RoperDK

I know Icon and Utopia have both Sea Class and Sky Class Junior Suites.  I heard that they were going to convert some regular JS to Sky Class, also.  Any more information on that?  Would that only be on Oasis and Quantum ships or all ships.  I know CK is only on Oasis and Quantum class, but the addition of a few JS that have full suite access could be done on all ships.  It appears that Sea Class would still have access to CK for dinner if space is available.  Any thoughts on if that will go away?  When is this addition of Sky Class JS supposed to occur? Thanks!

13 hours ago, BecT said:

We were on the October 14 sailing out of Mobile. 

 

I didn't pay attention to the table minimums for craps and BJ but 3 card poker was $5-100. This was a premier cruise in the casino. Lots of giveaways for those sailing with on the premier option but not much of anything for the rest of us cruising with a non-premier casino offer. 

 

The port seemed to be about the same as before... Waiting to park is still a PITA if you want the garage. There was a slight delay before cats were allowed in. Once in the garage things went very smoothly early on. From car to boat was about 10 minutes. Friends of ours who arrived much later in the afternoon were delayed. Boarding was shut down for a little bit...gossip was someone tried to board with illegal drugs, but I can't confirm that. Debarking was a little slow but easy if you have a passport. Passport holders are processed through with facial recognition. Less than in hour from the time we walked out of our cabin to walking into our home across the bay. 

 

Boat was in decent shape. Lots of cleaning and repair work constantly being done. I will note that ALL the power on the ship shut off for about an hour one morning. Not a big deal as we were in port at the time. 

 

Food is always subjective so take what I say with a grain of salt. 😁Buffet food was ok. Pizza was surprisingly good. Guy's burgers were the same as on other ships. The main restaurant food was for the most part  pretty good. Serving portions were surprisingly generous and I never left hungry. I usually couldn't eat everything. Service was attentive but a bit hurried. We had 6pm dining time. We ate one night at the steakhouse. It was ok but not great. The casino comped a meal for 5 (for our premiere friend) but I would not go if I had to pay myself.  We did not try the other for-pay eating place. 

 

Those in my group who went to the spa were quite happy with their services from a deep tissue massages to manicure and pedicure. 

 

Room attendants appeared to be overworked. Rooms were serviced once a day and our attendant did a great job keeping it clean. Service was in the morning but he was often out late in the evening still working trying to finish cabins he didn't get to in the morning. He was assigned 33 cabins but he did have an assistant. 

 

Entertainment was mixed. The shows were good I liked the themes, dancing and choreography.  But there was one singer whose voice was what I considered weak and I did not enjoy listening to her... again subjective. 

 

Overall I enjoyed our trip and have booked another one on Spirit for this December. (Gotta love retirement)

 

I hope I answered your questions. If not let me know. 

Thank you BecT, that was exactly what I was looking for!  Mobile has always been a bit quirky for embarking and disembarking. The port is just a few hours from our house and I am happy about not having to do an all day drive and wrestle with a hotel.  How much was the daily parking fee?  We avoid casino cruises because of the crowds.  My other casino offers are fine and less stressful than trying to find places to play on those cruises. How was the drink service in the casino and how long after leaving the port before the casino opens?  I seem to remember that it took several hours and was longer than expected. Thanks again for the great info!          

Now that Spirit has sailed from Mobile for a few sailings, is there any feedback?  Interested in how Mobile is handling the restart and how service and condition of the ship is, along with food quality.  Any opinions? 

3 hours ago, peacebeautytruth said:

So junior suite guests have priority over pinnacles?  Never heard that before.  Weird!

Junior Suites do have priority over Pinnacles for dinner only at CK when full suites haven't taken all of the dinner reservations. Junior Suites cannot access CK or the Suite Lounge at any other times. It is a published benefit of Sea Class.  If Pinnacles are allowed access, they can eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner at CK along with full all day access to the Suite Lounge. There are very few benefits to Sea Class and Junior Suites are considerably more expensive than other lower cabin categories.  I feel that Pinnacles have great access to the amenities unless it is a top tier heavy cruise.  Not weird at all. 

