PlanoTim

2 hours ago, bahacca said:

We haven't sailed since 2018. Do we still need lanyards for our sign and sail cards? I have heard menus are now digital, so you need your phone. If you find you need your phone on you at all times, do you use a phone lanyard, small purse?(Guys, be quiet. Not all of our clothing has pockets like yours!😉)

Sorry, not being quiet. 😋  I don't use a lanyard and neither does my wife.  If I'm with her when she doesn't have pockets and isn't carrying a small purse (clutch?), then I'll carry her phone.  This typically happens in the evening because most of her daytime clothes have pockets.  She sometimes uses a waist-band thingy that holds her phone (especially when jogging).  I've also seen small stick-on card holders that attach to the back of a phone.  She is considering one of those to keep her phone and S&S together.

I wish they would add a Ribeye Cap to the steakhouse menu. 🍴😛

I'm glad you made it.  The surprising part of you story is that JetBlue (or any airline) was willing to book you on another carrier.  It seems like that happens so rarely these days.  Now you can breath a sigh of relief and enjoy your cruise.

Thank you for the review.  I’ve never done the wine pairings in the steakhouse.  Can you please elaborate some on the experience?  Did you get a pairing for the dessert as well (like maybe a port)?  Did you have Cheers or do you know if this works with Cheers?  Thanks,
Tim

22 minutes ago, mz-s said:

 

I fully admit it is a character flaw of mine.

I figure our character flaws are what make us interesting. 😀

I don’t really understand when people feel the need to drink more than they may want, just to “get their money’s worth.”  I mean once you buy it, the money is gone, right?  So why not just drink what you want without any concern about coming out ahead?  An assessment after the cruise can verify if Cheers was a good idea, if you are unsure.  That can help you make the decision the next time.  Once I buy Cheers I don’t worry if it was a good decision or try to come out ahead, since nothing can be done about it at that point.  That's just my philosophy about it.

There are a few shops and I think a place or two to get a drink there.  It's not a big place like Cozumel or Costa Maya.  There is a small map of the port area on this web page.  I hope that helps some.

Tim

This site may give you some idea of the average February Weather in San Miguel de Cozumel, Mexico.  I hope that helps some.
Tim

My wife and I did the Tabasco's Chef Maestro: Cooking, Tasting & Drinks, a Carnival excursion, a couple of years ago.  It was really fun.  This spring we're doing the Ultimate Mexology by Jose Cuervo with Lunch excursion, also through Carnival.

We also did the Salsa and Salsa excursion through Viking a few years ago.  It was fun for our group of 8.

Google "carnival-bar-menus-and-drink-prices-2024" and you will find what you are looking for.

Hope that helps,

Tim

I was looking at MALECóN 21.  Does anyone have feedback or experience regarding this place?  Thanks,

Tim

In my experience, the beer selection differs some at the various bars on the ship.

In my experience, the fridges in the rooms don’t get very cold – even if the cabinet door is left open.  I don’t know, but I suspect they are thermoelectric units rather than compressor models.  Maybe they do this to keep costs down or because thermoelectric fridges are quieter or maybe because they require less maintenance.

If I want to chill a beer or wine below cool, I use an ice bucket.  Hope you have a great cruise.
Tim
 

1 minute ago, Saint Greg said:

 

It's not on the menu so I would say probably. But I haven't been on it yet. That menu seems to have less sandwiches and more hot dogs. That makes me wonder if they got rid of Sea Dogs on Jubilee.

Thanks.  I'll be there in a few months, so I guess I'll find out first hand.  But the Jubilee menu looks less interesting to me than the other two.

1 hour ago, Saint Greg said:

 

The sandwich menus are slightly different between the three ships.

 

Mardi Gras

 

 

Celebration

 

 

Jubilee

 

Does this mean that a Ruben isn't available on Carnival Jubilee?

I have seen a post or two recently about a couple of Carnival’s dual-fuel ships leaving their home port late due to refueling delays.  I certainly don’t know if this is related to the ships being dual fueled.  Do dual-fuel ships - powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) and traditional marine fuel oil - take longer to take on fuel than traditional ships?  I don’t think this has impacted any itineraries, but I’m wondering if this is an LNG refueling issue?  Can a ship take on LNG and bunker fuel at the same time?  Do dual-fuel ships take on LNG after every cruise?  I believe Carnival has three ships that are dual fuel - Carnival Celebration, Carnival Mardi Gras, and Carnival Jubilee.  Just wanting to understand the new technology better and trying to understand how LNG impacts the fueling of these ships.

16 minutes ago, badgermomof2 said:

Thank you for the info Tim.  

We have a light and small ceramic blow dryer that I suspect won't work.  We'll probably just take the old standby unit on Carnival Jubilee in a few months that we know works on the ships.

You may want to check this thread: 

And this one:

I didn't know there was a cruisecritic app.

49 minutes ago, Crusin Karen said:

Neither my date or the button are showing up for my 5/6 cruise but is for my 3/25 cruise. Is this normal if you have More than one cruise booked? 

I don't see a date or a check-in button for my 4/27/2024 cruise either.  I can't find the check-in date shown anywhere.  Maybe because full payment doesn't happen till the end of this month.  Not sure.

44 minutes ago, dabomb6608 said:

 

This is true, however in Carnivals eyes there is no proof that OP is not the person who actually did the chargeback. Now that cruiser is attempting to cruise again. 

 

Please note OP I am not trying to claim you did this. I'm just showing the other side of the coin here. Any and all correspondence and documentation will help towards clearing this up with Carnival Representatives.

 

Hopefully you can find a resolution. 

My son investigates merchant fraud for a major credit-card processor.  He has some really wild stories to tell of schemes that fraudsters try.  Many times they work with other merchants or just with themselves posing as another merchant or individual to defraud the bank.  I'm not suggesting that the OP was involved in the fraud...but how does CCL know that.  It could be that they have been burned by this before.   Perhaps that is why they have taken this stance.

I hope you can get this cleared up.

@TxTeach79, thanks for taking us along on your cruise.  I really enjoyed it.

Did you happen to notice a venue for dancing (to the band, not a DJ) on board?  Ocean Plaza was used for that on Carnival Vista and we really enjoyed it.  The dance floor always seemed to be busy in the evenings and I'm wondering if the Excel class ships have a similar space.  Thanks.

Take care and try to stay warm in our upcoming DFW weather.

You may want to check out this post by Saint Greg:

I'm not a local, but my wife is from the Sebago Lake area, so we get up there a lot visiting family.

I second the suggeation of Gilberts Chowder House or Becky's Diner.  They are both solid choices.  Gilberts has more hole-in-the-wall vibe.  I hear Portland Lobster Company is good but I've never been there.

If a lobster roll is what I was wanting, my choice would be the food truck at Allagash Brewing.  It's about a 15-minute Uber ride from the pier.  And since you're not driving, you can check out the other 4 (I think) breweries right there. 🍺

I enjoyed the food at Gilberts (outstanding seafood chowder) and at the food truck just a couple weeks ago.  Portland is a great town.  I hope you have a wicked-good time. 🦞
Tim

The Texas birth certificates (long form) that we got for our kids' passport applications at the local state or county office (don't recall which) don't have a raised seal.  But the paper does have a colorful watermark. 😀  So the raised seal may vary by state.