LIVE - Sometimes - Carnival Celebration 6/9 - 6/15

[jimbo5544]

5 hours ago, Host CMLA said:

This was quite possibly the least productive day of my life including the time when I was an infant and I did nothing.  I went to bed last night at about 2 AM and set my alarm for 830.  That's a good amount of sleep for me.  The ship had a different idea.  At about 630ish we were arriving to Amber Cove and we back up into the space which meant about 15 minutes of reverse thruster things and the entire ship shuddered like an earthquake.  The higher up you are, worse it is.  It startled me awake.  I was up!  I spent the next 4 hours checking emails, looking at Pinterest, drinking ice coffee, filing my nails, etc.  I did manage to get dressed and head down to the buffet at 1030 to have some Frosted Flakes which is a rare treat for me that I only do on cruises.  

 

Back to the room at about 1115.  Lounging on the bed.  Streaming murder shows while looking out the balcony doors at the water.  By 115 PM it was naptime.  Set the alarm and got a solid hour of sleep.  Now it's after 2 pm.  All I've done is have a meal.  I feel like I should be ashamed of how I spent the day, wasting an entire vacation day, but I did what I wanted to do and it felt great.

 

I took a shower and got ready.  My hair flat iron worked perfect.  Again, I'm not questioning it.  It worked.  We made a reservation with Zoe for Cucina, the Italian place, for 6 PM.  Zoe must be the gatekeeper for good things.  Every reservation she's made for us has gotten us the best view of the water.  She has pull.  

 

For dinner I had the Fritto something.  Fritto Misto?  It was calamari, shrimp, veggies fried with a sauce.  I got the spaghetti carbonara and for dessert the frozen lemon torte.  It was all very good.  Zoe stopped by to visit as we were having dessert.  I was so blown away by the lemon dessert.  Zoe had them bring another one for me.  It is a very small dessert so I didn't feel bad.  While at dinner I got a notification on the Hub app that we could register when we wanted to disembark.  We always self disembark taking all of our luggage with us.  Being Platinum that usually puts us some of the first to leave the ship.   I chose the 750 to 810 am slot which is the first time available.  We have a flight out of Miami at 11 AM.  I probably could choose a later time but on debarkation day, especially with a flight before noon, I'd rather be off the ship with all our stuff and at the airport with time to spare rather than being later.  

 

Y'all I am terrible about remembering the names of things.  We went to the show that was something about age difference.  They choose 4 teams of 2, one older person and one kid.  This was all moms and dads and their kids.  It's set up like the marriage game on TV used to be.  they first ask the kids a question and the parent has to guess their answer.  Then they ask the parents questions and the kids have to guess the answer.  As a rule I don't usually enjoy the shows with kid volunteers but for the first time I could not stand the cast member facilitating the show.  I don't know her name but nails on a chalkboard would have been a welcome change.  I had to leave.  I couldn't take it.  

 

I hit the casino.  It's no secret, that's my usual cruise activity.  It's how I like to spend my time and I'm lucky.  A lot of the time I'm lucky.  I spent about 3 hours in the casino.  I have over 12000 points on my card.  While I was playing Jayvee came by and said he'd like to treat me and my son to dinner at Rudi's Seagrill with a bottle of wine if I wanted it and he also gave me a $50 voucher to use at the Seafood Shack.  Nice perks if you're a gambler.  I did have another hand pay for just over $1500 on a Bull Blitz machine.  That was fun.  

 

We hit up the late night snacks at Pig & Anchor.  I'm not sure if it's usually a mad house in this area of the ship but the two times we've been, there have been sporting events in progress or finishing up and all the tables were full of plates and glasses.  We couldn't get a clean space in the whole area and people are messy.  I don't know how they live at home but on this ship, they leave everything a mess.  

 

Sea day tomorrow.  Maybe I'll be more productive.  Maybe not.  I'm OK if I'm not.  I do want to go to Pixels and buy one digital photo.  I tried buying it on the Hub but you have to go to Pixels for digital downloads.  We also need to pick up our Platinum loyalty gift and ship pin.  I may run through the shops and see if there's anything I can't live without.  I do have a weakness for perfume.  

 

That's it for today y'all.  Paint drying is probably more exciting than my day.  😉 

You questioning your hair dryer/straightener/curler is a WHOLE different topic.  Actually talking to any inanimate option might qualify.

[wrcjr98]

I think it's great that your son is going to the Teen Club and participating if that is something that he doesn't normally do, good for him!!  I saw his name on one of your pictures, I have a grandbaby due in October, and that will be their name too!!  

