Carol Jones

Love the idea of the brewery tour / demo - but don't drink beer. Is there an option to just tour?

 

 

 

(And thanks for the review! Truly enjoying!)

Oh I don’t drink beer either. The guys do. I just went along to take photos.

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For dessert we had that yummy warm and bready Bitter and Blanc and the S’mores dessert.

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We came back to the room to rest a bit and get ready for dinner. I enjoyed sitting out on the balcony for a bit as we sailed away from Grand Turk. We decided to try to eat early so we could take in the show and a comedy show after dinner. Checked in for dinner right at 5:30 and we were walked right to our table. We requested the same wait staff. I enjoy having the same waiters for the week. It’s nice to chat with them and they also get to know you and your preferences. Here is the menu

Here are pictures of dinners. We had: (appetizers) iceberg lettuce salad, chicken patties, shrimp cocktail.

Winner of the appetizer round - chicken patties!

(Dinner) BBQ spare ribs, sea bass and beef tenderloin. They were all very good.

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My taco salad. Yes, I like a little taco salad to go with my sour cream.

That’s grilled shrimp on the side for my DH. While I was in the Blue Iguana line he was getting drinks. That’s the way we normally do the lido- divide and conquer and it works well for us. The Blue iguana line wasn’t too long but it moves much slower than the burger line because everyone has to order every item particular to them. For dessert I decided to get some ice cream, not the soft serve they have in the machines by the aft pool but the gelato they make fresh in the lido. Today they were making coconut and tiramisu. I had the tiramisu and it was fabulous.

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When we got back on the ship we went straight to the lido to get lunch. We only got one order of Jack’s shack jerk chicken and shared it so we were still hungry. I was also hot and tired I knew if I went back to the cabin first I wouldn’t make it out again for a couple hours. Couldn’t believe how short the line for guys burgers and fries was. Only like five people ahead of us. My son got lunch here. I got a taco salad from Blue Iguana and that hit the spot. Don’t get me wrong- I love those burgers!! I know they aren’t the best on the planet but they’re pretty darn good. Fresh of the grill and always juicy. I like how they have the topping bar and you can fix your burger up as you like. Of course, total waste on my son. He only puts BBQ sauce and sometimes bacon on his. Here are some photos of lunch and the menus.

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Monday-Grand Turk.

DH was our room service this a.m. He brought Croissants, fruit and Oj back to the room to help save time. No problems getting off the ship quickly this morning. We were off by 8:30. We’ve been to Grand Turk a few times before and wanted to venture beyond the cruise center and Margaritaville so we rented a golf cart from Turk adventures. We hit stops mentioned in a review ( golf cart stops)by Loonbeam. Jerk chicken at Jacks Shack. Did a very little shopping and then got in the long line to get back on board. Carnival moves this line as fast as they can and it was good to see them pass out water.

Shake spot menu. We only window shopped.

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We walked around some. I stopped to listen to that amazing electric violin trio I like so much. Then, we went to see the comedian at the Punchliner club. We saw Steven Michael Quezada. He was on that show, breaking bad. He’s very funny but we had to stand - many others did too. Got there at 9:05 - started at 9:15. We should have done better. Anyway, I do think they might should’ve built this bigger. It seems to be the same size as the comedy club on other carnival ships that are much smaller. I definitely recommend if you can get there at least 20 minutes early. We walked around some more and went to the fun shops and then decided to get a late night snack. My son had pizza and my husband and I went to the deli that is in Lido area. We shared a meatball sub. All of the sandwiches that they offer looked really good. I was impressed at how efficient and quickly this line moved. I’ve seen this set up on similar carnival ships but there was not as much selection. Also, this seems to have longer hours. That was something I think carnival needed. I don’t like just having pizza as a option for a good part of the late evening. meatball sub and menu...

Off to bed. Tomorrow is Grand Turk.

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We did not do cheers or a bottomless bubbles but I have included info on that in case anyone needs it.

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Menu items we had: Appetizers- salad, Tart with pork tenderloin, fried oysters. Entrees-prime rib, spaghetti carbonara and lobster. Dessert- Creme brûlée and melting cake.

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First Your Time Dining for us. We normal do early dinner. How you do this is a little different. You go to the coffee shop (deck 5) to check in and they let you know when to head to the dining room (deck 3). All in all this didn’t take us very long at all. We started the process at 6:30 and we’re sitting down by 6:40. However, I did notice that the people that were coming to eat as we were leaving seemed to have a long wait. Formal night and the wait-staff sang “celebration”. I always enjoy when they sing and dance! And I sure can swing a mean napkin. My family thinks I enjoy this, a little too much. We got the premium wine package. I normally get the value package but they have changed that and don’t offer as much selection. I drink reds and the only Value reds were the one from the steak house and I’m not too crazy about that. Ended up being $180ish. (5bottles) with tip. Tonight Malbec and it was very good. I have a photo below that lists our waitstaff’s names. They did a fine job then we would enjoy having them again. I’m going to list the menu items that we had for the evening. I know it looks like a lot of food and in all honesty I did eat a ton, but not everything I have a photo of. But, we do all tend to taste each other’s food, so I could probably answer any questions you have about any of the items you see.

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We decided to go try out the waterslides. The yellow slide is more narrow and it is enclosed. I don’t really care for those. The orange one is a slower ride and much more my style. The line moved quickly for both of the slides and there seemed to be chairs available in this area.

When we went back down to our room. Our steward brought by the chocolate covered strawberries. I always enjoy chocolate covered strawberries but this was the first time I ate the red velvet cookie things. I guess before someone in the family got to those first, anyway those are really tasty.

