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Got back Sunday from our 4/22 cruise on the Dream. I've never known of so many medical evacuations on one cruise.

In Key West from my balcony saw an ambulance on the pier by the gangplank. After about 20 minutes the EMT's rolled out a gurney with a person on it who had the sheet up over their head. I would like to think this was because they didn't want people staring at them, not that they were dead. Ambulance was in no hurry leaving, no lights or sirens.

About an hour later another ambulance pulled up. They were in and out of the ship quickly with a person on the gurney, left in a hurry with sirens and lights.

Then Freeport where departure was delayed as they had to wait on an ambulance to pick up a person who needed medical attention.

Then Saturday morning. A Coast Guard helicopter attempted to do an airlift in a strong storm - lightning, heavy rain, strong winds. We saw the copter from our table in the MDR where we were seated by the window. The ship listed several times so much we had to grab our dishes and glasses to keep them from sliding off the table. A large tray of clean silverware on top of a cabinet slid off onto the floor with a loud crash. 

We watched the copter struggle, flying around the ship several times, once almost going into the water! It had landed a crew member and the basket, but that was all. Later I saw a video of the attempt to evacuate the passenger. The cable was attached to the basket, they tried once to pull it up, but after raising it about a foot off the deck they dropped it back down, which gave the passenger a bad jolt!

They gave up. Later that afternoon when it had turned into a beautiful day with clear skies and very little wind the copter returned and successfully took the passenger and crew member off. Hope all those evacuated are now in good health and back home. And I hope I never have to be airlifted off a cruise.

On the cruise on the Dream we just took last week, it was TBA and getting close to time to go. I hadn't received an email from Carnival telling me I had been assigned a cabin and giving me the number.

I happened to check my account on Carnival's website, looked at Booking Details, and it showed a cabin number!!! The cabin number was on my Boarding Pass, too, so figured it wasn't a mistake. And it was actually a pretty good cabin, unlike the one we had our on cruise in January on the Dream which was also TBA. It was on deck 6, just above the smokers' area on deck 5, among other issues. I was surprised Guest Services would take my calls after a while, I complained so much.

I know it's a gamble when you do TBA to save a little - you have to take whatever you get, so it's great when it turns out good.

My husband and I will be turning Diamond on our cruise next week. I see the list of perks, but can someone give me details? 

To get the speciality dinner, do you just call to make a reservation or do you have to go through guest services? 

On the upgrade, how far in advance of your cruise do you have to request it?

Anything else I should know about?

9 minutes ago, ohioNCLcruiser said:

 

The casino on this class of ship (Mardi Gras, Celebration) have a huge casino with the main part, including the casino bar, being non-smoking. I was *very* impressed how segregated it was. Never smelled an ounce of smoke in the non-smoking side which is about 70% of the casino. 

That's great to hear! Thanks -

I have a cruise scheduled on Jubilee next year. Does anyone know if there is a non-smoking casino on it? None show on the deck plans, but then Dream has one and it doesn't show on its deck plans! 

Is priority luggage delivery to cabin no longer a perk? I don't find it on the list. Used to get mine right away, cruise on Dream in September and November didn't get it until after 3:00.

On 11/16/2022 at 8:28 PM, cruisinpips said:

To each his/her own, but in all our cruises (32), not all with Alchemy, I have never had a drink at Alchemy that I would order again. I avoid those drinks and carry my own to the bar when visiting. Not sure why, but every drink I’ve ever had at Alchemy gave me the worse case of heartburn ever. Although they look and sound good on the menu, I simply cannot drink them. Give me a Crown and diet, and I’m happy…unless it’s diet Pepsi…😳. I have steered towards Mojitos or Titos with a mixer of late… 

Too bad they no longer have Crown on any ships. My husband's favorite was Crown and water. Now it's Woodford and water. He says it's not as good as Crown.

On 10/28/2022 at 2:54 PM, Tennessee Rose said:

From the responses, I realize I should have been more clear with my question and laundry thoughts. I completely understand/know they use large commercial machines and wash multiple people's clothing bags together. What I SHOULD have asked is---how strong is the scent from detergent on your returned clothes? I'm guessing they do use detergent that has at least some scent, and everything is washed using that one detergent.

