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Tank's Mom

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    Thoughts on Carnival Liberty

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    I sailed back in December solo cruise I really enjoyed i had FTTF i had no early access to my stateroom because the doors were closed but my luggage was there by the time i went downstairs, my room steward was very friendly and kept the room clean with a different towel animal each time , at the MDR i got seated quick i guess since i was alone i got seated with another group of people all friendly took pictures and took shots lol, the ship was very cleaned although it needs some work the staff is very friendly

     

     

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    I had the opposite. I could get into my room with FTTF but others on my floor with no priority tags got their luggage first.

     

     

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    Thoughts on Carnival Liberty

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    I was just on the Liberty. Ship wise, I live the Conquest line.

     

    Donkey was on vacation so we had Tevin. I enjoyed his energy.

     

    Had a few service issues, but not too bad. Surprisingly at Alchemy. It wasn’t crowded and the bartender kept serving people who came after me even though she kept saying I was next. With the amount of time it takes to make those drinks I waited a full 30 minutes before I left because she went to take care of a table of 4-5 people who came 20 minutes after me.

     

    It was spring break so lots of drinkers but a group came into the MDR with costumes on fornfoemal night. No shirts, tutus (grown men mind you), tights, etc. They were spoken to twice by security for hitting a woman with a cork when they opened champagne, yelling, running around the dining room, etc. I’m sure this was an isolated incident and not the fault of the ship at all.

     

    Service that night was 2.5 hours and we never got a dessert menu. After the main course they left us with out dirty main course plates in front of us for an hour so we left. Same after appetizers just less time. The other nights service was good though. Our waiter just seemed to disappear. Tables around us came after we did and left 45 minutes before us, and had dessert. My first issue ever with MDR service in 6 carnival cruises.

     

    Our room steward never brought out past guest free water, and only made one towel animal. Not a deal breaker, but not the norm either.

     

    I’d sail her again since they were minor issues.

     

    All else (which is the majority) was great!

     

     

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    Get a hotel, or drive over morning of?

    in Florida Departures

    Posted

    I’m in Tampa. I’ve done both options depending on work schedules, etc. A few weeks ago we stayed at the Radisson. The shuttle service was great. We had a 10:30 time and were on the shuttle at 10:20. When we got back there was a shuttle waiting to bring f us back. Well worth it to avoid I-4 hassles. I do think you’ll be perfectly safe time wise driving the day of, we’ve gone to Fort Lauderdale the day of and had plenty on time. Starting the day relaxing made the hotel so worth it though.

     

     

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    Thanksgiving vs Spring Break

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    I just took a cruise over spring break and it was a mix of college spring break, and families on spring break.

     

    I’ve never done Thanksgiving but have heard it’s more families.

     

    If I were able to I’d choose Thanksgiving, but it depends on the vibe you want.

     

     

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    Where are all the Carnival Liberty reviews lately?

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    Here was what I wrote:

     

    Took a quick cruise to see if my step son would like it. Since I’m a teacher I’m limited to school vacations so spring break it was! Lots of kids and college aged kids there, but honestly they were fine. We didn’t witness one rude kid, and only had one group of college kids who were obnoxious (more on that later).

     

    We stayed at the Radisson at the Port the night before. It was a bit chilly so the pool was pretty empty but we made the best of it. It’s only a 2 hour drive for us but I didn’t want to deal with I-4 traffic the morning of the cruise. Hotel was good, we paid $11 extra for a suite and it was worth it. SS (12 years old, going on 18) wanted privacy so he could text his girlfriend so DH and I watched a movie in the living room. Ate at Grills and it was great! They had heaters outside so we were able to enjoy the deck. Food and service were very good. I’m also a server/bartender so I notice service issues. I’m not overly critical since I know what can cause bad service, but I also know when it is the servers fault. It was super busy so management took our order. I wish my manager was like that

     

    We had FTTF so we reserved the 10:30 shuttle. We were loaded at 10:15. Got to the port at 11 (shuttle waited for a few more people). Breezed through and boarded at 11:30. Only FTTF complaint was that people without priority on out floor got their luggage before us. I know it happens, but thought that we should have been before non priority. Went to guest services and had a limit put on SS account, and that alone made FTTF worth it. First day was chilly. Had some burgers, a few drinks and relaxed. SS went to circle C because we are apparently not cool anymore.

     

    We didn’t get cheers this time because we had to be responsible, not cool, adults. I brought 2 bottles of wine and DH ordered beers when he wanted them. We loved Cheers last year but this was a better choice this time. Our bill was pretty low since we had OBC. We did feel like our cruise had a different vibe since we sat at the bars less. Not bad, but not the same as the Conquest last May.

     

    Nassau is not my favorite port but we wanted to show SS around. We did a walking tour and grabbed some lunch. Went to Junkanoo for a short time since SS wanted to see the water.

     

    Overall the cruise was good. Some slight issues....

     

    We never got our free past guest liters of water. And only one towel animal. I have no idea why the animal bothers me. Oh well.... we had ordered water for the room so it was fine I suppose.

