mz-s

Carnival knows the casino is a money printer for them that they can throttle as needed. Right now they're able to throttle it back. It won't be long and they'll need to throttle it back up. This summer was a cruising summer - very busy for all lines. Time will tell if that is their new normal or if the revenge travel hump is over for the cruise industry, as it appears to be for places like Disney World.

I haven't heard a peep since the initial announcement.

tell her to bring on her own diet cokes

It is going to be massive for sure, to be able to accommodate 12,000 guests plus crew.

Extremely doubtful at this point, they switched before the COVID shutdown. I think it's likely just a website glitch.

The social package is fine for WhatsApp. In some cases you are able to iMessage without buying a plan at all, but your mileage may vary. Carnival's website does a good job explaining what each package is good for - did you read it? Reliable satellite internet is an oxymoron.

The new port doesn't open until 2025 I believe.

I'm glad this is actually happening. I was worried that it was going to be a casualty of the COVID shutdown like the pier at Half Moon Cay.

Price is the same.

Bottomless Bubbles is served by the glass, not by the can. I have heard that there are fountains on the Excel class ships like Mardi Gras but no first hand experience. In general, you'll get 8 ounces of warm canned soda poured over ice. Meaning it'll be watered down and fairly flat.

I do, and my kidneys thank me.

It's a similar walk to walking the length of the Celebration. Maybe a bit longer. Not too bad. There is a lot of traffic on turnaround days - you may need to cross the street a few times - keep your head on a swivel.

I too hate it when I am not personally consulted as to my preferences before the chef of my cruise designs the menu.

Sugar free dessert is offered every night in the MDR, it's called the cheese plate. My wife orders it nearly every night.

The only comp that Carnival actually publicly confirms is 1500 points to earn drinks on us during a typical 4-5 night cruise. Anything beyond that is pure speculation because Carnival does not have a published schedule for comps. Unlike some other cruise lines and certainly land based casinos that have thresholds etc. Carnival keeps all that close to their chest.

Yes absolutely make friends with the casino hosts during the first night, talk to them frequently, ask for comps, say hi throughout the cruise, mention you'll make mention of them on the post-cruise survey, etc - it makes a difference! I'm not saying that a smile will earn you a free balcony cruise offer - but just might get you a free bottle of wine that night at dinner or something. More than you'd have otherwise! The casino and Carnival gets plenty of my money I'll take what I can get back, thank you very much.

Do not gamble to get comps. Gamble for entertainment and any comps you get are gravy. The only formula that Carnival publishes I'm aware of is you need 1500 points for Drinks on Us for the average 4-5 night cruise. There is no published schedule for any other comps that I am aware of. So - like I said - gamble for entertainment, if you get comps then great.

If only they could serve you a rum and coke and not that Pepsi crap.

On cruise #2 for me way back in 2014, I carried on a nice Tervis cup and something similar has been in my bag every cruise since.

Self serve beer dispenser is near the pizza place on Lido. As of this time last year they were not operating. Not sure if they’re working now. the last time I used one, I got a foamy, skunky, and somewhat tepid beer for basically the same price as one served at a bar. And yes you pay gratuity on the pour your own. This was years ago granted - goes without saying I have no plans to ever use one again.

So swipe in at the door, similar to the process for e-Muster? Sounds fine to me.

Best to just ignore them when in public. Nothing good comes from engaging with them.

They could easily start by requiring cruisers bring the invitation with them again if that proves to be a problem.

You must not spend much time on the pool decks.

Oh so you paid for the bucket of beer even though you had Cheers. Yes that has always been allowed. And I wasn't aware that you don't get the bucket discount via room service. That's a drag.