LHARTWICK

On 5/11/2022 at 9:38 PM, Cancun01 said:

My fav!  I have used the pink  and green since the early 1970s! Once in awhile I try something else but I always end up back to the pink and green.   Most of my cosmetics are fairly high-end department store but I wouldn’t trade my pink and green drug-store mascara for anything else.   I always keep a new one in its package  in my travel cosmetic case ready to go. 

Same here!  I have tried so many others, but I always.......ALWAYS come back to my old stand by in the pink & green tube.  There's a reason it still sells so well.  

4 hours ago, Gamecock_Cruiser said:

I think it is more like America has lost it's control. Parents don't discipline their kids anymore... but don't get me started on this subject. 

BINGO!  And the adults are as bad as the kids, if not worse. Land or sea, it's the same. Sorry the OP had such a horrible experience.  I don't doubt anything you say you've witnessed.  For us, it's usually the adults who are acting so horribly, but we have seen our share of kids who need to be disciplined for sure. If I acted half as bad as kids do now, I wouldn't have lived to be posting on this message board!! On our May cruise on the Glory, it was the adults in the cabins near us yelling at each other at all hours of the night.  In our experience, it definitely depends on the itinerary.  Worst experiences have been caribbean cruises.  AK, New England and California Coastal cruises have all been with very well behaved passengers.

I tried the alligator beignets on Glory two weeks ago - I was surprised at how much I like them!  Really good!

On 5/11/2023 at 9:56 AM, firefly333 said:

This is new to me. I've had friends who used up old coffee cards on their next cruise and they could still use the cards on different voyages, or b2b.

 

I'm seeing someone who had a old card say he presented it and was given a new card with the ship and date and told it was not good later if not used up. 

 

Last one on this list saying only good this voyage.

 

Thank you for this pic!  You answered all of my coffee card questions with this info. 😁

On 5/19/2023 at 8:23 AM, jsglow said:

I have some specific experience with New Orleans where there seems to be a tendency for folks to arrive well before their scheduled appointment.  

We were on Glory 2 weeks ago.  Embarkation was a mess because they were not enforcing check-in times at all.  We had the 10:00-10:30 AM slot, but regardless of what boarding passes said, any and all passengers were being herded into the building.  We heard several others make the same observation. We are used to Galveston where they enforce the times.  We've sailed out of NOLA several times before, but we had never seen it as chaotic as it was. Like anything else these days, pack your patience pants!

Pardon my ignorance, but is this the terminal that CCL currently uses? Thanks to the OP for the info link.

14 hours ago, Crusin Karen said:

For someone who has been on so many cruises I sure am dumb!  

Please don't be so hard on yourself!  You're just excited about your cruise!  Just take a breather - it will be okay.  Have a blessed cruise! And we are all blessed to be able to cruise! 🥰

12 hours ago, staceyglow said:

Really?  I have ordered it at least a half-dozen times on different ships and it has been the same dishes every time.  I don't mind because it has been really good.

I noticed on the Glory two weeks ago that the description was the same every night.  I do want to try this on our next cruise.

Were there any shady spots to sit?  Looking at doing an excursion which includes this as the beach stop. 

On 5/9/2023 at 12:36 AM, csm5986142 said:

The Indian Vegetarian (and I'm not a vegetarian, I just love it that much). 

I noticed several passengers ordering this dish last week on the Glory.  It smelled and looked wonderful - I need to try it.  My go to WAS the tenderloin, but CCL did away with it.  It was very tender and flavorful!  So sad to see it go.  Crab cake is yummy!  Another vote for the chilled soups.  Banana Split from the kids menu - Hey, I'm still a kid at heart! And last but not least, the Chocolate Melting Cake!  🙂

On 5/9/2023 at 3:10 PM, shortyjoesmith said:

https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/4250/~/specialty-restaurants---dining-reservation-information

 

Based on the Specialty Dining information on the Carnival website above, the gratuity is included for:

     The Steakhouse

     Ji Ji Asian Kitchen
     Cucina del Capitano
     Rudi’s Seagrill
     Green Eggs & Ham Breakfast

 

The 18% gratuity is automatically added to the bill for:

     Bonsai Teppanyaki
     The Chef’s Table

 

The Steakhouse - There is a nominal fee of $48 USD per adult and $13 USD per child, 11 and under (when ordering from the Kids' menu, available upon request). The fee includes a starter, salad, entrée, dessert and the wait's staffs' gratuity; additional gratuities may be extended at the guest's discretion. 

