SoCalKJ

Kinda nifty...

That's it...just waiting to debark. Happy Sailing!

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There are the Multi-Game machines (poker/keno/etc), I remember seeing a Jackpot Party machine on the outskirts of the casino, Wolf Run (as a previous poster mentioned), old school 7-7-7 machines with the different Wild Cherry/Double Double or Triple Double reels...plenty of different progressive machines...

All I know is we made a sizeable donation. The only thing tighter was my wardrobe after the cruise. :(

I went in there and didnt see any perfume, etc.

I was on the Miracle in July...on one side of the walkway is the jewelry store with all the cases of jewelry/watches in the center of the shop...then when you walk around the outskirts of that room, you'll find the cheaper costume-type jewelry, sunglasses, etc...then keep walking around the outskirts and you'll find the makeup area...then keep walking and you'll see some more jewelry/watches and then you'll happen upon the fragrance section...they even have a Clearance Table with various scents they're trying to be rid of....most notably...a few bottles of Justin Bieber! :eek: :D

Across that pathway is the store that sells the souvenirs, clothes, etc.

It exists. I spent money. :rolleyes:

...the Fun Times will also have printed reminders on the front cover to adjust your clocks/watches when you hit port. It's an hour back from Pacific Time.

My iPhone adjusted automatically. :)

Miracle Gift Anyone??

The Platinum Gift was the coffee mug with the coffee/tea samplers.

My first Platinum gift was the hot/cold zippered beach bag (with all the Carnival logos on it), then the Tervis Tumbler and then the coffee mugs with coffee/tea samplers.

I'm bummed: I left my Tervis tumbler somewhere in Skagway in July. :eek::(

I'd go to eBay or something for a replacement, but it wouldn't be the same. :rolleyes:

Ship was mellow....mellow...mellow! Loved it. They said it was at capacity, but it always felt like it was only half-full.

Even the Karaoke crowd, which is usually upbeat and excitable, was subdued...overall applause was more of a polite golf-clap variety...LOL!

I second the compliment on the Naturalist, Michelle...she is great at what she does...and she has a very soothing voice...thank goodness, because we heard a LOT of her. :)

My husband is my best friend and we love to cruise...

However, I needed a quick getaway and he couldn't get the time off so I went alone for the first time. As much as I adore DH, being on my own schedule, having the bed to myself and basically just decompressing solo for 3 days was the best experience...I also enjoyed different activities that DH and I usually blow off while cruising (towel animal tutorial, Love & Marriage, dancing in the nightclub, etc....).

Best 3 days ever! Sometimes I feel a tiny pang of guilt when I look at solo options down the road...LOL!!

Carnival has inked a multi-year partnership with the Dallas Cowboys. Their will be branding in the stadium as well as other items. America's team and and America's cruise line.

Annual Oxnard Training Camp...just started yesterday...(sigh)...so now every time I drive by, I can be reminded that I'm NOT on a cruise...sad....LOL! :rolleyes:

The $10 daily tips are now made easy, but I wish the breakdown was $4/$6 instead of this, so that I don't need to find the calculator function on my iPhone.

Actually, it's $11.50/person/day currently until 10/9...

Regardless, it's not a huge deal, and I hope the more stingy guests don't have an even bigger field day with their righteous indignation regarding paying more.

I'll pay more. No problem...they treat me well! :-)

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Are you checking the West Coast cruises? The port fees have been bouncing between $65pp & $75pp.

 

A double whammy-- increase in port fees and an increase in grats. At least the grats only amount to $2pp for the 4day.

An extra 2 bucks ain't gonna break us...the port fees do seem to be inconsistent, though, at times (sometimes we get port/OBC credit...a few times it was $7.90/person and once it was 55 cents!! LOL!)...it was just weird.

I was pricing little weekend getaways for the next few months...thought my mock totals were kinda weird (not substantial, but off, no-less) between the first weekend in October and the weekend before Thanksgiving...sho'nuff...

As per the Carnival website FAQ page...

Voyages departing October 9, 2014 onward; the total amount is $12.00 per guest, per day and breakdown as follows:

• Stateroom service team $3.90 per day

• Dining room service team $6.10 per day

• Alternative services team* $2.00 per day

(*galley, entertainment, guest services and other hotel staff members)

Am I the last to discover this or has this been in the works for a while?

(I'm a good and dutiful tipper. I always pay the prepaid guideline and extra to those who are extra-amazing during the cruise. This ain't a judgment post, more just an observation.)

I definitely trust a computer more than a pit boss. Those people are there to give you as few comps as possible. :)

The pit boss actually had the nerve to try to explain the comp program...even after I politely (okay...diplomatically. Okay...maybe I had a little tiny attitude, but I didn't use profanity. :rolleyes:)

She insisted on trying to tell me why my husband on the slots gets comped better than me on the tables...I was like, "yeah...cuz my DH has no chance in H-E-double hockey-sticks to win anything on your unregulated slots, but he likes to gamble and he's not the social butterfly I am, so of course you're gonna comp him...because he's gonna lose more than I am...." Rather than be 100% truthful though, she's obligated to try to explain this time/point comp basis garbage which begins to infuriate me more.

