Out of Iowa

So very sorry to learn of Tom's passing. I printed and used his Monaco information when we did our Mediterranean cruise some years ago. His information was accurate and definitely improved the quality of our port day there (while helping us avoid a LOT of stairs and some steep hills). Somewhere I have a port guide to the Azores tucked away in case I can go there one day...but I'm not sure if it was Tom's or someone else's.

I attend each cruise's Welcome Aboard show. I like to hear how many kids are on board, the number of Americans, Canadians, which states are most (and least) represented, etc. I enjoy those Fun Facts.

We've really enjoyed our pre-cruise stays at the Drury Plaza Suites on Poydras. It has a streetcar stop at the corner, offers a hot, full-cooked breakfast and their famous 5:30 Kickback (heavy appetizers and beverages). There is a nice pool area on the roof and the building has been sympathetically renovated. Beautiful. Looking for something more romantic? Niche boutique hotel, the Bienville House is right at the French Quarter. Beautiful little balconies overlooking the indoor/outdoor pool area. That was some years ago.

I hope the kid's parents share complete health information with you before you travel with their child - on a cruise ship, a long way from US shores, with limited medical interventions on-board. That's a lot of responsibility for you if something, anything goes wrong.

I've been disappointed by Carnival room service deliveries previously because although they stated sandwiches were served with chips, there were no chips. I have concluded that keeping chips fresh in sea air or onboard a ship must be peculiarly difficult. In my experience, you are very unlikely to easily find potato chips - unless you bring your own. Personally, I can go without chips for the duration of a cruise.

Mine surprised me by retiring! 😞 Such a loss; he was friendly, helpful, perhaps responsible for spa gift cards in the cabin once for a special occasion, and knew when it was time to book again and called me with deals. Now I book online - and take my chances if I have to call Carnival's phone.

Always delighted to see someone posting their Single Digit Dance....enjoy. Don't forget to write a trip review upon your return. Thank you.

from NBC and the Associated Press: SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Puerto Rico health officials on Thursday declared an influenza epidemic in the U.S. territory. Epidemiologist Melissa Marzán noted that officials have seen nearly six times more cases so far this year compared with the same period last year. At least 25,900 cases have been reported since July, with 42 deaths and more than 900 hospitalizations on the island of 3.2 million people, Health Secretary Carlos Mellado said. The group most affected seems to be 0-19 year olds.

If you'd like a little immersion in the Spanish language while in Cozumel, walk into the Mega store (it is on the main street between the port and downtown; on the far side of the street/not water-front side). It is a grocery store and mini-discount/home store rolled into one. Clean, bright...and you will recognize some standard food items (boxes of cereal, etc.) and spot some that are new. We've bought toothpaste here, children's board books (in Spanish, of course), sunscreen, snacks...all while enjoying the shopping experience in another language. American dollars are accepted at the check-out. The store is air-conditioned, there is an ice cream stand on the lower level, the shopping carts ride an escalator beside you, there is a tasty in-store bakery....we enjoy visiting grocery stores in different countries.

Kudos to Carnival that all of those photographs are no longer printed for display in the Photo Gallery. All that wasted photographic paper, chemicals, etc. used to bother me immensely.

Our trip through the Gibraltar Strait (which wasn't nearly as narrow as my creative imagination envisioned) was in daylight - and there were lots of people gathered on the deck. I was able to wave at Morocco (possibly the closest I will ever get to visiting Africa) and also the British territory of Gibraltar. It was an especially nice Fun Day at Sea.

I've had the same problem for another Magic sailing later in 2025. I called Carnival's toll-free line, explained to a representative, read the Error Message to her, she put me on hold multiple times to "consult IT" and came back with the vague and useless excuse that the cruise isn't yet "fully available." She also suggested I call back in a few days, at the month (huh?) or next month. [I've since concluded Magic may be heading to drydock sometime since she will be "due"...but maybe Carnival isn't certain of their ability to keep to the usual schedule.] I'm still waiting to book. It's been a week now.

