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CCL-Inspration 3 night Ladies Weekend Cruise out of Long Beach - April 27, 2012


foxesden1

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Sorry I took so long to get around to doing a TR on this one.. I have uploaded all documents that we were given - CCL really should look into some paperless options.. they would save BILLIONS of dollars I am sure..

 

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Getting Ready to go!

 

This was to be my 2nd CCL, a 3 night Baja out of Long Beach. It was a ladies cruise, so we were really looking forward to some time to our selves.

 

We have anywhere from four to five women that we travel with at different times - one of whom lives in the UK.. and the other is a Danish National who was sans passport.. so it ended up being three people. This was our first year NOT doing Vegas.. and I am pretty sure we will not be doing a Carnival Cruise ladies trip again.. at least not everyone.. but more on that later.

 

We booked a early saver rate and ended up getting about $220 in on board credit, plus I had $50 on board credit from a Future Carnival Vacation I bought on my prior cruise in January.

 

Regardless of promotions, I divide the money up equally between the three women. So everyone had a fair amount of on board credit for a three nighter. Everyone bought a bottle of wine, so we were ready to go!

 

(Now I will add at this point.. a few years ago we started taking photos with us of our friends who were not able to join us.. and we try to make up funny stories of them doing crazy things.. so my review will be more of a story based on the photos which have L and C doing crazy things.. very much NOT my typical review.. )

 

As you can sell L and S were ready to go when I woke up.. I think they in fact slept in my car..

 

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We live in So Cal, so its about a two hour drive (on a good day.. ) up to Long Beach.. so we got a early start.. wanted to arrive at the Queen Mary for 9:30 (in hind site, so not worth it we were all in bed by 9!)

 

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Now L being from the UK.. had to stop to make a phone call home.. you can see her sister C (in the sun glasses) is more then happy to allow L a piece of home.. outside of the Queen Mary..

 

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C and A were happy to stop and pose for a photo with the ladies..

 

We were given Zone 1 boarding and started to wait outside..

 

Their were quite a few groups ahead of us, but we made it on board with drinks by 11:30 at the latest. (I think.. )

 

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As you can tell from L and S faces.. they are THRILLED to be going on their first cruise..

 

So much so, they offered to hold our seats while we went to the buffet for lunch..

 

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Now at this point I have to interject how different this cruise was right from the start.. the last (and first) CCL trip we did was a Monday to Friday family trip in January. We had a blast, meet some great people and were looking forward to our next trip.. HAD we have done a weekend cruise, I would guess we would never step foot on a CCL trip as a family.

 

Now kids can get crazy - but really? The adults were just totally out of control. I am all for a good time - letting down your hair, and enjoying your self. But showing up in the dining room in a bath robe, drinking to such excesses you can't walk - let alone make it to the dinning room - for a six pm dinner rsvn? And then IF and when you arrive you vomit all over the carpet. :eek: (please keep in mind this is at SIX PM!) I shudder to think what was happening at 2 and 3!

 

I get the concept of a Brooze cruise.. but this was out of hand. All I kept thinking was what would happen if for some reason we had to evacuate the ship? A fair amount of the guests would not be able to do it on their own - let alone in quickly and safely. Thus, putting others at risk...

 

We were sat at a table for 8. (All women) The first night, everyone came - but half way though the meal two ladies departed. The 2nd night, it was just three people. The others were too drunk from a day in port to make it to dinner. (I know this because they told us the next night.. they went back to the cabin and slept all night.. !) We never saw the other two women again.. but two other women joined us half way through the meal as there table mates had just been sick every where.. There were also on a ladies weekend, and they were in shock. (They were both platinum - pre transfer to new program).

 

I don't know if it was because it was in April (spring break)- or because of the least six hen parties, and 3 stags.. (cute costumes btw.. ).. that I saw for first seating..

 

Just so everyone does not think I am the biggest PRUDE that ever walked..

 

To give yet another example of how CRAZY it was.. the M'd in the middle of dinner service made a announcement and told everyone to calm down, and made sure that he expressed his dislike of the bathrobe guests.. and that if they turned up on formal night like that - they would not be allowed in. He then gave examples of correct dress for the dining room.

 

It was at that point we lost A on the cruise.. it was very clear that she was never going to step foot on a CCL again - least of all with her children. :( I tried to explain to her that this was not the same as a weekly cruise - and it was not what we had experienced our on family trip just a few months prior.. (same ship, same staff.. ).

 

But it was no use. If she could have swam ashore as we passed our city, I think she might have done it.. LOL :eek:

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Now back to our trip.. :D I lost my camera charger, so this trip I had to use my iPhone as a camera.

