cruiselover**

If you play in the casino, I have a come up with a great way to practice. About a week before the cruise, while driving down the highway, every now and then I will roll the window down and throw a twenty out. It then hurts less when I lose in the casino.

I want to thank you for this wonderful post! I had to share it with my husband too. This is one of the FUNNIEST things I have read on this website. You absolutely made my day. I'll be laughing every time I think of it.

I have been cruising with Carnival since 1993 and I still remember all the nice merchandise I could buy in the gift shops early on. As the years have gone by, the logo items have been getting fewer and fewer. You used to be able to buy 'ship specific' t-shirts - and there would be at least eight or ten choices for both men and women. They sold jackets and beach cover-ups with the 'Carnival' logo on them. There used to be playing cards, several styles of pens, magnets, ashtrays, postcards, beer steins, coffee cups, Christmas ornaments, and on and on and on - all with the 'Carnival' name on them. At least I am still able to buy the cruise ship models, but they are not of the same quality they were years ago. I'm sure my husband is happy I can't buy as much as I did years ago, but I am disappointed with the 'Fun Shops' now. I hope things will improve soon.

I have read the rules pertaining to carrying purses and/or camera bags at Pearl Harbor and know that they are not permitted. I plan on wearing pants that have pockets for my items, but am a little concerned about dropping my point and shoot camera somewhere (I am a bit clumsy sometimes) since I don't have zippered pockets on any of my pants. Would I be able to wear one of those small, clear cell phone carriers on a lanyard or something? I know they are normally used to protect cell phones from water damage, but I was hoping that would be something that is permitted at Pearl Harbor since it doesn't conceal anything. If anyone has any recent experience with this I would love to hear your feedback. Thanks in advance for your help!

I want to send a big THANK YOU to 'cocacola' for sending me the Carnival Vista model. It arrived today and I am so happy to have it.

I do want to let other cruise ship model collectors know that the Vista model is quite a bit lighter in weight than the previous models. Just last year, I bought one on Carnival Splendor and it is at least 3 or 4 times heavier than this new one. I don't know if all the new ship models are being made this way or not. Appearance wise it looks good, but weight-wise not as well made as in the past.

To 'cocacola':

You have mail! Thanks for all your help.

Thanks for your quick responses. For those passengers sailing soon, the ship models should be back in stock. I was told the first day of my cruise that the models were supposed to be replenished for my sailing, but Miami didn't get them on time. I was upset, but knew that nothing more could be done at that time.

To 'cocacola', I would love to buy your Carnival Vista model! When I bought one last year on my Carnival Splendor cruise, I paid $35.99 (I still have my receipt!). Please let me know how much you need for shipping, etc. We can work out the details. Thanks so much!

My husband and I just sailed on the Carnival Vista April 8th to April 16th and the gift shop didn't have any of the ship models. I have collected one for each Carnival ship I have been on and really want to keep my collection complete. If anyone can buy one for me I would be eternally grateful! I will gladly pay for the cost of the model as well as shipping.

I have posted this on a couple of the roll calls, but I might have better luck here.

Thanks everyone!

To firemanbobswife:

Thank you so much for taking time from your vacation to post! I will be on the Carnival Vista in just 2 1/2 weeks and am interested in seeing photos of the gift shop. If you are willing, could you please take a few pictures to show me some of the merchandise available?

Have a great time on your cruise. I look forward to reading more about your trip.

I have a question about your stop in St. Kitts. When you docked, were you near any shops, etc.? I will be on the same itinerary in April and I am interested in hearing where the Carnival Vista docked since some have reported that it is in an industrial area, rather than by the shops and restaurants.

I also am wondering about the Platinum gift. If you received one, could you please let me know what you were given?

The actual cabin I have booked for Carnival Splendor is #9196, which is one of five scenic ocean view cabins onboard. These forward facing cabins have the window from floor to ceiling and the entire width of the cabin, so I'm guessing the window is about 8' high and 10' wide. I see the awesome side cabins on deck nine (one on port side, one on starboard side) that have windows facing the bow as well as the side. I may have mistakenly called my cabin a 'scenic' view, when in fact, it may not be called that. My cabin is listed as four passenger and that is why I am wondering if I could be moved.

I have one of the scenic ocean view cabins booked on the Carnival Splendor for a Hawaiian cruise (October 2018 - first time ever to Hawaii!). We usually get a balcony for a one week cruise, but this is a two-week cruise and a balcony was very expensive. Anyway, when I booked the scenic ocean view I didn't realize it is a four person cabin. Carnival allowed me to book it with only two passengers. Does anyone have any experience with being switched to a different cabin under these circumstances? I think the only way Carnival could move us would be to a balcony cabin (and I can't believe they would want to do that) because the other ocean view cabins would be a downgrade. Thanks for your help.

I certainly know what it's like to be one of the passengers waiting to board when others won't get off the ship. My husband and I were waiting to start our cruise on the Carnival Breeze in April 2015. The passengers that were on the prior week to our cruise were a charter group - for the whole ship - and they were delaying our boarding time so much that we were moved from lounge to lounge in the Miami terminal for hours! We did not get to board the ship until almost 2:30 and we were platinum! I was really hungry by then, not to mention thirsty. We didn't receive any compensation, but I sure would have liked a couple free drinks for our trouble.

