IntrepidFromDC

I wish they'd bring back the fresh, olive-oily mozzarella balls they would slice to order for the margherita pizzas. Pizza is still very good, but used to be better before they switched to shredded mozzarella.

Great point. In fact my favorite city in the world, Venezia, is one of them.

That's so funny! I am imagining that muppet saying what you wrote in a dry, sarcastic muppet voice and I'm really LOLing.

Wrong. Shaq's chicken and shawarma are awesome and just some of the offerings. Don't forget about Seadogs! Chibang is hit-or-miss but offers plenty of options that are better than typical lido or MDR. But the best part of it is there are so many choices! I sample ALL of the entertainment, although casino is where I spend a lot of entertainment time and comedy clubs are second. The atrium shows on Mardi Gras were much better than the theaters shows on Vista class and other ships. The comedy was non-stop. And the bars, the live music! Washboard Band!! I understand if people don't like the bigger ships for a variety of reasons, but to say the "free (food) options on the Excel class are worse than on the Vista class" is just plain wrong.

I don't understand that way of thinking. What do you do instead of enjoy live entertainment and upgraded free food, with more variety, more shows, etc. Play spades on Lido?

For some reason reminds me of how Apple swore they would never change the form factor of their bricks. Now they look just like Samsung phones. I think Samsung even makes some of their parts (screen/glass?)... Sorry I know that's way off topic. On topic, I love Excel class ships, they're my favorite for a lot of reasons.

Worked great on the chihuahua a few houses down the street.

Holy moly is right, favorite neighbor! I see you're in VA Beach. Please let me know next time you're cruising out of Baltimore, bar buddy. 😁 🏴‍☠️ 🍹

I think Captain Cutbacks at Carnival HQ just had a Conniption after reading your helpful suggestion.

Gamblers already earn "loyalty program" cruise days when we're on free casino cruises. The free cruises are the only thing that really keeps me "loyal" to Carnival. That said, my loyalty is for sale. Hear that RCL and MSC? I've been on about 30 Carnival cruises and one heavily-discounted MSC cruise. I like the Carnival product better even with the cutbacks, but if MSC offered me free cruises, like an adopted dog I could learn to be loyal all over again.

Looks fantastic, especially the eel.

Even the video is mesmerizing!

Interesting building sponsor name. I wonder how it's pronounced.

Late to the party because I somehow missed the invitation on the Carnival page. Hope you guys didn't finish the rum before I got here. 😁 🏴‍☠️

That looks amazing!

Poor guy couldn't even get a slice of pizza and the victim-blamers smell a conspiracy. 😁 🏴‍☠️ 🍹

Unless you're on Lido, INSIDE is the best side. Outside the boat you're just waving like a jealous fool during sailaway. 😁 🏴‍☠️

That is a change from what I observed and what bar staff told me, although my Mardi Gras cruises were a while back. What I observed, and what bar staff confirmed, was a small number of barstools on the smoking side of the bar were for smoking only.

I think the newest Carnival ships have Casino Bars. I know Mardi Gras does, and it's located between the non-smoking casino (great ocean view!) and the smoking casino (closet-sized with view of lifeboats). If I recall correctly, you can smoke at that bar. Given that Excel class is the newest, maybe "getting rid of casino bars" is not the trend for new builds?

I don't fish, but I wonder why they don't allow fishing from the cove balconies... and GO!

Carnival Cruise fight: Wild moment huge 'drunken' brawl erupts in ship's food court | US | News | Express.co.uk Be sure to turn volume up, narration is hilarious "I just wanted some pizza" and "Let's all just get some pizza" are my faves. Click the link then scroll down to see the video. Happened almost a month ago.

Fantastic writing and review! Thanks for doing it, I laughed and learned. The irony was smooooth.

I just read on weather.com this is the earliest cat 5 on record.

It's a great time to cruise Europe!