angie1818

We are on this cruise too- part of a group so didn't join the CC board for this particular cruise. Bringing halloween costumes and some door decor! It's gonna be a blast. :D

Love it! We are too! We are having an informal meet & greet after the Munster drill. Check out the Roll Call for this cruise for the details. Bring the Group!!!

3 days of work before the fun starts! Cruising Halloween for the first time! Excited!

WE just booked the Fascination for Dec. 11th. When is your cruise?

We cruise in just 4 days on the 30th. I bet formal night won't be on the second night for us as its Halloween!

Any one ever had this happen to them.

Formal night is on the 2nd night. The menu in the MDR is the same.

Enjoy your cruise.

Thanks for the info. My Chefs table is the last night.

Need to know which night is formal night on the Fascination 4 day cruise. I have Chefs Table reservations so if it's on the same night I'll only need one dressy outfit!

Also does any one know if they have changed the MDR menu?

Thanks...

If you want to do something for your pvp then don't tip them. I have a better idea. I have a pvp that took over for my old pvp. I was concerned that I wouldn't get the same level of service with someone new. So after a few years and europe and transatlantic cruises I found he was a gem. I asked him for his supervisors address and forwarded a letter to them. I received an email from the supervisor asking me if they could read my letter in a corporate meeting. Pvp was rewarded, letter put into his personnel file. He was grateful for the recognition.

I did the same a couple of years ago. In just afew hours she was calling me (they forwarded her a copy)in tears, explaining no one ever does that! She was so grateful. I have used her for years with great success. I sent my email to the VP of customer service.

I used my e gift cards ( I purchased online from the Verizon wireless site) and used them to pay for my cruise. However I did use my credit card for the original reservation. But I would think you can as long as it's over the required deposit amount. Just call your PVP and they will handle!

Seems like they offer a discount coupon plan. The more you buy you get like a frame free, next level is something else, etc, etc, etc.

But in 17 Carnival cruises I have NEVER seen half off photos!

I always pack all the stuff for my bloody Mary's. You can order a bottle of vodka and have it in your room. Nothing like a great Bloody Mary first thing in the morning while having breakfast on the balcony.

But most of all just relax and enjoy!

Not sure on the price savings on waiting until the second day but...... By the time you board they will have already taken the OJ away. Not sure if you can get a glass from the bar.

Good idea just not sure it will work!

USA Today has a nice photo spread of the Mardi Gras, Carnivale and Festivale.

 

http://www.usatoday.com/story/cruiselog/2014/09/17/cruise-ship-tours-carnival-classics/15623267/

My first cruise was on the Carnival. Looking at the pictures brought back a lot of memories. I sailed her before they changed all the wood and replaced with wall paper. I remember when I first sat foot on her I thought how is thing going to float with 950 passengers.... Wow how things have changed!

Thanks for sharing the link!

how about if you try booking through an email to the maitre d for the ship, i know you can email them sorry i don't know the email addy.

Thanks to everyone! I emailed the event planner and I got my confirmation back today! I have reservations! I am so thrilled. It's going to be a surprise for my BFF birthday. This is my first girls cruise (the DH are off playing golf so we are cruising) we are doing all the things the guys think are silly .... Costumes and door decorating for Halloween. I feel like a kid again!

Again thanks to everyone for the help.. It's always been full if I waited until boarding!

where you can put your reservation in for the steak house for the ship you are going on.

 

the first line says first name put first name and last name

 

on the line for last name put in there "reservation in for chefs table "

 

fill the rest of the form as asked. I have always done it this way and always recieved a confirmation.

 

showed hubby new menu and he is thrilled

I'm on the Fascination in Oct and they don't have a Steakhouse. Any suggestion as how to make reservations?

We are sailing on the Pride in December. In early August, I sent an email to groupeventplanning@carnival.com with our booking number, guest names, ship name, cabin number, and sailing date, and indicated that we would like to make reservations for the Chef's Table. I received a reply email 3 days later confirming our reservation. We are really looking forward to the experience! I hope this info helps you out!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Thanks I'll try that email as well. Maybe I'll get lucky! Thanks for your help.

Go to the bottom of the page and you can book it in advance... If you don't get a response, check your Spam file too...

 

 

http://johnhealdsblog.com/ask-john/

Thanks for your help! I've sent my email request. Do they just send you confirmation via email. Do they add it to your invoice if final payment hasn't been made.

Have you done the Chefs Table? How was it?

Again thanks for your help! Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Has anyone ever been able to reserve before boarding? I can't find any info on how to reserve. On other cruises I have never been able to reserve as they were always full. Me and my BFF are cruising on the Fascination on Oct 30 and I would

Like to do this as a birthday surprise for her.

Any help would be great!

I don't post often but the Horse Divers had me laughing until tears and yes I know it was most likely the famous auto correct. I also don't why that was so funny. Just a timing thing I guess.

 

But, I felt someone needed to point out the other side. No one denies the cut backs. I still laugh at the threads I read back when Carnival cut the President gold foil wrapped butter to the little flower pads and I remember the uproar. I am very laid back and butter is not going to change my cruise :-). Then there is the bacon ****, which I just asked for more and he gave it to me. I am sure the Op saw and is frustrated to see these cuts, sure. (By the way my doctor would most likely commend adding the bacon **** and would have preferred he gave me none).

