IntrepidFromDC

Thanks Jeff, the pics are great and bring the experience back to life for me. That salmon looks great, I might try that this time.

Must try this mysterious mixture ninjacat call Fiery Passion Tropical Martini THIS CRUISE!

For a first-time visitor, I recommend walking around Mott St. in Chinatown and Central Park, and highly recommend walking around Times Square at night.

It was kind of fancy, yes they cordon off the al fresco area which seemed really weird at first - I think mainly because since there's no announcement about this special dinner, unsuspecting non-invitees who didn't have invitation in hand were curious and asking staff if it was a special event or something. Hard to imagine, with the party atmosphere that Carnival provides and encourages, that people can't lounge on Ledo one evening without notice. I can't remember if alcohol was free or not, but the food was better than most Ledo deck and MDR food, not as good as Steakhouse or Il Viaggo.

Focusing on the "Journeys" aspect of this cruise, which I failed to do, this is my third Journeys and the thing that surprised me was the additional free upscale meal all Diamonds get on Journeys cruises, I think both times I had it on Ledo deck and they marketed it as "al fresco dinner" - you get an invitation in your cabin (might include Platinum too?)... anyway it would be awesome if others who enjoy Journeys cruises could add their thoughts, TIA. bjd2 I'll be looking for you on Venezia to say hi.

It took a long time to achieve Diamond status, which I did last year. I have cruised a lot since my first cruise in 2013. I was really looking forward to all the special treatment Diamond status promised. Unfortunately, I just received this letter from Colleen O, each paragraph like a body punch. Only thing missing is a salutation, something like "Dear Diamond Steerage, this letter is being sent to remind you that you're not really that special after all, see details below"... Thanks Colleen, you're doing a fine job! Diamond Steerage Jeff

Jeff I know you are a big guy but jeezuz you make that pint glass look like a shot glass!

Ahh, yes, 95 is nirvana, with the various state trooper accents and attitudes, abrupt changes in road quality, etc. Be sure to hit the DC beltway around 8am on a weekday for the ultimate fun! You in a HEAP OF TROUBLE!

(slacker!)

I'm on my way. What exit?

Have any more from here?

Patti is a great photographer and that camera is an amazing tool. I really like how she takes a regular shot then a super-zoomed shot to show off its' charms. Better keep an eye on her.

Carnival Celebration Updated 02/01/2024 02:35 PM Shipyard: Meyer Turku Shipyard, Turku, Finland Inaugural cruise: November 6, 2022 Godmother: Cassidy Gifford, actress and daughter of Kathie Lee Gifford who served as Godmother for the Original Celebration Country of registry: The Bahamas Size/Capacity Gross tonnage: 183,521 Length: 1130 Beam: 137 feet Maximum Draft: 28 feet Cruising Speed: 17 knots Occupancy based on 2 guests per stateroom: 5374 (2687 staterooms) Full guest occupancy: 6631 Passenger decks: 15 Space Ratio: 34:1 Crew Total officers and crew: 1735 Officers: International Hotel and cruise staff: International Accommodations 2687 Total Guest Staterooms (including 82 accessible staterooms) Suites 2 Carnival Excel Presidential Suites 12 Carnival Excel Aft Suites 12 Carnival Excel Corner Suites 6 Carnival Excel Suites 2 Havana Cabana Corner Suites 4 Havana Cabana Suites 6 Cloud 9 Spa Suites 131 Ocean Suites 6 Family Harbor Ocean View Suites 8 Havana Extended Cabana Staterooms 44 Havana Cabana Staterooms 8 Cloud 9 Spa Forward-View Extended Balcony Staterooms 48 Cloud 9 Spa Balcony Staterooms 12 Cloud 9 Spa Cove Balcony Staterooms 34 Aft-View Extended Balcony Staterooms 48 Forward-View Extended Balcony Staterooms 104 Extended Balcony Staterooms 1042 Standard Balcony Staterooms 19 Junior Balcony Staterooms 112 Cove Balcony Staterooms 4 Cloud 9 Spa Ocean View Staterooms 41 Family Harbor Ocean View Staterooms 130 Ocean View Staterooms 40 Havana Interior Staterooms 43 Cloud 9 Spa Interior Staterooms 41 Premium Interior Staterooms 22 Family Harbor Interior Staterooms 706 Interior Staterooms All staterooms feature: telephone, 110 AC power outlets, USB outlets, individual climate control, Carnival Home™ Signature Bedding Collection, hair dryer, safe, non-stocked mini bar unit and flat-screen TV Life Saving Equipment Grand Total Life Saving Capacity: 11076 16 Life Boats (occupancy each: 462 / total occupancy: 7392) 8 Launchable Marine Evacuation System Life Rafts (occupancy each: 153 / total occupancy: 1224) 16 Life Rafts (occupancy each: 153 / total occupancy: 2448) 2 Rescue Tender Boats (occupancy each: 6 / total occupancy: 12)