Side Note: DH finally "LOST" enough to be eligible for "Drinks On Us" card. The catch: it's only good IN THE CASINO while you're playing...and, wouldn't you know it...there's ne'er a cocktail host anywhere to be found when you're thirsty. :confused:

If only I had a Fun Shops addiction instead. :D

How did you slice up your foot? Glad you have a sense of humor about it :)

Was trying to get the entertainment host's attention (as per their "do something wild and crazy to get our attention so we call you up" instructions) during the First Night of Game Show Mania in the Miracle's Phantom Lounge/Theater...IRONICALLY ENOUGH, I took my flip-flops off so I wouldn't slip while getting their attention...that backfired. :rolleyes:

Sucky part: booked cruise 15 months out...like, as soon as the dates were released...injury happened, like....a few hours AFTER we set sail! :mad:

I tried not to let it ruin our week, but it's a long walk when you're in the Junior Suite at the tail end of the Aft and all the other activities you enjoy are on the Fwd end. I just didn't get to work out (which I enjoy doing often on cruises...to justify my calorie intake..LOL!), swim, get in the hot-tub, walk comfortably...the things I enjoy when on a cruise. (This injury was literally on THE BOTTOM of my foot...a big gash of skin hanging that the RN didn't want to remove...rather keep it on and dry to allow skin to grow underneath. Gross, I know...sorry!)

The Spirit class has that separate hot tub in the gym that I really wanted to enjoy throughout the week...NOPE. The Serenity deck has it's own pool separate from the common Lido area pools...nope. I'm used to the Fantasy class which has the bare minimum offerings...the Miracle (even with it's mechanical issues) was a special treat...especially since it seemed like it was half full all week long. Nope.

Anyway, it could've been worse, this I know. :o But, as I said, I got a trophy I neither asked for or competed for...with ANOTHER plate of chocolate-covered strawberries (separate from the gratuitous "thanks for blowing a huge wad of cash in Mr. Lucky's!!" plate or the bonus perk plate from the Behind The Fun tour offering...BTW...at least I was able to hobble around the BTF tour since I had 5 days to grow new skin :rolleyes:).

I'm not immune to life happening...I just wish I had prior notice...LOL!

...kinda sucked...that thing logged free drinks/table play a little more accurately than the pit boss...and even though the only charged drinks I drink are Sprite Zero and Bottled Water, I couldn't believe how much my one comped Sprite Zero cost. :eek:

John Heald will send one to your cabin. All you have to do is ask.

He was our CD last week on the Miracle. I would've preferred OBC for my injury. :rolleyes: :o

However, had he delivered it himself, I might've been more excited...LOL! :D

Not all of ours were from trivia...I got one last week delivered to my room with a plate of chocolate covered strawberries...after I sliced up the bottom of my foot in the Phantom Theater....which led to a few visits to medical. I think it was JH's way to wish me a speedy recovery! 8-0

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Okay, so what began as simple fun has now turned into a complete obsession...LOL! We may have gotten carried away...but it's our thing, ya know...

I just counted 24 Ships on a Stick in my house! This total doesn't include 2 that I gave away as gifts to friends about to set sail on said ship trophies were named after.

Anyone else wanna reveal a total...or...current running accumulation? LOL! There will be no judgment allowed!!

Do I need help? :-)

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(An oxymoron for someone like me...LOL! :rolleyes:)...but....

It seems that at-sea slot payoff/percentage/regulations don't "exist" like they do in on-land casinos. Wins are REALLY random and just when you think something is "getting hot" or "gonna hit...I can feel it" that's about the time I should go back to the buffet! :D

I've also wondered whether I've a slightly better edge (under the house's edge, of course) with a regular 6-deck Blackjack shoe than the ongoing shuffling thingie....maybe it's me, but after seeing the lid off and all the cards in all those various sections "randomly shuffling" and losses being more frequent than with the shoe, it just seems peculiar.

Having said all that, have fun. Have a limit...and I hope you WIN BIG! :)

Just goes to show... we all have different experiences. Gold Creek Salmon Bake in Juneau was one of the worst meals I've ever had. I suspect weather has a great deal to do with it. For me, it was cold - drizzling and then turned to rain. The food was mostly cold and/or the trays hadn't been refilled. The place also looked like it needed a good cleaning. I couldn't wait to get out of there... but alas... the lineups to get back on the (school) buses was LONG. Not a great experience. :eek:

What I will say is that some things have changed. The weather is always a crapshoot...the waterfall and overall scenery is beautiful...personalities of most of the current employees are bland, at best...Mack, the most awesome dog in all of Alaska, is now in Heaven and the salmon quality and food all around isn't exactly what I remembered from 3 years ago.

Needless to say...one of our main reasons for going back to Alaska turned out to be somewhat a disappointment.

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I must be mixing up the Inspiration and the Miracle. OP, just check the Fun Times for the location. :)

Hilarious, but no. I've got my ladies straight..

I was on the 3-day Inspiration in April and 4 times last year (that good ol' mad dash to Platinum marathon!!).

With regard to the Miracle...OH HELL YES I will be consulting my Fun Times!! :-)

GAH! I can have my own cucumber sandwich!!

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There's a choice of 2-Door or 4-Door Jeeps. We have a 2-Door and it cost us $184 (plus gas). Can't wait!

Does anyone know if on the 3-day cruise to Mexico they have the wine tasting, martini tasting, or afternoon tea? Also, does anyone know if they have one of those Everything is $10 stores on board? Are there any laundry rooms on board where you can iron something if need be? Thanks for any responses!:D

Sunday, your Sea Day, at 3:00pm. Usually in the Mardi Gras Dining Room.

ENJOY! Have a cucumber sandwich for me. :D

Thanks everyone for the info! I've booked the Steakhouse on the Miracle next week and was mostly worried that I'd pay $70 and leave still hungry. We. Can. Eat. :-)

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I don't drink very much coffee; however I loved it with 1/2 hot cocoa.

Yes! Yes! Yes! Amen!

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