10 hours ago, ldubs said:

 

Thanks.  Back in the days I used to gamble, it was craps.  I didn't spend too much time at the blackjack tables.   I can figure out some basic play based on the dealer's up card. Beyond that if math is involved, I probably won't enjoy playing the game correctly. 😃

 

BTW, I used to enjoy that Wheel of Fortune slot.  Don't know if they still have those.  

Yikes, Craps! 😧 Even with a cheat sheet, I don't understand that game!  They still have Wheel of Fortune, but you will find me most days playing Buffaloooo! 🐃😁

I think we have hijacked this thread.  Let me see if I can come up with another CCL pet-peeve.....

Still with the casino theme is the fact that you can't walk up to the bar and get your own drink for free like on Royal. Oh wait, they don't have a bar in the casino anymore!  We don't qualify for DOU Everywhere, just in the casino while playing.  So my pet-peeve is that there are never enough servers in the casino especially at the slots. Never!  We actually don't cruise Carnival very much anymore and we are almost Diamond.  Our offers are better on Royal and we find cruising with them to be a better value if you can believe that.   

22 hours ago, ldubs said:

 

After reading this thread, it sounds like testing my telepathic abilities at the blackjack table might not go over well with my fellow players.  I'm not well versed in blackjack strategy either.  Congrats on the big win.   

Blackjack strategy is easy to learn with a cheat sheet.  They are only a few dollars on Amazon and only about 3x4 inches in size.  You are allowed to bring them and use them at the table.  Most situations are easy to memorize.  I still use the card in unusual situations.  In my case, I find playing blackjack extremely stressful.  The dealer wants to keep a rapid pace of play at the table and I just can't add and figure out the correct move that quickly.  I enjoy watching Hubby play and a friendly table is fun, but just give me my slots! 😁   

My 2 cents - 

We normally cruise in suites.  Suites cost more, but not as much as other cruise lines.  Carnival has very few suite benefits compared to other cruise lines.  We would hope that Carnival would offer at least a cabin refresh along with the regular servicing.  We've been lucky that our cabin stewards have offered ice and fresh towels twice a day, but frankly we have been cruising on Royal recently as they offer more benefits.  I doubt that Carnival has lost any sleep since we have chosen other cruise lines.  It is what it is, and we walk in with eyes wide open. 

I really wonder if the blackjack rules for hitting and standing and novices upsetting the apple cart really plays out over hundreds of hands. I am usually a slot player, but DH follows "the rules" faithfully.  I was offered a free cruise on Carnival that included a free slot and blackjack tournament entry.  I practiced "the rules" many times before the cruise and took my cheat sheet to the table as reference.  After several rounds, I won the tournament and $3000!  I would like to think that I won because I followed the rules (along with a good betting strategy), but doesn't catching the cards really make the difference?  If the person before me chose the wrong way, might I just as well benefit from the random next card as not?  Again, I play slots.  I admit that I am clueless.           

22 hours ago, RoperDK said:

Glad this seems to be only for top tier heavy cruises.  Spreads out the crowds.  We don't use the coffee machine in the Crown or Suite lounges because we can't figure out how to use it. 😁 I have to admit that we use the evening snacks as a light dinner sometimes. It would be missed if we don't have access.      

21 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

Using the coffee machine pretty much involves pushing a button or two.

21 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

Push the Americana button.

We usually get the regular coffee at WJ or Cafe Promenade.  We bring large stainless to go mugs for the coffee and I bring our own flavored creamer onboard.  I have to admit to getting intimidated by the suite/diamond lounge coffee machines.  I've been told to just push the Americano button.  So, on the last cruise on Mariner when I was in the suite lounge for evening drinks I bravely walked up to that machine and looked for that Americano button.  There wasn't one, dang it!  So now what do I do?  I decided that we were happy enough with the regular old coffee onboard and left it like that.  

Glad this seems to be only for top tier heavy cruises.  Spreads out the crowds.  We don't use the coffee machine in the Crown or Suite lounges because we can't figure out how to use it. 😁 I have to admit that we use the evening snacks as a light dinner sometimes. It would be missed if we don't have access.      

40 minutes ago, ObstructedView2 said:

I use Google or other search engines to (Search Cruise Critic Itself). Along with a lot of semi colons and a lot of various word switching. I never use the search feature here. Results are terrible.

 

Topic example, (let's use Hairdryers)

I'll go to Google & type in:

Cruise Critic: Carnival: Hairdryers 

 

I learned something new today!  Thank you.

