afrayedknot

Interesting.

 

There are people here who posts their next 6 cruises here and wonder why it is necessary.

I post future cruises because some people will say "I see you are sailing on ___ , let me know how ____ went."

I also love to see what cruises are ahead.

When I read of others heading to their cruises or their amazing experiences or threads about food, it easier to deal with, knowing I'll be cruising again soon.

(Have always been a spur of the moment booker.)

I think, with the number of cruises I've been on that my signature is on the compact side.

Pam

Roast goat is yummy.

Tastes like dirty socks, to me.

Except in a taco.

Pam

You do understand that was a joke, right? :confused:

Of, course I did!

that is the tumbler we got two cruises ago. Last time was Carnival cap which was fine and very usable.

Got the cap 2 weeks ago on the Inspiration. Good quality. Never thought to ask for an exchange.. gave it to a man at my dining table for his son back home.

We'll see what happens in 2 weeks, on the Miracle and then Inspiration again...

Pam

Dont understand people running around telling everyone how many times they have cruised.

 

We have done a bunch and see no reason to put it out there under my signature.

I may put recent or upcoming cruises on my signature but took off the long last of past cruises- just too much TMI for me.

However, I DO list the number of cruises so that when I ask a question, all those sweet helpful CCrs won't waste their time treating me like a newbie, or explain what a Carnival cruise is to me (#20 coming up.)

I am so grateful for all the more experienced CCrs helping me out over the years and want others to benefit, as well...

Pam

aside from the laundry, perhaps the black jack not much more , but than again I don't use any of that or what was reduced so it had zero affect for me or family.

we always over pack , and never used laundry , I love black jack but probably play most between 1am to closing

I think its silly for people to be enraged to the point as some here about change in perk program. as far as someone who thinks its some what privileged or special to have a plat card.. I guess they don't get out much.

I' m now a new member of AARP, been a loyal member of Sams club. perhaps I should flash those around?

Seriously though I cant really think anyone would be that upset . I think its a weak attempt by them in posting negatives that's somehow carnival will take notice and change ..that would have perhaps worked some time ago but with big data, analytics companies can now see where it needs to put attentions too

BIG difference between my Costco card (I DO get around:))

and my Carnival Platinum card, which I showed to an employee to take advantage of a supposed new perk- getting into my stateroom once onboard.

This thread is about changes to the Plat/Diamond perks.

I am happy to be able to respond to other posters, here on cruise critic and

have no expectations that Carnival will change their policy.

I'm sure you "flash" your AARP discount card when you want a discount you are entitled to. And that you "flash" your Sam's club card when you want to enter that store. Same thing. Silly, really.

....and someone who is "gifted with or learned manners, grace and humility" would not do something like "burst out laughing," at anyone, they would think what they wished to think silently....and move on.

Well said.

just got an email from from top sources high up and lobster is being replaced with crawfish and the prime rib is now going to be goat roast :D

Nix on the goat roast.:mad:

Thank you for your helpful responses-

I'm in Arizona so no daylight savings time..

Pam

Maybe they should do it in a way to try to make everyone happy.

1 dining room is less formal with ATD on 1 level and 2 assigned seatings on other level.

2nd dining room more formal with the same 2 level divisions.

Heck, that would be a real hot mess for them I think....teehee.

 

Whatever the changes may be, whenever they come....I guarantee they will be cost cutting measures and there will be massive complaint threads.

 

I like the tableclothes. It insures (mostly) a clean table surface.

Wiping down the tabletops depend on the thoroughness of the wiper and you can't usually see for sure if it's really clean.

I do not want to sit where a bunch of glazed donut kids (or adults--ewww) sat and left their cold germs, etc...... Uck.

I like the linen tablecloths, as well.

Especially, because as you pointed out- of the germ factor.:eek:

Pam

Good tips!

I did search this forum but couldn't find it-:confused:

the time difference between Long Beach and Puerto Vallarta?

Been awhile since I sailed there and have forgotten.

Seems the ship's clock was different than on land?

Thought we changed time more than once...

I will be sailing 12/1/13.

Thanks,

Pam

Thanks for the info:)

Pam

We will be going on our first night also. Love the free bottle of wine that comes with it that night. I should tell you that we are also going to the Chef's table on the same cruise. It is a little pricy but, it is our vacation and we want to make the best of it.....

RE: the free bottle of wine-

I will be getting the Cheers program, so my drinks will be paid for.

Wonder if they'd allow me to take the FW back to my room?

Probably not, I'm guessing..

Pam

Love the Cruisetips!

Thank you for the review.

Appreciate all the info..

Pam

Thanks for the great review!!

I sail on Miracle in 2 weeks.

Will reread your post many times..

Pam

I found the steakhouse upscale over the MDR but the service was a little strange. We went first night at 6:30 and there were about 6 tables occupied, there were about 5 servers. When they weren't actively serving they stood in a line near the bar area and stared at the patrons, a little creepy. The portion sizes were mostly huge but I ordered the mashed potato side and got about 2 tablespoons of potato, steaks you get to see ahead of time so you know how big they are. Cheesecake was sized for 4 but didn't have the traditional consistency more like the made with jello kind. Liked the free wine but felt the staff was doing on the job training.

