TrqoisWtrs

50 minutes ago, GothOnAShip said:

Any recommendations from the Fortune Teller?

My all time favorite is New Moon with salted rim.  Bog Juice is good for a change of pace, it’s a bit sweeter and has the tapioca pearls.

so jealous…enjoy!

Love Mardi Gras!  Fortune Teller is da 💣😍!

On 4/4/2024 at 12:51 AM, pfm18 said:

I had a look on the shore excursions on the carnival website but the only port on this cruise that was even on there was Brisbane (the departure port). Does this mean there are no excursions at all in Airlie Beach, Cairns or Port Douglas?

I have Australia booked for the summer...don't have Port Douglas, but we are stopping at Cairns and Airlie Beach.  Sorry you can't access descriptions, but these at least give you an idea of possibilities.🌞  

Airlie Beach Shore Excursions _ Tours & Activities _ Carnival Cruise Line.pdf Cairns Shore Excursions _ Tours & Activities _ Carnival Cruise Line.pdf

3 hours ago, mkcurran said:

For those who have flown to Europe, I can use your advice, tips and tricks.

I may have a good excuse to go to Ireland about this time next year. 

What airlines are better? Who's got the best business class prices? 

Anything else I should know?

I'm usually loyal to AA.  I'll buy economy and upgrade my seat.  But first I'll see what the cost is to upgrade my seats and then skip right to checkout.  I usually get a pop up with a package price for seat upgrades and a free bag, etc., which can sometimes be cheaper than just purchasing the seats separately.   

edit - Oops sorry, just realized you're looking for biz prices.😜

But don't forget if you buy Cheers, its included.

13 hours ago, pfm18 said:

I am considering booking the Great Barrier Reef itinerary on Luminosa but would only want to do it if Carnival have shore excursions that appeal to us.

 

Is there any way of viewing what’s available before we book?

12 hours ago, Poly1979 said:

Go to the Carnival home page. On the blue bar across the top of the page, click "Explore" and then click "Shore Excursions". You can then search shore excursions by destination.

As Poly said, but make sure you are not logged in.  If you look while you are logged in, it will just take you to the excursions for any cruises already booked.

2 hours ago, pirate4me2 said:

Ugh insurance companies suck. Been battling the past week with them regarding the poor Corolla. The lady who caused the accident's insurance is denying the claim, saying that while she may have caused the accident by stopping on the interstate

So they're admitting their client caused the accident.  I'd say no further discussion is needed.  Good luck.

I had a fender bender a few years back, not my fault.  My car was considered totaled and her insurance was going to cut me a check based on their estimate for my car - but they were comparing car prices out in the boonies.  We argued back saying if I had wanted to sell my car, I live in a busy metro area and the prices are higher here.  We faxed in a bunch of examples and they caved and added in another $700.  But such a hassle when its not even your fault.

31 minutes ago, tsahall01 said:

Car problems are the worst!!  I had to change the battery on my Ford Escape--what a chore!  I had to go to YouTube to figure out how to do!  I had to remove the windshield wipers, plus a flap, plus a bunch of other stuff and then angle out the battery!!  I'm going to check out where the battery is when I buy my next new car!

Do you have any kind of car parts shop on St. T?  If so, maybe inquire as to their services.  Here in IL we have AutoZone, its a chain.  If you buy windshield wipers, a new battery, etc. they will install them free for you right in the parking lot.  If you have an engine light come on, you can run over there and they will hook up the tester and let you know free of charge what the problem is.  So convenient.

Everyone's grilling looks amazing.  Ugh, I have a nice grill too, but honestly after the ex left, I'm kinda scared of it lol...I used up the propane in the tank that was attached, plus have an extra tank.  So I have this great grill, and two empty tanks, but I'm afraid trying to switch to a new one, I'll blow myself up..😜🔥🚒

Did anyone see Captain Kate's TikTok for April 1st?  So clever! I am so not a fan of those hairless cats, but have to admit her Bug is cute.  

7 minutes ago, Stowaway LFC said:

Have a question about Carnival E gift cards please? I just purchased some, when can I add them to my on board account? Can I do it before the trip or do I have to do it when I get onboard?  Thank you!

You have to wait until you're onboard to add to your account, but you can use precruise to pay for internet, excursions, cheers, etc.  There will be a payment option to use a giftcard when you checkout.

I personally wasn't impressed when I did the Chef's Table on Mardi Gras...I think it was the second sailing.  Wanted to try it since it was a new menu, but I didn't feel it was worth the price then, especially since we got Cupcake wine.  Definitely can't see paying $150.  

18 hours ago, APDMOM said:

TIP:  If you like to get your passport stamped in ports, that  round building to the right behind this tree has the stamp.

Is this an official government stamp?  Just curious if anyone has actually had problems having souvenir stamps.  I always hear you can get in trouble, but others say its fine.  I just never took a chance since it does state in the US passport only authorized government officials are allowed to leave any mark.

I recommend going over to that other site and look for the group page for your specific sailing, search for 'Carnival Horizon September 27, 2025'...or similar wording.  Lots of info can be found there and its fun, you can chat with folks that will be on your sailing.  Usually meet & greets are planned, bar crawl, etc.

(Although it is a bit far out yet, if you don't find anything, a page might not have been started yet.)

10 minutes ago, maluhia87 said:

Strawberry Basil Hefeweizen

I love a good weiss - never saw this flavor, looks delicious!...Is it good? 