Thanks! I agree and although it can be said about many cities, I think in particular NYC stands out as a place where no matter how good of a time you have, there are thousands and thousands of things you don't know about yet but would love to do there.

"Yes, hello, Washington Post? I've got a headline for you, Roscoe said something serious!" First time for everything, eh Roscoe?

Where's the "laughing so hard I'm crying" emoji!?!?

As usual, GREAT story-telling and pics! Thanks! Having so much fun following this!

Hi, Ellie! It would be nice to meet you and say hi, maybe chat a bit. Look for someone who looks like me in my signature pic, but add an alarming amount of grey hair (I guess it's better than losing hair) and aging skin, LOL... I'll be looking for a yellow or green fish I guess?

https://giphy.com/clips/recordingacademy-grammys-2023-65th-hPDsc8EWgxeYYM25KX 😁 🏴‍☠️

River Cafe is on my walking plan after Chinatown, it's a little south of Brooklyn Bridge while bar56 is a little north (between Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan Bridge). I checked sunset time before making my dinner rez and timed the rez so I can take sunset pics from River Cafe area before walking to restaurant. I'm not sure bar56 has a view as from google-mapping the little yellow guy it looks to be on the non-East-River-facing side of the huge brick warehouse directly north of Brooklyn Bridge. I think River Cafe might be on the walking tour I'm doing after dinner, because the tour ends near it. It's beautiful from this pic, thanks.

Clever. You know what they say, "great tastebuds crave alike" or something like that - I match you on three out of four courses. For pasta I'll have the lobster tagliatelle.

Hopefully the link to the bar56 menu works better this time... Menus | Bar56 in Brooklyn, NY (bar56dumbo.com)

A little about the Manhattan part of my trip, after the cruise. I'll walk from the cruise port two blocks to my hotel, store my carry-on, then visit The Met for a few hours. Lunch will be walking distance from The Met, Home Kitchen on 84th. Dinner will be at Bar56, a new restaurant with rave NY Eater and other foodie reviews. Menu is what sold me to choose it over a few other places (www.bardumbo.com/menus/#food-dinner) ... I almost picked Fraunces Tavern the oldest restaurant in Manhattan, where George Washington ate. Afterward I'll be doing a late-night walking tour of rooftop bars in Brooklyn.

It's good. It's not "very good" and it's far from "great". The lobster rolls are disappointing if you're used to what you can get on the east coast.

Now that the Super Bowl teams have been decided - 49'ers vs Chiefs (a repeat from the SB a few years ago!) I thought I'd just get my LIVE started, although it'll be mostly dormant for the next two weeks. Sailaway is at 4pm and the game will start a few hours after that so I expect to be sandwiched in the Sports Bar on The Venezia unless the game is showing on the tv's in the casino which usually provides a better viewing opportunity. I have never been to Antigua, Dominica or Grenada and as usual my first visit to each will be "whole island tour" excursions. I've already booked two of the three - NON-Carnival excursions as my experience is the local operators offer a better experience than the Carnival-selected operators for the most part. A stinkbug just flew into my Cava order and I am not happy about that, but have mixed feelings since it is, after all, protein. Anyway, I am really looking forward to spending a couple days in Manhattan, after the 12-day cruise, including Chinatown dim sum and a highly rated restaurant in Brooklyn on the East River with beautiful view of lower Manhattan. Usually my trips to Manhattan include a visit to Central Park and feeding of the turtles in Turtle Pond, but in February I don't think they'll be above ice, and even if they are they will be too cold to want to eat. Still, I'll be prepared. As Jamman would say, "to be continued..."