It's called fine dining...

and it my treat and possibly fit dining room in too.I think carnival does a nice job in dining room.Sorry if this was a repeat question i guess im very excited about cruise and still have over 100 days. I will try to not daydream for at least a week

Not daydream about your cruise for a week???

Let me know how this works for you...:confused:

I could NEVER do that!!!

Enjoy your cruise..

Pam

From the first cruise, I knew this was something I wanted to do again and again and I would never tire from being on a cruise ship. I love having coffee on my balcony and enjoying the breeze of early morning, the sun shining on the ocean and the quiet of the ship. The evenings are also magical with the stars twinkling while we talk and enjoy a glass of wine before dinner. I enjoy the day on the ship or being in a port but my favorite time is just relaxing and being on the ship and the sea. I am thankful, we will be able to do all this again in two weeks on a B2B cruise on the Conquest. What a wonderful time we will have. ;)

My sentiments, exactly!!

When I was young my Grandmother drove me to the bluff above Ocean Avenue in Long Beach.

We sat and waited and watched in the fog.

Then we saw the Queen Mary approaching.

Seemed it took forever for her to dock.

Grandma told me I'd remember this all my life.

What really sticks out in my mind was her buying coffee and donuts for us.

She was a Scot and never splurged on such store bought things.

I worked in a Herald shop on the Queen Mary when I was 19 and have never lost my love nor fascination with her, nor for cruising...

Am so thankful for the gift she gave to me- of a love of ships and cruising.

Not sure the Scot in her would have approved of all the $$ I've spent, tho..

Pam

The only time I want to be just with hubby on a cruise is at breakfast, he puts up with me when even I cant put up with me. I am much better after being fed.:) I learn so much about cruising when i sit with others. I learn about different places, what other people think-I learn about foods I wouldn't normally try. I'm not perfect, it's nice to know that others might be a bit better. If they are worse, then I can talk about them later.:p

Love your post!!

I do the card-ordered room service for breakfast.

Am not myself until I've had my coffee and quiet time-

like to prolong the delicious sleep I get onboard...

Relish my time in my cabin..

Am not ready to face the day, itinerary, much less fellow passengers!!

(Although I may plan to wake up really early.)

Later, I love hearing about other's cruising experiences

(especially novice and long timers,) shore trip plans, and meeting different people, although we all share something in common (an obsession with cruising.)

In response to your comment about talking about other cruiser's behavior later:

On my last cruise I did meet an "individual" at open seating lunch, whose speech and behavior belied all comprehension, including one of my MDR table mates and 3 couples (who were horrified) and to a lessor extent, me.

My most unbelievable social experience in a looong time.

My MDR tablemate and I had a lot of head-scratching and laughs about it, and regaled another one of our MDR tablemates, shortly thereafter.

Still cannot fathom what that cruiser was thinking...

Luckily, haven't had such an experience before and doubt I will (anywhere) after...

Pam

I always look forward to traditional MDR Late Seating, a large table (hopefully) and tablemates

Me, too!!

Pam

I have thought about doing the Chef's Table but at 150 for the two off us it is too pricy for this trip.

Can totally understand.

Also if you want an intimate experience for 2, like in the steak house, it might not fit your bill...

Am booked on the Inspiration again next month (and maybe will do a B2B.)

Pam

We are going on the Inspiration in February. We have been on a cruise before (RCCL Mariner) I had an account on here when we were building up to that one but I couldn't remember the log in info so I am on a new account. I remember getting lots of tips on here before that trip. What the best things on the room service menu were and the best activities stuff like that.

 

So what should we not miss on Inspiration? What venues have a surcharge? For some reason I keep getting confused as to which venues and services are on which ships. Any help would be appreciated.

I booked the Chef's Table in October- $75 but such a great experience, for me.

If you have done the Chef's Table or read about it from other posters, please skip my comments.

I signed up for it in the atrium, when I boarded.

I was asked if I had food allergies, dislikes, what hand I used to eat with, right or left...

At my table in the MDR, the Chef

(large and imposing, with his tall chef's toque)

came by and greeted, chatted with me, asked again if I had food dislikes, allergies.

(My dining companions were impressed.)

On the night, met up in the Atrium, was greeted by Chef and attended by our special servers.

Given champagne, introduced to the rest of the table, we chatted then were escorted through the ship, (really felt like VIPS) shown the library where we would eat, then to the kitchen for hor deurves and more champagne as we listened to the Chef talk about his role as overseer of all the fantasy class ships cuisine.

Then we saw a cook making melting chocolate cake from scratch. More tour through the kitchen and back to the Library where we were seated at a long wooden table with candelabras.

Had our choice of chardonnay and cabernet (merlot?) and sparkling water, etc.

Exquisite garlic brioche, I am sure someone else has written about all the unbelievable dishes to come.

Chef stood at the head of the table, told us about the dishes, what was in them, why they were created, entertained us- he was so interesting and forthcoming about his background and experiences which were many.

Never TMI or boring, in the least.

We also had a bit of entertainment while Chef was away.

The food was incredible. Service excellent.

I really love my food and wine and good service and was blown away by it all.

A picture of all of us was taken and given to us as we left- a wonderful memory...

Just an option, like the steakhouse...

but so personal and informative and enjoyable and, did I say the food was outstanding?

Pam