Tutontow

So to my theory. Be nice and socialize with the staff, especially the pit bosses. On my last cruise I immediately remembered the pit boss from my Dream cruise in July. We talked for 5-10 minutes the first night and chatted every other time I was in casino. I also chatted with the other pit bosses. Sometimes healthy conversations that develop good raaports go along way. Often you see people in casions that are loud, obnoxious, conceded, etc. Do you think the staff wants to see them again? Just my two cents.

Amen, amen and amen. It never hurts to be nice. On my last cruise I got to know the pit critters right away. I jokingly said the minute I qualify for free drinks give me the card because my bar tab will be higher than my gambling losses. We were in the casino every time it was opened. We like to drink and gamble.

Speaking of being nice many times in casinos I would kindly tell the pit boss I know I haven't been here long enough to get a decent meal but anything you can do is appreciated. Usually they come back with at least a free buffet or a partial comp to a restaurant. In Biloxi several times I would get a $60.00 food comp just for asking. Yes it never hurts to get to know the pit critters and be friendly.

I won a three night cruise on the Fantasy years ago and was amazed how much fun we had and how the staff bent over backwards to make sure you have a good time.

Four cruises later I am still amazed. Sure I have run into a couple of staff that needed an attitude adjustment but for the most part we are happy.

On my last cruise (the Dream) we had a problem and Carnival more than compensated us for it

That coupled with the three ports within a couple of hours drive and the price, Carnival gets my business. If they keep giving gamblers generous offers they will see me even more.

I hate to hear this! We have an Aft balcony on our 1st cruise in May. I can't stand being hot and really thought it would be nice. Ugh!

 

 

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Don't sweat it (no pun intended). It is your first cruise, you will be just fine. Being your first cruise, or any cruise for that matter, you won't be spending much time in your cabin. If you find it is just too doggone hot enjoy your balcony when you get up and when the sun is going down. Like I said before, don't sweat it. You won't be spending much time in your cabin, and most of all enjoy your cruise. I have found cruising is just like anything in life, it is what you make of it.

You got lucky. We were in a high end restaurant having a nice dinner last year. We went with family a couple of days before Christmas. We were at Berns in Tampa. The Caesar salad is prepared tableside and it is quite the event. It takes your server something like 15 minutes to prepare this thing and it costs somewhere around $20.00. I am talking for a single serving side salad. Anyway he gets all done with this fantastic salad and asks if I would like cracked pepper. You guessed it, I failed to say when and my salad was just about inedible. I choked it down with plenty of wine but it was rough.

BTW I love Caesar salad and the best I have ever had was at the Keg overlooking Niagara Falls on the Canadian side.

Check out this thread

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/archive/index.php/t-1622417.html

I was fine heat wise on the aft balcony we had on the Dream. I would think long and hard about doing an aft again. Yes it was bigger and it was fantastic looking out the back at the wake, especially when sailing away from port. Here are the downsides, on a big ship like the Dream it got old being way down at one end of the ship. You will get to know your neighbors because of the slope of the partitions between the balconies. You can literally see right into each others cabins. There will be soot on your chairs etc. There is plenty of motion back there from the sea and when the ship docks you will really feel the vibration.

IMHO it was just okay, I don't think I would do an aft again

To each his own. If someone wants to lost that much money in a casino and enjoys themselves on vacation. Good for them, that is what they enjoy. I enjoy pigging out at the buffet and buying beers until I hit the bed. To each his own.

It is all relative. The more you have the more it takes to get a thrill when you are gambling. When I earned 15k a year two dollar blackjack worked for me. Now I would be bored to tears at the ten dollar level.

I often wonder what level Bill Gates would have to play at to get a rush. The guy could lose one million a day and never touch his principle.

To the OP I would definitely make sure the pit boss knows you are in the casino and playing. I like to joke and kid with them and sort of establish a relationship with them. Also after your first night of gambling check with the casino the next morning and see what you are rated as. If it doesn't jibe with what you think it should be let them know. At your level of play there is know reason for you to be getting screwed on your offers.

It is on the top line of the hang tag that goes on your door the night before when you order the continental breakfast. Check out page two of this thread there is a copy of it posted.

I didn't see the salmon on the menus posted? Id love to have that!

For those of us who stay up to the wee hours drinking and gambling room service is a great way to clear the cob webs before we face the world. Sitting on my balcony with coffee and a bagel with cream cheese and salmon beats the Lido deck buffet any day.

Great shot of the spray waterpark. That is the one thing I hadn't seen yet, aside from Green Thunder and the Twister slide. We sail in 9 days!!!

 

Thanks for the link!

I am glad you enjoyed the link. BTW if you get a chance see if the Red Frog on the Legend serves pub grub and also try to keep an ear out for when the casino opens on the first night and report back here. Most of all have a blast and enjoy your cruise.

We are Going on Carnival Legend in April and I'm curious if anyone has pictures of the Legend after the recent dry dock?

Here is a start http://www.robertsleading.com/wordpress/carnival-legends-multi-million-dollar-makeover-redfrog-pub/

BTW I am a HCfireman also. I just retired from HCFR here in Tampa. I will be on the 4/27/2014 cruise. If you see a Jay Leno looking guy in the casino playing blackjack that is me.

After reading more about the working conditions on the ship I think I will just let Carnival distribute my auto tips as they see fit. If someone goes above and beyond I will just slip them some extra cash. As someone mentioned above it is just one less thing for me to deal with.

For all of you that have heartburn with my post....take some Tums I am sorry I am not as well versed in cruising and Cruise Critic as you (sarcasm).

If you have anytime dinning and have a waiter you like you can request to be seated in their area every night. On our last cruise we had a great waiter the 1st night and sat in his area every night

Thanks, I didn't know that.

I know Carnival recommends $5.80 per day for dining. My thoughts are this, and believe me my wife and I tip and tip well for great service.

Let's say we eat in the steakhouse, If you don't eat in the main dining room why should you tip the dining room staff?

If you do your time dining and get a different server every night and one is outstanding one night and the next they are horrible wouldn't it be better to hand your server the tip face to face. For great service I would have no problem handing he or she $20.00. If they ruined my meal with lousy service I have no problem handing them $2.00.

Like I said my wife and I will tip and tip well for great service. We have literally tipped 30 to 40 percent more than once for stellar service.

On a side note on our last cruise I gave the cabin steward $20.00 up front to keep me stocked with ice. That went just so so. Also upon arrival to our cabin my wife questioned why we had received some of our luggage and then an hour later we were still missing some pieces. He replied to her with a sarcastic, condescending answer. Needless to say that affected his tip at the end.

Your thoughts please.