BeachLoverstoo

gardn198, what port was the Jolly Pirates excursion? We are doing this itinerary in May and looking for options outside of Carnival. Can you share more information about that excursion?

Breakfast/lunch: Initially we went to breakfast buffet early, but often we were full from dinner before. Later we decided to arrange for an early room service delivery of coffee, juice, fruit and bagels. We'd head to the pool area then lido for lunch. I felt the breakfast food was better on Carnival, desserts better on carnival, lunch (with the exception of Guy's) better on RC.

 

Dinner: the first night, another night later in the trip, we ate at the Italian restaurant. I had chicken parm entree both times, meatball app once, desserts were fabulous, waitstaff was friendly (although their singing is very off key). I can't remember what the others had. I know that everyone thoroughly enjoyed their meals and it is well worth the $15 charge per person. I did not dine at an Italian restaurant on Royal, so I cannot compare.

 

Main dining room: we did not have a set time. One evening we had to wait almost an hour. From then on we went down as early as possible. The first night there we were seated in Maribel's section. Maribel, Moncef and Edwin provided great service, very friendly, remembered things like how we like our steak, our wine selections, dessert choice. Each night we dined there we requested them. I felt that service was equal on both ships, but give a nod to Carnival for food quality and taste.

 

Pizza, deli: I ate at each venue once. I liked the pizza better on Carnival but the location better on RC. I did not eat at the deli in RC (not sure if there was one). The deli on Carnival only toasted one side of the sandwich, the other side was soft/soggy. It was weird. Clearly either the top or bottom of the press or toaster didn't work. Thumbs down to Carnival.

We were on the 2/318 sailing and agree about the singers in the Italian restaurant. But the food is so good and the price so reasonable, we just try not to eat during their performance!

We were also blessed with Maribel and her team. So attentive. I keep seeing comments on here about reduced staffing and no team waitstaff, but we had the same three servers each night. Loved how they took great care of us.

At the deli we found the BLTs were the best. Really enjoyed the fries. I liked the cookies there, husband didn't so i ate his!

I am glad you were able to adjust your travels for you and your son. Enjoy!

Last December on a B2B we discovered the food options on Deck 5. They have a salad station where you select what you want and the server puts it together. Then we walked around the corner to the soup and salad station and got turkey on a country roll (similar to the old deli sandwich, but not toasted.) Much nicer than the chaos of the lido. We went to the pub for drinks and ate lunch there. The same with the BBQ, the servers do the plating. It's not that we hate the lido, but this is nicer, less crowded and hubby can get his Thirsty Frog and my cider without a long wait like some of the other bars on lido..

Hubby and I enjoyed our BLT, fries and cookies from the deli on the Magic in December. The bread was toasted when we ordered, but the lettuce and tomato were added later. But we really missed our turkey on country roll, so the next day we went to the little sandwich and soup bar on deck 5 and ordered the deli sliced turkey, cheese, lettuce and tomato and watched while it was made. They had different breads including a baguette which satisfied my cravings for the old-style deli sandwich.

We had one experience on the Magic and agree the steakhouse is quite small. This was before the menu change so we had our usual favorites. We enjoyed half off on a lovely bottle of wine. We do the surf and turf and had the usual lobster, but the steaks weren't quite as good. With your review and others, I'm thinking we won't go back.

I don't think it's absurd or silly to ask. Carnival will assist with packing/unpacking if you are doing a B2B and switching cabins. You could always ask your cabin steward.

 

I know people that won't cruise unless they have butler service. On one cruise, I had the option and politely refused because I would freak out if someone was touching my stuff:D.

 

Others have offered good ideas...unpacking for a week isn't that bad.

 

Have fun.:)

Actually on our B2B, we packed the things from drawers and bathroom, the steward took the hang up clothes. In our second cabin, the clothes were hung up, but the suitcases were not unpacked. Not sure the cabin steward would have the time to do much more.

I’m not sure why paying (tipping) someone to assist in unpacking is a silly or absurd idea? People pay for services all the time, oil changes, yard work, house cleaning to name a few. I added the bit about paying for it because I didn’t expect it to come free or without a cost.

 

Thank your for the replies I appreciate it :)

It's not that the idea is silly or absurd, just not a service you'd find available even for a fee on Carnival. And that is what you asked. Do they offer it, no they do not. Some of the suggestions, packing cubes or getting the family involved with unpacking, are your best options. The cabins have adequate, but not abundant storage, so there might not be a place for everything. There are threads devoted to packing tips and I suggest you review them to help make your vacation a fun one

Beach, what night was the was was your Chef's Table? We are booked for CT on our cruise (leaving in 1 week!), and I still haven't been able to convince anyone at Carnival to tell me what night it will be held on!

 

Thanks!

It was Dec. 5, a Tuesday night. We went by the steakhouse after we boarded and asked when it would be. I don't think there's a way to determine what night it will be held before boarding. There were at least two Chef's Tables on that cruise.

I wore the required closed-toe shoes, but several women wore sandals. No one said a thing. Having the proper shoes made walking through the galley easier, but no one had any problem either way. We were on the Magic.

