High Seas Texan

I am hopeful.  I too am scheduled to sail in December.  Two (2) cruises, Back-To-Back, December 7th and 12th.  I have booked my Hotel stays pre and post cruise.  Speaking with the concierge at the hotel, everything has been "business as usual"...once the ships actually begin sailing again, we will know more how to plan and anticipate....I need something positive life now...something to dream about.

I had one under the galley...no noise issues. The coves are my favorites!

Greetings!  It seems your question has been answered already, most by kind people, but I thought I would share my persona experience.  I have done a couple of B2B cruises, and relay enjoyed the experience.  Usually I try to boo the same cabin, but once Had to change cabins.  It was SO easy!  Now my new cabin was just a few doors down (and yours might be also...with the GTD you will see)   The morning the first cruise ended, the stateroom Steward cn with s luggage cart, placed the items hanging in the cupboard onto the trolly and moved to the new room, then came back and gathered the items from the drawers and bathroom and set everything up for us.  Now, we had the same cabin Steward, o he was familiar with our routine. Things might be different if two (2) Stewardsare involved, but the crew seems to work well together as a team.  It was so relaxed for us that morning. We enjoyed a leisurely breakfast in the MDR (something we usually bypass the getting off the ship to go home)...then moved onto one of the lounge and enjoyed the coffee set up there watching the other passengers disembark.  Then we went to our new stateroom and relaxed, hanging out on the balcony agin people watching.  About 10:30 we went to the lobby bar here we were told to gather with the handful of other B2B passengers.  We were escorted off the ship, through customs (a special agent handles us as a group), then back on wherewereceived our new Sail-And-Sign card, then wewerefree to do as we please. Being the first now passengers on board, we enjoyed watching the new arrivals filter in.  The last one I did was a few years back...we did  not receive the glass of champagne orpicure I hear people chat about now, but it was still a fun morning!  I have since tried twice to do another, but Hurricane Harvey and a medical issue  spoiled the first leg...but recently booked one for this coming December!  One thing I really enjoy about the B2B experience is that final night of the first leg, when most people ar a bit down due to their holiday coming to an end.  They are busy packing, getting to bed early for an early morning departure.  One has the ship to themselves....lovey to stroll on deck, gaze at the sea, make nice nice with the bartenders as they are not as busy.  Enjoy your    holiday and do not sure. It will be fine. Cheers mate!

Hi. It is my  un

derstding that lobster is served on the seven (7 day cruises on the "cruise elegant" nights.   It might be available as well for an uncharge any night from the steakhouse offerings, or of course in the steakhouse itself. (love the steakhouse!). Curious of your sail date.Im going on the CARNIVAL FREEDOM on the Aug  25th sailing...

Hi. Checking in on here. We  too were on this sailing.  We were booked into the Havana Section, and I agree about the service back there. The bartender (s) were just something short of rude, IMO. We did bond with a server, I cannot remember her name, but she was lovely d took good care of us.  I never notice the pool/hot tub area dirty, and I spent quite a bit of time in the hot tub.

This was or first time on the CARNIVAL VISTA. iT did not impress upon first boarding, but I grew to adult to the differences from the other ships in the Carnival fleet.  We found the public area much too small to accommodate the number of passengers.  Personally, I did not crd for the "multipurpose" design of the venues like the showroom, the Limelight, etc.  Too small.  We tried to go to one ow and the only sets were obstructed views.  The Past guest party held there was awkward as well.  I also did not care for the design of the Lobby Bar. I miss the glass elevators and people watching. Those video collumns made me itch. We did however meet and chat with some great people hanging out there on the occasions we did venture down there. Loved the Alchemy Bar.  

