chocolate melting cake

We've been on several, all handled differently. February, 2024 was one of the quickest. We gathered in the comedy club while they took our S&S cards, handed us new ones, sent us into a deserted ship to have a free picture taken and relaxed for a couple of hours.

From Carnival's site Guests graduating into a new level during a cruise will receive the benefits of the new level they are graduating into from the beginning of the cruise (e.g. those graduating to Gold on the 3rd day of a 5-day cruise will receive Gold benefits for the entire duration of their cruise). Please note that ‘debarkation day’ is not considered a ‘cruise day’, therefore, points are not earned for that day.

We've done Alaska several times---most recently on the Miracle (sister ship to Spirit). Here is a "slideshow" of that cruise---just click on a picture to make it larger. 2022 Alaskan Cruise

Though not required you might be wise to bring a signed, notarized paper to the effect that you are allowed to bring the child to a doctor (along with being allowed to bring her in and out of the country). We've had our children sign and notarize the sample one below for each time we brought our grandchildren with us. We have never needed to show it to anyone---but just feel more secure in having it. Many doctors will not treat a child unless the parent approves.

We've done several B2B cruises, but never went off the ship in between. Unless someone knows for sure, I'd wait till I was onboard the first cruise for a day or two and then ask at the service desk---that way you'd get it straight from the horse's mouth!

We've been on several "Valentine cruises". I can only recall them having a flower for the women and a special desert each time.

Here is one we've used several times when bringing our granddaughters. We have NEVER been asked for proof either by Carnival or port officers, but felt it worthwhile to have "in case".

I don't know if this affects you, Butterbean 1000, but--although the other CCL brands will not match your status, if you have over 100 shares of CCL stock they will give OBC equivalent to Carnival.

We started this breakfast when taking our first granddaughter on a cruise (in Aug. we'll take our 3rd), we enjoyed it so much that we book it early with or without the kids! As the others stated, just keep checking and you can call customer service once on the ship. Here is an "album" showing what the breakfast is like. The menu pictured has changed slightly (the steak is no longer a filet), but is mostly the same. The "Suess" shirts we're wearing are ones I made on my home's computer printer.Whether or not you get a reservation you will have a ball on the cruise--enjoy. Just click on SUESS BREAKFAST below, the breakfast pix are numbers 174-189. SUESS BREAKFAST

Agreed, Jimbo, but usually at that time the officers outnumbered the Diamond guests. On most cruises today it's more than just a handful of Diamonds.

I'm glad it worked out for you----but isn't Texas in Central time? If so you could have set your alarm for 11:00 p.m., since the bookings begin midnight EST.

Darned if I can remember----it was early 2010's and I had thought it was a Carnival cruise.

Actually, several years ago we were on a cruise when I spotted a couple in "formal wear". My wife and I lined up in back of them for pictures, she refused to let me take their picture, even though I explained I admired the man's jacket and wanted to get one like it. I was surprised two weeks later when the couple posted their picture on another social media group. I SWEAR this is what they wore----so if you're looking for an alternate dress El Pitman?

If you have 100+ shares of Carnival stock and have been getting OBC on Princess, you can claim it on Carnival also.

Reading that statement I thought that YOU might be interested in seeing what the transition was like back in 2012. We were onboard the Carnival Spirit as she sailed from Hawaii to Australia for the first time, the Australian television stations were right on it (you'll notice the news helicopters flying around the ship as we arrived). I've been following your wonderful review with interest----here's what it was like "back in the day". Feel free to skip the first 96 pix (prep for the cruise) and #378 on (after the cruise). Thanks once again for your review. Just click on Our cruise to Australia, and click on the picture if you want to make it larger. Our cruise to Australia