Ok just did a search at my liquor store.  Found this - only in stock at one store about a half hour away - ordered some for pick up.😊

3 hours ago, firefly333 said:

I'd like a solo discount or some perk. A extra loyalty pt or anything. I didnt use my free steak dinner, but I received the letter. Hopefully it carrys over to the next cruise.

Right?  I've said that for years.  I'm easy - even just a few bottles of wine at dinner would be fine, just something to acknowledge us solos.  And yes, you can hold your Diamond dinner - I waited until I was going on Celebration to use it at Rudi's, which they added for the excel ships.

10 hours ago, Crusin Karen said:

I have Verizon. I don’t think I’ll switch off. Nothing important I have to check on and knowing me I’d get a bill for thousands of $

I have Verizon too.  I've used the $10 day pass all over Europe, Japan, Australia, never had any problems and was charged appropriately.  I usually walk a lot in the ports and its great for google maps and directions.  You'll get a text stating when your 24 hrs starts.  You can go into your account and look, it might already be set up.  I used to have to request it, but now its already there when I check before a trip.  Always helpful to know its there if you had to turn your phone on for an emergency. 

By steakhouse paper, do you mean the letter you get?  It was on my bed when I boarded. 

Just go inquire when you board.  I refused to pay and get refunded, so just waited to walk up.  I did a b2b when I turned Diamond and ended up with a Diamond offer on each cruise, so just walked up both times - no issues.  And you don't have to use it immediately, I waited to use them on Celebration because you can do Rudi's Seagrill too.

On 3/13/2024 at 1:27 PM, pirate4me2 said:

It’s no fun getting sick on/after vacation!!

One thing I find that seems to help me when feeling a bit off on a cruise is Gatorade.  Replaces salt etc from all the sweating and just helps rehydrate.  Helps the morning after too.🍹 😝  Last ship I was on had a green cucumber/melon which was good.  

Love the story of mom coming to check on you in her jammies.😂

1 hour ago, MeganGC1983 said:

Beach clubs are coming out with summer parties… really, REALLY thinking hard about this while I’m in Ibiza… 

Calvin Harris??!!  oh m gee.  Megan you must go.  Love him!  And in Ibiza?  I mean, come on...Get your dance on!!  Love his videos on YouTube that are long mixes - so great to work out or clean house to lol.  Great duos too - like Promises with Sam Smith and One Kiss with Dua Lipa.  

I'm supposed to do B2B2B in August - Singapore to Sydney, then Great Barrier Reef cruise and then New Caledonia.  Just not sure if I'll be able to go with my dog and her issues.  Haven't paid anything yet but the AU$ deposits, which were super cheap, like US$68.  So not a huge loss if I don't go.  I'll be solo too.  I took notes just in case, thanks for sharing. 

On 3/8/2024 at 7:49 AM, Sugar67 said:

Anytime we have done an inside room, we turn the volume off and put the tv to the bridge cam channel.  This way, we wake up to the "natural" light

That doesn't always work.  TV on Mardi Gras went into sleep mode after a bit.

3 hours ago, MistyRo76 said:

What can we expect on the ship to be the same as a regular Carnival cruise and what can we expect to be different?

I just loved the view out my balcony - completely different than seeing Caribbean islands! 

3 hours ago, jsglow said:

What I don't know is if Carnival engages a naturalist. Their lectures are always great.

They do.  My cruise had lectures and then 2 park rangers got on for the day of glacier cruising.  They were on the shipwide intercom from the bridge and talked us thru the area we were in, letting us know where wildlife has been spotted etc.  Another fun thing is people will just park in chairs facing the windows and spend hours there with binoculars.  You will love it.

3 hours ago, dlphn501 said:

How do people provide alcohol, jell-o shots, etc for a cabin crawl?

I went to one that was a wine tasting.  Everyone crawling brought their local wine and it was set up in the first cabin.

On 3/1/2024 at 8:55 AM, zigzaggery said:

My husband is a big salty snacker, with potato chips being his favourite.

I'm the same.  I bring ziplock baggies and grab some potato stix from Guy's condiment bar, if they still have them.

2 minutes ago, TravelBluebird said:

And…I’d be up all night.  But that might be OK because tomorrow is a sea day!

So looks like its called the Marina Bar on Jubilee, you can order decaf espresso for those martinis. 😊

14 hours ago, MeganGC1983 said:

10 hour walk

??  where am I walking that takes 10 hours?😁  Guess I wasn't clear enough, I was looking for things walkable from the shuttle drop off point in Rome.

14 hours ago, dmet0225 said:

 I have an idea for my next tattoo.  The guy I previously went to has moved away.  I want to get an idea on paper before I go to someone else.

I can't draw, so sorry, but when I've had ideas for my tattoos, I do a cut and paste.  Anytime I saw another tatt or clip art or whatever with a part I liked, I'd save it.  When I had my bits and pieces for my completed idea, I printed it out and took it to my artist.  Then he would draw something up and we'd adjust as needed.  Sometimes I had multiple choices in case some of them wouldn't work as a tattoo...like I had picked out a few fonts I liked for wording and used the best one based on his suggestions.   Its always worked out great and I just find this so much easier since I'm horrible at trying to describe what I want.

4 hours ago, Funsince1983 said:

Also, August is going to be a beast heat wise so be prepared. Ask me how I know if you weren't here last August

Thanks for the tips.  Yes! I remember reading your trip report and about the heat.  Good to know.  I've added some notes to my trip research.