 

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The drink pushing by the pool the first day was CRAZY.. I mean, CRAZY.. we had at least three different waiters every 8min trying to see if we wanted drinks. (No wonder dinner was crazy.. LOL) We ended up buying three drinks each (they were VERY pushy) - the last one we did not drink... it was just to keep the wait staff at bay! :D

 

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S and L wanted to go for a swim.. but they forgot to bring their bathing suits.. so they just sat on the edge of the pool.. and dipped their toes in..

 

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Buffet lunch.. first day.

 

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(The line was always to big.. I have YET to get something from the Deli!)

 

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(I was able to get ONE pizza to share, between the five of us.. (good think L and S are light eaters.. LOL after a 30min wait.. on our port day.. they lunch buffet really needs extended hours) :D

 

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Another huge line all weekend, 2nd cruise and I have YET to eat here! Maybe next cruise I should make a beeline to it?

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Sooo good...

 

and who knew??? I had no idea they had Roasted Chicken at the Lido! I was to full, but my cruise next spring.. I am totally going to try it!

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Now for me, the best part of lunch the first day has always been the lido deck nachos. So so so good!

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Our cabins were open! The first time we sailed, we had a inside cabin for the three of us.. and it was S M A L L. ) I had wanted to try one). No seating area, a trundle bed for my daughter.. so this time.. with three grown women we went for a Ocean View. Much more space, better layout.. and the daylight was welcomed.

 

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C got the window bed..

 

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A late afternoon snack for C

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L was happy to see a on board casino..

 

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Dinner one is my personal favorite on CCL.. YUMMY!

 

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The girls thought I was nuts to order four apps for dinner.. but oh so good! (you can get the pasta as a half portion)

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well, like I posted before, it was a VERY early day for us, so we all went to bed after dinner.. or as close to it as we could!

 

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I just want to point out, that I never PERSONALLY had a chocolate on this sailing at all.. I now see, they were placed on C bed.. thus NO ONE would have gotten one!

 

When we wake up we are in Mexico!

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I was wondering how your cruise went. Sorry your friend is having a hard time with it. Hope it gets better. Food is looking good. Must of been crazy to hear the M'D announce that in MDR. Cant wait for more. How are you?

 

I had a good time.. But I felt really bad because I planned the trip, and thus, when not everyone had a good time.. I started to feel guilty. :rolleyes: and thats why I waited to write my review. And next two sailings we are going with friends, and I made it very clear the best and worse of what it might be like. :rolleyes: I would rather they were pleasently surprised then disapointed.. KWIM?

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Love your review.

 

I try to go to the Mongolian station as soon as I board. There is hardly anyone there before 1:30. The line stays long the rest of the cruise.

 

A few years ago, I went on a 4 day cruise on the Paradise (out of LB) during the 1st week of February. There were more drunk people on that cruise than any 3 day cruise I have ever been on. You just never know which cruise will be a "booze cruise".

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I had a good time.. But I felt really bad because I planned the trip, and thus, when not everyone had a good time.. I started to feel guilty. :rolleyes: and thats why I waited to write my review. And next two sailings we are going with friends, and I made it very clear the best and worse of what it might be like. :rolleyes: I would rather they were pleasently surprised then disapointed.. KWIM?

 

A lot of people I know don't like cruising, ( never been ) or say its boring. I usually don't invite people. I don't want to be responsible if they don't like it. If people want to go I say well you book yourself, I give all details. So far that has never happened. So I KWYM...

 

Enjoying your review...

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We are sailing in 3 weeks. Luckily, I know what will happen. Ours is a 4 dayer, and our previous ones were 5 dayers.

We did go on 1 3 dayer, and it was nowhere near the experience of a longer cruise. There were 6 bachelor and bachelorette parties on board. Unfortunately for us, our anniversary cruise happened to be this one.

We rarely saw children, and those we saw were so well behaved. It was the 20 and 30 year olds who were obnoxious.

However, we had an idea of what to expect, we were in a 'suite' up on verandah deck--away from the noise and crowds,--so it didn't really bother us too much.

But, food was good, crew was great, we avoided the pool, and had a pretty good time.

Your review is very entertaining. Thanx.:)

Pat

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Getting ready for dinner..

 

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and then just when you thought it could really not get any worse on the ship.. we hit the MDR for Breakfast..

 

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Now I understand that the staff is very busy - and that they work hard. so i 100% put the blame on CCL shoulders.. this was the view we had while we ate breakfast..

