Towel Critter

Nope. No regrets.

 

Carnival Excel?

 

We were on the Miracle last week, extended balcony cabin 8175. The Miracle has been one of my favorite ships (3 sailings on her), but I have to be honest and say she is looking tired and her scheduled refurbishment is needed. When we first turned the water on at the sink in the bathroom, the water ran light brown for several seconds (rust, I guess). It cleared up after letting it run for a minute or two, but we never risked drinking it. Also there was a foul odor coming from the sink drain. We just kept two or three lemon wedges in the sink to mask the smell, since we aren't complainers and was able to handle the issue ourselves. Plumbing issues aside, the crew was great, the food good, and the bed comfortable, and we enjoyed our cruise. We don't allow little things to ruin our vacations. If a little rust and the occasional carpet stain and dingy upholstery will keep you from enjoying your cruise, you might want to consider a newer ship. If you can ignore those type small issues, by all means book her. I certainly don't regret it. I'm sure she will be a great ship again after the refurbishment. Great layout and great public space to passenger ratio.

We just got off of the Miracle yesterday. I was surprised to hear predominantly country music playing in the buffet area all day, every day. I'm not making any sort of statement here, one way or the other, I'm just reporting. (man, if only news outlets could do that!) :-)

 

I don't take cereal ashore, but am not upset that some enjoy this practice. Have a heart and don't be "cereal killers!"

 

Can't think of a single ship with any cruiseline I wouldn't sail on again.

Just now, jbethel11 said:

Yeah, I guess I have self-esteem issues then. Sometimes, cruising on Carnival I feel like people on rival cruise lines like Disney Cruise Line will think "I could never afford the luxuries they can", when in retrospect, I can cruise more frequently if I chose not to sail on Disney.

Of course a few of them are thinking that. They are the ones with self esteem issues, in that they can't feel good about themselves without thinking of others with disdain. You, on the other hand, can rightfully feel pride in spending your money intelligently!

 

Nope, never suffered from ship envy. Anyone who feels either pride or embarrassment because of the ship they are vacationing on has self esteem issues, in my opinion. Both pride and embarrassment, in this case, would be symptoms of the same psychological issue.

Interesting paint job, rather innovative I suppose. I'll have to see it in person, or at least from some different angles in pics before I decide if I like it or not. Undecided for now. Definitely like the name though.

4 hours ago, ChosenOne said:

Have you ever been on Splendor?  Red translucent funnel with steakhouse below it

 

No, I've been on the Miracle though, where part of the lowest portion of the funnel is translucent with a steakhouse below it, just like the Splendor, but I was referring to a 100% translucent funnel, top to bottom. THAT would be cool (though impractical).

Haven't been to Bonaire, but Aruba and Curacao were great. Enjoy, OP!

On 10/26/2018 at 4:18 AM, sparks1093 said:

Simply because they give me a good return for my vacation dollar.

ditto. If I could afford a true luxury line I would sail with them, at least try them. Another reason we mostly stick with Carnival is familiarity. I think most of us like familiarity more than we would admit. The third reason is because I LOVE Carnival balcony staterooms, the size, how they are laid out, even the decor. They are about as comfortable as a room that size could possibly be. The few times we have sailed with other lines I was disappointed with the rooms more than the experience itself.

Can anyone tell me how to edit my signature? It suffered a little in the transition and needs repairing. I can't find an edit button for it.

Testing, 123, testing...🍉

Not on a cruise but I am vacationing in Destin, FLA starting on Friday. Very worried as it is forecast as a direct hit by Michael. We might be vacationing in Alabama instead..... :(

If that happens, try Gulf Shores, Al. I think you will be pleasantly surprised. Been to both Destin and Gulf Shores and prefer Gulf Shores. Good luck!

