RoperDK

We are on Wonder in a few weeks and I have a question about the rotation of the CK dinner menus.  Are they always the same or do they switch them up to match the MDR formal nights.  I have always had dinner at CK where formal nights were day 2 and 6.  On our cruise, formal nights are day 3 and 6.  Will they switch the day 2 and 3 menus?  Thanks.  

All I want is for them to bring back the everyday items.  Celebrity did.  You can still get the everyday items at Coastal Kitchen.

It is definitely a niche cruise. Since it didn't seem to sell out and smaller segments were subsequentially sold to fill the ship, it seems like it might be a one and done. However, I wonder what the impact of the tik tok and you tube influencers might have.  The world cruise is definitely trending and is giving Royal a ton of marketing.  So far, everything seems positive.  Of course, that could tank if things turn sour.       

Does anyone know if the signature restaurant has its own menu or is it just an extension of the MDR?

21 minutes ago, Old Fart Cruisers said:

 

Off topic, I know, but Grace Hopper was an amazing human being.  As a retired US Air Force computer programmer, her pioneering developments in the computer field were without match.  I do believe that without her development of a conversational style of computer programming language (COBOL), only advanced mathematicians would be able to code computer processes. Her contributions help lead to the computerized world we now live in.  Her life story is an interesting read.  Now, back to Icon.....      

I have my doctor prescribe Phenergan for nausea.  I rarely get seasick, but when I do, it is not pretty.  The drugs used for preventing motion sickness affect my vision and make me drowsy (no matter what the label says).  It also doesn't make sense to me to take meds that will probably not be needed.  The Phenergan works in about 15 minutes for me.  My seasickness doesn't last for long.  Once I get my sea legs, the motion doesn't bother me anymore.  It might be an option for some.   

So, Excel Suites don't get complimentary orders from the MDR menu for delivery?  I assumed that level of cabin would have that perk.

3 hours ago, mz-s said:

I am not sure why Carnival still blocks WiFi calling at this point. The speculation I've read is because they want people to use the in-cabin phone, or Cellular at Sea roaming, presumably they get a spiff from those fees. But I don't have any proof of that.

 

Internet and phone service is a huge missing link for the work from anywhere crowd, and it's a market that Carnival is entirely leaving on the table for their competitors. Their choice.

Blocking WIFI calling and texting is a big pet peeve of mine with Carnival.  We had been so used to using it on Royal that we were surprised when we couldn't while on Mardi Gras earlier this year.  We just assumed it would be available and had to go back to using What'sApp and FB Messenger which limits who you can connect with.  Carnival's internet pricing isn't a bargain, either.  Even with the most expensive package WIFI calling is blocked.  

13 hours ago, tvo7 said:

My debate is this.  Lets say I eat in buffet all 7 days and not once go to main dining room.  Should should be in the hook for tipping the mdr crew?

 

Maybe give the assistant waiter a 10.

I am sure many on here would be glad to tip 20 plus 20 plus 10 for total of 50 rather than 725 dollars.  

Three of my family were .kids 10 8 8.  Why am I having to tip .RCi 18 dollars a day for each one?

I hate to dive into this, but here I go.  Your kids (10,8,8) use towels, sheets, make trash, and mess up a cabin just as much as adults do.  Even infants require extra work in the cabin clean up. So, I feel that the cabin steward should get full tips for each occupant of a cabin. If your family goes to the MDR, then the same thing applies.  The staff must take their orders and deliver their food and drink just as much as an adult.  An infant only takes up space in this instance and does not impact the servers.  If you never set foot in to the MDR, then I can see this as a gray area.  However, servers from the MDR also tend to the tables in the buffet.  They may not provide the same level of service as the MDR, but nonetheless, they are working there.  I never thought about how much gratuities must add up for families before as there are always only 2 of us.  Some families must be shocked at how much their vacation actually costs them in the end.  We always do auto tips and never adjust those.  For us, that is part of the cruise cost.  We do tip extra for those that we feel go above and beyond.        

1 hour ago, Pinballs83 said:

I could order french onion soup every day!

Was it on the menu every day or did you ask for it and they brought it out as an off menu item?  

2 hours ago, Arzeena said:

What show is this guy on?

He is on Harmony and part of the Aqua Show.  He is at the beginning and the only one on stage.  He spins for like 10 minutes straight!  He changes his poses and arm placement and also twirls the skirt up over his head, but he stays perfectly in place while he spins.  After that he just stops with no swaying.  As someone who took dance classes growing up, it really is quite a feat.   

Can I have 2?  Bring back the everyday menu items in the MDR.  Celebrity did.  Those everyday items set Royal apart from other same level cruise lines.  Also, along the same vein, bring back the sides to go along with the pizza.  It was a nice enhancement and added an upgrade to getting just a plain old slice of pizza.  

18 hours ago, jimbo5544 said:

Your reevaluation of cruising on Carnival.  Is the next cruise going to change your view?

I hope so.  Most of my cruises have been on Carnival, but I have also enjoyed my Royal and Princess cruises. My only Carnival cruises (2) since the restart have been on the Mardi Gras.  I thought the ship was beautiful, but I wasn't thrilled with the setup of the food venues. I guess I just prefer the more traditional Carnival ship layouts. The restart came with staffing shortages and the service suffered.  My next cruise is on Spirit out of Mobile in February.  The port is a couple of hours from my home and I love the Spirit class of ships. I am aware of the cutbacks/changes, but I do like the fun atmosphere on Carnival.  I'm going in with an open mind.        

