ninjacat123

I was allowed to buy 2 bottles at 50% off our first night at the Steakhouse.  I tried to buy more but that was it. About ten years ago, I was allowed to buy 5 bottles at 50% off. Doesn't hurt to ask...

3 minutes ago, Are.we.there.yet? said:

We've been limited to $2K in gift cards the past.

For your Sign and Sail account?

10 minutes ago, sparks1093 said:

Around here they add chlorine and in some places fluoride as well to tap water.

Yes, our tap water smells like a pool sometimes. Oh well, at least we have easy access to clean water.  So many people around the world don't.

With CHEERS I find I order "lighter" drinks like an Aperol Spritz or a Mimosa.  Without CHEERS, I'm trying to get more "bang for my buck" with my drink order. Even though the cost is similar to a cocktail that has more "punch" I don't feel so woozy at the end of the day. CHEERS is worth it to me👍

I have never sailed out of Tampa.  I should look into cruises out of Tampa👍

Make sure your waitstaff and Maître D know that you are celebrating your special anniversary. We were presented with a small heart shaped cake with "Happy Anniversary" on it. If you used a PVP or a TA make sure they know in case they can add something to your cruise (chocolate covered strawberries, cookies, bottle of sparkling wine). You could order through your Cruise Manager, Happy Anniversary room decorations and a cake already set up in your stateroom when you embark. Look under Gifts and Stateroom Décor. If you like sparkling wine, bring a bottle per legal adult at embarkation. You can't bring fresh flowers on board but you can order a bouquet for your room.  I really love my Carnival Spa robe that I bought and brought home (get a fresh one wrapped in plastic) nice souvenir and romantic.  My DH and I had a short Dreams photo session and those 3 black and white pics are framed and hung above our bed.

If I think of more stuff, I'll post it.  Happy anniversary😍

1 minute ago, BigTeee said:

Funny.  Michelin was to encourage car drivers to drive on Michelin tires to a roadhouse eatery!   I guess all those car drivers driving out to the middle of the deep blue want a michelin rated experience?  Anyway, Carnival still promotes itself as a "fun" experience.  I might try this Chef's Table on my very first Carnival Cruise.  I've eaten in the finest restaurants on five continents, and I also have a Mikky Deez app on my phone.  I just love food.  My only fear is that I be sharing a table with fellow passengers who think that anything that's not served with a bottle of ketchup and a tub of mayo will taste like dirt?

Only beets taste like dirt.  With or without ketchup or mayo.😉🤣

9 minutes ago, aborgman said:

 

Nhà Hàng Vietnam (https://www.allmenus.com/il/chicago/354928-nha-hang-viet-nam/menu/)

 

Carnitas Uruapan (https://menupages.com/carnitas-uruapan/1725-w-18th-st-chicago)

 

Ghin Khao (http://places.singleplatform.com/ghin-khao-eat-rice/menu)

All look very yummy!  Wish I was closer to Chicago😻

Here is one menu with wine in one of our best restaurants The Fig Tree in Charlotte, NC. 

1 hour ago, bdeluca03 said:

At $150 per person, I could easily find Michelin Rated Restaurants in many cities who would provide significantly more value than The Chefs Table.

In the United States? Please list a couple. Thanks.

1 hour ago, cruisinqt said:

Carnival is having the Panorama go through dry dock near Singapore so that’s why they’re having this cruise. It’s a repositioning cruise from Singapore to LA. They do it pretty often when ships are dry docked. I did one a few months ago on the Freedom from Barcelona to USA and loved it. 

Sounds so awesome!! Please keep us posted on how it goes😁

7 minutes ago, Sabalon said:

 

Glad you liked the humor.  Love throwing those in.  As for the next, not sure yet.  Gotta hurry up and get to Platinum so we need to pick up our pace.  I know after the heat this year, my wife said we should go during her winter break  (Feb) next time (works at a school).  Gotta decide if we're taking our girls (25 and 22) with us.  Also we've been trying to get some of our closer friends to go with us as well - heaven knows we've been talking about it for 5 years!

