ShakyBeef

You can absolutely prepay for Steakhouse online. I did it for my upcoming cruise months ago. It gave me the option of using my OBC to pay, but I chose to use my Carnival FPs Mastercard to get the extra points.

I apologize for going slightly OT here, but I can't resist the chance to pose this to a teacher that isn't one of my kids': I was aware of this tchotchke / dust-collector teacher gift issue already (my mother was a school nurse for over 20 years), so I have always encouraged my DDs to give their teachers consumable gifts with the teachers' particular tastes in mind (a set of fancy teas for a tea lover, a gift card to our favourite sushi restaurant for a sushi lover, etc.). Sam's Club gift packages of cookies, etc. for those of whom we did not know the tastes. I figure, everyone eats.☺️ Is this the right way to go? Or have I unwittingly been one of the ignorant offenders of giving unwanted gifts?😳

I have never heard of this situation before, so I'm sorry that I can be of no real help, but, FWIW, I don't think it will be a problem. I can't imagine a situation in which anyone - port staff or Carnival staff will be verifying the sex of your child. I understand your concerns and as a planner and worrier, I would probably be experiencing the same trepidation as you is this situation. l just can't imagine, though, that anyone will notice / ask / check on this. Go with all the documentation you have and enjoy your cruise.🙂 ETA: And welcome to CruiseCritic!🙂

You haven't lived 'til you've done that staircase in a gown and stiletto heels. With a wine glass in your hand.🤪

Per Platinum person, so yes, if you are both Platinum, you get 6 bags total for the week.

Yes, you assume correctly, Suites use the Priority line as well.

Good decision!😎 This is exactly what DH and I decided several years ago, hence our 5 + 5 day B2B on Elation in January 2020 (with the same itinerary as this cruise of yours). Extended family members had picked this cruise and really wanted us to join them on it, but 5 days just wasn't 'worth it' to us, so we added another 5 days.😁

The tote bag might make a good reusable shopping bag.

Wow, Jack's Shack has changed since the last time I was there (2020)! I know it will never be the same as the ols days, and I'll always miss Topher when I'm there, but I'm glad the new owners seem to making a good go of it and I'll keep going back as long as they are there. Thanks again for this, the memories you are bringing back for me of past cruises and the hopes of future cruises.🙂

How was the ribeye? That's my go-to steak and they have always been good in the Carnival Steakhouse, but with these quality cutbacks, I'm wondering if I will be disappointed. How did you order it cooked? Was it cooked properly?

Ah, thanks for the memories. We put our two teenage DDs in a pedicab, so they could have the luxury/fun of the experience, and DH and I walked behind them. I'm waiting to see if you got the same Poolside Cabana as we did.🙂

Same sailings? Same dates? Same ships?

OK, thank you for the response. I'll refrain from further discussing hotel tipping here to keep it on topic.

mz-s, I'm not understanding your laugh response. Does this mean you don't tip hotel housekeeping, find it amusing to do so? I'm sorry if I'm being dense, please enlighten me.

Don't you leave a tip for housekeeping at every hotel in which you stay?

You know, you can still do this. Leave your auto-grats in place and in addition, give out envelopes of cash on the last evening to those special crew members that make your cruise great.😉

I'm so sorry you had to go through this. I've had it once - not from a cruise, but on land, most likely from a restaurant. It was incredibly intense and miserable. I completely empathize. Also, I'm totally with you on all the precautions and sanitizing. Keep it up, although it didn't save you from this infection this time, I'm sure it has saved you from others over the years.😁

Crap, the carrot cake gone, too?😢 Well, I guess I can Pollyanna it by saying that all this is going to help me maintain my weight on my next cruise and not come home my typical 5 lbs heavier than I was on Embarkation Day.😏

Darn, yet another disappointment for me. The cheesecake is my go-to Steakhouse dessert.🙁 I'm a bit of a cheesecake snob - I make very good cheesecake.☺️ And the Steakhouse cheesecake used to be solidly decent IMO. Well, pooh. Not looking forward to my Steakhouse reservations as much as I was before this thread.🙁 I'm bringing my own wasabi, in case when I ask for it they don't have it. But I can't exactly bring my own cheesecake.

That is very disappointing to hear.🙁 I was hoping the quality of the Steakhouse food would not drop off the way that of the included food has. I thought the (recently increased) upcharge would keep it, within reason, from going downhill. I guess I was naive.

Yep, the menu has definitely changed. One thing of note: no more wasabi mashed potatoes.🙁 And, am I misremembering or is the lobster no longer specifically listed as Maine lobster?

Another update: I decided to go ahead and purchase the decor and cookie package for my daughter's birthday. You can indeed select the decoration delivery date once you are into the purchase process. It defaults to Embarkation Day, but if you click the EDIT button in that box, you can change the delivery date.

OK, edit: I just tried to do it, because, coincidentally, my DD will have her birthday onboard our next cruise. I was able to choose the recipient of the guest in our cabin, but not the day.

From Carnival's homepage, hover over MANAGE in the blue bar across the top, and then click on In-Room Gifts and Shopping. Then, click Gifts and Stateroom Decor. After that, you can narrow it down by clicking on Stateroom Decorations on the menu to the left. I'm not sure if this can still be done once onboard. Once upon a time this was possible. As far as I can remember, once ordering a decorations package, a date for the installation of the decorations is requested. It's been years since I've done it, so this info may be outdated.

Oh, yeah, I remember that. Had it once. It was good.