Mardi Gras - 75th Milestone sailing - a great cruise. Always interesting things going on :)

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

We had a very nice time on this sailing (2/25/23). The first thing which stood out was the "fancy" S&S card. 🙂

 

 

Followed up a day or so later, a nice note from Guest Services (front and back):

 

 

 

Greeted in our cabin by...

 

 

 

Nice digs, but a bit too close to all the aft pool activity/noise. Also, with this balcony (deck 9) going out further (and the low level/angle), much less privacy.

 

 

I did see a few torn chairs (in the casino) which had been mentioned previously but, for the most part, the ones where I was playing appeared to be in good shape (perhaps they've already started to replace them):

 

I ordered room service a few times (as it was included at N/C with the Excel suite). Much nicer overall than I recall from years past, and an extra thumbs up to the heavy/moist brownie and the tasty wings!

 

 

 

I had high hopes for this cookie (not what you'd get at the coffee place), but the one they brought me seemed almost stale/dry:

 

Nice BLT with plenty of bacon (ask for extra mayo on the side though)

 

I'd skip the devils food cake next time... 

 

Great Ruben - asked for extra sauce and sauerkraut, and the sauerkraut seemed very fresh (not bottled/bagged - perhaps fresh made?)

 

I never noticed the top of this can before... LOL

 

OK... scam alert with the Effy "Gift Card" which showed up on my app. It indicated a value of $50. Well, we made a purchase of ear rings (cost more than the cruise - granted a low casino rate), and then I remembered we had this discount. I was told it would not apply in this case as we had negotiated the price down. And, if they were to apply it, the sales price would need to be adjusted (up) first... W T H !!!

 

 

Attractive glass fish along the wall at Rudi's...

 

Until it moves to the far end and you'll note that there is one fish already gone (wall patched) and 3-4 others significantly broken...

 

I wonder what broke the fish... (unknown fellow cruiser might give you a clue here)!

 

And, lastly --- come on guys, don't help to give Carnival a bad name. This was an image I took around 7 pm last night outside of the casino (note, I'm not talking about the guy in shorts - just the classy woman next to him). A picture is worth 1,000 words !!

 

 

Tom

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

@IntrepidFromDC - hope you're continuing to be on the mend. I just wanted to grab your attention regarding the casino chairs above. It was your photos which put my on notice. Did you see any chairs like the ones in my photo when you were onboard? 

 

Like you, I also still have not tried Bolt. I was about to get around to it on day 6 or 7, but then saw the stipulation in the app that if you wear glasses, that you'd need some type of glasses strap - which I didn't have on my packing list (this time!). I was not going to ride that with my vision, and without shades to boot !!

 

Tom

[IntrepidFromDC]

6 hours ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

@IntrepidFromDC - hope you're continuing to be on the mend. I just wanted to grab your attention regarding the casino chairs above. It was your photos which put my on notice. Did you see any chairs like the ones in my photo when you were onboard? 

 

Like you, I also still have not tried Bolt. I was about to get around to it on day 6 or 7, but then saw the stipulation in the app that if you wear glasses, that you'd need some type of glasses strap - which I didn't have on my packing list (this time!). I was not going to ride that with my vision, and without shades to boot !!

 

Tom

Thanks, Tom.  I had a bunch of tests and the consensus seems to be there is thickening of arteries on the left side of my head (impact) but they can't say whether it's due to aging (I'm almost 60) or the impact.  I feel mostly like myself again but still feel pressure when I sleep on my left side and I'll hope the slow mend continues.

 

Those casino chairs are the same ones but seem to be in pristine condition!  Were you on the smoking side?  The chairs at the tables and sit-down slots were not that spanking new, even the ones that weren't torn, from my memory.

[jimbo5544]

Nice touch on the 75, something to look forward to

[jimbo5544]

Love to hear more on thoughts on that balcony.  Just passed on it for a cruise with some family in Feb, my daughter grabbed it after we passed.

[Iluvmykindle]

I will have my 50th cruise coming up later this year.  Does Carnival give you a free dinner in the steak house/Rudi's for the 50th? 75?

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

2 hours ago, IntrepidFromDC said:

Thanks, Tom.  I had a bunch of tests and the consensus seems to be there is thickening of arteries on the left side of my head (impact) but they can't say whether it's due to aging (I'm almost 60) or the impact.  I feel mostly like myself again but still feel pressure when I sleep on my left side and I'll hope the slow mend continues.