They have the new menu on Magic. There are new presentations for the dishes, which were quite impressive. The aracini balls were there, served on a plank-type thing. Check out the Caesar salad as well. I liked the changes. They eliminated the bruchetta and substituted better bread (IMHO). I do miss some of the entrees, but found plenty to enjoy. We didn't plan on dessert, but it was our anniversary and the chef sent out the chocolate dessert, which was interesting. On our second visit (B2B) she sent out the apple dessert, also very good..

I'd say the deli is another lunch option as the food is prepared and served directly to you. There's a good selection of hot and cold sandwiches.

Cucina on the Magic has the new menu and while I miss some dishes, the presentation was definitely improved. The arancini was as delicious as ever, but served in a delightful new way. I liked the garlic rolls over the brushetta at dinner. The highlight was the caesar salad. When the waitress put it on the table i couldn't even tell what it was, but she assured me it was my salad. I'll just leave it at that. All the ingredients are still there, you'll have to try it for yourself.

As to the lunch being free because of the basketball noise, I think it is free on all the ships that have Cucina.

Just back from B2B on Magic. The cold spell that arrived 12/9 put a damper on warm days. We did go to Nachi in Cozumel, but few entered the water as it was quite breezy and partly cloudy most of the day. I wore a shirt and shorts over my bathing suit and only took them off for a brief time when the sun decided to pop out.

This was the first time that has happened, but our entire second week was cold, wet and windy. .

Trikes Aruba - hubby smiled the rest of the week.

Nachi in Cozumel is another favorite.

Flavors of San Juan (private) just four of us on a walking/tasting tour of Old San Juan.

Two Oceans by Railroad - Panama Canal (through Carnival)

Did they have the new breakfast during sea days too? Or just port?

 

 

 

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The new breakfast menu is for port days. They have the same seaday brunch menu.

To OP, no free lobster on 5-day or less cruises. What you saw was the Steakhouse selections.

There is a corkage fee for the wine you bring on board. You did find a way to get around that, but they weren't doing anything wrong by telling you of the charge.

That's the old deli menu. I'm really going to miss the turkey on country roll.

Great information, thank you! We are heading out at the end of next month. Quick question about something you said in your notes. There are no refrigerators in the rooms. So, if I order some bottled waters to be in our room, how do I cool them? Will I be able to get a cup of ice anywhere? Can I buy a cooler onboard? We are flying in, so bringing one would be difficult unless it is softsided. Apologies for rambling, just getting down to logistics and only second cruise in 10 years. Thanks in advance for any advice!

Jeff, you are right about the singers at La Cucina. But they were so enthusiastic, the whole room joined in. I never knew the lyrics, "When the moon hits your eye, like a big pizza pie or piece of pie?" Didn't matter, that's Amore!

So you got multiple apps there?

I'm disappointed that they eliminated the 'good' Italian desserts.

Hoping we find things we like on the new menu next week.

The P/D party had the WORST appetizers ever. One was some kind of rice patty and the other was a small pastry cup filled with an unknown white sauce and a piece of shrimp. Awful.

We haven't seen much of anything at the P/D party worth eating. drinks are still plentiful, though weird to have a cooler filled with beer at the entrance, but that probably makes it easier on the bartenders.

Princess offers $50 for Veterans but on Carnival you have to be retired. Too bad.

Yes. Usually right at the start of the line, along with milk for those who just want cereal.

I

 

Is this the policy of Carnival and does it work this way at other cruise terminals in addition to Port Canaveral? It wasn't a big deal at all, but we did have to dig into our checked luggage to take it out and put in our backpacks. Just for future knowledge so that we can have everything ready instead of digging in our luggage in the drop off area at the last minute.

It's Carnival's policy. Your allowed wine must be in a carry on.

If I find something wrong in a hotel(or on board ship) I don't wait until I am off the ship or home from the hotel to complain to my friends.

I talk directly to the staff person involved and if it doesn't improve I talk to their supervisor.

If everyone did that we might get better service. I doubt that talking about it here would help anything to improve.

This. If you don't point out the problems while on board, how can things be improved? Some of our stewards have been less than visible, but none have failed to do their jobs. I'm not sure where the problem is, but the solution is in speaking up.

In the spa, before they began we told them we wouldn't be purchasing anything after our couples massage. No hard sell after our insistence to start with.

As to lines, I think you have to pick times for some things and not hit Guy's burgers for example at peak times. We went to the Italian restaurant for lunch on embarkation day with no crowds. We preferred the MDR for most breakfast/brunch to avoid lines, but also the area on deck 5 (Taste Bar) has a nice and uncrowded breakfast and lunch.

With upwards of 30 cabins, it is harder for the steward to spend time with guests and we've had some ninjas, but most want to engage with guests and hopefully yours will honor all requests with a repeated written note or phone call.

One plate of sweets is plenty, so we share the second one with a neighbor. The couple next to us was one cruise away from Platinum and were delighted to see what we got - so we gave them one plate, but we did not share our Bluetooth speakers!

No limits on laundry.