We take our DDs every so often now (21 & 23) but it’s getting more like me and DH moving forward on cruises. It’s hard not bringing them along😔

3 minutes ago, jsglow said:

My wife and I always travel with a carry-on and a backpack per person. Still, we always hand the 2 carry on to the porters. I guess I'm sick of lugging them by that point. No reason we couldn't carry them on ourselves. Maybe I'll give that a try on our next 'short' cruise where they typically aren't as heavy. Old habits die hard I suppose.

My Apple Watch says I burn 14 calories dragging my carry on up to my stateroom. 👍😁

1 hour ago, jsglow said:

25 days of Cheers would literally kill me.

 

We travel to see new and interesting things. While we certainly partake onboard, we very much try to limit things. And signing that expensive ticket per round is a good way to do it.

4 hours ago, RogBus101 said:

Not necessarily the alcohol but the the milkshakes, juices and sodas would be a plus.

 

From what I understand, fresh juices are NOT included in CHEERS.  Before you order, ask if it's included in the CHEERS program.  Have a great cruise!!

Awesome report!!  Glad your wife recovered and was able to take part on the cruise.  So many funny comments/observations:

Our daughter grudgingly dropped us off, talking about how a cowoker's dad paid his daughter for a ride to the airport.

Big spender here…I think I almost qualified for a free glass of tap water…not quite at the iced tap water yet though.

 I don’t need to pay that much to know I’m old!  (I hear you!!)

Come see the movie version

Thanks for taking the time to write this up!!  Love Magic and it was fun seeing it through your eyes!😺

So when's the next cruise?😉

I guess worse case scenario is try to bring on a bottle from a port and if they take it away then you know your parameters. I know I wouldn't want to buy CHEERS for that long of a cruise and if it's port-intensive then you're buying drinks off ship.  I hope OP gets the info they need👍 

1 minute ago, GothOnAShip said:

I realized I forgot to add that he also had a $14 spicy pineapple martini, so didn’t get the money’s worth still, but certainly was a dent. Luckily with the RU4 promotion, we only paid about $200 each for the entire package . But definitely time to step it up on day 2 lol. 

So you two don't gamble but you got this RU4 promo.  Nice!!

Love the tumblers!!🤣

13 minutes ago, Charles4515 said:

They don't close the gangway overnight on ships that are in port multiple days. Sometimes they take a ship out and turn it around. Maybe to do maintenance or lifeboat drills. I recall a recent post  where someone mentioned they turned the ship around on thier Bermuda sailing. when omeone asked about what side of the ship they should book.  In that case you will have to pay attention to your ships daily schedule and be off before the turning around. .. 

Good to know!  I sent an email to my PVP as well so we shall see!  Thanks again!

2 minutes ago, lonegreywolf20 said:

 

Okay. Thank you. I just wanted to be sure that you didn't have to acquire points to get the discount.

FYI, you can't use Carnival gift cards for Australian Carnival cruises.  I have used them for Europe, Bermuda and Caribbean.  I get the digital ecards and save them in my Apple Wallet.  

BTW, congrats on your pending nuptials!!🥰

3 minutes ago, lonegreywolf20 said:

 

I understand that I need to be a member, but are points required to purchase at 10% off or can you just buy them without any reward points at all?

I haven't used points so I believe you don't need to.  Just my credit card😺

11 minutes ago, IntrepidFromDC said:

your limo driver on vacay too?

Re your Italy trip, are you taking the Cinque Terre train?  I was watching Tastemade last night and they featured this train.  Sounds interesting!!

PS Tastemade bites because it freezes then starts up and you miss part of the show.  FYI. 

27 minutes ago, lonegreywolf20 said:

 

Can you just buy them from AARP or do you have to have points?

When I searched, all i could find was that they were under rewards.

Are you an AARP member?  I believe you need to be a member to access Carnival gift cards. I just looked at my AARP rewards site and there are $450 and $100 Carnival gift cards available for purchase at 10% off.

I've never used points when purchasing.

5 minutes ago, Charles4515 said:

What is the date? 

September 5, 2024.  I have never been on a cruise ship that has been docked for multiple days thus my confusion. I did find a ship excursion that has a start time of 8:15 but most ship excursions for that day start after 10am.