Got one of 'THOSE' questions??

[*Mach*]

Hello, all!

Back from the Ecstasy and had a fabulous time.

The ship is lovely and the staff and crew are likely the best in the fleet.

Gerry Cahill was on board two cruises prior to ours to present the Ecstasy the Crystal Eagle for a THIRD time.

Brilliant!!!

More soon.

Regarding the sales of bottles of liquor on board. As closed as they could come to pricing it's the same as from the Bon Voyage Department. They say that they pretty much never sell any.

:)

[The Older Folks]

Welcome back Mach, Stitch and all of the Crazies. Looking forward to the reviews and pics. Even if it is the same as the Bon Voyage department, it is still less costly than buying it by the shot on the drink menu, I would think.

[jimbo5544]

Hey Mach, welcome back! Been a while since we were on the Ecstacy. Can't wait to read the review and see the pics. OK, I will play dumb (some say I don't play at it:() anyway, what is the Crystal Eagle?

[*Mach*]

Hey Mach, welcome back! Been a while since we were on the Ecstacy. Can't wait to read the review and see the pics. OK, I will play dumb (some say I don't play at it:() anyway, what is the Crystal Eagle?

 

 

The Crystal Eagle is the award that's presented for excellence and satisfaction in Guest Services.

It stands for:

 

Exceeding expectations

Anticipating needs

Going the extra mile

Lasting memories

Excellence in every aspect

It's presented yearly. I misspoke a bit ago... this was the Ecstasy's SIXTH Eagle...

:)

I'll post an image tomorrow...

[English Tim]

The Crystal Eagle is the award that's presented for excellence and satisfaction in Guest Services.

It stands for:

 

Exceeding expectations

Anticipating needs

Going the extra mile

Lasting memories

Excellence in every aspect

It's presented yearly. I misspoke a bit ago... this was the Ecstasy's SIXTH Eagle...

:)

I'll post an image tomorrow...

 

Welcome back, Mach. It rhymes well.

 

The forum has been sooooooo quiet, but we're all glad you've had some rest, I'm sure.

[*Mach*]

Welcome back, Mach. It rhymes well.

 

The forum has been sooooooo quiet, but we're all glad you've had some rest, I'm sure.

 

 

Thank you, Tim!

There were a number of your countrymen on board, most in staff but I did meet a few Brit passengers! How cool is that!

Great folks. Had a fabulous time!!

:)

[Kaki]

Welcome back Mach! Couple of questions. The 2010 cruise director schedule shows Mark T covering for Chris Jefferson on the Conquest 3/21. I read a recent review posted here that says John Heald will be CD 3/21. Do you know which is correct?

 

And....did you board the ship on the lobby deck? or deck 0?

 

Only 3 more weeks and I will be on the Conquest:D

[*Mach*]

Welcome back Mach! Couple of questions. The 2010 cruise director schedule shows Mark T covering for Chris Jefferson on the Conquest 3/21. I read a recent review posted here that says John Heald will be CD 3/21. Do you know which is correct?

 

And....did you board the ship on the lobby deck? or deck 0?

 

Only 3 more weeks and I will be on the Conquest:D

 

 

Currently, John is scheduled to be the CD on the Conquest but don't take that as gospel. His changes with the whims of the folks at Carnival in Miami.

:)

We boarded the Ecstasy on Three Deck. Deck 0 would be the equivalent on the Conquest. When we were debarking they were operating the articulated gangway so I expect that it will be in use in the morning.

:)

[Kaki]

Currently, John is scheduled to be the CD on the Conquest but don't take that as gospel. His changes with the whims of the folks at Carnival in Miami.

 

:)

 

We boarded the Ecstasy on Three Deck. Deck 0 would be the equivalent on the Conquest. When we were debarking they were operating the articulated gangway so I expect that it will be in use in the morning.

 

:)

Thank you!!!!

[MyDogRudy]

Thanks for your input. I'm trying to be positive and optimistic. If she has moved on then I would certainly consider booking a cruise on whatever ship / cruise line she is on. Heck, people follow cruise directors...why can't I follow a waitress??

 

I totally agree! For me, the cruise director is not as important as the wait staff. I don't go to many of the group activities on the ship but I do LOVE the dining experience. It is what got me excited about taking a second cruise (and next year a third cruise). Our waiter on our first cruise was excellent - had a blast with him and got great service. Our second cruise the waiter had no personality an we were often served last, but is was OK since the food was still awesome and we were with a larger group of friends, but not quite the same. Same is true of the bartenders. The evening casino bar bartender on our first cruise was fun and our dining room bartender last cruise was very good. Getting to know your direct wait staff is much more important to me than trying to get to know a cruise director (or Captain) who is in charge of everyone on the ship. I love learning about their family, their experiences working on a cruise ship and where they are from.

 

Do I hope we run into our first waiter - sure do!! But if not, I hope our next waiter is also fun. I think next time if our waiter is kind of a dud I may ask the Maitre D about a table change.

[kelster2367]

Sailing on Carnival Liberty this coming weekend, does anyone know if you can bring you own soda on board???

[*Mach*]

Sailing on Carnival Liberty this coming weekend, does anyone know if you can bring you own soda on board???

 

 

This is from the Carnival FAQs:

Guests may bring a small quantity of non-alcoholic beverages. All prohibited alcohol, excessive quantities of wine/champagne or non-alcoholic beverages will be removed and stored for safekeeping until the end of the voyage. The retained item(s) will be delivered to your stateroom on the last night of the cruise.

