mikayla73

The cream cheese danish in the MDR is way different than any of them on the Lido. When I ordered it, I thought I was getting one like the vanilla custard one from the Lido and nope! I've also seen a pic of the apple danish from the MDR, it looks the same as cream cheese one. I liked them so much, I went back another day just to order the danish for a mid-morning snack. There's no pastry basket, but they are listed on the menu to order - at least for sea day brunch they are.

I'll tell DH about this. He was very disappointed in the lobster roll on our cruise in Jan, too much mayo/filler and not enough lobster. And the rolls weren't filled like they had been on previous cruises. Maybe this way he'll taste lobster with butter instead of a mayo on a roll.

We did AK on the Spirit in an OV. We spent hardly anytime in the room and spent most of our scenic cruising days on deck 3. There was hardly anyone down there and it's closer to the water. At that time, there were chairs on the deck so you could sit and watch the scenery go by too. We didn't have the 360 degree view, but it was easy to move from one side to the other when we wanted to.

Thanks for the quick answer!

We're planning a cruise later this year with our son. It will be his first cruise, we are plat with CCL. Since he's a toddler, he's obviously going to board with us, but does the usual hold true that we'd have to skip the priority boarding and just do the regular? I know that's the case with adults of different statuses and I understand that. Not sure if it was different because he's a toddler. Or does it depend on the port and whoever's looking at docs that embarkation morning? If they'll go by his blue card, maybe a later embarkation time is better to try to avoid some lines that can form for earlier times.

In that case, I'd just tell them when you're done with your main that you don't want dessert. I've also changed my mind and wanted something else after ordering dessert and it wasn't an issue. They may still accommodate your request to order dessert later if you ask.

They've been taking dessert orders at the same time as everything else on the last few cruises we've been on. I'm fine with it. It keeps dinner rolling and there's no delay in waiting for dessert when your done with your main. I'm sure it makes it easier for the waitstaff too, especially if someone wants something extra like PB with WCMC. They can grab it when it's convenient and have it ready when it's time for dessert.

On one of our recent cruises on the Spirit we had early seating and were 5-10 min late the first night. We were there, but stuck in the line that always forms on the first night as they walk everyone to their tables. We had one other couple at our table. Our waitstaff had already taken their order and their apps showed up a few min after we sat down. The staff was great and kept track of everything, we were just a course behind them. It happened to the other couple one other night, they were a little bit late (<15min) and the same thing happened, so I don't think it was just a first night occurrence. So maybe it depends on your waitstaff if they wait or not for someone that's late.

See Saint Greg's post above.

We came from the other side, so just joined the line. Which I read they may turn you away if you try to get in line too early, before 9:30a or 10a maybe? Then yes sitting to wait for the people to unload their luggage when all I wanted to do was park. All that for sure could be made better.

By more, I mean year round, not more ships. We've sailed out of there once so far, and the way they have the people dropping off people, people dropping off luggage, and people trying to park at the port going through the same spot is a huge bottle neck. Once you get past the merge of the drop off area it was normal. We also had no issues getting out, though we were off the ship quickly. The spot where everything converges to get in to park could be better for sure.

I thought I read Mobile is looking to do more not less? Though of course that doesn't mean CCL (or another line) would do it. Or I could be completely wrong too.

I would love a Dream/Vista class in New Orleans. Conquest class is OK, but if I'm going to a limited # of ports in the mostly Western Caribbean, I'd prefer Dream/Vista to do that on from New Orleans.

As most mentioned by others, it depends on how much more bells and whistles matter to you. For me, I'd choose the Magic. It's the one Dream class ship I haven't been on and so far the Dream class has been my favorite. It's big enough, but not too big. Though to be fair, I haven't been on an Excel class ship yet. But if I were booking an Excel ship, it would be because I cared less about the ports and more about checking out the ship, at least for the first time sailing it.

Thanks all!