Tom-n-Cheryl

Two things come to mind, one of which is no longer offered (I think) and the other has changed, and not for the better... They used to have an entrée in the MDR on the first formal night that competed (for my attention) with Prime Rib. It was (along the lines of?) Supreme Long Island Roast Duckling, and it was delicious! The other was a MDR starter: Gravlax. Yes, they do still offer "Gravlax" during Seaday Brunch, but it's nowhere near the same! Tom

It seems to vary ship to ship. Perhaps I was lucky, but the first couple times I ordered it - it was very good! I have also come across a couple which I didn't finish (and not because of portion size). If you enjoy beef, you'll eventually have one which will open your eyes - with ample horseradish and au jus of course! We might even be identified with something we'll occasionally bring along - 🙂 - it gives a nice kick to bland cocktail sauce as well. Sure, they can bring you horseradish, but often it lacks the ability to clear your sinuses! LOL Tom

The only place I see (in the app) Prime Rib on the Reflection for Thanksgiving week is in Blu on the last night. I guess I'll have to drop by ! Tom

We do the same (drink package and a bottle of vodka in the cabin). Though we'll mostly have a drink or two in the cabin before heading to dinner... perhaps with a stop at the Alchemy Bar in between. 🙂 Tom

Well, they were able to balance out the loss of $ from the in-cabin liquor sales via the savings/profits from the reduced ice cream machine hours and all those third entrees in the MDR. 😉 Tom

Regarding the military rate, which I've utilized several times in the past - I tested the waters with one recently and was surprised that the military rate is no longer a refundable deposit (at least with one I was looking at). In the past, I've often picked it as it was always refundable. In the end, the $198 and $200 deposits with a casino offer were too good to pass up.. even when they are also not refundable! Odd place to be tightening up, IMO... Tom

Interesting - thanks for the tip. That's a great price. I wonder if "free graze" equates to "grass fed". I've never been inside a Costco, but one opened up nearby recently. Here's one more reason to get a membership! I've been picking up a 70/30 (grass fed/finished) of late at Publix. I think it's something like $7.99 --- and juicy 🙂 Tom

I likes me some Prime Chunk 😄 Tom

One of my first jobs was working the grill at a steakhouse. My favorite there was "the #4", which was a hamburger. I'd cook it rare and then make my way to the salad bar and load it up with my version of special sauce (thousand island dressing)! 🙂 Tom

Up until I was probably 50 or so, I was a ketchup fanatic (on everything.... mac-n-cheese, eggs, cottage cheese... YEP!). Cheryl even bought me this shirt, which I wore like a doof: Then, I made the plunge to the Yellow Side. Without the added sugar (of ketchup), I can now taste more of what I'm eating! Tom

The Luminae burger is good - certainly better than a buffet style burger. Though it and Johnny Rockets, compared to Guy's, is not one that's "included" for everyone - so it's sort of an extra cost burger - as is the Lawn Club Grill "Celebrity's Signature Burger" (BTW, this is a required burger for anyone who considers themselves a burger lover): When I was last in Luminae and ordered the Luminae Burger, I also asked for yellow mustard. All that they were able to come up with was Dijon -- Grey Poupon anyone? I'm a yellow mustard fan (for the burger and the fries!), but many specialty venues on ships don't have it on hand - some will make a trek to get it for you. The single thin slice of American cheese looks pretty sad too. Tom

Some people would call mine overcooked. Though, if I'm putting it into a BLT, I'm going for CRUNCH. Having said all this, and touching back on nitrites - I understand that high heat cooking is not the most healthy either... Bacon = CRISP Burgers = RARE I'm conflicted 😉 Tom

Prince Harry style - never heard of that. I prefer my bacon to be able to snap in half... yep, 10 seconds shy of burnt. Turning frequently until perfection. 🙂 Tom

I love bacon too - generally not Carnival bacon though. The bacon I cook is my favorite! I'm not sure why so many places put bacon on burgers... no thanks ! Tom

Would you like any extra nitrites with that? LOL Tom

Because it's Carnival... (I wish they'd step up to the plate) Tom

One of my favorite buffet stations on the Reflection (during our February sailing). I hope it's a regular, once in a cruise, occurrence. Tom

Anyone else among us receive the PLAY MY WAY offers from Carnival recently? I received several different ones - all with Drinks Everywhere, up to free suites, and anywhere from $200-$1,000 FunPlay and up to $2,000 OBC. These are even better than my Elite offers. It would seem Carnival is trying to cast a wide net (perhaps taking into account onboard spend). I've already utilized 4 of the offers. I upgraded our Celebration sailing from $200 OBC to $2,000.. and got a lower rate and CHEERS and booked three other cruises (one of which is on hold... not sure I need to cruise this much... LOL). Tom

I'd agree - at least that it's the best "included" burger. The BEST burger I've crossed paths with at sea was at the Lawn Club Grill, hands down! As to burger size -- at places where they're not willing/able to cook it rare, then DEFINITELY I'd opt for thinner burgers! A thicker well done burger is not at all appealing to me. Tom

I don't know... trying to get them to come up with toast that is both uncut (for my sunny side up eggs) and extra crispy ("almost burnt") is next to impossible. Now, if they could just give me access to their kitchen for a brief moment. 😉 Tom

Good catch - great observational skills ! On that note, ignore the ship maps, and go check out Cellar Masters. Perhaps during the dry dock they did indeed convert it to a gastropub and it flew below the radar... LOL Tom

On our upcoming Thanksgiving Reflection sailing, looking at the app, it would appear that Prime Rib only appears in Blu on the last night. It's nowhere to be found in the MDR or Luminae menus. At least I know "it exists" onboard, that's a start !! Tom

In my opinion, the only cakes worth the calories would be the ones at the specialty coffee place (chocolate, cheesecake, and occasionally carrot cake). They're heavy, decadent, and (here's the KEY) not free !! Having said that - I don't much care for the various donuts they have there... they look amazing, but often fall short of my expectations. Tom

I'm guessing that the 5% spend/category has some monthly or annual limit of cash back? I have a Freedom card as well, so I might look into that. THANKS Tom

Two nights ago I was using them to pay off a Loft 19 Cabana rental for the week. The Cabana was $2,250, but had something like a $400 gratuity added on top. I had my gift "cards" all lined up. The most I could apply was $2,500 (5 cards @ $500 each), I paid the rest with a CC. Still, that right there saved me $250 - sweet ! Tom