I get it about the host of the show getting on your nerves.  I have made my husband leave shows when I thought the singer sounded like a "Disney Princess".  Perhaps that should be a good sound, but, it's not in my ears!  lol  

I'm with you on the spicy food!  My husband eats all things spicy!  I don't!  I get it!!  We had to come home and order all of those "Melinda's" hot sauces that they carry on the Blue Iguana Salsa Bar on the Lido Deck!!  
And as for not being productive, that is what you're supposed to do on vacation, absolutely nothing!!  

I'm just sorry that I mislead you on Shaq's fries.  I promise they were good in May!!  

Looking forward to todays report!!

[noshoobie]

On 6/10/2024 at 2:14 PM, Host CMLA said:

Y'all I've run into an issue that may make some of the ladies gasp.  It might seem silly to many of you but this involves hair appliances, specifically items with a heating element. 

 

This morning when I went to do my hair, not all of my hair appliances worked.  I have a L'ange oval hair dryer brush.  It worked but it doesn't have a heating element.  My flat iron and my curling wand would not stay on.  To me this is a big deal.  This is how I get ready for the day and put my best face forward.  I have ridiculously curly hair.  Tight curls that go everywhere.  I use the oval drying brush to straighten my hair but there are sometimes kinks and I use the flat iron to flatten those out.  Once my hair is pretty straight, I use a curling wand thing to add back in big waves so my hair isn't flat.  Again, this may seem ridiculous to some that can shower and go.  I'm not that person.  

 

Maintenance came to the room and the outlets do have power but the maintenance guy said to me, 'We have this issue with a lot of ladies.  The outlet is not friendly to the thing they want to plug in.' Sorry?  The outlet isn't friendly to my hair appliance?  He said, you want it to heat up but the outlet won't support that.  So if you have anything with a heating element like a flat iron, it will not stay on or heat up.  Doesn't that seem like an issue to anyone else but me?  Seeing as though tons and tons of people use flat irons.  I bought my hair appliances specifically to work on cruises.  I got dual voltage and timers on them so they wouldn't stay on and be a safety hazard.  

 

This is an issue for me and I'm stuck.  😞  

Wait.....what?? You can bring hair appliances on the ship? I thought you weren't allowed to. So I can bring my Dyson? On my last cruise I spent most of my nights with my hair in a clip because the dryer in the room was so bad. In fact, one night while getting ready it started to overheat and it wasn't until smoke started coming out of it that I turned it off. Believe me, I feel your pain about your appliances not working.

 

Thanks for taking time to do your review and enjoy the rest of your vacation. Beautiful pix of you and your son.

[Host CMLA]

4 hours ago, jimbo5544 said:

Never have had that problem….the needing of an ID for winnings.

 

I don't normally on cruise ships. I'm much luckier at land based casinos.  This has been a lucky trip so far for me but there are two days left!  My husband says they program the machines to win in the early days so you want to play then they're programmed to lose during the last few days so they get their money back.  

[Host CMLA]

1 hour ago, noshoobie said:

Wait.....what?? You can bring hair appliances on the ship? I thought you weren't allowed to. So I can bring my Dyson? On my last cruise I spent most of my nights with my hair in a clip because the dryer in the room was so bad. In fact, one night while getting ready it started to overheat and it wasn't until smoke started coming out of it that I turned it off. Believe me, I feel your pain about your appliances not working.

 

Thanks for taking time to do your review and enjoy the rest of your vacation. Beautiful pix of you and your son.

 

Yes.  I believe they need to have the auto shut off feature but I've always brought curling irons, flat irons, curlers, etc.  As we've talked about here, not all hair appliances work with the ship electrical system.  For me mine didn't work mid morning but using them mid afternoon was fine.  Who knows?  

[ninjacat123]

5 minutes ago, Host CMLA said:

 

I don't normally on cruise ships. I'm much luckier at land based casinos.  This has been a lucky trip so far for me but there are two days left!  My husband says they program the machines to win in the early days so you want to play then they're programmed to lose during the last few days so they get their money back.  

That makes sense!  You are having some great luck!!👍

[Host CMLA]

3 hours ago, wrcjr98 said:

I think it's great that your son is going to the Teen Club and participating if that is something that he doesn't normally do, good for him!!  I saw his name on one of your pictures, I have a grandbaby due in October, and that will be their name too!!  

I get it about the host of the show getting on your nerves.  I have made my husband leave shows when I thought the singer sounded like a "Disney Princess".  Perhaps that should be a good sound, but, it's not in my ears!  lol  

I'm with you on the spicy food!  My husband eats all things spicy!  I don't!  I get it!!  We had to come home and order all of those "Melinda's" hot sauces that they carry on the Blue Iguana Salsa Bar on the Lido Deck!!  
And as for not being productive, that is what you're supposed to do on vacation, absolutely nothing!!  

