Tom-n-Cheryl

Location-wise pluses: a quick trip down the nearby stairs to decks 6-7-8... elevators up to buffet (1 time this trip) or Big Chicken (3 times - good, but something was different - the chicken was just a tad drier/thinner). Location-wise drawbacks: Noise during the day from adults (and kids - screamers) down on deck 8. Noise during the day from the music, though, I liked a majority of what they played 🙂 . Noise until rather late into the evening in our cabin from the band DIRECTLY under us in the Pig & Anchor Bar... Thump... thump.. thump.. Fortunately, we were up late enough most evenings such that it was a non-issue for us. As I mentioned previously - there's much less privacy on that deck. I didn't use the outdoor tub but, if one did, they'd need a cover up to get to it (unlike the other aft corners - where I did enjoy it). When you walk out onto your balcony you can literally instantly look straight into the faces of people down below sunning. If you sit in the daybed, and it's tucked close up to the door area, there is privacy (just not getting into/out of the bed)! Would I book it again if it was the only aft corner remaining? Yes, but there would need to be some compelling reason that I was looking at that sail date to begin with. A big (-) for the Mardi Gras is its itinerary, specifically the "Eastern" route. Let's at least get to a "St." island or two. Or throw in some alternating itineraries (6/8 or 9/5, etc) to mix it up a bit. But I guess she's just going to be their 7 night workhorse. Tom

Nope... a "free" meal in there can come from cashing in on your (once in a lifetime) Diamond benefit, a casino comp or, I suppose, from winning some type of onboard contest. Tom

Hang in there (just turned 60 myself - each year takes its toll) ! I've noted sleeping positions have changed over the last few years out of necessity. I was at the $25 BJ table on the non-smoking side. Perhaps they're slowing replacing them - I paid for a couple... ehem... yep ! Tom

@IntrepidFromDC - hope you're continuing to be on the mend. I just wanted to grab your attention regarding the casino chairs above. It was your photos which put my on notice. Did you see any chairs like the ones in my photo when you were onboard? Like you, I also still have not tried Bolt. I was about to get around to it on day 6 or 7, but then saw the stipulation in the app that if you wear glasses, that you'd need some type of glasses strap - which I didn't have on my packing list (this time!). I was not going to ride that with my vision, and without shades to boot !! Tom

Does anyone know when they stopped offering breakfast (w/table service) at Cucina del Capitano? We enjoyed it 3-4 times in 2021 (dining outside was very pleasant), but I didn't see it on the app last week. It was such a nice break from the madhouse which is the MDR for breakfast! Either it's been dropped, or I dropped the ball and missed it (I checked at least 3-4 mornings)... Tom

Might as well be ! Nope, it's one that I ordered early last week. 😞 Tom

The cabin was in great shape. I started another thread more on the overall cruise, as opposed to differences.

Oh - and the strawberries (formerly "chocolate covered") they bring you for your Diamond gift. Well, now they're just dipped in some gooey chocolate, which makes a total smearing mess. You can still get the hard/dipped ones at the coffee place, buy you're going to pay for them.

We had a very nice time on this sailing (2/25/23). The first thing which stood out was the "fancy" S&S card. 🙂 Followed up a day or so later, a nice note from Guest Services (front and back): Greeted in our cabin by... Nice digs, but a bit too close to all the aft pool activity/noise. Also, with this balcony (deck 9) going out further (and the low level/angle), much less privacy. I did see a few torn chairs (in the casino) which had been mentioned previously but, for the most part, the ones where I was playing appeared to be in good shape (perhaps they've already started to replace them): I ordered room service a few times (as it was included at N/C with the Excel suite). Much nicer overall than I recall from years past, and an extra thumbs up to the heavy/moist brownie and the tasty wings! I had high hopes for this cookie (not what you'd get at the coffee place), but the one they brought me seemed almost stale/dry: Nice BLT with plenty of bacon (ask for extra mayo on the side though) I'd skip the devils food cake next time... Great Ruben - asked for extra sauce and sauerkraut, and the sauerkraut seemed very fresh (not bottled/bagged - perhaps fresh made?) I never noticed the top of this can before... LOL OK... scam alert with the Effy "Gift Card" which showed up on my app. It indicated a value of $50. Well, we made a purchase of ear rings (cost more than the cruise - granted a low casino rate), and then I remembered we had this discount. I was told it would not apply in this case as we had negotiated the price down. And, if they were to apply it, the sales price would need to be adjusted (up) first... W T H !!! Attractive glass fish along the wall at Rudi's... Until it moves to the far end and you'll note that there is one fish already gone (wall patched) and 3-4 others significantly broken... I wonder what broke the fish... (unknown fellow cruiser might give you a clue here)! And, lastly --- come on guys, don't help to give Carnival a bad name. This was an image I took around 7 pm last night outside of the casino (note, I'm not talking about the guy in shorts - just the classy woman next to him). A picture is worth 1,000 words !! Tom