1 hour ago, Keksie said:

Love the plastic bags.  Not only do they make it easy to bring my groceries home I use one every day for the kitty litter.  It really helps keep the trash can clean.

Lol, those plastic bags have many reuses. I use them for kitty litter scooping, too, along with doggy poop pick up bags. I wrap my shoes in them when packing to keep clothes clean.  I also wrap toiletries in them to handle a leak when traveling.  I guess they aren't "single use" after all. 😉 

Why oh why can't Carnival use the compostable cornstarch straws that Royal uses?  I bought some on Amazon and that's what I take on Carnival cruises. I can attest to the fact that they do break down.  After a while they get brittle and crumble.  Tip: don't buy them in bulk.  You will have to throw them away. To be honest, I have actually cut way down on my straw usage.  I have adapted to going without for most drinks, but some things just need to have a straw!   

On 10/9/2023 at 1:41 PM, Tiger0613 said:

I have Verizon.  I get wifi texts using the Message+ app on the value plan and premium plan.  I've never had the social plan.

 

Check the settings on your phone.  On Verizon, I have to enable HD Voice in the My Verizon app and turn on wifi calling on my phone's settings.  At one point I had to change a setting in the Message+ app on my S7 and S8 as well, but not on my current phone(S21).

 

I only recently figured out how to turn on wifi calling on my previous and current unlocked phones(S8 and S21).  Verizon was blocking wifi calling on my unlocked S7 that I purchased directly from Samsung.  Wifi texting still worked on my S7.  I will attempt wifi calling again on my next cruise.

I have Verizon, too.  I have used wifi calling/texting on Royal many times.  Our last cruise was on Mardi Gras in Jan. We weren't able to call or text on that ship. Maybe they have enabled it, now.    

On 10/9/2023 at 11:49 PM, Pellaz said:

Hear, hear!  

 

When I got a call from home while walking through the Windjammer buffet on a recent Royal cruise at around midnight (music charter; crazy dining hours), I felt like absolute royalty.  Carnival seems to port-block wi-fi calling.  I've initiated a call home and it connected for a second, then got cut off. 

Yes, I love that phone and text is just like at home on Royal.  Of course, you have to pay for the internet plan.  Much better than the chat feature on the hub app for communicating with your family on the ship. 

We love CK! We have always had dinner access in a JS. Of course we would prefer to be in a GS or above, but a JS isn't a bad compromise at all if that option isn't available to you.  When you get onboard head directly to the CK/Suite Lounge and work on getting your reservations.  We are flexible about dining times so we haven't had to skip a meal if we wanted reservations there.  The "always available" is still on the menu. A big plus for us.  We love the filet on the first night, but each night has a good choice.  The last night's veal chop is amazing! Service is better and the venue has a cozy feel.  Much better than the MDR.  Enjoy the benefit!  

I wish they would stop blocking wifi calling/texting. I am paying for the wifi after all and I can stream Netflix, use WhatsApp and Facebook messenger, but I can't get a phone call or text over wifi. I've really enjoyed being able to do that on other cruise lines.

9 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

Some items even if not on the menu can still be obtained.

Tell me more. Were you successful ordering the old classic menu items even when they weren't on the menu that night?  I wonder if a ship that has CK makes a difference. 

6 hours ago, jamon said:

Does anyone know if Filet Mignon is served on the first night in Costal Kitchen. Also what day is the Pinnacle Luncheon held. Also what day is lobster served in the main dining room? First or second formal night????

Filet has always been on the first night at CK on the ships I've been on.  The app should have the CK menu as you get closer to sailing. 

Sorry, not Pinnacle.

Lobster is served on the second formal night in both the MDR and CK.  The CK version is a poached style which I actually prefer.  That night is packed with my favs. So, I get scallops as an appetizer instead of entree along with rack of lamb and a "side" of lobster.  No dessert for me that night!  

I agree with everyone above.  Just don't do it.  If the concierge makes an exception for you, then he/she has to do it for everyone.  They have to walk a fine line sometimes. No need to make things awkward for both you and them.  