I'm just sorry that I mislead you on Shaq's fries.  I promise they were good in May!!  

Looking forward to todays report!!

 

Congrats on the grandbaby.  I heard the name Cooper on some TV show when I was pregnant and knew thst had to be the name for a girl or a boy.  It's a solid name. 😉

 

Don't be sorry at all about the fries.  We all have different tastes.  I put rice vinegar on fried rice.  My kids make gag faces when I do it.  To each their own.  The chicken has been really good and that's the main reason we've gone.  

[Host CMLA]

This is the part of vacation that I start to want to be home.  I'm sure that flies in the face of all cruise lovers.  It's not that I don't love cruising and go cruising as often as I can.  It just means I miss being at home.  I miss eating meals in sweats and a t shirt and crocs.  I miss my stuff.  I miss regular toilets.  I miss my husband and my other son.  I don't miss the dogs yet.  No. All the dog hair and them constantly wanting to be on me.  It takes a few more days away for me to miss them. 😉 

 

This is also the part of the vacation when my stomach hurts.  I should eat healthier on vacation but I don't.  About 18 months ago I changed my entire diet because I had a glucose problem.  Overweight and high glucose is diabetes waiting to happen so I made this life change to healthier foods and tracking calories.  Every calorie.  Meticulously weighing everything in order to visually see what a serving size is, etc.  Then I go on a cruise and I'm like a frat boy left unattended.  I go wild and eat all the foods I've been avoiding.  It's been 5 days.  My stomach hurts.  I bring Tums with me because I need to take them every night.  I'm dehydrated because I don't drink the water I normally do at home.  I've committed every vacation don't.  I'm looking forward to being home so I can get back to my normal diet. 

[Host CMLA]

Photo from last night before dinner.  This photo op is outside the Cucina Italian restaurant.  Yes, my son is in shorts.  I know that's a big issue for a lot of people.  We read the room and after the first day we saw that people were wearing shorts to all of the venues.  I personally don't care if someone wears shorts.  I know others feel differently.  

[tradewinds traveler]

I am with you, I don't care if people wears shorts. We all are on vacation. 

[fla33023]

8 hours ago, Host CMLA said:

This is the part of vacation that I start to want to be home.  I'm sure that flies in the face of all cruise lovers.  It's not that I don't love cruising and go cruising as often as I can.  It just means I miss being at home.  I miss eating meals in sweats and a t shirt and crocs.  I miss my stuff.  I miss regular toilets.  I miss my husband and my other son.  I don't miss the dogs yet.  No. All the dog hair and them constantly wanting to be on me.  It takes a few more days away for me to miss them. 😉 

 

This is also the part of the vacation when my stomach hurts.  I should eat healthier on vacation but I don't.  About 18 months ago I changed my entire diet because I had a glucose problem.  Overweight and high glucose is diabetes waiting to happen so I made this life change to healthier foods and tracking calories.  Every calorie.  Meticulously weighing everything in order to visually see what a serving size is, etc.  Then I go on a cruise and I'm like a frat boy left unattended.  I go wild and eat all the foods I've been avoiding.  It's been 5 days.  My stomach hurts.  I bring Tums with me because I need to take them every night.  I'm dehydrated because I don't drink the water I normally do at home.  I've committed every vacation don't.  I'm looking forward to being home so I can get back to my normal diet. 

I get it. As much as I love being on a ship, I get so tired of "getting ready." We gotta get ready for breakfast, ready to leave the ship, ready for dinner etc. I'm assuming those who take long cruises never leave the cabin some days.

[fla33023]

8 hours ago, Host CMLA said:

Photo from last night before dinner.  This photo op is outside the Cucina Italian restaurant.  Yes, my son is in shorts.  I know that's a big issue for a lot of people.  We read the room and after the first day we saw that people were wearing shorts to all of the venues.  I personally don't care if someone wears shorts.  I know others feel differently.  

He's perfectly dressed to me! Hope he's enjoying his summer break.

[Host CMLA]

1 hour ago, fla33023 said:

I get it. As much as I love being on a ship, I get so tired of "getting ready." We gotta get ready for breakfast, ready to leave the ship, ready for dinner etc. I'm assuming those who take long cruises never leave the cabin some days.

 

Yes, this exactly.  You have to be ready to go and do anything.  I want to be in my comfy clothes and crocs.  I want to make coffee in my pot that I like that makes it perfect every time.  This is how it is everytime.  I love a cruise.  I also like being at home.  That's where all my stuff is. 

