 - day park hopper (you'll need this for Harry Potter experience) & buy the meal plan with the coca-cola cup. The cup was great to keep hydrated at the self-serve stations. No lines! I wouldn't try the parks on the 21st as you will want to get to the airport early but you could do the city walk area that day. Have fun!!!!

Except for some brandy's, what's up to $50?

I've read posts about Alchemy drinks & drinks using "top shelf alcohol". I have NO idea personally but I'm anxious to find out in 6 days! :D

Sometime in March it changed. Now includes drinks up to $50, soda, juices, & milkshakes! :D

Is there anywhere this is larger? I can't read it. Looking for Magic Oct. 22, 2016.

Eversen Bevelle is on Magic as CD until November. Here is a link to JH's blog post on the new CD schedule (Press Command & + to enlarge it for you): http://johnhealdsblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/John-Version-7.6.16.pdf

Thanks for the input. Sonny's BBQ sounds good!

 

I have everything booked and I am ready to go. Now, I just have to wait about 8 months. LOL

LOL! We don't have a lot of restaurants here in Alaska so we like to eat at different places when we do travel. We tried Tony Romas last time (now closed - no surprise there! Food was horrible!) & dinner was SO bad we went to Sonny's for drinks. Ended up trying their wings & vowed on our next visit we would go there! Can't wait for Friday!!!!! :D

Yes! We are staying at Hampton Inn @5767 T.G. Lee Blvd., Orlando. We stayed there when we cruised in 2014 & have it booked for next weekend! Best deal for our family of 4 for a room & free breakfast in the morning. We have to pay extra for the 2 kids but it's still cheaper than the shuttle. The Bon Voyage package is what you're looking for under the room rates. There are a few hotels in that area with the packages. Also some restaurants within walking distance for dinner the evening you arrive. We are looking forward to Sonny's BBQ! :D

I think some people may be getting confused. On one hand if you're on the roll call for your cruise & someone is arranging an informal meet & greet (usually on sail away) you don't have to sign up. You're on the roll call & that's good.

The more "formal" meet & mingle sponsored by CRUISE CRITIC with Carnival is a MUST sign up and is NOT organized by anyone on the roll call. You are not counted as "going" if you have not signed up. People can still go if not signed up officially but if the minimum didn't sign up with CC then it won't happen.

I just received an email for my July 16 cruise on Valor that said: "This is just a reminder for the Cruise Critic Meet & Mingle aboard your Carnival Cruise Line ship that you helped organize on the 07/16/2016 sailing of Carnival Valor. Once onboard, you will receive an invitation stating the date, time and place of your party." Doesn't that sound like I will get an invitation and NOT find it printed in the Fun Times? Confusing! :confused:

For those of you who have cruised the Seattle trip to Alaska, what are some must takes for clothing. We are cruising Norwegian so will not need the formal wear, but I'm trying to figure out clothes for the shore excursions. Thanks!

Bring clothes you can layer & rain gear. It's usually chilly near the glaciers if you go. It will be cool on deck in the evening too. Also August tends to be our rainy month and the southeast being a rainforest, well, you know what that means! ;) We're having a very nice summer so far! Enjoy your cruise!

Remember that you would have no where to go if he drank & that caused issues that prevented you from safely/peacefully sharing a cabin together.

Would he consider not going (be a no-show) & call it a divorce present to you?! If not then I agree with a previous poster who suggested you book your own cruise & enjoy a carefree trip.

We were on Liberty in 2014 & she looked fine HOWEVER after the issues in the last several months I am really surprised they're not getting her in sooner to go over mechanics & get things straightened out. :confused:

If it does arrive in time you can edit & update your online information.