Oh and here is the platinum gift. The Tervis tumblers. I like those. Thank you Carnival!!

I like how carnival does the photos on this ship. On the other carnival ships I always cringe at how much photo paper is printed just to be recycled, well hopefully they recycle it. This ship does it like they did when we were on the oasis of the seas. You just go to the Carnival HUB and they have a tab for photos. You can just scroll through and see all the photos that have been taken of your group.. The photographer will ask your cabin number when he takes your photo. I have included our photo from formal night so you can see what I’m talking about. Notice it says carnival all across it so you couldn’t use it but it’s nice to be able to look at your pictures in private and not have any of those horrible ones posted for the whole cruise ship to see.

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Red Frog Pub...the last of this, I promise.

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More Red Frog pub pics including the conch fritters and my mango drink.

We went by the main funnel and the smaller one near the casino. They both have a rainforest theme today.

Made our way to the Red Frog pub for the guys 2:30 brewery tour.

They have a food menu with all items that are just $3.33 each and we have always been happy with everything we’ve gotten here.I just took photos and had a frozen girlie drink. Also, ordered my son the conch fritters. He loved those, but what I hear people like most here is coconut shrimp. I don’t eat seafood but enjoy it vicariously through the rest of my family. Ron was the brew master and did a great job. You taste 4 beers and he leaves the pitcher on the table for you to pour as you want. They also give you Red Frog Pub glass to keep and a certificate to get a free beer. Guys thought it was a great value for $25. This Red Frog Pub is huge. Make sure to walk to the back as there is an awesome area for families with free foosball tables. Also, there is a very large outdoor area where some people were playing corn hole.

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Went up to serenity and we actually got one of those clam shells. After relaxing in the shade a bit I decided to sit in one of the vacant loungers that was just in front of us. In order to get to it I had to move it and the 3 lounge chairs right next to it by about, and I kid you not, 6 inches-at the most. When I did a lady sitting in the clamshell directly next to the the chairs I moved came out all huffing and puffing and said to her friend (but of course she really meant it to me) “goodness we’re not gonna have room to move now”. Some people-I tell you!! She didn’t even want to use it at that time but wanted to make sure She had lounge chairs and the clamshell available to her- at all times. The funny thing is is that we were only there about 20 minutes and we were gone before she even needed to sit back in her lounge chair. Other than this group, chair hogs were not really out in force. I noticed as we walked back through the lido there were chairs available.[ATTACH]1[/ATTACH]

The serenity area is very big and there are 2 hot tubs, one on each side. The serenity bar is pretty big too.

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Also if you go to any comedy or main shows - about how long are they? I love comedians and try to see as many as I can but love the other main shows and it's hard to know how to plan if I don't know long the shows are lol!

Haven’t been to main show yet. Comedy show was 30 minutes. Get there early- space is limited and seems to go fast.

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Thank you so much! I'm on her the 28th yipeeee!

 

question - I see the huge line and yet you were in in 15 minutes? Are you platinum? FTTF?

 

Are there 2 regular outlets and 2 usb ports?

 

thank you!

 

Hope you're having a blast!

We are having a blast and yes we are platinum. On the vanity there’s a European outlet and 2 US plugs. Also, on the vanity there’s a place to plug 2 USBs.

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You are making my day!! We board on Sunday!!! Steakhouse first night too! How is the dress code first night steakhouse? Thanks!!! Such a detailed review!!! Much appreciated!

 

 

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The dress code the first night was much like the dining room. I saw it all- shorts to very dressy. I just wore a simple dress and my guys wore slacks.

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Nice review so far! If you have time can you get a picture of the Shake Spot menu for me with the spiked shake flavors?;p

Yes. I’ll swing buy there this evening. Also, just so you’ll know- everyday they make fresh gelato at the lido marketplace. Some of the flavors they’ve had so far are: Raspberry, vanilla, coconut and tiramisu . I had tiramisu today and it was great

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Thanks for the shout-out, Carol Jones! I'm re-living my Vista cruise through you this week...

You are welcome, Sid. I enjoyed your review so much!! I might go to Alchemy in honor/memory of you.

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Here are the sea day brunch menus.

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Sunday (day 2) fun times

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SUNDAY

Wow did we sleep late and it felt great. I think that one of the bonuses of being on a longer cruise is that you don’t feel like you have to do everything on the only Sea day. You have time to take it easy and relax.

Today is the World Cup final and we are huge soccer fans. The kids played and my husband and I have both coached soccer. Anyway, we called guest services to find out if it was going to be televised on the ship and were told their technician was working on getting it in the sports bar.

We went to sea day brunch. I got steak and eggs but didn’t get pictures. We ended up sitting with a nice couple from California so we chatted a bit and I didn’t get to it. I’ll do that later and I’ll post the menu too.

We used our free drink coupons the room steward left in the cabin to get two beers, unopened. My husband plans on drinking those later in the day. A beer with breakfast, yuck! I can’t even imagine that even if I liked beer!!

We all have the carnival hub and their chat plan. My son and I got the stay connected value plan and I’m thinking I’ll post the info on that if you’re interested. We ended up being able to stream and watch the World Cup on my sons phone. Wanted Croatia to win but congrats France.

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We walked around a bit and stopped to hear a musical trio playing in the atrium. They played electric violins and were AMAZING!! They were playing hits from many different decades.

Went to to casino and played slot machines for a bit. I made $80 and decided to stop while I was ahead. Winning some made me feel better about spending over $20 (after extra tip) for two really girlie drinks I had at the Havana bar. We were all very tired and didn’t do any extra entertainment for the night but I’ll include the weekly schedule.

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