Ji Ji Asian Kitchen - For dinner, there is a nominal fee of $18 USD per adult and $6 USD per child 11 and under (when ordering from the Kids' menu, available upon request). The fee includes a starter, entrée, dessert and the wait staffs’ gratuity; additional gratuities may be extended at the guest's discretion.

Cucina del Capitano - For dinner, there is a nominal fee of $18 USD per adult and $6 USD per child 11 and under (when ordering from the Kids' menu, available upon request). The fee includes a starter, entrée, dessert and the wait staffs’ gratuity; additional gratuities may be extended at the guest's discretion. 

Rudi's Seagrill - There is a nominal fee of $48 USD per adult and $13 USD per child 11 and under (when ordering from the Kids' menu, available upon request). The fee includes a starter, entrée, dessert and the wait staffs’ gratuity; additional gratuities may be extended at the guest's discretion. 

Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast - For breakfast, there is a nominal fee of $10 per adult and $8 per child (children under 2 are complimentary); gratuities may be extended at the guest's discretion.

---

Bonsai Teppanyaki - For dinner, there is a nominal fee of $38 USD per guest, including children ($35 USD per guest, including children, for lunch), which includes a starter, entrée and dessert; an 18% service charge will be added. additional gratuities may be extended at the guest's discretion.

The Chef's Table - An 18% service charge will be added and applied directly to the guest’s Sail & Sign account. additional gratuities may be extended at the guest's discretion.

Thank you SO much for this info! I've never noticed it on the CCL site.  We've always added a tip to the bill, not knowing it was already included.  Not that the wait staff didn't deserve extra $$, but this is good to know.  I'm going to print this out for my files. 

In our experience we've noticed that aft cabins in general seem to cool better.  We were in a forward cabin last week, and it wasn't as cool as we would like.  We always travel with a fan.  

2 hours ago, Old Fart Cruisers said:

Would this be allowed?😁

 

 

It truly is a ceiling fan!  Love it!  Thanks for the laugh! 🤣

On 5/5/2023 at 11:08 AM, d-train said:

I always bring this one - never had an issue from CCL for it...

 

https://www.amazon.com/Zuvas-Rotation-Portable-Personal-Electric/dp/B09T5GKF4Z/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2Q714J5E1Z6AK&keywords=4+inch+desk+fan&qid=1683302771&sprefix=4+inch+desk+fan%2Caps%2C304&sr=8-3

 

I agree it is nice to have some air movement -

This one is a usb, so if your light next to the bed has a usb,

or if you are on MG, and I assume Celebration (and the upcoming Jubilee),

there are usb ports by the bed, so you don't even need the adapter.

Golden!

On this same note, we just returned from the Glory on Sunday.  During our cruise the bedside lamps were replaced with lamps that now have TWO USB ports on each lamp.  They now also have LED bulbs instead of the CFLs, and the lamps are a bit fancier, too. This is definitely a win for those of us who would like to switchout to a USB fan to be used by the bed, as well as giving all of us more charging capabilities for our devices.  Hope this will be a fleet wide change on applicable ships. 

On 5/2/2023 at 5:18 PM, wemjam said:

Not exactly a direct answer to your questions, but a possible solution.