Trying to book a cruise only to get a message to call the (800) tel # to talk to a representative, who eventually told me that the cruise I want to book is not yet "fully available." What does that mean? If it can't be booked, Carnival, then don't display it on your website and have CD John Heald include it in his online post. After long holds while the rep "talked to the IT Department," she finally advised me to call back "in a week, at the month or maybe in a month." Again, I did not understand the explanation/instruction. Still haven't managed to book and it's been a week now.

Thanks for your suggestions. I just got off the phone with the 1-800 Carnival # and tried to book. I had to try to book on my computer again so that I could read the Error Message to the Carnival rep. She then tried to access the specific Magic cruise I want to book. She told me that it is "not fully available" after several long wait times. She suggested I try again in a week, late this month or "in a month." I have to wonder whether they are waiting for some big group to confirm/pay to charter this voyage? I am familiar with the Dream ship, hence my preference to book Magic. I've heard about long, long lines on Horizon and the misunderstood "smart" elevators which make me want to avoid that ship. I'll wait a week and try again.

I've been trying regularly to find a Fall 2025 cruise to the A-B-C islands. Based on 2024, it seems like Horizon or Magic will be the ships so I've been checking for their itineraries specifically. Today is the first time I've found the cruise I want to book (Magic) - only after looking at the details, itinerary and excursions, I get a gray box that says the entire voyage is Sold Out. Could this be a massive group booking? Continuing website problems at Carnival? Have you had this trouble, too?

Yes, the Boarding passes being lengthy is what I've always experienced. Our luggage tags have been done in black/white/gray only and our bags give to the porters still made it to our door. Concentrate on your passport (at hand? still valid + 6 months?) and the fun you'll be having...

Yay, wa-hooo, so excited to see someone is doing the Single Digit Dance. There seems to have been a scarcity of such happy announcements on this Board. Thanks for sharing your excitement with us. For the individual who said they have never sailed out of Port of New Orleans, I hope you get the opportunity. The trip down the River is very interesting. Your pre-cruise stay in such a fun city with so many, many options (museums, ferry, Mardi Gras costumes, dining options, Jackson Square, the French Quarter, Cafe du Monde....) you will definitely not get all you want to enjoy done during your first visit. So, schedule another cruise from NOLA, too 🙂

Ladies, I don't want you to miss out like I did: no skirts/dresses. When at home, plan your packing accordingly.

Definitely NOT the Carnival Fantasy. That was my first Carnival cruise as an adult - and the worst experience. It was horrible. Hated every (seasick) second. Ship was too small. Kids were sick. Spouse was sick. Really rocky seas - and a ship that was definitely not cut out for it. I persisted in cruising because I just knew there had to be a reason why everyone else seemed to rave about it. Now I realize I must choose ~110,000 tonnes and up. Carnival's ships really are the Fun Ships. I love to be at sea.

If the casino expands, it needs Lucky Lemmings - and a way to keep the Circle C kids from seeing how much fun it is.

I want to plan a celebratory cruise for October 2025 but Carnival's website currently only displays voyages through June 2025. That's ~715 days out. My dates are 100 or so days beyond that. Any ideas what the corporate schedule is for rolling out the next "batch" of dates? Thanks for your insight.

I'd call Carnival to ask about avoiding the fee by taking your old ID, new ID and divorce decree (notarized copy). [Granted, I booked...but also] I sailed until my passport expired under my old name with proper documentation.

Perhaps the next time you are in Britain, you can take your boys (just the right age) for an eerie, late night Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London? The website for Historic Royal Palaces has the details. The atmosphere is spectacular...and your boys will remember the items on display and the tales they heard on the guided tour this year.

Shrimp cocktail (daily); crab cake; several of the fish/shrimp dishes; the best beef dishes; Grand Marnier souffle; strawberry (peach, others) chilled soups. Many of the appetizers are delicious and I light up when I see them on the menu, too.

I've only tried WCMC once. Didn't do anything for me, and I'm a chocoholic. Haven't ordered it since. Bring on the Grand Marnier souffle! The room-service chocolate cake from days gone by was excellent. Creme brulee is excellent. There are other tasty options in the MDR that I've enjoyed over the years - and hope to enjoy again.