Just off our third sailing (two in '21) on the Mardi Gras. These are a few of the minor changes I noted between the first two, and our most recent. Already known - now you must ask for Wasabi on your Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes in the Steakhouse (before image, note we always asked for extra on the side as well): 2021: (Also already known), the beef marrow/tartare is off the menu: 2021: ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The internet was 2-3x faster now (I tested multiple ways over multiple days): 2021: 2023: --------------------------------------------------------------------- At Rudi's -- the CRAB STUFFED LOBSTER TAIL IMPERIAL is no longer very "imperial". I'm not a lobster aficionado, but this also might be moving from a Maine lobster to a warm water lobster: 2021: 2023: 2021: Scallops, loaded with cheese, and a beautiful presentation 2023: Now, nearly half of what they bring you with the scallops is filler (mashed potatoes) 2021: Lobster Mac & Cheese 2023: Crab dishes are gone (many were broken I'm told) and no baked on cheese topping ------------------------------------------------------------- And, one which has already been established, but sticks out to me... the change in the Muffuletta at Emeril's... this went from one of my recommended GO TO options, to an AVOID option. As they say, you can't step into the same river twice... 😞 2021: 2023: There's probably many other (similar) little things, but these are the most noteworthy in my book! Tom

I think it might be more a case of geo-locating yourself? I had to Google the phrase, and it appears to be a northern (NE?) thing. I'm guessing that's also a saying which goes back a bit? (EDIT --- ok, found it!) https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Cool As A Moose Tom

The host found me a couple of nights ago - asked if she could treat us to the Steakhouse (already booked for all nights pre-cruise, Rudi's as well). Then asked about spa services - we had already enjoyed a couples massage that afternoon, but thanked her and passed on the offer. She asked if there was anything else we could think of - so I went with my go-to request - a bottle of Caymus Special Selection. I think we've taken 4-5 of these home over the last several cruises. YAY !! Tom

We have a "Suite Guest" sticker on ours this week, not that it matters much I suppose. We also have the drinks everywhere casino promo, but no designation on the card. It does show up on receipts though. Tom

Funny, I was going to comment that your reply sounded like Magic 8 Ball response... lol

We boarded the Mardi Gras yesterday. There was a fellow in the casino at 8:00 p.m. who had already hit his 15 drink limit. That's pretty impressive, given that he likely didn't start drinking until noon. As an aside, shortly thereafter, he also hit the $5,000 daily limit for charging chips to his Sail & Sign card! We purchased a bottle of Grey Goose for our cabin, it came to something like $180+ after delivery fee and gratuity. Heck, I'd be happy to go pick it up somewhere and skip the delivery fee, lol! Tom

We dropped our bags off with the porters at 11 and were in our cabin at roughly 11:30. No luggage by 3 so I went up the hallway to the open crew room/area where they were staging the luggage delivery for our deck. I spotted one of ours easily and asked for it. I took it back to our cabin, and returned for the other one which they were able to find pretty quickly. There is a large premier casino group on this sailing, so I'm not sure if that accounts for the large number of priority tags on suitcases sitting in front of many (non-suite) cabins. There comes a point when priority no longer means priority! Tom

We asked recently, and they do not. Tom

Fifty in mine this time, WOW 😮 OK, jk Tom

Yep, I noticed that. But we'll bask in the window of glory nonetheless ☺️

Absolutely! Tom

Makes sense - no point in an early arrival with a late embark !

I can't picture myself eating at a bait and tackle store, lol. But, seriously, if it's only breakfast/lunch I'd pass (no ships/main event)! Never knew there was a Fishlips Pavilion ! Tom

It's hard to make heads/tails out of these things. It's as if they don't have a concrete (predictable) way that they assign "priority" labels. Board Zone A1 though, that's the first (after suites/diamond/weddings/etc)? Tom

Yep - we went to Rusty's a couple of weekends ago and watched three ships sail by. I wish there was a restaurant further down the channel, in order to appreciate ALL the ships which leave. Still - it's a nice way to spend the late afternoon. 🙂 Tom

About the only "slot" (machine) game I would play would be video poker, but alas the pay tables have gone from bad to worse over the years. Not only that - I can't, over the course of even 15-20 minutes, keep the focus needed to make the right play. I've thrown away a couple decent (potential) hands when my "auto draw" finger moves too quickly ! Tom