21 hours ago, molsonschooner said:

we saw that spinny guy twice. That was twice too often. I just don't get it. I also agree about all the stomping. I did like the slack line guys, their balance is amazing

 

Lol, I have seen spinning guy a couple of times.  I found him weirdly entertaining and mesmerizing.  It was relaxing for me.  Almost hypnotic.  I know I am in the minority, but I liked spinning guy.  I think his purpose is to entertain while everyone files in to get seated before the show.    

2 minutes ago, jimbo5544 said:

Why wait?

Why wait for what?

9 hours ago, jimbo5544 said:

They have n0t had bacon every single day for at least 5 years, possibly 10.  You should tell the people who take a whole plateful on what it is…

My last cruise on Carnival was Feb. 2020. Cruising was halted shortly after. Bacon was available every day on the buffet.  Granted, the bacon police were there, but I don't have any problem with that.  I ordered my usual breakfast from the (free) 24 hour room service menu many mornings.  It was a toasted BLT sandwich.  I'd been doing that for many years.  A perfect breakfast for me.  DH preferred the buffet and would get a plate there.  The last time I saw the (not free) room service menu, the  BLT was still there, but had fake bacon.         

9 hours ago, Rudyard said:

It was only available two days out of five on my last cruise, and two days out of seven on the cruise before that in the buffet. You can get it every day though if you eat breakfast/brunch in the MDR. 

This is my experience, too.  Have been on two 7-day cruises on the Mardi Gras since the restart.  Bacon was not available every other day in the buffet. It was only a couple of days.  While I'm at it....cut up hot dogs are not a suitable sub for breakfast sausage.  It may seem that I hate Carnival, but that is not true. We are looking forward to our Feb. cruise, but are still disappointed in the many, many changes since the restart.  We will reevaluate cruising on Carnival after that cruise.  We have moved on to other cruise lines but do miss the "fun" atmosphere on Carnival. We are only 4 7-day cruises away from Diamond and I would really like to make that milestone.       

14 hours ago, Despegue said:

Do they clean your bloody house or your hotelroom twice a day? The twice-daily cleaning has always been something completely unnecessary if tou are not a complete pig in your Stateroom.

I'm glad that you feel that twice a day cabin service is completely unnecessary, but many others disagree. We do fine with once a day, but there are only two of us in the cabin. I do miss turndown for a fresh up of the cabin and more ice.  Those traveling with children must have a harder time getting by.  Having the couch left in a bed setup for the whole week must be awful.  No place to sit and very crowded for walking around.  Dirty towels and trash must pile up.  They aren't "complete pigs", it's just hard to make things work in such a small place.  I've never stayed in a hotel room as small as a standard cruise cabin.           

20 minutes ago, mz-s said:

 

Do you mean the fried taco salad shells? Blue Iguana doesn't serve those anymore.

Yes, that's what I meant.  Bummer.  Hopefully they will have a plate or bowl to use instead.  

4 hours ago, five. said:

You can also head over to Blue Iguana for their toppings, if that's more your fancy.

I'm looking forward to the Blue Iguana on my Feb cruise.  I enjoy having a taco shell full of fixings followed by a fresh slice of watermelon from the toppings bar.  It's a perfect lunch for me.  Royal has El Loco Fresh, but it is mainly premade mediocre offerings.  They are heavy on the tortilla and light on the filling and I only like the filling.  No tortilla for me.     

5 hours ago, SailingRNC said:

But, but the omelettes ...

 

and the sauteed mushrooms

On 11/29/2023 at 1:12 PM, mamaneedsavacay said:

Paying this forward, as we are just back from our cruise out of Mobile. Our boarding time was 11:30am. We pulled up to the parking garage about 11:15am without a reservation and were able to get parking on the top level easily. Paid by text when we parked. Very simple! I would imagine anyone arriving much later than that would not have gotten a spot in the garage, they would have been directed to satellite parking, regardless of having paid in advance. When the garage is full, it's full. 

Appreciate you coming back and giving an update.  We are traveling out of Mobile in a couple of months and there really isn't any good info out there right now. 

18 minutes ago, jedi bobs said:

You can go and get some from the pizza place, I did.

 

Do they really give you a dish of sauteed mushrooms there?  Can you get some pepperoni slices to snack on, too?  Lol.

2 hours ago, 1025cruise said:

Apparently, for everyone complaining about the lack of mushrooms, there were many more who didn't enjoy the mushrooms. They were eliminated due to the waste.

2 hours ago, staceyglow said:

I have seen several posts on CC about people eating them as a side dish instead of a burger topping. If a lot of folks did this, it was probably too expensive for Carnival to offer them. 

Apparently, there is disagreement on why the mushrooms are gone.  Only the bean counters know for sure.  Whatever the reason for eliminating them, I am still disappointed and will miss them. 

Just now, Gardener5b said:

We both had sore throats as first symptoms, then cold-like symptoms and fatigue.  The fatigue for several days was very real!  My cough lingered for weeks afterwards.   

It is a weird virus, isn't it?  We must have been very lucky with our cases.