IntrepidFromDC

St. Greg, last thing I promise (about this)... the mall is called Hudson Yards and the restaurant with the great view of Vessel is Wild Ink. IMO even if Vessel is closed, the view of it is worth it, as it's one of New York City's newer attractions.

It is about a mile, but it's flat and it goes by really quick because you can take 12th avenue there and 11th avenue back, passing Theater District on your way back from 33rd St. to 53rd St. The Vessel is in the courtyard of the mall, from the restaurants on the 5th floor you look out over Vessel to the Hudson River, just another block away. The mall itself is worth a visit, and the restaurants have good food. Edge is also right there. Anyway, not trying to push it on you, but it sounds like you'll have the right amount of time to do it and enjoy a nice lunch before enduring Carnival food for five days, and I think it adds another dimension to appreciating Manhattan... https://www.google.com/maps/place/Edge/@40.7539816,-74.0010704,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sAF1QipNGZ-FiefpQnLNu2ws08okVp-rGt0ScDo5VYcZV!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipNGZ-FiefpQnLNu2ws08okVp-rGt0ScDo5VYcZV%3Dw138-h86-k-no!7i6000!8i3736!4m12!1m6!3m5!1s0x89c25a151b7d5b8b:0x33e7db2f6f3ab119!2sManhattan+Cruise+Terminal!8m2!3d40.7700321!4d-73.9974191!3m4!1s0x89c2590de5aaaadd:0xcc6b2b13b4bd86f!8m2!3d40.7541236!4d-74.0009744?hl=en#

Wow. 4. How about lunch in the mall in one of the restaurants that has a great view of the Vessel? Just suggesting because it's walking distance from the pier.

Ahem! You will never do me, sir. If you're that close to the Vessel sculpture and have the time left, I recommend climbing to the top.

I see "Piano Bar 88" on deck 2.

Looks about midpoint between turtle pond and strawberry fields? Both are worth visiting. Feeding the turtles is discouraged but fun.

You probably have your dinners in Manhattan planned already, but here are a few of my favorite. My #1 favorite restaurant in the world is "Daniel", east Manhattan about 8 blocks from Central Park. It's expensive and they require a jacket (they'll lend you one if needed) but it is as fine as any fine-dining restaurant anywhere in the world. Be careful, when they come around with the humidor with freshly dug truffle from Tuscany and offer to slice some onto your meal - it's pricey! Last time I ate there with my daughter it was $440 for both of us and I only had one drink. But it takes "memorable meal" to the highest possible level and you only live once! Fine dining on a moderate budget - the $184 six-course tasting menu at Gramercy Tavern is sublime and additional value in that they do not permit tipping in the restaurant. Fine dining on a budget - Batard, in Tribeca, offers a four-course menu at $99 and is chef-inspired French and American foodie food at a discount.

St. Greg, just went back and re-read your initial post. I imagine you're aware, but the Staten Island ferry is free. In addition, your sail-away view of the Statue of Liberty will be spectacular (unfortunately NJ will be in the background instead of Manhattan). My favorite three ports for sail-away, in order: Venice, Manhattan, New Orleans.

How long does hubby play on $100? Just a few hours right, and just for one day unless he hits something unusual. Otherwise Ricky got some 'splainin' to do.

Saints and Mets yet you're from somewhere just north of Texas? Interesting.

... said NOBODY, EVER. Until now. Just full of surprises aren'tcha.

Hush up and into the can, sardines!

AtSeaWithLuuuuucyyyyy, you got some 'splainin' to doooo!

Unfortunately, after reading the entire thing, we still have to pre-test for our September 11 Carnival Pride cruise. 🤨

No bone, just disappointment because our cruise includes Mykonos, Santorini and Athens. Was really hoping "no testing" would apply to us because insurance doesn't cover it anymore and CVS near us is not doing antigen on anyone who needs testing for travel. So unless we figure something out we'll be testing in Italy and they have a mandatory at-your-expense 14-day quarantine if you test positive there. That's a bit problematic, and potentially expensive.