Just a whine!----I WISH they would choose to use perfume/dye free detergents on everyone's laundry. I think I'm probably not the only one who struggles when breathing where scented products have been used. Also, any clothing that has a tight fitting area (waistbands, armholes, etc) causes me to get big, red, itchy welts while wearing. I'm beginning to re-think whether free laundry is actually a "perk" for me! My cabin-mate may end up getting to use it!  Thank you all for your insights.

I'm sensitive to scents, especially in clothes. I have never detected the slightest scent in the laundry that's returned. The free laundry is my favorite Platinum perk. I doubt the clothes are washed in hot water - that would be more costly than cold. Same with over-drying. It's mostly my husband's clothes - underwear, socks, jeans and shorts - that are laundered. Sometimes my capris. I certainly wouldn't put anything delicate in there.

The clothes are folded so nicely it's almost like they've been ironed. I've never had anything shrunk or stained. On our cruise last week the clothes were still warm when I took them out of the bag.

1 hour ago, urbanhawk said:

I'm in the same boat (70's, and not tech savy !), but different ship-I will be on the Panorama in Dec. I don't have a cell phone and never wanted one. I'm signed for YTD. Will this be a problem, not having a cell phone? Thanks.

I don't know what you'll do without a cell phone. You have to use it to check in for YTD, you'll get a message when your table is ready. Also, for breakfast and Sea Day Brunch in MDR you have to check in to get a table number and find out when your table is ready.

Also, the menus are on it, but you can ask for a printed one, as well as activities during the day - no more printed Fun Times unless you go to Guest Services each day and get one.

You can no longer get your account summary or menus or other information on the TV.

It takes some getting used to but overall it's an improvement from the piles of printed information you used to get in your cabin.

I'm sure there must be other passengers without cell phones. Visit Guest Services when you board to find out your options.

On our November 5 cruise we were very frustrated trying to make breakfast and dinner reservations using the HUB, wouldn't let us access the reservation feature, always got no wi-fi connection message. Went to dining room to get reservations and instructions on how to make reservations. Even went to Guest Services for help, we are in our 70's and not at all tech savvy. Finally, on Thursday we discovered we couldn't get the wi-fi connection in our cabin! I know, slow learners, but no one helping us suggested this might be the case. Maybe it's not all cabins - on our September cruise we didn't have this problem. Now we know!

16 hours ago, asalligo said:

I always bring a tray on cruises. It packs easily in the bottom of my suitcase. I like to go get breakfast every morning and bring it back to my balcony. 

 

I'm ordering two of these today! Why did Carnival do away with trays? Getting lunch or breakfast on Lido is a challenge even with both hands free - dinner plate, salad plate, bowl, utensils, cup, dessert plate. A lot to fit on a tray, but impossible to get it all in one trip without one. Thanks for the tip.

On 11/1/2022 at 4:41 PM, Lee Cruiser said:

Unfortunately, rooms still won’t be ready when boarding.

Our room was ready when we boarded, but luggage wasn't delivered until 3. The waiting area for Diamond, Platinum and Suites was small and very crowded, no place for us to sit.

On 11/1/2022 at 7:34 PM, Colorado Beach Bum said:

Does it say priority boarding or just a priority check-in line?  And also no mention of the plat/Diamond waiting area/lounge.  Did I miss read it?

On our Nov. 5 cruise there was a small area cordoned off, not enough room for everyone to sit. Priority check-in and boarding, which was nice to have back.

On 10/12/2022 at 2:30 PM, sternfanla said:

I have heard they put all of your items in a mesh bag and put it in very hot water with a lot of other peoples clothes.  

My wife wont let them do her laundry. I have not had a problem with coloring or shrinkage. 

I think that's not true. How would they sort out clothes if they put several people's in one bag? And why would they use hot water when it would be an extra expense? The laundry service is probably my favorite plus of being Platinum. Same day service, the clothes are folded so nicely they look like they've been ironed. Nothing has ever been damaged or stained. First we just used it for my husband's stuff, now use it for mine, too. I wouldn't put a fancy top in, but everything else is fine. I keep seeing this about the hot water and putting clothes all together - I think this is from people who have never used the laundry service. Like people who denigrate Carnival when they've never cruised on it.

We will be in Nassau next month and would like to go to Ardastra Gardens. Would like to hear from those who have been and what they think about it. Also, how difficult is it to get a taxi at the pier?

We will be in Nassau next month and would like to go to Ardastra Gardens. How difficult is it to get a taxi at the pier?