 

The longest cruise I've done is 21 days. I was single with no kids so the dynamic was different  I was happy to be out seeing the world. I cruised from Singapore to Sydney on an NCL ship then did 4 days in Sydney after. Worth the trip and the time away.  

[Host CMLA]

1 hour ago, fla33023 said:

He's perfectly dressed to me! Hope he's enjoying his summer break.

 

1 hour ago, tradewinds traveler said:

I am with you, I don't care if people wears shorts. We all are on vacation. 

 

It did not work out that way tonight.  

[Host CMLA]

Rolled out of bed around 10 am, still not feeling the best so I skipped the brunch but my son went.  I spent about 4 hours sitting on the balcony, streaming movies, writing emails, etc. I took a shower and today my flat iron didn't want to work.  If I go with the idea that it's based on demand in the wiring then it worked during port days when lots of people were off the ship and not when everyone was onboard.  What I did was I kept turning my flat iron on for the few places I wanted to use it on my hair and that worked. I am looking forward to not having this issue at home. 

 

My son and I are both Platinum and hit up the Diamond and Platinum party.  For a ship with over 6300 guests on board, I was surprised that there were less than 300 platinum and 35 diamond members.  Maybe experienced cruisers like us don't usually cruise right after school gets out with all the family groups etc.  I wouldn't do this time of year again.  So many groups everywhere.  Get behind one of those large groups in one of the restaurants and it delays you a bit.  

 

We visited all the shops to see if there was anything we couldn't do without.  There wasn't.  

 

I went to the casino at 4 PM to play for about 75 minutes before I met my son at Rudi's for dinner that was gifted to us by the casino.  I was wearing a summer maxi dress.  My 15 year old son was wearing dress shorts, a coollared shirt with t shirt underneath and brand new Vans shoes I bought him last week with socks.  He was wearing whaat I would call country club casual.  As we checked in to Rudi's the girl checking us in says, loudly, with about 8 other guests waiting behind us, You aren't dressed nice enough to dine here.  What?  Really?  It's elegant night and pants are required.  

 

Let me say that if there's a dress requirement, I will adhere to it or not go.  Nothing in any of the information about Rudi's says you have to wear long pants (for men) on elegant night.  As you can maybe imagine, my son was mortified.  We were both embarrassed.  There's a way to say this to someone and the way this girl did it wasn't the way.  We left.  My son apologized to me over and over for no reason.  He was upset.  I was a bit irked but we wanted to salvage dinner.  We went to Festivale and got a nice table with a view of the wake.  

 

I went back to the casino after dinner and let the host iknow what happened.  I did offer the suggestion that if you send guests to a specialty restaurant on elegant night, let them know about the drss code because, again, there was nothing saying that was a requirement.  The dress code actually says casual in the Hub.  One of the other casino hosts asked if we'd like to go to the steakhouse tomorrow night.  She confirmed that shorts for my son was OK.  

 

I played some of the money left in my player bank but there came a time when it wasn't fun anymore. It was loud and crowded and it was hard to get a machine that I like.  I cashed out what I had, added it to my onboard account and came back to the room by 930.  I feel done.  I'm ready to be home.  

 

Earlier today I did get an email from AA saying that flights this weekend in Miami might be impacted by the bad weather and we can make changes to our flights if we want to. For us, we can't leave any earlier and we aren't interested in staying in Miami for additional days so we'll cross our fingers and hope for the best.  

 

We're in Nassau tomorrow.  We're not leaving the ship.  There will be packing and having our last meals at places we like.  We may stream some movies then be in group 1 off the ship on Saturday.  

[wrightkj]

6 hours ago, Host CMLA said:

I went to the casino at 4 PM to play for about 75 minutes before I met my son at Rudi's for dinner that was gifted to us by the casino.  I was wearing a summer maxi dress.  My 15 year old son was wearing dress shorts, a coollared shirt with t shirt underneath and brand new Vans shoes I bought him last week with socks.  He was wearing whaat I would call country club casual.  As we checked in to Rudi's the girl checking us in says, loudly, with about 8 other guests waiting behind us, You aren't dressed nice enough to dine here.  What?  Really?  It's elegant night and pants are required.  

 

Let me say that if there's a dress requirement, I will adhere to it or not go.  Nothing in any of the information about Rudi's says you have to wear long pants (for men) on elegant night.  As you can maybe imagine, my son was mortified.  We were both embarrassed.  There's a way to say this to someone and the way this girl did it wasn't the way.  We left.  My son apologized to me over and over for no reason.  He was upset.  I was a bit irked but we wanted to salvage dinner.  We went to Festivale and got a nice table with a view of the wake.  