You can always check the Carnival website. This is from the FAQ (frequently asked questions) page - I opened the Cheers! program under dining and food. Here is a portion of the list, specifically addressing room service (not allowed):

Beverages excluded from the program are:

Beverages promoted and sold in souvenir glasses

Bottles of liquor

Beverages offered at the gangway

Beverages offered through room service, mini bars and/or other in-stateroom beverage programs

Sharing cocktails, floaters, pitchers, tubes and buckets

Beverages offered through enomatic wine machines and self-serve beer stations

All other beverage-related programs including merchandise, cigars and cigarettes

Food items

When my daughter was going into 12th grade (several years ago) we were going on a cruise. We decided prior to packing that she should bring several outfits to use for senior pictures. The "sittings" are all FREE! She had pictures done during the first formal night in a couple different dresses. One photographer recognized she was the same guest in a different dress - we had a good laugh! :p When we told him what we were doing he explained that the next night the photos would be more "casual" so she dressed accordingly & went to several "sittings" that night. We were able (with grandma who was also on the cruise) to choose from SEVERAL poses/shots & had them make up the desired sizes & quantities for each pose we picked. We got a great deal on the photos. The package was delivered to my room on our last night (7-day cruise) and the pics were perfect! Grandma even got one she loved blown up really big and it was prepped for travel for her. Saved lots of $$ & my daughter had a blast changing & trying all the different backgrounds. I would do that again in a heartbeat! :cool:

Wow. Did someone else not notice they said no more ding when inserting sail and sign cards. Without that ding embarcation wouldn't be official would it?

Haha! I thought the SAME thing! :p

I usually book online. In cases where I have questions about past guest specials or need help connecting cabins I will call Carnival and ask one of their representatives for help. :cool:

I hope I'm doing this right. Not quite sure how to respond or ask questions. Can you buy cheers package for certain days? Or do you buy the whole. Trip? Where can you look for drink packages at? Or do they offer others??

Carnival Paridise 9-2016 thanks in advance?

You must purchase the package for the length of the cruise - not available on a per day basis. The package can't be sold until the second day on cruises out of Texas, New York, and Alabama.

Bottomless Bubbles is the package without alcohol. Check the Carnival page under FAQ - drink packages. Here's a link:

https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1106

You're welcome! :)

I just wish they offered a package between "bottomless bubbles" and "cheers" allowing someone like my wife and I who don't really drink alcohol much but I do enjoy specialy coffees, some diet cokes, a milkshake or 2, and an occasional fru-fru cocktail.

The new Cheers! does offer all those "extras". Check the Carnival page to see the full list. I copied part of it here:

The following beverages are now available within the enhanced CHEERS! program:

All spirits, including cocktails, cognacs, whiskies and other spirits, as well as beer and glasses of wine, with a $50 USD or lower menu price per serving

Zero-Proof frozen cocktails, sodas (including specialty sodas) and juices

Specialty coffees and teas served in the main dining rooms, specialty restaurants and coffee bars

Milkshakes

:cool:

I totally agree with you AK Wife. but so many people right away say, I cannot drink 15 alcohol drinks in 1 day.

I know! I don't get it :confused: Maybe it's the teacher in me but I don't understand why people get stuck on the number over the cost. Usually it's all about the $! :p

I have seen so many posts about someone not being able to drink 15 drinks a day so they will not purchase it.

It's not about drinking 15 a day but it's about at least breaking even and having the availability to try things will will normally will not try if you had to pay full price.

and now with the enhancements that were made you can try a lot more.

Just my 2 cents.

Yes! ;) That's what I tried to say before! It's not about 15 drinks. If you drink 5-6 alcohol drinks a day you could easily make the $50. Alchemy has awesome new drinks to try! Now that they've added other beverages that don't count towards the 15 you could still make the $$ with only drinking 4 alcohol drinks, a couple coffees, a shake, & sodas throughout the day. Easy peasy! :p

Some people may or may not know that the wait staff pulls double duty. You will more than likely see your wait staff working on the Lido during breakfast and/or lunch. More often than not the staff members recognize me before I even see them. If they address me by name, or help in any way, I do remember and I recognize the extra effort on the last night. ;)