 

I bought a really awesome small portable one that is usb plug in only about 4" across.  Was pretty cheap on Amazon, and the little bugger is powerful and lasts all night.  I have to have air moving.  I loved it so much I replaced my normal size one on my nightstand at home with one too.  SUPER compact and so powerful I only use it on low.  Plus it sits well on flat service like nightstand or it unfolds and has a handle so you can use it at sporting events, beach, etc.  I have even used it on the airplane.  Again, don't let the size fool you.  Blows like nobodies business.

 

 

Link for this fan?  I'm always on the hunt for one smaller but still POWERFUL!

We always receive an e-mail from CCL prior to our cruise explaining how to take advantage of all of the Platinum/Diamond perks.  There is also the QR code in your cabin that explains everything.

On 12/8/2022 at 9:36 AM, margeecruiser said:

We are also on your cruise.  We are using Falstaff Parking.  It is cheaper than the parking at the pier, has shuttle service and is covered parking .  We have used them before and were very happy.  

Used Falstaff for our FEB cruise and were very pleased.  Their website mentions a promo code but can't find one - anyone know where it is?  Didn't see anythign on their FB page.

21 hours ago, MississippiMom said:

or the deli (except to look for a cookie, once), 

We've noticed on the last few CCL cruises the cookies were no longer available at the deli.  I'm referring to the dark chocolate sea salt version - really good!  Another cutback I guess. 😢

Thank you for this post, OP.  We sail on Glory again on May 7.  We've always enjoyed her in the past, and I am very glad to hear about the stepped up security.  CCL's MDR food is definitely not as good as pre-COVID, but I don't leave hungry either - LOL!!!  Count me in as another Blue Iguana fan - great place to eat with great food AND it's healthy to boot.  Happy sailing!

We've sailed several times on different lines since the restart, and we've noticed that all of the libraries are as the OP described.  Pre-COVID we looked forward to visiting the library on embarkation day to find something to read for the week.  Now we visit our local library and check-out our books, which is fine, as they have so many to choose from.  But as the OP said, if you have any to donate, please do so. Happy sailing!

14 hours ago, Oceansaway17 said:

well make sure on sea days to get to the back of the buffet and find those nice 5 layer cakes.

And the gelato!!! Another wonderful area of the Vista that many people miss is the Havana Club (deck 5 aft) - so fun!  For lunch, try the Cucina Del Capitano - it's free during lunch and really good. Get in line early - it fills up fast, especially on sea days.  Be sure to try out the SkyRide (if it's working - last cruise it was broken).  Best to try on port days since lines aren't as long. Have fun - we love the Vista!

1 hour ago, ninjacat123 said:

Do you have a link for the inflatable topper?  TIA!

https://www.amazon.com/Sleeping-Lightweight-Backpacking-Inflatable-Mattress/dp/B07YP8MLNN?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1

14 minutes ago, ninjacat123 said:

I wonder if there would be extra comforters and you could request one and have it under your fitted sheet?🤷‍♀️

This is what Carnival now uses for a mattress topper if you ask your steward to make your bed softer. (There's usually an extra one under the bed, too.) It does very little IMO.  The "new" mattresses are awful.  I really miss the previous mattresses. I ordered an inflatable topper that I take with me now.  It definitely helps, and takes up very little space in our luggage.

59 minutes ago, ARcruisin2 said:

I'm with you! If I'm craving something, it's usually something crunchy.

I've always wondered why there were not chips available at Blue Iguana for dipping with salsa, etc

So glad I'm not the only one to notice this, although I thought I was!  I've never heard anyone else say anything about it.  Several yummy salsas and no chips.  Strange.  Love me some Blue Iguana food is fresh, good & healthy!

I didn't realize how much I missed the "crunch" on cruises until we sailed on the Allure last year.  They have chips in their Park Cafe.  We stuck it to 'em on the Sun Chips!!! LOL!!  My first thought would be to bring Pringles since they are in a can - less likely to get squashed in a bag or suitcase.  Thanks a lot - now I'm craving some salty chips!!!!  😅