RoperDK

19 hours ago, Lottacruises said:

Oh my, I hadn't seen what the lanyard looks like.  I would never wear it because of the "very important person" written on it. We are low key and don't like to call attention to ourselves.  I would however gift this to a child. I think they might really enjoy it.  It's still a gift and we appreciate the thought.  

1 hour ago, Erik101 said:

Breakfast room menu.  

 

 

The initial word was that the pay breakfast sandwiches were pretty yucky.  Anyone have an update? Have they improved?

15 hours ago, BlerkOne said:

Whether they realize it or not, or like it, P/D cruisers aren't the bread and butter customers for Carnival. Many got there on free or discounted cruises as gamblers.

I agree that P/D aren't the bread and butter customers. However, one point that doesn't seem to occur to people is that most of those P/D cruisers brought family and friends to the Carnival product along the way and now they are repeat customers. I'm sure that Carnival has that figured out. Just wanted to clear up a point....free gambler cruises do not get points. Discounted cruises do. 

15 hours ago, Markmom18 said:

  We been cruising, these past couple of decades on Carnival or Royal. IDK why but booking Suites on RCCL we got to Diamond pretty quickly. We've sailed more times on Carnival, but it's taken a bit of time to make it up the Gold Ladder. 

  On RCCL you get double points for booking a suite.  You are able to make loyalty tiers with half the cruises of others booked in a balcony or below. A nice perk!

16 hours ago, Organized Chaos said:

 

I agree with everything you said, but you kind of lost me (just a little bit) there at the end. I don't think they'd ever dream of abandoning repeat cruisers. But you have to admit, when many of them act ungrateful for what they are given for their loyalty and go around spreading bad PR, that would cause just about any company to think twice about the definition of brand loyalty. And something else I slightly disagree with...I think Carnival (and other companies) need more than just the "occasional" newcomer. You have to keep drawing new customers in because the "old" ones aren't an infinite resource.

 

Yes, I dislike hearing people complain about the free gift.  It adds fuel to the fire for the P/D haters on that other place that we can't mention here. For me personally, I would prefer they discontinue the gift.  The gift is the only thing that I hear complaints about. I believe the other benefits are really appreciated.  I know that Carnival caters to the first time cruiser and that is great. Many family cruisers are repeat customers and do so because Carnival caters to families and does so at a good value.  The value is what I believe is Carnival's strong suit. I still cruise Carnival, but I feel the decrease in food quality and over worked crew needs to be addressed or there might be many "one and done" Carnival cruisers. There's a lot of competition out there.      

Yes, always in cash to our favorite bartenders.  It seems to be very much appreciated!

1 hour ago, Organized Chaos said:

 

But a majority of the P/D's who post about their free gifts do so to complain that they stink. So it's obvious those people don't appreciate the gesture. Those attitudes are the reason why Carnival execs have indicated that the company would rather build loyalty based on someone's enjoyment of a good product rather than the promise of free stuff. I don't blame them. And if they strive to make a great product in order to build loyalty, we all benefit from that.

 

If I were P/D, that gift would have no bearing on how much I enjoyed the cruise. And if I didn't want the lanyard, tumbler, blanket, or whatever, I'd probably randomly pick a blue/red/gold to give it to.

 I've been Platinum for a long time.  I've never complained about the gift. Of course, I've been able to use some more than others. If I can't use the gift it is either given to someone or returned to guest services with a thank you very much, but I already have several of these items so please pass this along for the next cruise. I may be in the minority, but the other Platinum benefits are far more important to me (priority embarkation, debarkation, laundry, and GS line).  I cruise different lines. I cruise for the ship, itinerary, and product satisfaction. The loyalty level is secondary for me.  If the product quality falters then I will move on. It is true that we all benefit from an improved product. I think it would a mistake to abandon repeat cruisers. Hotels, airlines, and cruise lines need repeat customers along with the occasional newcomer. Just my opinion. 

1 hour ago, SherriZ366 said:

From pictures and videos, it looks like the JS on HM is very different.  Particularly the vanity area --  Does the mirror light up?    

Our JS is 11636 on the angle leading up to hump so I hope the balcony is a little bigger (same room has a larger balcony on OA).  

We've only been on Oasis. Once in a JS and once in a GS.  Our Harmony JS is on the hump, just like it was on Oasis. We loved the larger balcony. I hope we have a lounger on the balcony. From the pics I've seen, it does look like the vanity mirror lights up. That could be a good thing or a bad thing. Lol. 😨

6 hours ago, SherriZ366 said:

Good to hear.  Will that only be on the app for people in Suites or people in JSs also?

We are in a JS on Harmony in Sep. The CK menu (along with all the other info) popped up on the app a couple of weeks ago.

2 hours ago, MzOhioLady said:

Willdra - Of course I had to go look up Men Rompers on Google. I don't know how you could only chuckle to yourself and not belt out a Huge Laugh?? LOL. 

Me, too.  Hadn't heard of them before.  What a hoot.  An unusual fashion statement, to sat the least.  It would have made my day!   

3 hours ago, -Lew- said:

We live in Vermont and fly down to Florida in January every year.  We wear light weight jackets in the taxi to the airport...wouldn't think of wearing our heavy winter jackets.  Yeah, we're uncomfortably cold for a few minutes, but it's not a deal-breaker.

Yes, this.  

38 minutes ago, TNixon123 said:

Sounds like a fun trip surrounded by pure excellence.

 

 

 

 

Roll Tide.

 

 

Too bad that I already have a panama canal cruise scheduled for that time frame!  Since I am a Bama fan I would love it, but I try to avoid group cruises. They can close down public venues for private parties and just the sheer volume of the group can get to be too much. Can you reschedule?  We did this once when we found out about a large group scheduled.  Good luck and Roll Tide!  

