lasvegascruising

I agree with VentureMan_200.  I just returned from a five day on the Firenze and the Rocco Bar on the Lido deck was almost always busy when I was there.  The bartenders worked very hard and fast to serve everyone.  It was enjoyable to talk to others waiting their turn to order and ask them what they were trying.  I believe the bartenders take a mental note of who was before who and take orders accordingly.  The pistachio dream frozen drink was like a dessert in a glass!!  If on the Firenze, it is a must try!

Host CMLA, it is NEVER sad to plan your day around food venues!!  I use cruise critic to learn about options for drinks, food and fun.  This is what I love about cruising with Carnival.  The lunch options are amazing and require planning.  The "fun" part is planning how we are going to get from comedy to the Love & Marriage show in less than five minutes.  We are booked on the Jubilee in December and because of the pictures on cruise critic, I can't wait to be served the drink with the giant bubble.  Cheers! will be a must for us.

The chicken fingers...YUM.  I liked them better than the sandwich. The thin fries are also outstanding.  I have had the chicken at Shaq's Big Chicken on the Radiance and chicken at the Chicken Shack on the Firenze, both were GREAT!  If your son loves chicken fingers, be prepared for him to eat them morning, noon and night.  It's almost like the swirls machine, a stop for a chicken finger every time one walks by the counter.

I was on the May 16 cruise.  We arrived at the parking dome around 8:30 am.  We had the 10-10:30 am slot, were let in the dome at 9:30 am sharp, had A03 boarding group and after diamond, platinum, etc., A01-A03 were called at 11:15 am.  

Well, this has been fun reading.  Keep it coming!  I hope he laughs as much as we are!

No, we drove down the day before and stayed in Seal Beach.  We had cruised on the Radiance last Sept. and drove down the day before also.  That was the first time we drove to Long Beach for a cruise, so we decided to drive over to the port the day before just to make sure we knew the route and the parking situation.  We arrived early on embark day for that trip also and it worked out so well that we planned on doing the same for the Firenze.  One reason for arriving so early was the parking garage.  I had read here on CC that the elevators on debark day can be busy and someone had suggested to park on the lowest level to avoid the elevator.  That is what we did for both trips.  We carried our bags off and straight past all the folks waiting for the elevator.  We were on the freeway and headed home by 8 am.

Hello All.  Just returned from the May 16 sailing on the Firenze and parked in the parking garage at the port.  Arrived at the garage about 8:30am, waited around talking to other early arrivers, our arrival appt was 10am-10:30am.  We were let into the dome at 9:30am.  We had A03 and boarded about 11:15am.  Had a great trip.

THIS is the question!  I am boarding next week, May 16, and wondering what will be open for embark lunch.  La Strada? Chicken Shack? I want to try one of the lunch options that I can't find on any other Carnival ship.  Anybody out there in Cruise Critic land that can offer details?

KeepCalmBearOn, thanks for this information.  I will be on the lookout.

Anyone have news on Firenze parking?  Really would like to know where we will park on May 16.

pc_load-letter, are you sure about the parking situation for Firenze?  I have a trip set for May 16 and plan to drive from Vegas on Wednesday, stay in Seal Beach overnight and drive to the port Thursday morning.  Not excited about driving to the port, having DH drop me off at port, he drives our car to convention center and hops on the shuttle back to port.  Can we both drive to the convention center and hop on the shuttle?  I also have Southwest flights booked in case we decide to fly instead.  I am trying to figure out what would be better.  Fly down Wednesday and uber to the port OR drive down Wednesday and deal with the parking.  Thoughts??

I have read everything on your website and can't wait to hear about this trip.  Come on girl...give us the details.

ME TOO!  The people hubby and I have talked to, amazing!  I tell everyone that one of the reasons I love cruising is that every person on the ship is on vacation.  We are all there for rest, fun and enjoyment.  So much enjoyment comes from talking to others that are so different than us.  I can say that cruising from Galveston has been so interesting.  We have talked to dairy farmers, nurses, etc.  One evening, we were at dinner in the MDR and were seated with another couple about our age.  This was anytime dining.  The couple were prepared to pray before dining and asked us if it was okay.  We said "of course" and joined them.  I will never forget that dinner and the conversation we had.  We learned so much about their lives and shared with them ours. JGB, I hope others share some of their stories.  Yours was so nice to read.

For husband and me, Carnival is the FUN ship.  We have also sailed Royal & Norwegian, great cruises but Carnival keeps us entertained from morning to midnight.  The lunch offerings on Carnival are all yum and numerous.  We find ourselves running in the evening from one form of entertainment to the next.  No reservations required and that is the best part for us.

Thank you in advance.  Have a wonderful time.

YES....I have a cruise booked for May 16.  Hopefully, you will post before that date so I can see what is offered!  Do you think you can post a few pictures also?

NOW HEAR THIS...we are due to turn platinum December 2024 which happens to be our 40th anniversary cruise.  If this gets screwed up, we are going to SCREAM.  We were due to turn platinum December 2023 for our 39th anniversary cruise but the Panorama was cancelled.  Please wait until 2025 to make any changes so we can at least have one cruise with priority boarding.

NOPE, you will not hate it!  You will have so much fun.

Pure madness!!  Don't read the nonsense, have him sleep on your couch and tell him some stuff about his parents.  This is what dreams are made of.  You are so lucky to be a grandparent. 

The one and only time I was there on a Carnival cruise and took an excursion, the tour guide told my husband and myself that the Haitians are always trying to get into the DR.

Hubby and I were on Radiance in Sept 2023.  Four-night cruise.  We walked on the ship day one and never walked off till disembark.  For us it was heaven.  Catalina day was really nice.  From our balcony, I watched dolphins in the water.  Watched birds diving into the water for food.  Hanging around the ship watched folks parasailing over our heads. Truly a great day.  Ensenada, can't remember but didn't get off the ship.  I think I will plan another trip but will make sure it is not during cold weather.  For us, it would suck to take a cruise and need long pants/coat.

I will yell from the mountain top that I'm so excited about my cruise, May 16, on the Firenze.  My Panorama cruise in Dec. 2023 was cancelled due to issues but I had the Firenze booked so I used the funds Carnival gave me to pay for some of the Firenze trip.  I'm ready to cruise! I have not heard one bad thing OR care about the cruise director/staff.  Every cruise I have ever been on has been great.  Yes, some better than others but all of them, GREAT!

Oakman58, great job on this review!  I have enjoyed reading about your trip and it sure sounds like you and your wife are having a great, relaxing cruise. 

Your Kiddo with his "ship on a stick", just so darn cute!!  I vote for you to take him on another Carnival cruise. 

Is this what is called FAKE NEWS?