     

    “Formal” night was pretty bad. They let a group of spring breakers in, wearing costumes. Like tutus (they were all male) and Spider-Man body suit, Santa body suit, genie in a bottle with no shirt, just an open vest, and a few other terrible choices. They were super loud, ran around the dining room, talked loudly on “shell phones” and were trashed. Opened champagne and hit a woman nearby in the face. Security came over but didn’t do much. Ruined dinner for many.

     

    The service was also bad that night. We were there for 2.5 hours. Never got a dessert menu, and our plates were never taken away from us for apps or main course. They just sat in front of us dirty. We missed Flick which I really wanted to see because we got our main course as it was starting. We finally just left the dining room. The other 2 nights were fine for service. I don’t think our head waiter had the other 2 team waiters that night. Other sections seemed fine, and people came way after us and left way before us.

     

    Alchemy bar is usually my favorite but sadly, I had bad service there too. I got there when the bar was pretty empty. I was told I was next. The bartender then served someone who came after me, and then someone else after me, then left and waited on a table that came 15 minutes after me. Every time she made a drink she would tell me I was next. After about 30 minutes I left and got a sub par Martini in the piano bar. She wasn’t busy at all for me to be ignored, and as a bartender I know what it should be like. Her loss, I tip really well because I understand the job. If she was busy it would be a different story. I’m a very polite customer so I didn’t get it. I wanted one martini the entire trip so I was disappointed. I just didn’t want to keep sitting there since I was annoyed.

     

    Piano bar and atrium bar were great. Since SS in kids club quite a bit we went to serenity. Plenty of chairs open, and loungers. Bar was busy, but moving.

     

    Debarking took 15 minutes from room to shuttle at 830. Hotel shuttle was right there so we hopped on.

     

    SS liked it so we will do a longer cruise next year.

     

     

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    Pier for Carnival, Tampa, Fl.

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    Columbia is amazing! There isn’t much around the Marriott, especially at night. But the trolley connects downtown to Ybor, and they are pretty close.

     

    Breakfast Crepes at La Creperia in Ybor are amazing. The Uber from Ybor isn’t bad either.

     

     

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    Brief Summary of the Liberty 3/15-18

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    Took a quick cruise to see if my step son would like it. Since I’m a teacher I’m limited to school vacations so spring break it was! Lots of kids and college aged kids there, but honestly they were fine. We didn’t witness one rude kid, and only had one group of college kids who were obnoxious (more on that later).

     

    We stayed at the Radisson at the Port the night before. It was a bit chilly so the pool was pretty empty but we made the best of it. It’s only a 2 hour drive for us but I didn’t want to deal with I-4 traffic the morning of the cruise. Hotel was good, we paid $11 extra for a suite and it was worth it. SS (12 years old, going on 18) wanted privacy so he could text his girlfriend so DH and I watched a movie in the living room. Ate at Grills and it was great! They had heaters outside so we were able to enjoy the deck. Food and service were very good. I’m also a server/bartender so I notice service issues. I’m not overly critical since I know what can cause bad service, but I also know when it is the servers fault. It was super busy so management took our order. I wish my manager was like that [emoji23]

     

    We had FTTF so we reserved the 10:30 shuttle. We were loaded at 10:15. Got to the port at 11 (shuttle waited for a few more people). Breezed through and boarded at 11:30. Only FTTF complaint was that people without priority on out floor got their luggage before us. I know it happens, but thought that we should have been before non priority. Went to guest services and had a limit put on SS account, and that alone made FTTF worth it. First day was chilly. Had some burgers, a few drinks and relaxed. SS went to circle C because we are apparently not cool anymore.

     

    We didn’t get cheers this time because we had to be responsible, not cool, adults. I brought 2 bottles of wine and DH ordered beers when he wanted them. We loved Cheers last year but this was a better choice this time. Our bill was pretty low since we had OBC. We did feel like our cruise had a different vibe since we sat at the bars less. Not bad, but not the same as the Conquest last May.

     

    Nassau is not my favorite port but we wanted to show SS around. We did a walking tour and grabbed some lunch. Went to Junkanoo for a short time since SS wanted to see the water.

     

    Overall the cruise was good. Some slight issues....

     

    We never got our free past guest liters of water. And only one towel animal. I have no idea why the animal bothers me. Oh well.... we had ordered water for the room so it was fine I suppose.

     

    “Formal” night was pretty bad. They let a group of spring breakers in, wearing costumes. Like tutus (they were all male) and Spider-Man body suit, Santa body suit, genie in a bottle with no shirt, just an open vest, and a few other terrible choices. They were super loud, ran around the dining room, talked loudly on “shell phones” and were trashed. Opened champagne and hit a woman nearby in the face. Security came over but didn’t do much. Ruined dinner for many.

     

    The service was also bad that night. We were there for 2.5 hours. Never got a dessert menu, and our plates were never taken away from us for apps or main course. They just sat in front of us dirty. We missed Flick which I really wanted to see because we got our main course as it was starting. We finally just left the dining room. The other 2 nights were fine for service. I don’t think our head waiter had the other 2 team waiters that night. Other sections seemed fine, and people came way after us and left way before us.