Don't want to be controversial.  I'll just say what happened to us and how I feel about it.  We are fully vaxxed and boosted.  We have accepted the fact that we may pick up an illness onboard.  We have cruised several times since the restart and have picked up the "cruise crud" a couple of times.  To my knowledge we haven't had covid before.  However, we just got off of Mariner and both my husband and I have tested positive once we got home.  Many from our roll call have also reported positive results.  So far we have mild cases, as do most others I have talked to.  It does seem that there is quite a spike in cases.  I really don't think there is a way to avoid it at this point.  I won't stop cruising, but we will keep to ourselves for a week from now on after disembarking.  I don't want to pass it along.  

1 minute ago, Thoenix said:

Yeah, there are some positives that make me consider it where I would usually just consider the hot-weather ports for a winter sailing.  But even if the one who wants to read on deck can't do that for a couple of days, she'll be happy enough in the library or in a quiet corner reading until it gets warmer.  Or she'll just stubbornly bundle up in a big jacket and go read on the deck anyway.  But the warm weather ports also look very good because faster to warm and (hopefully!) sunshine. Why does this have to be so hard to decide!

Lol, I insisted on spending most of my time outside during our Alaska cruise.  You can get in the sun and out of the wind and be just fine! We always spend some time at the beginning of the cruise discovering the ship anyway.  There will always be a quiet place next to a window to read and watch the sea.  Adventure has less views of the sea that will be quiet than the older ships that are more connected to the sea.  It is hard to choose when it is your first time.  In reality, you will have a great time whatever you decide.   

21 minutes ago, Thoenix said:

Two of us live in the midwest and we're bringing our friend from the UK.  Baltimore is the cheapest flights for all three of us as well as the least flying for our friend from the UK.  We also have a friend who lives near Baltimore who can help us with lodging and driving to the dock, allowing us to arrive earlier for cheaper.  Tampa and Port Caraveral are about the same as one another costwise and would require a hotel for roughly two days before since there is no possible way that any of us can handle 'fly in the night before' kind of stress.  Driving to any of these would be 2+ days for those of us in the midwest.  With us living in the midwest, the possibility of weather cancelled/delayed flights exists no matter what port.

It sounds like Baltimore has some very good positive points! Having someone available to take you to the port eliminates a lot of chaos.   

I haven't been on any of those ships, so I can't offer insight on the ships.  I'll just offer some thoughts on the things you said you were planning on doing and looked forward to.  We just got off of Mariner (sister ship to Adventure) on a 6 day itinerary.  We enjoyed our cruise but it was too short and so very loud and crowded.  February will be spring break time and the smaller ships (Vision and Enchantment) will be less desirable for booking from that loud crowd.  I don't know your ports, but some are easier to just get off the ship and walk around than others.  Baltimore will be chilly for a few days for the person in your group that wants to hang out by the pool.  Since this is your first cruise you will enjoy a smaller ship even though it doesn't have all the bells and whistles.  It might actually be nice to experience an older, smaller ship before they don't exist anymore.  Whatever you choose, I hope you have a great cruise!

1 hour ago, trihawks1 said:

We just upgraded to a Grand Suite on Symphony.  First time we will be enjoying Coastal Kitchen. 

 2 - how do I make reservations for dinner as it does not let me do so right now (cruising in December 2023)…I wasn’t sure if concierge will email a week before cruise and can reserve at that time OR wait until we board the ship?

 

3 - any special dishes you enjoyed for dinner that we should order?

 

thanks!

You can request your dinner reservations from the concierge once you get your welcome letter.  If you wait to do it once you are on board you may have limited times.

Our favorite dinners are the filet on day 1 and the tomahawk pork chop on day 7.  Most dishes are very good at Coastal Kitchen. 

37 minutes ago, trihawks1 said:

Wow thanks for quick replies.  We use to dress up especially on formal nights…now my husband wonders if khaki slacks and polo shirt at dinner would be okay for Coastal Kitchen. Husband recently retired early and we prefer to be relaxed dressers now lol.  I tend to dress in black slacks with nice tops.

Yes, that would be perfectly acceptable.  I have found that men can wear dress shorts and golf shirt to dinner, also.  I think slacks are more appropriate for formal night, but on the first night and port nights you will see men in shorts at dinner.  

42 minutes ago, stobe1 said:

I always thought it was Mo-beal. Like in automobile.

You are correct!