 

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it was not just ONE table, it was EVERY table around us. and for a good hour - I finally asked for them to remove the left over smoked salmon (which I love.. but not so much from someones else plate..) I thought when I did that, they would take the hint and remove.. oh maybe the dishes to the table right beside us and of course they did not.. ) and we all know how far apart those tables are.. :eek: Needless to say, my friend is getting less and less impressed with CCL..

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MDR Breakfast

 

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I am sorry but to me, the eggs and red bacon (i am guessing turkey?) look like something I would have been served at overnight camp..

 

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I recalled the burnt eggs benny from my last CCL so I ordered sauce on the side.. much better!

 

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And mine with the smoked salmon.. the eggs were hard, but it was still much better then the one I had the last cruise!

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So we are getting ready to walk into town.. and I saw these for sale.. I must have missed it in Jan, because I don't recall every seeing them before..

 

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We arrived!

 

Now off to shop!

 

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of course at this point in the cruise, L and S have worked out, you might as well join in with the drunks..

 

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so they started early..

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L wanted to buy a new dress..

 

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and S wanted to go to the Spa..

 

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So we meet in the middle and went out for tea.. and it was fab. Truly the best pastry I have had outside of France.. its on the right hand side and has a white and blue outdoor patio cover - dining room on the inside (loved the retro look - might go back for lunch one day.. !)

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MDR Breakfast

 

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304636_10152054386360065_998232560_n.jpg

 

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I am sorry but to me, the eggs and red bacon (i am guessing turkey?) look like something I would have been served at overnight camp..

 

533099_10152054386590065_2028427658_n.jpg

 

I recalled the burnt eggs benny from my last CCL so I ordered sauce on the side.. much better!

 

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And mine with the smoked salmon.. the eggs were hard, but it was still much better then the one I had the last cruise!

WOW! We went in the MDR in Jan and never saw it like that. What is up with the grapefruit? You showed a dessert, was that on the ship?

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Now at this point I have to interject how different this cruise was right from the start.. the last (and first) CCL trip we did was a Monday to Friday family trip in January. We had a blast, meet some great people and were looking forward to our next trip.. HAD we have done a weekend cruise, I would guess we would never step foot on a CCL trip as a family.

 

Now kids can get crazy - but really? The adults were just totally out of control. I am all for a good time - letting down your hair, and enjoying your self. But showing up in the dining room in a bath robe, drinking to such excesses you can't walk - let alone make it to the dinning room - for a six pm dinner rsvn? And then IF and when you arrive you vomit all over the carpet. :eek: (please keep in mind this is at SIX PM!) I shudder to think what was happening at 2 and 3!

 

I get the concept of a Brooze cruise.. but this was out of hand. All I kept thinking was what would happen if for some reason we had to evacuate the ship? A fair amount of the guests would not be able to do it on their own - let alone in quickly and safely. Thus, putting others at risk...

 

We were sat at a table for 8. (All women) The first night, everyone came - but half way though the meal two ladies departed. The 2nd night, it was just three people. The others were too drunk from a day in port to make it to dinner. (I know this because they told us the next night.. they went back to the cabin and slept all night.. !) We never saw the other two women again.. but two other women joined us half way through the meal as there table mates had just been sick every where.. There were also on a ladies weekend, and they were in shock. (They were both platinum - pre transfer to new program).

 

I don't know if it was because it was in April (spring break)- or because of the least six hen parties, and 3 stags.. (cute costumes btw.. ).. that I saw for first seating..

 

Just so everyone does not think I am the biggest PRUDE that ever walked..

 

To give yet another example of how CRAZY it was.. the M'd in the middle of dinner service made a announcement and told everyone to calm down, and made sure that he expressed his dislike of the bathrobe guests.. and that if they turned up on formal night like that - they would not be allowed in. He then gave examples of correct dress for the dining room.

 

It was at that point we lost A on the cruise.. it was very clear that she was never going to step foot on a CCL again - least of all with her children. :( I tried to explain to her that this was not the same as a weekly cruise - and it was not what we had experienced our on family trip just a few months prior.. (same ship, same staff.. ).

 

But it was no use. If she could have swam ashore as we passed our city, I think she might have done it.. LOL :eek:

 

Wow! I know shorter cruises are different from longer cruises (3 of my 13 Carnival cruises were 4-days), but I have never seen that amount of drinking/drunks or people coming to the MDR in robes (have seen robes in the buffet, though). I've never done a 3 day, though--perhaps even that one less day makes a difference.:eek:

 

Enjoying the review! Thanks.

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