If only it was that simple... August 12, 2022 Dear Valued Guest, We want to update you as we modify our public health protocols to simplify the process and welcome more guests aboard. We have much to share but will try to be as concise as possible. As we finish a very busy and successful summer travel season, we are pleased to announce protocol updates that meet public health goals but recognize the evolving nature of COVID-19. With these changes, we are making it easier for more guests to sail with simplified vaccination and testing guidelines, including no testing for vaccinated guests on sailings less than 16 nights, and eliminating the exemption request process for unvaccinated guests, who will only need to show a negative test result at embarkation. All new guidelines are effective for cruises departing on Tuesday, September 6, 2022 or later, and include: Vaccinated guests must continue to provide evidence of their vaccination status, either through VeriFLY or at embarkation. Pre cruise testing is no longer required, except for the following destination regulations: Canada: a PCR test can be taken 3 days before sailing or an antigen test can be taken 2 days before sailing Bermuda: a PCR test can be taken 4 days before sailing or an antigen test can be taken 2 days before sailing Greece: a PCR or antigen test can be taken 2 days before sailing Australia: a PCR test 3 days before sailing or a self-administered antigen test 1 day before sailing Unvaccinated guests are welcome to sail and are no longer required to apply for a vaccine exemption, except for cruises in Australia or on voyages 16 nights and longer. Unvaccinated guests or those who do not provide proof of vaccination must present the results of a negative PCR or antigen test taken within 3 days of embarkation, expect for the following destination regulations: Canada: a PCR test can be taken 3 days before sailing or an antigen test can be taken 2 days before sailing Bermuda: a PCR test can be taken 4 days before sailing (antigen tests are not accepted) Australia: a PCR test 3 days before sailing or a self-administered antigen test 1 day before sailing Note: Guests under the age of 5 years are exempt from vaccination and testing requirements for sailings from the U.S., and under the age of 12 for sailings from Australia The following additional destination requirements remain in place: Unvaccinated guests ages 12 and over are unable to sail on cruises to Bermuda (no exceptions) Unvaccinated guests ages 12 and over are unable to sail on cruises to Canada, unless they meet Canadian requirements that validate they are unable to be vaccinated for medical purposes. Details on Canada’s medical exemption documentation requirements are available here: Guests sailing to Canada and Bermuda will be asked to confirm their vaccination status within 21 days of booking in order for us to manage the requirements of these specific destinations. Guests who are currently booked must complete their vaccine attestation by August 24. The vaccine attestation is located on the to-do list under Manage My Booking on Carnival.com. Failure by the guests to confirm vaccination status will unfortunately result in cancellation of the booking. Certain destinations may have protocols that prohibit debarkation by unvaccinated guests, which are largely consistent with their guidelines for passengers arriving by air. So, while unvaccinated guests may sail after presenting the results of a negative COVID test, they will need to remain on board the ship during visits to the following destinations: Cartagena, Colombia and Grand Turk (for unvaccinated guests 18 years or older Bermuda, Bonaire, Grand Cayman, St. Kitts and Tortola (for unvaccinated guests 12 years or older) Voyages 16 nights and longer will continue to have vaccination and testing requirements that are specific to the itinerary, and Carnival will continue to communicate with those guests in a timely manner. For guests who have a pending vaccine exemption application and are awaiting confirmation for cruises departing September 6 or later, the booking is confirmed unless booked on a sailing that calls on Canada, Bermuda, Australia or if the voyage is 16 nights or longer. We are in the process of updating our website, communications, and processes to reflect these new, simplified policies. We appreciate your patience as we work to streamline requirements for guests leading into their cruise vacation. Requirements for long voyages and destination-specific protocols will soon be available on Carnival’s Have Fun. Be Safe. page on Carnival.com. We look forward to welcoming more guests aboard. We’ve got lots happening, with Carnival Luminosa and Carnival Celebration joining our fleet this November and more to come in 2023. Whatever the ship, homeport or itinerary that works for you, our great onboard team is ready to deliver a fun and memorable vacation.

Mardi Gras has a huge smoke-free casino (and a smaller smoking casino) and many other amazing venues like never before on any Carnival ship. Highly recommend both the ship and the casino. The non-smoking casino has an amazing sea view if you're playing table games. the smoking casino has a view of the lifeboats. 😁

Thanks for sharing, bambam. Looks like the same old sub-standard fare to me, I can't imagine they managed to find an even lower-cost provider. I hope they expand the pay restaurants because we foodies will be packing the torches and pitchforks.

I don't do the rubber ducky thing, but I'm happy for people who find joy in it, both the generous hiders and lucky finders. I would recommend taking note of a few tables in MDR with kids at dinner-time. Next night, arrive early and place ducks on the floor under the table. Kids will find them easier than most adults. This way you actually get to watch the joy on the kids' faces when they find them.

I wouldn't worry about the turnaround time. It's not like you're going to wear something after it's been through the Carnival "washer-dryer gauntlet"...

I think part of it is how some of us feel both going and coming. We get very excited leading up to cruise day, but we are even more excited about coming home to see our beloved pets. Although there are other reasons (e.g., don't have to bother with the airport carousels) the main reason we pack everything in carry-on's and backpacks is 1) it allows us to get home to the pets which is no less exciting than going on a cruise, and 2) we learned from Rick Steves, Fodors and others it's so much more convenient when we compare the two options.

MDR has real breakfast unless that's another cutback. You want filet mignon, bacon, eggs your style, a bunch of Italian and Spanish egg stuff like fritatas (sp)? You got it plus much more. Plus the OJ in MDR at breakfast is surprisingly very, very good.

Whew! They're not good cutbacks but I was braced for worse, like "after seeing the successful rollout of discontinuing tablecloths for several years, we are now discontinuing tables. Guests will be required to bring the comforters from their cabins to serve as picnic blankets."

You mentioned the hot dog stand but not shawarma right next door, which was my biggest freebie food surprise on the ship. Hope you didn't miss it! Thanks for the brief yet fairly comprehensive review!

Has anyone had experience with getting their antigen test done in Italy? We're boarding Pride out of Rome 9/11 and have to be tested three days before - but we're spending two weeks training around Venice, Florence, Pisa and Cinque Terre prior to the cruise, so testing in the US won't be an option. TIA.