JohnSpo

Nice review.  Thanks for sharing your experience.  I have been on Paradise twice before and I also had a nice time.  For a smaller ship it was a fun cruise and I always have a great time in Cozumel.  Happy sailing!😎

53 minutes ago, bermudadude54 said:

Day 2 and Day 8

Great.  This works with my current dining plans.  Thank you.

5 minutes ago, resjes said:

 

Solarium was complimentary for me. And yes, menus are online in the cruise planner. I have many allergies/dietary restrictions, so this is one of the few "specialty restaurants" that I will be dining at.

I also have dietary restrictions so I will enjoy the option of the Solarium for dinner.

On the 8 night Anthem itineraries, what nights are the formal nights?

I reserved the Solarium on the Anthem for several dinners on an upcoming cruise and it is no charge.  There was a menu on the Royal website that I was able to view when I made the reservations.  The choices did look good and healthy and the appetizers seemed to be more of a Mediterranean type of menu.  I look forward to dining there.

45 minutes ago, leisuretraveler223 said:

 

I'm sorry you are way too cynical to enjoy life....

Well, this was not a surprise to RCI.  They should have arranged for a better cruise port change.  Miami is not an acceptable alternative especially since the prior port is Port Canaveral, another Florida port.  I don't think I am being overly cynical.  RCI made a calculated financial decision which has resulted in terrible customer service/satisfaction.  This is a forum and I am just discussing what RCI has done.  I have looked forward to this cruise for a long time and I still plan on enjoying this cruise and my life.

22 hours ago, Edhoff said:

Can hardly wait to see how long the shuttle lines will be.🚎

Seeing how RCI purposely screwed up on missing Coco Cay, I don't have much faith they will effectively manage a ship full of passengers going to 2 locations by shuttle buses.  I hope they prove me wrong and the lines won't be too bad.  

Has the itinerary been announced?

The vegetable/cheese lasagna is very good and filling.  There is also a tomato stuffed with quinoa and vegetable that is very good.  As mentioned above the vegetable pies and the everyday Indian choice are great.  One of my favorite seafood choices is a seafood newburg type pasta dish loaded with scallops and shrimp.

In the MDR, my favorite dessert is usually the butter pecan ice cream.

There is plenty of choices as long as you are not picky.  Enjoy.

Great videos so far.  I took this cruise in April and this will definitely be fun to watch.  I think this was my favorite cruise on Carnival.  St Lucia was my favorite port.  Thanks for taking the time to post this video review.

The party is a nice perk to have. The food and drinks are good. The short movie clip about Carnival and the ships is always nice to see. It is fun to talk with some of the crew attending the party. The live music is always good. Definitely go to the party and have a great time.

Good to know you got to MIA without any delays. The wings, quesadillas and shrimp look especially good since I haven't had dinner yet. Enjoy MIA.

I liked your Chef Table photos (my favorite photos were the two toned tomato soup and the beef ribs). I also liked your sunrise photos from your private deck. I once had a cabin on the private deck on the Triumph and it was great to hang out there and take in the sights.

Regarding the wine you brought on board. I like the Apothic red. It is good to know there is an Apothic white. I will have to look out for it. Is the white on the sweet side or more like a chardonnay?

Glad you had a great cruise. Time to book the next one. Thanks for taking the time to review your cruise. It was fun following you.

Enjoy your birthday and enjoy your cruise. I look forward to following your cruise review.:cool:

KW and Coz are both of my favorite ports. They both have plenty to do near the port without having to do an excursion. KW has Duval St and the surrounding areas that is close to the port. Coz has the port area shopping and is within walking distance to down town. I never did an excusion in KW but Coz has some great all inclusive beach excursions.

Wow, that is awesome.:cool: Thanks for sharing.

You're gorgeous. I look forward to following your cruise. Enjoy your solo cruise on Sunshine.

We did this cruise in August 2016, so obviously the ship did not have these features. I was wondering since I think i remember reading that they were going to eliminate the Mongolian Wok whether they did that or not.

I believe the Mongolian Wok was eliminated. I don't recall seeing the line for it when I was on the cruise in April 2018. If it was there I most likely would have had it.

I booked a 7 day Legend cruise for early 2020. I look forward to the updates once the ship is upgraded with Guys, Bonsai Sushi, Blue Iguana Cantina and Bar, The Red Frog Bar and the Alchemy Bar. Lately I have been cruising on the smaller Carnival ships without the steakhouse so it is good to know Legend does have one. the Lip Sync Battle looks like it could be fun after having a few at the Alchemy Bar first. Enjoy the Legend.:cool:

Is the dress code for breakfast in the MDR the same as in the nights?

No, it is casual so shorts and flip flops type attire is allowed. I was on this cruise in April and the updated breakfast menu is great. They had some healthier but tasty new items such as the vegetable frittata, avocado and poached eggs on toast and an awesome homemade granola.

I have no issues with it. I think it is totally worth it.

RCI steakhouse price is $42 so Carnival is in line with their competitors.

I also think the Carnival $38 price is worth it. I have had some excellent meals in the Carnival steakhouse. My last few Carnival cruises did not have a steakhouse and I did miss it. The steakhouse selections have been good in the MDR but I do prefer the steakhouse.

I did this cruise in April. I remember the cab ride was about 25 minutes between the airport and the pier and this was in no traffic. The Fascination was a great cruise. Enjoy it.:cool:

Good to know. We usually do balconies, but since this is a port intensive itinerary, I am considering going without... Just don't want to lose the space.

 

Do you find the same Carnival experience / quality on these ships as you do on others? It will obviously show its age in places, but does it feel "dingy"?

I did this cruise in April. The Fascination is great for this port intensive itinerary. I experienced no lines on embarkation day and minimal lines on debarkation day. Getting on and off the ship on port days was great with no lines at all. The ship is smaller but it has most of the features of the larger ships and it is easy to navigate. The food and crew are great and it was very clean so there was no issues with it being an older ship.

The new features on Fascination were great such as the Blue Iguana Pub and Cantina , the Red Frog Pub, Alchemy Bar, Bonsai Sushi Express and Guys Burger were all added recently. With all of these new features, you did even notice it was a smaller/older ship. I would sail on this ship/itinerary again.

Glad to read the cheesecake is back on the steakhouse menu. That is my favorite item on the steakhouse dessert menu.:cool:

The reason that I asked is because I could not find any information. You said it is not allowed but where does it say that - not on Carnival’s website. If a book or piece of clothing will do, then that’s what I’ll do.

Common courtesy does not have to be on the website. You are not the only one on the cruise.