I learned that eight nights can go by pretty darned quickly, that private tables for two do still exist, that I'd like to return to Aruba on a land based vacation, that musical entertainment on the Conquest ... how to put this nicely?... uh, needs work, that MDR service was better and faster than on my last few cruises, that Carnival isn't prefect, but that I still enjoy sailing with them after over a dozen times. Lastly, after refusing to try fish tacos my entire life, I learned that they are good eats.

No, I don't think the check box for 55+ even works. It's just a decoration.

It works, but you are only likely to see 55+ discounts on last minute sailings, three months out or less. And not all of those.

We just did real well on the Magic. We booked 90 days out on a senior guarantee balcony. Saved about 300 dollars! We were assigned mid-ship cove. Just what we wanted.

Good for you! Good location and good cabin. Love the cove balconies.

Keep hearing how good the new cakes are would hope the choc extravaganza would also get better

Nope, at least not on the Conquest (two weeks ago). Same old same old. I'm always amazed at how few of the items are chocolate. Didn't notice any seven layers cakes on Lido either, though there were a few desserts that were really good, like the Boston cream cake and the white chocolate cake. I also enjoyed the bread puddings each evening, at least I assume it was available each evening, as it was available every evening we ate there.

We've been on 15, I think, Carnival cruises and I've never witnessed a violent incident or act of bullying. I'm sure it happens from time to time, just as it does in any other environment where alcohol is served to many and abused by some. But I very much doubt these acts are any more, or any less, prevalent on a Carnival ship.

I love Aruba it is my most favorite island but since I go there for two weeks every July, I rather skip the island and go to others.

I prefer one of the newer larger ships but for the islands I want to go not sure they can accommodate a very large ship so the Breeze would be perfect or any of the Dream class ships and I certainly prefer 8 night cruises.

 

1- Ft. Lauderdale

2- At Sea

3- At Sea

4- Antigua

5- Guadeloupe

6- At Sea

7- Turks and Caicos

8- At Sea

Ft. Lauderdale

 

I am tossing on this one also:

 

1- Port Canaveral

2- At Sea

3- St. Georges, Bermuda

4- Hamilton, Bermuda

5- At Sea

6- At Sea

7- Grand Turk

8- At Sea

Port Canaveral

I'm curious what it is about Grand Turk that you enjoy so much? :confused:

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

How are you going to fit three weeks of cruising into 8 nights??? :confused:

I would take that cruise, but can they make San Juan in one day from new orleans?

Not sure. I wondered about that, but since it would be a full day and almost a half day, it might be doable. Maybe with a late morning or early afternoon arrival?

For this exercise, please post YOUR dream Caribbean cruise of three to eight nights. Keep your itinerary at least somewhat realistic. Do not post a seven night cruise from Galveston to Belize, Bermuda, and St. Lucia, for example. Feel free to include departure port, cabin type and location, ship, and CD.

 

Carnival only, please, since this is a Carnival board.

 

One last "rule." You are paying for this cruise at 2018 cruise rates, so everyone, please, do not automatically choose a grand suite. Stretch your budget a little bit if you want.

 

I'll get'er started.

 

 

Length of cruise: Eight nights

Ship: Miracle or any Conquest class ship

Cabin: Balcony (I'm good with a balcony, don't need a suite)

Location: Verandah or Lido, mid-ship or aft, near an elevator, but not right at one

Departure Port: New Orleans

CD: don't care, any decent one

 

Saturday: New Orleans

Sunday: Sea Day

Monday: San Juan

Tuesday: Sea Day

Wednesday: Curacao

Thursday: Aruba

Friday: Sea Day

Saturday: Sea Day

Sunday: New Orleans

 

note* I would prefer to not have two sea says in a row, but could not manage this with the three ports of call I wanted to include. Part of the fun in this little exercise is in trying to figure out what might be possible and what isn't, imho.

I like the coffee on Lido, black or otherwise. The flavor is good, imho. It is slightly stronger than I make at home, but not too strong. When I say strong, I am not referring to caffeine content, I am referring to the coffee/water ratio.