Sea Raven

Society in general has massively changed over the last 30 years. Casual and comfortable is the new standard. People now show up for job interviews in pajamas. And speaking of pajamas, I have read on these boards where it was standard for the room steward to lay out a ladies nightgown in the evenings. On cruises, I sleep in leggings and a t shirt. I don't actually need or want them laid out for me. So does this count as a cutback or an improvement?

On my current booking, I have anytime dining selected. I can select prepaid gratuity or take it back off. It gives me the option either way. For the record, I have never read about that anywhere that I can remember.

The TV no, but they give you waters, soft drinks of your choice, a fruit tray, tortilla chips with salsa,, sour cream, and quacamole, and a cheese plate.

Since your cruise is on the Venezia, which are relatively newly scheduled, none of the Half Moon Cay excursions may have posted yet. Not all the excursions are available yet for my Magic sailing out of Norfolk which was added to the schedule when the Venezia replaced the Magic in New York.

I know that mine will not be the popular opinion, but I support this wholeheartedly. The sheer amount of food waste that I witnessed just on my October cruise was disheartening. People ordering multiple entrees for breakfast, brunch, and dinner was quite common. Most only picked at each one, some even left whole meals untouched. I guess the thought of "free" food just triggers something in certain people. It is an issue that I hope Carnival can at least try to control.

I am sailing on the Magic to Bermuda on the 23rd, so I can report back here with an update. Past October crises have included kids trick or treating, adult and children's costume parties, and other activities like Thriller dance lesson classes and such. They also decorate parts of the ship and provide Halloween themed backdrops for the photographers.

I also take advantage of one of Carnival's "secondary" ports. So driving to port makes sense when I can be at the terminal in about 30 minutes. Are the itineraries the most diverse? No. But I can have a quick run to the Bahamas or a 6 day that gives me 3 days in Bermuda, in a suite on a Dream class ship. Its easy, quick, and convenient. Very smart on Carnival's part. I do, however, fly when I feel the urge for a different experience, like my 8 day Mardi Gras cruise next May. So, I suppose that I consider myself thrifty, not cheap!!