 

Those casino chairs are the same ones but seem to be in pristine condition!  Were you on the smoking side?  The chairs at the tables and sit-down slots were not that spanking new, even the ones that weren't torn, from my memory.

 

Hang in there (just turned 60 myself - each year takes its toll) ! I've noted sleeping positions have changed over the last few years out of necessity.

 

I was at the $25 BJ table on the non-smoking side. Perhaps they're slowing replacing them - I paid for a couple... ehem... yep !

 

Tom

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

1 hour ago, Iluvmykindle said:

I will have my 50th cruise coming up later this year.  Does Carnival give you a free dinner in the steak house/Rudi's for the 50th? 75?

 

Nope... a "free" meal in there can come from cashing in on your (once in a lifetime) Diamond benefit, a casino comp or, I suppose, from winning some type of onboard contest.

 

Tom

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

1 hour ago, jimbo5544 said:

Love to hear more on thoughts on that balcony.  Just passed on it for a cruise with some family in Feb, my daughter grabbed it after we passed.

 

Location-wise pluses: a quick trip down the nearby stairs to decks 6-7-8... elevators up to buffet (1 time this trip) or Big Chicken (3 times - good, but something was different - the chicken was just a tad drier/thinner).

 

Location-wise drawbacks: Noise during the day from adults (and kids - screamers) down on deck 8. Noise during the day from the music, though, I liked a majority of what they played 🙂 . Noise until rather late into the evening in our cabin from the band DIRECTLY under us in the Pig & Anchor Bar... Thump... thump.. thump.. Fortunately, we were up late enough most evenings such that it was a non-issue for us.

 

As I mentioned previously - there's much less privacy on that deck. I didn't use the outdoor tub but, if one did, they'd need a cover up to get to it (unlike the other aft corners - where I did enjoy it). When you walk out onto your balcony you can literally instantly look straight into the faces of people down below sunning. If you sit in the daybed, and it's tucked close up to the door area, there is privacy (just not getting into/out of the bed)!

 

Would I book it again if it was the only aft corner remaining? Yes, but there would need to be some compelling reason that I was looking at that sail date to begin with. A big (-) for the Mardi Gras is its itinerary, specifically the "Eastern" route. Let's at least get to a "St." island or two. Or throw in some alternating itineraries (6/8 or 9/5, etc) to mix it up a bit. But I guess she's just going to be their 7 night workhorse.

 

Tom

[Colorado Beach Bum]

10 hours ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

Like you, I also still have not tried Bolt. I was about to get around to it on day 6 or 7, but then saw the stipulation in the app that if you wear glasses, that you'd need some type of glasses strap - which I didn't have on my packing list (this time!). I was not going to ride that with my vision, and without shades to boot !!

In November, they had straps available right as you board bolt to use during your ride. 

[nycruise1]

Never saw a 75 milestone card.  Have seen a few 50 even in person.  Now you need to get to 100 and show us that. 😁

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

25 minutes ago, Colorado Beach Bum said:

In November, they had straps available right as you board bolt to use during your ride. 

Well, that bit of additional information (in the app) would have been most helpful.

 

Thanks a lot, Carnival.

 

That's like a sign on a door saying no shirt, no shoes, no service. But, they don't tell you that right inside the store, they'll let you borrow a shirt and/or shoes...

 

Tom

[stobe1]

21 hours ago, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

  image I took around 7 pm last night outside of the casino (note, I'm not talking about the guy in shorts - just the classy woman next to him). A picture is worth 1,000 words !!

 

 

Tom

Heyyy now.  Does my ex wife know you are taking pics of her? Lol

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

8 minutes ago, nycruise1 said:

Never saw a 75 milestone card.  Have seen a few 50 even in person.  Now you need to get to 100 and show us that. 😁

In my opinion, the 75th is the pinnacle. For the 100th that earns you a free ocean suite. We're both actually cashing in hour milestone benefit on the celebration in May. It will yield us 75% of our cruise fare in onboard credit. That, along with shareholders credit and $2,000 of casino OBC, will give us well over $7,000 to spend on board! A good chunk of that will come home with us. 👍

 

Tom 

[go fish 44]

Tom, can you use your non refundable money to play in the casino?

 

sue

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

Just now, go fish 44 said:

Tom, can you use your non refundable money to play in the casino?

