Knights on the Beach

We were allowed to do this (open the plastic bag and scatter my MIL's ashes) on Carnival Valor in 2010.

You can also reserve and pay online in advance for other specialty restaurants (Teppanyaki, Rudi's, JiJi, etc.). Walk up places like Emeril's are not booked in advance.

That seems more like what we've experienced on other ships so far. Thanks Jeff!

Hold up .... Java Blue, Gondola Bar & Atrium bar don't open until 8:00 am for coffee?? That has to be a NY thing, right?

Freedom coming into Port Canaveral (late) this morning.

Love that sling bag! I feel like this can be fixed? I mean, I can't sew but I'd ask my husband to fix it. 😂

We've done 4 cruises on Mardi Gras (3 times in a balcony cabin and 1 week in an inside) and 2 weeks on Vista (inside on Lido). During our second week on Vista, we came to the conclusion it just wasn't our favorite. While we had a great time, there were days that we were just tired of all the people. It seemed to be more crowded than Mardi Gras, probably because MG is such a big ship and has so many more options for both bars and outside areas. There were things we loved about Vista - JiJi and the lasagna at Cucina, the atrium bar to name a few. If we ever cruise on Vista again, we'll be looking at the Havana area. We have 2 upcoming cruises on Mardi Gras and 2 on Venezia (I know, I know).

Many years ago we used a TA who was great but he retired sometime during our 10 year break from cruising. When we started cruising again, I just booked a few online. I then decided to try using a PVP, but the one listed on my emails never replied back so I found my own. She is fantastic and super responsive. I love that we can do everything through texts. Ironically, a new PVP's name now shows up on my emails from Carnival but I only use the one I found on my own.

Great pictures - looks like it was a wonderful first day on the ship! I hope all the circus monkeys stay in NY when Venezia moves to Port Canaveral. 🤡

Another question - if Celebrity cancels the cruise that was paid for with gift cards, would they offer FCC in lieu of a refund?

In September of last year, I booked Equinox for January 2025 and was able to use a $500 AARP gift card for the deposit. I guess I was lucky they let me use it. I put a hold on the cruise online and then bought the gift card without reading the terms - I wrongly assumed it was just like Carnival and I could apply the cards online. When I realized it wasn't going to work like that, I called Celebrity to apply the GC. I was advised I had to pay $100 of the deposit with a credit card and then the rep applied $400 from the GC as the remaining $500 deposit and then he reduced our total cruise price by $100. I remember thinking that was a crazy way to do it and honestly it felt really shady. 😂But it clearly says on my gift card that certificates may not be redeemed online and it also says certificates may not be used towards the deposit. So yeah, I was lucky. Looking online now, it does show an option to apply a GC. However it also asks for an expiration date and CVV which GCs don't have. Has anyone successfully applied gift cards online to pay off the cruise or do you have to call or email every time?

Can't wait until "we" get on the ship - let's go! 😍

I hear you! We love Teppanyaki and would do that over the steakhouse or Rudi's any day! And ChiBang is one of my favorites, both for lunch and dinner.

We (4 of us) had dinner at Rudi's on Mardi Gras in December 2022. I'm allergic to shellfish and don't eat any seafood at all. The other couple was dying to eat there, so we did. I was the only one to eat steak and the others all had seafood. None of them were impressed but my meal was delicious.

I'm here for the fun!