rdler

Firefly has been a wonderful source of information and fun for quite some time!

Call and sort it out. My son and I do this all the time.

Oh, my! I was truly enjoying "our" cruise (next time-- good as your reporting is-- I'd like to be with you in person!) until that picture of the buffet offerings tonight. Mercy.

Please add me to the list of folks whose weeks you have made and those who thank you from the heart.

She's resisting temptation?

This is very, very funny.

I was on the Reflection over Thanksgiving. I agree with almost all of the comments you had. I especially agree on the Lawn, perhaps for a different reason. I think it simply takes up too much space. It is quite wide-- to the point where the two walkways on the sides are almost impassible should an abundant person or a waiter with a tray be coming in the opposite direction. And it is a long haul back to the Sunset Bar and the bathrooms!

It took me an amazingly long time to get a drink, too. My teenage son found it almost impossible.

I am by no means a nay sayer.

Has anyone ever been contacted if they have made a negative comment?

Are the laundry rooms the only available laundry service? I would hate to miss an excursion or port of call to be doing laundry in a communal setting. Do the machines take U.S. coins?

(Clean clothes are a big deal for my wife and me.)

If on the buffet proper, the cereal at breakfast. At lunch and dinner either the lettuce or American cheese.

I generally find better food options.

Has anyone brought their own placemats?

My son and I have cruised on this same Reflection Thanksgiving Cruise in 2013 and 2014. On November 21, we will be doing 3 years in a row.

I confess that my son likes the cruise less than RCCL and Carnival which we generally do at other times of the year. On the other hand, he recognizes that the ship is more elegant and the food is far better (or used to be) and truly likes the specialty restaurants. He also recognizes that I like it far more.

There are plenty of kids on board and my son has never appeared to be bored. But he recognizes it as a different experience and while elegant, less fun.

I'm disappointed I didn't receive this survey. I'm platinum and I guess they figure I am sold on their cruise line so my views don't matter quite as much. Similarly, I have never gotten a past-guest survey, and I would have liked to have commented on some excellent cruises and some less so.

And yes, Carnival knows my e-mail address.

I guess I haven't been on the newer ships. Don't they have room numbers by the cabins like they used to?

I am intrigued by the Ultimate Dining Package. If you buy this, can you select all your restaurants? For example, I would not want to go to Murano or Tuscan Grill more than once (if that). Could I substitute the other restaurants for that?

For example, on the five night package, you go to all four of the restaurants once and then are required to go back to Tuscan for the fifth night. My partner and I thought Tuscan was dreadful and would not go back unless we have to.

Your husband in the last picture is cute too.

Do they still have table cloths with the new menus or did they follow the Glory example? I confess to liking table cloths.

Guest Services in case of any problem or special request.

I too am having the same thing with McAfee.

Each time I get the warning, I do a scan which turns up nothing.

I could not make out what our host was saying or trying to say. I would put the question simply: is Cruise Critic spreading a virus? I would think they owe us the courtesy to find out and advise.

Things have changed then. For the better! I asked about whether there was a special room we could go to because of my son's age and the guy (snarkily) said, "Sure" and he directed us to a spot on deck in the regular line.

I wanted to smack him, but only for his attitude.

We started cruising when my little guy was 3, and that was back when we all had to wear life jackets.

I just picked up and talked to him and used my elbows to get enough space in front of us so that I could put him down close in front of me when I got tired.

It was torture, but endurable.

A few cruises ago, my luggage never showed up. By around 9 I went to Guest Services (Purser's Desk), and there was luggage all lined up, including my suitcase.

I had taped (with clear heavy tape) and stapled my luggage tags to both handles on the suitcase, as well as the pull out handle. I'd also put tape on the sides and bottom with my name and room number on tape. I also had the regular leather luggage tags attached.

When I picked up my suitcase, all that was gone! Completely gone. Somebody had to do that. My conclusion was that some porter wanted to teach me a lesson for overkill.

Yay! Another Paul Medik review!

Paul, you consistently do the best reviews on here, and many like me look forward to them every year.

Thanks.

Yeah, I suppose so. But it is so much fun to leave your room sometimes.

I don't know much about Enron stock, and in fact, I did not know anyone still owned it, given that the company is bankrupt and a felon. The poster should probably consult her broker, or look for another. I would guess it is not even trading anymore.

When I started cruising in 2006, I paid around $1300 for a Lido Balcony over my son's spring break. When I went this easter, it was around $1950 for a second floor ocean view, and that was before the upcharges. I don't know how that equates with inflation. I do know their fuel prices have been more than halved.

I don't think of cruising anymore as a value. It is a vacation, and I pay accordingly.

Brag? Why?

I don't know. With all the money they are saving for fuel these days, it seems strange with that Carnival is going to the more pay for play model.

I for one do not like sitting with my son at a table for two, 7 inches away from my neighbors and having fine wine and a steak while they are relegated to Spring Rolls and that straight-line fried shrimp and a cheese plate full of Velveta and swiss.

I just feel bad and try not to belch.