 

sue

Yeppers 

[go fish 44]

Thanks for fast answer

[Iluvmykindle]

Are you still able to get your $2000 casino money and your stockholders OBC.  We have tried at least 10 or more times and they said NO to the stockholders with a casino rate.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

12 minutes ago, Iluvmykindle said:

Are you still able to get your $2000 casino money and your stockholders OBC.  We have tried at least 10 or more times and they said NO to the stockholders with a casino rate.

I've had pretty good luck (shot down a couple of times - more often with Royal Caribbean).

 

Here's what shows on mine as of today. They won't apply the Milestone credit until the week prior to the sail date.

 

 

 

Tom

[jimbo5544]

On 3/5/2023 at 8:57 AM, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

 

Location-wise pluses: a quick trip down the nearby stairs to decks 6-7-8... elevators up to buffet (1 time this trip) or Big Chicken (3 times - good, but something was different - the chicken was just a tad drier/thinner).

 

Location-wise drawbacks: Noise during the day from adults (and kids - screamers) down on deck 8. Noise during the day from the music, though, I liked a majority of what they played 🙂 . Noise until rather late into the evening in our cabin from the band DIRECTLY under us in the Pig & Anchor Bar... Thump... thump.. thump.. Fortunately, we were up late enough most evenings such that it was a non-issue for us.

 

As I mentioned previously - there's much less privacy on that deck. I didn't use the outdoor tub but, if one did, they'd need a cover up to get to it (unlike the other aft corners - where I did enjoy it). When you walk out onto your balcony you can literally instantly look straight into the faces of people down below sunning. If you sit in the daybed, and it's tucked close up to the door area, there is privacy (just not getting into/out of the bed)!

 

Would I book it again if it was the only aft corner remaining? Yes, but there would need to be some compelling reason that I was looking at that sail date to begin with. A big (-) for the Mardi Gras is its itinerary, specifically the "Eastern" route. Let's at least get to a "St." island or two. Or throw in some alternating itineraries (6/8 or 9/5, etc) to mix it up a bit. But I guess she's just going to be their 7 night workhorse.

 

Tom

Thanks, pretty much ethos what I thought you would say.

[TrqoisWtrs]

On 3/5/2023 at 9:43 AM, Tom-n-Cheryl said:

We're both actually cashing in hour milestone benefit on the celebration in May. It will yield us 75% of our cruise fare in onboard credit. That, along with shareholders credit and $2,000 of casino OBC, will give us well over $7,000 to spend on board! A good chunk of that will come home with us. 👍

Sweet.  I'm on the Luminosa 30 day Seattle to Brisbane and there is a gentleman who booked a suite and is also using his milestone credit...got like 5 figures in OBC.  Do you mind sharing how to get some of that home?  I only seem to read where they won't let you. I'm about 10 cruises away from 50 so gotta take notes lol. :)    

[nwcruiselover]

I know that nonrefundable OBC can be used to buy Carnival gift cards at Cherries on Top. I don’t know whether this is a limit on how much can be purchased, but I have done that on the last several cruises.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

3 hours ago, cruisin*tigger said:

Sweet.  I'm on the Luminosa 30 day Seattle to Brisbane and there is a gentleman who booked a suite and is also using his milestone credit...got like 5 figures in OBC.  Do you mind sharing how to get some of that home?  I only seem to read where they won't let you. I'm about 10 cruises away from 50 so gotta take notes lol. 🙂  

 

We've never left any OBC on the table. We'll spend a portion of it the first night - treating my office staff to the Steakhouse (13 of us) along with a couple nice bottles of wine. I love the 50% discount on bottles the first night, and the first elegant night.  🙂

 

It's not uncommon for me to purchase a pile of chips in a sitting (which is why I don't play blackjack as much as I used to) and it does not take much to put a sizable enough portion of it into play to essentially turn it into cash. Carbon copy that for enough evenings... 

 

Plan B:  we'll go purchase a couple of watches, or other stuff - if need be. 

 

Plan C : I like the gift card idea too. 

 

One way or another, there will be nothing left of our OBC after 8 nights.  🙂 

 

Tom

[gkbiiii]

On 3/5/2023 at 10:31 AM, nycruise1 said:

Never saw a 75 milestone card.  Have seen a few 50 even in person.  Now you need to get to 100 and show us that. 😁

So you get 75% of the fare paid, in onboard credit right?

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

9 hours ago, gkbiiii said:

So you get 75% of the fare paid, in onboard credit right?

 

Yes, 75% of the base fare (not including fees/taxes).

 

Tom