MsTabbyKats

It's only the Emerald for next fall. Oh well, lots of time to do the research. I greatly appreciate all tips and guidance. Thanks!

Thanks for all the replies. I'm looking at the Emerald Princess out of NYC next Sept. We traditionally do this route every fall....but the Princess cruise has 5 ports (most others have 3). I'm very easy to please...as long as I can find something to eat....and some sort of musical entertainment is offered. Also...a casino is mandatory! And, I can dress-up or down my basic black wardrobe. BTW....I hope they do have theme night in the buffet. They had that on NCL....I loved it.

Try the paninis at the Deli. They had a special one day....cheese and spinach with onions. It was the best thing I ate all week (except for the buffet cakes...lol). The ham & cheese panini was excellent also. This Deli was better than the last Carnival deli. Overall...DH agreed that the food improved.

I live in NYC....Manhattan to be exact. I eat out almost daily (being served isn't a novelty)...and when I cook it's "cooked to order" with a lot of spices and variations. "Cruise food" isn't cooked for the individual. We don't have buffets here. On a cruise..if I like something at the buffet I can go back and get as much as I want, without waiting for service. I can also prepare a plate "as I like it". On NCL Getaway I made pita/hummus filled with the vegetables of my choice. Bottom line....I eat in the buffet because the dining room food is limited and too restrictive.

@Crusin Karen We are "buffet people"....get what you want, as much as you want....no waiting. Except for the cakes, everything else was just "ok". We went to the MDR on lobster night....DH wanted to. I ordered salmon...it was bland. But the dessert was good. Waiter gave me a banana split! DH had 2 lobster tails....I guess he liked it, For transparancy sake...I live in Manhattan and eat out all the time. I'm just used to higher quality (and much more costly) food. I also cook a lot of dishes with lots of spices and seasonings. They can't do "food to order" like at home. As you said....food is subjective. I wasn't expecting more than what I got. And truth be told, the food on the Magic was better than the past few Carnival cruises I was on.

We left home at 11:10 and after a 15 minute cab ride, we were on the ship at 11:50. We never had such an easy embarkation. Our cabin....Deck 1...Deluxe Ocean View. I've done "the Canada thing" about a dozen times. And I know, a balcony is a waste....it's too cold, windy and foggy to sit out there. This cabin was great. We had a giant window....lots of floor space....way more closet space than necessary....and 2 bathrooms. Because we were so low we could see how fast the ship was moving. Totally different view than if on a high deck. I wish I could get "this cabin" on all future cruises (generally we do balcony). The food. Nobody starved. The best meals I had were paninis from the deli (although not on traditional panini bread...so not real paninis). The cakes/desserts were very good in the buffet...other things, just ok. We ate at the Blue Iguana once....not impressed....especially if you're used to real Mexican food. We ate in the MDR once....again, not impressed. The entertainment. Not "B'way quality" but not B'way prices either. The casino. Give and take...mostly take. But I did get a lot of play time. The ports. Sadly, a lot of our "regular places to buy stuff" weren't there any longer. One big gripe DH had. He buys a lot of gifts (not the bargain special stuff) to give people. They no longer have the Carnival bags....or any bags. You can buy one for $2. But otherwise, you carry in in your hands. I mean....I don't complain about "nickel and diming" because everyone needs to make a living or make up for 2 years of lost revenue. But no bags is ridiculous!!!! Disembarkation....we just walked off. No lines........ DH and I thought this was a great cruise. Others (FB group) would disagree.

When I sail, I like to think of the ship as "the destination"......different food, entertainment, shops, casino etc. We live in NYC and only sail out of NYC....so I'd like to give Princess a try. We've done NCL (mainly), some weCarnival and some MSC. My favorite is MSC. I love "the international flavor", the entertainment and the decor (nothing beats staircases made out of Swarovski crystal!) We are very casual people.... eat in the buffet "almost always". Even when on NCL, I don't use the platinum benefit for specialty restaurants because the buffet has more options and the food is great. On MSC...I live on the pizza. On Carnival, well I can always find something I wake up, put on leggings and a t-shirt....and that's my outfit for the day. I don't do "dress-up". (For transparency....I wear a lot of jewelry....so a black t-shirt can go from the gym and later in the day look elegant when the perfect pendant is added, if necessary). So, my question is: How is the buffet (3 meals a day available?) as far as quality and choices? Does one need to dress up on formal nights or be confind to the cabin if not appropriately attired? Are "casual type" restuarants "included" with the fare? Also...entertainment is a big deal. Are there "B'way type" productions? Is there music in venues around the ships? No interest in comedy or comedy clubs. TIA

I believe we had the spa cabin on the Sunshine a few years back. I sat on the chairs a few times...that was it. But...as I recall (I could be wrong) the cabin was right by a large "deck". We had an inside cabin...walked out...and had lots of loungers and space. It was a great location.