Wow, I love the pictures of your cabin! My husband and I were on the Carnival Splendor the week of April 24th to May 1st and our balcony cabin was also on Lido deck - #9292. We loved the location so much. We were very close to the mid ship pool ( and the Lido bar!).

Our cabin steward asked the first day if we wanted morning or evening service and I checked both boxes. He didn't really say much, but I told him I knew we could have both, so that's what I picked. He did tidy up the cabin in the morning and evening, as requested. We had clean towels once a day and the usual towel animal, etc.

On our cruise, we thought the crew was super! Everyone we interacted with was very nice. We had the Cheers! program, so we spent many hours on bar stools. The bartenders were just amazing - so personable and just downright nice! We also thought the cruise director, Chloe, and her group were wonderful. We had so much fun all week.

To anyone wondering about choosing the Splendor, I will tell you this - we have been on 20 Carnival cruises (13 ships in all) and I felt the crew on Carnival Splendor was terrific. I didn't mind the pink décor I had read about either. It's not like I am spending my life with the color - so who cares?! I thought the cruise was wonderful - definitely in my top three of all my cruises. So, go and have a great time.

On our cruise last spring onboard the Carnival Breeze (April 2015) there was a band called "Deja Vu" that performed many times throughout the week. We really enjoyed them! I was wondering if anyone knows if they are still working on any Carnival ships. They were from Great Britain and played music from the 1980's all the way up to the current music. Thanks in advance for your help.

My post just went through a second time - sorry about that! I was thanking you for giving me the correct answer for "Wheel of Fortune".

Thanks for posting the answer for me. I appreciate your help very much!

Well, here I am asking for help once more! "Wheel of Fortune" wasn't on again tonight because of March Madness. Did anyone happen to see what the 'Spin and Sail' puzzle was for this evening? Thanks for your help.

I am so glad you posted the answer for me! I really appreciate your help. Thank you very much!

"Wheel of Fortune" didn't air last night in our area because of March Madness. Can anyone tell me what the 'Spin and Sail' puzzle was? I would be very grateful! Thanks in advance for your help.

I just wanted to add my 2 cents to the conversation - as stated, when you book Early Saver, you will always be Early Saver. I booked my upcoming cruise about a year ago. During one of the Carnival sales in the fall, I was able to keep my same rate, but upgrade from a category 8A balcony to an 8E balcony. Since that time, I have received two price adjustments. One of the lower rates was the Senior Rate (over age 55) that I qualified for. I am still in my category 8E, but received an onboard credit of about $85.00 since I had made final payment. Just yesterday, I qualified for yet another lower rate. I got a Resident Rate that was lower than my Senior Rate and am now getting another $60.00 in onboard credit for a total of $145.00!

I know not everyone likes the Early Saver rate restrictions, but I have been very happy each time I have booked at that rate. I check Carnival's prices each day since I am less than six weeks away from my cruise. You don't know when a new lower rate may show up! As other members have posted, I have up until two days before sailing to get discounts.

I know from these boards that the Carnival Fun Shops are under new ownership. I am wondering if any of you recent Carnival cruisers have photos of the gift shops you can share? I am curious to see if the merchandise is still similar to what has been offered in the past or if there are a lot of new items. I am keeping my fingers crossed that the cruise ship models are still for sale! I also am a fan of the t-shirts that have the sparkly designs on the front of them. I am looking forward to finding out first-hand in late April, but would love to get any information ahead of time that I can. Thanks to all!

I want to thank the original poster about the 12 hour sale information. I checked my April 2016 cruise on the Carnival Splendor and my April 2017 cruise on the Carnival Vista for price drops. I wasn't lucky enough to find a price decrease for the Splendor, but for the Vista I was able to go from an 8C balcony on deck 7 to an 8E balcony on deck 9 for only $10.00 total for two of us for an 8 night cruise! That works out to only 63 cents per day apiece for that upgrade. I am happy with that. As of this morning, that price is now $90.00 higher than last night. Cruise Critic members are the best! Thank you so much.

I sure hope the Splendor gets the Guy's Burgers, Blue Iguana, etc. since I am sailing on her in April 2016. I asked John Heald over two months ago if the Splendor would be getting the 2.0 upgrades when she goes into dry dock and I didn't receive an answer yet. I'm keeping my fingers crossed though, that she gets the upgrades. I have really enjoyed the 2.0 features on several of the Carnival ships. Hopefully, we'll hear soon.

I was on the Carnival Breeze last week (4/19-4/25) which has the Pizza Pirate. There was a sign on the counter that stated "Caesar salads available upon request". I was able to order a salad with no problem. I'm not sure about the calzones though. My salad was wonderful and tasted especially good with my afternoon cocktail!

I bought one of the large bottles of Bacardi two years ago on one of my Carnival cruises. I believe the price was $39.95 for the 3 1/2 liter bottle. After enjoying it's contents, I put a string of clear Christmas lights inside the empty bottle. It looks really nice when it is lit up at night.

If you are interested in buying one of the large bottles, get it early in your cruise - they often sell out since they only have a few in stock. Sometimes, you can find them in port for about the same price as the asking price onboard.