Any chance that my hump JS on the Harmony would have a lounger?  We sailed on Oasis in a hump JS and it had a lounger, 2 regular chairs and a table.  Heaven!  

23 minutes ago, jsdst12 said:

I personally can live without straws (minus drinking milkshakes lol)...however, my 6yo son who has autism sometimes has difficulty drinking out of cups.  The straws help him avoid spilling his drink down his body and not need to use a "sippy cup" in public.  We will bring our own for sure!

This is a perfect example where for certain individuals there is a need for items that others can do without.  There are many valid reasons where an across the board elimination of an item is not a mere inconvenience for some, but a valid issue.  I hope that people would be understanding of these situations and not just figure that everyone is feeling privileged and petty.    

4 hours ago, obx_fintoo said:

eOn my May cruise, we got bloody mary's with the olives stuck onto a plastic straw!!!😜 So inside the straw, you could see olive bits!   Not sure if the edible or Lolistraws will be up to double use as a cocktail stirrer or not!

That is just a bit weird. I have gone olive diving with a straw when one got loose and fell to the bottom of the glass.  It usually doesn't turn out well for the straw or the olive.  It doesn't seem the best way to serve olives, but at least they still have them.  At home, we just use a wooden toothpick. I am still wondering why the single use wooden items and paper wrappers are included in the ban on Carnival.   

17 minutes ago, Mrs CruisinCritter said:

Someone asked John Heald about them and this was his reply... 

 

 

I wonder if I could score one of those for my margaritas on the rocks.  Acidic drinks make my lips break out.  And no, I'm not giving up my margaritas.  I will find a way.  Don't want to bring my own plastic straws.  There has to be a compromise!

21 minutes ago, Butterbean1000 said:

I was wondering the same thing. I've had olives stabbed with bamboo looking tooth picks. Maybe they'll be using something like that.

We have those bamboo toothpick things served locally, too.  I know bamboo is renewable, but didn't think a toothpick would ruin the environment. I must be uninformed. 

Following. We aren't going on the Breeze anytime soon, but definitely enjoy reading your reviews.

4 minutes ago, wo5m said:

If this is true, I think I will like it. Looks promising ...if this is what Carnival will be using. 

 

LOLISTRAWS look and feel like regular plastic straws, according to their IndieGoGo page. However they go “from straw to soil in 60 days or less” rather than sitting in a landfill for what is essentially forever. You don’t need to worry about the straw disintegrating in your drink, either. LOLISTRAWS will last for 24 hours in your beverage and have a shelf life of up to two years. 

 

https://youtu.be/4HV91fkAIbg

That is interesting!  Not what I was thinking about when I heard edible straws.  I was imagining a hollow rolled cookie or chocolate type thing.  I've never seen that, but that's what I pictured.  If those straws are biodegradable, then why don't they offer them for other drinks?  Probably a cost factor.  I wonder if they have a biodegradable olive picks?  Bloody Mary's are just not the same without olives!

Have they showed up yet?  If so, tell me all about them. 

10 hours ago, CruisenOne said:

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't it Princess that dumped gray water in Glacier Bay? 

19 hours ago, StolidCruiser said:

Exclusive Amenities

• Priority check-in, embarkation & debarkation
• Priority dinner reservations & main dining room time assignment
• Two complimentary large bottles of water
• Pillow-top mattresses
• Bathrobes

18 hours ago, Pattywac said:

We had a suite in late April and one benefit was one bag of free laundry. Also priority boarding for water shuttle.

To us, the biggest benefit of a suite is the extra cabin size,  double sinks in the larger bath, and larger balcony. Usually the trimmings are nicer, too.  Most have granite counters throughout, wood entries, Murano glass lamps, and adjustable recessed lighting.   

The above quoted amenities are correct.  We also received a small bag of cookies delivered to the cabin.  If you are a past Carnival cruiser you will get 4 large bottles of water.  Two for the past guest amenity and two for the suite amenity.  That cuts down on having to order water for the room for us.

We've cruised in suites on Carnival for many years and they are slowly adding amenities, but as others have said, there is no comparison with amenities offered on other cruise lines.  It is very true that the price point is lower on Carnival.  When the Mardi Gras sails, those in Excel Suites will have more amenities, but there is definitely a higher price to pay for those suites.  

Thanks for the review.  Uggg about the ill thought out "environmental" changes that are beginning.  Other cruise lines have individual pats of butter that you pick up with tongs.  No need for a tub of butter like substance that you dip out of.  If artificial sweeteners in paper are okay,  then why not sugar?  I love the ABC island itineraries.  Never been on the Magic but just sailed on the Breeze a few months ago.  Looks like the Magic would be a good ship to try out.   

5 minutes ago, lmb84 said:

Just wondering, is anyone hesitant about booking with Carnival with all that's in the news?

Not at all. I have 3 Carnival cruises booked and another one on Princess (under the Carnival Corp. umbrella of cruise lines).  While I was disappointed in the Carnival Corp. environmental violations, I feel that there will be a concerted effort to make positive changes.  Maybe I'm just an optimist.      

On ‎6‎/‎7‎/‎2019 at 12:48 PM, peanutter said:

Just wanted to add a reason for the WHY question about "needing" to use a straw - I try to keep as much acidic stuff away from my teeth as possible.  This includes tea, coffee, lemonade, coke (rarely drink) and really anything besides water (which I drink a lot of).  I'm fortunate to have healthy teeth and I want to keep them that way.

 

I agree with this.  I mostly drink water, but have been told by my dentist to use a straw to lessen contact with the teeth for certain types of beverages.  As an added problem for me, drinking acidic juices cause my lips to break out.  I think I will look into the silicone straws.