Runaway Parent

While only been on a 3-day with American Table, I loved it! The food was great and the decorations made it interesting.

I don't ever "pick a fight" on these boards, but no tablecloth=unsanitary? Really? We eat out a lot- all levels of restaurants- many, many don't have tablecloths! I do have tablecloths for special holidays at home, but rarely use a tablecloth otherwise. Does that make it unsanitary? I choose to believe Carnival wipes down the tables between services. They are constantly cleaning everywhere else!

Look on carnival website at vifp perks. If on a 5+ day cruise there will be a plate of chocolate delight delivered to cabin which could be shared. The platinum guest will also receive a logo gift in the cabin. Both (I think) will get a pin and a bottle of water. They will each get a drink coupon, but will have to use them in different places/different times. The platinum guest will receive some bags of free laundry. That's about it for cabin-related perks.

A welcome back letter will be there upon arrival outlining all their perks.

Oh- and because a platinum guest is in the room they can go to their cabin immediately upon boarding-- nice to drop off carry-on luggage.

We are looking at this cruise out of New York on the Sunshine. Anyone been on this trip that might share their experience?

Also- worth it to get a balcony, or no? We prefer a balcony most trips, however are OK with otherwise. I'm just curious if there is anything to see while sailing this route. I've heard the benefits of a balcony on Alaskan cruises and I'm wondering if there are sites on this eastern seaboard that would make a balcony the recommended cabin type. When at sea, are you close enough to the coast to see anything?

TIA for information.

Here's a link to my Dropbox pictures of Chef's Table food and menu this past week on the Magic.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ch5l94bt1...aFLS_cuha?dl=0

Here are photos of the food, with the exception of 1 of the appetizers. Also, the Beet Blanket is pictured before the Spiced Grape Tea was added.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ch5l94bt1vw75bf/AACaSssT531MECEiaFLS_cuha?dl=0

I don't know if this will help- Music Society Band was scheduled to be on Valor earlier this year. From the Philippines- led by Cyrus, Louie on bass?

Just got off the Magic. In a discussion with maitre'd learned the magic will go to dry dock in February and then do 4 more trips out of galveston before leaving for Florida.

Waiting to debark- waiter reports American table to start today!

Thanks for all the advice. Any purchase for us would be long term....we hope to cruise many more times!! [emoji4][emoji12]

No one seems to haver ruined your cruise contract agreement. Guilty- I don't think I've ever read the whole thing. I just figure I'm signing away all rights to everything!

I do believe offering medical care is the prudent thing to do, and I'm glad they covered it. However, if you were at a friend's house and slipped on beer, who would pay your medical bills? I realize there's homeowners insurance, but if it's not their fault....

This may sound totally uneducated (which I am regarding stocks)...,

How does one go about purchasing CCL shares? And checking current value?

One more thing- be aware that aft and premium balconies are somewhat visible from the balconies and decks above. Not the whole balcony- but you probably don't want to bare it all near the edge- unless you are into that sort of thing! [emoji4]

We have had a similar balcony on deck 9. Yes, cabin shape is different- a bit tighter than usual balcony cabins. However, I loved the huge balcony.

Also remember you can take a 12-pack of canned sodas on board per person with carry on. No more bottles, though.

On board a single soda is about $2.50.

Sorry if someone already mentioned this.

Self-fulfilling prophecy. It's not what happens that can make or break your cruise but how you react to what happens. Having said that, I'm sorry for the complications. Consider the possibility it's a coincidence you had issues. It can happen with any company.

We did this last summer on the Dream, and I believe it was done more than once on that ship.

So what's the benefit of using the gift cards versus using your carnival MasterCard for your onboard account? Double points there.

See if someone has a good picture of the back of the ship. The upgrade fairy gave us an aft extended balcony on magic that had a 3rd length of wooden railing when all but 4 only had 2! (This was not the wraparound corner but the one right next to it.) not all afts are the same, at least not on the magic!

We purchased the birthday cabin decorations for our daughter and her friend when we sailed in March. (Both birthdays that month). I didn't expect much, but thought it would be fun. I was very surprised! It was quite a bit of stuff out up while we were at dinner-- nice surprise.

I also think I've seen something recently on your Manage tab that asked if you are celebrating anything.

What is the "American Feast" and how does it differ from the "American Table" menus?

 

The American Feast looks pretty good. The American Table, not so much.

 

I didn't even understand the American Table menu. Under appetizers they have a sub category "For the Table". Are they truly an appetizer for the table to be shared, or is that just the name they use for the standard appetizers they have every day? And the "Rare Finds", are they appetizers as well? Most of them look to be, but some, like the braised rabbit, sound more like a main dish.

 

And what's with the Port of Call separate section? So to see all the appetizers, you have to look under "Appetizers", "For the Table", "Rare Finds", and "Port of Call"? Four places for appetizers? That seems excessive.

We took a short cruise on the Imagination in May and there were no "For the Table" appetizers anymore. I saw those reported when AT first came out and on Zydeco, but maybe they've stopped doing that because of bad reviews. Of course, we had a table for 2 so maybe the small amount they brought was "for two," but I don't think so. It was served to us individually, not set in the center of the table as you'd expect "for the table" to be served. It also wasn't listed on the menu as a "for the table" option.

It looks like it's here. I'm looking as well.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2210835&highlight=american+table

You can use a playing card or a folded piece of paper. It's no big deal.

I'm not a big drinker, so I just keep thinking for $800 I could buy another cruise!

To each his own- have a good time your own way.

We've sailed Magic many times-- most recently during Spring Break. So, I'm looking for information from someone that has been on the Magic recently.

1) Has the Magic changed to American Table and American Feast yet?

2) Has the Magic changed from the board game Platinum/Diamond gift yet?

3) Anything else new on the Magic in the last few months or will be new on the Magic by July?

We got ours on our second full sailing day and it came in handy when we wanted to take our daily medication at night.

 

We are very easy to please. We are very happy with anything that is given to me free. It really doesn't matter what's it worth, free is free.

Absolutely! I didn't get anything free on the first 9 cruises except the Past Guest Party. I didn't stop cruising, or continue for that matter, based on what I might get free eventually.