overeasy

I (platinum) sailed out of Galveston just recently Feb 27. There were priority security and check-in lines. Once checked in we were directed to the priority waiting area (BTW no drinks or snacks). Within that waiting area we were segregated according to VIFP status/FTTF, then released to board accordingly.

16 hours ago, john91498 said:

interesting...I've been in the mdr with flip flops before. No one stopped me or said anything...

Yep, I used to pack sandals in case I ever got busted for my flipflops, but I never have been.

49 minutes ago, Earthworm Jim said:

The dress code in the Elegant Night Hub app screenshot reads suspiciously similar to, though not identical to, the Cruise Casual dress code on the website. Whether that was intentional or they mistakenly put the casual dress code where the elegant should have been on the app, I can't say.

Here's the cruise casual also:

Glad to see some clarity on this question. From last week's Breeze 5-day. A screenshot from the Hub app. I know this contradicts the website, but the website info is often outdated.

My son got a phone upsell offer to move from interior lido to balcony lido for $160 total, two pax, Breeze 5-day.  The price is good but we passed on it.  This is a father-son Cheers cruise, and even the best balcony rooms don't come with a bar and bartender lol.

And there is "Pasta Bella" for lunch, deck 11 aft overlooking the lido buffet.

1 hour ago, ibarrio said:

you do get it but there are reports that you may have to ask for it. 

Yes, last October I had to request it, then they poured one glass each and the bottle disappeared never to be seen again.

1 hour ago, Davechipp74 said:

Where is it listed that platinum level allows you to go to stateroom before its announced that rooms are ready?    

It is not listed as a platinum/diamond benefit, which of course is a source for confusion. FTTF lists early luggage drop off benefit, and states that this also applies to platinum/diamond, but wouldn't it be nice if we didn't need to play interwebs detective. Like maybe just print instructions for us on our boarding pass.

Maybe load the $25 on the quarter-pushing machine and walk away with your hundred quarters?

18 minutes ago, ProgRockCruiser said:

I poked around and didn't see any obvious videos that covered this topic.  Any hints?

Sorry, meant to reply earlier: Island Time latest live feed, at 30:04. These folks are generally positive and upbeat, the comment about  the bar wait just caught my attention.

Thanks for the feedback, folks. Sounds like the reported 30 minute waits were isolated to that cruise and/or maybe bad luck or timing.

A yootoober I follow sailed Breeze over the Thanksgiving holiday.  He had Cheers. He said there was a 30 minute wait at all the bars. I am wondering:  As more and more pax have Cheers, doesn't that give Carnival incentive to keep the bar service slow? They already have my $ so the fewer drinks served the better?

Fried oysters were on the Spirit buffet one night, May 2022. They were very good which is why I remember them.

Yes, the shrimp creole on a Dream cruise in July was great!  Had a bowl and a half.

Lately I have just picked a couple or three items at a time to sort of graze on, then go back later for favorites.  In other words, I do not try to do create a full meal with one trip through the buffet.

We sometimes pick up cold cuts, cheese cubes, fruit, cookies, milk and cereal to stash in the room fridge for convenient late-night snacking.  Then I carry the dishes back with me to Lido next morning on my coffee run.

I scrounged a plate, steak knife and an orange from the buffet, a collins glass from an unattended bar, ice from our room, and built a passable cocktail (Kitty Highball) with my carry-on wine and ginger ale.

So it seems that I am treating the buffet as my personal kitchen LOL.

Thank you very much for taking the time to put all this together. The Funtimes PDFs are especially appreciated!

26 hours. January 2020 on Freedom out of Galveston. Checked off bucket-list item of taking a last-minute cruise just for the fun of it.

A good day to accumulate a few more shares. Thanks for the heads-up.

OP, I'm right there with you. Incoherent and incomplete policy updates. Frustrating.

Bring a copy of your brokerage acct statement to customer service on the ship?  I would think that face-to-face they would be unlikely to deny the OBC.

I think your deck 6 balcony will be directly above a deck 5 smoking area, if that is a consideration for you.

Visited the deck 4 casino on Dream last month. Problem is it is very warm. Lots of machines equals lots of heat. I don't think they added AC capacity to the venue.

OP, I get it. I could not really enjoy the usual anticipation and buildup to our cruise earlier this month until getting the darned test done.

Did not receive my Seagram's on Dream, a friend did not receive their Crown on Miracle, sucks that you have to badger customer service to receive a substitute. My friend did go to the trouble, I chose not to deal with it and just OK'd a refund. Anyone with similar problem?

The Quest website now says results typically 1 to 3 days, so this former "partnership" (now referred to as an "agreement") is useless to us.  How about this:  If Quest fails to get your results to you by sailaway day, and you have proof you took the test two days prior, Carnival tests you at the port?  It just feels that Carnival is throwing us to the wolves on this one.

Having sailed Magic and Breeze, I am looking forward to completing my Dream class collection of cruises.  I am a fan of the Joe Farcus touch, so this should be good.  I will however surely miss the Red Frog Pub.