As for food:  We took most of our dinners in the Steakhouse, and also did the Chef's Table. We did JiJi one night and liked it.  Lunches we did in the sushi restaurant.  The sea day brunch was disappointing, both in menu, food quality, presentation as well as service.  Personally, I found the decor of the dining room tacky.  I am one of those who miss the tablecloths. I know some people think it is great and make no difference.  But to me, it does. And the American Table menu sits better when served more graciously (we found this out on or summer cruise onboard the CARNIVAL LEGEND where the have the American Table, but still set the dining room with tablecloths and service plates.  We so enjoyed the dining experience on that cruise.  Now, in fairness to the new relaxed sans tablecloth style, we did go to the MDR the last night, and REALLY ENJOYED IT.  The food was good. Very good. Plenty of things  to elect rom that sparked my tastebuds.  There must be some notation of my preferences in my profile, because the Maitre'd  came to the table to welcome us and presented us with a complimentary bottle of wine for trying the MDR.  I will no longer be such a snob about the American Tele/no tablecloth issue in the future.  I do however, really enjoy the Steakhouse on the ships. By going on multiple nights, you do not have to fret about what to get, as I know I will be able to try most everything during the voyage.

Another thing I did not care for about the CARNIVAL VISTA was the lack of closet space in the staterooms. We had only one (1) closet as opposed to the three (3) on most ships. People I chatted with also noted this problem in a variety of the staterooms/suites.  

I have rambled. I hope readers can appreciate my experience.  Bottom line, I validate the comments of the OP.

Cheers All!

Pride First week of April 2018 Serenity

 

We were sitting in the shaded chairs on the Serenity deck one morning. There was ONE woman sitting in a cabana and apparently had "reserved" another cabana and 4 loungers. A carnival employee came by to put stickers on the 4 EMPTY loungers. She came flying out of the cabana yelling "they are having breakfast. they are having breakfast". We had been sitting there 1/2 an hour when this happened - who knows how long she was hogging before that.

 

She immediately took all the stickers off the loungers and sat in a middle one - thus guarding the 4 loungers and 2 EMPTY cabanas. We didn't do anything because we were happy where we were sitting - reading and listening to music and watching this "show". After another hour or so she saw 2 woman looking around and graciously offered them two of HER loungers.

 

Eventually (more than 2 hours after this show began) ONE person in her group showed up and sat in one of the cabanas.

 

Lady - if you are reading this and really thought you were being gracious to give up 2 of YOUR loungers you were just obnoxious and everyone watching agreed!! Those were NOT YOUR LOUNGERS.

God...the gall of some people. They should be banned from EVER cruising again, thrown off at the net port.

God for you. I use to always get the insurance, util I tried to use if for my canceled cruise due to hurricane Harvey. I got nothing, and Carnival did not handle the promised refund like they assured us they would. I will fpass in insurance in the future...at least through Carnival.

Regarding Afternoon Tea: I am just off the CARNIVAL BREEZE and tea was offered on the sea days, as it has in the past. The quality of presentation and service has declined so much though I found it unpleasant. Several people walked out with disappointment. o longer do you get your own little pot of hot water, you now have to share one pot between every two (2) people. I like to place my tea bag in the pot to gt a second cup out of it. We sat for fifteen minutes before they came to our table with the sandwiches...and they ere most out, only 2 people awn a table of eight received any. They never came with the pastry cart. nd, you now have to pay for your tea bag. Sad to see this cutback.

Just off the BREEZE, and there was no more Taste Bar. AA nearby staffer at the Alchemy bar told us it was suspended fleet wide. They used the space for lunch, but the music in the ocean Plaza was so loud, few people utilized it.

Thank you so much! I am looking forward to sailing RCCI!

Greetings.

I have only sailed RCCI once, and that was as a last minute guest when friend of mine hd a buddy bit out on him at the last minute. For years I have been a loyal Carnival cruiser, and as such, have built up press, reaching their Platinum thus. For reasons know to Carnival, they have lot my brine, nd now I m looking t building loyalty with Royal. I enjoy sailing out of Galveston, o I believe it sill be the LIBERTY OF THE SEAS that will get my bookings. I have some question, if you will indulge me. I hveeen some changes over the years in cruising with Carnival, and I am sure other line shave had changed well. I have n open mind, and most of what I am asking might seem petty. Certainly it will not keep me from booking, but I would like to know SO...