If you want to stay friends....separate cabins, especially if YOU are a couple!

Yeah...I know. This was an elderly friend...a luddite who never used a slot machine. He asked me, in general, how you get your money out. I told him that it went to the room card. Lo and behold...he went to the casino before dinner and won about $100. He said people behind him were "cheering him on". He finished, took out his card...and when he went to the cashier the next day there was $0 on his card. Those people behind him must have had a good time on his $100.

That's what I plan to do.......hit "cash out" and wait a few seconds, just to make sure. After all, I don't want to lose "my hard earned money"!!!

Are you sure? Some years back a friend didn't know about uploading....so the money stayed in the machine, never went to his card. This may be 10 years ago.

So, DH and I both tested negative today and now I can finally get excited about my "Saturday Cruise" on the Magic. It's been, I guess, 3 years since I sailed Carnival and I need a "Casino Basics Refresher Course". I know that I need the pin# (birth date and month?) to charge to my cabin and use OBC. Right? When I cash out...do I print a ticket or do I upload to my S&S card? Memory says "upload"...but is there an option?

Yes...going to Canada (hopefully) on a 7 day cruise. I don't expect my credit card to pay anything more than what I use the card for. Between my CCL OBC, my casino OBC, my TA OBC etc I have lots of credits that I don't want to lose. My dream....lots of OBC for the casino! Oh well....gonna self test a little later today.

Thanks......... I have no idea what card I used 2 years ago..but I'm sure it didn't have the travel insurance. Oh well...no use in planning now. Just like to be proactive.......

I'm booked for the Magic on Sat (9/10) and need to test tomorrow. I booked this trip way way back...and I forget what credit card I used. I paid the final payment recently...with a credit card that has insurance. Here's the question: If I test positive, what are my options Will CCL give me a FCC based on all the payments? (If they still do that........) Can I get reimbursed from my credit card for the last payment....and a FCC for the balance? Or I lose that portion? I have lots of OBC....and I assume, if I cancel....that OBC is lost for good.

@jean87510 Well, my trip is this Saturday (9/10) to Canada and the Canadian cruises are generally "old folks". I'm hoping to be the youngest on the ship! So glad DH talked me out of the spa.......all you had to say was "boom box" and there's no need to go into details.

This is what concerns me. We are buffet people and usually cruise with NCL...where the options are unlimited. (I never cared for "CCL cuisine") How is the temperature inside the ship? Some like it hot....I like it very hot. Does one need more than a sweatshirt?

I used to go to Sarges over 40 years ago....on 3rd and about 36th. In pre-pandemic days it was overpriced. I can only imagine the prices now Applejacks is great food at great prices. Another place, Westway (9th & 43) is even better. It's a real theatre hangout . Talking about Seinfeld...Westway is where Larry David and Jerry came up with the idea for the show. The place you went to, Tom's, was just used as a background in "Seinfeld". The rent has nothing to do with age. If you're an old person that never moved you may have a cheap rent. But once you move....all those great laws are over. It's a free market now, which is why I may never move. But yes, not having a car does save quite a bit of money.

@Saint GregI often tell people that it's cheaper for me to cruise than "live at home". I have a very good rent (we have rent laws here)...and even with that, if you add in food and entertainment.....a day on land is more expensive than a day at sea. However, as a local I go to Applejack's (I told you so)......not Katz's Deli. I rarely Uber. If the subway/bus doesn't go there....neither do I!

My take on MSC....it's like being in Italy without having to fly there. I love the international crowd. Compared to the Americans, the non-Americans dress well. I don't mean "dressed up". They just dress better...better sense of style. I love the entertainment....great singers and great dancers. They don't bother with "talk shows" (comedy etc) because of language issues. The ships are gorgeous. What could be more impressive than a staircase made out of Swarovski crystals? I wasn't crazy about the food; I didn't starve. But, the pizza is fabulous (an old native NYer....I know my pizza). The workers were always polite....not this "pretend" you are their best friend stuff. My only critique is the land customer service. They tend to get things wrong.

"The spitting thing" is the reason why entire casts got covid.

@Saint GregYour pastrami sandwich got me thinking. Compare that to anything from the Carnival Deli. No food on Carnival...Mongolian Wok, Cucina, MDR etc....compares to what I can get at home. The only thing I can't get here is a buffet! I'm glad you enjoyed it.........spicy mustard/pickles and all

The first thing I do is head towards "the closed and empty" casino. I like to make my "plan of action" and then it's off to the buffet for a piece of chocolate cake!

I don't know where you're going....or what you're trying to do. But if you're lost....let me know and I'll direct you. After 73 years of dealing with NYC subway...I'm a savant. And on week-ends, there are a lot of diversions.