 

So, some of my observations. My first Carnival cruise did not have a 24 hour Pizza place, they only offered grill fare by the pool during the day, the Buffett and main dining room. There were no options outside the main dining room but room service in the evening.

 

Now there are new options galore in the food area such as: Guys Burgers, Made to order Mexican bar, sushi, the Deli, Mongolian Wok and etc on the newer ships. They have added on some ships a mini water park with a variety of slides. I can't forget the Serenity area that is my new favorite. They have added bath robes and a even coolers (I did not say refrig on purpose :-)) in the cabin. Yes they stopped ice buckets (unless you ask or have a great steward) because people were not using the ice. They haven't gotten rid of the little waxy chocolates on the pillow as Royal did. The new ropes course on the Sunshine is another new feature and addition.

 

So Sure Carnival has cut some items and I am sure they are missed, but they have added other items and I felt to be fair if we are to compare to the past, we should also discuss the new things.

 

On the entertainment, the demographic is changing and to remain relevant cruise lines have to change (as well as hotels (what's the deal with the fake grass on the middle of the table at Marriott Courtyard?), even my local McDonald's has gone to the new sleek modern look). As Carnival added more evening options that their customers were asking for it no longer makes sense to invest in high production cost shows every evening, when the show rooms were half full. Now there is movies by the pool at night, multiple other options from the Comedy club, Karaoke and the like.

 

Yes the live band by the pool is gone, but the last Carnival cruise I was on with the steel band, they were awful, I prefer the video screen with a fun Bon voyage party and all those quirky and stupid dance songs. The video screen gave new options and made the live band obsolete (or maybe I should less needed).

 

Another poster pointed out the cost difference. My last cruise was on Disney where I paid 6 times the amount I am paying for my upcoming Carnival cruise. Both were in off season for comparison. I keep that in mind as I enjoy the cruise experience on Carnival and do not expect a Ruth's Chris steak when I am paying for a Golden Corral Buffett.

 

None of this is to minimize what the op noticed, they are right, there have been changes, some are cost cutting and some demographic changes and evolving guest trends. But to be fair they should remember the things Carnival has added over that same time period and kept prices dropping or steady year over year.

 

I could have paid $300 more per person to go on a Royal ship out of the same port as my upcoming Carnival cruise, but then I would expect more from their product.

 

One last thought, Carnival Corp owns Princess, Holland, Cunard and others. Each line has to have a place in the market, Carnival is not trying to be a Princess, a Holland or even their competitor product Royal. They are trying to be a value product that still delivers a great experience. They don't pretend to be something their not. They still deliver (for me) a great experience for what I pay and that is why I come back when my vacation budget is on the anemic side. If it is more robust then I take a land trip or even another cruise product.

 

So yes the glass can be half full and half empty at the same time. Just need to look at the full glass, not just half.

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

EVERY WELL SAID! I totally agree but then I am always a glass half full sort of person. Makes my days easier! Happy sailing!

I've cruised with Carnival for years and yes I have seen the cut backs. But look around there are cut backs everywhere. If your not happy with cruising with Carnival go some where else...price a week vacation at a beach resort, plus food,plus entertainment and look at your bill! Or book with another cruise line. I'll bet you will be happy to cruise with Carnival! It's not about all the things that have been cut back, they are not important. The important thing about cruising is meeting all the different people, making new friends, seeing new places, and most of all just getting away from working and relaxing?

So just sit back and enjoy what you have and drink another umbrella drink!

Carnivale in '84. Been hooked ever since!:D

Does anyone know if you can order Mango Rum to be delivered to the room? I know it is not listed on the Bon Voyage Site but I wondered if I wait till I get on the ship to order if maybe they might have different varieties. I always order a couple of bottles for the room but I am really addicted to my drinks using mango rum!

Hope someone has the answer!!:D

Yes we always dress as do many others!! 3rd Halloween cruise this year. Love it!! WAR EAGLE!!

Just for you Jimmy Geegitz --- ROLL TIDE!

What ship are you on for this Halloween? Me and my BFF are on the Fascination. Can't wait.

Just thing College Football starts tomorrow!

Does any one have any pictures of past costumes. Give me some ideas!! Help!!!

Every time we fly into FLL we use Black Pearl Limo. They will have a driver meet you at luggage pickup. I always just book a round trip. I have used a Limo (special occasion) but usually just book a town car. It cost about $5 more than a taxi. They have vans as well. They are very professional. You can reserve and pay on line. They give you both the dispatchers and drivers cell # in case you need them. If your flight is delayed - no problem just send them a text or call them and they will adjust. Our last trip the Victory was delayed 2 hours because of a fire in the Everglades (too much smoke to navigate the channel). I called and they adjusted no problem no extra charge!!

Great people to do business with!

On our last cruise we tried an aft balcony. I had read all the reviews and thought it would be a great balcony plus it was the only type room we had never tried. Big mistake! While the view was wonderful you couldn't stay on it very long because of the heat. No breeze at all. It was June and we were sailing east to west and west to east but I didn't expect it to be so hot. No cover and no privacy so that added to the disappointment. The aft balcony would probably be a lot better in the spring or fall but definitely not in the middle of summer! I did however enjoy the view and my Bloody Mary first thing in the morning watching the sun rise. But like someone said earlier there really is no BAD balcony.:D

Me and my BFF are cruising over the Halloween weekend. Has anyone ever cruised for Halloween? Does Carnival do anything special? We are considering bringing a costume for the "event".

Give me ideas or tell me what you have done or experienced!