     

    Alchemy bar is usually my favorite but sadly, I had bad service there too. I got there when the bar was pretty empty. I was told I was next. The bartender then served someone who came after me, and then someone else after me, then left and waited on a table that came 15 minutes after me. Every time she made a drink she would tell me I was next. After about 30 minutes I left and got a sub par Martini in the piano bar. She wasn’t busy at all for me to be ignored, and as a bartender I know what it should be like. Her loss, I tip really well because I understand the job. If she was busy it would be a different story. I’m a very polite customer so I didn’t get it. I wanted one martini the entire trip so I was disappointed. I just didn’t want to keep sitting there since I was annoyed.

     

    Piano bar and atrium bar were great. Since SS in kids club quite a bit we went to serenity. Plenty of chairs open, and loungers. Bar was busy, but moving.

     

    Debarking took 15 minutes from room to shuttle at 830. Hotel shuttle was right there so we hopped on.

     

    SS liked it so we will do a longer cruise next year.

     

     

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    Pier for Carnival, Tampa, Fl.

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    If staying at the Hampton Inn I would research if there are any pub crawls or parades. If so, it will be the equivalent of a college spring break with a ton of drinking and partying. Ybor is not a kid friendly area those weekends. Super loud, people up all night, etc.

     

    If you tell me your dates I’m happy to look into the local calendar. I live in Tampa.

     

     

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    Gratuities are

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted · Edited by Tank's Mom

    I tip extra because good or bad service can change your experience.

     

    Carnival example:

     

    Went to the atrium bar. Had a fast, amazing bartender who was joking around with us even though it was busy before dinner. Great attitude, we left laughing. We tipped him extra based on his attitude alone and that he took a second to make sure we were having a good time.

     

    Alchemy Bar- I waited 25 minutes and left without a drink. I was waiting and the bartender looked over and said she’d be with me next. She finished the drinks she was making and then a “regular” came up so she made her drink. Then, a couple sat down and she made their drink. Then she went out and waited on a table that sat 15 minutes after me. Every time she passed me she said I was next. Then she would wait on someone else. I gave up and had a sub par martini at the piano bar. Those other people may have been there earlier in the cruise but it was ridiculous. She likely had no idea that I tip extra and maybe I would have been served if she did know. I left cranky. Don’t say I’m next then wait on 6-8 other people. I get they were repeat customers, but new customers deserve a little attention too.

     

    I’m a bartender so I recognize what it good service vs what is not. And I also recognize when it’s busy or just steady and what may stress a person out.

     

     

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    FTTF Port Everglades

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    I used it there back in May. Since we were driving 3.5 hours we left extra early in case of traffic. We got there and checked in at 10:30 (only 1 person ahead of us), and boarded at 11. There were not any weddings, but many platinum and diamond. A few hundred I would say. We went to our room and unpacked, and were eating by 11:30

     

     

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    Conquest to Grand Cayman and Ocho Rios

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    I did this itinerary last year, and the Dunn’s River Falls/Bobsled excursion. The cruise was great and service was wonderful on the cruise. The only issue was on the excursion once you get to the bobsled areas they make you wait 1.5 hours to get on the bobsled, likely because there is shopping options there, and a restaurant. Locals were pushy, but I didn’t feel unsafe.

     

    We did Snuba in Cayman, then walked around and had lunch and drinks. Loved the area.

     

     

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    How to give a cruise bday surprise?

    in Carnival Cruise Lines

    Posted

    I surprised my husband and step son with a cruise for Christmas. I had T-shirt’s made for each of them. Husband’s said “I’m on a boat” and SS’s said “Rules of the boat: 1. Don’t fall off the boat.

     

    They didn’t get it when they opened it. Next gift was luggage tags. Still no idea.

     

    3rd gift was a picture of the ship we are taking, and the dates. Still took a minute to sink in.

     

    I liked surprising them. There were no issues with having to rush to pack since the cruise isn’t until 3 weeks from now. Next year if my SS likes it we will try a longer cruise as a gift but my husband will be in on it. I prefer experiences over things for a 12 year old. Either way, have fun!

     

     

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    Hair questions....

    in Cruise Fashions & Beauty

    Posted

    I have wavy hair that goes frizzy in humidity.

    When in Florida or the Caribbean I use an Ouidad curl balm and let it go natural. It goes wavy/curly but still feels soft and looks silky curly as opposed to frizzy/fuzzy.

    If I straighten, I use Moroccan Oil after washing (while wet) and then use Aveda anti-humectant when I use the flat iron.

    But--what is YOUR natural hair texture and length?

     

     

     

    I’m a Florida girl and I swear by Ouidad. I use the climate control gel (it’s not thick like many gels) and it fights frizz even in a Florida summer. I can’t help with the wind or keeping it smooth since I gave up on straightening my hair but this stuff is a miracle.

     

     

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