*Does RCCI still have assigned seating in the MDR, both early and late?

*Is there n option for anytime dining in a MDR? (I really prefer assigned seating. I like to meet people.)

*is there nightly turn down? Any chocolate left on the pillow?

*Does RCCI offer twice a day cabin service?

*Are there table cloths in the MDR?

*On a seven (7) day cruise, are there formal nights? And how many? (I like to wear my tux)

*Are there "special" restaurants in addition to the MDR? (What fee is charged?)

*what, if any, are the drink packages like? Cocktails, wine, soft beverages...

*Carnivl offers, for a fee, the option to purchase what they call FTTF(faster to the fun), which gives you priority boarding, a dedicated line a guest services, gtd of cabin ready upon board, quicker delivery of luggage, priority tendering service, first debarkation lines. I have not ever purchased this as I had all of these perks, plus more, being Platinum. Starting over, is this an option on RCCI? Fine if not, and I might not even purchase it, but thought I would include in my questions.

*Do the sips have bars that make craft style, specialty, cocktails? I recall the one RCCI cruise I did, there ws a champagne bar. I liked that.

I may have more questions, especially once I book. I am going for a late October/early noveme=ber sailing.

Thank you so much for indulging a newbie. I am really looking forward to being a RCCI cruise.

The promise was 2-3 weeks and they are right about there and given Florida was hit with a hurricane in between I am not surprised there may be issues. I am sorry to you are. My PVP had everything done for me within 48 hours and I wouldn't trade him for the world - but it happened because I was proactive with him to get it done.

I played by the rules. Gave them the three weeks. That has come and gone. What is really frustrating is :1) They have lied over and over, 2) Other people have received their refunds, but others have not, so the argument about the Hurricane Irma is moot. 3) I should not HAVE to keep on them bout this, it should have just been done.

Carnival cancelled our cruise due to Hurricane Harvey. I accept that, no one can control the weather. We were promised a full refund. Although many have received their refund, several of us have not, and are getting the run-a-round from the corporate office,with no satisfaction, and no refund. Today I filed a complaint with the Attorney General'sOffice of Florida.

FYI people, I think I have been more that reasonable regarding the STILL NOT RECEIVED refund here for our cancelled cruise:

XXXXXX XXXXXXXX,

Thank you for contacting the Attorney General's Office regarding Refund Owed. Our staff will process it as soon as possible and, if necessary, respond appropriately. We appreciate hearing from concerned citizens such as yourself. If you wish to keep abreast of the activities of this office, you may wish to consider a subscription to our electronic newsletter Weekly Briefing. Or perhaps our Consumer Alerts. Should you wish to subscribe to either, or both, publications, please visit our subscription page.

Well, I am following the wether, an this thread. I am scheduled to sail on Sunday on the CARNIVAL BREEZE. I will be (should be) in Galveston already as I plan to arrive on Friday. Flooding and high water in Galveston especially around the cruise terminal could prove quite irksome....:(

Thank you for posting. I too am Platinum and ill be boarding this coming Sunday. Not sure how the new system of keys in the room mailbox ill work, esp when the Platinum rooms are not ready when you board....will see.

I sailed the CARNIVA BREEZE same tie st year and really liked it. It sounds however, that the food and MDR has gone downhill. Will see how that pans out too. Thank you for posting.

As already stated, the CARNIVAL FREEDOM has the disastrous American Table. No table cloths. Communal water and bread basket. If you dine in the MDR, hope you get stablemates with the manners to share. I am not surprised you missed entrees two nights as the staff is much overworked. The few times I have tried the MDR, the service was horrible. I do not like the buffet on the Lido, but overall, it is far superior now to the MDR. This is my opinions, and it is shared by others too. Go and try it, try to keep an open mind. I did, but it just has failed for me. Even some of the steakhouse restaurants now do not have tablecloths, but they dress the tables with placemats. at least the service there is still up to par.

