Jasonsterling

I think you'll have to rent one on land at home... which depending on rates and the length of time you'll be gone could be pricey. I'm not sure what it costs to buy but it might be cheaper, lol. Does he already have a black suit? You might be able to pair it, depending on it's cut, with a tuxedo short, bow tie and cumberbund and most nobody (really nobody) on board will know the difference. It's great you guys are going to dress up. I haven't worn my tux in a lot of years but I used to on Carnival sometimes and there were others and since its NYE you might find a few others for your cruise still today. My son and I are heading out on the Vista for NYE as well. I hope you guys have a great time!

The Sushi place is quite good and a beautiful presentation. Is it a good deal? That's fairly subjective. It is cheaper than I can buy at home but only a little bit-maybe just 10-20 percent. The steakhouse is the same- it's pretty good if you've never been and it's an okay price. The quality of the entire experience isn't what it used to be, though it's still "good" and the menu feels like it has been around forever unchanged. I'm not going on my next voyage and didn't go on the last. The seafood place is ridiculously hit or miss- you never really know that quality of what you're going to get there and I avoid it entirely now- it was never a "great" deal, pretty comparable to land prices. I have only (in twenty years) used room service beyond a simple coffee, fruit, pastry set up at breakfast once. To me it was never worth the wait. The food is fine for free I'm sure but there's not a PBJ out there worth 5 dollars when I can throw it together for like 25 cents at home. Same for unbuttered, cold popcorn on deck for three dollars a pop, lol- not tried it, not going to. I've never had a problem with the cookies on the buffet. You don't have it on the list but I did enjoy the Ice Cream parlor on the Vista and thought it was worth it.

My first cruise was on the Sensation and I thought it was the largest thing ever put to sea at the time, lol. It really did seem massive. I've also been on the Elation twice- the first time through the Panama canal. It was my favorite of those two ships and I'd still like another sail on her someday but I doubt it'll happen- unless they move her back to Galveston, lol. My last sailing on Elation and therefore the fantasy class as a whole was 2004. All three cruises were a really great time but in general I do like the amenities of newer vessels and time just moves on- new styles, new ideas. It's a shame that so far no one has been able to take on a Fantasy class vessel for a start up or smaller cruise line. Maybe by the time Elation goes they'll be a taker.

Every port is different but in Galveston there's very little space to sit outside of the main terminal. The arrival times are sometimes enforced and people are required to wait- I've seen them several times in fact (again in Galveston). I would, given the situation, book a late shuttle time. The later boarding times for the ship rarely book up fast if at all. The early slots go quick but not the ones later in the day. So if you book a later shuttle now then you should have no trouble getting a later arrival slot when the time comes. I'm not sure what the boarding times are for that voyage but as an example if the last boarding time is 3 for the ship then I'd book a noon shuttle from MCO getting you there about an hour (a little more than an hour) later at around 1-1:15pm and set my arrival time for 1:30. I think you have a thirty minute window, technically but then I also think at that point even if you are late or a little early depending on traffic it won't matter. Again it's mostly an issue earlier in the day where the arrival slots have all booked up in advance and there's large crowds.

Does it have to be a scooter? When I was a kid people still typically just used a collapsible wheelchair that folds flat- my grandfather used one like that in the last years of his life for long distances, otherwise he used a walker. It takes up a lot less space, is inexpensive and can fit most anywhere. A lot less worry about the room needed.

Same as other responders- nothing, lol. I've been in a Spa room a couple of times now and there's never been a "welcome gift", "ritual", "Slippers" or special extra discounts on spa treatments. Ha ha. The location on the Breeze and Vista is good though and I like the Thermal Suites area so okay but don't count on anything else promised by marketing.

I've been on til 9:30+ (also had a late flight and just lingered over breakfast on board) and there were still others waiting to be called. A lot of variables play into it BUT you can stay on until they ask the last of the guests to leave. They'll make an overhead announcement about all other guests can now disembark. That's when to start making your way down but you can still be at the back of that pack, lol. They do essentially require that you are out of your room though by 8:30 at the absolute latest.

It was fun, a 4D type movie experience like at an amusment park- 17+ was just horror films) but it was also closed for a long time and the theater on the Breeze became a bar adjacent to the non-smoking casino so it's not there any longer. It might not be re-opened on the other ships even if it's showing as still there.

Did you get it through you TA sponsored promo or from a Carnival promo that you booked through a TA? If it was through a Carnival promo (I had two like that back during the initial restart) then it should show up on your account at Carnival .com. Go under the Booking and Order details tab then look under the Invoice Tab of that section and it's listed at the bottom of the invoice.

I was on Vista last NYE and I'll be there this NYE. There's a special dinner in the MDR, some free hats/noise makers. Typically big parties on deck and in the atrium (last year just on deck due to Covid- this year we'll see). Free champagne toasts around midnight.

This is something I think everyone was waiting for for a long time. Carnival knows that even with this and all the other numerous cuts they still present an attractive and cost effective model for vacation compared to other options... or at least they hope they do, lol. I've almost never used room service save coffee and cereal delivery maybe once a cruise because it's troublesome to eat in the room without a true table so I, and many others, just won't miss it. In addition their new upmarket Excel suites on the newest ships use free room service as a perk. If it's all pay, except for a basic breakfast, then the perk is more attractive and valuable to the people booking those suites. I'm sure there's other considerations there as well but in the end after all the grumbling the ships will still be full because there's no one else offering a better deal.

Old tradition- grab a drink at the lobby bar as soon as I enter, lol. New tradition- grab a drink at the lobby bar as soon as I enter, then go to muster drill and get it done and over and start my cruise.

I've been at the Chef's Table a few times now and there's no dress code at any time. Most people dress "nicer" no matter the night but I've also seen jeans and a faded old t-shirt, lol. Not entirely the cruisers fault. The Chef's Table was a surprise from a friend and she hadn't planned on any "fancy" dining- ha ha. In the end, like on any night, you should dress how you like for yourself and not worry too much what other people are or aren't going to wear. It's a great experience btw- I do it every voyage and love it.

Mostly I've found the meet ups to be mostly unattended or held in a crowded place full of a wide variety of people and you just end up hit and missing by chance if they're gay or not just like any bar on any night, lol. Honestly, it feels like there aren't a lot of gay singles on board mass market ships(many gay couples- a few singles, lots of families) and ages will reflect the age range of the ship itself. Different times of the year and length of cruise on mass market lines will trend older, even much older or be swamped with families/kids. You can check your specific sailing on Facebook as well and get a feel of the crowd for that sailing by who has joined up there. Sometimes they might even have a sign up event for a LGBT+ meetup for people in that group during a quieter part of the day in a quieter place where you can actually meet and talk to someone. If there's not an event listed those groups will usually be fine with you starting one. I hope you have a great time!