I've heard many times to never buy Carnival's travel insurance. Whose side are they going to be on if you have to file a claim?

I use Squaremouth. The premiums are based on your age and the length and cost of your cruise, plus the coverage you choose.

Easy to use website with about 40 different companies and plans to choose from, ability to make comparisons, ratings of companies, and the exact coverages of each.

I've never had to make a claim, but when Covid started I had already purchased my travel insurance from them. The cruise was canceled. Getting a refund was quick and easy. 

They get a lot of good reviews.

I've been using EZ Cruise parking in Galveston, and lately they've been increasing their charge. In September it was $121.79 for an 8 day cruise. Just booked for November 5 cruise and it's gone up to $136.40. Both higher than what they charged in April for an 8 day.

I've sent a message to them asking them why the price increases and if this is going to continue, haven't heard back. Someone had posted on FB saying that the Galveston Port Authority is now charging the parking lot shuttle vans $25 each time they enter the lot. I can see where that would add up.

Perhaps they are trying to get more business for their lot. They are now charging $110 for an 8 day cruise.

Does anyone have any info on this? Have other parking lots in Galveston increased their prices?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             EZ Cruise is very good, I'd like to continue to use them. The lot I previously used since 2008 had gone way downhill since the pandemic and is now permanently closed.

On 9/20/2022 at 10:18 AM, dolphinsfan246 said:

I was lucky enough to see 2 pilot whales swimming in tandem with Carnival Freedom back in April. At first I didn’t know what they were, looked like a dolphin or a maybe a killer whale, upon researching I found out they were definitely pilot whales. It’s so cool to see wildlife at sea! 

Wow! Where was this? 

On 9/19/2022 at 2:22 PM, Buckeyefrank100 said:

There are 49 different species of dolphins of all sizes.  They were most likely a dolphin.

So now I have to tell my husband he was right? I hate when that happens, makes him so smug.😁

4 minutes ago, bguppies said:

We have dolphins swimming in the harbor here in Charleston, SC  all the time. (crazy watching them chase a school of fish into the shallows as a group and have themselves a massive buffet)

 

I've seen them from my balcony on ships out of Tampa and Port Canaveral before.

 

So I don't know why you couldn't see them in the Gulf.

There are always dolphins swimming around the ship in port in Galveston, so I know what a dolphin looks like - dark grey, the pointed nose, the size. If my husband wants to think they are dolphins, fine, I just don't think they are and I'm curious to find out what else they could be.

On 9/16/2022 at 9:07 AM, klfrodo said:

edibles are the way go 😉

Yeah, who doesn't like the smell of brownies?😀

Just back from an 8 day cruise to Key West and Bahamas. On Friday my husband was out on the balcony when he opened the door and told me to hurry, come out, dolphins! There were a lot of them swimming around, jumping up into the air, plopping back down into the water.

I don't think they were dolphins. Much smaller but couldn't see much detail. They did have a fin like a dolphin that showed when they were swimming just under the surface of the water.

Anyone know what these were? They weren't flying fish. We were just below the middle of Louisiana.

Thanks for any help in identifying these. My husband insists they were dolphins. 

1 hour ago, wemjam said:

Yep very true! and I liked they offered them to us in the dinning room!  Didn't know we could do that until our 2nd one out this year and the waiter offered saying "you have your free Diamond water would you like that."  We always preorder and get small bottles delivered to the room for our cruise since they are easier to drink and carry around... so it was nice to have the free big bottles for our dinner.

I didn't know you could get them in the dining room, we always get them from one of the bars. We'd see people getting them in the dining room, I thought they just wanted bottled water with their meal!

On 8/27/2022 at 9:13 AM, ninjacat123 said:

Maybe this is to let passengers know they can complain about it and something "might" be done.  I didn't know this notice was added.  Thx for posting sanmarcosman!

You can complain, but nothing will be done. 

Mongolian Wok, Southwestern Chicken Wrap at Deli, breakfast burrito/taco at Blue Iguana, Guy's Burgers. MDR? Hmmmmmm. Grand Marnier Souffle is about all. Really disappointed in everything else, food used to be so good in there. I've been on 4 cruises so far this year - Vista, Breeze and Dream. Across the board the quality has gone downhill. Hoping for you the Ecstasy still has good food in the MDR!