Just my opinion here, and I am one who wears a Tux; Your husband should be fine. I would seriously doubt he would be turned away. Dressing in dark colors appears more "dressy" than khakis. I suspect your husband will be more comfortable in his jeans, as that is what he is accustomed to. Therefore, he will exude an air of confidence vs being ill at ease in something he is not use to. I say go for it. Enjoy.

Sorry, no. There I already limited space in the cabins, and coffee maker will take up some of that needed space. Also, when you can have room service deliver coffee, at anytime, why would you want to make a singe cup (as most in room coffee makers are now). If you cannot get by without brewing coffee for a few days, you best just stay home.

I always book once on board. For me, I have never had an excursion sell out and be turned down. I guess it is just my taste, I have had excursions cancelled because not enough people sign up for them. Aside from that, my personal ritual is to board the ship and settle down on the Lido deck with my lunch and look through the brochure advertising all the options and select what I might want to do, then go to the desk and make the purchase. Oh, and I usually do this while enjoying Tuna Salad Sandwich.

I agree with this ,,It is becoming a relic of the past , jeans and polo is what I wear

yes, dressing up in what , as defined by past standards, has become a relic. I am a dinosaur in that I still don a Tux on the "cruise elegant" evening, and usually a sport jacket for non dress up nights. But that is just me. (one reason I wear the Tu is the I have one and want to recoup my investment in it). I enjoy dressing for dinner, but I also enjoy just being Sith other people. I find it entertaining to see what people consider "dressed", and after all, we are on a cruise, in the warm Caribbean, and on holiday. I am not bothered at all by what the people around me wear. And I do not believe most others pay any attention. So go and enjoy your cruise holiday on board the beautiful CARNIVAL BREEZE. Just another reason I love cruising on Carnival: there is something for everyone.:)

Thanks

But I'm looking at your signature and I don't see the Breeze listed:confused:

When did you cruise on the Breeze?

How do you add your cruises to your signature? I have really lost count on the number I have done, but I have sailed many times with several lines. Ships I have sailed:

Delta Queen

Mississippi Queen

Holland America Zandam

Holland America Westerdam

World Explorer Line Universe Explorer

Carnival Conquest (many times)

Carnival Ecstacy (several times)

Carnival Freedom (3 times)

Carnival Magic (2 times)

Carnival Breeze

Carnival Triumph

Celebrity Infinity

RCCI Adventure Of The Seas

Greetings.

I think you will really enjoy the CARNIVAL BREEZE. I sailed her last year the time, and will board for a B2B again on Aug 27. I am excited!

Yes, there will be two (2) "Cruise Elegant" nights. Most people still dress up. For some, the means a gown and a Tux, for others it means a cocktail dress and a suit. For others, it means long trousers/pants for men, collared shirt, dressy pant ensemble for women. Whatever one selects, it seems "special". Especially on the frist evening. The first formal night should be the first sea day. The second, towards the end of the voyage, probably Friday.

The ship is lovely.

Go to a Roll Call for the ship, ask if someone going on a cruise would purchase one for you and ship it to you. Establish a relationship so everyone is comfortable in the exchange of funds required. Nice people. I would help if I were on a ship.

Going solo on this cruise Be great to find some other LGBT on board to hang out with. Mature man here, open to all. Anyone?

Ah, thank for posting the pictures and the menu. I have done the Chef's Table now for several cruises and always look forward to it. The last time as on the CARNIVAL BREEZE last August. I am booked for the August 27 AND September 3 sailing, and confirmed for the Chef's Table the first leg, and seriously considering doing it for the second as well. Especially now that I see the new menu and pictures. I am salivating.