Princess Ariel

Thank you so much for taking the time to scan all of those documents! Glad that the cheese plate is back!

Sunshine has a 4 person capacity for cabins. I was looking for a room for me, my mom and my 3 nephews. Cant do it....have to book two rooms or choose another ship. We chose another ship.

 

How strange. Maybe they were just out of 5 person occupancy cabins for the dates you booked. You can definitely book 5 in a cabin on the Sunshine. The 5th bed is a trundle.

We had a delayed boarding on our last cruise on the Inspiration. The ship had been a private sailing and it took them a long time to get it clean from the group that had been on board. We didn't board until after 1!

 

Anyhow, cute luggage mat!

 

Please take pics of the new menus if you can. I am super inerested to see what the port of call menu will be for the stops! Have a great cruise!!

We are traveling as a large group also. The only place I was able to see that our reservations were linked for dining was on my receipt for final payment that carnival sent me.
There was a 'Guest Notes' column with numbers that led to a footnote section in the email that showed all of our booking numbers linked for dining.

Plus it's the same 3 For the Table apps every night. Which I guess is awesome if you like calamari.

 

I am interested in how the menu is changed when we go on the Inspiration in March!

Wow, I missed this the first go around so glad that it was bumped! Amazing work, best wishes for your business!

Sorry you lost your earrings, but it certainly is not fair to automatically accuse the steward. These folks work for several months away from home and would have no where to get rid of something if they had stolen it. Also, not sure that they would do something like that when they would most certainly lose their job.

 

I hope you get them back and they are somehow found, but please do not unjustly accuse someone.

 

Ditto. It sounds as if you left them in the safe and not that they were stolen by what is written in the original post! I hope that they are returned to you.

I have a few questions from those that have experienced the new menu:

 

Did they serve you ALL the appetizers on Feast night as a smapler?

 

Also, were you served a dessert that you didn't specifically order?

 

My DH doesn't eat dessert, his mother is a diabetic, and 2 of my children don't eat dessert. I am the only one at the table that would eat dessert at all so I see a ton of wasted food!

 

Last question, did the sides all come out as family style (potato, veg, etc) or has anyone requested these served individually?

Wow, you are a GREAT singer! Loved the review!

So I'm the only one at my table that would like the apple pie and the flatbread. Does it have to be delivered whole I wonder. Seems like there will be a LOT of food wasted (even more than there is now).

 

Thank you Geovet for the pictures!!!

Such a bummer. I think they are doing away with them because of the way they are served to you tableside, it takes too much time for the waiter.

Regardless of MDR appearance, if table service not improved from present 3 person teams, nothing will improve IMHO.:(

 

Now you know the real reason for the changes. If you are pouring your own water, are serving yourself family style, and have less silverware/dishes to clear they can keep the dining room understaffed while touting it as a wonderful change.

Originally Posted by Princess Ariel

They should post that the doors will be closed after 15 but really allow the late comers up to 20 along with a warning.

WHY?? Fifteen mins. is enough time to be "late" for dinner. That is just plain rude, rude,ride.

 

To give the staff the added flexibility to deal with the 'unexpected difficulties' that are sure to arise. I say after the 20 mins 'to bad so sad'.

 

The problem is that with ATD they can't just close the curtains and doors like they used to so it makes it that much harder to police.

They should post that the doors will be closed after 15 but really allow the late comers up to 20 along with a warning.

I can recall the dining experiences on prior cruises. I would be led to my table. Chair pulled out for me, napkin placed on my lap, and then my menu handed to me. The bread assortment was brought to the table and the waiter would offer you your choice and place it on your bread plate for you. You of course had a proper butter knife to go with your real butter. Between courses, yes courses - you would choose a soup, salad, appetizer, main, and then dessert, the staff would come around with a crumber and reset your place settings. Coffee was always offered and you never had to ask for your drinks to be refilled. Your needs would be anticipated.

 

It wasn't that long ago. I loved that experience. There was of course the Lido if you didn't want to have to sit through the dinner experience.

 

I understand that times change. I am excited to try the new menus, but I will always remember the way it used to be (guess I'm getting old ;) )

This would not change the way we sail now.

 

We do cruise a lot as a family. I have no issue paying for my children to do so. They take up resources just as much as any other 3rd/4th passanger does (and they don't make up for it with a bar/casino bill). I already pay the reduced per person cost by booking them in our room. As mentioned above if they do have a kids sail free it actually would not impact the overall cost we usually pay as much of it is taxes/fees that would surely not be included.

 

Perhaps they are making Camp Carnival changes and it's not a kids sail free type announcement.

Tuna and steak have a * by them....do they cost extra I wonder??

 

Probably for the undercooked/rare health warning.

 

*Public health advisory: consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness, especially if you have certain medical conditions.

The 'For the Table' concerns me a bit. We travel as a family of 5 and generally end up at our own table especially as we do ATD. That Flatbread sound yummy to ME but I am the only person that would eat that at my table. I'd feel wasteful ordering a whole flatbread that is meant to be shared for just myself!

 

I can't wait to see the rest of the menu (there are no deserts listed on the American Table example)!

That is interesting word choice, isn't it? It evokes the concept of table side food preparation like tossing a salad at the table. But "served tableside" is what they do now. Coming out from the kitchen with trays with plated food on them and then the wait staff serving you the plates at the table IS being served table side.

 

That's why I was asking, I was also picturing table side preparation although I also know they don't have time for that. I want ALL of my meals served plated. I vacation with my family, including my 3 young sons. We eat in the dining room every night and my children are accustomed to fine dining and can behave appropriately thoughout a long meal (I know people won't belive me). I do NOT want Family Style dining AT ALL. I do enough plating of dinners at home and do not want to have to serve while on board. If 4 of the five of us order the same appetizer I want it presented as it currently is.

 

I will be aboard the Inspiration for a large family gathering after this takes effect. I am looking forward to reviews of the new dining changes to see how this is handled over all.

What exactly is meant by 'with courses served tableside'? I am not quite picturing this in my mind.

 

I will be sailing the Inspiration in March so am looking forward to the new menus but not looking forward to anything being served 'family style'.

We did exactly what 'cantwait2cruise' did.

 

My 9 year old has always said on the pullman (since about 6) but my now 5 year old is a wild sleeper so we had the trundle set up underneath the pullman and didn't use the pulldown over our beds.

The Status finally changed! We'll definitely have his book before our trip!

 

Thank you for submitting your application for a U.S. passport book!

 

Your passport application is in the final processing stages.

 

Your passport application locator number is ***.

 

When you applied, you requested Routine Service.

 

This means you should receive your passport on or about 09/25/2013.

 

Well guess what was in the mail today!!

 

First time passport non expidited in any way, applied Aug 30 recvd Sept 21.

So exactly 21 days including labor day in there!

The Status finally changed! We'll definitely have his book before our trip!

 

Thank you for submitting your application for a U.S. passport book!

 

Your passport application is in the final processing stages.

 

Your passport application locator number is ***.

 

When you applied, you requested Routine Service.

 

This means you should receive your passport on or about 09/25/2013.

My husband applied Aug 30 (first time passport non expidited services) so I'll update once we get his back.

 

Still showing processing for us.

 

We leave a week from Sun so hopefully it shows up in time! (8 business days left). My husband joked that it will probably be waiting in the mailbox for him when we get home. If it comes down to it we'll just use his certified B.C.

Any new updates for anyone to add?

 

My husband applied Aug 30 (first time passport non expidited services) so I'll update once we get his back.