 

http://www.carnival.com/CMS/FAQs/Liquor_and_Beverage_Consumption_Policy.aspx

 

This is generally interpreted to mean two twelve packs of soda but they need to be carried on board with you and not in your checked luggage...

 

:)

[G&TQ]

How do you send questions to John H for his blog? I know I have seen it here I just can't find it.

 

Oh and do you know if he ever mentioned what the change in how they will be selling the photos?

 

Thanks!

[arush5268d]

How do you send questions to John H for his blog? I know I have seen it here I just can't find it.

 

Oh and do you know if he ever mentioned what the change in how they will be selling the photos?

 

Thanks!

 

johnhealdsblog.com :D

[G&TQ]

Thanks arush5268d!

 

I have the website, I just can't find anywhere on it to submit questions.

[John&John]

 

Regarding the sales of bottles of liquor on board. As closed as they could come to pricing it's the same as from the Bon Voyage Department. They say that they pretty much never sell any.

 

:)

 

I also priced 3 bottles of liquor on the Glory by calling room service and the prices were the same as Bon Voyage as well.

 

It's no wonder they hardly ever sell any - hardly anyone even knows that you can do this. There was no information provided about this service on the Glory so if you didn't know to ask, you didn't know it existed.

 

We didn't need to take advantage of this service this cruise! ;)

[*Mach*]

I also priced 3 bottles of liquor on the Glory by calling room service and the prices were the same as Bon Voyage as well.

 

It's no wonder they hardly ever sell any - hardly anyone even knows that you can do this. There was no information provided about this service on the Glory so if you didn't know to ask, you didn't know it existed.

 

We didn't need to take advantage of this service this cruise! ;)

 

 

All things considered the pricing isn't that bad compared to shore side. I wouldn't hesitate to spend $40 for a bottle of reasonable gin if other sources ran out... ;)

I think that Carnival needs to make the service a bit more widely known. There was no mention of it in the book, the Capers or anywhere else I could look...

[arush5268d]

Thanks arush5268d!

 

I have the website, I just can't find anywhere on it to submit questions.

 

 

Whoops, sorry. Misunderstood your post. To be honest I've never tried to look to see how to submit a question. Ask Host Mach - he'll be able to let you know.

[spencercoop]

Thanks arush5268d!

 

I have the website, I just can't find anywhere on it to submit questions.

 

All you have to do is add a comment on the bottom of one of the blog posts. Just make sure you put John Please Reply.

[ccNVcpl]

I know you experienced this dinning option on the Carnival Ecstasy, I'm wondering if they offer it on the Carnival Conquest? Is the menu too "exotic" for us Tex-Mex folks? I understand (if they do offer it), we make reservation once on board, is that correct?

 

Keeping our fingers crossed that John will indeed be the CD for our Easter sailing.

 

Your San Antonio neighbors,

Ken & Barbie (Sue)

[*Mach*]

I know you experienced this dinning option on the Carnival Ecstasy, I'm wondering if they offer it on the Carnival Conquest? Is the menu too "exotic" for us Tex-Mex folks? I understand (if they do offer it), we make reservation once on board, is that correct?

 

Keeping our fingers crossed that John will indeed be the CD for our Easter sailing.

 

Your San Antonio neighbors,

Ken & Barbie (Sue)

 

 

Hey, guys!!!

Love that y'all are in San Antonio! There are a TON of us cruisers in the Alamo City!!!

Sadly, the AMAZING Chef's Table is only available on our Carnival Dream and the Carnival Ecstasy at the moment. It's a pilot program to see how such an experience might be accepted. It is VERY upscale and simply fantastic.

Yep... us Texas folks know a good thing when we see it... or eat it... and I'm SURE that you would love the experience. Hopefully, you enjoy wine because you can drink your $75 quite easily.

Every single bite of every single item presented was brilliant! The only down side is that there was TOO MUCH FOOD!! Virtually everyone left at least half of the Chilean Sea Bass steak in anticipation of the Fillet Mignon.

Since the Chef's Table isn't available on the Conquest (my favorite ship in the fleet... this September will mark my sixth sailing on her...) y'all have to eat at the Point... the supper club... uhhhhh... steakhouse. The food and service are fantastic!!!

Please let me know if there's anything I can do for y'all!!!

:D

[G&TQ]

Hi Mach!

 

Do you know if you can order by the bottle on the Fantasy?

 

It looks like if you preorder from Bon Voyage it will not be there and won't be delivered until the next night. Do you know if we can request it once we are in international waters? Or early the next day.

 

Thanks!

[*Mach*]

Hi Mach!

 

Do you know if you can order by the bottle on the Fantasy?

 

It looks like if you preorder from Bon Voyage it will not be there and won't be delivered until the next night. Do you know if we can request it once we are in international waters? Or early the next day.

 

Thanks!

 

 

You can order a 'bar set-up' on any Carnival ship through the Purser's Desk to be delivered to your cabin. Expect a liter bottle to run about $40.

:)

[G&TQ]

Thanks Mach you Rock!!

 

Since this we will be in AL will we need to wait until we are in international waters???

[*Mach*]

Thanks Mach you Rock!!

 

Since this we will be in AL will we need to wait until we are in international waters???

 

 

Yeah, you will. If the liquor is purchased in port or in US waters they would need to charge tax, etc...

:)