 

 

Rudi's employee was a serious butthead - I'm so sorry this happened! 

[beshears]

I just seen your starting of a review with pictures on the Carnival Celebration ship, and I know you still have a few more days before your cruise is over. I am in the "thinking" mode of possibly 7 or 8 of my family going together on this ship, and I'm trying to get "different" peoples pros/cons of the ship, etc. Also how wonderful to be celebrating your young sons achievements in school, and that is no better way to do it then by cruising. I wanted to do this with my granddaughter earlier this year, as she was doing her junior/senior year and "working" all at the same time, but I knew in the long run, she could not take off when we cruised, as school was still going on.

[beshears]

Thanks for the "input" on the shower/picture, as I'm sure I would have NO clue either on how to use them.

[pe4all]

So sorry to hear of your experience in Rudi's.  CCL definitely is hit or miss with enforcing their dress code.  But the hostess could have definitely handled it better.  Maybe signage should be posted outside the restaurant with the dress code for that evening- good suggestion if CCL sends you a post-cruise survey.  

[wrcjr98]

I'm so sorry that the hostess at Rudi's was so RUDE!  My husband wears shorts every night.  Even elegant night.  He says he is on vacation, and he is not dressing up!  So - I'll know never to go to Rudi's!  And your poor son!   He need not apologize - he did nothing wrong!   On the picture you posted he looked great, you both did!  Don't let her ruin your trip.  I would definitely try to get her name, because when Carnival sends that survey our - she would definitely be on it - and I would tell Zoe today too!

Try to make the best of the time you have left!!  

Keep posting, your fans like us are loving it!!

[fla33023]

4 hours ago, pe4all said:

So sorry to hear of your experience in Rudi's.  CCL definitely is hit or miss with enforcing their dress code.  But the hostess could have definitely handled it better.  Maybe signage should be posted outside the restaurant with the dress code for that evening- good suggestion if CCL sends you a post-cruise survey.  

Or even better - put it in the app if it's that important.

[Vacationdreamer<><]

On 6/13/2024 at 11:53 AM, Host CMLA said:

This is the part of vacation that I start to want to be home.  I'm sure that flies in the face of all cruise lovers.  It's not that I don't love cruising and go cruising as often as I can.  It just means I miss being at home.  I miss eating meals in sweats and a t shirt and crocs.  I miss my stuff.  I miss regular toilets.  I miss my husband and my other son. 

I absolutely get this  ♥
I am sorry the hair appliances weren't working.  That would break my heart and I would have a hard time thinking about anything else.

 

[VIFP1987]

I’m so sorry to hear about your experience at Rudi’s. I’m also sorry that the hostess didn’t offer you the option to sit on their patio. Shorts are allowed on the patio on Elegant nights. My husband likes to wear shorts as opposed to dress pants. We eat at Rudi’s 2-3 nights per cruise and always request the patio. It’s very pleasant outside and usually we’re the only ones out there. Private dining with a beautiful view! I realize your desire to return there is minimal, but I would encourage you to do so, as the food is excellent. Safe travels on your trip home! I’ve enjoyed reading your review and appreciate you taking the time to write it! 

[Host CMLA]

2 hours ago, VIFP1987 said:

I’m so sorry to hear about your experience at Rudi’s. I’m also sorry that the hostess didn’t offer you the option to sit on their patio. Shorts are allowed on the patio on Elegant nights. My husband likes to wear shorts as opposed to dress pants. We eat at Rudi’s 2-3 nights per cruise and always request the patio. It’s very pleasant outside and usually we’re the only ones out there. Private dining with a beautiful view! I realize your desire to return there is minimal, but I would encourage you to do so, as the food is excellent. Safe travels on your trip home! I’ve enjoyed reading your review and appreciate you taking the time to write it! 

 

You know she may have offered the patio.  I didn't hear her say that but I wouldn't have done that.  It's hot outside.  If I'm in my swimsuit or what not, outside is great but when I'm in a dress etc, it's too hot and humid.  Sweaty.  They are good views though. 

 

I'm not sure I'd go to that restaurant.  Not because of this incident but because it's more expensive than I would want to spend on a cruise where there are so many other venues that are included that we like so much.  I have heard the food is good.  I've spent extra money for Bonzai and a few Java Cafe sweets but for the most part we eat in the included venues.  

 

We go home tomorrow and my son and I are ready.  We miss home.  😞

[Host CMLA]

14 hours ago, beshears said:

Thanks for the "input" on the shower/picture, as I'm sure I would have NO clue either on how to use them.

 

I've looked at it all week and said to myself, I bet someone every week has to wonder how to use this thing.